Teacher: Nicole Mitchell – Grades K-1 – Midvale Campus

Ms.Mitchell was born in San Clemente, California, and has lived in Missouri and Tucson Az. This will be her third full year of teaching. She has a passion for Early Childhood Education and Early Literacy. She received her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. Her personal educational philosophy includes implementing developmentally appropriate practice and fairness in the classroom. She has a love for teaching and is passionate about meeting students where they are academically and helping them grow. She also believes as an educator in the importance of being a life-long learner. Click on this link to go to Ms. Mitchell’s teacher page

Teacher: Marcella Zazueta – Grades 2-3 – Midvale Campus

I am a Tucson native. I attended and graduated from Tucson High Magnet School. I was part of the “Marching 100” band, student-athlete, performing Folklorico dance group “Los Tucsonenses,” and Mariachi Rayos Del Sol My favorite subjects are Math and Spanish. After high school, I attended the University of Arizona, also Brookline College, with an Associate in Pharmacy. I am an AmeriCorps Alumni and am a member of the National Honors Society, a member of Alpha Beta Kappa, and the National Pharmacy Technician Association. I am still involved with Folklorico dancing. I spend my free time with my husband and two dogs. We love to go camping, fishing. My favorite quote is” Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the COURAGE TO CONTINUE that counts.” Winston Churchill. Click on this link to go to Ms. Mitchell’s teacher page

Teacher: Tracy Laos – Grades 4-5  – Midvale Campus

I grew up in Omaha, NE and moved to Arizona after high school to attend and graduate from ASU with a BFA. I am married and have 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter. We enjoy getting away from the Arizona heat by visiting the beach and camping in the mountains. I became an educator because I enjoy watching and assisting students gain knowledge and confidence in their abilities. I believe everyone has gifts and talents and it’s a privilege to be able to witness the students realize this themselves. Quote “Educators should walk the walk and never stop learning themselves!” Click on this link to go to Ms. Laos’s teacher page

Teacher: Robert Vidal – Grades 6-7 ELA & SS – Midvale Campus

Mr. Vidal is the 6th and 7th English and Social Studies teacher at TIA Midvale. He attended the University of Arizona where he studied both literature and film and graduated magna cum laude in the spring of 2019. He is very passionate about English and Social Studies as subjects, believing that they are the foundation of how one approaches and understands the world around them. He believes them to be vital tools in the pursuit of higher education. He also has a cat. Click on this link to go to Mr. Vidal’s teacher page

Teacher: Ms. Elaine – Grades 6-7 Math & Science – Midvale Campus

Click on this link to go to Ms. Elaine’s teacher page

Teacher: Margret Stephens – ELA – 8-12 Midvale Campus

I grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada. From a young age, I developed a passion for exploring and a curiosity about different cultures. As soon as I graduated from high school, I bought a one-way ticket to Ecuador and never looked back! Since then, I have backpacked through many different countries around the world, and I have plans to continue to travel to many more! My husband and I actually met on a plane, which is how a small-town Canadian girl ended up in Arizona. Once my travel bug was slightly tamed, I attended Carleton University and pursued a degree in Humanities, focusing mainly on religious studies. A year later, I transferred to online school (I guess that travel bug wasn’t quite tamed enough!) and continued to study a Global Development degree while traveling more. After I completed my degree, it was clear to me what I wanted to pursue next. I wanted to take my passion for travel and curiosity for the world and use it to inspire other young people to explore as well. I began substitute teaching, and now have the privilege of teaching here at TIA. It has been quite a journey, and I look forward to what the future holds!  Quote “Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it.”- said by Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter (written by J. K. Rowling) Click on this link to go to Mrs. Stephens’s teacher page

Roy Gorris – 8-12th Grade Social Studies Teacher

After finishing high school and post-secondary adult education I was drafted in the Dutch Army. As an infantry non-commissioned officer, I trained alongside U.S. Forces. Very impressed by their efficiency and professionalism I decided to immigrate to the United States some 24 years ago. Shortly after I immigrated I decided to join the U.S. Army not in the capacity of an infantry crew member but in the field of Aviation. Aviation has been my passion for well over 45 years. Fast forward, multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea just to name a few I retired and decided to pick up my educational journey. I have an Associate, Bachelors in Science, and a Master’s in Business Administration and am working on my Doctorate in Business Administration.  I also hold a certified teaching license in Business (K 6 thru K 12), Emerging Technologies (K 9-12), and a pending Marketing (K 9 -12) cert. Click on this link to go to Mr. Gorris’s teacher page

Gabriel Davilla – Midvale 8 Math

I have a Bachelor of Science in Business & Public Administration from the University of Arizona with some Master’s coursework completed in Agriculture and Resource Economics. I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, gardening and learning about people. Please know that I care about your students learning and reach out anytime to talk about goals. Quote “The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible”-Einstein  Click on this link to go to Mr. Davilla’s teacher page

Teacher: Mr. Washington – Grades 8 Science – Midvale Campus

Click on this link to go to Mr. Washington’s teacher page

Xiuqing Sun – Chinese Teacher – All Grades & Campuses

I went to China Communication University and have a degree in Media Management. In China I taught Chinese to foreigners before I moved to the U.S. I’ve been teaching Chinese at TIA since 2012. I have traveled to Thailand, Japan, Korea, China and around the U.S.  I cannot give a direct translation but my favorite quote is something like this; “If I walk with two other people, I can learn from at least one of them.” It shows humility and the willingness to learn from different people, regardless of their age, background or beliefs.  Click on this link to go to Ms. Sun’s teacher page

Teacher: Victoria Dunk – Spanish Midvale Campus

Click on this link to go to Ms. Dunk’s teacher page

Anthony Harden – Instructional Coach

More than 25 years ago, a shortage of substitutes in my daughter’s school district landed me on a teacher path. Prior to earning my post-degree certification in Elementary Education, I worked in broadcast journalism, public relations, and the nonprofit sector. I hold teaching licensure in Arizona and New Mexico, with a certification in TESOL (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages) and an endorsement in Performing Arts. My undergraduate degree is from the University of Arizona, and I have a Masters in Educational Leadership from Western New Mexico University. My classroom teaching experience includes second, fifth, and sixth grade, and I have spent more than a dozen years in instructional coaching and district positions.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.  Inside a dog it is too dark to read” – Groucho Marx 

Lyn Peterson – Special Ed

My responsibilities at TIA is with the Special Education Department. While my duties do not include a regular classroom setting, I am fortunate to have a vey special group of students. I get to know my students on a different level. We try to have fun while learning basic skills and improving on their current skills.

I have a degree in Computer Science. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran, and was a combat medic. I have coached multiple sports with children ages 4 to 21 for close to 40 years. I enjoy teaching children new skills which makes this an excellent position for me.

I live with my dog Shadow and have 7 children between my children and step-children, along with 15 grandchildren.