top of page
A K-8 Public School of Excellence
We'll help your child grow from the place they are today to reach academic success tomorrow!
ACA ADMINISTRATION
Principal- Jordan Beckman
Mrs. Beckman holds firm to the belief that all students can learn and has a strong track record of success. She works hard to ensure every student who enters ACA will receive an exceptional education. Mrs. Beckman has been with ACA for seven years and considers it an honor to be ACA’s principal. She looks forward to continuing to see ACA grow and reach new academic milestones while continually increasing opportunities for all students.
Mrs. Beckman has been in education for over 14 years, with the past 6 years in administration roles. She began her career in education with Teach for America moving to Chicago for her first teaching assignment in the Chicago public school district. During this time, Mrs. Beckman was part of the Erikson Institute for Early Childhood education, Early Mathematics project and Guided Reading pilot program. After her time in Chicago, she was offered a teaching position Colorado and came to Arizona over 10 years ago. During her time in the classroom, Mrs. Beckman has taught primary, intermediate, and middle school students and demonstrated her passion through strong test scores every year. She has also held many leadership positions including instructional coach, team lead, and has managed grant and after school programs.
Mrs. Beckman is a certified principal through Arizona Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.
Mrs. Beckman has been in education for over 14 years, with the past 6 years in administration roles. She began her career in education with Teach for America moving to Chicago for her first teaching assignment in the Chicago public school district. During this time, Mrs. Beckman was part of the Erikson Institute for Early Childhood education, Early Mathematics project and Guided Reading pilot program. After her time in Chicago, she was offered a teaching position Colorado and came to Arizona over 10 years ago. During her time in the classroom, Mrs. Beckman has taught primary, intermediate, and middle school students and demonstrated her passion through strong test scores every year. She has also held many leadership positions including instructional coach, team lead, and has managed grant and after school programs.
Mrs. Beckman is a certified principal through Arizona Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.
Middle School Principal Intern- Alondra Salazar
Dean of Students- Isaac Harris
Dean of Students- Gabriel Sandoval
Mr. Sandoval currently serves as one of the Deans of Students at ACA. As a life-long learner, he holds to a philosophy that those in education should strive to inspire and empower youth to reach their full potential. Mr. Sandoval began working in this field as an undergraduate at San Diego State University where he had the opportunity to work with teens during an after-school program, and it was then he realized that his true calling was working with youth. After completing his double major and earning a Bachelor’s degree, he moved to Arizona where he completed his teaching certification and taught history, economics, and government at an inner-city high school in Phoenix.
Mr. Sandoval’s 20-year career span includes working as a middle school teacher to holding multiple administrative positions such as athletic director, principal, and Title I Director in various schools in Arizona and California. He is also the proud father of four children and is devoted to his wife Brenda, who is an elementary teacher. During his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors with his family and likes volunteering at his local church serving in the children’s ministry.
Mr. Sandoval holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University and is currently working to earn a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University.
Mr. Sandoval’s 20-year career span includes working as a middle school teacher to holding multiple administrative positions such as athletic director, principal, and Title I Director in various schools in Arizona and California. He is also the proud father of four children and is devoted to his wife Brenda, who is an elementary teacher. During his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors with his family and likes volunteering at his local church serving in the children’s ministry.
Mr. Sandoval holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University and is currently working to earn a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University.
SPED and Academic Programs Director- Nicole Harris
Director of Operations- Gloria Ramos
IT Director- Keegan Lapp
Director of Talent and PR- Melissa Montenegro
Melissa Montenegro is a member of the administration team most importantly an ACA parent. She has worked at Arizona Charter Academy since 2010, her latest role as the Director of PR and Talent. She also has a background in Human Resources working with the Arizona Department of Administration.
Melissa is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Master Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership. Melissa is a Leadership West Class 25 alum and sits on the board of the local Northwest Valley YMCA branch.
Melissa is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Master Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership. Melissa is a Leadership West Class 25 alum and sits on the board of the local Northwest Valley YMCA branch.
Chief Academic Officer- Heather Henderson
Heather Henderson is an award-winning educational leader who specializes in turnaround schools. With over 25 years of experience in education, training, and leadership, she has led all aspects of school operations and been a part of many successful charter schools. Heather specializes in data driven academic turnarounds, enrollment practices, student and teacher retention, special education, budget optimization and compliance. Heather quickly diagnosis issues and creates a plan for school leaders to execute with a communication plan to ensure buy in and success.
Mrs. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education K-12 and master’s degree in School Leadership. She is a certified principal, earned the prestigious Rodel Exemplary Principal designation, and was the recipient of the Arizona Charter Association’s Transformational Leader of the Year.
Mrs. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education K-12 and master’s degree in School Leadership. She is a certified principal, earned the prestigious Rodel Exemplary Principal designation, and was the recipient of the Arizona Charter Association’s Transformational Leader of the Year.
Chief Executive Officer- Melissa Holdaway
Melissa Holdaway is the co-founder and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Charter Academy. She has over 25 years of management and leadership experience, co-founded three charter schools and been awarded numerous state and federal grants.
Melissa earned a Bachelor’s degree in management, an Executive MBA from Grand Canyon University, holds a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional certification through Society of Human Resources Management and is a certified executive coach.
Passionate about creating positive change in the community, Melissa serves on the Grand Canyon University College of Business Advisory Board and the Blue Blazer Leadership team through Fighter Country Partnership, which supports the men and women at Luke Air Force Base. She also served as the past chair of the City of Surprise Audit Committee and the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In 2022, Melissa was inducted into the Grand Canyon University College of Business Hall of Fame. Other awards include Athena Award finalist from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, Business Leader of the Year from the Arizona Charter School Association, and the City of Surprise Citizen of the Year. Other awards include Leadership West Alumnus of the year, Sun City Elks Citizen of the Year, and Grand Canyon University College of Business Inspirational Leadership Award.
Melissa earned a Bachelor’s degree in management, an Executive MBA from Grand Canyon University, holds a SHRM-Senior Certified Professional certification through Society of Human Resources Management and is a certified executive coach.
Passionate about creating positive change in the community, Melissa serves on the Grand Canyon University College of Business Advisory Board and the Blue Blazer Leadership team through Fighter Country Partnership, which supports the men and women at Luke Air Force Base. She also served as the past chair of the City of Surprise Audit Committee and the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In 2022, Melissa was inducted into the Grand Canyon University College of Business Hall of Fame. Other awards include Athena Award finalist from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, Business Leader of the Year from the Arizona Charter School Association, and the City of Surprise Citizen of the Year. Other awards include Leadership West Alumnus of the year, Sun City Elks Citizen of the Year, and Grand Canyon University College of Business Inspirational Leadership Award.
bottom of page