Our Team
Jan 15, 2024 2024-07-25 21:50Our Team
MEET OUR TEAM
Uncover the Stories of our Educational Professionals
Kristi McCullough
Ms. Mac chose SVA for its whole child, family-centered education model and community-focused approach. Guided by the philosophy of "connecting before correcting," she builds trusting relationships and a positive school environment. Growing up near Lake Berryessa in rural Napa County, she participated in 4-H, trail riding, and sports. Ms. Mac began her education career after becoming a parent in college and working at the Sonoma State Preschool, where she developed a passion for early childhood education. She taught K-3 in a multi-age, project-based learning school in rural Sonoma County, which led her to the charter school movement. Ms. Mac has a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, an Administrative Services Credential, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from SSU. She is dedicated to transforming education to uplift students and families, fostering a thriving and inclusive community, and championing social-emotional literacy and outdoor education.an Administrative Services Credential, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from SSU and is invested in transforming the educational experience to uplift students and families.
As a passionate school leader, she is dedicated to fostering a thriving and inclusive community. Her achievements at SVA include launching a successful PBIS program, championing social-emotional literacy, and leading the growth of the Project-Based Learning (PBL) Initiative. Ms. Mac is passionate about social-emotional literacy, outdoor education, empowering our youth, and she spearheaded SVA's certification as a Welcoming School.
Ms. Mac is dedicated to the community, building strong family connections to the school, and establishing partnerships. As a 4-H kid raising swine throughout her childhood, she believes strongly in the agricultural education initiative at SVA. In her free time, she loves trail running, camping near bodies of water, riding horses, and spending time with her family.
Melissa Kendall
Melissa, a Hopland native, discovered her passion for sports at Ukiah High School, excelling in volleyball, basketball, and softball - being named Athlete of The Year. Her weekends were spent enjoying family and horseback riding in Anderson Valley. Melissa joined SVA in 2022 after 26 years at the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office. Bringing legal expertise, she established office procedures, oversaw business operations, and developed the food service program, ensuring students receive freshly prepared, healthy meals. In her spare time, Melissa embraces outdoor activities and DIY projects with her husband at their Robinson Creek home.
Kathi Gower
Before joining the SVA family, Kathi worked for the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office as a DA Investigative Technician. She decided to retire after 30 years, and went on to work at St. Mary’s Elementary School until her son graduated. Being a resident of Hopland since the early 90’s, Kathi wanted to return to administrative work while still working in the school environment; and in this role she can have the best of both worlds. Kathi loves traveling, photography and family.
Julie Alvarez
Julie's journey with SVA started long before our doors opened to students. She attended Hopland Elementary and remembers her kindergarten through 6th grade years as a special time in her life. Julie joined SVA in our founding year as Student Support Specialist and transitioned to our Family Liaison in year 2. She enjoys helping families in any way she can and adores connecting with all of our students. Julie's hobbies include music, reading, traveling, cooking and baking. Her greatest joy is raising her four wonderful children and experiencing the world through their eyes.
Tabitha Scott
Tabitha, a parent at SVA since 2021, engaged with the school when her son enrolled in 6th grade after their move to Hopland. Impressed by the communities commitment to SVA, Tabitha left Windsor High School to join our team in 2023. With six years of experience as a school counselor/therapist, she holds a License in Clinical Social Work and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. In her free time, Tabitha and her husband are restoring an old farmhouse in Old Hopland while raising their three boys.
Laura Cannon
Laura, raised in Anderson Valley, hails from a family of educators. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in English with a Writing Emphasis from Dominican University of California, followed by a teaching credential as an Education Specialist. Specializing in teaching students with various needs, Laura returned to Mendocino County in 2003. Married to a fellow Special Education teacher, they have four children, two cats, and 5 chickens. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, arts & crafts, yoga!
