All staff resumes are now available for review at the front office.
Email: alethea.alle@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Alethea Allen was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She attended BYU-Idaho where she received her B.A. in Political Science. She later attended ASU and graduated with a Masters in Secondary Education. Ms. Allen has taught at Heritage Academy Maricopa since it opened in 2019. Before coming to Heritage Academy she taught for three years in Okeechobee, Florida teaching 6th-grade ELA and 7th-grade Civics.
Email: a.atwood@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Atwood has 27 years of experience in the hair industry, she brings a deep dedication to creativity, service, and community. Over the past three years, she has embraced her passion for education by working as a substitute teacher—primarily in math—and has served in two long-term math teaching positions. Her love for math and helping children has made this transition both rewarding and meaningful.
Beyond the classroom, She has been deeply involved in supporting scholars and schools through volunteer work. She has spent 13 years actively engaged in PTO, including two years as PTO president at Heritage Academy in Maricopa, where she worked closely with staff and families to enhance school programs and foster a strong sense of community.
She is a proud wife and mother of two daughters, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. Whether it’s in the salon, the classroom, or the school community, she is passionate about making a positive impact and sharing my love of learning—especially when it comes to math!
Email: p.barney@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Barney moved to Maricopa, Arizona in 2018 from Rockford, Il. (This is about 40 minutes
from Chicago). She was born into a large family where she is 1 of 8 kids that grow up in her family. She is married to her best friend, and they have 2 boys. Her oldest son graduated from High School
in 2024. Her youngest is in 7th grade this year. She and her family live in Hidden Valley, Maricopa and enjoy the
mountains. Although she does miss all the green and flowers back home, SHE DOES NOT miss cold or
snow. She has 2 dogs, 3 cats, 2 ball pythons, and 6 hermit crabs as pets!
Email: michele.bocchinfuso@heritageacademyaz.com
Miss Bocchinfuso is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to Arizona in 2014 for a teaching opportunity. She graduated from Penn State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Additionally, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University in 2017.
Miss Bocchinfuso spent 4 years teaching fifth grade in the Casa Grande Elementary School District and Maricopa Unified School District, and began teaching at Heritage Academy Maricopa in 2019. She enjoys spending time with friends and traveling home to see her family whenever possible. She also loves to read, sing, and spend time outdoors.
Email: s.boger@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Boger was born and raised in a small rural town in Northern Ohio, a short drive from the famous roller coaster park, Cedar Point. After her high school graduation she worked full-time at a bank and married her high school sweetheart. In her early 20’s she decided to pursue her love for teaching and attend Bowling Green State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She then continued her education by earning multiple endorsements while being a full-time substitute teacher and raising her young family.
Her family relocated to Maricopa 10 years ago to pursue job opportunities and get away from the cold, muddy weather. In 2019 Mrs. Boger earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She has taught in multiple grade levels over the last 15 years and is looking forward to being able to focus on and teach her favorite subject: Math! She has always wanted to teach middle school math and is super excited for this opportunity to continue her love for teaching and combine it with her love for mathematics.
In her free time, Mrs. Boger enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children. They enjoy camping, riding bikes, going to the zoo, and going on adventures. During the quiet morning hours Mrs. Boger enjoys reading, watching the sun rise, and spending time with her animals. She has 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 2 horses.
Email: emily.brems@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Brems is an East Coast girl living in an Arizona world. She moved to Arizona in 2004 with her husband but relocated her family to Maricopa in 2013. Mrs. Brems went back to school when she was 26 and found that she really loves being a student and learning. She spent 10 years completing multiple degrees: BA in English, BS in Family and Human Development, MA in English, and M.Ed. in Secondary Education. She is excited to share her love of the English subject with your scholars in the classroom.
When Mrs. Brems isn’t spending time with her husband or her five children, she loves to read and watch movies. When she gets the chance, she loves to travel and has a list of places she still wants to go. Her favorite family vacation spot is Disneyland, but she can’t decide on one single ride as her favorite. Even though everything seemed spicy when she first moved to Arizona, she developed a real love for Mexican food . Overall, Mrs. Brems just enjoys having a good time with the people she is with. She looks forward to working with your scholars this year.
Email: f.breunig@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Breunig has been in education for the last 10 years and has taught at both elementary and high school levels. With a background in U.S. History and Government/Civics, he taught 5th grade math for 3 years and is excited to return to helping build the foundational skills to be learned in 6th grade math class here at Heritage Academy.
A product of the Kyrene School District and a graduate of Arizona State University, Mr. Breunig’s journey into teaching was a deliberate choice that he made later in life, driven by a desire to make a difference in young lives. While he spent most of his working life in sales and management, his passion for education remained unwavering. As a single parent to three children, Luka, Charlie and Mary Lily, Mr. Breunig understands the importance of flexibility and support in a child’s education. His classroom ethos revolves around responsibility, accountability, and empowerment, ensuring that every student has the tools they need to succeed.
Mr. Breunig attends Cornerstone Church in Chandler and was a sponsor of a student-led after school Bible study at his previous school here in Maricopa. While a native Arizonan, he did spend a few years living in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach in California. He returns to California for a few weeks every year and loves the ocean where has instilled a love of surfing and body surfing in his children. He has also spent 3 years as a golf coach while helping start the golf program as his previous school. Mr. Breunig’s door is always open and parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out with any questions or concerns. Mr. Breunig is committed to supporting both students and their families on their educational journey.
