From AZVA Student to Teacher: How Mandi Long is Giving Back to Her Alma Mater 

At Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA), teachers come from all walks of life, but few have a story as full circle as that of Mandi Long. Now in her second year as a 6th Grade special education teacher at AZVA, Mandi’s journey is one of inspiration, dedication and a heartfelt desire to give back to the school that shaped her future. 

The flexibility of online learning allowed Mandi to work full-time during high school to save for college – a testament to her determination and work ethic. Her teachers at AZVA not only supported her academically but also inspired her to dream big. 

“Those teachers changed my life,” Mandi recalls. “I always knew I wanted to return and do the same for others.” 

Today, she’s living that dream and empowering a new generation of learners from her home in Quartzsite, Arizona. Mandi embraced the opportunity to teach online not only because of her positive experience as a former student but also because of the freedom and security remote teaching provides. 

“Teaching from home gives me the flexibility I cherished as a student while providing a safe and secure work environment,” she explains. “But it’s more than just the logistics, it’s about the relationships and the culture.” 

“The most rewarding part of working at AZVA has been my co-workers. I’m part of an incredible team of special education teachers who support and uplift one another every day.” 

Empowering Students with Tools for Success 

Mandi focuses on giving students with exceptionalities the tools they need to thrive inside and outside the classroom. From text-to-speech software to graphic organizers and calculators, she ensures students can access and interact with learning materials in ways that work best for them. 

“Special education is all about accommodations,” she explains. “It’s about helping students gain access to the world around them, whether it’s academics, literature, sports or future careers.” 

Building Confidence, One Student at a Time 

Mandi’s ultimate goal is for her students to walk away from her class feeling respected, valued and confident. 

“Learning doesn’t look the same for everyone and that’s okay. I want my students to know that success is possible in many forms, and that they’re fully capable of achieving it.” 

One especially powerful moment this past year came during a one-on-one session. A student who had been learning to use speech-to-text technology created a full research paper independently. It was a turning point, not just in skill development, but in self-belief. 

“They overcame a huge challenge,” Mandi says proudly. “That’s what this job is all about helping students realize they can do it.” 

Looking Ahead and Giving Back 

Outside the virtual classroom, Mandi enjoys hiking with her best friend, traveling and checking destinations off her bucket list. She also has her eyes set on a future in educational leadership, hoping to earn a master’s degree and one day become a principal. 

This summer, she continues her work as the special education teacher supporting reading and math for students in grades 6^th through 8^th which is another step in her journey of making a difference. Mandi Long’s story is proof that tailored support, flexible learning and passionate educators can transform lives and sometimes even come full circle. 

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