GET TO KNOW YOUR COMPASS TEAM
David Hathaway
Lead Engagement Coach
I have been serving families and students at CMS schools since 2015. I started my career in education working with 100% at risk youth at Insight Schools of California, working to ensure students and families have all of the supports in place that are necessary to obtaining a high quality education. I live in Southern California with my wife and two boys ages 9 and 16. I enjoy cooking and creating art and music with my family.
Camey Valverde
Lead Social Support Coordinator
My name is Camey Valverde. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies: Multiple Subject Education from Brandman University. My husband and I are Foster/Adoptive parents to three wonderful children. We have two beautiful girls aged 2 ½ and 1 ½ years old. We also have a handsome little boy that is 9 months old. I am excited to be part of the Compass Team as a Student Support Coordinator. I believe our students’ Social Emotional learning is important to their overall success in the virtual environment. This is my fourth school year with our schools and my seventh year overall working in education. I love helping students and families achieve their academic goals.
IQLA ENGAGEMENT COACHES
Rola Eldanaf
Elementary & Middle School
Engagement Coach
Hello! My name is Rola Eldanaf. I have over 3 years of experience working for an online school and a background in English and Creative Writing. In my free time, you can find me spending time with my husband and son, being outdoors, and whipping up a delicious bowl of guacamole.
Jillian Huddlestun
Middle & High School
Engagement Coach
Hello! I have been educating and living in California for the last three and a half years. In previous years I volunteered while going to college at Kent State. I have two great kids and a wonderful partner. I love reading, and helping others realize how much fun reading can be. I also love traveling, cooking, baking bread, and knitting. I believe that there is nothing that can’t be accomplished with great patience and good goals.
SPECIALIZED ENGAGEMENT COACHES
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Ella Pimentel
Bilingual Engagement Coach
Hello! My name is Maricella Pimentel Bilingual Compass Engagement Coach with CAVA. As an Engagement Coach, I enjoy helping and providing families with the tools and resources needed to help them succeed in our virtual classroom. I have over 7 years of experience translating for families in an in-person school setting and since Feb 2021 I have helped Spanish-speaking families to transition to our virtual school setting with CAVA. Times are changing, and so must the ways students learn and engage online. I look forward to meeting you! Go PANTHERS!
Christina Avalos
Light Support Engagement Coach
My name is Christina Avalos and I am thrilled to be part of a team that has the same goal in mind: student success. I am a mother of 2 beautiful children and currently in a Masters of English program (virtually) at Eastern New Mexico University. My belief is that with positive support, every student has the ability to succeed. Wishing everyone a wonderful school year!
Kristin McBride
Light Support Engagement Coach
I have been working in education with students from diverse backgrounds and developmental levels for over 15 years. My passion is to meet families where they are and build from there. Two of my greatest joys are my faith and family. However, my greatest thrill is exploring different cultures around the world, especially the food!
SOCIAL SUPPORT & MKV COORDINATORS
Christina DeCaro
Social Support Coordinator - IQLA
Hi there, I’m Christina! My hometown is Temecula, but I have lived in sunny San Diego for the last 3 years since graduating from UCSD. I have a bachelor’s in clinical psychology and looking to pursue my master’s degree in School Counseling.
Some fun facts about me:
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I have a Guinea Pig named Rooney
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I've collected over 15 records
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I love reading manga and watching anime
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I am the youngest out of 5 siblings
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I have seen over 20 live concerts
I have worked in childcare for the past couple years and am so happy to be starting my journey with the social support team at iQLA! In my opinion, I believe the best way to make a change is to reach out to the ones you care for and remind them how great they are. Say anything to put a smile on their face. What we do and say can impact people more than we think. 😊
Latisha Davis
McKinney Vento & Foster Support Coordinator
Hello! My name is Latisha Davis. I am a boy mom, a foodie, and a lover of all things health and wellness. I love to read and learn. When I am not working you will find me with family and friends enjoying cooking and eating meals together. I am an avid Hallmark Channel watcher and a collector of books. I am so excited to be on this team of professionals supporting families on their educational journeys.
Joanna Afkhami
Community Coordinator
Hello All! I am passionate about helping students succeed. I'm a mother of two boys and married to an awesome man. When I’m not glued to a computer screen, I spend most of my time at the beach, enjoying beach activities like snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding or watching my kids surf.
Shannon Gemmell
Onboarding Coordinator
Hi Everyone! My name is Shannon Gemmell. I have a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from Brigham Young University- Idaho. My husband and I have four wonderful children, three boys and a baby girl. I am an avid reader and love spending my free time with my family. As a family, we love camping and very much enjoy the outdoors. It is great to be a member of the CAVA team. I love helping families and enjoy assisting students in reaching their academic success.
COMMUNITY & ONBOARDING
ATTENDANCE ADVOCATES
Mujaji Law
Attendance Advocate
My name is Mujaji (Mu-ha-gee) Law. I have a background in nonprofit work, specifically working with traditionally underserved populations, helping students and young adults gain access to information about education and careers, which ultimately helps them achieve success in their academic and personal lives. My name is of East African mythology meaning "Rain Queen." The Rain Queen helped during extreme droughts by commanding rain to fall to nourish and replenish farmlands, so villagers and animals would not starve. In a sense, I believe my calling is to bring information to those "starving" to receive it so that they are nourished by it and can prosper! My husband, Robert, and I have an adopted daughter, Kayla, who keeps our lives in check and full of joy. We are native Southern Californians and enjoy spending time with our families, entertaining, decorating for Christmas, and hanging out at Legoland and Camp Snoopy! I am very happy to join CAVA's school system.
Staci Riley
Attendance Advocate
Hi Friend! I’m excited to start another new school year with our CAVA and iQ Academy family. I always enjoy getting to know and helping our wonderful families. On my down time, I’m typically spending time with my husband, our two teenagers and two dogs (which are like family too!). Most of that time is spent at school sporting events, but I sneak in trips to the beach whenever I get the chance.
STUDENT CHAMPION CLERK
Riley Wolf
Student Champion Cleark
Hello to all! I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2020 and recently found my way into working with a school system. I love experiencing new adventures and learning new things. Through adventuring I hope to gain stories that last for years; through learning I hope to grow and broaden my understanding of myself and the world. My passion consists of dogs, unfortunately, at the moment I do not have one. Each day brings new opportunities to do better, and I look forward to what is in store.