Daniel is happy to return to Heritage Academy, where he was a student at the Mesa campus. A Mesa native, he earned an Associate’s degree in graphic design from Mesa Community College before transferring to Arizona State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Information Technology, specializing in print and digital design. With over 15 years of experience as a designer and educator, Daniel is excited to share his knowledge and inspire students at Heritage Academy’s Maricopa campus.
In his free time, Daniel loves spending time with his wife and four children, taking photos, off-roading, and collecting and building LEGO sets. His passion for creativity and hands-on projects carries into his teaching, where he fosters a fun and engaging classroom for young learners.
Email: tanner.carpenter@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Carpenter grew up in North Dakota with 3 younger sisters. After high school he attended Mayville State University in North Dakota where he earned a BS in Mathematics and Physical Education while playing baseball and football. After teaching math for a year in North Dakota, he moved to Arizona where he has been teaching Mathematics and coaching baseball for the last 11 years.
Education runs in Mr. Carpenter’s family as both of his parents were part of the school system as he was growing up. This influenced him to become a teacher as well as two of his sisters who are elementary school teachers. Mr. Carpenter has enjoyed being able to make an impact on student’s lives both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. As far as coaching experience, he has coached golf, baseball, basketball, and football.
Email: e.choi@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Choi grew up in Southern California, where she attended a performing arts high school for Classical flute, and holds a B.A., Post-Baccalaureate, and M.A. After attending Wellesley College for Music and History, she completed a Post-Baccalaureate in Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania while employed at the Kislak Center for Rare Books and Manuscripts. During this time, she participated in archaeological excavations of a Roman bathhouse in Colchester, England and the theater and agora of Ancient Thouria in Messenia, Greece. Ms. Choi received her M.A. in Classics from the University of Notre Dame, where she taught Beginning and Intermediate Latin and Roman History.
Ms. Choi’s academic interests lie primarily in fifth-century Greek historiography and warfare, including the dynamics of alliances, historical agency, and ethno-cultural studies, and she has presented her research at various regional and national conferences. Outside of the classroom, her interests include hiking, spinning, impressionist music, upcycling clothing, animal welfare, and modernist literature.
Email: Siria.cont@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Contreras was raised in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. She holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Education. She came to the United States four years ago with teaching experience in all grade levels. This is her third-year teaching Spanish in Arizona and she is so happy to have the opportunity to share her culture. She has a bachelors and masters degree in Education and is certified by AZDE with a Spanish endorsement.
When Ms. Contreras is not teaching she enjoys traveling and visiting her family in Mexico. A famous quote that describes her life is “We will not have failure, only success and new learning” -Queen Victoria. The most important lesson that she has learned in life is to have discipline and to be diligent in everything she does; that’s her key to success.
Email: james.crei@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. James Creighton has a Master’s degree in Medieval and Western American History from the University of New Mexico and has been teaching for four years. He has also taught Latin, U.S. Government, Economics, and Logic and takes immense joy in learning more along with his scholars. His extracurricular activities range from singing in his church choir, community theater, and writing novels to taking long hikes in nature and spending time with his wife (whom he recently married).
Mr. Creighton enjoys working with the staff and scholars of Heritage Academy, Maricopa, and enjoys working as a successful part of the community. Everyday, he looks forward to imparting knowledge to scholars, the future generation of America, and leading them by example.
Email: alan.daniels@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Daniels graduated from Utah State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in English and a minor in business. He also earned his Master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Argosy University. After graduating with his English degree, he worked as a technical writer, copy writer, graphic designer and marketing coordinator for several organizations as well as himself for a short time. In 2010, he began working in university enrollment and was successful at helping students see the value of earning a college degree. With his career in higher education, Mr. Daniels worked as the Director of Enrollment for several institutions, most recently at Benedictine University, Mesa.
Mr. Daniels has a passion for teaching and leading youth. In college he worked for the Especially for Youth summer camps, as a counselor and director. He also worked as a Youth Development Professional for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and gained classroom experience during his senior year of college as a seminary teacher. He is excited about changing direction in his career and teaching the great scholars at Heritage Academy! Outside of work, Mr. Daniels spends most of his time with his wife and five children and providing service within his church and community. When time permits, he enjoys long boarding, running, disk golf, ping pong and going to the beach to surf whenever possible.
Email: robin.daniels@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Daniels has been with Heritage Academy Maricopa since it opened in 2019. She graduated from California State University Hayward in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Physical Education. Before becoming a teacher, her professional background included managing a variety of sport and recreation programs. Mrs. Daniels has many years of volleyball coaching experience in both high school and club programs. She is currently the head coach for the girls varsity volleyball team. Outside of school, Mrs. Daniels has a love for writing and is a successfully published author. It probably goes without saying that in her free time she loves to read. She also stays busy as a wife and mother of five.
Email: j.durling@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Durling grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and made it his mission to escape the frigid winters. Now, he basks like a lizard in the 117 degree Phoenix heat. He earned an associates degree from College of DuPage, then studied at Northern Illinois University for his bachelors and then masters in English Education. He is certified as a secondary English instructor and as an elementary Montessori teacher. He taught and served as the vice principal at a Montessori elementary school for eight years and as an adjunct English professor for two years. He has completed the coursework towards a doctorate in education through Illinois State University, where he worked as an assistant editor for an academic journal, a supervisor of students teachers, and a research assistant using eye tracking to study how children develop as readers.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Durling is likely to be found climbing rocks, playing ultimate, woodworking, backpacking, or taking pictures while traveling internationally. He loves reading and his time spent listening to audiobooks through the Audible app is measured in months.
Email: coming soon
Information regarding Mrs. Elstner will be coming soon.
