AZVA Elementary Staff Directory
2026-2027
Alysha Tinsley- Principal
Mrs. Tinsley started her teaching career 24 years ago teaching in the classroom, and in 2007 joined the AZVA team. Mrs. Tinsley is eager to start her fourth year as Principal at AZVA. Mrs. Tinsley enjoys spending time with her four children and resides in Queen Creek, Arizona. She loves spending time outdoors, being creative, ice cream, and eating Mexican food. She believes that all students are capable of success.
Tené Layman- Assistant Principal
Mrs. Layman began her career in education in 2005 as a licensed daycare and preschool owner and operator. From there, she transitioned into the Public Education System as an Elementary School Teacher. Over the last 20 years, she's held roles as an Online School Administrator, Director of Leadership & Learning, as well as a School Administrator in brick and mortar settings (public charter and district schools). She loves to travel, adventurous activities are a must, shop, and spend time with her family and friends. She is the mother of three; the oldest is a 20-year old senior at Louisiana State University that plans to attend law school next fall, a 15-year old high school student and rodeo competitor, and a vivacious one year old little girl that keeps us busy!
Carrie Hiser- Lead Master Teacher
Mrs. Hiser has over 20 years of experience in education. She joined the AZVA team in 2012, teaching 5th and 2nd grades before moving into the role of Lead Master Teacher in 2018. She loves working with and supporting our amazing AZVA teachers, students, and families. Mrs. Hiser lives in Flagstaff, Arizona with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors hiking and running, and she loves coffee.
Amanda Knisely
Mrs. Knisely has been a teacher in grades K-5 for 2 years. This is her 4th year teaching Kindergarten with AZVA. Mrs. Knisely lives in Surprise, Arizona, with her husband, 3 kids, and 2 dogs. She loves spending time with her family, especially boating and camping. She is looking forward to another great school year with AZVA students and families! aknisely@azva.org
Bridgette Baca
Mrs. Baca began her teaching career 16 years ago as a Kindergarten reading teacher. She has taught grades K-3 throughout her career. She began teaching with AZVA in August of 2020. She is excited to continue working with all of the wonderful families and students here at AZVA this school year.
Sabrina Ramirez
Mrs. Ramirez will be starting her 12th year as an educator this year. 11 years with kindergarten and 1 year with first grade. This is her third year with AZVA and very excited for a new school year! She has been enjoying being a newlywed, with her wedding being held last November! (Also currently in the process of changing her last name to, Hauflaire) :) She loves iced coffee, Christmas and her orange cat, Neko. sramirez@azva.org
Staci Ross
Ms. Ross began teaching in 2010, and joined K12 Arizona in 2021. She earned her bachelor's degree in history through the University of Michigan-Flint, and her master's degree in elementary education through Grand Canyon University. Ms. Ross loves spending her free time with her two children, as well as other family and friends. She also enjoys baseball, swimming, and going to the beach.
Kailey McFadden
Ms. McFadden will be starting her first year with AZVA. She has had 5 years of classroom experience. She has taught 1st grade and 3rd grade. She loves spending time with her 3 border collies, drinking iced coffee, and watching superhero movies. Ms. McFadden can't wait to work with all of the amazing families and students here at AZVA this school year.
Cheryl Cox
I have been teaching for over 20 years. I began teaching online with AZVA 18 years ago and love being a part of this online community! My master’s degree is in Education; I have a Reading Specialist Endorsement (K-12) as well as Middle School ELA Endorsement. My husband and I have five grown children and three grandbabies, so far. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, working on crafts & everything sourdough. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. ccox@azva.org
Debbie Adair
I have been teaching since 1985 and have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, 2nd Grade and Art. This will be my 3rd year with AZVA. I have degrees in Elementary Education, Arts Administration, Elementary Curriculum and Development and in Education Technology Curriculum Development. I have endorsements in K-12 Art, and Early Education. I love spending time with my family, traveling, drawing, painting, sewing, decorating and reading are a few of my hobbies. dadair@azva.org
Natalie Hindman
Mrs. Hindman has been teaching for over 18 years and joined AZVA in 2023. She is passionate about working with the incredible students and families in the AZVA community and loves helping her students learn and grow every day.
Mrs. Hindman lives in Mesa, Arizona, with her husband, John, and their two children. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, grabbing her favorite drink from Starbucks, and browsing the aisles at Target.
Marcy Johnson
Mrs. Johnson is a first grade teacher at AZVA. She has taught for twenty-three years. This is her fourth year at AZVA. She has three adult sons and a daughter in law. Mrs. Johnson and her husband currently reside in Queen Creek, but are Iowa Hawkeye fans! Her favorite thing to do is spending time or traveling with her family. She also loves going on walks and bike rides with her two dogs, who she absolutely adore. She is looking forward to a wonderful school year!
