CAVA's ELD Department

CAVA’s English Language Development (ELD) program proudly supports over 2,200 English Learners across grades K–12. Our program is designed to provide comprehensive, targeted instruction that meets students where they are in their language development journey. Through a combination of data-driven instruction, dedicated ELD specialists, and integrated support within core content areas, we strive to ensure all students build the academic language skills necessary for success in school and beyond.

What We Offer:

A fully immersive English language program with:

* Designated ELD during live instructional time taught by a highly qualified ELD Specialist

* Integrated ELD during live instructional time within the general education setting taught by a highly qualified GE Teacher

Hello, I am Camellia Hashempour. It is a wonderful opportunity to be on the ELD team here at CAVA. I love teaching and have taught for over 15 years. I have taught in Southern California and am so fortunate to have been able to make a difference in students' lives for as long as I've been teaching. I live in Orange County and enjoy spending time with family and being out in nature. I can't wait for all the adventures I will continue to have while teaching at CAVA!

Hi! I'm Miss Grow, and I'm so excited to be part of this school community! I’ve been teaching for a few years now, including two wonderful years teaching 4th grade in Riverdale, CA. This is my first year teaching virtually and I am really excited to be here with you! I love helping students learn, grow, and discover their potential.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my two sons, getting creative with crafts, and hanging out with our two cats, Winnie and Biscuit and our dog, Puppy. I also enjoy shopping and spending time with our friends and family.

Hi! I am Ms.Garcia. I was born in Mexico and raised in California, experiences that shaped me as both a person and an educator. As a former English learner, I understand the challenges and rewards of learning a new language, which inspires my passion for supporting multilingual learners in a classroom where every student feels valued and empowered.

I am a dedicated educator with two years of teaching experience and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I am passionate about English Language Development and helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning in a safe, supportive environment.

Outside the classroom, my husband and I enjoy hiking and spending time in nature. I look forward to helping every student learn, grow, and thrive.

Hello I am Ms. Niebla. I am excited to be part of this amazing ELD team! I have been working in education for six years, and being raised in the border town, Calexico, CA, has greatly shaped my perspective as an educator. Growing up in a bilingual and bicultural community has helped me better understand the experiences of my students/families and has strengthened my passion for culturally responsive teaching!

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from SDSU and my Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Inspired Teaching from National University. I have experience working in Dual Immersion programs and supporting multilingual learners, and I am passionate about creating inclusive, engaging learning environments where students feel seen and empowered to succeed!!

Hello! My name is Pawandeep Gill, and I am excited to begin my first year at CAVA as an English Language Development (ELD) Specialist. I am passionate about supporting multilingual learners because I was once an English Language Learner myself.

I was born and raised in Fresno, California, and Punjabi was my first language. My parents were not English speakers, and watching them navigate a new language and culture gave me a deep appreciation for the strength and resilience of multilingual families. As a former English Language Learner, I understand many of the challenges and triumphs that come with learning a new language. These experiences inspired my passion for education and my commitment to helping students build confidence, develop their language skills, and recognize their own potential.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fresno, and later completed my Master of Arts in Education, along with my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, through the University of Massachusetts, Global. Over the past two and a half years, I have had the privilege of working with students across K–12, and I have truly enjoyed building meaningful relationships while supporting students' academic and personal growth.

My goal is to create an inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued, encouraged, and empowered to reach their full potential. I believe every student brings unique strengths to the classroom, and I am honored to be part of their educational journey.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with my family. I look forward to partnering with students and families this school year and can't wait for all the learning, growth, and success we will achieve together!

I am very excited to continue my journey at CAVA in my second year of teaching ELD at the Middle School level. I look forward to meeting all of my students from around the world and supporting their English language skills- Remember that being bilingual is a super power!

Previously, I worked as a public-school teacher for 4 years in middle school and high school, teaching Spanish and in the Dual Language Immersion Program. I earned my Spanish and Multiple Subject Credential from Cal Baptist University. I also hold a Master of Science in Education from CBU. I love to learn, travel, spend time with family and friends, love dogs and elephants, and my dream is to continue exploring the world.

I am passionate about teaching English Language Learners for many reasons. I love teaching—and I find working with ELLs particularly rewarding because of my deep interest in languages, cultures, and the process of language learning. I truly enjoy learning from my students and value the rich perspectives they bring to the classroom.

After twenty years as an educator, I am now beginning my sixth year at CAVA. I earned my B.A. in Religion from Vassar College, my M.A. in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara—where I focused on South Asian religions and Indian languages—and my teaching credential in English from Cal Poly.

I have lived in California, Washington State, New York, and North Carolina, and I spent a total of seven years studying and working in India. I’m now happy to be back in California.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, spending time with friends and family, hiking, camping, practicing and teaching yoga, and watching TV and movies.

Hi! I’m Brianna Bench and I am so excited to be at CAVA as an ELD specialist. This will be my second year here. I have a background in education, coaching, and research focusing on middle and high school students. I am passionate about helping my students grow academically and socially and feel safe and comfortable around their peers and teachers. Outside of teaching, I also DJ and instruct line dancing and professionally compete around the nation. I am looking forward to a fun-filled year with you all!

