Tina Kanelos Jones
As the founding Head of School, I have the honor of designing the curriculum and culture for Arizona Christian Academy. Each day I strive to live an Orthodox life and I am dedicated to creating a community where Orthodoxy can be rooted in the hearts of children and families. I grew up attending Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix but have been an active member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for 20 years, serving as the Sunday School Director, youth group leader and board member of Philoptochos. I believe in Arizona Christian’s mission to mold students in the “image and likeness of God” while discovering what is true, beautiful and good.
I became a teacher because I love people. Growing up behind the counters of my family’s Phoenix restaurants, my parents showed me that it is a privilege to use your talents for the benefit of others. Because of my parents, I dedicate my life to helping kids find the good in themselves.
I earned a BS in Journalism from Boston University and began my career teaching middle school language arts and history at Valley public and private schools. I watched hundreds of students discover the good in themselves through mastering concepts, uncovering confidences and giving back to their community. Motivated to be a better teacher, I earned my M.A. in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University. It was an honor to be recognized by Arizona Foothills Magazine as one of the top five teachers in the state of Arizona. I founded two private tutoring companies and a non-profit supporting education. I now have the privilege to lead the Arizona Christian team as we forge a school where mind, body and soul are shaped by the principles of classical education and the wisdom of the Orthodox faith.
Shelby Kanode
Shelby is a master educator with 11 years of experience in public education. She began her career as a music teacher, later taught first grade for four years, and is now in her sixth year as a third grade teacher. Rooted in a philosophy of love, Shelby believes God has gifted her to meet children where they are and to love, nourish, and strengthen them. She creates learning environments that foster thoughtful discourse, rich literacy, productive struggle, and a deep love of self, others, God, and neighbor while teaching the whole child.
Shelby earned a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University, graduating summa cum laude, and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in 2021, where she earned distinction and Dean’s List honors. She has received multiple school and district awards and especially treasures a handmade “Talent Scout” certificate from her principal recognizing her gift for finding the good in every child. Shelby is grateful for her vocation and overjoyed to partner with families in the sacred work of educating children within the life of the Orthodox Church.
Ryan Sherman
Ryan Sherman is a seasoned entrepreneur with a distinguished record of achievement both academically and as a business leader. Over the past two decades, he has founded and led multiple healthcare organizations dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His companies operate across Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico and provide home and community-based Medicaid waiver services to more than 5,000 individuals throughout their lifespan. These agencies deliver a wide range of skilled and non-skilled services, including therapies, habilitation, respite care, attendant care, nursing, employment supports, and residential group home services.
Beyond healthcare and technology, Ryan has also played a significant role in Special Education where he has successfully founded and operated two schools dedicated to recovering the historic Christian tradition of learning. His educational work reflects a commitment to forming students intellectually, morally, and spiritually through a curriculum rooted in the classical liberal arts and the historic Christian faith.
Ryan is a practicing Orthodox Christian, and his faith deeply informs his approach to leadership, service, and community building. He is passionate about recovering the wisdom of the ancient Christian tradition and applying those principles to education, entrepreneurship, and the care of vulnerable populations.
He is an active member of the Arizona Association of Providers for People with Disabilities (AAPPD) and the New Mexico Association of Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADCCP), where he continues to advocate for policies and systems that support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the Southwest.
Oliver Martineau
Oliver Martineau is Co-Founder of Arizona Christian, where he oversees business development and finance. He brings a strong entrepreneurial background and currently leads Teton Capital Partners, an investment firm he founded. Previously, he served as Global Head of Sales for a U.S. real estate investment manager with more than $10 billion in assets, raising over $600 million in foreign capital from investors across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Earlier in his career, Mr. Martineau founded Au Group, an EB-5 issuer and advisory firm based in Beijing, where he built extensive relationships with financial institutions and family offices throughout Asia.
Mr. Martineau serves on the Board of the Maasai Girls Rescue Center. He is a graduate of The Hotchkiss School and Vanderbilt University (B.A., Economics) and is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin.
April 18 at 10am and 2pm
Join us to learn more about Arizona Christian Academy. Meet our faculty, tour our facilities, and discover how we blend faith-based education with academic excellence in a supportive community.
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