Faculty

Mrs. Nancy A. Donnelly, M.Ed
Executive Director

Mrs. Donnelly brings sixteen years of experience as an Executive Director of a non-profit organization specializing in transitional, world of work and life skills for young adults with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. For nine years she served as the Director of Special Education, and the founder of an educational collaborative creating programs for six public school systems. She developed and then operated 50 classes serving over 600 children including those with autism spectrum disorder, from pre-school through high school graduation. Mrs. Donnelly worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Director of Educational Development and as an Educational Consultant to the Department of Education and the Massachusetts Court System overseeing compliance with special education law.

Prior to administration positions Mrs. Donnelly was a teacher, and she also worked for an educational theatre company, Looking Glass Theatre. While in graduate school at the University of Massachusetts, she worked at Monson State Hospital and developed programs for children who were previously not educated.

Since moving to California seven years ago, Mrs. Donnelly assisted parents in the creation of “Advocates for Adults with Developmental Disabilities,” a group working on housing plans for adults in Orange County. She spent two years working for the “American Academy of Pediatrics”, training pediatricians and their staff in a National program “Reach Out and Read.” She also worked with an adoptive parent to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit “The Kyley and Noah Foundation”, assisting adoptive families.

Professionally, Mrs. Donnelly was President of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, one of the largest trade associations in the country, which included special education private schools; President of the Western Massachusetts Service Providers and a member of the Association of Developmental Disability Providers and the Treasurer of “CASA” (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

In Orange County she has been President of the UCI Medical Center Associates and has been involved with the Family Autism Network. Currently, she is serving on The Autism Task Force for Orange County, and is Chairperson of the Housing Committee.

When Mrs. Donnelly is not working at New Vista School, she appreciates the beautiful weather in Orange County by playing tennis, hiking, gardening and reading. She and her husband enjoy living close to their family, and especially playing with their young grandchildren.

Mrs. Juhi Sharma
Director of Student Services

Mrs. Sharma holds a Master of Arts in Special Education from CSU, San Marcos. She also holds four other credentials Moderate/ Severe, Mild- Moderate, Multiple Subject and a Single Subject credential in Home Economics. She is trained in Intensive Behavior Instruction (IBI) and ABA. Previous to joining the New Vista staff, she worked for the Capistrano Unified School District as an IBI Specialist for children who had been indentified on the autism spectrum. Prior to her career in education, Mrs. Sharma was a software engineer for Lucent Technologies.

Mr. John Bowen
Social Behavior and Lead Teacher
Student Leadership Team Faculty Advisor

Mr. Bowen teaches Social Skills and has also taught Social Studies at the middle and high school levels. His education includes California teaching credentials in Special Education and Social Studies. He earned a Master of Arts in Special Education and a Master of Arts in Human Behavior from National University. Prior to his teaching career, Mr. Bowen worked in the areas of Sales and Marketing and Human Resources. He also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Phoenix.

Mr. Bowen has been married for fourteen years to his wife Natalie, and has two beautiful daughters. In his spare time he enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending most of his time with his family. He plays the acoustic and bass guitar, and has occasionally performed with his wife and other musicians throughout Orange County. In addition, Mr. Bowen enjoys doing volunteer work and regularly donates time to his church. He has also volunteered his time to the Meals on Wheels association and was a Reserve Police Officer with the city of Long Beach, graduating the police academy with Reserve Class #34.

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ms. Linda Boccia
Math Lab

Ms. Boccia graduated from CSU Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. After several years in business, she returned to school to obtain her teaching credential in Special Education (Mild to Moderate). She focused her education in mathematics and received NCLB qualification in math. Ms. Boccia has both taught and substituted in public education. Prior to joining our staff as math teacher, she had substituted here at New Vista School.

Ms. Boccia was born and raised in Southern California. She lives in Huntington Beach with her husband, John. Her son is a senior at St. Edwards University in Austin, TX. She is a movie buff and has been in a book club for 21 years.

Ms. Elif Cagin
Social Skills

Ms. Cagin has joined New Vista School as the Social Skills Instructor. She also serves the students as the faculty advisor for “Girls Club” – a social organization where girls can discuss questions and problems in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Ms. Cagin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with emphasis in Theater and Dance from the University of California, Riverside. While attending UC Riverside, Ms. Cagin was awarded a fellowship in the Gluck Fellows Art Program, giving her the resources to teach theater and movement to students in the Riverside and Moreno Valley School Districts. Upon graduating, Ms. Cagin worked as an ABA Tutor and Behavior Interventionist for ACES Inc. and the Tustin Unified School District.

Ms. Cagin also went on to receive her Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential and CLAD Certification from Chapman University. She is completing her Master of Arts in Special Education from Chapman University and is anticipating graduation in May 2010. She also plans to sit for her BCBA assessment upon the completion of her master degree.

Ms. Cagin’s passion for working with students with special needs began at a very young age; she has a younger sibling who falls on the Autism spectrum and her family is her source of inspiration and encouragement. Ms. Cagin is also an asset to the surrounding community as she volunteers with the Special Olympics, The Muth Reading Center at Chapman University, and The Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC).

