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
Rebecca 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, Rebecca 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, served as a regional lead teacher, and high school principal before becoming the director of high school.
Sara Laurent | High School Assistant Director
Sara 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 learning and technology through Western Governors University. Sara Laurent has been working in the field of education since 2005 and employed by CAVA since 2010. Prior to working in administration in 2016, Sara 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.
Mina Arnold | High School Principal
Mina received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from University of California, San Diego. She studied abroad for a year studying genetics at the University of Sydney, Australia. She then went on to receive her Single Subject Teaching Credential, Master’s in Education and Administrative Credential. She has been in education for 25 years, having taught at a traditional brick and mortar school and also at the college level until coming to CAVA in 2007. She has served as a teacher, regional lead, principal, and director role during her time at CAVA.
Angie Bright | High School Principal
Angie 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, Angie 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 led her to earn her master's degree in learning and technology from Western Governors University. With CAVA, Angie 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.
Marc Shaw | High School Principal
Marc Shaw received dual Bachelor's degrees in English and Psychology, a single subject teaching credential in English, a California Administrative Credential, and a Master’s degree in Theology and Literature from Fuller Seminary. Prior to joining CAVA, Marc taught for 9 years in a brick-and-mortar school, serving as English teacher, Department Chair, basketball coach, and administrator. He also served as Assistant HR Director for a Healthcare IT and Cloud Services Company for several years. With both CAVA San Diego and the SCP, Marc taught English 10 and American Literature and regional lead before becoming a high school principal for the CAVA SCP Campus.
Madonna Johnson | Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Coordinator
Madonna 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. Madonna 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, Madonna 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. Madonna 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
Michele 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, Michele 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. Michele 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
Michelle 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, Michelle 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
Anya 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. Anya 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
Ginger 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, California. 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. Ginger 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.
Catherine McConnel | Curriculum Specialist
Catherine McConnel earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from San Jose State University and a single subject teaching credential from Brandman University. Prior to joining CAVA in 2014, Catherine taught middle school physical education for 3 years and adapted physical education for 5 years. With CAVA, Catherine taught physical education and careers classes before becoming a curriculum specialist in 2022. In this role, she provides support to teachers in the science and world language departments.
Tom Beeman | Dual Enrollment and AP Specialist
Tom Beeman has a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from Cal State Long Beach, a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from Cal State Fullerton, as well as a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Prior to joining CAVA in 2011, Tom Beeman taught Spanish both on-line and at brick-and-mortar high schools and community colleges and was the Associate Dean of Education at a private university. Tom has co-authored a non-fiction textbook that was published in 2014 as well as multiple articles on language education. He has been involved in the professional development community where he served for three years as the State Advocacy Chair for World Language teachers and received a national award for excellence in distance education teaching. Tom Beeman taught multiple levels of Spanish, including AP, as well as was a CAVA2College Homeroom Teacher before becoming the Dual Enrollment and AP Specialist.
Amber Roumiguiere | Instructional Lead
Amber received her bachelor’s degree from UCLA and multiple subject teaching credential from CSU Sacramento. She also holds subject matter authorizations for English and Literature. Prior to joining CAVA in 2011, Amber worked in traditional classrooms as a paraprofessional for special education and classroom teacher for elementary and middle grades. Amber served as a K-8 teacher and engagement & support teacher with CAVA before joining the administrative team in 2018. She served as curriculum specialist for math and science with CAVA Middle School for several years before taking on the role of instructional lead at the high school. She is passionate about curriculum and deeply committed to optimizing educational opportunities for all students.
Julie van der Zeeuw | High School College and Career Resource Specialist
Julie van der Zeeuw received a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara in philosophy. She earned her multiple subject credential through the Los Angeles Unified School District teacher intern program and later added a single subject credential in English. She is currently enrolled in a graduate program to earn her MA in Educational Counseling. Julie joined CAVA in 2007 and has served as an elementary teacher, high school English teacher, reading intervention teacher, and various administrative positions including a teacher trainer and a lead teacher. In her role as a College and Career Resource Specialist, she educates students, families and staff with postsecondary options.