Email: marin.fairbanks@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Fairbanks wanted to work at Hogwarts, but the only available position was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Realizing that the HISTORY of that position was quite precarious, she decided to return to her Alma Mater, Heritage Academy, as our 8th-grade History teacher.
Ms. Fairbanks’ perspective as an alumnus of Heritage has given her a unique viewpoint of this amazing school. Her time as a scholar at Heritage was so influential that it was in her 7th-grade history class that she decided that teaching was her life’s passion.
After graduating from Heritage, Ms. Fairbanks attended Brigham Young University Idaho and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Social Studies Education with an emphasis in History. She is also a graduate from Grand Canyon University, where she received her MA in History with an emphasis in Education.
Though she was educated at the Mesa Campus, she loves being part of the Maricopa team and helping to bring the unique mission of Building America’s Heroes to Maricopa.
Email: lee.feiles@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Feiles was awarded the title of Master Instructor in 2007, and served as part of a three-person regional team responsible for training and certifying instructor applicants, as well as a designated weapons certification trainer. Mr. Feiles earned two competitive martial arts World Championship titles in 2009 and holds the prestigious title of International Judge. He is currently ranked 8th Degree Black Belt with the Title of Chief Master Instructor.
With his wife and two young children, he is currently based out of Maricopa, where his school supports recreational activity in the community, including quarterly safety and self-defense seminars offered as a community service. He has provided continuous Leadership training in his schools, serving hundreds of students each year. In 2012, he was appointed by the Maricopa City Council to serve on the Parks Recreation and Libraries Citizens Advisory Committee, has served on the Maricopa 2040 Vision Plan Committee and the Maricopa Board of Adjustments, and is a member of the City of Maricopa Advocates Program. Mr. Feiles also holds the position of Adjunct Professor of Kinesiology for Lee College as an online martial arts program instructor.
Email: Jennifer.ford@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Ford’s journey began in a small town in San Diego, California, where she emerged as a leader from her days at Ramona High School, ultimately serving as Senior Class President and earning multiple scholarships as a “Future Teacher.” Her educational path led her to Palomar College in San Marcos before culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University, specializing in Community & Health Planning and Family & Human Relations.
While living in San Diego, Mrs. Ford and her husband co-founded The I.T. Pros, a pioneering technology firm that received awards as one of San Diego’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies and earned recognition from Inc. Magazine among the Top 5,000 fastest growing companies nationwide. In 2010 they successfully sold the company to a leading national I.T. service provider.
Since 2021, Mrs. Ford has enjoyed teaching at Heritage Academy, as a technology teacher to junior high and high school students. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom, where she assumes the following roles as SST Co-Coordinator, 8th Grade Lead, and Staff Sponsor to Trap & Skeet. She truly enjoys working at Heritage where she can pursue her passion of working with the youth of Maricopa.
Email: coming soon
Lai Gates earned her B.A. in Piano Performance and Composition from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing in 1992 and her M.A. in Piano Collaboration and Music Composition from Arizona State University in 2010. She also holds certifications from The Well Prepared Pianist Institute, Yamaha Music Institute, and Jazz Teaching and Performing Arts. A versatile musician, Lai is active in performance, teaching, and composition. She is a sought-after Pipa virtuoso in Arizona, has performed with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, and participates in various chamber music groups. She teaches multiple instruments and serves as a piano accompanist for choirs and college
vocalists and all instruments. Notably, she performed for Bill and Melinda Gates in China in 1995 and joined the American Festival Orchestra’s China tour in 2016. Lai has also worked for ASU, ACU, CGCC and PCC since 2010. She is honored to join Heritage Academy to develop her passion of teaching music at Heritage.
Email: k.hall@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Hall earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Northern Arizona University in 2006 and a Master’s in Special Education from University of Phoenix in 2013. Mrs. Hall and her husband celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary this year and are the proud parents of two beautiful children, an eight-year-old girl and a 17-year-old young man both of whom are autistic and twice exceptional.
She found her passion for teaching special education while substituting as an instructional assistant in a special education classroom. After four days substituting she changed her major from Elementary Education to Special Education and has never looked back. Mrs. Hall is now excited to start her 14th year in education and 11th year as a special education teacher.
Email: lyle.hamblin@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Hamblin grew up in Gilbert, Arizona with four siblings. After high school, he lived for two years on the East Coast before getting married and earning a BA in History from BYU-Idaho. After a study abroad semester in Jerusalem, Mr. Hamblin began studying Arabic and earned an MA in Near Eastern Studies while teaching Spanish at the U of A. While there, he and his wife had their first child and his wife earned an MA in Hispanic Linguistics. They had their second child while living in Kayenta, Arizona on the Navajo Nation, where Mr. Hamblin taught world history at a high school for five years. They moved to Maricopa in the summer of 2018 so their growing number of children could know their relatives that live nearby.
At Heritage, Mr. Hamblin teaches World History, Personal Finance, and a DE Economics course through U of A.
Email: t.hawkins@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Hawkins was born in California and loves the beach. After moving to Illinois and Virginia, her family settled in Arizona while she was still in elementary school. Her love of learning, education, and teaching began at a young age. She started teaching dance and gymnastics while in junior high, and then began tutoring in high school and while she was working on an accounting degree. After years of working in corporate accounting, she took a break to raise her two boys.
She has been working in education in various roles for almost 15 years including tutoring college students, working as a Substitute teacher, a paraprofessional, a Title I interventionist providing math and reading specialized instruction, and now as part of the ESS team. She is in her second year here at Heritage Academy and is thrilled to be working in Special Education.
