Directors & Staff
James McGrath
Founding Director
Mr. McGrath is part of IVA High’s founding team. Prior to joining IVA High, Mr. McGrath practiced law with a prominent international law firm representing Fortune 100 companies spanning a variety of industries including real estate finance. He was named a Rising Star in Southern California Super Lawyers and Los Angeles Magazine.
Summer Sanders
Founding Director
Mrs. Sanders was hired as part of the founding team in September 2015. Mrs. Sanders now embraces her role as Head of School, working collaboratively with all members of our community supporting a comprehensive mission and vision.
Megan Gomes
Office Manager
Holding degrees in both Creative Writing and Education from the University of Colorado, Megan initially had hopes of being a children’s book author (…which she still may become!) After college, she taught at a dual-immersion preschool in Taiwan, and led summer camps in Singapore, before returning to California.
Darlin Ortiz
School Counselor, Community School and Homeless Liaison
Darlin graduated from a Long Beach Public High School and received a Bachelors in Human Services at Cal-State Dominguez Hills – Go Toros! She immediately began working as a case manager with domestic violence, substance abuse, and homeless populations. She was also a counseling intern at both IVA schools! She graduated from USC, receiving her Master’s and credential in School Counseling.
Marisol Hernandez
School Counselor/Enrollment
Marisol attended California State University, Dominguez Hills and received her Master of Science and credential in School Counseling. She also graduated with a B.A. in Spanish from California State University, Long Beach, where she obtained her teaching credential.
Clarissa Borrayo
Administrative Assistant
Prior to joining full-time at IVA High in August 2024, Miss Borrayo was employed full-time in the medical field. After five years of dedicated service during the pandemic, she made the decision to return to academia in pursuit of her dream career.
Jason Rivera
Administrative Assistant/Paraprofessional
Jason is passionate about working with students and helping them succeed academically and personally. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from UC Irvine, which gives him a strong foundation in research and critical thinking.
Myriam Loeschen
Outreach Coordinator
Myriam brings a balanced blend of formal marketing and event planning experience. Her work is centered in creating connection and is rooted in joy.
Kerry Loeschen
Paraprofessional: Student and Facility Support
Kerry Loeschen, a native of Long Beach, joins IVA High to support students in the classroom, in addition to bringing his creative visions and beautification skills to our campus. He brings a myriad of talents that adds significant value to our students academic experience. He is also a professional trombonist with a degree in composition from California State University, Long Beach.
Alice Oueijan
Associate Mental Health Counselor
Alice Nicole Oueijan, is a School-Based Family Counseling Graduate Student at California State University, Los Angeles. She earned her Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and her Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Long Beach City College. She is currently receiving her Master’s in Counseling, completing both her School Counseling credential and licensure to practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Teachers
Daniel Avery
Math Teacher
Daniel comes to IVA High after spending years in education—first as a private tutor and then as a teacher. He received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his Master’s in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University.
Michelle Bennawy
English Teacher, English Language Support
Ms. Bennawy holds a BA in History from California State University, Northridge and teaching credentials in Social Sciences and English Language Arts.
Serena Buie
English Teacher
Serena received her BA in English from Westmont College and worked at a mental health treatment center for teens and then at IVA Middle School for several years before going to CSULB for her credential.
Ollie Cigliano
Resource Specialist II
Ms. Ollie George Cigliano is a private chef, food educator, fully credentialed Education Specialist Mild to Moderate II, ELL & Autism Authorization, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks Llc, based in Long Beach, California.
Jose Pinzon
Social Science, Spanish Teacher
Jose is a native of Long Beach, and a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in History. He has over 6 years of classroom experience, having first started as a migrant education tutor/translator, and later as a teacher at We the People High School.
Hector Martinez
Science Teacher
Hector Martinez completed undergrad at CSU Dominguez Hills in Health Science. He is currently enrolled at Alliant International University completing a Master’s in Education and clearing his credential in Foundational Science.
Dustin Schmidt
Associate Director of Curriculum and Humanities Teacher
Dustin has a BA in Philosophy from Reed College, and earned his Master’s Degree and Doctoral Candidacy in Philosophy at University of Washington, Seattle. Throughout his academic career, and has been devoted to engaging K-12 students on a variety of topics in the humanities and philosophy.