Felicia Durden
Dr. Durden has been in education for 20 years. She is an Arizona native and loves exploring the Arizona desert. She is also a big Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks fan. This is the start of her second year in 3rd grade at AZVA. Dr. Durden is looking forward to a wonderful year of learning and growing this year!
Nikole Berry
Mrs. Berry is entering her 1th year of teaching and this is her 5th year with AZVA. She has taught grades Kindergarten through 3rd and is excited to be in 2nd grade again this year! One of her favorite things is to read aloud to students. She loves spending time with her family, reading, and playing video games. She also enjoys watercolor painting and has a goal of learning to crochet this year. Mrs. Berry cannot wait to start the year and meet all of her students and families!
Sue McDermott
Ms. McDermott has been teaching for 27 years. She has taught every grade from first through fourth. This is her twelfth year with AZVA. She is from New Mexico and has family there. She also enjoys reading epic fantasy series and singing in the car. Ms. McD's favorite foods are Mexican, Italian, and dark chocolate. Her family is looking forward to welcoming a rescue dog soon. Ms. McDermott loves helping students enjoy reading and has a passion for working with children who are on the spectrum. She can't wait to start this new school year with you and share your learning journey!
Tara Cericola
Mrs. Cericola has been teaching for 17 years. She started at AZVA in 2022 and has taught 2nd grade throughout her time here. She loves to read and passes that passion for reading onto her students. Mrs. Cericola lives in San Tan Valley, Arizona with her husband and her dog. When she is not teaching she loves to spend time outside by her pool with a good book in hand.
Karen Yorksmith
Mrs. Yorksmith has been a teacher for 34 years, and has been with AZVA since 2010. She lives in Show Low, a small mountain town in Arizona where she and her husband were both raised. She has 4 kids, 2 grandsons, a dog and a cat. She loves to read, play volleyball, travel, play board games, and spend time with her family. She's looking forward to a wonderful year with her 2nd grade students and families!
Maria Mendoza
Mrs. Mendoza is entering her 17th year teaching and most of her experience is in 1st and 2nd grade. This is her first year with AZVA and she is excited to have an amazing year with her students! She lives in Texas with her husband and 8 year old son. She loves watching her son play baseball, baking, reading, hiking, and spending time with family.
Ashley Vatland
Mrs. Vatland has worked in education for the past 14 years. This is her third year here at AZVA, and she has really enjoyed teaching Third Grade! She was born and raised in Arizona and now lives in Tolleson with her husband, two sons, two cats, and one dog. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing The Sims, and going to the movies. Mrs. Vatland can’t wait to see her students’ growth this year!
Julia Flor
Ms. Flor has worked in education for the last 10 years. This is her second year at AZVA and she is very excited to work with the 3rd grade students. She has lived in Arizona all of her life and has lived in Apache Junction for nearly 20 years. Some of her favorite things are; diamond painting, playing board games, traveling, and spending time with her cats. She can't wait to meet all her students and help them continue to grow and learn in the 3rd grade!
Lauren Glay
Mrs. Glay has been a teacher for 12 years, and has spent most of her time teaching 2nd and 3rd grades. Since 2020, she has been a dedicated 3rd grade teacher at AZVA, where she loves creating a warm and welcoming classroom for all students and their families.
Mrs. Glay lives in Peoria, AZ, with her husband and 8-year-old son. When she's not in the classroom, she enjoys diving into a good book and experimenting in the kitchen! Mrs. Glay is looking forward to creating a classroom environment where everyone feels happy, safe, and ready to learn together!
Amanda Wingle
Mrs. Wingle has been teaching for nine years and is excited to begin this year with AZVA. She lives in Surprise, AZ with her husband, son, and their beloved dog. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending quality time with her family, and getting outside for walks and bike rides when the weather allows. Mrs. Wingle is looking forward to another wonderful year with AZVA!
Mindi Feldstein
Mrs. Feldstein began her teaching career more than 32 years ago. She has spent the past six years at AZVA, first as a third-grade teacher and later as a Federal Programs Coordinator. She returned to our K – 5 community in January 2026 as a Kindergarten teacher, but has returned to Third Grade for the 2026 – 2027 school year.
She is married to her husband Marc and they have a 16-year-old daughter, Carolyn. Mrs. Feldstein loves the beach, coffee, Disneyland, Penn State football, and spending time with her family. She especially enjoys learning and growing alongside her students and their families. Mfeldstein@azva.org
Kristen Reyes
Mrs. Reyes brings 14 years of experience in education, Mrs. Reyes excited to begin her second year with Arizona Virtual Academy. She lives in Marana, Arizona with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys reading, coloring, and spending quality time with her family.
