Leading with Heart: CAVA Principals Share What Inspires Their Work 

At California Virtual Academies (CAVA), leadership begins with heart. Each principal brings unique experience and perspective, but they all share one goal: creating an online learning environment where students, teachers, and families can thrive together. 

Believing in Every Student 

For fourth-grade principal Ms. Rebecca Bean, every day is a reminder of what makes CAVA special. “What I enjoy most about serving as a principal at CAVA is getting to support our amazing fourth-grade students, their dedicated learning coaches, and their fantastic teachers,” she says. “Every time I jump into a classroom for an observation, I smile seeing our CAVA students so engaged in their learning.” 

Ms. Bean believes deeply in the power of unity and encouragement. “Our teachers are incredibly dedicated and create a learning environment where every fourth grader at CAVA can engage and grow,” she says. “We truly believe that every student can succeed here, and our teachers make all the difference by creating an engaging learning environment and connecting with each student in their class on a regular basis.” 

Leading by Example 

High school principal Mr. Marc Shaw describes his leadership as service-driven and grounded in care. “What I enjoy most about serving as a principal at CAVA is the camaraderie and quality of character, dedication, and service of my colleagues, supervisors, and direct reports,” he says. “Given the high volume of information to process and decisions to make in a single workday, there is a refining process that forces CAVA administrators and staff to be agile, responsive, and to reflect and grow.” 

Mr. Shaw sees his role as both a guide and a partner in growth. “I support teachers, staff, and students by modeling care, respect, and a dedication to be both growth and solution oriented,” he says. “Where attention goes, energy flows.” 

He points to the Bost Writing Initiative as an example of how CAVA continues to improve student learning. “Writing is thinking, and a substantial improvement in this area will lead to gains across the board,” he explains. 

Empowering Students and Teachers to Succeed 

For seventh-grade principal Ms. Cherisse Kaelin, the most meaningful part of her work is seeing students and teachers thrive together. “Being a principal at CAVA is deeply fulfilling because I get to support both our incredible teachers and our amazing students every day,” she says. “When students tell us they feel comfortable, supported, and truly seen, it reminds me of the power of what we offer, an education tailored to fit their individual needs.” 

In her first year with a new grade level, Ms. Kaelin focused on building strong relationships from the start. “I have started reaching out through connection calls and offering Zoom support to teachers experiencing technical issues,” she says. “Building strong relationships with teachers from the very beginning is essential in our virtual environment.” 

A Shared Purpose 

Although they lead different grade levels, these principals share a common purpose. They support students and staff through compassion, connection, and collaboration. They believe that great teaching and strong relationships can transform learning, even in a virtual setting. 

Ms. Bean, Mr. Shaw, and Ms. Kaelin embody what makes CAVA a place where students grow in confidence and educators feel supported to make a difference every day.