Mrs. Hawkins loves all things Disney! She enjoys spending time with her family at their happy places Disneyland and San Diego. In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, read, and watch a good movie or show.
Email: david.hettinger@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Hettinger grew up in Southern California. He is a graduate of Cal State Northridge where he studied Film and Television Arts. In addition to his creative pursuits, he has always had a passion for History and American Government. As a youth, Mr. Hettinger traveled to many of the historic landmarks across the United States and even visited some of Europe’s celebrated destinations; this fanned the flames of his social studies interests.
Mr. Hettinger is entering his third year of teaching. Previously he taught U.S. and World History in Paradise Valley AZ. He was excited to begin teaching in Maricopa where he resides with his wife and three boys. He is especially proud to be teaching here at Heritage. Last year Mr. Hettinger taught World History and Film Production. This year he is pleased to add “wrestling coach” to his list of titles.
Email: tabri.hick@heritageacademyaz.com
Tabri Hicks grew up in Ketchikan, Alaska. She graduated from Alaska Pacific University with a degree in
Education and a minor in Philosophy. She has been teaching and living in Maricopa for the last 16 years
with her husband and daughter. Mrs. Hicks loves the challenge of teaching and making learning fun and
engaging. When she is not working, she enjoys watching her daughter play soccer and gymnastics,
reading, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Hicks is very excited to be a part of Heritage Academy!
email: john.hill@heritageacademyaz.com
Currently teaching Dual Enrollment English through Rio Salado College, John has Master of Arts training in both English (Rhetoric & Composition) and Applied Linguistics from Arizona State University, where he plans to continue with his studies as a postgraduate.
John has served as a writing tutor for undergraduates at ASU and an embedded teacher assistant in two ENG 101 classes. He also has completed two graduate-level writing internships: working with inmates in the New Mexico Corrections Department Pen Project and
conducting a research project where he authored “The Heart of the Story in Persuasive Writing,” which examined the cultivation of student-centered voice and authenticity in persuasive writing. Self-described as “aggressively innovative,” John’s current work explores two fertile areas: 1) the intersect of rhetoric and technology in shaping the future of composition toward real-world
applicability; and 2) the power of student-centered identity as a foundation for voice and authenticity in composition.
John’s professional memberships include the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, Association for Writing Across the Curriculum, and the Linguistics Society of America. John has written professionally as a content writer and has acted as a consultant to the Center
for Arizona Policy (CAP). He recently wrote testimony for Sen. Nancy Barto in support of the Save Women’s Sports Act, which was read in front of the AZ House. In his free time John enjoys staying up late (very late!), endlessly debating his kids (he doesn’t always win) and blogging on his website (usually while burning something on the stovetop or in the oven). His blog is an extension of his academic research. Check out his work at www.rhetoricalprose.com. John has an unmatched passion for his students and his subject. “God has given me the gift of energy because He wants me to do BIG things. That is what I am at Heritage Academy Maricopa to do. BIG things!”
Email: stephanie.hill@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Hill grew up in a small town in Southern Oregon, where she loved being involved in outdoor activities such as snow and water skiing, hiking, rafting, and camping. After graduating from Southern Oregon University, she moved to Arizona. She has been a resident of Maricopa for 18 years.
Mrs. Hill enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. In her free time you can find her at a soccer field watching her boys play soccer, or out for a walk. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and the beach. She has many years of teaching experience at various grade levels. She started with Heritage Academy teaching 6th grade Math, and is now the 7th grade History teacher.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” -Abraham Lincoln
Email: 
Email: Brenda was raised on a dairy farm in the small town of Emmett, Idaho. As the fifth of six kids, she worked together on the family farm and has lots of fond memories spent on horseback, irrigating, driving tractors, and singing in the truck. She was lucky enough to be introduced to volleyball in sixth grade and played it for ten years straight.
She worked hard and earned a full-ride scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Utah. (GO UTES!) Her volleyball claims to fame are: Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year, alternate on the Jr. National Volleyball team, blocked Olympian Logan Tom in a club tournament, MVP of Women’s US Open Tournament, and member of the first team to make it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen at the U. Volleyball took her all over the continental US, Hawaii twice, Italy, and Puerto Rico. She met Scott, her husband, playing pick-up volleyball at the U. They were married in 2004. She owes a lot to volleyball; it has shaped her life!
She has continued her passion for volleyball by playing in the Coed league in Mesa, coaching her daughters in recreational sports and club teams, is currently the head coach of the 16’s Maricopa Elite Volleyball Club team, as well as being both JV Men’s and Women’s Volleyball coach here at Heritage Academy. (Go Heroes!)
Brenda and her husband Scott have 3 children, one dog, and have lived in Maricopa since 2006.
Email: sally.huff@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Huff is native of Arizona, her home town is Chandler. She has always loved water and started swimming competitively at the age of 8. She continued swimming competitively throughout high school, her favorite race was the 100 backstroke.
Mrs. Huff observed her Dads love of photography from a young age. She recognized that pictures could communicate and add value to her life and began learning and developing her photographic skills in junior high. She has worked at Lifetouch as an individual, group, and sports photographer and also a wedding photographer.
Mrs. Huff received a degree with concentration in finance from the University of Phoenix in 2012. She has had many jobs over the years, her favorite has been staying at home to raise her children. She has been married to Vinson Huff for 25 years. They have 6 children, her oldest child is 23 and her youngest is 8. She has been involved with the community by volunteering in schools, serving on community boards, and being involved in church.
