Administrators

COVA’s administrators have extensive experience in serving public and private enterprise. Together they provide a strong backbone for the day-to-day operations of the Colorado Virtual Academy.

Dr. Cassandra Carr, Head of School
This is Dr. Carr’s first year with COVA. Over her education career, she has served in numerous capacities, from the classroom to working on district, regional, and state level education teams. Before working with COVA, Dr. Carr served as both a middle school principal in Texas and high school principal in North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts from the University of Louisiana and has a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Carr has taught students in grades 7-12 and has also served as a school district coordinator for secondary student interventions. In addition, she spent several years as an instructor and content curriculum writer for the Region IV Educational Service Center’s Teacher and Principal Alternative Certification Program. Dr. Carr is excited about her decision to join COVA and the opportunity help fulfill the COVA school mission to be a “public school, that brings alive an individual, content-rich curriculum to students, supported by highly skilled teachers in partnership in parents.”

Dr. Kathryn Knox, Director of School Improvement
Kathryn Knox is delighted to be part of this vibrant community of students, parents, and teachers dedicated to learning. She has twenty-five years of experience in diverse areas of education, including university, online, and public charter. She is in her seventh year with COVA. In addition to being COVA’s K-12 School Improvement Administrator, Dr. Knox has been Assistant Head of School, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and K-8 Principal. This year, as part of improvement initiatives, she oversees school accountability and accreditation and special services. Dr. Knox has been a junior high English and French teacher, an ESL instructor, and a writing instructor in Japan. She also worked at Colorado State University in three different departments, including Project Promise. Her master’s degree is in linguistics and ESL; her doctorate from CSU is in teacher education and staff development. She has also been a school and principal professional developer, a Core Knowledge trainer, and a national Quantum Learning professional developer.

Abe Barela, Finance and Operations Manager
Abe is entering his fourth year as finance and operations manager. He graduated from National American University with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Abe has worked as a financial auditor and with school districts and other local municipalities. He has more than 10 years of experience in public and not-for-profit accounting and financial reporting.

Melyssa Dominguez, Family Support Coordinator
Melyssa has more than 20 years of experience in education. She has directed children’s programs, taught reading and math, and consulted to the education industry. She has been with COVA since the school’s inception in the fall of 2001. Ms. Dominguez earned a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She is a licensed teacher in Colorado and has homeschooled her two children since 1998.

Stacy Altman, Special Education Manager
Stacy Altman is entering her second year as special education manager for COVA; previously, she was a special education teacher for COVA for three years. She graduated from Metropolitan State College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in special education. Stacy worked for Denver Public Schools for five years. Her experience in education includes working as a paraprofessional, running a truancy project for middle school students, and teaching in a classroom for students with emotional disabilities. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a master's degree in special education with an emphasis in severe affective needs. She also holds a Generalist Endorsement.

Heidi Heineke, Director/Principal of High School
Heidi has more than seventeen years of experience in education, working with students of all ages and ability levels. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and teaching credentials from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, focusing on curriculum and assessment, and received her principal credentials from the University of Denver. Since joining COVA in its second year Ms. Heineke has served as a teacher, assessment coordinator, gifted and talented coordinator, and director of assessment and accountability. She is proud to be part of the high school team, paving the way for students to receive a quality education and high school experience.

Nikki Hofmann, K-8 Principal
Nikki Hofmann has been working with K12 virtual academies since 2002, serving in numerous capacities for K12 and Arizona Virtual Academy. Nikki has served as a K-8 teacher, was part of the executive leadership team for the last three years, and worked directly with new staff and returning teachers when additional training was required. She directed and actively participated in retention, orientation and enrollment efforts for grades K-12, served as special projects coordinator; and has worked with several other virtual academies and programs to help determine best practices, procedures, and policies. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education with an endorsement in middle school education from the University of Northern Iowa, a well-known teacher-training university. Nikki is currently an M.Ed. candidate at Grand Canyon University in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Nikki loves working within the virtual academies and is excited to work at Colorado Virtual Academy. She is dedicated to providing families with the best public education available.

Jessica McAllister, K-8 Teacher Support
Jessica McAllister attended Colorado State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Spanish. Soon after graduation, she pursued a career in education, and received an M.A. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in educational technology. She was able to apply her learning in class to a group of third graders. Jessica taught third grade for three years in a Core Knowledge setting and found that the curriculum aligned extremely well with her educational philosophy. With the similarities of Core Knowledge and K¹², coupled with her experience with educational technology, it is with great enthusiasm that she embarks upon this, her fourth year as a virtual teacher with COVA.

Lisa Weaver, Special Services Coordinator
Lisa Weaver is passionate about equipping families to successfully educate their children at home. Her new position as special services coordinator will allow her to utilize the skills and experiences she has obtained throughout the years. She has a degree in supervision and a master's level teaching license. She has taught in public, private, and the home environment for over 20 years. She is trained in dyslexia, AD/HD, and RTI. Lisa is thankful to have the opportunity to serve the COVA families who participate in the special services we offer at COVA: Barton Reading and Spelling Program, GATE, ELL, RTI, and 504 support.

Donna Heinrich, K-8 Assistant Director
Donna Heinrich has more than 19 years of public education experience. She has supported students of all ages and ability levels in Maryland, California, and Colorado. Donna holds a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction from California State University-Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loma Linda University. Her education experience also includes serving two years as a supervisor for student teachers in the Teacher Education Program at UCCS, and involvement in tasks related to strategic planning and administration. Donna is embarking on her eighth year with COVA. During her years at COVA she has served as a teacher, reading specialist, and K-5 lead reading coordinator. She earned her Colorado principal license in 2003 and is thrilled to support the K-8 team in ensuring that COVA remains a strong, viable education option for students.