Director of Community Day
Leah Fellows received her associate's degree in child growth and development and taught pre-kindergarten while working toward her bachelor's degree. She received her bachelor's degree, and Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials, from California State University San Bernardino. Leah taught first and second grade for six years where she worked with English learners. Leah has been a CAVA teacher since 2002 and is excited to work with the Community Day program as the Director of Community Day. She is committed to ensuring our students are successful, our parents are supported, and our families are making meaningful connections. She is working toward a master's degree in education at Chapman University, and lives in Southern California with her husband and their two daughters.

K–8 Senior Regional Program Coordinator
Deanna Vallerga-Simmerman first joined the CAVA staff for the 2006–2007 school year. She started as a K–8 teacher, then moved to Lead of Language Arts her second year. Currently, she's the Regional Program Coordinator for the northern area of the state. Prior to joining CAVA, she worked in the K–8 public schools in Fishers, Indiana, and also in Cupertino, California. She resides in Northern California in the heart of CAVA@San Joaquin.

K–8 Regional Program Coordinator
Erin Pletsch began teaching in 1997 and started her CAVA career in 2005. Prior to becoming the Regional Program Coordinator for the San Mateo and Sonoma schools, Erin served as a CAVA teacher as well as a Site Coordinator for the Community Day program. She lives in Northern California with her family. Erin feels passionately about the innovative model CAVA provides; her two daughters are proud CAVA students!

K–8 Regional Program Coordinator
Renee Kanoti joined CAVA in 2006. In addition to being a K–8 teacher at CAVA, she was previously a Regional Lead Teacher of Standardized Testing and a Community Day Site Coordinator in Redlands. She enjoys working with her colleagues and interacting with CAVA families. Renee resides in Southern California with her family.

K–8 Regional Program Coordinator
Julie Walsh joined the CAVA family in 2002. Prior to her position as Regional Program Coordinator for the Los Angeles area, Julie was both a CAVA teacher and a Lead of Teacher Training. Originally from Richmond, England, Julie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.

K–8 Regional Program Coordinator
Amy Maxwell received her teaching credential from Chapman University and started her teaching career in 1996. In 2000, she received her administrative credential from the University of California, Irvine. She taught upper elementary and worked at the district level in the areas of GATE and history/social science. Amy started her CAVA career in 2007 with the high school program. Since then she has served as a K–8 teacher, regional lead teacher, and is currently regional program coordinator for CAVA @ San Diego.