Meet Our Staff
Kate Scally
Director / Music Teacher
With 15 years of experience as a music teacher at Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Kate Scally has dedicated her career to creating meaningful, engaging, and accessible learning experiences for students who are blind or visually impaired. Her passion for accessible education is deeply rooted in her belief that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment designed to support their unique strengths and needs.
As both an educator and a foster mom, Kate brings compassion, patience, and a strong sense of community to her work. If she doesn’t know the answer to something, she believes she’ll find the answer by reaching out to others. She is committed to fostering independence, confidence, creativity, and self-advocacy in her students while building supportive relationships with families and colleagues alike.
Kimberly (Kimmi) Dotseth
Teacher High School
Teacher of the Visually Impaired | Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Kimmi is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) with ten years of professional experience at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB). She graduated from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Physical Education/Health, Adapted Physical Education, and Visual Impairments.
Kimmi is committed to individualized, student-centered instruction that prioritizes functional independence and skill generalization across real-world environments. Her approach is grounded in the belief that every student, regardless of ability level, is capable of greater autonomy and independence with the right support.
Kasey Hopper
Orientation and Mobility Instructor
Kasey Hopper, MA, COMS, is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist dedicated to empowering students who are blind or visually impaired through independence training, assistive technology, travel skills, and individualized support. With years of experience as an educator, university instructor, assistive technology specialist, and mentor, Kasey brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the field, as he is also legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa. A guide dog handler partnered with his dog Chance, Kasey is passionate about helping students and families recognize the possibilities that confidence, proper training, and encouragement can create. He and his wife are raising their two children, Vyronica and Emerson, in Tucson, Arizona, where he enjoys coaching youth soccer, creating accessibility-focused content through the family channel @4FamFrogs, and exploring the community together. Kasey is excited to help build innovative, student-centered educational opportunities that prepare blind and visually impaired students for meaningful, independent lives beyond the classroom.
Laura Prelsnik Aragon
Teacher K-8
With 15 years in education, Laura Aragon brings a breadth of experience that spans both general and specialized instruction. After spending six years in general education, she found her calling working with students who are blind or visually impaired, a focus she has pursued with dedication for the past nine years. During that time, she has taught all grades kindergarten through 8th and all subject areas, giving her a comprehensive foundation in serving students with visual impairments across every stage of their elementary and middle school journey.
Laura holds a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments and is a certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI). She also holds an endorsement in middle school mathematics, reflecting her commitment to academic rigor and meeting students where they are across all disciplines.
Her combined background in general and specialized education gives her a unique perspective: she understands what students with visual impairments are working toward in the broader academic world and brings that awareness into every lesson. She believes that high expectations, individualized support, and genuine relationships are the foundation of meaningful learning for every student she serves.
Outside of school, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and competing as a professional ultimate frisbee player.
Hiris Vela
Teacher K-8 Diverse Learners
Hiris Vela has dedicated the past 10 years to teaching students who are blind and visually impaired. She has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Mild to Moderate Disabilities, and a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments from the University of Arizona. She believes that all students deserve access to the highest-quality resources and opportunities to learn. Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student should be taught with high expectations, encouraged to become self-determined, and empowered to take pride in their accomplishments.
As a blind educator herself, Hiris brings valuable lived experience to her work, which allows her to better understand the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of students who are blind. This perspective helps her create meaningful connections with students and provide instruction that is both relevant and empowering. Throughout her career, she has coordinated recreational programs for blind children and worked with adults who are blind. Most recently, she has worked with students who are blind and have multiple disabilities within the MDSSI population.
Hiris is passionate about creating meaningful learning opportunities by ensuring that educational materials are accessible to all learners. She has extensive experience developing and adapting these types of materials to create meaningful learning experiences for students with additional disabilities, while also supporting functional and meaningful approaches to braille literacy. Her goal is for every student to recognize their abilities, build independence, and develop the confidence and skills needed to reach their full potential.
Guiding Paths. Building Futures.
Contact Us!
149 N. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
Email: info@tucsonschoolfortheblind.org
Phone: +1 (520) 651-4279
Tucson School for the Blind is committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and supportive educational environment for all students, families, employees, and applicants. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Tucson School for the Blind is dedicated to ensuring equal access to educational programs, admissions, activities, services, and employment opportunities. We strive to foster a safe and welcoming community that values diversity, promotes dignity, and respects the unique needs and contributions of every individual.