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 has had the opportunity to start 3 schools and work in school improvement and transformation. As a mother of 6 and a grandmother to 8, Dr. Marble is a strong advocate for parent choice in education – her own children have attended a variety of schools depending on their individual needs. Dr. Marble has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, a second Master’s degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning, and a Doctorate in Teacher Leader in Digital Transformation. She is the Superintendent of Academy with Community Partners in Mesa, Virtual Preparatory Academy of Arizona, and is an adjunct professor for Teacher Leadership courses.

Principal

Mr. Alvarez has been an educator for over 13 years. He has taught multiple subjects, including sports and life skills. In sports Mr. Alvarez has coached three different sports teams to state championship games. Mr. Alvarez has earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Menlo College. As well as a master’s degree with distinction in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. He is a son of immigrants, and is originally from San Diego, California. He is married with a son and daughter. As an advocate for self-motivation, he hopes to empower all that seek it.

Counselor

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.

Office Manager

Registrar

Devon has been working in education for the past 7 years. She is currently finishing her teaching degree and will work towards her master’s degree in administration. She has worked in special education for the past 4 years working with behavioral students. She went to college on a scholarship for softball and volleyball and is now giving back to the community as a coach. She is a mother of three children and looks forward to working with her new team at the Academy with Community Partners and Virtual Preparatory Academy of Arizona.

Special Programs Manager

Molly Ryan, MA.ED has been in education for 30 years. She has a degree Elementary K-8 and a master’s in Special Education Cross Category and Administrative Leadership with a Principal Certification. She has worked in Charter Schools and Tradition Brick and Mortar Schools in 4th – 12th grades in Arizona as a teacher, coach, special education teacher, assistant principal, special education director and principal throughout her career. She is a mother of 3 adult children and 5 more by marriage. She will be a grandmother again this September totaling 17. She has children and grandchildren with special needs and has been an advocate for special education and knowing your students as individuals. She has joined the Academy with Community Partners, Virtual Preparatory Academy of Arizona and the ACCEL team and is excited to start her new journey.