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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.
Forrest Smith | Executive Director
Mr. Smith brings vast experience serving students and families in brick-and-mortar and virtual schools. Over the past 18 years, Forrest has had the privilege of working with more than 150 schools in both the United States and South Korea.
Since 2021, Forrest has served as Senior Director of Retention for Stride/K12.
Before moving to the corporate office, Forrest served as Head of School/Executive Director at Texas Online Preparatory School for nearly four years.
Before his time at Stride/K12, Forrest spent many years living and working in South Korea. During this time, he worked as a university professor, after-school academy owner, and curriculum consultant. These experiences led him to work and consult with more than 35 public and private schools and multiple departments within the Ministry of Education.
Forrest and his family enjoy spending time on the golf course, outside around a pool, and driving children to one of their many events/activities.
Alysha Tinsley | K5 Principal
Mrs. Tinsley started her teaching career 23 years ago teaching in the classroom. She then 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 enjoys spending time with her 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.
Tamika Cleveland | Middle School Assistant Principal
Tamika Cleveland is an accomplished educator with twenty years of experience shaping the educational landscape. Hailing from Toledo, Ohio, she has been a transformative force in urban education, particularly in turnaround initiatives. Throughout her dynamic career, Tamika has seamlessly transitioned through roles as a teacher, coach, principal, Director, and Superintendent, showcasing her versatility and unwavering commitment to student success.
Tamika’s dedication to educational excellence is evident in her academic achievements. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Toledo, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and leadership development.
Driven by a passion for inclusive education, Tamika has worked tirelessly to bridge gaps and create equitable learning opportunities for all students. Her efforts reflect a belief in the transformative power of education. Currently residing in Chandler, AZ, Tamika is embarking on a new chapter in her career as she joins our organization as the Assistant Principal for our Middle School, stepping into the world of virtual education for the first time.
Tamika Cleveland is not just an educator; she is a catalyst for positive change. Her dedication to turning challenges into opportunities and fostering inclusivity serves as an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. As she embraces her new position, Tamika continues to be a beacon of transformation in the educational landscape.
Amy Hart | Middle School Principal
Dr. Hart has been in education for over 15 years. She joined K12 as a middle school Math Teacher in 2016 and earned New Teacher of the Year for the District in the 2016-2017 school year. Dr. Hart graduated from Northern Arizona University with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and immediately earned her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University.
Dr. Hart is thrilled to continue to serve as Principal for AZVA Middle School. She believes in finding ways to remove student barriers and developing a strong connection with teachers and families. Dr. Hart is looking forward to strengthening a positive school culture and supporting indivuadual students needs. She is driven to ensure that every student has access to education and a strong desire to serve the community.
Dr. Hart currently resides in Prescott, Arizona with her husband and two children. She enjoys all water sports and hiking in the mountains.
Fun Fact: She and her husband own and operate a community flag football league in the Prescott area.
Shonti Land | High School Principal
Mr. Land describes himself as a father, son, brother, husband, and teacher. He has been a dedicated educator for over 20 years, holding positions from teacher to administrator. 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.”
Olivia Noriega | High School Assistant Principal
Ms. Noriega started her professional career as a classroom teacher twenty-four years ago; serving elementary and middle school students for six years. Ms. Noriega completed her graduate studies at the University of Phoenix, with a focus on School Counseling. She has served as a school counselor for ten years, at both the elementary and high school level. Three of those years have been with K12. Following her counseling work, she obtained her certificate in Educational Leadership. Serving as an Associate Principal in a brick-and-mortar school for eight years. Ms. Noriega is very excited and truly honored to return to Administration and proudly serve the AZVA community as the Assistant Principal. She is committed to working in collaboration with staff, parents, and the community to provide the best possible educational experience for every child. In her free time, Ms. Noriega enjoys spending time with family, cooking, watching movies and baseball.