In Ms. Cagin’s spare time she enjoys taking dance classes, going to art galleries, hiking, and running.

Ms. Linda Glass
Science

Ms. Glass received her Bachelor’s of Science in biology from the University of Toledo. She worked for several years as a lab technician in labs which combine the sciences of biology and psychology. Ms. Glass received her Marriage, Family and Child license and worked in a local domestic violence program for ten years. With a desire to teach in the classroom, Ms. Glass returned to school and attended educational courses focusing on physics, chemistry, and biology at UC Irvine, and attended additional seminars in educational science. Before coming to New Vista, Ms. Glass assisted in the special education department in the Irvine Unified School District and taught at the UC Irvine Farm School for many years.

She has experience working with students in special education as well as students who are gifted. She has been trained in Mel Levine’s School’s Attuned. Ms. Glass has her California Single Subject Credential with an emphasis in biology through CSU Fullerton and the Orange County Department of Education.

Ms. Chelsea Golub
Reading Lab Instructional Aide

Ms. Golub recently joined New Vista School as an Instructional Aide for the Reading Lab. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Educational Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Summa Cum Laude distinction. She is currently attending Chapman University’s Teacher Education Program to receive her teaching credential in Special Education, Single Subject: English, and Masters of Education. Previous teaching experience such as Substituting for the Anaheim Union School District, Student-Teaching, Volunteer work at On-Track tutoring program, and classroom observations during course work have prepared Ms. Golub for this position. When she is not at work or school, Ms. Golub loves to play sports and read.

Mr. Bill Greenfield
Transition

Mr. Bill Greenfield (Transition Specialist) Mr. Greenfield is a new addition to New Vista School, joining the faculty in the July of 2009. He has 12 years of experience in Special Education, with expertise in Transition Skills Development, Behavior Modification, and Crisis Intervention.

Mr. Greenfield earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Southern California, and his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from National University. Bill has a Clear California Special Education teaching credential, and is certified in Crisis Intervention from the International Crisis Intervention Stress Foundation. He is also currently a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Orange County Transition Task Force, and the Orange County Crisis Intervention Network. Mr. Greenfield is an assertive advocate for his the rights of, and opportunities for his students.

Bill has experienced a culturally diverse background, and has lived in Germany, the UK, and multiple U.S. states. His background also includes starting and running Advantage Swim Academy, a swim school for students with special needs, as well as Life and Health Solutions, a multi-state insurance benefits agency. Bill is also a member of the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo. Mr. Greenfield has been married for 18 years, and enjoys spending time with his infant son, David. He loves travel, USC Football, Angels Baseball, and is a lousy golfer (although he enjoys playing anyway).

Ms. Jennifer Kaye
F.A.M.E.

Ms. Kaye holds a Master of Science in Education (Elementary Curriculum and Instruction), with graduate work in Special Education, Psychology, and Social Foundations from CSU Fullerton. She also received, from CSU Fullerton, four California teaching credentials: Multiple-Subject, Single-Subject in English, Single-Subject in Home Economics, and Single-Subject in Art, with an emphasis in photography. She also has a Technology in Education Certificate and a Supplementary Authorization in Computer Concepts and Applications from UC Riverside, as well as a B.A. in Film Studies (1998) from UC Irvine, with a concentration in Screenwriting and Theater Arts. Ms. Kaye has taught grades 3 – 9 and ELD in both regular and special education in Fullerton and Santa Ana Unified, and has been trained in Waldorf teaching methods. She attended the Forestry Institute for Teachers in 2006 and is a certified teacher of Science in Project Wet, Project Learning Tree and Project Wild. She continues her professional development by attending annual teacher trainings in Reading, Math, Special Education and Autism.

Ms. Kaye also enjoys traveling the world (she’s been to over 16 foreign countries including Australia and Sri Lanka), training dogs (she has three), writing children’s books, taking Zumba classes, playing the piano and African drums, designing jewelry, photography, and owning her own Interior Design business since 2000. She has also volunteered with the Landmark Forum for Young People, the American Cancer Society and numerous animal shelters.

Mrs. Susan Knoll
Social Studies

Ms. Knoll possesses a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and a Multi-subject Teaching Credential. She has extensive experience working in special education classrooms with moderate to severe special needs students. She also possesses a background working with several behavior modification strategies including ABA, Discrete Trials and IBI. Susan has a five year old, Ethan, who has autism. She is very active in the autism community and participates as a Board Member to the Community Advisory Committee which consists of special education staff and parent representatives from Saddleback and Laguna Unified School Districts. Mrs. Knoll also continues her education by attending seminars offered by Regional Center, UCP, Future Horizons and others. She was featured as a guest speaker at a department wide meeting at the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) on her son’s experience in the IAC (Interagency Assessment Center) program. Susan was featured on a television program called Spotlight on Education on Autism. Featured in the program are Dr. Pauline Filipek, Pediatric Neurologist and Director at ForOCKids (a conglomerate of UCI Neurodevelopment Center and CHOC), William Habermehl, Superintendent of Schools, John Zeimantz, Early Start Training and Standards at Regional Center of Orange County, and Andrea Walker who heads up the S.U.C.S.E.S.S. project at the OCDE which provides training opportunities for educators and parents.

