Elementary

Gien Gonnella

Kindergarten
Email: ggonnella@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23245

Gien Gonnella is proud to be a member of the CCLA team. Gonnella obtained her bachelor’s  degree and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with accompanying BCLAD from Sonoma State University. Inspired by her love of academia, she has also received a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. Gonnella has nurtured a love for athletics, music and education throughout her career. She has a diversity of interests and experiences; Gonnella coached tennis at Santa Rosa Junior College and served on the board of the nonprofit Girls on the Run in Sonoma County. She has directed a variety of tennis camps and continues to teach piano lessons. Gonnella was honored to receive the National Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). She has fostered her proclivity for Spanish in both academic and organic settings. Gonnella is passionate about inspiring bilingual, bicultural and biliterate students. She is dedicated to providing new avenues for her students, whether it be playing tennis on the playground, piano days during lunch or simply sharing a moment of connection. Gonnella believes that a bilingual education with the integration of music and movement provides a deeply unique and enriching educational experience.

Cynthia Gutierrez Garcia

Transitional Kindergarten
Email: cgutierrezgarcia@srcs.k12.ca.us 
Extension: 23243

Cynthia Gutierrez was born and raised in Santa Rosa California. Her last year of undergrad she worked with migrant families in providing educational support, and community resources with the MiniCorps Migrant Education Program. Gutierrez went to SSU to obtain her B.A in Early Childhood Studies with a concentration in Education as well as obtain her Bilingual Multiple Subject teaching credential. Gutierrez started her career as a preschool teacher for 1.5 yrs at 4Cs Wright Start Preschool and obtained her Child Development Site Supervisor Permit while there. Gutierrez started at CCLA in 2021 as a resident/student teacher for kindergarten before she joined the staff as a fully credentialed teacher.

Gutierrez's passion for teaching is fueled by the need to create an accepting, positive, and supporting learning environment that fosters self-expression and inquiry to meet the needs of all diverse learners! Most importantly she strives to provide her students with a fun, engaging, and inclusive learning experience, where they do not look down on they mistakes but learn from them!

For her free time Gutierrez loves spending time with her family and friends! She loves crafting while listening to music and going to the beach. Gutierrez also loves visiting her extended family in Aguascalientes, Mexico over the summer. She has two dogs named Niko and Nala, one cat named Oreo, and is excited to announce that her husband and her are expecting their first baby into our growing family April 2023!

Wendy Medina

Kindergarten
Email: wmedina@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23244
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Wendy Medina was born in Santa Rosa and attended schools in the Santa Rosa City Schools District. She received her      Bachelor’s Degree in American Multicultural Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. She was an AmeriCorps member for 2 years and worked for the CalServes Tutoring Program at Bellevue Elementary.  She also worked for the MiniCorps Migrant Education Program for 2 years where she worked with migrant families in providing educational support, home visits, and community resources. Wendy is passionate about her teaching and hopes to make learning fun for her students. She loves to draw and tries to include as much Art in her classroom as possible. Art is the best way to let the students imaginations grow.

Marlen Onofre

Transitional Kindergarten
Email: monofreleon@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23247

Marlen Onofre was born in Mexico and came to the United States when she was nine years old. She grew up in Sebastopol and enjoys doing activities outdoors. Onofre earned my Multiple Subject teaching credential with an added bilingual authorization from Sonoma State University. She worked in an early childhood program for 4 years. Working with preschool children ignited her passion to work with students and foster their curiosity and learning.

Araceli Sandoval

Kindergarten
Email: asandovalruvalcaba@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23246
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Araceli Sandoval was born in Jalisco, Mexico, but moved to this country in the year 2001 when she was 14 years old. Since then, she has been living in Healdsburg.  She has three children – they keep her busy all day long.  In her free time, she tries to spend it with her kids either playing with them, doing homework or taking them out on family field trips.  She likes to play soccer, although she has not done it in a long time.

