Staff Directory

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Sam Houston State University), Master’s Degree in School Administration and Supervision (University of Phoenix Online)

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.

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)

Dr. Susan Hollingsworth brings over 25 years of experience in education, beginning her career as a K–6 classroom teacher. In 2006, she joined K12 as an elementary and lead teacher for Idaho Virtual Academy. Three years later, she transitioned to K12 Private Academy as an elementary teacher, quickly rising to leadership roles—first as Elementary School Department Chair in 2012, and then as Manager of Family and Student Support in 2016.

Today, Dr. Hollingsworth serves as the Deputy Executive Director, where she collaborates with a dedicated team to develop and grow the Career Readiness Program. Driven by a deep passion for student success, she is committed to providing alternative educational pathways that empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Reading License (Augustana University)

Kelly Carruth is a certified K–6 educator with a reading license and over 15 years of teaching experience. She has spent the past five years in online education and helped launch the K12 Private Academy Preschool program. She currently serves as the preschool teacher and lead lower school teacher, where she supports both students and teachers in providing a strong academic foundation.  With a background as a reading therapist and training in Lindamood-Bell® literacy programs, Kelly brings strong expertise in literacy development and a commitment to fostering a lifelong love of learning in her students.

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Secondary Education (Alverno College), Masters of Arts is Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Mathematics (University of Phoenix), currently pursuing Masters of Education in Online Instruction (Southern New Hampshire University)

Natalie Dybala is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of teaching experience, including more than a decade in online education. She began her career in 2004 in a traditional classroom setting and joined K12 in 2011 as a math teacher. In 2020, she stepped into the role of Math & Science Department Content Lead, where she continues to support and mentor fellow educators. Natalie is passionate about helping teachers grow their skills, especially when it comes to integrating new platforms and technologies into their instruction.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (University of Florida), Master of Education in Elementary Education (University of Florida)

Tiffany Gleason is a certified K–6 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.

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Clarkson University), Master of Business Administration (University of Scranton), Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Kaplan University)

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® 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.

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)

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.

Bachelor of Science in Education Social Studies (Youngstown State University), Master of Science in Athletic Administration  (Ohio University)

Mr. Eric Moore brings over eighteen years of experience in the field of education. He began his teaching career in 2007 as a middle school social studies teacher in a traditional classroom setting. In 2012, he joined K12 Private Academy, where he has taught both middle and high school social studies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Moore has taken on a variety of leadership roles that have supported both students and staff. He has served as a leader of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) program, mentored new and student teachers, and collaborated with colleagues to develop the school’s scholarship program.

In 2022, alongside his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Moore was appointed as the content lead for the History department. In 2024, his role expanded to include both English and History content leadership. In this capacity, he works closely with the department chair to support teachers, ensure academic integrity, and coordinate Advanced Placement (AP) initiatives for students.

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)

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.