About Our School
Meet Our High School Team
Our high school teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach and dedicated to helping students fulfill their potential and discover the possibilities.
Rebecca Mortier | Director of High School
Ms. Mortier received a bachelor's degree in liberal studies, a multiple subject teaching credential, and a master's degree in mathematics with a focus on conceptual understanding from San Diego State University. She also earned an administrative credential from National University. Prior to joining CAVA at San Diego in 2010, Ms. Mortier taught for eight years in a brick-and-mortar school and taught college courses for three years at San Diego Community College. With CAVA at San Diego, she taught math intervention, served as a department coordinator, and served as a regional lead teacher before becoming a high school principal for CAVA.
Sara Laurent | High School Assistant Director
Ms. Laurent received a bachelor's degree in liberal studies, multiple subject teaching credential, and single subject teaching credential in mathematics from California State University, Long Beach. She also received a master's degree of education in the area of learning and technology through Western Governors University. Ms. Laurent has been working in the field of education since 2005 and employed by CAVA since 2010. Prior to working in administration in 2016, Ms. Laurent was a high school math teacher for 10 years, a high school swim coach for four of those years, and an elementary school teacher for one year.
Shannon Gerlach | High School Principal
Ms. Gerlach received a bachelor's degree in English from UC Irvine. She has her single subject social science teaching credential and a master's degree in history from California State University, Fullerton, and an administrative services credential and master's degree in educational administration from Concordia University. Prior to joining CAVA at Los Angeles in 2010, Ms. Gerlach taught for seven years in a brick-and-mortar middle and high school and taught three years of college courses with the University of Phoenix. With CAVA at Los Angeles, she taught social studies and AP® government, and served as an engagement support teacher, a teacher trainer, and a regional lead before becoming a high school principal for CAVA at Los Angeles.
Angie Bright | High School Principal
Ms. Bright received a bachelor's degree in human development with a minor in psychology from UC Davis. After falling in love with the education field while substitute teaching, she earned her single subject social science teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Before joining CAVA in 2013, Ms. Bright taught at a brick-and-mortar school in Sacramento for three years and at another online charter school for three years. Her experience with online schools and passion for alternative education lead her to earn her master's degree in learning and technology from Western Governors University. With CAVA, Ms. Bright taught history and psychology, and served as a regional lead teacher and curriculum specialist, before becoming a principal at CAVA.
Caroline Kalugin | High School Principal
Caroline Kalugin received a bachelor’s degree in social science, single subject teaching credential, and multiple subject teaching credential from Biola University. Prior to joining CAVA in 2012, Caroline taught middle school social studies for 6 years, and homeschooled her own children for 8 years. With CAVA she taught world history and U.S. history before joining administration as a high school lead in 2015 and principal in 2021.
Madonna Johnson | Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Coordinator
Ms. Johnson has a double bachelor's degree in human services and sociology from Black Hills State University in South Dakota, a master's degree in school counseling from Capella University in Minnesota, and is a licensed school counselor in multiple states. She has worked in education and work force development in multiple capacities for many years. Ms. Johnson spent some time in Alaska where she worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). In her position there, she traveled the state promoting community outreach and engagement with secondary and post-secondary students. Prior to that, Ms. Johnson was the tech prep program coordinator at the UAA Community and Technical College. In that role, she worked with secondary students involved in career and technical education. Before entering the post-secondary world, she worked with the military community as a transition and workforce development counselor for service members transitioning out of the military. Ms. Johnson is passionate about offering college and career readiness for all students and providing them the unique educational opportunities through CTE that will allow them to rise to their potential.
Michele Berray | High School Curriculum Specialist
Ms. Berray received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from San Diego State University. She has single-subject teaching credentials in math and physical education. In 2003, Ms. Berray earned a master's degree in teaching with an emphasis in educational technology from National University. Prior to joining CAVA, she taught math and PE at a traditional brick-and-mortar high school for nine years. Ms. Berray began her career at CAVA in 2010 and taught math for six years before becoming a curriculum specialist in 2016. In this role, she provides support to teachers in math, physical education, and the electives departments.
Michelle Bowden | High School Curriculum Specialist
Mrs. Bowden earned a bachelor's degree in English from Fresno Pacific University and a master's degree in English language and literature from California State University, Fresno. In addition, she holds her single-subject teaching credential in English. Prior to joining CAVA, Mrs. Bowden taught English at traditional brick-and-mortar high schools for nine years and college English for four years at Reedley College. She began her career at CAVA in 2015 and taught for five years before becoming a curriculum specialist in English in 2020.
Anya Dhillon | High School Curriculum Specialist
Ms. Dhillon received a bachelor’s degree in history, and single subject social science teaching credential from California State University, Fresno. Prior to joining CAVA in 2012, she taught intervention courses at a traditional brick-and-mortar high school. Ms. Dhillon earned a master's degree in curriculum and teaching from Fresno Pacific University in 2015. She taught in both the careers and social science departments at CAVA for eight years before becoming a curriculum specialist in 2020. In this role, she provides support to teachers in social science, world language, health, and the electives departments.
Ginger Early | High School Curriculum Specialist
Mrs. Early received a bachelor’s degree at California State University, East Bay in journalism. After some time spent in writing and tutoring, she entered the field of education as a corps member in Teach For America during which she taught chemistry at a high school in Richmond, CA. During that time, she also received her master’s degree in urban education policy from Loyola Marymount University in addition to two other science credentials. Mrs. Early joined the staff at CAVA in 2015 where she has served as a teacher, lead, and curriculum specialist. In her role as a curriculum specialist, she supports teachers in science, careers, technology, business, and career technical education. Mrs. Early resides in Fresno with her husband and three kids.