She graduated from Sonoma State University majoring in Liberal Studies.  She attended the teacher credential program at SSU and student taught in 4th and 2nd grade.  She worked for JX Wilson Elementary School as an instructional assistant in Santa Rosa for almost five years in grades K, 2nd, and 3rd. Then, she worked for the Migrant Education program, MiniCorps, where she tutored students in the grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Araceli loves learning and decided to go back to graduate school. She attended Grand Canyon University and she earned a M.A degree in curriculum and Instruction. 

Thus, Araceli has experience working with many grade levels, she is proud to say that teaching kindergarten is her favorite. She enjoys working with kids at this age because of their huge imagination and the will to learn. One of her goals is to make her students succeed by instilling the love of learning in them.

Christian Hernandez Carlino

Email: chernandezcarlino@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23209

Mariel Montesinos

Email: mmontesinos@srcs.k12.ca.us 
Extension: 23211

Mariel Montesinos was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and grew up in Healdsburg, California. She attended UC Davis, where she earned dual B.A. degrees in Anthropology and Native American Studies. She later obtained her teaching credential from Sonoma State University. Mariel has been teaching at CCLA since the school opened its doors in 2013. She is passionate about inspiring students to become bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate. Proud of her Oaxacan heritage, Mariel enjoys sharing and connecting with her students through music, food, and traditions. In addition to being a dedicated educator, Mariel is a proud mother of two CCLA students and an active member of the school community. She is thrilled to continue her journey at CCLA, fostering a love for learning and cultural pride in her students.

Jessica Ortiz

Email: jortiz@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23212
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Jessica Ortiz grew up in Rohnert Park. She is a first-generation college graduate. Ortiz graduated from Sonoma State University with her BA and majored in Early Childhood Studies in December of 2017. She then pursued her Multiple Subject Teaching the following semester at SSU and graduated December of 2018. Ortiz student taught at Loma Vista Immersion Academy in Petaluma in 5th and 2nd grade. She worked for California Mini-Corps as a tutor for migrant students at various schools in Sonoma County.

Angela Tejeda

Student Teacher

María Bernadette Peterson

Email: mbpeterson@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23205

María Bernadette Peterson was born and raised in Windsor, California. She was in the second graduating class of the bilingual immersion charter school in Windsor, Cali Calmécac Language Academy. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Biology. Peterson has eight years experience in natural resource management in Sonoma County and seven years experience as an exclusively bilingual substitute teacher at Cali Calmécac Language Academy. Although she is very passionate about protecting our natural resources, she realized her heart was in teaching and decided to become a teacher. She completed her multiple subject teaching credential program in May of 2018 and has been teaching at César Chávez Language Academy since 2016. She is an asset to CCLA with diverse experience, strong ties to the community, tech knowledge, willingness to help others and love of teaching young children. Peterson enjoys re-discovering with her two children, enjoying diverse foods with her husband, playing board games with girlfriends and meditating while gardening.

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Refugio Mata

Student Teacher

Refugio was born in Santa Rosa, California, and raised in Chico, California. As a first-generation college student, he is proud to have earned a bachelor's degree in Chicano and Latino Studies from Sonoma State University. He is currently working towards obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization. For the 2025-2026 school year, he will be student teaching in Mrs. Peterson's classroom.

With extensive experience working with students, Refugio is passionate about motivating them to pursue higher education and become future leaders. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, kayaking, gardening, listening to music and podcasts, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Rubí Solorio Guillén

Email: rsolorioguillen@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23207

Rubí Guillén was born and raised in Sonoma County. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a minor in Chicano Latino Studies and then with a Multiple Subject Credential. Before she graduated from Sonoma State, Guillén worked with CA Mini-Corps, a statewide program designed to provide direct instructional services for migrant students in grades k-12. 

Maureen Promis

Email: mpromis@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23203

Maureen Promis was born in Santiago, Chile, but grew up in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. She later moved to Tucson, Arizona during her high school years, and attended Northern Arizona University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Later she obtained her Master’s degree in Bilingual/Multicultural Education in 2006. She taught in Tucson, Arizona for 15 years before making the move to California in the summer of 2017 to be closer to family. Promis is married, and has 2 boys: Nicolas and Matias. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, tennis, gardening, trying new restaurants and traveling. She feels fortunate to be part of this wonderful community and school as she aspired to teach at a bilingual school, and looks forward to new adventures, experiences and memories to be made here at CCLA.

