Faculty

Mrs. Alvarez is one of our Preschool teachers and has been with Canyon Heights Academy since 2009. Mrs. Alvarez has been teaching Spanish since 2005, which was her first position when she started with Canyon Heights Academy. Currently, Mrs. Alvarez leads the After-School Spanish program for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. Before her work with pre-kindergarten students, Mrs. Alvarez worked in the Canyon Heights Academy Early Montessori progam. Mrs. Alvarez holds an American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood certification and holds a Certificate in Child Development from De Anza Community College. Mrs. Alvarez is also certified in Good Manners Cotillion instruction. She graduated from the Instituto Claret in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Ms. Jessica Bergman recently joined Canyon Heights and is excited for the journey ahead. She has enjoyed enriching the lives of children in home and school environments for over 20 years. Ms. Bergman earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies/Teacher Preparation from San Jose State University. She also has taken additional child development classes and is pursuing her Montessori certification. Ms. Bergman is eager to share her love for children and learning with the Canyon Heights community!

Mr. Boardman joined Canyon Heights Academy in August 2021 as the new PE teacher and Athletic Director.  Prior to joining CHA, Mr. Boardman taught Physical Education to K-5 students in the public school system.  Mr. Boardman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Long Beach State University as well as a Masters in Education with a single subject credential in Physical Education from National University. During the summers, he has also coached at various sports camps throughout the Bay Area. 

Mr. Carlisle has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Humboldt State University and has been teaching science for 20+ years. He started his career teaching high school general biology and Higher Level International Baccalaureate Biology. About 10 years ago he discovered that he really liked middle school students while teaching College for Kids at West Valley College. For the past 10 years he has been teaching 6th thru 8th grade Earth Science, Life Science, Physical and Integrated Science.

Mrs. Caruso is a Canyon Heights Academy alum and former Cardinal. She has been working as an Archaeologist after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology and Economics from St Mary’s College in California. Mrs. Caruso has been a substitute teacher at CHA for grades K-8 for several years, RCIA instructor for students and adults, and Lasallian Peer Minister at St. Mary’s College. She is excited to share her love and knowledge of our Catholic faith with our Middle School students and to support our eighth grade students with their transition to high school as the Eighth Grade Homeroom Teacher.

Mrs. Davancaze graduated from St. Mary’s College in Moraga in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She volunteered in several middle school biology classrooms before starting a career in the biotech industry, where she worked for over 30 years supporting patients. Mrs. Davancaze recently served as a lead Catechist for first graders at St. Nicholas and St Williams Parish in Los Altos for 5 years. She also volunteered for many activities in schools where her three children attended.

Mrs. Davancaze is excited to join Canyon Heights Academy where she will have an opportunity to teach and guide students through their studies and faith formation. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, baking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and her two dogs (Remy and Shasta).

Mrs. Delk has taught at Canyon Heights since 2020. She graduated with a BA in graphic design from Florida Southern College.  After several years in the field, she decided to pursue a teaching certificate and has taught for 14 years at all grade levels.  She also has a love of coaching and has given her time to coaching both girls soccer and volleyball.  Her philosophy is that the art room should be a safe learning environment for creative expression of ideas.  She also believes that art truly is a skill that can be learned, not a talent that you must be born with.  She’s enjoyed being a part of this community where she can see these young artists’ skills grow over many years.  Over her few years here she has really come to appreciate the Canyon Heights family.

Mrs. Kelsey joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2008, beginning in 4th and 5th grade and then moving to the Middle School, where she taught American History, Language Arts, and Latin. Over the years, she has helped write many of the RC curriculum revisions.  Lately, she returned to the lower school to teach 5th Grade.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Science and Math at San Diego State University. Mrs. Kelsey is one of the most tenured and most respected teachers at CHA.

Ms. Monica Ku started teaching at Canyon Heights Academy in 2020. She taught Preschool, transitioned to Lead Early Montessori Teacher, and is now back teaching at Preschool.

Prior to joining CHA, Ms. Ku spent 17 years as a business owner of two sporting goods stores. After enrolling and watching her daughter grow as a student at Canyon Heights, she was attracted to the importance of Early Childhood education and how the Montessori methodology develops the whole child. Ms. Ku decided to embark on a different career path and dedicate her time to developing young children’s minds. Ms. Ku has been accredited and certified by American Montessori Society (AMS) for Early Childhood as well as Infant/Toddler programs.

Mrs. Mezzetta joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2013 as a second grade teacher. She started her teaching career as a preschool teacher and has been teaching for 18 years. Mrs. Mezzetta has taught students in preschool-third grade as a classroom teacher and also as a reading and math intervention specialist in first-fifth grade. She holds a multiple subject teaching credential from San Jose State University and a BA in Sociology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. Mrs. Mezzetta enjoys watching her students grow in their love for reading and preparing her class for their First Holy Communion. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading with her two boys, and going on hikes with her family.

