About Our School

Meet Our Middle School Team

Our middle school teachers enjoy teaching and are excited to make this a great year for your student!

Deanna Vallerga | Director of Middle School

Ms. Vallerga started her career in education in 1992. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, a multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach, and holds a clear administrative credential. Before coming to CAVA, Ms. Vallerga worked in K–8 public schools in Fishers, Indiana, and Cupertino, California, mainly with 5th through 8th grade students. She joined the CAVA staff in 2005 as a K–8 teacher. Since then, she has served as the lead of language arts, and regional program coordinator for the northern CAVA schools for six years. Currently, she is the Director of Middle School for all nine California Virtual Academies. Ms. Vallerga is committed to making the CAVA middle school program a great schooling option for all middle school students.

Caitlin Ayers | Middle School Principal

Mrs. Ayers has been with CAVA since 2013. Mrs. Ayers earned her BA in liberal studies and multiple subject teaching credential from Cal Poly Pomona, graduating in 2008. From 2008-2013, Mrs. Ayers taught in brick-and-mortar schools as a teacher in grades K-2 and then as in intervention specialist in grades 3-5. At CAVA, Mrs. Ayers has served as a K-6 teacher, an intervention specialist, a Lead, and now serves as our 7th grade principal. Mrs. Ayers holds a master’s degree in online instruction and holds an administrative services credential. Mrs. Ayers is committed to supporting the families of our middle school students and ensuring our teachers have opportunities to grow throughout the school year.

Crystal Goldberg | Middle School Principal

Crystal earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Educational Leadership from the University of the Pacific. In 2008, she began her career in education with Aspire Public Schools. There she spent 5 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. Her enthusiasm for shaping young minds guided her to embrace new challenges, leading her to join the staff of the California Virtual Academy in 2013. During her time at CAVA her experience has included educating students from 2nd to 8th grade as well as serving as a Middle School Lead from 2018-2022.  Crystal became an educator because she has a love for learning and wants to share her passion with the people who deserve it most, the students. Her focus is to provide our students with the necessary tools to become well-rounded, well-grounded individuals who will lead us into the future.

Cherisse Kaelin | Middle School Principal

Mrs. Kaelin has been in education for over 20 years, starting her career as a substitute Instructional Lead. She earned her Multiple Subject Credential and Master’s in Education in 2005.  She has taught ten years in a public school teaching Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 5th grade. In 2018, she started teaching at CAVA.  Since then, she taught 5th grade, became a Lead in 5th grade, trained new teachers, and now has the honor of serving as an 8th Grade Principal.  Outside of work, she spends her time with her wonderful husband and four beautiful children.  They love to go to the beach and mountains, cook, bake, and take walks.  She is excited to help serve our families and students this school year. 

Lisa McGraw | Middle School Principal

Lisa has been with CAVA since 2016. She has taught 6-8th grades and was previously lead teacher and teacher trainer for the past three years. Lisa has a strong passion for education and learning. She loves working for CAVA and appreciates the relationships between the teachers, parents, students, and administrators. She and her husband have six kids; they all play sports, so they are a very busy family. Her family enjoys spending time together camping and playing sports.

Autumn Ellenson | Middle School Curriculum Specialist

Ms. Ellenson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkely. She then went on to study teaching, receiving a Master of Arts from George Fox University in 2010. She has over two decades of experience working with students in the public school system. Ms. Ellenson taught 1st, 4th and 5th grade before joining the CAVA 8th grade teaching team in 2018. She enjoyed teaching, leading an after-hours club and serving as an NJHS advisor for 6th grade. She now serves as a Middle School Curriculum Specialist, overseeing ELA, History and other special programs, and is dedicated to helping students thrive in every way possible. When she is not working, Ms. Ellenson loves spending time with her children and dogs, hiking or reading a good book.

Jenna Marberry | Curriculum Specialist

Mrs. Marberry received my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, with a Minor in Education, as well as her teaching credential from the University of California of Riverside. She has been a teacher for 14 years. 5 of those years have been with CAVA, and the other 9 were teaching 2nd and 5th grades at a brick-and-mortar charter school. She previously held a leadership role for 2 years, where she was a Learning Community Coordinator and BTSA mentor. She is most excited about this leadership role as she can be a part of providing resources for our students and staff through our curriculum, so together, we can support our students’ growth. 

Shannon Williams | Curriculum Specialist

Shannon earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Science degree in Child development from Arizona State University in 2007. After having her two children, she went back to school to study education and received her teaching credential and Master Degree of Education in 2017. Her teaching career started at a local Elementary school where she taught multiple grade levels, until joining the 8th grade team at CAVA in 2019. She was a part of CAVA’s 8th grade team for 4 years and now serves as a Middle School Curriculum Specialist, overseeing elective courses, Health, and special programs.