Meet Hope High School Online Staff

I am a passionate educator with fifteen years of classroom experience prior to moving into a leadership role in administration. I earned my undergraduate degree in International Studies with a Development Emphasis. My travels in developing countries taught me the value of education, its’ impact, and the positive effect it can create for individuals, families, and communities. Upon graduation, I naturally fell into teaching and obtained my teaching credentials. While teaching, I continued learning and achieving by earning two Masters' Degrees from Northern Arizona University including a Masters of Educational Leadership and a Masters in Bilingual and Multicultural Education. My experiences and education have shaped me into an educator focused on creatively engaging students to find their passion and enthusiasm for learning. Firmly believing in the potential of every student, I continuously strive to lead a staff that is attentive to student needs and committed to the success of Hope High School Online’s students.

Mr. Ortega
Assistant Principal

Hope High School Online Coaches

photo of Jessica Barrios of Hope High School Online

Jessica Barrios
Academic Coach

Arianna Beverly
Academic Coach

Nicole Clifford
Academic Coach

Rosa Espinoza
Academic Coach

I received my bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in urban planning with a minor in sustainability. More recently I received my master’s degree in higher education, also from Arizona State University. I have been working in the education field for the past 8 years with K-12 students and also at the college level. I am also currently an alumni mentor at Arizona State University. I am excited to help our students grow and succeed in their education and career goals.

picture of Tawny Hallock of Hope High School Online

Tawny Hallock
Academic Coach

I have worked in the educational industry since 2013, enrolling students, providing academic support and working with online learning management systems. I love to help students achieve their potential academically and be a support system for them. Coming from mostly post-secondary experience, working with High School students has been such a blessing. I love to see our student’s blossom into who they are and build a personal relationship with them to help them succeed.

Wilma Jackson
Academic Coach

photo of Caitlin Savage of Hope High School Online

Caitlin Savage
Academic Coach

I started out as an intern at Hope High School Online in 2017. I loved being part of the Blueprint Education family so much, that after receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies with Honors from Arizona State University, I took a full-time position at HHSO as the Growth to Graduation Coach. My focus is to support those students who were unable to graduate on time, as well as provide all students support in their goals after high school.
In my spare time, I love cooking, hiking, spending time with my family in California, and cuddling up to my mini-poodle Sammy. Above all else, I love conversing with others and helping students achieve their hopes and dreams!

Jacob Svorinic
Academic Coach

Hope High School Online Teachers

Ms. Connors
ParaProfessional

Mrs. Dawson Williams
ELA Intervention Teacher

Hi, my name is Christy Dawson Williams. I have been a teacher for 18 years and twelve of those years I was in the classroom. I have taught sixth grade to high school. I graduated from Ohio Dominican College with a Bachelors's in Elementary Education. Six years ago, I got my Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Those classes emphasized teaching to high school students. I learned about how the teenage brain works and the best ways to teach high school students.I use the knowledge from my Master’s Degree daily working with online students. Since I do not see my students in person, I get to know them through weekly emails and through their many writing assignments in their ELA classes. I differentiate assignments when needed. This can include changing the assignment to fit the students’ learning styles, prior knowledge, and abilities.
Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I continue to educate myself on new strategies to teach to online students. I hope that I have the opportunity to work with you and your student.

Mrs. DiCiccio
IEP and Transition Specialist

Mr. Edahl
ParaProfessional

Ms. Greenspan
Elective Teacher

I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. I have a love for education and want to make a difference in the lives of others, so I pursued a teaching certificate in elementary education from Arizona State University. I then went on to receive my Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University in 1998 and received my English as a Second Language endorsement shortly after. I have taught at various levels ranging from 1st grade to college courses throughout my teaching career. I have been teaching students online in various roles since 2001.

Photo of Carmen Leathers of Hope High School Online

Ms. Leathers
Spanish Teacher

I have been teaching children and adults for over 30 years. I hold a Master’s Degree in Education from Arizona State University as well as 24 graduate hours in Education Administration from Northern Arizona University. I grew up in Yuma, Arizona, and graduated from Yuma High School, home of the Yuma Criminals.

I enjoy vacationing to Sedona, Arizona, and Coronado, California, and spending time with my granddaughters. My hobby is hunting for bargains at local thrift stores and garage sales. I swim and exercise at my local fitness club and participate in Bible studies at my church.

