Meet Our Administrators

April Warren | Head of School

Mrs. Warren first joined CAVA in 2004 as a teacher. Over the last 20 years, she has served in various roles including supporting teachers and parents with curriculum and instructional strategies, developing processes and procedures to ensure compliance with various state and federal agencies, and working with teams to continue to increase the instructional programming and support offered to students. Under her leadership as the academic administrator, the elementary team developed a transitional kindergarten program, the middle school implemented a model more in line with the unique needs of middle school students, and the high school programs have seen increased growth in both passing rates and student engagement. Mrs. Warren became the head of schools for the California Virtual Academies in 2016 and has worked with the administrative team to increase the offerings of the California Virtual Academies, including a CAVA2College program and Career Academy. Mrs. Warren graduated with honors from California State University, San Bernardino, in 2002 with a degree in Child Development. She obtained her master’s degree in Online Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University. She resides in Southern California and enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

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Amy Maxwell | Academic Administrator

Ms. Maxwell received her teaching credential from Chapman University and started her teaching career in 1996. She completed the administrative credential program at the University of California, Irvine and obtained her master’s degree in Online Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University. During her years in the brick-and-mortar classroom, she taught upper elementary and worked at the district level in the areas of GATE and history/social science. Ms. Maxwell started her career with California Virtual Academies in 2007 with the high school program. She has served in various roles at CAVA, including a K–8 teacher, leader, and the director of the elementary program for seven years. In January 2020, Ms. Maxwell began her current role as the academic administrator.

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Amy Chadez | Academic Administrator

Mrs. Chadez received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Boise State University. She received a master’s degree in learning and technology, and an education specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Idaho. She spent the first eight years of her teaching career teaching in 1st and 2nd grades in a traditional school setting. She had the opportunity to teach in two K12-powered schools and spent five years as an elementary principal before moving into a regional academic director role with K12. Mrs. Chadez joined the CAVA team in March 2020 as the director of academics. She moved into her current role as academic administrator in 2021. This role allows her to collaborate with our academic teams to continually strive to improve our academic programs for our students and offer professional growth opportunities to our faculty. Mrs. Chadez enjoys spending time with her husband and her three children.

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Leah Fellows | Director of Engagement and Community

Mrs. Fellows received an associate’s degree in child growth and development and taught pre-kindergarten while completing college. She received a bachelor’s degree and multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino. Mrs. Fellows taught first and second grade in a traditional school setting where she worked with English language learners, served as a mentor for new teachers, and was part of various site and district leadership teams. Mrs. Fellows has been with CAVA since 2003 and has served students, families, and staff in various capacities. Her currently role of director of engagement and community includes our Compass team, as well as coordinating community development and WASC study. Mrs. Fellows has a Master of Arts in educational leadership and administration from Brandman University. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their children

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Melisse Burns | Compass Program Coordinator

Mrs. Burns received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from the University of Montana, Missoula. After earning her degrees, she spent time as a researcher and instructor in Montana, tutoring and advising at-risk college students. Mrs. Burns also worked with special needs high school students, helping them achieve their learning goals. She began working for CAVA as a family academic support liaison in 2015, helping high school students and families achieve success in our online school environment. Mrs. Burns subsequently served as a compliance liaison for students in TK–12 before beginning her role as the FAST Program coordinator in 2018. Mrs. Burns resides in northern California, where she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and many pets.

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Sarah Neuenschwander | Director of Testing and Accountability

Ms. Neuenschwander received her teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University and started her teaching career as a 6th grade teacher in 2001. She joined California Virtual Academies in 2006. During her time at CAVA, Ms. Neuenschwander has been a K–8 teacher, elementary principal, and testing coordinator. In her current role as the director of accountability, she oversees all state reporting and state testing.

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Victoria Nelson | Director S.E.L., Prevention & Intervention

Mrs. Nelson’s experience as an educator, administrator, and clinician has equipped her with the knowledge and experience to support our staff and families as the Director of S.E.L., Prevention and Intervention.  She believes our school community can meet the needs of students, families, and staff by providing meaningful opportunities for connection, strengthening skills for resilience, and creating a caring learning environment that leads to academic success.  Mrs. Nelson loves spending time with her family and always enjoys a day at the beach or mountains.

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Heidi Rochin | Director of Intervention and Special Programs

Heidi Rochin has over twenty years of educational experience that have included being an elementary and secondary teacher, an instructional coach, a teacher trainer, an education consultant, a special programs coordinator, and a school administrator. Mrs. Rochin has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, and an Administrative Services Credential. Mrs. Rochin’s broad and diverse background in language and literacy, strategic and systematic interventions, and instructional leadership allow her to effectively ensure that all students at California Virtual Academies receive the instruction, intervention, and support necessary to learn at high levels.

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Krista Mount | Director of Categorical Programs

Ms. Mount graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in mathematics. She received her teaching credential from Saint Mary’s College of California and spent eight years teaching at a brick-and-mortar elementary school before joining CAVA at Sutter as a teacher during the 2005–2006 school year. Since then, she has served as lead teacher of middle school mathematics and as curriculum specialist for CAVA. As director of categorical programs, Ms. Mount ensures that all students have the resources they need to reach their full academic potential.