Jennifer Pyde was born and raised in Arizona, grew up in Tempe and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from Arizona State University. She has been in the area of education for many years. She has 5 children and loves spending time with them doing various outdoor activities and sports including tennis. She also enjoys spending time in the kitchen, gardening, and crafting.

Growing up in Iowa, the University of Arizona brought Mrs. Gaintner to the Southwest. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary. Mrs. Gaintner has 18 years of teaching experience teaching elementary and preschool students. Mrs. Gaintner and her husband love being parents in the Veritas community with two children currently in 4^th and 7^th Grade.  When Mrs. Gaintner isn’t teaching, she enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and most importantly spending time with her family and friends.

Miss Wintergalen is in her second year of teaching at Archway Veritas. After a year of experience as a 4th Grade TA, she is so excited to continue her journey as a Kindergarten Lead. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in December 2023 with a B.S. in Educational Studies and a B.A. in French Studies. Now, she is enjoying her time being back home in Arizona and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Literacy Education at Arizona State University. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and spending time with loved ones.

Miss Kile is a recent graduate from Grand Canyon University with her B.S. in Behavioral Health Sciences. She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and moved to Phoenix in 2015. In her free time, she loves to spend quality time with friends and family, finding new coffee shops, and going to church.

My name is Henry Schreiber, and I will be teaching 1st grade in 1A. I’m from Scottsdale, Arizona, and I received my degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona. In my free time, I love going to the movies, going on vacations, and hanging out with my family.

Kyla Huisman has been working with children at Archway Veritas since 2018. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development at ASU. She has five children. Three of her children are students at Veritas Prep, and one is a student at Arcadia High School. She also has a daughter attending Hillsdale College in Michigan. Kyla enjoys yoga, reading, swimming, watching movies, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

Miss Lauren Lumia is ecstatic about being the first grade lead teacher in 1C.  She was raised in Southern California, but moved to Arizona to finish her degree.  Miss Lumia is a recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Northern Arizona University, with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication. While this is her first year at Archway Veritas, she has over a decade of childcare experience under her belt, including time as a teacher’s assistant. When she’s not teaching, Miss Lumia is probably baking, reading, working out, and spending time with her loved ones (including her beloved cat, Louie).

Miss Stevens is a first grade lead teacher at Archway Veritas. This is her sixth year teaching first grade. She attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in elementary education. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, watching movies, and trying out new restaurants.

Mrs. Kain graduated from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame Indiana with a BA in Elementary Education. She studied abroad for a year in Rome, Italy during college, and she had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling. She is the daughter of an Air Force fighter pilot and moved 8 times before attending college so has never met a stranger and loves people. Her military upbringing has sharpened her skills in teamwork, flexibility, adaptability and organization. She has taught elementary school for a total of nine years, in between raising her 3 children. After enjoying Chicago for 20 years, she and her family relocated to Phoenix six years ago. She loves living in the sunshine and the predictability of Arizona weather. Her hobbies are traveling, baking and spending time with friends & family.

Miss Tish is in her sixth year here at Archway Veritas. She has taught grades first through third. She is earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Arizona State University. Miss Tish is originally from Oregon but was ready to move somewhere with warmer weather after high school. In her free time, Miss Tish enjoys hiking, taking care of her dogs, and spending time with her family and friends.

Skylar Fariello, an Arizona native, is in her fifth year as a second grade lead teacher at Archway Veritas. She had the privilege of being a teacher’s assistant in second grade for two years prior to becoming a lead teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University in 2020 as well as her master’s degree in early childhood education from Arizona State University in 2022. In her free time, Skylar enjoys spending time with her baby boy Luca, who is about to turn one! She also loves baking and cake decorating, spending time with her friends and family.

Mrs.  Gribbin has been at Archway Veritas for the past four years.  She has a BS degree in Organizational Communication and a Post Bac/Masters degree in Elementary Education, all from Arizona State University.  She has been involved in education for over 25 years, in many different roles. Aside from teaching, Mrs. Gribbin’s hobbies are gardening,  doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, and spending time with my family and dogs.

