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New Vista School

Educating Students for Life

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Staff Directory

Administrative Staff

Bill Bermingham
Executive Director

Education/Credentials
  • BA Communications
Juhi Sharma
Director of Student Services

Education/Credentials
  • Education Specialist (Mild/Moderate)
  • MA Education
  • IBI trained
  • BS Computer Information Systems
Terri Anderson
Director of Finance & Human Resources

Education/Credentials
  • BS Economics/Statistics
  • MBA Finance
Sandi Carter
Director of Administration

Education/Credentials
  • BS Organizational Leadership
  • MS Organizational Leadership
Tyler Lowenthal
Operations Manager & History Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BA Liberal Studies
  • Credential: Multiple Subject (Grades K-8) and California Education Specialist (Mild/Moderate)
  • CPI Certified Instructor (Crisis Prevention Institute)
Susan Gallagher
Health Clerk

Education/Credentials
  • Medical Assistant

Teaching Staff

Aradhana Agnihotri
CTE Department Head & Computer Science/Technology Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BS Science
  • MS Science
  • Credential: Computer Science Principle, CTE (Career Technical Education in Information and Communication Technology)
  • Training in Networking (Cisco), C-Stem (UC Davis) and PLTW (Project Lead the Way)
Mona Asami
Science and Math Teacher

Education/Credentials
  • BA Biology
  • MA Education
Mark Boehning
Teaching Assistant & Substitute Teacher

Education/Credentials
  • BA Business Administration
Derek Caldwell
Registered Behavior Technician

Education/Credentials
  • BA History
  • Education Specialist Teaching Credential
Caitlin Castillo
photo of caitlin castilloSocial Skills Department Head

Education/Credentials
  • BA Psychology
  • MA Education
  • Credential: Education Specialist (Mild/Moderate)
David Loughridge
Math Department Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • MA Teaching, Secondary Mathematics
  • BS Environmental Science, University of Oregon.
Melisa Masri
Science  Department Head & Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BS Child and Adolescent Development
  • MA Education Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in STEM
  • Credentials: Multiple Subject, Single Subject Foundation Level General Science, Single Subject Earth Science, Single Subject Social Science, Single Subject Biology, Single Subject Chemistry
Eleonora Nelson
English Department Head & Language Arts/Writing Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BA Cognitive Psychology
  • MA Art of Teaching
  • Credential: Multiple Subject Teaching
  • EL Authorization
Vincent Nguyen
History Department Head and Economics Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BA Political Science
  • MA Political Science
  • Credential: Single Subject Social Science
Ms. Ashley Sandoval
IEPs Science/Math

Education/Credentials
  • BA Sociology
  • MA Special Education
  • Credential: Education specialist credential in mild to moderate disabilities
  • AUT Authorization
Danya Segovia
Teaching Assistant

Education/Credentials
  • MA Comparative Literature
Lauren Seretan
Lead Instructional Assistant & Independent Facilitator

Education/Credentials
  • BA English
  • Sign Language Interpreters Certificate
Eric Warner
Social Studies & Transition Instructor

Education/Credentials
  • BA Liberal Studies
  • Credential: Multiple Subject
Ms. Amy Webster
IEPs-Language Arts/Math/Health

Education/Credentials
  • BA Education and Fine Arts,
  • Credential: Learning and Behavior Specialist 1, credential in mild to moderate disabilities
    AUT Authorization

testimonials

Students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence…

In the past 3 years I have witnessed firsthand the change that takes place within students who go through our Transition program. These students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence after having been given the opportunity to work in a real business and gain experiences in multiple community environments. With the proper training, attitude, and a little patience, these young adults can achieve any goals they set their mind to.

Eric Warner, Transition Specialist

The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

Our daughter started New Vista in 7th grade with the plan that she would only stay there for her middle school years. We were so happy with her progress, that now, 5 years later, she is about to graduate. Thanks to the New Vista teachers and staff, she has blossomed socially and academically, and she has been able to participate in high school activities we never thought possible. The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

NVS Parent

Thank you!

I can give you a story of my son’s journey but this quote basically sums it up. “You transformed an impossible child into an adult with possibilities.” Regarding plans after Noah graduates… NVS’ adult program. I’m excited to be participating at ground level with other senior parents and Ms. Donnelly. Thank you!

NVS Parent

He received such a great education foundation…

I want to thank you all for the great job you all did with my son. He received such a great education foundation from each of you at NVS. He is doing a very good job at College. He is currently a “B plus” student on all his classes, and best of all, that he just received his first Math exam result of a 100% grade. I cannot be more proud of him and am very thankful to all NVS staff. Now he is a very responsible and independent college student.

NVS Parent

Exceeded our expectations…

Our experience at New Vista School over the past 3 plus years has been outstanding. After trying three other schools and investigating many more, we found a school that “gets” our child. The teachers and administrators have created an individualized plan, both academic and behavioral, that has exceeded our expectations.

NVS Parent

Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff…

Our experience at New Vista has been night and day from our previous experience in the school district public system! Teachers in the public system repeatedly said our son was unable to read and comprehend third grade books. At New Vista, our son has read 33 books in the last 4.5 months – 82% of them at a grade level of 4.6. Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff for your dedication and commitment in helping these kids do better in life.

NVS Parent

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Disclaimer: Our High School diploma track classes are not A-G articulated, other than our CTE classes.

Copyright © 2025 | New Vista School

New Vista School | 23092 Mill Creek Drive Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Front Office: 949-455-1270

We are a private, non-profit, 501c3, WASC-accredited school serving Orange County, California. We are authorized to serve ASD students through the non-public school (NPS) option available to qualified families and school districts. Our academic and social curricula are guided by the following values: Safety, Respect, Responsibility, Initiative, Problem Solving and Resiliency.

Copyright © 2025 · New Vista School
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