Adam Sobczak
My name is Mr. Sobczak, and I am very excited to be starting my fourth year here in 4th Grade at AZVA! I have been teaching elementary school for 9 years, and before that I taught in music programs at the high school level for 5 years. Outside of education I have also been a working musician (playing drums) for many years, and I love any opportunity to put music and learning together in my classroom. In my free time I also enjoy playing games, watercolor painting, traveling with my wife, and spending time with our 3 cats at home in Mesa. I'm so excited to be your teacher for this coming school year!
I can be reached at asobczak@azva.org
Alma Preciado
Mrs. Preciado has been a been classroom teacher since 2016 and has experience ranging from 3rd through 8th grade. Since starting at AZVA in 2021, she found her niche in teaching 4th grade.
Her goal is for students to feel safe and accepted in the classroom and to have fun while learning, keeping in mind that mistakes are the first step towards becoming great. Mrs. Preciado lives in Phoenix where she likes to frequent boba tea shops, hike along South Mountain, visit libraries, and wander around museums.
Feel free to email at: apreciado@azva.org
Ashley Perez
Mrs. Perez has devoted 13 years to the field of education, teaching students from preschool through 6th grade. Since joining AZVA in 2020, she has embraced the role of a 4th-grade teacher, where she fosters a nurturing and engaging atmosphere. Her classroom is a place where students feel safe to express themselves, learn from their mistakes, and thrive. Residing in Chandler, Arizona, Mrs. Perez enjoys a vibrant family life with her husband and two children. Outside of her teaching responsibilities, she finds joy in baking, reading, taking walks, and playing games.
Tasha Reaves
Ms. Reaves is an experienced and passionate educator entering her 11th year of teaching, with 7 of those years in 4th grade. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2016 with a degree in Elementary Education and also proudly served six years in the Air Force Reserves. Ms. Reaves loves traveling, trying new foods, reading, watching movies and TV shows, and getting creative with crafts. She’s excited to help her students grow and is looking forward to another fun and successful school year!
Tiffany Lohr
Mrs. Lohr has been a K-8 elementary teacher in Arizona for over 16 years. Formerly, she has taught K-2, upper elementary, and middle school. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education and emphasis in Social Science. She is currently studying a Masters of Education in Learning Design and Technologies at ASU. Her favorite subjects to teach are ELA and Social Studies. In her free time, she loves writing short stories and exploring historical sites in Arizona with her husband and two rescue dogs. She is passionate about finding ways to make learning meaningful and fun for all of her virtual students!
Lena Higgins
Mrs. Higgins has worked in education for over 10 years and has experience as a paraprofessional, after-school program assistant, and classroom teacher. She’s taught Kindergarten through 5th grade and loves helping students grow at every level. Mrs. Higgins lives in the East Valley with her husband and their 5-year-old son. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, arts and crafts and spending time with her family. She’s excited to be part of your child’s learning journey this year!
Danni Bond
Mx. Danni Bond has been in education for over 18 years as a reading intervention aide, a classroom teacher for 2nd and 4th grades, a specialist teaching Science to preschool through 5th grades, and an online teacher in 4th and 5th grades since the COVID pandemic. All of these varied experiences has taught them that there is something to appreciate about EVERY student! In their down-time, Mx. Bond loves reading, playing video games, and crocheting. They would go for hikes, but it's awfully hot down by the US-Mexico border!
Christine St. Clair
Hi Friends! I am a proud Wisconsin resident (Go Pack Go! 🧀), but here's a funny secret—I actually hate being cold! That's probably why I spent 19 years in sunny Arizona, where I built my teaching career across both traditional classrooms and as an educator at Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA). I'm a mom to four boys, so I'm used to lots of energy, laughter, and a little chaos (which means our classroom will feel like home!). When I'm not teaching, you'll find me hiking with my three dogs, who are basically my furry best friends.
Jody Laliberte
Ms. Laliberte is excited to start her 3rd year teaching at AZVA. She previously taught in the Cartwright school district where she taught kinder through 3rd grade. She has lived in Arizona her whole life. Ms. Laliberte has 2 kids, and 2 dogs, Winnie and Tiberius. In her spare time Ms. Laliberte is on the soccer pitch, playing golf or crafting. She is excited for a wonderful year ahead!
Kim Snelling
Mrs. Snelling has been a teacher for 36 years! She taught 4th and 5th grades in Topock and Kingman for 30 years. She currently lives in Bisbee with her husband and dog. When she's not teaching, she enjoys traveling, reading, listening to podcasts, doing puzzles, or spending time with her 3 grown daughters and 4 grandchildren. She is excited to start her sixth year at AZVA.
Gabi Mallett
Sarah Ohrt-Pouliot
Mrs. Ohrt-Pouliot is excited to begin her second year at AZVA! Before joining AZVA, she taught at a K12 online school in Colorado and spent several years teaching in a traditional classroom.