Hello, my name is Rebecca Rockmaker. This is my first year at Archway Veritas and third year as a third-grade lead teacher. Before Veritas, I worked as a third-grade teacher in the Creighton School District at Kennedy at Loma Linda. I am a native Arizonan! I am originally from Ahwatukee where I went to Desert Vista High School. I attended Arizona State University where I earned a BAE in Elementary Education. I love spending time with my family and friends, doing aerial, reading, and doing puzzles.

My name is Sheena Barton and I am the lead teacher in 3B. I am an Arizona native and have lived here my whole life. I received my degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Arizona State University. I am in my 16th year of teaching, and this will be my 11th year teaching at Archway Veritas.  I am married and have 3 sons, ages 18, 17, and 15. I enjoy cooking, dancing, and spending time with my family and friends. I also love Harry Potter, Halloween, and going to Disneyland!

Miss Landtiser has been at Archway Veritas since 2020. She completed the Teacher Apprentice Program and served as a fourth grade TA before becoming a lead teacher. Miss Landtiser has been the costume director for multiple musicals at Veritas Preparatory Academy. Outside of teaching, Miss Landtiser has many creative hobbies including sewing, painting, and photography. She also enjoys reading, baking, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Mrs. Herbert teaches third grade here at Archway Veritas. She was a TA in third grade for one year before becoming a third-grade lead teacher. Before teaching at Veritas, Mrs. Herbert taught music at Prince of Peace Preschool, Christ Church School, and beginning piano and cello lessons from home.  She is a native Arizonan! She attended Tavan Elementary, Ingleside Middle, and Arcadia High Schools. Northern Arizona University was her next home where she earned a BA in Humanities with minors in Music and Spanish. Mrs. Herbert and her husband havetwo lovely daughters, a beloved boxer, a mischievous cat, and a small flock of chickens. She loves baking, reading, gardening, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Mrs. Lang graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in elementary education.  She has been at Archway for 8 years.  She loves the fourth-grade curriculum, especially the history. Outside of school she enjoy spending time with her three children,  husband, and huge extended family.  Her favorite things to do are read, hike, and cook.

Mrs. Clark has a rich background in teaching, beginning with the successful pursuit of owning a yoga studio and being a master yoga teacher for several years, until the birth of her son. Realizing her passion for education-she became an assistant teacher while earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her enthusiasm for fostering the child’s curiosity and love of learning led her to Great Hearts and the awareness that their motto, “To cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty,” was in perfect harmony with her own. Outside of her academic endeavors, Mrs. Clark is an outdoor enthusiast and early riser- walking or bicycling daily while the sun rises. Deeply committed to personal growth and the family, Mrs. Clark can often be found reading, engaged in rich discussions with her husband and son, and actively participating in her community.

Mrs. Engel has spent many years teaching children from preschool to middle school, and currently enjoys teaching in 4^th grade.  Her favorite parts of the 4^th grade curriculum are solving word problems using bar models, reading Carry on Mr. Bowditch in Literature, and studying processes that shape the earth in Science.

Trevor Guyette has been teaching 4^th grade at Archway Veritas since 2018. He has been teaching since 2015. He is a lifelong resident of Arizona and a graduate of both Arizona State University and Phoenix Seminary. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, drawing, and playing games. He is a co-sponsor of the Dungeons & Dragons club.

Julee came to work with Archway Veritas in 2019 as a TA. After a year in Kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade, this is her third year in fifth grade and her first as a lead teacher. Julee earned her degree in elementary education from ASU in 2024. Julee’s professional career began in Utah as a ballet dancer with Ballet West. Later, she worked for the AZ Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. Julee enjoys welding, building, collecting coins, and spending time with her family and new puppy.

Miss Dycus received her Bachelor of Arts in English for Professional Writing from Grand Canyon University. She began teaching 5th grade at ACV in January of 2024. She feels passionately about enriching the lives of children through great classical education. She grew up in Colorado and loves to visit her family there. In her spare time, she enjoys heading north to go hiking and camping, reading, spending time with her friends, seeing live music, and eating at local restaurants.

