Meet Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Founder
Laura Cazier
Laura is a board-certified emergency physician who works part-time in pediatric emergency medicine. After homeschooling her four children, she helped create Valley Leadership Academy to combine the best of traditional education with the flexibility of homeschool. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a passion for lifelong learning, Laura is honored to serve as a VLA administrator.

Founder
Alex Cazier
Alexandra (Alex) left traditional school after kindergarten to pursue a customized education and passion projects, including helping launch Valley Leadership Academy. As a student leader, she led clubs, mentored younger students, and helped build a school where kindness comes first. She loves encouraging students to discover their strengths and grow as leaders.

Operations Administrator
Kristyn Frazier
Kristyn earned her Bachelor's degree in Special Education and worked as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst before homeschooling her four children. She later founded a homeschool program in the Priceville area and now enjoys helping students learn and grow at Valley Leadership Academy. Outside the classroom, you'll often find her with a good book and a cup of coffee.

Upper School Administrator
Amber Stifflemire
Amber is a lifelong history lover and passionate educator who believes every student can make a difference. After earning her degree in Social Psychology with a minor in History from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she discovered a love for helping students become curious, confident learners. She is grateful to be part of VLA, where she enjoys inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Lower School Administrator
Tae Brand
Tae (pronounced Ty) Brand is the Lower School Administrator at Valley Leadership Academy. With a background in environmental biology and library science, she has served as a Learning Coach and Science Instructor at VLA for the past five years. Passionate about VLA's mission and positive culture, Tae is grateful for the opportunity to serve the school's families, students, and staff in this leadership role.
Our Dedicated Staff

Kindergarten Learning Coach
Olivia Savage

3rd - 5th Grade Learning Coach / Language Arts Instructor
Courtney Ratliff

6th - 8th Learning Coach /
Language Arts Instructor
Kirsten Langston

CyberPatriot Instructor
Tom Barnard

Math and Science Instructor /
Logic Instructor
Megan Clayton

Spanish Instructor
Laura Garcia

Photography Instructor
Stephanie Leist

Computing Instructor /
Scholar Bowl Instructor
Jennifer Nelson

5th Grade Literature
Jennifer Rogers

ACT Prep Instructor /
Private Tutoring
Stephanie Sheppard

Language Arts Instructor /
Child Development Instructor
Jess Taylor

1st - 2nd Grade Learning Coach / Orchestra Instructor
Kelli Battraw

3rd - 5th Grade Learning Coach / Grammar and Art Instructor /
Private Violin and Voice
Christie Weber

9th - 12th Grade Learning Coach / History Instructor
Avery Patz

Drama Instructor
Heather Bond

Science Instructor / Cursive Instructor
Anna Easterling

Music History & Choir Instructor / Cooking Instructor
Rachel Grice

3-5 Learning Coach /
3-4 Reading Comprehension
Maria Misenti

History Instructor /
STEM Instructor
Mary Quince Norris

3-5 Grade Grammar Instructor
Yanique Rolingson

Film Studies Instructor /
History Instructor
Brett Stifflemire

Math Instructor
Alice Yang

1st - 2nd Grade Learning Coach /
1st - 2nd Grade Science
Kristina Shearer

6th - 8th Grade Learning Coach / Enrichment Instructor
Therese Cooper

Yearbook Instructor
Laura Barnard

Chemistry Instructor /
Math Instructor
Sarah Callaway

PE Instructor /
Leadership Instructor
Pierre “Coach P” Fletcher

Cooking Instructor
Glenda Jones

Art Instructor
Natasha Nashadka

Leadership Coordinator
Teandra Pfeil

Student Success Counselor \ Psychology of Happiness Instructor
Courtni Sedlacek

STEM Instructor
Meri Streiff