Mrs. Nguyen joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2018 as a preschool teacher. She graduated from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and completed her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential. She has been in this early childhood field for more than 15 years and teaching has always been her passion. It is amazing to see young minds grow and develop. She enjoys baking, listening to music, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Ms. Paras joined CHA in 2022 and is currently the Lead Teacher in the Early Montessori Program.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from SFState University and a Montessori Credential from Pacific Oaks College. She has extensive experience working in Montessori, Reggio-Emilia, played-based, and bilingual environments. Also, Ms. Paras currently holds a Child Development Program Director’s Permit issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and has worked as a Preschool Director. Ms. Paras also has a Master’s Degree in Catholic Education from USF, specializing in teaching Religion. She loves being at CHA and though she has worked with children of all ages, including infants, she has a passion to serve toddlers! They achieve so many developmental milestones which are wonderful to see, observe, and celebrate with them!  She also loves teaching about our Catholic faith. Currently, she is taking the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training for young children. Whether she is giving a Montessori lesson or sharing about the Catholic faith, Ms. Paras is committed to promoting a learning and sacred environment centered on love, respect, kindness, and unconditional acceptance.

Mr. Pham joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2017. Prior to joining Canyon Heights Academy, he taught math for 19 years and IT support for 3 years at private schools in Milpitas, Sacramento, and Washington State. Mr. Pham received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree with an emphasis in Management Information Technology from National University.

After earning a Master’s degree in English from the University of Florida, Mrs. Theresa Rainaldi worked as a paralegal for the Social Security Administration for many years.  In 2018, when Mrs. Rainaldi enrolled her daughter at Canyon Heights Academy, she fell in love with CHA’s preschool curriculum and the Montessori teaching method.  She enthusiastically volunteered at CHA, becoming a familiar face as the librarian for preschoolers and kindergartners.  Mrs. Rainaldi feels blessed to be on the preschool teaching team, and she is so excited to have the opportunity to work with young children.  Mrs. Rainaldi looks forward to growing as a teacher, and to guiding preschoolers on their journey to discover, develop, and share their own unique strengths and talents.

Mrs. Ruffo began her 16 year teaching career in the Diocese of San Jose teaching first grade, sixth grade Religion and Language Arts, and 6th-8th grade History. She brings over 8 years of experience specifically teaching Middle School History within the Diocese and other private schools in Silicon Valley. Mrs. Ruffo has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine and a Masters of Education along with a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from National University. She was born and raised in San Jose and is extremely proud of her K-8th grade Catholic education. After living in Phoenix, Arizona for the past 5 years, Mrs. Ruffo is thrilled to be returning to the Bay Area and our Middle School classroom. She believes in teaching the whole student while creating a safe environment for students to take risks and develop a growth mindset. Mrs. Ruffo looks forward to joining the Canyon Heights Academy community!

Mrs. Sanchez the Spanish teacher for grades K-5, joined Canyon Height in 2017. Born and raised in Mexico City, her family recently moved to the US. By learning English as a second language herself, she has effective techniques and procedures which she can implement with the students. Mrs. Sanchez received an MA in Liberal Studies and a Juris Doctorate from the Universidad Anahuac. After graduation, she practiced corporate law in Mexico City for many years before starting a family and moving to the United States.

Mrs. Natalie Shvetsky joined Canyon Heights Academy in the summer of 2022 as a Kindergarten teacher. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from University of Dragomanov and completed Montessori Training for ages 3-6 in 2005. She worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 15 years and as a 1st grade teacher for 3 years at a Montessori school in Sunnyvale.

Mrs. Shvetsky has a true passion for working with our younger learners! Helping each child progress in academic and social areas are challenges that she is honored to accept daily. She calls her students “My kids” because in their year together they aren’t just children on her class roster, they become a part of her heart.

Mrs. Shvetsky enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes playing tennis, basketball, chess with her daughters, swimming, reading books, hiking, traveling and watching movies. She speaks English, Greek and Russian. Her goal is to learn Spanish.

Mrs. Shvetsky enjoys teaching this age and level and promises that she will do her best to nurture your child in a very loving environment. She looks forward to working with your child throughout the year.

Ms. Solano has taught Grade 1 at Canyon Heights Academy for 13 years. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Humanities and a minor in Deaf Education, and a Masters Degree in Education from San Jose State University. She has previously worked as a catechist for hearing, deaf and hard of hearing children within the Diocese of San Jose and looks forward to returning as a catechist in the future. Ms. Solano joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2008 and is excited for another year of teaching in first grade.

Ms. Villagómez joined Canyon Heights Academy in the fall of 2023 as the third grade teacher. Prior to joining CHA, she taught in the public school setting for 16 years and this will be her 8th year teaching in the Catholic school setting.. She has taught TK through 4th grades. Each grade has  her something fun and new. Ms. Villagómez received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Spanish and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and holds a Preliminary Administrative Credential from San José State University. She holds a BCLAD Multiple Subject Credential from National University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, visiting the library, and taking walks with her daughter.

Mrs. West joined Canyon Heights Academy in 2001. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood certification. During her early years at the school, she taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Second Grade. In 2008, Mrs. West took a break from teaching to focus on her family. She was a substitute teacher for Canyon Heights Academy from 2014 to 2017. In 2021, she returned full-time to Canyon Heights Academy. She enjoys going on adventures with her husband, her three sons, and her rambunctious chocolate labrador. Her hobbies include reading, walking, volunteer work, and fostering puppies.