I am from Colombia, where I was born and raised. I spent almost half of my life in Guatemala, where I enjoyed many wonderful years and met many great people, including my girlfriend (hopefully future wife). During my time there, I taught middle school math for two years at an international school, an experience that reinforced my passion for teaching and connecting with students. In January of this year, I moved to the United States to be closer to my mother. Academically, I have a background in industrial engineering and business administration. I am also considering furthering my education with a master’s degree in supply chain management soon. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my three dogs, mother, and girlfriend. I also enjoy working out, watching TV shows and movies, and learning Japanese.

I spent ten years of my life in advertising, planning marketing initiatives for brands such as McDonald’s, Gold’s Gym, and Sonic Drive-In.  I left my position as Account Supervisor to pursue my passion for teaching.  I earned my MA in Elementary Education and shortly after, found my home at Archway Veritas in our inaugural year.  I taught second grade for twelve years and am beginning my second year teaching fifth grade.  I am a faculty advisor.  In addition to teaching, I love to cook, travel, and serve others in need.  I currently live in Scottsdale with my husband and our two daughters, both of whom attend Veritas Prep.   

Mrs. Nektalova has worked with Great Hearts for five years as Kindergarten Teacher Assistant. Her greatest joy comes from seeing the accomplishments of students who she works with individually, in small group or with the whole class. Spending time with her husband and 4 amazing children are another joy for her!

Hello! My name is Allison Carter and this will be my first year here at Archway Veritas! Arizona is my home state with most of my family living right here in the valley! I graduated from ASU in 2023 with a degree in French language and I spent the last year living abroad as an au pair in Paris, France. I have a love for education and development especially in modern language, whether it’s for myself or others. In my free time, I love reading, playing pickleball and card games with my family, as well as continuing independent studies in language for myself. I could not be more thrilled for this new school year!

This is Mrs. Enzmann’s second year at Archway Veritas. She is very excited to be the teacher assistant in KC.  She was a stay-at-home mom for the past decade.  She worked in the medical field prior to being home with her kids. Mrs. Enzmann enjoys being active and hanging out with friends and family.

Mrs. Stigall is beginning her second year of teaching at Archway Veritas. She spent her first year working on the ESS team, and learning from each of our wonderful teachers. She has two daughters who are also part of our Archway community. Originally from the UK, she has lived in 3 countries and now calls Phoenix home. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, enjoying time outdoors, and exploring the world!

Mrs. Haley is very excited to be the teacher assistant for 1A. She is a founding parent at Archway Veritas. Prior to raising her ten amazing children, Mrs. Haley was an AMI-certified Montessori teacher. She has been a parent at both Archway Veritas and Veritas Prep at every grade level and has an extensive history with children.

My name is Brianna Fernandez, I was born in Texas but raised in Arizona for most of my life. I am currently going to school to complete my degree in Elementary Education! This is my First year at Archway Veritas and I couldn’t be more excited! Growing up here in Phoenix, I was a competitive cheerleader and got to travel to many different places! I am now currently coaching Cheerleading at a high school in the area! In my free time, I enjoy spending lots of time with my family, traveling, trying new restaurants and reading!

Ms. Potts has worked at Archway Veritas for three years as a teaching assistant. She is an Arizona native who attended college and lived in the sunny state of California for several years. She spends her free time reading, expanding her record collection and visiting local art museums.

Mrs. Terlisner was born in Mexico City and raised in Sonora Mexico. She graduated in 2001 from “Northwest University” in Hermosillo, Mexico with a Bachelor’s in Communication. In 2003 she moved to Minnesota to learn English where she was given the opportunity to teach Spanish. That is when she realized her passion for Education. In 2008 she moved to Phoenix and became a stay home Mom. Mrs. Terlisner returned to teach in 2018. She loves to read and cook. She currently lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband and 3 children. As a family they love to travel and go camping.

This is Miss Hahn’s first year at Archway Veritas, and she is beyond excited to begin teaching as an assistant in 2B with Miss Tish. She graduated with a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Dallas in May of 2024. In her free time, she loves to be with her dogs, family, and friends, do arts and crafts, and go to the gym.