Mrs. Huff is starting her 3rd year here at Heritage in Maricopa. She adores our small town and the community here, she has lived in Maricopa for over ten years. Some goals she has for the future are; further her education, and help design and build a house. When she is not teaching, she loves learning, swimming, gardening, yoga, and being with family in the mountains.
Email: taylor.hugh@heritageacademyaz.com
Taylor Hughes is a music teacher, composer, and enthusiast active throughout multiple orchestral, wind band, and marching band organizations across the country. He has experience with all instrumental aspects of music, including strings, brass, winds, and electronics. While playing Horn with the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, Mr. Hughes
performed in multiple national and state conferences, including two times at the Missouri Music Educators Association conference in Osage Beach, MO; and the College Band Directors National Association in San Antonio, TX.
Mr. Hughes performed with the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps in 2013 and The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2017 as part of the Drum Corps International touring circuit, touring and performing through more than half of the United States. Upon graduating from Missouri State University in 2019 with his Bachelor’s in Instrumental Music Education, Mr. Hughes moved to Arizona to pursue his teaching career. Mr. Hughes served as the Director of Strings and General Music Teacher for K-8 at Maryland Elementary School in central Phoenix from 2019-2022, where he served as a musical guide for students from age 5-14 in both instrumental and choral music practices. In June 2022, he world-premiered his first composition, titled Memoriam, at the International Clarinet Association’s 2022 conference in Reno, NV.
Mr. Hughes is excited to bring his musical expertise to the scholars at Heritage Academy and to help them develop a deep understanding of music that extends far beyond their time in school.
Email: melody.hunsaker@heritageacademyaz.com
Born and raised in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mrs. Hunsaker never imagined that her future husband was growing up just two blocks away—all before they’d officially meet in high school! After earning her Cosmetology license in Nevada, she and her husband relocated to Arizona in 2003, eventually discovering the little town of Maricopa, where they raised three amazing boys—now all grown into young men.
Melody’s passion for education began supporting her sons’ school. From volunteering in classrooms to leading as PTO President, her commitment to education and community ran deep. That dedication led her to become a certified paraprofessional, serving in several Maricopa schools and even an online college.
But there’s more to Mrs. Hunsaker than the classroom! She’s a self-taught artist and craftswoman—painting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, candle-making—you name it. Lately, she’s been having fun with her vinyl machine and learning to master power tools!
When she’s not creating, you’ll likely find her out on a trail, hiking or backpacking through Arizona’s stunning and diverse landscapes. Whether it’s a quick morning hike or a multi-day backpacking adventure, Mrs. Hunsaker feels most alive in the great outdoors.
She brings her creativity, compassion, and can-do spirit to everything she does and is thrilled to be a part of the Heritage Academy community, helping scholars, teachers, and the administration.
Email: nadine.khal@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Nadine Khalil was born and raised in beautiful Lebanon. She earned her degree in advertising and communication. She worked for a well known advertising agency in Lebanon and Tunisia. After having her first child she decided to switch careers so she could have more time for her family. Her passion for communication and children lead her to the position of Principals assistant in her previous position.
Email: joseph.klepfer@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Klepfer teaches Chemistry, Physics, and Conceptual Science, as well as, coaches JH volleyball and JH Baseball at Heritage Maricopa. Mr. Klepfer has been teaching and coaching for 25 years in Arizona. He has a bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Chemistry.
Mr. Klepfer has written the Science curriculum for Gila Bend school district and created the “Simple Machines / Chemical Reactions” class for the Maricopa School District, and is writing a grant to create a garden for Mesquite Junior High, which has 30 indigenous plants and an analemmatic sundial in the middle of the garden.
Recently Mr. Klepfer was fortunate to coach the only HS baseball team in the town of Maricopa to ever win a HS baseball state championship. He returned the following year, falling short by one run of accomplishing the feat for a second time. Joseph enjoys surfing and mountain biking with his three boys Kai, Keanu, and Kalani and wife Heidi Klepfer, who is a special education teacher at Heritage as well.
Email: sherrie.lico@heritageacademyaz.com
Dr. Sherrie Licόn has worked in education for more than 20 years. She earned her Doctoral and Master’s Degrees from Northern Arizona University and a dual Bachelor’s degree in French and International Studies from the State University of New York, College at Cortland. Dr. Licόn is from Buffalo, New York, speaks French and Spanish, and has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America. In college, she completed four study/travel abroad experiences at McGill University in Montréal, Canada, L’Institut Universitaire Américain d’Avignon in Avignon, France, Centro Bilingüe in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and a homestay in the Czech Republic. Dr. Licon lived in Mexico and taught French and English at the Universidad de la Sierra, A.C., located in Huauchinango, Puebla. Dr. Licόn has a passion for world languages and linguistics and is excited to share her love of languages with Heritage scholars. Dr. Licόn is married and lives with her wonderful husband and three amazing daughters.
Email: jeffrey.miller@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Miller grew up in Southern California. He graduated from Brea-Olinda High School. He played high school and club soccer. His soccer ability earned him a scholarship at NCAA DII Brigham Young University – Hawaii. There he studied biology education and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 2001. For the next few years after college, he taught at Kailua Intermediate School, Hau’ula Elementary School, and Kahuku High School. He was hired as the head coach of BYU-Hawaii’s Men’s soccer team in 2006. At that time, Mr. Miller began working as the Assistant Sports Information Director and managed events for the Canon Activities Center on campus.
