Audrey Adam

Audrey brings over 15 years of classroom experience and a deep passion for student-centered education to Desert Roots. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and a certification in English as a Second Language. Her teaching approach is grounded in empathy, intention, and the belief that every child deserves to be seen, celebrated, and supported for exactly who they are.

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Originally from Illinois, Audrey moved to Arizona in 2021 with her two daughters, and together they have loved making it their home. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, hiking, practicing yoga, and exploring creative outlets that bring her joy.

Audrey founded Desert Roots with a simple but powerful vision: to create a fun, supportive learning environment where EVERY child feels engaged, encouraged, and empowered to grow into their fullest potential.

Andre Abrams

Andre is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of a private practice in Phoenix, where he has had the privilege of supporting individuals and families through many different stages of life. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and he brings both his clinical expertise and his passion for building strong communities into the school setting.

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At Desert Roots, Andre helps oversee day-to-day operations while also focusing on the social-emotional well-being of students and families. Supporting children as they grow—not only academically but also emotionally—is at the heart of his work.

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As a proud dad of three daughters, Andre understands firsthand how important it is for kids to feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his girls, cheering for the Lakers and Ravens, and being with friends and family.

Caroline Joy Adams

 Caroline Joy Adams is originally from New York City, moved to Arizona in 2008, and taught English and Humanities at Paradise Valley Community College for 12 years. She is an artist, writer, photographer, and devoted educator, and loves to inspire people of all ages to be their most creative, confident selves. The author of seven published books, her first book was a calligraphy textbook that she wrote while teaching calligraphy (the art of beautiful handwriting) many years ago at Harvard University, and this title was also published in the UK. Her next book was a reading and handwriting textbook for children, and one of her more recent books is called Have Fun with Haiku, meant to teach both children and adults the fun, short poetic form inspired by the Japanese tradition.

She has a BA in Art from Rutgers University, and a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College. She loves teaching both children and adults, and especially loves spending time with the amazing kids at Desert Roots, helping them with handwriting practice, and creating a flourishing school garden in our wonderful outdoor space. She is currently writing a new series of children’s books, featuring characters called “Barden the Garden Bear’ and “Sedona and Kona, the Magic Butterfly-Bears.” She loves art, writing, music, gardens, flowers, and encouraging everyone to plant seeds of possibility and see what grows, every day, in every way! She spends her summers on a farm in CT, and when there teaches art in a summer camp program for kids at the Mystic Museum of Art, in Mystic, CT, as well as leading writing workshops for adults at numerous libraries and other places in both New England and Quebec, Canada, since she also loves to travel, and to meet new people wherever she goes.