Allison Twist joins the 2^nd grade team this year as a teaching assistant. Allison is married to Erik and together they have six sons, ages 11-20. Allison and her family have been a part of the Archway Veritas community since 2011; all six of her boys have attended 2nd grade (and beyond) here! Archway Veritas is like a second home for their family and Allison is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in the classroom. Outside of school, Allison loves cooking and spending time with her family and their adorably dopey dog, Roland.

Cecilia Obernuefemann is a student teacher from Grand Canyon University. She will be joining in 3B for the first quarter and will be in ESS for the second. She will graduate in December with a bachelor’s in elementary and special education. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking and baking and doing nails. Cecilia is excited to be at Veritas and appreciates the opportunity to work with everyone there.

My name is Emma Richardson and I am a Teacher Assistant in 3C. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2023 with a Public Health degree. I am hoping to become a lead teacher in the future. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy traveling and swimming.

Mrs. Petra Jakubczyk is in her 6^th year as a TA at Archway Veritas. She and her husband of 40 years have raised 11 children and have 19 grandchildren. She has a degree in Biomedical Engineering and has taught various science classes at the middle school and high school level, however, except for teaching her own children, she feels her role at Archway Veritas is her most meaningful work.

Miss Catois is currently pursuing her B.S. in Elementary Education and is on track to graduate December 2024 from Arizona State University. This is her first year at Archway Veritas, where she serves as a 4th-grade teaching assistant while completing her student teaching program. Originally from France, she moved to Phoenix in 2006, learning French at home and English at school. In her free time, she enjoys running, hot yoga, and spending time with loved ones. 

Mrs. Elizabeth (Beth) Meyers is honored to serve as a Teaching Assistant in 4^th grade.   She received a Bachelors in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.  After a spending one year working in finance, Beth took a chance in a new career teaching high school math.  She developed a love for educating and guiding students as she continued to teach high school for the next eight years.  Beth stepped away from the classroom to be at home with her four young children who are now entering 6th, 4th, 3^rd grade, and kindergarten.  She maintained a strong desire to be an active member in all aspects of our school community and is thrilled to be back in the classroom this year.  Beth and her children are huge sports fans and enjoy spending time together at almost any AZ sports event.

My name is Caitlin Scott, this will be my first year as a Teacher Assistant in fifth grade and I am beyond excited. I graduated from Argosy University with Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2013, also enrolling in the fall at Grand Canyon University to continue my education for my MA in Clinical Psychology with minor in Child Education. In my free time you can find me on the disc golf course, in the gym working out, playing or watching sports and spending time with my 8-year-old son. I really look forward to learning from the students and helping them enjoy the truth, beauty and goodness we have planned this year.

My name is Dawson Hosack. I am an Arizona native. I have two degrees in business and am currently working on getting my next degree in Clinical Exercise Science. I am a Veritas Preparatory graduate and have worked with Great Hearts for many years starting as an intern in the accounting department after graduation. I was a substitute teacher for 3-5 art at ACV, and started as a Teaching Assistant last year. When I am not teaching, you can find me either training others in the gym or working out myself.

Hello, my name is Miss Stanbary! I am so excited to begin my first year out of college as a teaching assistant. I am originally from Illinois, and this will be my fifth year living in Arizona. I attended the University of Arizona and received my bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in education. During my time in college, my favorite classes were on American history and ancient Roman history. Outside of school, I love going to the gym, going on hikes, and reading. I most enjoy spending my time with family and friends. My roommate and I have 2 cats, and their names are Benny and Fruitsnack. I love talking about books and anything history related! 

Mr. Neese is currently serving his 4th year at Archway Veritas. He has taught as a TA in 2nd and 3rd grade; he is now the 5D TA. Mr. Neese is currently enrolled at Western Governors University pursuing a dual degree in general education and special education. He teaches with joy and loves exploring curious questions with students while teaching science.

I’m Allison Willis, and I’ve been working at Archway Veritas for a year and a half. I am currently in college studying Behavioral Sciences. I love art and dance, as well as working with kids. I attended elementary school in France, so it has been extra special to work here and enjoy the learning experience alongside the children. I am so excited for this school year to start!