In 2009, he moved his family to Maricopa while working in administration for Argosy University. While with Argosy University he was the Admissions Operations Manager, Director of Talent Management, and Data and Metrics HR Manager. He continued coaching in the valley, taking teams from Ahwatukee Foothills SC, Barcelona FC, Challenge FC, Legacy SC, and RSL AZ. In the summer of 2019, he came back to education and began teaching high school science at Heritage Academy Maricopa. He currently coaches in the soccer program while working as Athletic Director.
Email: kimberly.miller@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Miller was raised in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and moved to Laie, Hawaii after graduation. She attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii where she received her Bachelor’s degree in International Cultural Studies, with an Associates in Communications. She loves the islands and stayed there for 12 years as she and her husband raised their family and started teaching school. Her family moved to Arizona where she went on to receive her Masters degree in Education from Argosy University and has been teaching all ages, from preschool to high school, for over 19 years.
Mrs. Miller loves the ocean and has learned to love the desert during the last 12 years that she has lived in Maricopa. She loves to run, hike, swim, camp, play sports, and read. She and her husband have four boys and love the small town feel of Maricopa. She loves learning and likes to make learning fun and engaging for her scholars. She has been coaching volleyball and basketball at Heritage for four years and looks forward to working with scholars in the classroom and on the court!
Email: coming soon
Born and raised under the sunny skies of Southern California, Mrs. Mrosko’s early life was a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse influences. From her mother, she inherited a deep love for sewing, learning the intricate art of bringing fabric to life with needle and thread. Her step-dad, on the other hand, ignited a passion for building and exploring, fostering a hands-on approach to creation and a thirst for discovery. This unique blend of artistic precision and practical construction would become a hallmark of her journey.
Mrs. Mrosko continued her academic pursuits at the University of California, Riverside, where she not only earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration but also serendipitously met the love of her life. Following her graduation, she embarked on a career in corporate Human Resources, honing her organizational and people skills. However, her path took a joyful turn with the arrival of her children, leading her to embrace the rewarding role of a stay at home mom.
As her children grew and ventured into school, Mrs. Mrosko’s entrepreneurial spirit blossomed. She channeled her diverse talents into various side ventures, from intricate sewing projects to hands-on construction work, demonstrating her versatility and unwavering work ethic. Before making the move to Maricopa, she dedicated her skills as an integral member of a non-profit organization committed to funding elementary art programs, showcasing her passion for nurturing creativity in young minds.
Email: crystal.obar@heritageacademyaz.com
Crystal O’Barr attended Brigham Young University where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training. She has been an Athletic Trainer for Mount Whitney High School and an EMT. She believes in teaching scholars correct technique to prevent injury in sports and all physical exercise. Coach O’Barr has participated in many sports and loves to exercise through PLAY. She has coached city league sports such as Volleyball and Soccer. She has been a substitute teacher here at Heritage Academy for the last two years and she is excited to join our full time team. In her spare time Coach O’Barr enjoys helping with our school drama department, playing pickleball, and hiking. She recently hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and is looking forward to exploring more of Arizona’s natural wonders.
Email: dave.obar@heritageacademyaz.com
David O’Barr was born and raised in San Diego California. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1991 with a BA in Political Science and a Minor in English Literature. He graduated from California Western School of Law in 1994 earning a JD and passed the Bar in California the same year. He worked as a Deputy District Attorney in Tulare County in central California for four years. He then worked as a City Attorney Prosecutor for the City of Anaheim twenty-three years until he retired in 2022. During his time in Anaheim he became the Chief City Attorney in charge of criminal prosecutions in the city. Mr. O’Barr is excited to be in the classroom teaching Criminal and Constitutional Law as dual enrollment classes. He hopes he will help the scholars at Maricopa Heritage better understand the American legal system and be become better citizens and leaders. When not working, Mr. O’Barr enjoys spending time with his family, exploring history and historical sites, and playing loud rock n’ roll music on his guitars. He also enjoys building little models of vehicles and aircraft used during World War Two.
Email: misti.oost@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Misti Oosthuizen comes to us with teaching experience at both the secondary and college level. She began working in education in 2013 as a Middle School Science teacher. Since then, she has taught a variety of courses including AP Psychology, AP Biology, Physics, Middle School Math, and Dance. In addition to teaching, Misti has experience as an instructional coach as well as science chair and team lead. She also enjoys her role as an adjunct professor at the local Community College. She has an associates and bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as a Masters of Industrial Organizational Psychology. In her spare time, Misti enjoys spending time with her family and dogs as well as traveling, testing her creativity, and reading.
Email: carrie.ormo@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Ormond was born and raised in Southern California where she enjoyed all things Disney and all things in the beach and ocean. She graduated and spent 4 magical years studying at BYU Hawaii. After graduating with a BA in Psychology, she married her college sweetheart and together they moved to the Midwest for 4 years. It was there that she made the transition from yoga student to yoga instructor.
After raising their 6 kids in Southern California they moved to Maricopa in 2019. Mrs. Ormond is thrilled to work with the Heroes at Heritage Academy for the past 4 years. She enjoys teaching scholars how to cultivate physical strength, mental strength, and resiliency through the practice of yoga and principles of mindfulness.
Email: matthew.ormo@heritageacademyaz.com
Dr. Matthew Ormond earned his Bachelors of Art from BYU-Hawaii and earned his Doctorate Degree from Cleveland University. He is a husband and proud father of 6 children. He owns and operates Relief & Restoration Chiropractic located in Huntington Beach, California.
His hobbies include: soccer, learning, teaching, running, camping, fishing, pickleball and enjoying the outdoors with his family. Dr. Ormond is looking forward to sharing his love for science with the scholars at Heritage Academy. Three things still left on my Bucket List are: 1. Hiking Napali Coast in Kauai with my family. 2. Getting my pilots license. 3. Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with my wife.