Melanea Ontiveros

Email: montiveros@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23201
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Melanea Ontiveros was born in Michoacan, Mexico but grew up in Santa Rosa, California. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. Since a young age, Ontiveros has had a passion for learning and education, which encouraged her to pursue a career in teaching. She strives to motivate children to become independent and lifelong learners. Ontiveros enjoys working in a caring, respectful, and engaging classroom environment where students are encouraged to think, share, and have fun! In her spare time, Ontiveros loves gardening, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.  

Dora-Aldina Chavarria

Email: dchavarria@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23204
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Maestra Chavarria has been a dual immersion teacher for over 16 years and has now joined the CCLA 3rd grade team. She was born in Guatemala and raised in Nicaragua until the age of 10 when she came to the United States. As a second language learner herself she is very passionate about teaching, especially focusing on teaching Spanish and supporting the literacy of both English Learners, and Spanish Learners. 

Degrees/Credentials: BA Spanish, BA American Multicultural Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, BCLAD (Bilingual Crosscultural Language Development Certificate),  Masters in Organization and Leadership.

Beatriz Vera Mejia

Email: bveramejia@srcs.k12.ca.us 
Extension: 23206
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Stephanie Brown

Lead Teacher
Email: sbrown@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23210

Stephanie Brown was born and raised in California. She moved to Sonoma County when she attended Sonoma State and graduated with a BA in psychology with a minor in gerontology. She later attended the University of San Francisco where she earned her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. Brown met her husband in Santa Rosa, where they continue to reside and raise their two daughters as they attend college. As the Fourth Grade English teacher, she is passionate about inspiring young learners to love to learn, ask questions and engage in their own learning. She is excited and inspired to support students with their bilingual, biliterate, bicultural education through collaboration, engaging and hands-on projects as well as academic rigor. She believes in creating a classroom community where students feel supported, embraced and academically challenged. When Brown is not teaching, she enjoys visiting the beach, a good laugh and spending time with her family.  She looks forward to working with all of the CCLA students and families.

Stephany Perez

Student Teacher

Hola, me llamo Maestra Pérez y este año tendré el honor de ser una de las maestras en práctica, colaborando con la Maestra Tevaseu y la Maestra Brown. Estoy muy emocionada de aprender mucho y de ver el desarrollo académico y personal de los estudiantes.

Tengo experiencia trabajando con niños pequeños y adolescentes. He sido parte de programas de campamentos con niños entre 5-10 años, y también trabajé durante dos veranos con jóvenes en Sonoma State University para EOP. Estas experiencias me han ayudado a aprender mucho pero se que siempre hay más que aprender y esta es otra oportunidad! 

Mi mayor deseo es contribuir a que cada estudiante se sienta seguro, valorado y orgulloso de sí mismo, tanto en lo académico como en lo personal. Finalmente, quiero agradecer sinceramente a las familias por darme el privilegio de trabajar con sus hijos. ¡Muchas gracias!

Hello, I’m Ms. Perez and this year I will have the honor of being one of the student teachers, collaborating with Ms. Tevaseu and Ms. Brown. I am very excited to learn so much and to see the students' academic and personal development.

I have experience working with children and young adults. I worked as a camp counselor at a camp program and worked with children between 5 through 10 years old. I also worked for two summers with young adults at Sonoma State University for EOP as a Summer Bridge Leader and throughout my years at SSU I have observed several classrooms. These experiences have helped me learn a lot, but I know there is always more room to learn. This is another great opportunity!

My greatest desire is to help each student feel safe, valued, and proud of themselves, both academically and personally. I hope to be part of their growth and help in any way that I can. Finally, I want to sincerely thank all the families for giving me the privilege of working with their children. Thank you so much!