Christy Smith
Christy Smith grew up in Lake County. She earned her BA degree and teaching credential from CSU Sacramento and a Master's degree from Dominican University. She taught 4th/5th grade for 7 years at East Lake Elementary in Clearlake Oaks and 2nd grade for 8 years at Lakeport Elementary. In her spare time, she enjoys keeping up with her 7 kids, traveling, hiking, enjoying nature, and dancing! Some of her favorite things include coffee, chocolate, and petrichor.
Megan Walker
Ms. Walker was born and raised in Ukiah and attended CSU Chico where she obtained a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Credentials. After graduation, she accepted a position at Woodland Unified as the lead teacher in their TK-1st autism program, and then transitioned to Ukiah Unified to lead the Autism program from 2016-2021. She joined SVA in our founding year, after being drawn in by our whole-child vision. When she's not teaching,
she's working the snack shack at the BMX track, spending family time outside, cycling and running!
Sue Green
Sue was born and raised in San Mateo by a college professor and a preschool teacher! She has BA in History from the University of California, Davis. After regularly volunteering in her son Jacob and Eric's school, she decided the classroom was where she belonged! She earned her teaching credential from Sonoma State and has been teaching ever since. Sue is a trained Project-Based Learning Coach and Adlerian Positive Discipline Parenting Coach. She loves working with all families!
Sherman Green
Sherman holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Masters in Teaching. Before joining the teaching profession in 2016 he enjoyed a career in aviation, flying corporate jets around the US, Europe and Caribbean destinations. He has a variety of hobbies, including surfing, skateboarding, swimming and cycling. He also plays a variety of instruments. He's a natural when it come to connecting with children and helping them find confidence in their own abilities, and is particularly happy to be at SVA.
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Janette Martinez
Bio Coming Soon
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Jesus Gallegos
Meet Jesus, also known by his nickname Chuy. Born in Mexico, Chuy immigrated to Hopland in the 1990s, spending all of his career working in fieldwork. He joined SVA in 2023, where he oversees facility and grounds maintenance, garden development, and a healthy, physical school environment. Chuy is the reason SVA looks so beautiful! Outside of work, he cherishes family time, enjoying evening strolls and weekend outings.
Lucia Ornelas
Lucia was born and raised in Hopland. Starting her journey at age 10, Lucia's summers were spent picking cherries and grapes. She graduated Ukiah High School and went on to complete two years with Americorp where she returned and worked at Redwood Academy. With 11 years in the school environment, she transitioned to the food service industry, discovering her love for cooking at Campovida. Her expertise at The Golden Pig and Ukiah Natural Foods led her to the position of Kitchen Manager at SVA...and we are incredibly lucky to have her !
Veronica Barrera
Ms. Veronica was born and raised in Mexico. She came to United States in 1999 and has lived in Hopland ever since. Her hobbies include walks in nature and going to the ocean. She is one of our kitchen fairy's and prepares delicious meals from scratch each day in collaboration with Ms. Lucia. Ms. Veronica has taken active leadership in our ELAC and is also parent at SVA.
Hilda Mata
Hilda hails from Puebla Mexico and came to the United States in 1998 where she met her husband. She has two kids and a cat, and loves her job! She takes pride in seeing the school clean and organized for students and is another reason why SVA is so beautiful! In her free time, she likes to run marathons. She also enjoys working in her garden and spending time with family. Her biggest interest is to learn more english.
Yaquelin Gonzalez
Jackie has lived in Cloverdale most her life and is currently a student at Sonoma State working on receiving her bachelors in Liberal Studies and has dreams of becoming a teacher. Jackie enjoys working alongside children because of their energetic spirit and playfulness. Outside of school, Jackie enjoys trips to the coast and going out with friends. Jackie comes from a very family oriented background, making her very responsible.