Hello! I’m Ms. Ernst (pronounced RRRnnnst), an educator with 30 years of experience designing engaging, student-centered learning. I’ve taught middle school STEM in the San Francisco Bay Area, consulted with Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero, and taught ELD and science at international schools in Malaysia and Sweden. I’ve also served as an Instructional Coach and Curriculum Coordinator, mentoring teachers in curriculum design and instructional practice.

In my ELD classrooms, learning is active, creative, and grounded in authentic language use. At my IB school in Malaysia, students logged many hours of oral English practice and mastered 19 text types- often through unconventional approaches like Guerrilla Poetry, transforming campuses with poems on stairways, cafeteria tables, and life-sized refrigerator-magnet displays. These experiences led to strong outcomes, including a 100% pass rate on the IB Diploma Programme English B exams.

I hold a bachelor's degree in education and a Master’s in Learning and Development. I’m also a parent of two adult children, which means I bring practical, empathetic lens to my work.

I believe in teaching students how to learn—leveraging strengths, thinking critically, and valuing multiple perspectives.

Hello! My name is Jayvion Warren, and I am excited to be part of the ELD team at CAVA. I have over seven years of experience working with K–8 students, including teaching middle school English Language Development. I am passionate about helping students build confidence, grow academically, and reach their full potential.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy coaching youth sports, photography, and serving at my church. I look forward to a great year of learning and growth with my students and their families!

I have been teaching for over 20 years, with a passion for language and cross-cultural education. Before earning my master’s degree in education from Simpson University in Redding, CA, I taught ESL in Spain, South Korea, the UAE, and Turkey. While living in Barcelona for four years, I taught business English and became fluent in Spanish. I'm currently in my second year of learning Italian, continuing my lifelong love of language and communication.

I live in the Bay Area with my husband, a Spanish teacher originally from Spain, and our twin sons, who are now in the 8th grade. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, writing, and spending time with my family. I have a deep appreciation for literature, particularly the works of Isabel Allende, John Steinbeck, and Irish authors such as Maggie O'Farrell, Clare Keegan, and Donal Ryan.

Hello! My name is Melissa Cardenas and I am an ELD Specialist for high school students at CAVA. This is my second year here at CAVA and I love it here! I have taught various levels of English and ELD for the past few years. One of my favorite things about being a teacher is getting to know all my students and helping them pursue their own goals!

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English, a single subject teaching credential in English, and a Master’s degree in Teaching Secondary Education, all from SDSU. I am from Chula Vista, CA and I love going to the beach!

Some of my hobbies include listening to music, reading (fiction novels, memoirs, and manga), trying out new makeup looks, planning my outfits and learning about fashion, DJing, crocheting, and watching shows with my family!

Hello! My name is Tangelica Crates, and I am thrilled to be a part of the ELD team here at CAVA. I hold a B.A. in English, a K–12 Single Subject California Credential, and an M.Ed. in Crosscultural Education. This marks my 22nd year in education and my very first year at CAVA!

Over the years, I’ve spent about 16 years teaching junior high English and ELD, and I’ve also served as an ELD Student Learning Coach for several years. In addition, I have two years of experience teaching English, reading, and ELD in an online setting.

Outside of work, I have three adult children and a daughter in junior high school. We love spending time together whenever we can. I’m also an animal lover—especially when it comes to cats!

I’m excited for a great school year ahead and look forward to supporting both students and families!

Hello! My name is Kristal Slama, and I am very excited to be a part of your CAVA ELD family! Though it is my first year at CAVA, this is my 19th year teaching, with much of my teaching experience being in reading intervention. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an Earth Science concentration from California State University, Long Beach in 2005, and earned my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSULB the following year.

I live in Huntington Beach with my husband, Chris, our 16 year old son, Casey, our 11 year old daughter, Kaitlyn, and our dog Jack. I enjoy going to the beach, traveling, reading, going to Disneyland, going to concerts, and spending time with my family.

My name is Megan Elias and I am excited to be joining the CAVA ELD team this year. This is my 3rd year teaching within secondary education and ELD and I have my Master’s in Teaching from United States University. I started working in education as a bilingual aide to use my Spanish skills. The EL community deeply inspired me, and I knew education was the career path I wanted to pursue. I always say EL children have taught me just as much as I have taught them. I feel passionate about this subject and welcoming as many students as possible to learn and feel confident in English.

I currently live in San Diego and I love to travel, play instruments, watch NFL, learn languages and do Pilates/go for long walks.

My name is Diana Lira, and I am excited to support students and families through the ELD program. I am originally from La Puente, California, and I was an ELD student myself, which allows me to truly understand the value and impact of this program.

I have worked in education for about 13 years as both a teacher and administrator, and teaching is truly my vocation. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Business with a minor in Latin American Studies, as well as a California teaching credential. I also had the opportunity to live and work in Mexico City, where I taught at international schools and gained valuable multicultural experience.

Outside of school, I enjoy running, cooking, and going on adventures with my husband and our two boys. I love being in a school setting and look forward to partnering with families to support student success.

Hi! I’m Kayleen Juarez and I’m excited to be part of the ELD team here at CAVA. I am from the San Fernando Valley and have lived there my whole life. I attended CSUN and earned a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development. I have worked in education for over 8 years and am passionate about child advocacy and equity.

Outside of work I enjoy going to concerts, watching movies, reading, playing video games, and spending quality time with family and friends.