Lucy Ramirez

Student Teacher

Hello, my name is Lucy Ramirez/Maestra Ramirez. I am a student teacher from Sonoma State University’s Multiple Subject Credential. I also graduated with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education this past spring at Sonoma State, as a first generation student. This degree gave me a strong foundation of child development and hands-on classroom experience. I am very driven to create a belonging and inclusive environment for students to grow and learn in. I am also very eager to spend an entire school year in fourth grade, working alongside Mrs. Brown and Maestra Tevaseu. I grew up in Sonoma County all my life, but my parents are from Mexico. Growing up in a bilingual household has made me truly dedicated to supporting children’s linguistic journey. A little bit more about me is that I love to spend time with my family and friends. I also really like being outdoors and going on hikes. I am looking forward to a great year AT CCLA!

Hola, mi nombre es Lucy Ramirez/Maestra Ramirez. Soy una maestra en prácticas de la Universidad Estatal de Sonoma, en el programa de Credencial de Múltiples Asignaturas. También me gradué en licenciatura de Educación Infantil la primavera pasada de esta misma universidad, como estudiante de primera generación. Esta carrera me ha dado una base sólida en el desarrollo infantil y una valiosa experiencia trabajando dentro del salón de clases. Me siento muy motivada para crear un ambiente bienvenido y acogedor. Donde los estudiantes puedan crecer y aprender. Además, estoy muy entusiasmada de pasar todo el año escolar en cuarto grado, trabajando junto a la Maestra Brown y la Maestra Tevaseu. Crecí en el condado de Sonoma toda mi vida, pero mis padres son de México. Haber crecido en un hogar bilingüe me ha hecho sentir una verdadera dedicación a apoyar el desarrollo lingüístico de los niños. Un poco más sobre mí es que me encanta pasar tiempo con mi familia y mis amigos. También me gusta mucho la naturaleza, caminar por la montaña. ¡Estoy emocionada por tener un gran año en CCLA!

Leah Tevaseu

Lead Teacher
Email: ltevaseu@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23208
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Leah Tevaseu was born and raised in Mendocino County. She studied Sociology and Spanish at the University of California, Davis and pursued her teaching credential there too. Leah began teaching at age 22 in Ukiah, CA and later in Windsor, CA. She has spent her entire teaching career in a dual immersion classroom. After her seventh year in the classroom came to a close, Leah decided to try something new and came to CCLA to be a TOSA (to support teachers in the classroom)​, then a third grade teacher and currently the fourth grade Spanish teacher.

Jennifer Gonzalez

Email: jgonzalez02@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23217

Jennifer Gonzalez was born and raised in Healdsburg, California. She is a first-generation college graduate. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University. She also earned her Multiple Subject Credential from Sonoma State. Before teaching at CCLA, Gonzalez taught Spanish to a group of homeschooled Kindergarten students. Teaching is something she is very passionate about because she wants to create a space where children feel safe, motivated, and excited to learn. Gonzalez enjoys being part of the CCLA community because she always hoped to teach at a bilingual school.

Fun Fact: Gonzalez loves to dance, hike, cook, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.

Ana-Karen Lopez

Email: aklopez@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23215

Ana-Karen Lopez is a passionate educator from Fort Bragg, California, and a proud first-generation college graduate. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization from Sonoma State University. She looks forward to creating a warm, collaborative community where every student feels supported and valued. Ms. Lopez enjoys painting, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.  

Valeria Garcia Buenrosto

Email: vgarciabuenrostro@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23223

Valeria Garcia Buenrosto was born and raised in California—a proud daughter of immigrants and a first-generation migrant student. Right after high school, Valeria attended Hartnell College in Salinas, California. Then, she transferred to Sonoma State University, earning her Bachelor's in Liberal Studies, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Master’s in Education. Before becoming a teacher, Maestra García worked for the California Mini-Corps Migrant Program, tutoring low-income migrant students. Knowing firsthand the challenges first-generation, low-income, and historically disadvantaged migrant students face, she knew she wanted to be a teacher and catalyst for change as representation matters. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family. 

Ana Flores-Tindall

Email: aflorestindall@srcs.k12.ca.us 
Extension: 23221

Ana Flores Tindall was born in Mexico, and moved to the United States at 8 years old. Although they have lived in several areas in California, Santa Rosa has been their home since 2017. Ana earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UCSD, and their Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Sonoma State. They previously worked as a Behavior Consultant in Sacramento, where they worked with children ages 2-19. They specialized in ABA therapy, adaptive skills, and socialization groups. She had 3 children, two of whom attend CCLA. They have served as a substitute teacher for CCLA since 2020, and started in their own classroom in 2023. They are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the CCLA team.