I am thrilled to be your child’s Physical Education teacher for kindergarten through second grade at Archway Veritas! Athletics and physical activity have always been a passion and a central piece of my identity.  I will be starting my second year as the K-2 PE teacher, and also my third year as a VPA high school Cross Country Coach where my husband also coaches. We have a beautiful daughter who loves Archway and is starting first grade this year.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Community Recreation with a Psychology minor from Calvin University in 2009. Since then, I have years of experience organizing activities for kids in various settings and countries during my husband’s service in the military. Having returned from living abroad, we are now fortunate to be settled in beautiful Arizona closer to our families.

My passion lies in helping young minds discover the growth and joy that can be found in physical activity. My goal as your child’s teacher is to foster strong, healthy bodies and minds while nurturing a love for exercise and teamwork in our students.

Peter Caschetta has been teaching at Archway Veritas as the PE teacher for the last thirteen years and assisting with the Dean of Students for the last four years. A proud graduate of Arizona State University, they were inspired to pursue a career in Physical Education after playing multiple sports growing up and Coaching Soccer in their early teenage years. Coach Caschetta enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family during his free time. Also, he really enjoys learning how to play the piano, guitar, drums, and harmonica.

Dr. Atwood earned a D.M.A. in horn performance from James Madison University, a M.M. in brass performance from Florida State University, and a B.M. in horn performance for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has performed with many orchestras across the United States including Sinfonia Gulf Coast (FL), Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra (VA), and the Scottsdale Philharmonic (AZ). Dr. Atwood has given lectures at the Arizona Music Educator’s Association Conference, the International Horn Society’s South East Horn Workshop, and Auburn University. Dr. Atwood joined Archway Veritas in January of 2019 and currently serves as the 3-5 Music Teacher.

Miss Bates holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Arizona State University and has been active in music education for 7 years. She is a member of the Arizona Opera chorus and utilizes the Kodaly method of teaching. She works as a soprano at various churches around the valley and enjoys Pilates and playing with her cat Roscoe during her free time.

Maggie Medcalf has had a passion for art and classical education since being in a Great Books program in college. She enjoys helping students explore different art mediums and learn from the Masters, including her favorite artist, Henri Matisse. She has lived in the Phoenix area for almost twenty years and loves spending time with her husband and children.

Miss Merryman received a BFA in Art Education at Arcadia University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She has taught art for the past 6 years here in Arizona.  She enjoys traveling, rock climbing, and ballroom dancing.

Madame Cawley is a French native. Her passion for education started 25 years ago when she started teacher school and earned a master of English in France where she taught both middle school and high school English. She also graduated from ASU with a Master of French and taught at the ISAZ, ASU and SCC. After 13 years at Archway Veritas, she is now a veteran teacher and is very grateful to belong to a community that values Truth Goodness and Beauty. Madame Cawley and her husband are the parents of bilingual twins and enjoy travelling together to discover new places, cultures and languages!

Karla Gemoets has been teaching French for over twenty years. Eleven of those years teaching at one of the top 100 high schools in the country. She became a French teacher because she fell in love with the language. She was so passionate about it that she wanted to share it with others. As a foreign language teacher, she aims to help students discover the wonderful opportunity of learning a new language.   

She wants her students to see how being able to communicate in a foreign language is like having a magic key that opens the door to a beautiful new world full of excitement and adventure. For her, teaching French is a great venue to guide her students in the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty as they learn about the history, the traditions, the culture, and the language itself.   

Mrs. Opitz has served at Archway Veritas since the inaugural year, 2010.  She began as a Kindergarten Teacher and moved to Dean of Students and Assistant Headmaster. She is currently serving as Headmaster. She loves to spend time with her family, hike, cook, and practice jiujitsu. Being part of this community has been an honor and delight.

Mrs. Gandy serves as the Assistant Headmaster.  She taught for 13 years in the Chicago Public School system before starting her own family.  She began teaching at Archway Veritas in a 3^rd grade classroom, and during the 2022-23 school year, she served as the Dean of Students.  She holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Language and Literacy.  She was born and raised in the Midwest but loves the warm weather in the south.  Mrs. Gandy has two children, Grace and Griffin, who attend Great Hearts Veritas.  She enjoys working out, teaching reading and spending time with her family. 

