Board of Directors

Terri Childs

terri.childs@roavc.com

Terri Childs, a 14 year resident of Thousand Oaks, has actively supported public education through volunteer teaching, chairing PTA art programs and serving on several PTA boards. She’s spent the last six years serving on the Board of Directors for Bridges Charter School, including five years as Board President. After receiving her MBA from Southern Methodist University, Terri worked for more than 20 years in high technology marketing and corporate communications. She also graduated cum laude from Pomona College with a BA in Sociology. Terri and her husband Larry have two sons: Jeremy, a recent graduate of Occidental College and now a reporter for the Ventura County Star; and Jamie, a junior at the University of Redlands.

Carrie Van Acker

carrie.vanacker@roavc.com

Hello, my name is Carrie Van Acker and I have a son here at ROA who has just started high school. Our journey at ROA began when he was in 5th grade. For years Christian begged us to homeschool him, but we didn't see this in our horizon. Luckily, we fell upon River Oaks (after a year of research on many homeschool programs) and decided to give it a try. We are going on our 5th year and could not be more grateful for this independent study program. Our son is not just getting by but thriving.

I am applying for the parent school board position in order to continue the voice of all the ROA parents who love this program and would like ROA to continue to be a viable option for our children.

My background is a Child Clinical Psychologist who worked in community mental health. The last five years I have dedicated my time to my son’s education. As Christian grows in independence, and doesn’t need me as much, this allows me time to volunteer for the school board. I ask for your consideration in voting for me to fill this position.

Brittany Slavin

brittany.slavin@roavc.com

Brittany grew up in Westlake Village, California and graduated from the University of California Davis (UCD) with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. With this passion for science and for helping others, Brittany then went on to Nursing School and became a Registered Nurse in 2013. She spent time volunteering with youth and teens at Wind Youth Services in Sacramento, a program that provides supportive services and opportunities to youth experiencing homelessness as they pursue self-determined lives of stability and independence. Brittany currently resides in Thousand Oaks, holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing, and works as an RN at Saint John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

Benny Martinez

benny.martinez@roavc.com

Benny Martinez is a life-long resident of Ventura County and has spent the majority of his career in public school finance. He recently retired from the Ventura County Schools Business Services Authority, serving as the Director of School Business Services. During his 10-year tenure, Benny successfully managed 6 charters schools in the County, including the finances of River Oaks Academy (ROA). Benny is an expert in non-classroom-based funding and understands the adversity facing charter schools today. Benny will bring his years of experience and his unique perspective to the board, ensuring that ROA will continue to be financially stable while fighting for the equity of all independent study students in the State of California, especially since most of his grandchildren are homeschoolers!

Kimberly Perosio

kimberly.perosio@roavc.com

Born and raised in California, with a heart for adventure and a mind for our future. I have been a Stay-at-Home mother for 18 years to two amazing sets of twins, aged 19 and 9. My older children experienced the majority of their education through Oak Park and Conejo Valley Unified School Districts, finally transferring over to River Oaks in their upper-class years. My daughter graduated at age 16 and my son was part of the SpEd IEP program. My youngest children are currently enrolled at River Oaks, about to finish their fourth year.

I have always had a passion for education and self-improvement. Having worked full- time while attending night school and being an active member of the Coast Guard
Reserves in my 20's, I believe in action to follow your goals. With a military career and a Network Engineering degree in hand, life had chosen another path for me. My son was born with Down Syndrome. I saw it as a new and exciting, unknown and challenging, opportunity to explore and concur. 

Fast forward to the pandemic and yet another curve ball. I embraced the shutdown with excitement for change and an opportunity to, once again, learn and concur. Homeschool. From a life of experiences, I have to say, joining the River Oaks Academy has been my most rewarding and favorite. Spending my days watching my kids learn new concepts or tasks, being able to teach them with a spark of interest and fun, to see them be excited, day after day to start something new or finish their current lesson, having complete strangers on our travels ask about their education and compliment them for "their age", is something that I am honored to be a part of. 

Through this journey I have learned, lived, and am continuously reminded that each human and every path is different. They are unique. Our children are unique. Each one of them, and River Oaks gives us an honored opportunity to share in this adventure. To help continue to support and create a safe and special experience for each child and family.

I am grateful to be considered to be an even bigger part of the River Oaks Family.