Meet our team
Meet Our Administrators
Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) leadership is committed to empowering our school community and providing students with high-quality learning experiences.
Alysha Tinsley | K5 Principal
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.
Christina Vargas | K5 Assistant Principal
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.
Shonti Land | AZVA High School Assistant Principal
Mr. Land describes himself as a father, son, brother, husband, and teacher. He has been a dedicated educator for 21 years, holding positions from teacher to administrator. Mr. Land is starting his 2nd year with K12 serving as its Assistant Principal and Interim Principal over the past year. Mr. Land believes that nurturing positive relationships with students and staff while also mentoring teachers is the key to a successful school. He is proud to support K12 and AZVA High School as its principal. Mr. Land believes the following quote by Malcolm X: "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."
Alison Villalobos | 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.
Amy Hart | 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.
Dr. Erica Young-Jackson | 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.
Fun Fact: Dr. Young-Jackson and her family own several businesses that support her passion for every student to explore the possibility of entrepreneurship.
