IVA Staff

Jacquie Bryant

Founding Principal

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Jacquie Bryant, IVA's founding principal, regards personal formation and character growth and development as a primary goal in education for both students and staff. Ms. Bryant was previously an English teacher at San Pedro High School in LAUSD where she taught all levels of English Language Arts. As a teacher she appreciated classrooms where students engaged with the complexity of knowledge and awareness of their own learning at the same time. At San Pedro High, Ms. Bryant also worked as an instructional coach, helping lead professional development and the WASC accreditation process. 

While Ms. Bryant was teaching she earned a Master's in Rhetoric and Composition and a single subject credential in English from Cal State Long Beach and an Administrative credential from Cal State Dominguez Hills. 

Ms. Bryant has found value in the language of virtues and intellectual character and has become aware that language creates culture. She believes that intellectual character growth is personally meaningful for everyone involved at the school, and specifically seeks to support the culture of adults at a school as it has a direct impact on the culture of thinking that students experience. She finds meaning and purpose in the language of the virtues and its impact on teaching and learning and on her own continued intellectual character growth. 

Dama Perez

Program Administrator

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Dama Perez currently serves as Program Administrator at IVA middle school. In this role, she oversees operations and program including personnel, risk management, compliance, and student outreach.  Her love for education began while teaching middle school in South Texas. Dama is passionate about the holistic development of students and helping them cultivate a deeper connection with themselves. After teaching, she served as a Manager of Teacher Leadership Development with Teach for America, a Program Director of After-School All-Stars, and a Supervisor of Recruitment and Training in the private sector.

Dama earned her BA in Sports Medicine from Pepperdine University, a certificate of Human Resources Management from UCI, and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, going to the beach and kickboxing.

Amos Mikaele

Counselor

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Before joining IVA as the school's counselor, Amos Mikaele was advisor intern for ASPIRE, Access To Student Assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone, at Eagle Point High School in Oregon. He had been a learning specialist and interim case manager at Fit Learning, a private learning center for students with and without special needs, an instruction aide at a K-8 public primary school and an instructional aide, substitute, electives teacher and counselor intern at Aveson Global Leadership Academy in Altadena. He currently serves as a volunteer mentor and workshop facilitator for Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander youth through PILOT (Pacific Islander Leaders of Tomorrow) of EPIC (Empowering Pacific Islander Communities), a program initiative that empowers young Pacific Islander college students through cultural learning and leadership development.

Mr. Mikaele earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Southern Oregon University, where he also played football before pursuing his degree full time. He earned an MA in educational and clinical school counseling from Azusa Pacific University. He also holds a pupil personnel services credential.

"IVA’s mission offers students the skills to be successful, not only in education but in a holistic perspective. As a counselor, I often challenge individuals to work through difficulties and to thrive during their struggle. IVA creates a similar environment where students are challenged intellectually and encouraged to navigate their way within the tensions of learning by use of intellectual virtues. Students are empowered to embody these practices within their character and become equipped to overcome any obstacle. For students to exercise intellectual virtues at this critical stage of their lives serves as a larger purpose to the true meaning of education. I am truly humbled and blessed to be given the opportunity to counsel youth in a community surrounded by passionate, like-minded individuals."

Diana Bosetti

Intervention Coordinator

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Diana Bosetti earned her B.A. in Political Science from Cal State Long Beach and her J.D. from Pacific Coast University School of Law. In addition to her work at IVA, Diana is a figure skating coach at a nearby facility. Prior to joining IVA, Diana worked with the Legal Aide Foundation, providing legal assistance within the Domestic Violence Unit. Additionally, she was a business reporter at the Orange and Los Angeles Business Journals, Long Beach Business Journal, The District Weekly and The Orange County Register. Diana has two sons, (one of whom attends The Academy, IVA’s HS), and the other who plays NCAA hockey at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. In her free time, Diana enjoys climbing mountains.

Jordan Altmeyer

Office Supervisor

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Jordan came to IVA with a passion for education and learning. She aspired to be a teacher since she was 5 years old and pursued that path while completing her Bachelor's Degree in Education from California State University Channel Islands. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Spokane Washington for about 4 years where she enjoyed hiking, yoga, time in nature with friends, and chasing sunsets. During this time, she worked at a preschool, and in customer service where she gained administrative skills and experience.

"I had all but lost my passion for teaching and education until I explored IVA's website. Upon reading their Mission, Vision and Intellectual Virtues, I felt an energy and excitement for education once again. IVA's approach to learning encompasses who students are, how they think, learn, and experience growth, instead of what they know. I was inspired by IVA's teaching model and the culture of thinking that is desired, encouraged and supported. I appreciate that IVA not only focuses on character growth for their students, but for their staff and community as well."

Julia Cheybun

Administrative Assistant