Mrs. Van Leuven was born and raised in Arizona. She graduated from the University of Texas. After graduation she returned to Arizona and began her career with Archway Veritas as a Kindergarten and Frist grade teacher. She is now enjoying her position as the Dean of Students. She married her high school sweetheart. They enjoy eating takeout, watching movies, taking long walks with their 110lb. English Mastiff, Peaches, and spending time with their 14 nieces and nephews.

I am the current Dean of Academics and former lead teacher of 4C for five years. I am passionate about education, and working at ACV has been a great blessing in my life. I studied Elementary Education and Spanish at Benedictine College in Kansas and later studied Humanities and Classical Education at the University of Dallas. I am from Phoenix and enjoy hiking through all the mountains of Arizona. I love traveling, speaking Spanish, spending time with friends and family, and anything outdoors!

Mrs. Kinkel is in her fourth year of service at Archway Veritas. She is an Arizona native and a graduate of Arizona State University, where she studied Marketing and Business Management. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her 3 children and husband, reading, and traveling. She currently serves the Veritas community as a Teacher Coach and Administrator.

Mrs. Hosack has served as Director of Operations for Archway Veritas since 2010. Originally from Southern California, she has been thriving in Phoenix since 1996. Mrs. Hosack has two sons, both whom are now working for Great Hearts. Committed to animal welfare, she loves volunteering at a local sanctuary. Many would call her a dog enthusiast. She loves spending time and training her three Doberman Pinschers. Mrs. Hosack is on a journey to become a certified dog trainer. When not cuddling with her dogs, you can find her enjoying movies or planning her next trip to Disneyland!

Ms. Del Duca has a degree in finance. She has been the Office Manager for Archway Veritas since 2013. She is the proud mother of two daughters.

Mary O’Connor has lived in Arizona since 1974.  She graduated from Saguaro High School and then moved onto a three-year cooking apprenticeship through the American Culinary Federation.  She and her husband met as apprentices, married, have nine children, twelve grandchildren and counting.  In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, sewing, Sudoku, a little family time and a little alone time!

Ms. Mandy retired in January 2023 after 23 yrs at a non-profit. She soon realized retirement was not for her – she would rather be working, productive and helpful. She enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

Mandi Canter grew up in the valley and pursed elementary education at the University of Arizona and a masters of Early Childhood Education at Northern Arizona University. She taught for 6 years before staying home to raise Case (4th grade) then the unexpected twins Audrey and Brooks (2nd grade). She loved the classroom so much she volunteered as much as possible once they started school. Through serving in various roles for the AVPSO she grew to love fundraising and jumped at the opportunity to work as the Family Giving Officer to support the school her family loves! In her free time she enjoys shuffling kids to and fro to their extracurricular passions, fitness at pure barre, fun excursions and gatherings with family and friends, Charlie dog walks and OHSO breakfasts, movie nights and needlepoint!

Stephanie Lentz is an experienced educator and dedicated professional serving as the ESS Lead at Great Hearts. With a passion for shaping young minds, Stephanie holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Sociology. She also has three Bachelor’s degrees with one of those in Special Education. She demonstrates a commitment to ongoing learning, teaching her students, and professional development. Stephanie brings a wealth of expertise to her role, having spent more than a decade teaching Kindergarten and contributing significantly to the educational landscape. Her journey in education is complemented by a background in mental health, where she honed valuable skills that enrich her approach to teaching and student support. In her free time, she spends time with her two daughters, reading, yoga, and cooking.

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Maria was born and raised in the Rochester, New York area, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education, with a concentration in Psychology and Mathematics, from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She also obtained a Master’s Degree in Behavioral and Learning Challenges from Buffalo State College. After developing an appreciation for the mountains and sunny climate of Arizona, Maria relocated there and has since worked with the Avondale Elementary School District and the Phoenix Union High School District. She brings her passion for working with both children and adults, as well as her commitment to lifelong learning, to Archway Veritas Traditional Academy. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exercising, and reading.

