Jennifer Lew
Position: Principal
Certifications
Professional Certificate
Endorsements: Elementary Ed; Jr. Academy English, General Science, History, Music, Religion
Education
Highest Degree: Masters
Major Field: Liberal Studies
College Where Earned: La Sierra University
Biography
Mrs. Jennifer Lew lives in Newbury Park with her husband, Brendon, their two children, Nathan and Eliza, and their dog Howard. Mrs. Lew was raised in Lodi, CA, and graduated high school from Lodi Academy. After high school, she continued her education at Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA, where she graduated with a BS in Liberal Studies and a minor in Music. During her college experience, she traveled to Japan where she lived in Hiroshima for one year. In 1994, she moved to Newbury Park where she joined the staff at Conejo Adventist Elementary School. Mrs. Lew enjoys participating in a book club, reading, baking, teaching Cradle Roll at The Place, singing, and learning new things.
Lisseth Ponce de Leon
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Education
Highest Degree: Masters
Major Field: Arts, Education, with option Educational Psychologist and instructional designer
College Where Earned: CSUN
Biography
Mrs. Ponce de Leon was born in a quaint little town located in the middle of the jungle in Peru, called Puerto Inca. A missionary couple from the United States established a small clinic and an elementary school down in that part of Peru. Mrs. Ponce de Leon’s family, the Heidingers were positively impacted by this couple and by the Adventist education they provided. Sadly, due to threats by local guerrillas, after serving for six years in the jungle, the missionaries had to leave Puerto Inca. But the candle they lit up in the Heidinger’s family kept burning. An Adventist church was established, which served as a center of hope for Mrs. Ponce de Leon and her family members. And, when the children reached the age to go to college, the parents decided to send them to The Adventist Peruvian University (UPeU) located in the capital. There, Mrs. Ponce de Leon obtained her degree in Psychology. After graduating she worked as a psychologist at an Adventist Elementary School. After that, she married her husband Manuel and immigrated to the United States. While she was a stay home mom dedicating her time to raise her children, Juan Manuel and Vanessa, Mrs. Ponce de Leon studied her master’s degree in Educational Psychology at California State University (CSUN). During the summer of 2022, God called Mrs. Ponce de Leon to work as a kindergarten teacher at CAES. Inspired by the job of the missionaries who shared with Mrs. Ponce de Leon’s family the love of God and the value of Adventist Education, her desire is to share the love of Jesus and the love for Adventist education to the precious kids in her class.
Alexa Fitzgerald
Position: 1st Grade Teacher, Drama Director
Certifications
Standard Certificate
Endorsement: Elementary Education
Education
Highest Degree: Bachelors
Major Field: Liberal Studies, Minor in Spanish
College Where Earned: Walla Walla University
Biography
Mrs. Alexa Fitzgerald was born and raised in Sacramento, California where she sparked her love for teaching. Now she lives in Newbury Park with her husband, Cameron. After graduating high school she attended Walla Walla University, where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain. After graduation, Alexa married and moved with her husband to Newbury Park. Mrs. Fitzgerald started her teaching career at Linda Vista Adventist Elementary School as the kindergarten teacher. In 2021 she joined the CAES team, excited to start a new adventure in 1st grade. She enjoys traveling, time with her family and friends, reading, and exercising. But her biggest joy comes in sharing God's love to her students.
Michelle Mayer
Position: 2nd Grade Teacher
Certifications
Professional Certificate
Endorsement: Elementary Education
Education
Highest Degree: Bachelors
College Where Earned: Pacific Union College
Biography
Mrs. Michelle Mayer lives in Camarillo with her husband, Steve, and three children, Zack, Megan, and Madison. Michelle is a graduate of Pacific Union College. She enjoys reading, hiking with her family, and traveling. Mrs. Mayer has been teaching full-time at CAES since 2014. Prior to that, she was a stay-at-home-mom and then taught for several years in the Moorpark Unified School District as a Kindergarten teacher and a substitute. She joined our Conejo staff in order to provide spiritual mentoring to her students. Her passion is getting students excited about learning and growing their relationship with Jesus. She enjoys learning new teaching methods and growing as a professional educator.
Joseph Fralick
Position: 3rd/4th Grade Teacher
Education
Highest Degree: Masters
Major Field: Reading
Biography
Mr. Joe Fralick has been involved with the education of children for over 30 years. As a child, he grew up on an alfalfa farm in rural Ohio. After completing his second year of college he took two years off to spend as a student missionary, where he taught elementary students in the Marshall Islands. God used this experience to help Joe discover his calling. Mr. Fralick has his master’s degree in Reading. In addition to teaching, Mr. Fralick has had many years of administrative experience. His previous position was at Pine Hills
Adventist Academy, in Auburn CA, where he served as principal for it’s TK-
12 program. Joe is married to Julie, who is also the new 6-8 math teacher
at Conejo. The Fralicks have four adult children.
