Meet our Staff

Melinda Erspamer

Social Worker

  • Mrs. Melinda Erspamer proudly serves as Student Support for Leading Edge Academy, a role pivotal in guiding students through their social and emotional journeys. Drawing from her rich background in social work and advocacy, Melinda possesses a keen understanding of students’ needs, approaching them holistically to ensure their well-being.

    In 2022, Melinda, along with her husband and daughter, embraced a new chapter by relocating from Colorado Springs to Arizona. The move has been a refreshing change, and the family is thrilled to immerse themselves in the vibrant Arizona community. Melinda brings to Leading Edge Academy not only her passion but also her academic prowess, holding a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Her diverse experience spans various advocacy roles, working closely with youth and families in schools, social services, and community outreach. This work with young individuals and their families fuels her passion, reinforcing her dedication to the students she serves.!

Krista Tate

Principal

  •  Krista Tate joined the LEAO team as Principal during the 2023-24 school year. Ms. Tate has spent the past thirteen years in service to students and families as a teacher leader, as an adjunct professor, and for the past six years, as a public school administrator. Ms. Tate brings a depth and breadth of experience to LEAO, having worked in a variety of school program settings including both traditional and alternative models, Title I, dual language immersion, wall-to-wall project-based learning, technology integrated, and International Baccalaureate. Ms. Tate is a lifelong learner, having earned a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by an M.Ed. in History Education from the University of California, Davis and most recently an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Touro University. Ms. Tate has a passion for instructional leadership, systems creation and management, and technology. She will use her knowledge and experience to connect with LEAO staff, students, and families, ensuring achievement of academic excellence, character above all else, and community and parental partnerships.

     

    Ms. Tate resides in South Chandler with her husband, David, five-year old son, Boden, and French bulldogs Heidi and Fitzgerald. She is the proud bonus mom to her twenty-year old stepson Dylan. Outside of school leadership, Ms. Tate loves to spend time with her family exploring Arizona. She enjoys reading, traveling, cooking/baking, and holds a deep appreciation for her Pelotons and a strong cup of coffee. 

    Go OWLS!

Office Staff

Taylor Hinshaw

Administrative Assistant

  • Taylor Hinshaw joined the LEAO team this 2023-2024 school year as the Administrative Assistant! She and her family have an educational background and have always had a passion for working with children. For seven years, Ms. HInshaw has worked as a preschool teacher and very much enjoyed teaching the little ones! She then ventured into the medical field, where she worked in a Pediatric Therapy Office that offered children Occupational, Speech, Physical, and Feeding therapy. She then gained some experience at an Outpatient Surgery Center for a year. After a few years in the medical field, she decided she missed the school setting and decided to rejoin back into the Education field and learn the administrative side of it all, which she is enjoying very much and loving to get to know all of our LEAO families!

    Ms. Hinshaw is an Arizona Native. She lives in Gilbert, AZ with her husband, Hunter and her two sons, Liam, nine years old and Sawyer, four years old. In her free time, Ms. Hinshaw enjoys spending most of her time with her family and being a soccer mom. She also very much enjoys going on adventures and spending time up in Northern AZ, and her favorite hobbies are drinking coffee, shopping and decorating!

Dawn Romero

Business Specialist

Amy Verkest

Business Specialist

  • Amy was born and raised in Oregon. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Master’s Degree in Teaching Physical Education. She taught PE for 18 years before moving to Arizona in 2017. Amy has been happily married for 19 years and has three children, all who attend Leading Edge Academy. Amy began her time at Leading Edge Academy over the summer and is very grateful for the opportunity to work in the Mountain View Campus as a Business Specialist.

Teachers

Mariam Barth

Data Coach

Foreign Language

  • Ms. Mariam Barth has been teaching for 23 years, including 18 years online. This is her fourth year with LEAO. She received her undergraduate business degree (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and her master’s in Finance from Upper Iowa University. Ms. Barth loves teaching because she enjoys building relationships and making solid connections with her students, which is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. Additionally, she enjoys empowering her students to help them become global citizens. To aid in preparing the next generation to take charge of the world is powerful.

     

    Ms. Barth resides in Queen Creek, AZ with her husband Tony.  Ms. Barth enjoys decorating, hiking, spending time with family and traveling; she and her sister own a travel company.  As of today, she has traveled to 37 countries and counting.  Ms. Barth is the mother of three grown sons.  She is also the grandmother of three young girls.  Emmy (5), Autumn (3), and Odette (1).