Mrs. Sarah Kugelberg
Art

Sarah Kugelberg recently joined New Vista School as resident art teacher. Sarah received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education and her California Teaching Credential from CSU Fullerton. She has experience working as an art therapist for a non-profit organization teaching art to special needs students. It is here she discovered her passion for teaching art to students with learning differences. Mrs. Kugelberg looks forward to building New Vista’s visual art program, curating student shows and cultivating creative expression and self-identity in her students.

Mrs. Kugelberg was born and raised in Long Beach California and currently lives in the city of Cypress with her husband, Danny. Danny is the youth pastor at Cypress Church. Together they spend most of their spare time mentoring adolescents. Mrs. Kugelberg not only teaches art, but also is an artist herself. She has experience with various media, but enjoys drawing and painting the most. Mrs. Kugelberg likes to combine her passion for people and her love of travel. She finds joy in helping others who are disadvantaged and marginalized. She spent a portion of last summer living in Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest with an indigenous tribe building houses. She has also traveled to New Orleans to help with the Katrina relief efforts. Mrs. Kugelberg attended and graduated from clown school in Georgia. She can be found using her clown education to cheer people up in hospitals and nursing homes.

Ms. Lisa Mason
Administrative Assistant

Ms. Mason graduated from CSU Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Her professional background is in banking, credit reporting and real estate administration. In addition to her professional corporate background, she has work experience in education. She taught 1^st and 4^th grade at Calvary Chapel Academy in Yorba Linda, was a substitute teacher in the public schools and worked in the Regional Occupational Program Career Development Department. While she was at Calvary Chapel, the OC Register sponsored an essay contest and out of 133 schools who participated, her 4^th graders swept the awards taking 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place. Ms. Mason has two adult sons, Fred and David. Her youngest son, David, is 19 and has been diagnosed Asperger Syndrome. David and his mom are currently working through the transition process from high school to employment. In her spare time Ms. Mason is a drummer and is presently looking for a new band to join.

Miss Kelly Miller
Reading Specialist

Kelly Miller completed a double major, Bachelor of Arts degree, in Sociology and Religious Studies at University of California, Riverside. After working for several years outside the field of education, Miss Miller began working as a substitute teacher in the Riverside Unified School District. As a substitute teacher, Miss Miller taught students with special needs, students performing at grade level, and gifted and talented students. Currently, Miss Miller is seeking her Master’s in Special Education and a Level 1 Education Specialist Credential for students with disabilities classified as moderate/severe.

When she is not reading textbooks and working on homework, Miss Miller enjoys cooking, attending live concerts and sporting events, and spending time with family. Finding new food spots and trying new recipes are the focus of weekend activities. Since her recent move from Riverside County, Miss Miller continues to explore new areas and activities in Orange County.

Mr. Colt Moltoni
Instructional Assistant

Mrs. Olsen
Computers

Danielle Olsen attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She has both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Special Education. She worked at the junior high level for 4 years. She taught English, Study Skills and Math. She co-taught US and World History, English, and Physical Science. She also coached a winning tennis team. She moved up to the high school level where she worked for 2 years. She taught English, Study Skills, Math, and Adaptive P.E. which she thoroughly enjoyed. She also coached both the boys and girls tennis teams. The girls won region, but the boys weren’t as fortunate. She also spent 10+ years working for her father as an assessment administrator for Ingram and Associates traveling to remote school districts in Utah to do their educational and cognitive testing for special education.

Mrs. Olsen moved from Utah to California in 2006 when she got married. She has a wonderful husband, Todd, and 3 terrific children, Kapena, 17, Katelyn, 14, and Kana’i, 2. Her family keeps her very busy but she loves spending time with them. She also loves spending time at her husband’s home in Kailua, HI. She thoroughly enjoys reading, traveling, spending time at the beach, learning new things, and working with the students and staff at New Vista.

Mrs. Shannon Payne
Reading Specialist / Math Teacher

Mrs. Payne holds a Master of Arts in Education with Specialization in Reading degree from Chapman University, where she also received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Music. She has taught in many capacities over the course of the last ten years, including extensive one-on-one tutoring and classroom teaching experience in the areas of reading and math. At New Vista School, Mrs. Payne teaches in both the reading and math labs as a reading specialist and math teacher. Additionally, she serves students as a faculty advisor for the Student Leadership Team and Book Club. In the future, she plans to obtain her doctorate and teach part-time as a professor in a teacher training program.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W. Yeats

Ms. Marilyn Turney
English

Ms. Turney has fourteen years teaching experience and has taught in three states. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art Education from the University of Illinois, with graduate work in clinical psychology. She holds three California Teaching Credentials: English (K-12), Mild-Moderate, and a Moderate-Severe credential. She has taught grades 6-12 in regular and special education, as well as progressive and alternative education programs.

When not actively involved in education, Ms Turney was employed in the art industry as either a high end art gallery director or as brokering high-end art throughout the United States. She is herself, a published writer, poet, and corporate writer.