Administration

Caitlin Sims, has been dedicated to educating our scholars with the Academy of Math and Science as a Principal for AMS Glendale, founding principal of Advanced Virtual Academy, and formally with AMS Camelback. Her experience is diverse within education from teaching at the elementary level, leading student organizations, sponsoring youth advisory boards globally, coaching, incorporating STEM for district platforms, district curriculum specialist, curriculum writer, district curriculum mentor, TBRI Trauma Practitioner, as well as an elementary school principal both virtually and in person.  Ms. Sims has many educational degrees and is enthusiastic about being a lifelong learner.

Education: 

• Bachelor in Elementary Education
• Masters in Curriculum and Instruction 
• Masters in Educational Leadership
• Enrolled in Doctoral of Instructional Design and Technology 

Katlin Hewson received her Master's of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Central Michigan University. Prior to that she obtained a Bachelor's of Science in English as a second language and Spanish at Central Michigan University. During Ms. Hewson's educational career she taught grades ranging from kindergarten to higher education. Last year she was the K-2 Instructional Coach at AMS Glendale. Ms. Hewson believes that all children are capable of success and is looking forward to building relationships with families at AMS Glendale in her new role as Assistant Principal.

Ms. Martinez has a combined twenty years of experience both in school administration and in the classroom. Ms. Martinez has taught adult ESL classes at Rio Salado Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education and a Masters in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. She is currently a graduate student at Grand Canyon University working toward her doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. Ms. Martinez is committed to excellence, has a passion for teaching and learning, and the ability to lead with integrity and honesty.

Ms. Martinez enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her four children and grand-fur babies. She is an avid runner and currently training to race in her 16th half-marathon.

Despite being born in rural Missouri, Timothy Thompson was raised in Phoenix and claims the Grand Canyon State as his home. After graduating from North Canyon High School, he went to college and earned a bachelor’s in communications. However, after a brief stint as a marketing director for a computer software company, he realized he wanted to make a bigger impact and difference in life. A local charter school hired him to teach 5th grade and he immediately found his passion and joy. He went back to school to earn his teaching certificate, and eventually, a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He taught throughout the Cartwright School District for 7 years before he moved to the Dakotas, on the Sioux Reservation. While in the Dakotas, he served as a high school teacher and secondary principal for 8 years.

After 15 years in education, he ventured into the hospitality world where he managed hotels in California and Arizona. He eventually was hired by a hotel brand to manage their training department. His team of trainers were responsible for training the brand's 613 hotel managers, district managers, and regional vice presidents. He worked for the brand for a total of 3 years before deciding to come back home to Phoenix and jump back into the world he loves, education.