OUR SCHOOL STAFF


  • LISA LAROQUE  school director    

    Lisa is a Tucson native with a passion for education that began in her high school years. She majored in Early Childhood Education has taught pre-school through high school in a Christian school environment for over 15 years. She is married to Chris for 33 years, mother of 3 adult children and grandmother to 2.  3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” expresses her heart for our GracePointe kids.

  • tONYA LIZARRAGA  school administrative ASSISTANT

    Tonya joined our staff in 2017.  "I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of people with the goal of teaching children about the love God has for us and providing an excellent education for our children."  She is married with 3 children, 4 grandchildren and many Godchildren.  She loves cooking and spending time with family, friends and her beloved pets.

  • Tracey Jorgensen   church and school administrative assistant

    Tracey joined the GracePointe staff in 2019, and has been a part of our church since 1997. She is retired from the military and loves working and ensuring that things run smoothly and are organized. As the devoted mom of 3 great adults and 1 granddaughter, Tracey enjoys to read, quilt, knit crochet and enjoy her family.

  • ROBIN SMITH   teacher - 4 year olds ("bumblebees")

    A Tucson native, Robin has worked with children for over 40

    years, 14 of which have been at GracePointe Christian Academy.

    She enjoys life with her husband Dean, 3 daughters, and a “bunch” of grandkids that keep life exciting and filled with laughter!

  • vanessa mcdaniel  TEACHER - 3 YEAR OLDS ("BUMBLEBEES")

    Vanessa McDaniel is a native Tucsonan. She has shown a love for the Lord and had a love for teaching from an early age. She began teaching Sunday school and Children's Church as a teenager. After spending a short time in the military, she and her husband came back to Tucson to settle down with their young family. During this time, she became involved at her home church as Ministry Leader for both VBS and Children's Church where she has served and taught for the last 5 years. 

  • LYDIA MARTINEZ   teacher - kindergarten ("frogs")

    Lydia has been with our school since 2004, and has attended our church for over 30 years! She loves the relationships she has developed with other staff members and helping children learn about God. She is married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

  • YVONNE NEVAREZ   teacher - 1st Grade ("EAGLES")

    Yvonne first joined our school staff in 2012. She has enjoined working with students since 2002. She is married with 3 wonderful children.

  • Melinda FUENTES   teacher - 2nd grade ("explorers")

    Melinda joined our staff in 2016. She has been working in the education field for numerous years. She loves working with the staff and students here at GracePointe and especially loves the small Christian environment.

  • Lareina nevarez   TEACHER - 3rD GRADE ("light keeperS")

    Lareina, or Lala, is a native Tucsonan.  She came to Christ, along with her family, in 2004. She graduated from University of Arizona in 2021, with a degree in Psychology and Minor in Educational Psychology. She started work at GracePointe Christian Academy as a fulltime staff member in 2022, as a teacher with a goal in mind of serving our Lord and guiding the children. 


  • JILL GRAY   teacher - 4th & 5th grade ("owls")

    Jill has been a teacher in both the public school setting and here at our school. She joined our staff in 2012 and loves being able to share the gospel with students and their families. She majored in Elementary Education with a double minor in Bible and Communications.