Ruth McConnehey
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
Certifications
California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
California Professional Clear Supplemental Authorization in English
Professional Teaching Certificate North American Division of SDA Endorsements: Kindergarten; Elementary Education; Jr. Academy Art, English, General Science, History, Religion
Education
Highest Degree: Masters
Major Field: Curriculum and Instruction
College Where Earned: La Sierra University
Biography
Mrs. McConnehey was born and raised in Loma Linda, California. After graduating from academy, she continued her education at Pacific Union College where she received a degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in elementary education. Summers during college were spent at Pine Springs Ranch as a counselor, and then the girls' director. Her education continued at La Sierra University where she earned a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. During this time, she taught at Loma Linda Academy. Following graduation from La Sierra, Mrs. McConnehey moved to Bakersfield where she taught at Bakersfield Adventist Academy for eight years. She moved to Newbury Park when she married Ryan and taught at CAES before taking a few years off to raise their daughter, Caitlin. She has taught a few different classes, including kindergarten. This is her second year teaching 5th grade. Mrs. McConnehey enjoys reading, traveling, baking, playing with the family dog, and spending time with family. She is always on the lookout for new things to incorporate into her teaching.
Robin Shea
Position: 6th Grade Teacher, Athletic Director, 3rd Grade Math Teacher, 5th-8th Choir Director
Certifications
Standard Certificate
Endorsement: Elementary Education
Education
Highest Degree: Bachelors
Major Field: Liberal Studies
College Where Earned: La Sierra University
Biography
Mrs. Shea was raised in Newbury Park, where she still resides with her husband, Branon, and three children, Nolan and Camdyn and Ian. She attended Conejo Adventist Elementary School from K-8th grade and also graduated from Newbury Park Adventist Academy. After high school, Mrs. Shea attended La Sierra University and received a B.A. in Liberal Studies in 2003. She began her teaching career at CAES teaching Kindergarten. She took two years off to raise her children and returned to us to teach 3rd and 4th grade. Now, she is teaching 6th grade and loving the new experience. In her spare time, Mrs. Shea enjoys swimming, water sports, music, but mostly, spending time with her family. Mrs. Shea feels that teaching is something that she was created to do . Everyday she looks forward to laughing and learning with her students. "There is no other school I would rather be at than CAES. It truly feels like home to me."
Nellie Tassy
Position: 7th/8th Grade Teacher, Yearbook Facilitator
Education
Highest Degree: Bachelors
College Where Earned: California State University, East Bay
Biography
Mrs. Nellie Tassy lives in Newbury Park with her husband, Errol, and their two children, Alessio and Nadia, and their two dogs, Niko and Kaleo. Mrs. Tassy was raised in Hayward, CA, and graduated high school from Mountain View Academy. After high school, she continued her education at Cal State, East Bay, where she graduated with a BA in Liberal Studies and a minor in Childhood Education and received her teaching credential at La Sierra University in Riverside. In 2005, she moved to Miami where she met her husband. In 2016 she moved to back to California, and joined the staff at Conejo Adventist Elementary School in 2019. Mrs. Tassy has been teaching since 2001. She enjoys learning fun and new teaching methods, travelling, and spending time in nature with her family.
Julie Fralick
Position: 6th-8th Grade Math Teacher
Paulette Park
Position: Algebra Teacher
Certifications
Professional Certificate
Endorsement: Mathematics
Education
Highest Degree: Masters
Major Field: Education and Biostatistics
College Where Earned: UCLA
Biography
Mrs. Paulette Park was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She attended college at UC Irvine, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics with a specialization in Statistics. She then attended graduate school at UCLA where she earned her Masters of Education and M.S. in Biostatistics. After graduate school, she worked in the actuarial field for about 10 years before deciding to stay home to raise her children. Mrs. Park taught Pre-Algebra and Algebra at CAES from 2010-2020. She now teaches at NPAA, where the eighth graders who are ready for Algebra attend her math class. She enjoys teaching in the warm, family-like setting of our school and is thankful that God has led her here. Mrs. Park and her husband Elvin, have two children, Elliott and Amanda.
Jason Coffey
Position: Band Teacher
Andrea Frausto
Position: Classroom Aide, After School Care Supervisor
Cheryl Dickerson
Position: Office Manager
Teresa Cabrera
Position: Preschool Director
Joanna Cabrera
Position: Classroom Aide, After School Care Supervisor
Eliza Lew
Position: Preschool Assistant