Meet our Administrators
Trust the Dedication of California's Foremost Educational Leaders
CAVA's administrative staff is composed of professionals and specialists dedicated to making a virtual academy a very real learning experience. Here are some of the people who work behind the scenes to keep CAVA responsive to your needs:
Vice President, Western Region
James Konantz was formerly Assistant Superintendent for Secondary School Redesign and Charter School Development of the Los Angeles Unified School District. In his 35-year career with LAUSD, Mr. Konantz served in a variety of roles that included instruction, administration, career development, technology, and instructional materials. He was a teacher for seven years, an instructional advisor, and an assistant principal, and had leadership roles in curriculum development, special education, career development, and specialized programs for high-risk youth. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Konantz led the information and technology efforts of LAUSD, including the E-rate program. Mr. Konantz was the recipient of the 2002 "Shaper of the Future" award from “Converge Magazine” and the "Technology for Learning" award from the L.A. County Superintendent of Schools. He has also served as a consultant to numerous organizations, including the Japanese Ministry of Science, Technology, and Education.
Head of Schools, Southern Region
Katrina Abston is the southern region head of schools for the California Virtual Academies. Having gained experience in traditional brick-and-mortar and independent study settings, she brings a broad scope of educational knowledge to her position. Serving on state committees, reviewing curriculum, teaching parenting classes, and designing home interventions for special education students are a few of the leadership roles Ms. Abston has performed during her years of charter school service. Her administrative experience includes working as a categorical projects manager, case manager, special education director, district-wide teacher coach, and various other school management positions. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential, a Mild to Moderate Education Specialist Credential, and a master's degree in special education. She has chosen public school and homeschool placements as educational options for her children.
Head of Schools, Northern Region
Pam Jonidis is head of school for the northern region schools, which include schools chartered in Jamestown, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Sutter counties. She is an experienced online school educator and administrator, and has experience in data-driven instruction and intervention. Prior to joining CAVA in 2004 as a teacher on the central coast, Pam worked in a traditional school setting and also led schools in Nevada and Hawaii, which follow the K¹² model of education and use the award-winning K¹² curriculum. She believes that this same model, which CAVA is also employing, will change the face of education as we know it. Her goal is to help each individual student achieve his or her own success, and she will lead the schools with this goal in mind while staying focused on the statewide high school instructional program.
Academic Administrator
Having taught third- and eighth-grade language arts, and a fourth- and fifth-grade combination class, Laura Terrazas has four years of classroom experience. She also has six years of homeschooling experience. Ms. Terrazas graduated from CSU, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in English and a bachelor's degree in nutrition; she received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from National University. She has a Single Subject Credential in English and a Mild to Moderate Special Education Credential.
Special Education Coordinator
Maria Carr is the special education coordinator for the California Virtual Academies. She received her master's degree in special education from National University and is fully credentialed as a special education teacher as well as credentialed as a Multiple Subject teacher. She has a wide range of experience in the special education classroom, which allows her to support the special education students at the California Virtual Academies. She has also worked with ESL students and general education students. Ms. Carr has taken additional coursework through Southern Illinois University in behavior analysis and is preparing to become board certified in behavior analysis. Additionally, she is an Associate Educational Therapist certified through the Association of Educational Therapists. She has articles published in "Converge Magazine" and "T.H.E. Journal (Technology Horizons in Education)," and has an article to be published in "The Educational Therapist." Ms. Carr is fully committed to a successful partnership between parents and teachers to enable students to maximize their full academic and personal potential.
Vice President, Western Region
James Konantz was formerly Assistant Superintendent for Secondary School Redesign and Charter School Development of the Los Angeles Unified School District. In his 35-year career with LAUSD, Mr. Konantz served in a variety of roles that included instruction, administration, career development, technology, and instructional materials. He was a teacher for seven years, an instructional advisor, and an assistant principal, and had leadership roles in curriculum development, special education, career development, and specialized programs for high-risk youth. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Konantz led the information and technology efforts of LAUSD, including the E-rate program. Mr. Konantz was the recipient of the 2002 "Shaper of the Future" award from “Converge Magazine” and the "Technology for Learning" award from the L.A. County Superintendent of Schools. He has also served as a consultant to numerous organizations, including the Japanese Ministry of Science, Technology, and Education.
Head of Schools, Southern Region
Katrina Abston is the southern region head of schools for the California Virtual Academies. Having gained experience in traditional brick-and-mortar and independent study settings, she brings a broad scope of educational knowledge to her position. Serving on state committees, reviewing curriculum, teaching parenting classes, and designing home interventions for special education students are a few of the leadership roles Ms. Abston has performed during her years of charter school service. Her administrative experience includes working as a categorical projects manager, case manager, special education director, district-wide teacher coach, and various other school management positions. She holds a Multiple Subject Credential, a Mild to Moderate Education Specialist Credential, and a master's degree in special education. She has chosen public school and homeschool placements as educational options for her children.
Head of Schools, Northern Region
Pam Jonidis is head of school for the northern region schools, which include schools chartered in Jamestown, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Sonoma, and Sutter counties. She is an experienced online school educator and administrator, and has experience in data-driven instruction and intervention. Prior to joining CAVA in 2004 as a teacher on the central coast, Pam worked in a traditional school setting and also led schools in Nevada and Hawaii, which follow the K¹² model of education and use the award-winning K¹² curriculum. She believes that this same model, which CAVA is also employing, will change the face of education as we know it. Her goal is to help each individual student achieve his or her own success, and she will lead the schools with this goal in mind while staying focused on the statewide high school instructional program.
Academic Administrator
Having taught third- and eighth-grade language arts, and a fourth- and fifth-grade combination class, Laura Terrazas has four years of classroom experience. She also has six years of homeschooling experience. Ms. Terrazas graduated from CSU, Fresno, with a bachelor’s degree in English and a bachelor's degree in nutrition; she received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from National University. She has a Single Subject Credential in English and a Mild to Moderate Special Education Credential.
Special Education Coordinator
Maria Carr is the special education coordinator for the California Virtual Academies. She received her master's degree in special education from National University and is fully credentialed as a special education teacher as well as credentialed as a Multiple Subject teacher. She has a wide range of experience in the special education classroom, which allows her to support the special education students at the California Virtual Academies. She has also worked with ESL students and general education students. Ms. Carr has taken additional coursework through Southern Illinois University in behavior analysis and is preparing to become board certified in behavior analysis. Additionally, she is an Associate Educational Therapist certified through the Association of Educational Therapists. She has articles published in "Converge Magazine" and "T.H.E. Journal (Technology Horizons in Education)," and has an article to be published in "The Educational Therapist." Ms. Carr is fully committed to a successful partnership between parents and teachers to enable students to maximize their full academic and personal potential.