Carolyn Smith

Resource Teacher
Email: casmith@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23242
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Carolyn Smith was born in San Diego. She moved to Sonoma County to get her B.A. in Theatre Arts at Sonoma State University in 1998. After college she worked for several years with teenagers who had emotional disturbance in a residential setting. She also had the pleasure of working in Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program touring schools in Northern California. During this tour she was educating kids on violence prevention and conflict resolution. In 2008 Smith earned her Education Specialists Credential for both mild/moderate and mod/severe from Sonoma State University.

Mrs. Smith has worked for Santa Rosa City Schools for 18 years as an Education Specialist. Additionally, she works with the North Coast School of Education and Sonoma State University where she mentors new Education Specialists throughout the district to start their careers. Recently she was certified in Yoshimoto Orton Gillingham Dyslexia and Structured Literacy Specialist. This certification has allowed Mrs. Smith to unlock the literacy door to many who struggle to learn. She also works for Yoshimoto Orton Gillingham as a mentor for those who are seeking the certification as a structured literacy and dyslexia specialist. Mrs. Smith's philosophy of education is to educate the whole child. She works tirelessly to make school a place for growth and happiness for every child regardless of their abilities. In her off work hours she enjoys camping, hiking, and enjoying the bounties of  Sonoma County.

Susana Lowery

Elementary Reading TOSA
Email: glowery@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23276

Lowery is delighted to be working at CCLA. She brings more than twenty-five years of
experience as an educator. Eighteen years as a teacher at both the elementary and secondary levels. In addition, Lowery worked as an instructional coach and administrator of educational programs. She has a Master Degree in Education from U.C. Berkeley and holds several educational credentials. Lowery has lived in Sonoma County most of her life. 
 

Victoria  Nelson

Elementary Reading TOSA
Email: vnelson@srcs.k12.ca.us 
Extension: 23241

Originally from the East Coast, Victoria Nelson moved to California at age 5 and grew up in Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from UCSB.  Mrs Nelson is a three time National Board Certified Teacher in addition to holding both a teaching and an administrative credential.    Mrs. Nelson taught for 3 years in East LA, before moving to Sonoma County and Santa Rosa City Schools.  Mrs. Nelson has taught for Santa Rosa City Schools for over 20 years and has served in a number of positions including, teacher, TOSA, mentor and administrator.  Mrs. Nelson lives in the nearby West End neighborhood with her husband and two cats and a variety of backyard chickens.  

Fun Fact: It was the experience of living in Japan for two years teaching English conversation that led to Mrs. Nelson becoming a teacher.

Romi Bonilla Flores

Elementary Instructional Assistant
Email: rbonillaflores@srcs.k12.ca.us

Shelsy Campos Cisneros

Elementary Instructional Assistant
Email: scamposcisneros@srcs.k12.ca.us

Karla Cantillano

Yard Supervision

Marcela Hernandez

Elementary Instructional Assistant
Email: mmhernandez@srcs.k12.ca.us 

Marlene Jimenez-Lieu

Instructional Aide
Email: mjimenezlieu@srcs.k12.ca.us

Marlene Jimenez was born and raised in Sonoma County. She attended Sonoma State University before becoming a mother to two wonderful boys. Jimenez was a parent volunteer at CCLA for 5 years, where she fell in love with the dual immersion school. In 2019, Jimenez became a Bilingual Instructional Assistant for the TK classroom. As the COVID pandemic hit, she transitioned to distance learning serving students from all grade levels. She most recently worked to support English learners, before becoming the Student Engagement Activity Worker. Jimenez loves being able to connect with students by creating fun activities that they can participate in. 

Ellen Phillips

Childcare
Email: bphillips@srcs.k12.ca.us
Extension: 23150

Paty Ramirez

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Juana Zamora

Elementary Instructional Assistant