Elisabeth Spires

Elisabeth Spires is an experienced educator and advocate committed to advancing social sustainability through inclusive, student-centered learning environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and has taught across multiple grade levels, including 4th, 5th, and middle school choir and drama. Her classroom experience includes implementing arts integration, piloting inclusive teaching models, and fostering trauma-informed, emotionally responsive spaces.

Beyond the classroom, Elisabeth has led educational initiatives in both formal and informal settings. She has directed a homeschool co-op, operated a private voice and piano studio, and trained staff as a senior leader in the disability services field. Her roles as CEO and COO at Absolute HCBS allowed her to merge education with organizational leadership, focusing on training, quality assurance, and program development for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Certified in Trauma-Informed Yoga and Social-Emotional Learning through Breathe for Change, Elisabeth blends academic instruction with holistic support practices. She is now seeking to leverage her teaching foundation and leadership experience in roles that contribute to social sustainability, particularly those that support equity, education access, and lifelong learning.

Direct Support Professional
Mountain Springs Community Services, Arizona Autism – Tucson, AZ | 2023–Present
 Absolute HCBS, UCP – Tucson, AZ | 2007–2011

• Provide home and community  support to adult men with developmental disabilities, promoting independent living and self-advocacy.
• Facilitate access to community events and services, supporting individualized goals and inclusive engagement.

CEO, COO, Director of Quality Assurance & Policy Compliance, Area Manager
 Absolute HCBS – Tucson, AZ | 2011–2023

• Supervised and trained staff providing in-home services to individuals with disabilities.
• Built positive relationships with clients, families, and community partners.
• Created individualized training programs and tracked outcomes for quality care.
• Led agency operations, strategic planning, and staff development.
• Fostered partnerships and built programs supporting individuals with disabilities.

Middle School Choir/Drama Teacher
Hermosa Middle School – Farmington, NM | 2002–2003

• Created school’s first Drama Department

Fourth Grade Teacher
Park Avenue Elementary School – Aztec, NM | 2000–2001

• Participated in Sustaining Quality Schools
• Implemented grant-funded Fine Arts Integration into humanities classes

Fifth Grade Teacher
Willcox Middle School – Willcox, AZ | 1998–2000

• Collaborated with Special Education teacher to pilot inclusive learning environments
• After-school Gifted Teacher

B.S. in Elementary Education – Northern Arizona University, 1998
Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor & Social-Emotional Learning Facilitator – Breathe for Change, 2025
Expired State of Arizona Teaching Certificate (Renewal Eligible)