Linda Vista Adventist
Elementary School
Meet The LVAES Team
Kindergarten
5-8 Bible & Math
NJHS Advisor
Lois DeWitt
Mrs. DeWitt teaches kindergarten in the morning and middle school science and Bible in the afternoon.
Mrs. DeWitt has been teaching for 25 years. After receiving her degree from the University of Guam, she has taught multiple grade levels from kindergarten to 8th grade in both the public and private sectors. Her personality, experience, and skills are well-suited for helping children to joyfully discover more about Christ, their world, each other, and themselves in a deeply encouraging and caring manner.
Spanish Immersion
Sandra Haynes
Mrs. Haynes teaches the Spanish immersion portion of our kindergarten program.
She was raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, and lives in Moorpark with her husband, two sons, and their dog Ranger. Working with children for the past 10 years has been a very joyful and rewarding journey in Mrs. Haynes' life, and it is her passion as a Christian educator to teach children in a loving, caring, and respectful environment where they can feel accepted and loved the same way Jesus, our savior, loves us. She is full of energy and joy as she finds ways creative ways to make language learning fun.
1st/2nd Grades
Renee Aguilar
Mrs. Aguilar was born and raised in Oxnard, California and grew up just down the street from Linda Adventist Elementary School. She attended Newbury Park Adventist Academy, and then received her teaching credentials from California Lutheran University. She has been teaching at LVAES since 2004. She loves the outdoors and enjoy camping, hiking and skiing.
3rd/4th Grades
Sarah Gitter
sgitter@lvaes.org
Sarah Gitter teaches 3rd-4th grades. She has taught for the past 25 years in some of the most beautiful places in California, Washington, and Oregon. She is a master teacher who loves teaching and has even taught at the university level, teaching teachers how to teach. Her teaching focuses on making learning achievable, practical, hands-on, and engaging while helping students understand and express how they learn best. She loves finding creative ways to incorporate reading and writing into all areas of learning. Mrs. Gitter’s most cherished goal is to help her students meet Jesus as a personal Friend and Savior who cares about them and seeks to be in a relationship with them. She hopes that her students will grow academically stronger, more excited about learning, and more reliant on Jesus each day.
In her free time, Mrs. Gitter loves to keep busy in her flower garden, reading, crocheting, and taking walks with her two dogs, Jack and Bo. She has been married to her best friend, Jason, for 25 years. They enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and all kinds of adventures in the great outdoors and have two college-aged daughters.
5th/6th Homeroom
Humanities
Molly Pantoja
mgram@lvaes.org
Molly Pantoja teaches middle school humanities. Mrs. Pantoja is an alumna of Linda Vista, attending here from kindergarten through eighth grade. During her time at Linda Vista, she thrived in the pertorming arts program and was the drama teacher’s “protégé,” helping to choreograph some of our productions. After graduating from Newbury Park Adventist Academy, she attended La Sierra University, where she gained attention from schools throughout the Pacific Union Conference as a future teacher prospect.
7th/8th Homeroom
Math & STEAM Lab
Principal
Heidi Pennock
principal@lvaes.org
Mrs. Pennock was part of the Linda Vista family for many years before joining our teaching team as a teacher. Now she has stepped up into the role of principal and 7th and 8th grade homeroom. She loves to bring learning alive through fun and creative hands-on activities and has a passion for guiding children in developing a personal walk with Jesus. An excellent robotics coach, she was named the North American Division Robotics Coach of the Year is 2022. She lives in Camarillo with her husband and three children.
Music Department
Advanced Band
Beginners Band
One Voice
Will DeWitt
wdewitt@lvaes.org
Mr. DeWitt brings experience and passion to the band students he works with. His student ensembles have travelled the globe. From the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall to Westminster Abbey and beyond, performances at two Olympic Games and international music festivals have earned glowing reviews and numerous awards.
Among the hallmarks of his teaching are an emphasis on music literacy and ensemble unity. With an M.A. in Music Education (Rutgers), Mr DeWitt engages LVAES students in the joy of learning and acquiring musical skill for the purpose of paying it forward.
Physical Education
1st-8th Grades
Mrs. DeMoss is a proud mother of three who has enjoyed many years of teaching P.E. and encouraging students to stay active and confident. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, reading and coaching girls basketball. She enjoys working with kids and helping them discover the joy of learning, teamwork and being active!
Administrative Assistant
Dulce Serrano
dzavala@lvaes.org
Mrs. Dulce is an alumnus of Linda Vista. She is a Ventura County native and strongly believes in Adventist education. She gained her bachelor's in dental hygiene from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Both of her children assist LVAES. She greatly enjoys giving back to her alma mater. When she is not working on our social media, giving campus tours, answering phones, or working in the office, she loves to go to Disneyland with her family and enjoys long walks.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Teachers' Aide
Lilly Tryer
ltryer@lvaes.org
Miss Lilly was born and raised in California and attended Linda Vista Adventist Elementary school as well as Newbury Park Adventist Academy. She has worked at Linda Vista for over 23 years. She loves music and reading.
Registrar
After School Care
Lisa Andrade
landrade@lvaes.org
Mrs. Andrade was born in Ventura, California. She attended Ventura College where she earned a Certificate in Child Development and Clerical. She has two children that both attended Linda Vista and have graduated from Adventist universities. When not at Linda Vista, she enjoys spending time with her family and cooking.