Mrs. Ohrt-Pouliot lives in sunny Southern California with her husband and their dog, Fiona. When she is not teaching, she enjoys going to the beach, watching sports, and relaxing at home with a good movie and a cozy nap.
She can't wait to start the school year and meet all of her amazing 5th-grade students!
Email: sohrtpouliot@azva.org
Ashley Woolf
Hi everyone! My name is Mrs. Woolf. This is my second year teaching with AZVA, and have loved being a part of such a great community of staff and students. I have been working in the field of education in a variety of different roles for over 6 years now. I am so excited to spend another year teaching elementary school in 5th grade at AZVA. I love to do anything outside! From rock climbing and skiing to swimming and hiking. I love being in the water! My husband and I welcomed our first child in April this year, a little boy named Axel, who we could not love more! I am excited for a great school year!
My email is awoolf@azva.org
Brandie Watson
Hi there! I’m Ms. Watson, and I’ve been a teacher for 10 years. I’m certified to teach both general education and special education here in Arizona.
I love hiking, watching YouTube videos with my kids, and telling funny jokes! Tacos are my absolute favorite food, and my perfect day would be going to the beach and grabbing In-N-Out Burger afterward.
I also really love learning new things, and I can’t wait for us to learn and laugh together this year—because school is way more fun when we’re smiling! 😄
If you or your family ever need to reach me, you can email me anytime at bwatson@azva.org
Amelia Ponter
Vicky Molina
Mrs. Molina started her teaching career in 1990 when she moved to Arizona from her home state of New York. She has taught both special education and general education since then. She has happily been with AZVA for 5 years as a special education resource teacher, and loves building relationships with and supporting her colleagues, students, and families. Mrs. Molina lives in Surprise, AZ with her husband, son, dog, and cat. When she is not teaching, she enjoys cooking, building Legos, drawing and coloring, and spending time with her family.
Deann Hudson
Hi! My name is Mrs. Hudson. I have been teaching for 12 wonderful years. I truly love supporting students as they grow and learn. I am a big animal lover. I have two cats who keep me busy and happy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, journaling, hiking, and taking road trips. I am looking forward to being your servicing teacher this year!
Stefanie Pekarek
Hello, I am Mrs. Pekarek. This is my 3rd year teaching in Special Education. I started my educational career as a substitute - then para, and now teacher. I attended UTSA and Purdue Global. I live in central Texas with my family and I am blessed with two sons, and a bonus mom to twin girls. I love to travel - all while trying new foods, and I very much enjoy making connections with people. I am excited to join AZVA this year and cannot wait to be a part of this journey with our students.
Gentry Fields
Hi! My name is Gentry Fields, and I’m thrilled to be starting my second year with AZVA. I live in Texas with my husband and our two boys, Max (9) and Creager (5). I’ve been in education for 20 years and hold a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech and a master’s from Texas State. When I’m not teaching, you can find me playing tennis, raising mini-Highland cows, or cheering on my boys at their sports games. I’m so excited to work with you this year! If you or your family ever need to reach me, you can email me anytime at gfields@azva.org
Lisa Barnes
Miss Barnes has been working in special education for 10 years and is starting her 4th school year at AZVA. She is a kid at heart, and her goal is to make sure her students know they are always supported in whatever they do inside and outside of the classroom. Miss Barnes lives in Phoenix, Arizona and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Abbie Ochoa
Mrs. Ochoa has been teaching since 2001. After many years as an in-person educator in both public and private schools, she began working at Arizona Virtual Academy in 2022 as a first grade teacher. Mrs. Ochoa has taught many different grades and especially enjoys working with younger students. She holds her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education as well as a Master's Degree in Learning and Technology. She loves spending time with her adult children and husband. She also enjoys traveling as much as possible, reading great books, and helping with volunteer groups during her free time.
Ashley Lindsay
Jaszie Peña
Mrs. Peña has been teaching and working and schools since 2012! This is her first year with t AZ Virtual Academy. Mrs. Peña has taught most grades Kinder through the University level and is passionate about education. Mrs. Peña holds 2 MA Degrees as a Licensed Reading Specialist with Grand Canyon University and a STEM Educator with Northern Arizona University, she is currently pursuing her PhD with Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Peña is had a husband and 2 puppies at home that make up her family, they enjoy traveling together, camping, and family book studies. You can always reach out for support with her as needed by email at jpena@azva.org
Amanda Chamberlain
Ms. Chamberlain is in her first year with the AZ Virtual Academy and is an Interventionist! She has been in education for over 20 years as a Certified Reading Specialist, Dyslexia Designee, and Educational Consultant. Ms. Chamberlain holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's of Education in Counseling Human Relations, both from Northern Arizona University. Ms. Chamberlain lives in Phoenix, AZ and enjoys traveling, kayaking with her dog, and perusing local bookstores! You can reach Ms. Chamberlain by email at achamberlain@azva.org