Mrs. Oetter
Electives Teacher

Ms. Oldershaw
Social Studies Teacher

Mr. Penzone
ParaProfessional

Mrs. Phillips
Math Teacher

Mrs. Pixley
ESS Teacher

Mrs. Pixley graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a degree in Psychology and a special education credential. She has been working with students with special needs for the past 5 years in elementary, middle school, high school, and home-based settings in applied behavior analysis and teaching positions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, writing, going for walks, and playing video games. She strongly believes that every student can succeed with the proper support and is always looking for new ways to better assist her students.

Mrs. Richardson
School Counselor

Ms. Svensson
Math Teacher

Mrs. Swoope
ELA Teacher

Ms. Thompkins
ParaProfessional

Ms. Umbarger
ESS Teacher

Mrs. Valladares
ESS Teacher

Christina graduated in 2008 with an Undergraduate Degree in Regular and Special Education from Plymouth State University in Plymouth New Hampshire. She then went on to work as a special educator in the classroom setting for 10 years. Her background is in creating programs for students with severe autism and emotional needs. Christina received her master's in Special Education from the University of Saint Joseph in 2010 and her Educational Leadership degree with an 092 certification in 2015. Christina’s passion for Special Education and working with students and families continues and grows as she works for Blueprint Education. Christina currently resides in Florida with her husband.

Mrs. Vipperman
ELA Teacher

Mrs. Willingham
Science Teacher

Qualifications for our instructional staff are available in our front office.

Hope High School Online Support

Rebekah Cirrincione
Curriculum Coordinator

Brenda Conrad
Enrollment Specialist

Dene' De La Cruz
Student Services

Carolyn Holtgrewe
School Psychologist

photo of Susan Hruby of Hope High School Online

Susan Hruby
Administrative Specialist

I started working in education back in 2006. My daughter graduated from Hope High school Online in 2017 and from knowing what I knew about the school, staff, and support, I was quite impressed. In April of 2018, I decided to see if there were any open positions in the school. Lucky for me, there was an Academic Coach position that was open. I can honestly say that as impressed as I was, I had no idea just how much everyone truly cares for the students. I have never seen a group of people so invested in the students. More recently, I have moved to be the office receptionist. I am very proud to be a part of this team and I look forward to meeting the students and families who we serve.

Mrs. Liles
School Psychologist

I received my undergraduate degree from GCU in Psychology and went to grad school at NAU for School Psychology. I've been employed as a School Psychologist for 25 years now and enjoy helping students and families find success. I've been married to my sweet husband for 28 years and have two amazing daughters - one in high school, one in college. We love to swim and walk with our precious lab pups and enjoy traveling with family as often as we can!!

photo of Christine Ruhl of Hope High School Online

Mrs. Ruhl
ESS Director

I have been a special education teacher since 2005. My background is in working with students with Emotional Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, and Autism in self-contained, inclusion, and now virtual settings. I am incredibly excited to support our students, families, and teachers. I am passionate about working with students with disabilities and helping them to gain the skills necessary to be successful, independent adults. I am excited to join the Blueprint team to support our students as they achieve their goal of graduating from high school and reaching their goals for adulthood.

Picture of Rebecca Searles of Hope High Online

Rebecca Searles
Data and Reporting Coordinator

Mrs. Sprague
ESS Records Clerk

Mrs. Williams
ESS Counselor / 504 Coordinator

Hope High School Online operates under the oversight of Blueprint Education, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1969 that offers 9-12th grade students innovative educational opportunities to maximize each student's educational journey and equip them for a successful future.

Portrait of teen boy chatting on laptop in park.

Success When Traditional Schools Didn't Work

Jose: “You have no idea how meaningful what you've done for me is. I've been to 2 different schools (traditional schools) and teachers there would NEVER in a million years have done what you have. Thank you!”

Testimonials

“I overcame my mental battles and found worth in myself. I managed to graduate high school, while going to college, having a job, volunteering with Relay for Life and Miracle League of Arizona, and go to my church/Young Life organizations all within the same time frame.” - Emily

“Thank you for providing me the schedule these past couple years to develop my interests, personal well-being, and relationship with education. My teachers at Higley pushed for me to join an online school as my lack of creative control was developing a worn and negative state over my head. I am indebted in Hope Online's generosity for providing this for me, the understanding and warmth that omits from the staff is groundbreaking to me! Thank you!” - Brittany

“I am a student diagnosed with autism, and have a high level for ADHD. I was struggling with transferring from class to class, and would disappoint teachers left and right. But coming to this school has made my life have a new light that shines, and helped me learn and become the person I want to be. Thanks Hope High School!” - Amanda

I am continuing to improve!

Cheyenne: “I can't thank Hope High for how much support they give you. Went in today for help on a test and everything went better than ever. This school has helped me soo much since I've been enrolled. Thank you for all of your help and support. I can't thank you enough!!!”

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