A famous quote that can describe my life is: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined”, Henry David Therou.
Email: christy.pepper@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Pepper has been a certified teacher for 24 years. She earned her degree in Education from Ottawa University. One of the reasons why she became a teacher was to share her love of reading and writing with kids. Over the years Ms. Pepper has taught 1st grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 10th grade. This is her 5th year teaching 9th grade, and she loves it!
Ms. Pepper has two adult children and two amazing grandchildren. Her favorite authors include Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury, and Stephen King.
Email: coming soon
Information regarding Ms. Perez will be coming soon.
Email: coming soon
Information regarding Ms. Polk will be coming soon.
Email: cindy.pric@heritageacademyaz.com
Cindy Price spent most of her adolescent years in Florida, the third of seven children. She and her siblings loved spending time outdoors, going to the beach and playing sports. While studying at Brigham Young University, Cindy discovered swing dancing and fell in love. She was a member of the swing dancing club and traveled throughout the state performing. One of the highlights of her time on the team was learning from Frankie Manning, one of the original founders of swing, who was pivotal to the revival of swing dancing and taught into his 90’s. Cindy currently has 4 children with her husband, Christian Price. She is a Certified Life and Strengths Coach as well as an Emotional Wellness Instructor. She owns WaveMaker Essentials Coaching here in Maricopa. One of the core principles she teaches her clients is to schedule joyful activities into their lives just like they would any other appointment or responsibility. Cindy is excited to introduce Heritage students to swing dancing, which she considers “Joy in motion.”
Email: melissa.sims@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Sims first discovered she wanted to be a teacher at 7 years old. She went to a college-prep high school and graduated while also becoming certified as an EMT and CNA. Furthermore, she went on to get a diploma in Medical Assisting. Mrs. Sims wanted to explore the medical field, so she began her pre-nursing at Mesa Community College. She loved the medical field, but something was missing. It was teaching! She decided to follow her dreams and go back to teaching. Mrs. Sims graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Magma Cum Laude honors. She spent three years as a substitute teacher in North Pole, Alaska. She moved back to Arizona with her family years ago, where she began teaching 5th-grade science and social studies at FUSD. She is going into her 4th year teaching 7th-grade science at Heritage Academy. In December 2024 She will be graduating with a Master’s in Biology from GCU. She found out she loves teaching science because of her medical professional background. She loves all things science and loves showing how science can be found everywhere! Mrs. Sims has two beautiful children and two fur babies with her husband, Jesse Sims. She and her family were looking for a location to build a home, they went to look at Maricopa and fell in love! She then began looking for a teaching position that would align with her goals and values then she found Heritage Academy, which aligned in every way she wanted. This year is her 4th year teaching at Heritage and she truly loves teaching all of her scholars and getting to know them.
“It is our choices that show us what truly we are far more than our abilities” This quote by Albus Dumbledore is what Mrs. Sims teaches her scholars.
Email: ashley.smith@heritageacademyaz.com
Ashley Smith began her dance training at the age of 2. She studied all forms of dance and grew up as a competitive dancer in the Dallas and Phoenix areas. She received a scholarship to attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree in Dance. Ashley continued her summer dance training at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC, along with Chicago’s Lou Conte Dance Center, River North Chicago, Visceral Dance Center and The Giordano Dance School in Illinois.
After graduating from college, Ashley received a full scholarship to study and perform at the Giordano Dance School in Evanston, IL as a member of the Giordano 3 Company. While living in Chicago, she had the opportunity to perform with numerous Jazz and Contemporary dance companies such as Giordano 3 and Inaside Dance Chicago. She has had the privilege of working with many well-known choreographers such as Doug Caldwell, Mandy Moore, Eddie Ocampo, Brian Friedman, Harrison McEldowney, Nick Pupillo, Nan Giordano, Sherry Zunker, Autumn Eckman, Jessica Deahr, Joel Hall, William Gill, Richard Smith, and countless others.
Ashley’s career progressed even further when she landed the incredible opportunity of touring internationally as a professional dancer and performer with Disney Live!’s “Mickey’s Rockin Road Show”, A Feld Entertainment Production. For five years, Ashley toured internationally and performed in over 25 different countries along the way. After touring with Disney Live!, Ashley relocated back to Phoenix, AZ, to be closer to family, and currently teaches and choreographs all forms of dance across the valley. Ashley is the current Dance Director at Heritage Academy in Maricopa, AZ, teaching dance to grades 6 th – 12 th . Her favorite styles to teach and choreograph are Lyrical, Contemporary, and Jazz. Ashley also travels around the nation as a competitive dance adjudicator and enjoys sharing her lifetime passion of dance and technical knowledge with others. Furthering her education and artistry, Ashley recently completed her MFA in Dance Choreography at Jacksonville University, FL (May 2022). She loves to inspire and motivate dancers and students to be their best and is ecstatic to share her love of dance, fitness, and creativity with those around her!
Email: christina.sorenson@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Sorenson was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona, and is a proud graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Communications. She later pursued her passion for education, completing her Post-Baccalaureate program in Elementary Education, and with a passion for learning went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Before joining Heritage Academy, Ms. Sorenson spent six years teaching in the Maricopa Unified School District. She is one of the original team members who helped open Heritage Academy’s Maricopa campus and is thrilled to still be part of the Heritage family, now with her youngest child attending alongside her!
