STAFF

Rachel began teaching dance while at the Phoenix Dance Academy. She graduated from NAU in 2004 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. As a certified teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and Acrobatic Arts, Rachel is part of a dedicated group of educational staff committed to nurturing talent. 

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Rachel founded Liberty Performing Arts in Cottonwood in 2013. Her vision to create a performing arts charter school took shape in 2017 when she started the application process. By 2019, she was awarded the charter for Liberty Leadership Academy, enhancing the staff directory with a new roster of skilled teaching professionals who are passionate about the arts.

Truly Blakely has been an integral part of educational staff for over 20 years, primarily working with preschool age children. Throughout her career, she has taken on various roles within schools, including teacher, secretary, and admin assistant. After dedicating 8 years as a stay-at-home mom and in-home childcare provider, Truly is excited to join the team at Liberty Leadership Academy, where she will contribute to the staff directory as a valued member of the teaching professionals.

Lance Barnes is a lifelong educator, administrator, and coach who has spent 23 years teaching middle school and gifted programs in Tucson. As a respected member of the educational staff, he has served both as a principal and assistant principal for over 7 years. Additionally, Lance has contributed to the sports community by coaching varsity football, tennis, and basketball for more than 20 seasons. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, making him a knowledgeable resource in our staff directory and an asset among teaching professionals. 

As a proud parent of three children, one of whom has Special Needs, Lance's passion extends beyond education to include exercise and travel; he has even recently restarted scuba diving!

Passionate about teaching, Nicci has dedicated the past 12 years to working with students from pre-K to eighth grade within the Cottonwood Oak Creek school district. As part of the educational staff, she has taken on various roles, including conducting hearing and vision screenings, serving as a health aide, and delivering impactful lessons in the classroom. Witnessing her students' growth fills her with excitement and fulfillment, and she eagerly anticipates embarking on another fruitful year at Liberty Leadership Academy, where she proudly connects with other teaching professionals listed in the staff directory.

Vanessa is a loving mother, sister, daughter, and friend. Born and raised in Southern California, she relocated to Cottonwood, Arizona with her family in 2016. With a deep passion for creativity and the arts, she has explored various forms of expression, including creative writing, theater, musical theater, photography, animation design, and interior design. In 2020, Vanessa completed her Associates of Arts Degree at Yavapai College, where she discovered her interest in American Sign Language. Together with her daughter, they embraced the beauty of this language. As part of the educational staff at Liberty Leadership Academy, Vanessa hopes to share her love for the arts, music, and ASL with students, contributing to the diverse staff directory of teaching professionals dedicated to fostering creativity.

Ceara has lived in the Verde Valley for 27 years. She enjoys reading, various forms of art, and spending quality time with her husband, two children, family, and close friends. As a mother of a child with special needs, Ceara developed a passion for behavioral health over a decade ago. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Yavapai and went on to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Applied Human Behavior, along with an undergraduate certificate in Speech and Language Pathology from NAU. After working as a paraprofessional in a kindergarten setting for several years while completing her degree, Ceara transitioned to working as an educator and provided one-on-one support for students aged 5-25 with a range of developmental disabilities. In her role, she took on responsibilities such as academic planning across multiple grade levels and preparing and writing IEPs for her students. Over the last four years, Ceara has become passionate about teaching and has recognized that every child learns differently, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of educational staff to offer diverse learning techniques to ensure student success. She believes that sensory regulation lays the groundwork for effective learning, as it is essential for maximizing a child's ability to absorb new information. Ceara advocates for the use of movement, music, and dance as key sensory strategies that promote a successful learning environment, and she looks forward to incorporating these approaches into her classroom settings. Currently, Ceara is working on her teaching certificate and is eager to embark on this new adventure with the dedicated teaching professionals at LLA. You can find her details in the staff directory.

Angela Hernandez is a passionate educator and teaching professional with over 20 years of experience in both domestic and international classrooms. She brings a rich background in student-centered learning and interdisciplinary instruction to the educational staff that she leads.

Her diverse teaching history spans middle school classrooms in California, Arizona, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as adult and youth language education in Prague, Czech Republic, where she earned her International TEFL certification. Angela holds an M.A. in psychology with a concentration in Human and Organizational Behavior from NU, along with a B.A. in Liberal Studies Education Track from CSUSB.

Known for her engaging and nurturing classroom environment, Angela excels in meeting the academic and developmental needs of upper elementary students. She is committed to fostering a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom, ensuring every student grows in confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking. For her contributions and dedication, she is a valued member of the staff directory within her institution.

I am a passionate and dedicated teacher among the educational staff, with a deep love for helping young learners grow academically, socially, and emotionally. With several years of experience as a teaching professional, I strive to create a supportive, engaging environment where curiosity is encouraged and every child feels valued. My goal is to inspire confidence and a lifelong love of learning in each of my students. Every day, I feel grateful to be part of their journey and growth. I am excited to continue my journey at Liberty Leadership, where our staff directory reflects a commitment to excellence in education.