Meet our team
Meet Our Leadership Team
Wyoming Virtual Academy's (WYVA's) leadership team is passionate about helping students fulfill their potential and discover the possibilities of a high–quality education.
Dr. Joe Heywood | Executive Director
Dr. Heywood was raised in Los Angeles but married into a Wyoming family and has recently settled permanently in Wyoming. Dr. Heywood has been a school administrator for over 10 years, worked as a principal, and has two years as the compliance manager of all public charter schools at the Utah State Office of Education. He also taught secondary English and history for 10 years. Dr. Heywood holds degrees in history, educational leadership, and curriculum and instruction from BYU, Northern Arizona University, and Utah State University.
Lisa Williams | Elementary Principal
Mrs. Lisa Williams began working with WYVA in October of 2011. She has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming and a MA in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She also holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Williams in in her 17th year in education and was offered the position of elementary principal August of 2020. She had previously taught all grades K-6 with WYVA and served as the elementary lead teacher for 7 years.
Jennifer Copeland | High School Principal
Mrs. Copeland is a former high school and middle school Spanish teacher and has worked as a program coordinator with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s in bilingual and multicultural education (secondary education). Mrs. Copeland grew up in Wyoming but has lived in Arizona and Las Vegas. She was excited to be able to return to the state of Wyoming and raise her children here.
CJ Jewett | CRE Coordinator
I started at Wyoming Virtual Academy (WYVA) in 2013 with the intention of helping students stay in school with my compliance coordinator job title. That quickly changed and I started to help Middle School students get caught up in their classes and staying caught up throughout the school year. The most vital lesson I have learned throughout the years is each student is different and each student life situation is unique.
I understand that all families coming to WYVA have their personal reasons. Whether it is to get caught up in a grade, medical reasons, mental health or the flexibility, the list is endless. I just want to help and guide the Middle school student make the best decisions with their time spend in WYVA and in the Middle School.
Kristen Stauffer | Operations Manager
Mrs. Stauffer graduated from the University of South Dakota with a major in speech and a minor in English. She joined the WYVA team in 2009 as a registrar and became the Operations Manager in 2010. She is also the public relations director for Paleo Park.
