Mountain
View

Jennifer Lucas

Katrina Mott

Rhonda Puetz

Mrs. Rhonda Puetz grew up in Missouri and attended Memphis State and the University of Missouri K. C. She has worked as an Assistant to Principals and Assistant Principals in California, Indiana and Missouri. After working 15 years in Human Resources for the City of Springfield Missouri she and her husband Ted moved to Arizona. They enjoy hiking the San Tan Mountains, sailing and most of all spending time with their beautiful grandchildren. Rhonda’s has been at Leading Edge since 2013.

Tanya Verbiesen

Mrs. Tanya Verbiesen or “Mrs. V” as she is known around campus joined the Leading Edge Academy family in 2014. Mrs. V is a certified Project Management Professional with over 20 years experience in being a consistent producer, driven to improve results and exceed goals. As the Business Specialist for the Mountain View campus, she uses her expertise in time management, compliance and customer relations to maintain a cohesive atmosphere.

Shelly Van Niekerk

Eva Backhaus

Savannah Nocks

Daniella Indie

Mrs. Daniella Indie discovered Leading Edge Academy in 2013 while researching the right school for her children and was pleased to find small class sizes and a family-centered atmosphere at Mountain View. After enrolling her children and spending many hours volunteering in the classrooms, Daniella was hired to work at Leading Edge as an Interventionist. It was there she discovered her calling to teaching and began taking classes at GCU for her M.Ed. She began teaching in 2012 and she loves working with her 1st grade students. Daniella and her husband Anthony have 4 children; 3 of whom attend Leading Edge Academy Mountain View.

Lora Cannegieter

Mrs. Lora Cannegieter is a 2nd grade teacher at Leading Edge Academy Mountain View. She has been teaching since 2010. She has taught 1st, 4th, and 2nd grades. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Kennesaw State University in 2007. She went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Education from Walden University in 2016. When not teaching, Mrs. Cannegieter likes to spend time with her family, travel, and read.

Lisa Van Camp

Mrs. Lisa VanCamp has been married to Billy VanCamp for 28 years who was her Jr/High School sweetheart. She was born and raised in Arizona and has three children. Her daughter Paige is married to John Bolin & lives in Texas with her two grandchildren, Gracie, & Hudson. Trey is married to Jordan & they live in San Tan Valley and have one child named Faith. Shea lives at home & attends Valley Christian High School. Lisa graduated from Arizona State University & worked on her masters at NAU. She has taught in the public school for 6 years, private school for 11 years, and have been with Leading Edge Academy for 5 years.

Christa Jackson

Ms. Christa Jackson has been part of the Leading Edge family since 2009 when she enrolled her oldest son in Kindergarten. She officially came on staff in 2013 when her youngest son started Kindergarten. She obtained her B.A. from Purdue University more years ago than she admits. Helping little ones develop a love of learning and confidence in their abilities is her goal each and every day. She loves to be creative and even spent a few years growing a custom cake business before throwing in the towel to mold futures instead of fondant. When not at school she enjoys creating great memories with her family.

Victoria Meheut

Kari Lungu

Stephanie Rios

Ms. Stephanie Rios began teaching fourth grade at Leading Edge Academy in 2011. She has a BS degree in Business with a minor in Behavioral Science from Western International University. She has worked in adult education administration for several years but always desired to be in the classroom working with children. So, Stephanie went on to get her MA degree in Education and is now doing what she enjoys the most! Her greatest joy is watching her students grow academically and helping them achieve their goals. She has three daughters who keep her very busy!

Nicholas Kretsedemas

Mr. Nicholas Kretsedemas received a BA from Arizona State University in 1985 and previously taught in Winslow, AZ for 16 years. He moved to Chandler, AZ in 2001 and taught at Chandler Scholastic Academy for 11 years. He has been teaching at Leading Edge Academy Mountain View since 2010. He is married to his wonderful wife Denise and has 2 children. They enjoy all outdoor activities and are actively involved with St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox church

Nicholas Towner

Mr. Nick Towner has a bachelors degree in elementary education from the University of Mary. He taught 5th grade for 9 and a half years in Mandan, North Dakota. Nick moved to San Tan Valley, Arizona last January and was hired full time at Leading Edge Academy Mountain View in 2016..

Nicole Hilbrands

Ms. Nicole Hilbrands has taught for over twelve years. She started at Leading Edge Academy Mountain View in 2017. She moved here from South Dakota. She has earned her Bachelors and Master’s from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN. She loves interacting with children everyday. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family, working out and being outdoors.

Nicole Thames

Ms. Nicole Thames has been teaching since 2008 and also has many years of experience as a substitute teacher and teacher assistant in all grades through eighth. Nicole taught fifth grade for six years prior to coming to Leading Edge Academy, Mountain View last year to teach middle school, with an additional year each under her belt in third and fourth. She holds a Master of Education degree in Human Relations from NAU, and her undergraduate degree and teaching credential from Cal State Long Beach in California, where she lived prior to moving to Arizona. She loves to play tennis, volleyball and bowl. Her son Jordan graduated from Leading Edge a few years ago.

Geneva Perkins

Mrs. Geneva Perkins grew up most of her life in Southern California before moving to Arizona. She went to High School in Northern Arizona then came down and graduated from Arizona State University. She worked for a firm for 25+ years handling all of the Employee Benefits for their clients before coming to Leading Edge Academy to teach Middle School math. She has been married for almost 20 years and has 2 daughters. She loves anything to do with animals and antiques.

Crystal Brown

John Zuccaro

Tara Gamel

Bonnie McCalley

Mrs. Bonnie McCalley is married with 4 adult children. She is an almost native of Arizona and received her elementary and special education degrees from Northern Arizona University. Bonnie has been teaching children for over 20 years and believes all children have the ability to learn; some just need different techniques to reach their individual learning style.

Barbara Durant

Mrs. Barbara Durant taught in Mesa Public Schools for 24 years. After being retired for one year, she took the opportunity to teach for Leading Edge Academy. Mrs. Durant has a Bachelors Degree in Special Education from ASU and a Masters Degree in Counseling from NAU. Mrs. Durant has been married for over 36 years and has three daughters and 4 grandchildren. In her spare time, Mrs. Durant enjoys spending time with family, her pets, hiking and traveling.