Teacher Bio

My name is James Carrasco-Kinney, however; students just call me Mr. Kinney.  I was born and raised in a small town in Brainerd/Baxter, Minnesota.  Growing up on a ranch with my two sisters and my brother.  We rode horses, spent lots of time outdoors and enjoyed all the family that lived around us. During my Junior year I joined the Minnesota Army National Guard (1994-2002). I graduated from Brainerd High School in 1995.  During my senior year I did a reciprocal exchange to Germany.  After high school I attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Teaching Social Studies with a minor in Teaching German.  After graduating I accepted a job at Yuma High School in Yuma, AZ.  I worked there for twelve years, teaching German, World History, Journalism, Psychology, and Sociology.  During that time I took many students on field trips overseas to explore most of the countries of Europe.  In 2013, my husband Manny and I moved to the Phoenix Metro area.  I worked for the Peoria Unified School District for seven years where I taught 6-8 Social Studies and 6th Grade Science.  The last two years I was in the Union School District in Tolleson where I currently live.  I am excited to start at Laveen teaching 7th Grade Science.