Charmayne Bodkin

7-12 History/Social Studies

CTE

Secondary PLC Lead

  • Charmayne Bodkin has embarked on her 11th year in education and fifth at Leading Edge Academy after completing the Career Switcher Program through Shenandoah University. It has been one of the best decisions she has ever made, allowing her to pursue the career of her dreams. After college, Ms. Bodkin began a career in retail management followed by a stint in banking. She stayed home for a few years to raise her children. Ms. Bodkin’s youngest child was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and due to this, she had to learn all she could about education to be the best advocate for her son. This was a blessing in disguise that led Ms. Bodkin to her future career and passion…teaching!  She believes that all children can learn and must be given every opportunity possible to be successful. Ms. Bodkin teaches middle and high school social studies and CTE electives. She is also LEAO's secondary PLC and MTSS lead.

Marti DePue

Special Education

  •  My name is Marti Cies DePue and I am a Special Education Certified Teacher. I received my degree from Arizona State University, and Nova Southwest University. I have lived in Arizona for the past twenty plus years. I have taught is many different educational settings such as residential, public, charter, private schools and in correctional facilities. I love teaching all ages, especially Special Education students. I have experience with communication devices and behavioral interventions. I am very excited to work for Leading Edge Academy!

Kianna Figueroa

Instructional Assistant

  • My name is Kianna Figueroa, I’m happy to have joined LEAO as the new Resource Room Facilitator. I have over 5 years of experience as a preschool teacher, I’ve always had a passion for working with children and helping them grow! With this new adventure, I plan on finishing school in the educational field.

     

    I was born and raised here in Gilbert and currently live in Chandler with my fiance, and my two pets, Melo and Luca, who are basically my children. I enjoy reading, thrift shopping, Saturday farmers markets and especially traveling. I recently got the chance to visit Kauai, Hawaii and tour the Na Pali Coast!

Laura Gulbrandson

7-12 English

504 Coordinator

  • Laura Gulbranson is the 7th-12th grade English teacher at Leading Edge Academy Online.

    She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, specializing in ESL and English Literature. This will be her 8th year teaching, and her 5th year at Leading Edge Academy Online.

    Alongside teaching, she is also a writer and fiction developmental editor. When she is not writing and teaching, she is traveling, reading, and forging connections with those in the writing and artist community.

Russell Ludwig

Fine Arts, PE

CTE/General Electives

  • Russel Ludwig joins LEAO for his third year after beginning his teaching career at the LEA East Mesa Campus. Mr. Ludwig teaches elementary art, fine arts electives, MS electives and physical education. He received his M.F.A. from Northern Illinois University with a major in Design and a minor in Art History.  Mr. Ludwig was previously a Graphic Designer for 22 years before making the career change to becoming a teacher. He has a wife and an 8-year-old son, enjoys hiking, going to amusement parks, and trying out new recipes!

Maria Mendoza

Elementary K-6

  • Maria Mendoza is entering her 16th year teaching for Leading Edge Academy. She started teaching at the East Mesa campus in 2009 and transitioned to online in 2020.  She has her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. Go Sun Devils! Mrs. Mendoza has a passion for helping all children reach their potential and loves to challenge students to be curious and take chances when learning!

    Ms. Mendoza resides in the Austin, TX area with her husband, Stephen, six year old son, Luca, and 13 year young lab mix, Hurley. In her free time, she loves traveling, baking, reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Shelley Spurgeon

7-12 Science

  • Ms. Shelley Spurgeon comes to online with twenty years of science instruction and curriculum design experience. Ms. Spurgeon is both highly qualified in and has previously taught all of LEAO’s 7-12th science course offerings. Ms. Spurgeon has taught both on level and advanced/college level science courses in public school districts and in home school environments, and was named teacher of the year in 2019 at Northlake School District. 


    In her free time, Ms. Spurgeon loves to travel, cook, and to spend time with the people she loves along with her little dog, Orion.  She is a lifelong learner and is always taking a class to learn something new.  She is learning French at the moment.   She has lived in Germany and has traveled extensively in Europe and all across the United States in her RV.  She loves teaching science and helping students to understand that science is in everything we do in our lives.  She is a firm believer that science is FUN!

Abagale Pikul

7-12 Math

HS Success, Test Prep/ECAP

College/Career Liaison

  • Abby Pikul is in her second year at Leading Edge Academy. She has been teaching for over 8 years and has a bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics. She is teaching 7-12th math classes and LEAO’s college/career electives. Mrs. Pikul has a huge passion for mathematics and is determined to provide options for students to learn math in meaningful ways that will impact their education in the long run. She enjoys working one-on-one with students or in small groups and loves to explain the ‘whys’ behind math.

    Mrs. Pikul has been married for almost 10 years, has a 3 year old son, and loves all things Disney! She also enjoys working out and hiking to stay active. In her spare time, she loves to cook and watches cooking shows that give inspiration to her own kitchen.