Greetings, I go by the name Mr. Ake and I come from a mixed Latin (Mexican) and Japanese heritage. I have dedicated nearly a decade to working at Great Hearts as a member of the ESS department, where I take pride in advocating for children who may struggle to express their needs or feelings. While I have experience as both a P.E. and Spanish teacher, my true passion lies in ESS, and I am excited to join the Veritas team.

Health and fitness are significant interests of mine, as I have a background as a personal trainer and am still certified in the field. I thoroughly enjoy leading fitness classes, particularly Zumba classes, which I became licensed in back in 2008 after retiring from dance performances. Incorporating dance moves into my classes brings me great joy.

Another one of my passions is cooking, particularly Asian cuisine, which reflects my upbringing. Cooking allows me to express my creativity and introduce new flavors to others. The artist within me remains strong, as I hold a minor in art and excel in disciplines such as drawing, inking, 2D art, and have recently delved into learning digital and editing software.

I am someone who finds joy in making others smile, even if it means I may appear a bit silly at times. I am eager to connect with all of you throughout the academic year and hope to make a positive impact on the community.

Samantha Ureta is going on her fifth year with Great Hearts. Prior to joining the ESS team, she taught Kindergarten and First Grade. Ms. Ureta graduated from Thomas Aquinas College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and is currently attending the Teacher in Residency program for Special Education at Rio Salado College. She enjoys strength training, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Miss Hintze works as an ESSA. She loves reading books in her spare time and is a rabbit owner. Her favorite vacation spot is her family cabin. She also loves to hike different places. This is her third year working at Archway Veritas.

As an ESSA dedicated to supporting students with special needs, she merges her passions for helping others with a genuine love for people, children, and animals. Her enthusiasm for art, history and above all, teaching children drives her to create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.

Hello students and parents, my name is Miss Gonzalez. I am the TA for 4B this year. I can’t wait to work with you all in the classroom. A little bit about me, I am a college student pursuing a degree in communication. I have two years’ previous classroom experience.  Where you will find me when not in the classroom: reading, working out, and hiking. Fun fact: I am always on the search for the best Italian dish- my personal favorite, spaghetti! I’m so stoked to be working with you all! Looking forward to an amazing year!

Mrs. Kanwal is an A-ESS at Archway Veritas. She is born and raised in Pakistan. She holds a Bachelor of Education(Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad Pakistan, and Master of Islamic Studies(Bahauddin Zakariya University , Multan Pakistan). She loves teaching and likes working with one -on-one students. She has three children, Ali, Bilal, and Ayesha who attend Great Hearts Veritas and Archway Veritas. She loves reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Julie Pitcl has been teaching at Archway Veritas since its inception in 2011.  She serves the community as a reading interventionist and literacy coach.  Julie has been in the field of education for 26 years and is passionate about teaching reading to all learners.  She enjoys practicing yoga, traveling and spending quality time with her family, friends and dog, Archie.

Katy Soukup has been an elementary school teacher for 24 years. She joined the Great Hearts family 5 years, specializing in reading instruction. Mrs. Soukup is a Certified Barton Tutor, she is trained in Linda Mood-Bell LiPS as well as Handwriting Without Tears. She is also a Dyslexia Screening Specialist. Mrs. Soukup is a native of Phoenix and has 4 children, all who are Greathearted students.

This is Mrs. Jenkins’s 20th year in education; prior to coming to Archway, she was a classroom teacher in Tucson and Phoenix. Her two daughters are graduates of Veritas Prep. She enjoys yoga, reading, traveling and spending time with her family and friends. Mrs. Jenkins feels she has the very best job at Archway and loves cultivating joy for mathematics!

Nadia Miller is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist who is currently the supervising SLP for Veritas Archway and Prep as well as Great Hearts Online. She received her master’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston and has worked with both children and adults in hospital and school settings for the past 18 years.  In her spare time, she enjoys baking, playing pickleball, attempting to garden, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Lindsay Cardoso has worked with young children for 20 years and has had the pleasure of working for Great Hearts for 12 years. Lindsay has her master’s in Early Childhood Education and is an ongoing scholar through her love of good books, travel, art, and delicious food. She lives in Phoenix with her husband and foster daughter.