Ms. Smith has been in public school education for 40 years. She retired in June 2008 having served 24 years as a school principal in both South San Francisco ESD and most recently with Chula Vista ESD. Additionally she served as a mentor principal, program coordinator, professional developer in language arts and administrative leadership. As a classroom teacher she taught in regular education in grades K-6; primary grade special education and gifted programs. Ms. Smith served on several California State committees including: Early Childhood Education, Cultural Bias in Assessment and Evaluation, and monitoring School Improvement Programs. She conducted several state and national presentations including: Education For the Future, Accelerated Schools Project, ASCD, Effective Title I programs, Computer Using Educators, Pacific Bell’s Education for the Future, and National School Volunteer program. Presently Ms. Smith is a consultant with Targeted Leadership Consulting coaching principals and district leaders.
Mr. Evans, a pioneer of the Internet banking industry, with 30 years of financial and banking experience. He is currently President of the Bank of the Internet USA, a member of the CFA Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia as well as The CFA Society of San Diego, Inc.
He has served in a number of leadership roles including past director of the Mid City Development Corporation (MCDC) a San Diego Redevelopment Board; he is past Director of the San Diego County Salvation Army Central Advisory Board. Mr. Evans is a former board member, Treasurer of the San Diego Hospice, and Former Chairman and Treasurer of the San Diego, Imperial Counties Red Cross.
Mr. Evans is excited about the prospect of Ecademy California becoming the premier cost effective alternative to the traditional school systems while at the same time offering a superior student education.
Dr. William Hall has been in public education for 40 years. He has been a teacher, counselor and school administrator. After 18 years as a school principal, Dr. Hall moved into his most recent position as director of student placement. Dr. Hall is a member of the California State School Attendance Review Board. He is also the School Attendance School Board Coordinator for the Chula Vista Elementary School District. In 2008, he received an award from the California Department of Education for his work in Chula Vista. Dr. Hall is a Core Adjunct member at National University. He works with pre-service and graduate level teachers in the areas of curriculum and instruction and educational leadership.
Ms. Trish Riley has taught law courses at National University in San Diego. She formerly was a practicing attorney while living in Hawaii. Ms. Riley is married and the mother of twelve-year-old daughter. She brings the perspective of parent to the Board of Ecademy California Charter School.
Mr. Alvarado has been in public education educator for the past 30 years. He has served as an elementary school administrator, special education teacher, an instructional aide, adjunct professor at National University and University of San Diego. Mr. Alvarado is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of student discipline and parent training. He has co-authored articles for the National Association of Elementary School Principal’s monthly publications.
Dr. Marva Cappello is an Associate Professor of Teacher Education in the College of Education at San Diego State University where she teaches courses in literacy including methods and assessment classes. Her research focus is on the processes and products of elementary school writing. Recent national conference presentations and publications have focused on writing and a unique qualitative methodology, photography. Dr. Cappello is currently the director of the San Diego State University/Chula Vista Elementary School District Partnership for Teacher Preparation.
Ken Clark has served as Assistant Superintendent, Business Services for school districts in San Diego County for students in grades K-12. Mr. Clark has over 30 years of school business experience managing the financial, technology, risk management, and facility needs of school districts. Ken served as Chairperson of the San Diego County Schools Chief Business Officials and as State Chairperson of the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) CBO Committee. He has also served as Chairman of the San Diego County Schools Insurance Joint Powers Authority and President of the San Diego-Imperial Section of CASBO. Ken received both a BS degree in Accounting and an MA in Educational Administration from SDSU.
Dr. McGrath has been supporting students and public educators for 31 years. Currently, she works as a consultant to schools and districts in the area of organizational leadership. Prior to her consultant work, Dr. McGrath was an administrator with the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Her educational career has ranged from being a site-level principal and coordinator of curriculum, instruction and assessment, to Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, staff developer, language arts magnet coordinator, and classroom teacher. In addition, Dr. McGrath is currently a member of the faculty with the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. She has worked extensively with principals and their school leadership teams on increasing student achievement through analysis of data, curriculum, and instruction.
Jacqueline Simeon has been a public school educator for over 11 years. Her lifelong concerns have been in exploring innovative and alternative ways to provide quality education to student s with special needs. Jacqueline holds a Multi-Subject Professional Clear Credential, an Education Specialist Clear Credential, and a Certificate of Eligibility for a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential. Jacqueline received her BA in Communicative Disorders for Speech and Language Pathology from San Diego State University, and her MA in Special Education from National University. She is married and has two young daughters, Serenna (11) and Marlee (7).
Chris Turner is a Fleet Supervisor at San Diego Gas & Electric, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, where he oversees fleet maintenance operations in the southern districts. As father of seventh-grader Kevin, Chris is interested in contributing to an innovative option for students who benefit from an alternative to the traditional approach to education. Chris lives in El Cajon with his wife Tricia.