Maria Martinez
Ms. Maria was born in Mexico and came to Hopland when she was 9 years old, attending the original Hopland Elementary School. She is a mother of three children, who also attended this school. Maria joined SVA in our founding yea - she loves working with children and feels a sense of pride when she sees the smiling faces, the happiness they exude and the security they feel when they arrive. She enjoys spending time with family and traveling frequently to Mexico to visit family.
Deanna Mora
Meet Deanna, a Hopland Band Of Pomo Indians tribal member, and a descendant of Robinson Rancheria and Round Valley Band of Pomo Indians. After graduating Sherman Indian High School, she worked in the gaming industry for ten years, and then went on to work at Pinoleville Headstart. It was there where she realized her passion working with children. She has worn many hats in her career, including a dental assistant, a resource family for foster children, and a Respit provider for foster families in need. She is a mom to two children, and loves playing volleyball in her free time.
Arianna Villalobos
Meet Arianna, one of our after schools student support specialist. Arianna grew up in Hopland and attended Hopland School for a year at the onsite State Preschool before the closure! After graduating from Ukiah High School, she joined our SVA team. She enjoys helping kids with their needs and watching them grow and learn. Ariana loves to travel, spend time with family and friends, and learn new things.
Karen Reyes
Karen was born in Mexico, but was raised in the Hopland area since the age of 2. Karen moved to Sacramento for about 6 months at the age of 14 and then decided she liked living in a small town better than the city.
Karen has been a Student Support Specialist (SSS) since 2022, but does a variety of tasks when needed. Her latest hobby is playing pool. She enjoys horse riding, snowboarding, and exploring new restaurants and cities. She sees her future consisting of being a traveling veterinarian as well as a business owner.
Alexa Moreno
Alexa has a passion for helping students thrive and making a positive impact. She loves finding creative ways to engage students and make learning fun. With a background in human services, youth work, prevention and early intervention services, and working with at -risk youth, she's well equipped to handle various situations. When she's not at work, you can find her upcycling furniture, gardening, meditating, or reading a good book.
MEET OUR TEAM
Providing Expanded Learning Opportunities
Alisha Roysum
Ms. Alisha was raised in Ukiah, where she was active in the FFA and 4-H programs, holding leadership positions in both clubs and the High School Rodeo Association. She volunteered for five years at the Hopland Fire Department as a Firefighter, and spent 7 years working for her families business, Rescue Solutions. At SVA, she continues to lead out on the development of SVA's 4-H program and youth enrichment opportunities.
Maggie Garcia
Ms. Garcia was born and raised in Ukiah, and graduated from Accelerated Achievement Academy. Her hobbies include sketching (art), binge watching movies, reading, and exploring nature. Working in the ELOP, she strives to create a fun and safe learning environment. The program has shown her how our youth have amazing problem solving and creativity ideas.
Yisela Ornelas
Meet Ms. Yisela - she's known by students as Ms. Yaya. She was born in Sonoma but raised in Hopland. Her hobbies include working along side her family with their business endeavors, working with animals, and working with children. In the expanded learning program, she strives to create a fun and safe learning environment and has learned that our students have amazing problem solving and creative ideas.
Vivian Juarez
Ms. Vivian graduated in May 2023 from Ukiah High School. She was born in Ukiah and raised in Hopland her whole life. Her hobbies include traveling and exploring new places. At SVA, she helps support the growth of our students, providing a safe environment, and creating a fun learning environment for students to thrive.
MEET OUR TEAM
Early Learning Educator Spotlight
Lucia Vazquez
Bio Coming Soon
Alycia Fuller
Meet Alycia, a Hopland Band of Pomo Indians Tribal Member and Ponca from Oklahoma. She was born in Kansas but moved out to California in 2002. She began working with children six years ago as a teacher at Pinoleville Native American Head Start. She discovered her passion working with kids, helping students find their voice and providing a safe place where students felt valued. She underscores that every student matters and that they should be truly seen for who they are. Her hobbies include reading, writing, going on walks with her dog, and also being at the ocean - in-tune with nature.