ARIZONA VIRTUAL ACADEMY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- AZVA High School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Villalobos has been in education since 2010. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with endorsements in K-12 English as a second language (ESL) and 7-12 social studies. She worked in education for nine years in Wyoming teaching ESL to adults, running a Boys & Girls Club, and taking up golf. She also obtained a master's degree in curriculum and instruction in K-12 literacy from the University of Wyoming. In 2018, Alison moved with her husband to Safford, Arizona, where she completed her principal internship and her K-12 Administrator Certificate. Alison and her husband had their son, Grayson, in 2020. Grayson loves trucks, the outdoors, and Blippi. In her spare time, Alison enjoys playing with her son, sewing, baking, traveling, and watching documentaries..
Mrs. Tinsley joined the AZVA team as a highly qualified teacher in July 2007; at that time, she taught all grades K-8. After a few years, she went grade-level specific and taught 1st grade for many years. Mrs. Tinsley has a husband and four children and resides in Queen Creek, Arizona. She graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education with SEI and early childhood endorsements. She was honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award during the 2016-2017 school year and the Administrator of the Year award during the 2022-2023 school year. Mrs. Tinsley has been part of the K-5 leadership team for several years and transitioned into the lead master teacher role in 2020 and the assistant principal role in 2021 and the principal role in Fall of 2023. She believes that all students are capable of success.
Job Titles:
- AZVA Middle School Assistant Principal
Ms. Hart has been with K12 since 2016. She started as an 8th grade math teacher at ISAZ, then became a lead master teacher with AZVA. She has a husband and two children and resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ms. Hart graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2005 with her bachelor's degree in elementary education and then in 2007 with her master's in early childhood education with an emphasis in reading. She is obtaining her doctorate in educational leadership and management at Capella University and looking forward to applying her skills and experience into K12-powered schools.
Mrs. Vargas has been an educator for 17 years, joining ISAZ in 2018 as an electives teachers and as the districts Instructional Design and Professional Development Specialist since 2022. She graduated from Arizona State University with her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and with her master's degree in Educational Administration and Leadership in 2012. She is married to her husband of fifteen years with five children and one grandbaby. She enjoys the outdoors; camping, hiking and spending time on the soccer field watching her children. Mrs. Vargas' passion is working with students, families and teachers to provide a fun, well-rounded educational experience for all. She is excited to begin working as AZVA K5 Assistant Principal.
Job Titles:
- Governing Body President
- Professor at the University of Arizona
Dr. Fernandez is a respected sociology professor at The University of Arizona. As a long-standing member of the Portable Practical Education Preparation (PPEP) and Affiliates corporate board, Dr. Fernandez advises AZVA on higher education issues and on issues related to PPEP and Affiliates.
Job Titles:
- Career Readiness Education Administrator
Dr. Young-Jackson joined ISAZ in 2018 as a business career readiness teacher after working in various K through 12 education roles. After being a part of the career and college prep program for three years, she became the career readiness education administrator at ISAZ in 2021 while obtaining her Doctorate from Northcentral University in educational leadership.
Dr. Young-Jackson has cultivated educational partnerships for our students with Grand Canyon University, Rio Salado Community College, Pima Community College, and several industry partnerships. Her educational experiences have allowed her to collaborate with a diverse group of educators to increase student achievement and provide an environment where students will benefit from quality instruction, hands-on training, industry certifications, and college credit.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Sociology at Northern Arizona University
Dr. Jessie K. Finch is the Chair of Sociology at Northern Arizona University. She studies migration, race and ethnicity, deviance, social psychology, emotions, culture, health, and pedagogy. She has a Ph.D. (2015) and M.A. (2011) in Sociology from the University of Arizona and a B.A. (2007) in Sociology and Music from the University of Tulsa. Jessie has published in peer-reviewed journals such as Teaching Sociology, Race and Social Problems, and Sociological Spectrum and has received grants from the National Science Foundation as well as the American Sociological Association. She is the co-editor of Migrant Deaths in the Arizona Desert from the University of Arizona Press (2016). She has also taught courses on immigration, race and ethnicity, deviance, research methods, popular culture, and happiness.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of High School Relations for the Arizona State University
Dr. Duplissis is the executive director of high school relations for The Arizona State University. He advises AZVA on school policy and post-secondary education issues. A former high school administrator, Dr. Duplissis brings with him years of experience in managing public schools.
Ms. Tiss joined the AZVA team as a highly qualified ELA teacher in July 2017. She quickly became the language arts department lead and, from there, moved on to a lead master teacher role. She graduated from California State University-San Bernardino with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. In addition, she has her master's in curriculum and design and is highly qualified to teach middle school ELA. Ms. Tiss gracefully transitioned into the assistant principal role in 2020 and the principal role in the spring of 2022. She strives to support teachers in meeting their students' individual needs.