Where Every Child Is Seen, Supported, and Celebrated
Mighty Minds isn’t your typical classroom — because your child isn’t a typical learner.
We’re a farm-based learning collective in Vail, Arizona, where kids grow strong minds, soft hearts, and capable hands through animal care, hands-on nature learning, and real-world problem solving. Every experience here is designed to build confidence, resilience, and a deep sense of connection — to the earth, to others, and to themselves.
Where Every Child Is Seen, Supported, and Celebrated
Mighty Minds isn’t your typical classroom — because your child isn’t a typical learner.
We’re a farm-based learning collective in Vail, Arizona, where kids grow strong minds, soft hearts, and capable hands through animal care, hands-on nature learning, and real-world problem solving. Every experience here is designed to build confidence, resilience, and a deep sense of connection — to the earth, to others, and to themselves.
Why We Started
We saw too many kids being overlooked in traditional classrooms — the movers, the dreamers, the ones who needed to feel it, try it, touch it to truly understand.
So we created a place where:
Horses are co-teachers
Dirt is part of the curriculum
And every child has space to thrive in their own way
Whether your child is neurodiverse, shy, wildly curious, or just doesn’t fit the mold, Mighty Minds offers a space where they are seen, supported, and celebrated.
Our Community
Mighty Minds is open to all kids ages 3–16, including:
Homeschool families
Neurodiverse learners
Curious explorers
Whether you're looking for enrichment, structure, or simply a place for your child to belong, you’re welcome here.
Our Founder
Carrie Mizenko
Where Lived Experience Meets Lifelong Passion
Founder Carrie Mizenko brings over 30 years of horse and farm experience to Mighty Minds, including the creation of the highly successful adaptive riding program Scooter’s Place in Washington State.
Born and raised on a farm, Carrie grew up immersed in the everyday magic of horses — learning early how to be brave, work hard, play harder, and care deeply for all living things. That same foundation now fuels her passion to create meaningful, inclusive experiences for children and families of all abilities.
Carrie is also a special needs mom navigating autism, apraxia, global delays, epilepsy, and ADHD. She understands firsthand the challenges that come with raising children with diverse needs — and she’s built Mighty Minds to be the kind of space she once longed for herself.
She holds a B.A. in Human Development from Cal State East Bay, multiple yoga certifications, and has spent years studying brain/body integration, right and left brain learning patterns, and holistic healing modalities. Her lifelong mission? Helping children and adults grow, heal, and thrive through the rhythm of farm life and the wisdom of horses.
At the heart of everything she does, Carrie believes in bringing families, professionals, and the community together to create safe, grounded environments that nurture growth — mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Credentials & Qualifications
Infant Aquatics®
Certified Instructor
(100+ hours of hands-on training)
Academic background in child development, behavioral psychology, and infant physiology
CPR & First Aid Certified
Adult
Child
and Infant
Mom of two
Infant Aquatics®
Graduates
of 2017 & 2019
"So glad to have found this place and so blessed to have met and work with such a wonderful group of people! They are all very welcoming and kind. I love all the activities they do with families and how involved they are with the kids. Whether it's volunteering, riding horses, or attending the festivities, my kids and I love it! My kids especially just love being around the animals and beg me to go back all the time! You will definitely find yourself in a place surrounded by kindness, peacefulness and happiness. Come visit, You will love it too!!!"
- Barbie
MEET THE TEAM
Our team is made up of passionate educators, equine professionals, and farm mentors who believe that every child deserves to feel capable, confident,
and cared for.
Carrie Mizenko
Owner & Founder
Aria Ratliff
Equine Instructor
Tracey Padula
Volunteer & Operations Coordinator
Michelle Inez Castaldi Mann
Mindfulness Instructor
Sophia Fox
Riding Instructor
Sophia is currently a college student in her senior year studying to become a nurse! She has been riding horses since she was about five years old, and they’ve always been a big part of her life. A few years back, she gave horseback riding lessons at a therapy ranch, which was such a rewarding experience. Sophia also worked as a camp counselor, teaching kids how to ride and making sure they feel safe and have fun. Horses have always been something she's loved, and she really enjoys sharing that with others. Sophia loves helping people build the same connections she's made and take on the responsibility that comes with horsemanship!
Kylee Kus
Trainer & Riding Instructor
Kylee Kus is a well accomplished horsewoman who is passionate about teaching children and adults multiple riding disciplines. She has experience in competing and training equestrian disciplines such as western and english pleasure, reining, and English jumping. Kylee is currently enrolled at the U of A obtaining a bachelors degree in equine science. Her end goal is to become an equine dentist and to continue to be a riding instructor. She has experience teaching children of different backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels. Kylee started riding at a very young age and competed in a multitude of disciplines. By the time she was in high school she had competed along side the U of A's Equestrian Jumping team, won multiple individual championships and finished second in the state of Arizona’s Hunter Jumper classification in her age group. With her experience, passion for horses, and love of teaching, she desires to help future equestrians gain as much knowledge and confidence as possible and fulfill their riding goals. Through her work she wants to help build up the future of the equestrian community, industry, and the foster a passion for horses.
Hannah Whithaus
Riding Instructor
Hi, my name is Hannah Whithaus. I recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Animal Science with an Equine Emphasis. Before moving to Arizona to finish my degree, I went to community collage while working part time at Pine Trails Ranch in Davis, California – the same barn I had been riding at since age 12. I have worked with a wide variety of both horses and riders in my more than five years of teaching lessons and training horses. I am excited to continue my equine journey here at Mighty Minds, working with both horses and kids!”
Ready to Learn Differently?
Come visit the farm. Ask the questions. Meet the horses.
We promise — your child will feel it right away:
This place was made for them.
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MIGHTY MINDS
Creating strong minds and bodies
Location
Tanque Verde Stables
11099 E Glenn Street
Tucson, AZ 85749
By appointment only!
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