{"id":32,"date":"2023-11-13T20:59:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T01:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/k12privateacademy.com\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2025-05-15T14:03:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T18:03:14","slug":"school-leaders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/k12privateacademy.com\/about\/school-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"K12 Private Academy School Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Welcome Letter from K12 Private Academy\u2019s Executive Director, Leslie A. Smith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m delighted to introduce you to K12 Private Academy\u2014a fully accredited, U.S. diploma-granting private online school for grades PK\u201312. All around the world, we help students learn in the ways that are right for them, nurturing a joy for learning and a passion to pursue their interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key is our tailored approach, which frees children to reach their personal potential. Our students are liberated from rigid schedules, classes that move too fast or too slow, bullying, overcrowded classrooms, teaching to the test, and many other factors that can stand in the way of success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all starts with a strong curriculum from K12, an online education leader for more than 20 years. The curriculum was developed by cognitive scientists and leading educators based on decades of research into how children learn. Every lesson comes alive with interactive content and hands-on materials that keep kids engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also surround you and your child with an amazing support team, including online private school teachers with a true gift for inspiring young learners. Working with our academic leadership, guidance counselors, and other education specialists, they\u2019ll be with your family every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you\u2019ll reap the benefits of our energetic school community\u2014an international network of friends who assist, encourage, and learn from each other through online student clubs, parent roundtables, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a school that can adapt to your child\u2019s needs and rekindle their joy of learning, I invite you to learn more about K12 Private Academy. Join us full-time or even for a single course, and the rewards will be worth it\u2014from the newfound flexibility and focus to those \u201ca-HA!\u201d moments you get to see firsthand.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

Academic Leadership Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\tLeslie A. Smith | Executive Director\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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\"Leslie<\/figure>
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Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Sam Houston State University), Master’s Degree in School Administration and Supervision (University of Phoenix Online)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Smith has been an educator for more than 25 years, with experience both in the classroom and as a principal. She has extensive experience in special education, gifted education, and teacher training. Mrs. Smith is a Texas certified teacher, special education teacher, and she is a licensed school principal. She has taught all ages in both Texas and Louisiana public schools. She joined K12 in 2006 and has served as a teacher, lead teacher, and in administrative roles as a principal and then as Director of Instruction for two K12 public schools. She believes wholeheartedly in providing alternative means for students to achieve success. Leslie has proudly served as the Executive Director for K12 Private Academy since 2017.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tSusan Hollingsworth | Deputy Executive Director\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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\"Susan<\/figure>
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Bachelor of Science in Education (University of Alaska), Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (Lesley University), Education Specialist Degree in Administration (Liberty University), Doctor of Education in Administration (Liberty University)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Susan Hollingsworth has over 20 years of experience in the education field. She began teaching K\u20136 in a traditional classroom, joining K12 in 2006 as an elementary teacher and lead teacher for Idaho Virtual Academy. In 2009, Dr. Hollingsworth joined K12 Private Academy as an elementary teacher. She quickly became the elementary school department chair in 2012 and then the manager of family and student support in 2016. Currently, Dr. Hollingsworth works with our amazing team to build the career readiness program as our Deputy Executive Director. It\u2019s her passion to provide students with an alternative path to education to find their personal success.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tTiffany Gleason | K\u20135 Department Chair\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (University of Florida), Master of Education in Elementary Education (University of Florida)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiffany Gleason is a certified K\u20136 and ESOL endorsed teacher with over 20 years of experience as an educator. She began her teaching career in 2003 in Tampa, Florida, and taught in Hillsborough County Public Schools for 11 years. She also spent six years as a district trainer, collaborating on the New Teacher Preparation program. Gleason also worked with the Florida Department of Education to rewrite the Florida Teacher Certification Exam. Gleason joined K12 Private Academy (then K12 International Academy) in 2013 as a Lower School Teacher and then Lead Teacher.  In 2019, she took her current role as Lower School Department Chair and heads up our Preschool and PreK-5 Programs. She enjoys working with families from all over the world and helping to meet the needs of our diverse learners through virtual education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tKathy Houlihan | Mathematics and Science Department Chair\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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\"Kathy<\/figure>
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Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Clarkson University), Master of Business Administration (University of Scranton), Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Kaplan University)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kathy Houlihan has more than 12 years of experience in mathematics education. This includes 11 years in online learning, where she taught everything from seventh grade math to high school AP\u00ae calculus, acting as both an instructor and department chair. During her academic career, Mrs. Houlihan has also helped start up new online schools and managed the operations of multiple online schools. Prior to her academic career, she worked as an engineer and operations manager for a multinational consumer goods company. She also owned her own tutoring business, where she tutored students in math, chemistry, and SAT\/ACT preparation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tJessica Sullivan | English and History Department Chair\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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\"Jessica<\/figure>
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Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and Secondary Education (University of North Carolina at Charlotte), Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction (Western Governors University)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jessica Sullivan has been a dedicated educator for over 15 years, with over a decade of experience in a virtual learning environment. Since joining K12 Private Academy in 2012 as a history instructor, she has taken on various leadership roles including history content lead, Community Engagement Specialist, and AP Coordinator. Jessica became the Department Chair for English and History in 2022. She is passionate about teacher mentoring, student engagement, and providing individualized educational opportunities to students around the world.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tJennifer Lambert | World Languages and Electives Department Chair\t\t<\/h3>\n\t<\/a>\n\t
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\"\"<\/figure>
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Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Spanish (Clark University), Master of Arts in Education (Piedmont College), Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE, Spain)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Lambert has over 25 years of experience in education, including 20 years in online education. She is a certified elementary and high school Spanish teacher who joined our school in 2012. She has lived and studied in Spain, where she earned the DELE, which is the official accreditation of the degree of fluency of the Spanish language in Spain. Her vast online education experience includes school development, teaching, teacher training, curriculum development, and school operations. She loves working with K12 Private Academy families and cultivating an educational experience to support each student and their individual needs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ready to learn more about K12 Private Academy and how we\u2019re transforming the way students learn, explore how academics work at our school. We also welcome your phone call or email if you have any questions about our curriculum or enrollment information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LEARN MORE<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
CONTACT US<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Academic Leadership Team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-32","page","type-page","status-publish"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTeachers and Leadership - K12 Private Academy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"K12 Private Academy's leaders and online private school teachers provide an exceptional, individualized learning experience for students. 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