Staff Biographies

Head of School

Dr. Kayleen Marble has been an educator for almost 30 years. Her experience spans traditional district, charter, and virtual schools across 6 states.  As an administrator, she had the opportunity to start 2 schools and work in school transformation. As a mother of 6 and a grandmother to 8, Dr. Marble is a strong advocate for parent choice in education.  She joined the ACP family in fall of 2021. Dr. Marble has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, a master’s degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning, and a doctorate in Teacher Leader in Digital Transformation.

Principal

Anne (Amy) Hardgrove celebrates her 25^th year with Academy with Community High School. She was a college English professor and an Executive curriculum writer and trainer in her native state of New York. She has taught English and Fine Arts for over 20 years at ACP, while acting as the community liaison, Lead Teacher, and grant writer. In November of 2021, she moved into the role of principal. Mrs. Hardgrove loves ACP, and her unwavering joy and enthusiasm for ACP stems from seeing students find hope, grow, and succeed.  Mrs. Hardgrove holds a B.A. in English and a M.S. in Publishing from Pace University in NY, a M.A. in Education from Grand Canyon University, and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

Director of Student Services

Teofila Makiling-Angst joined Academy with Community Partners in 1996 as teacher, an Administrator, and has mentored the staff and the many facets of students’ lives. Her educational journey began as the Dean of Student Services at Parks College, Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Assistant Coordinator for the Military Program of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has a Master in Guidance and Counseling and a Master of Education in School Administration. She is a believer that all students can succeed, if they want it for themselves. “If you believe you can succeed” is the message to the diverse students and their families. Besides being fulfilled with the success of her own children in their professional lives, she also has seven grandchildren; her heart and commitment belongs to the small community that she serves at the school.

Director of Facilities & Athletics

Coach C.J. Freas has been enriching Arizona kids’ lives through sports for the last 20 years, From the YMCA to multiple high schools along his journey to the ACP family.  Through his vision of school, family, sports and hope, he is helping kids prepare for their next step in life.  As a husband, and father of 3, the next great calling in this world is “coach”. He has been coaching the kids at ACP for the last 3 years with great success on and off the court. He was a 2022 Coach of the Year candidate, and 1 of his players earned Student Athlete of the Year with the CAA Vinny Award for Student Sportsmanship.

Student Success Coordinator

Kristina Norris is the Student Success Coordinator for ACP’s online program. She has been educating and supporting families navigate educational options within her community and online education in several states for two decades.  Her experience home educating her four children and teaching online provides with unique empathy to the needs of the families she supports.  Since her start at ACP in the Fall of 2022, she has affectionally become known as the “School Mom” by many of her students. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Manager of Student Support

Mr. Alvarez has been an educator and a coach for over 12 years. He has taught many subjects and has coached multiple sports to high levels of success. Mr. Alvarez has recently earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He is originally from San Diego, California and is married with a son and daughter. As an advocate for self-motivation, he hopes to empower all that seek power.