About Our School
Meet Our Elementary School Team
Our elementary teachers have years of experience in online teaching and can't wait to provide instruction and support to help your child succeed.
Suzanne McCarty | Director of Elementary, Grades TK-2
Ms. McCarty received her teaching credential from Concordia University in 1998 and then went on to acquire her master's degree in education with a specialty in reading from National University. She began teaching in the classroom with a primary focus in fourth grade. Ms. McCarty began teaching with CAVA during the 2004–2005 school year. She has worked as a K–8 teacher, regional lead, as well as a principal for the past 7 years in both Elementary and Middle School. Ms. McCarty strives to provide our students with an approach to learning that involves connection and inspires lifelong learning.
Lara Titizian | Director of Elementary, Grades 3-5
Ms. Titizian began her career in education in 1998. She earned her master's degree in 2000 while teaching in the Bay Area. Ms. Titizian joined the CAVA staff in 2008 as a K–8 teacher. Since then, she has been a K-8 teacher, Testing Coordinator, Lead, and most recently a Middle School Principal. Ms. Titizian became an educator because she has a love for learning and wants to share her passion with the people who deserve it most, our students. Her focus, along with the schools, is to provide our students with the necessary tools to become well-rounded, well-grounded individuals who will lead us into the future. She is most passionate about motivating and inspiring students and staff alike to reach their full potential, supporting them to accept new challenges, and nurturing them to help develop a growth mindset, while fostering a relationship built on trust.
Connie Wissner | Elementary Principal, Grades TK–1
Ms. Wissner earned her teaching credential from CSU, Bakersfield in 1998, as well as a degree in forestry. She has enjoyed more than 20 years of experience in education. Ms. Wissner worked as a kindergarten, first, and fourth grade teacher in the traditional classroom for eight years before coming to CAVA in 2007. Since joining CAVA, she has worked as a K-8 teacher, a teacher trainer, and an elementary lead. This is her 15th year with CAVA. Ms. Wissner looksforward to working with the TK-1st grade teachers and Learning Coaches to provide students with the support they need to grow and connect.
Karla Foster | Elementary Principal, Grades 1-2
Ms. Foster began her teaching career in 1991 where she taught all grade levels K–6. She also taught parenting classes, preschool, and adult English as a second language with a focus on supporting those parents with their student's schooling challenges. Ms. Foster began her career with CAVA during the 2004–2005 school year as a K–8 teacher. She has served as a lead teacher before moving to her current role as the 2nd–3rd grade principal.
Lisa Magallanes | Elementary Principal, Grade 3
Lisa Magallanes has been in education for over twenty years and holds a bachelor’s degree, multiple subject teaching credential, supplementary authorization in English as well as a master’s degree in online instruction. She taught various elementary grades in the brick-and-mortar classroom before joining CAVA in 2017. She began as a Kindergarten teacher in our virtual setting and then became an elementary lead for Kinder and 1st grade as well as a lead of engagement for 2nd and 3rd grade.
Lisa is currently an elementary principal. She is dedicated to ensuring all students succeed and achieve and committed to providing ongoing support for our wonderful CAVA families and staff. Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, and goldendoodle.
Rebecca Bean | Elementary Principal, Grade 4
Rebecca Bean received her Master’s Degree in Education/ Leadership from HOPE International University. She taught various elementary grades in a brick-and-mortar classroom for nine years before coming to CAVA in 2014. While with CAVA, she has been a K-5 teacher and a lead teacher for both general education and special education teachers. She is currently the principal of 4th grade as well as 3rd- 5th grade special education. She truly respects and enjoys working with our amazing educators and getting to support our phenomenal learning coaches and students. When she is not at work, she can be found having fun with her family of six.
Jennifer Acevedo | Elementary Principal, Grade 5
Mrs. Acevedo graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2001. She taught 2nd grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade in a brick-and-mortar classroom for six years before joining California Virtual Academies in 2007 as a K–8 teacher. Mrs. Acevedo has supported teachers and families within our Community Day program and then as a lead teacher. She resides in Southern California with her husband and four children.
Melissa Smith | TK–2 Curriculum Specialist
Mrs. Smith received her degree from Chapman University and began her teaching career in 1996. Her teaching experience in brick-and-mortar schools spans multiple grade levels, including kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 5th grade, in which she served her district as a department lead. She has been with CAVA since 2002, supporting students and families as a K–8 teacher, elementary trainer, regional lead teacher, regional program coordinator, and now as a curriculum specialist. Born and raised in Southern California, Mrs. Smith resides in Orange County with her husband Mike, and two teenage children.
Kim Hodgkinson | 3–5 Curriculum Specialist
Mrs. Hodgkinson received her teaching credential and her master's degree in education from National University. She began her teaching experience in brick-and-mortar schools as a kindergarten teacher and served as a department lead. Mrs. Hodgkinson has been with CAVA since 2007, supporting students and families as a K–8 teacher, an engagement and support teacher, a regional lead teacher, and now as the 3–5 curriculum specialist with the elementary department. She resides in Southern California with her husband and two teenage children.