With over a decade of roots in the Maricopa community, Ms. Sorenson is dedicated to making math meaningful and engaging for her students. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys cheering on her children (now grown!) in their adult endeavors, working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and watching ASU football and baseball games.
E-mail: s.sparrow@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Sparrow is thrilled to join Heritage Academy Maricopa’s team as the Drama teacher! She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance from Arizona State University, as well as an Associate of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and an Associate of Arts from Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
For the past three years, Ms. Sparrow has worked as a vocal coach with Desert Ridge choirs and as a substitute teacher in the Gilbert Public School District, all while teaching private voice lessons. She brings several years of experience both on stage and behind the scenes, with a strong background in performance, musical direction, stage management, and theatrical design.
Ms. Sparrow is passionate about helping students grow as both artists and individuals. She looks forward to empowering Heritage students to find their voices, build confidence, and shine brightly on stage and in the classroom!
Email: 
Email: jennifer.titus@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Titus grew up in Southern California. She attended Brigham Young University in Utah. She has taught several different grade levels and subjects in Utah, California, Texas, and Arizona. She has had the honor of being Teacher of the Year twice.
She moved to Maricopa 7 years ago with her husband and 4 children to be closer to her extended family. She has one grand daughter that she wants to spend all of her time reading books with or taking her to Disneyland. She also loves all of her teachers and scholars at Heritage Academy and is happy to be serving the families in Maricopa.
Email: kasey.turik@heritageacademyaz.com
Ms. Turik graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and has been teaching for 22 years. She has taught grades 3rd through High School in Texas and Arizona and has especially enjoyed teaching American Sign Language and crocheting as elective classes. She loves making a difference in her community and encourages her students to give as well. Her crochet students donated the hats and bags that they had made to the Cancer Treatment Center of America, as well as dishcloths to Gathering Humanity.
Ms. Turik has two amazing daughters that keep her super busy with competitive dance, as well as five cats and three dogs. Her older daughter graduated high school early and is studying Biomedical Sciences this year at ASU (her rival school!!!) Her younger daughter is also beginning at ASU this year enrolled as a Junior and wants to be a psychologist. Her favorite activities are cooking and reading. Ms. Turik’s favorite genre is horror and she has read every Stephen King book written. She is so excited to be teaching at Heritage Academy!!
Email: j.tyler@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Tyler was born and raised in Utah. He moved to Montana after high school graduation, where he met and married his wife. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from
Montana State University Billings, where he was a finalist for the Golden Student Merit Award, and a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Brigham Young University.
Mr. Tyler taught Calculus at Brigham Young University, and has always loved Mathematics. He led a research team project studying the relationship between soil saturation and temperature, utilizing novel Machine Learning techniques, such as Non-Uniform Label Smoothing, Deep Neural Networks, and Hybrid Multiple Linear Regression for Principal Component Analysis.
Mr. Tyler has always loved teaching and tutoring Mathematics and calculus, and he has 4 children of his own he teaches Mathematics daily. He now enjoys sharing this passion with the amazing scholars of Heritage Academy Maricopa.
Email: coming soon
Information regarding Mr. Van Der Pol will be coming soon.
Email: audrey.wils@heritageacademyaz.com
Mrs. Wilson was born and raised in the great state of Texas. She married her HS sweetheart at age 20, and was a stay-at-home Mom for 25 years. She has 5 children and 3 granddaughters. She enjoys playing the piano, reading, and camping. She plays a mean game of Scrabble and is always ready to face-off with a new challenger.
Mrs. Wilson is a certified teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. Teaching at Heritage Academy is a new-found passion for her these last 4 years.
Email: d.wilson@heritageacademyaz.com
Mr. Daren Wilson grew up here in Maricopa, and attended MHS. He served a two year ecclesiastical mission in Denver Colorado, and prefers desert sunsets over snow. Mr. Wilson married his high school best friend and has one beautiful baby daughter. In his free time, Mr. Wilson enjoys gardening, taking care of his chickens, and playing board games with his family. He enjoys using his background in woodworking and blacksmithing to problem solve and is excited to use these skills everyday as the maintenance man at Heritage.
Email: derek.zapp@heritageacademyaz.com
Coach Zappa’s journey in education and coaching began at Northern Arizona University, where he actively participated in the executive council of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He graduated with a B.S. in Education, specializing in Physical Education. His professional career took off at Leupp Public School, located on the Navajo Nation, where he taught a multi-aged classroom consisting of 5th and 6th graders. Additionally, he served as the coach for the girls’ basketball team. Following his wife’s graduation from NAU, they relocated to the valley.
In 2000, Mr. Zappa established the Athletic Department at The Tesseract School, assuming coaching responsibilities for softball and various other sports. During the transition period between Tesseract and Pardes, he ventured into the field of Real Estate while continuing to coach softball at Phoenix Country Day School. He undertook the task of revamping the athletic program at Pardes. Subsequently, in 2019, he joined Pathway Academy as a Weight Training and PE instructor, in addition to coaching their Junior High and Varsity softball teams. The varsity team claimed victory in the 2019 CAA D2 H.S. Softball State Championship.
During his leisure time, Mr. Zappa cherishes moments spent with his wife and two children. He also actively coaches his travel softball team, USA Prime. Over the years, he has participated in triathlons and Ironman competitions held in Arizona, California, and Colorado.
Coach Zappa, having achieved back-to-back varsity state titles, is eagerly anticipating another fantastic year at Heritage Academy-Maricopa. He is excited to witness the passion and dedication of the scholars as they contribute to the growth and success of the school’s competitive softball program.
Email: l.zindler@heritageacademyaz.com