About Us...
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School (OLV) in Canoga Park has educated and nurtured students since 1948 and has graduated students who have become doctors, lawyers, teachers, and firemen. Being one of the first Catholic schools in the San Fernando Valley, OLV has a solid reputation and a teaching staff that truly cares about the academic advancement of every student.
Our Staff
Administration
- Mrs. Kristin Dornan, Principal
- Favorite Quotes: “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.” ~Mother Teresa
- Person She Admires: Franca Dornan
- Favorite Past Time: Reading/Cooking
- University Attended: UCLA/CSUN
- Number of Years Teaching: 15
- Favorite Places to Eat: Cheesecake Factory
- Favorite Places to Shop: Camarillo Outlets
- Miss. Jennifer Ratner, Vice Principal & Fifth Grade
- Favorite Quotes: “To whom much is given, much shall be required.”
- Person She Admires: My Nana
- Favorite Past Time: scrapbooking and traveling
- University Attended: bachelor’s degree from CSU, Long Beach and 2 master’s degrees from Loyola Marymount University
- Number of Years Teaching: 9
- Favorite Places to Eat: The Fish Co. and C&O’s
- Favorite Places to Shop: The Container Store
- Mrs. Blanca Benitez, Secretary
- Favorite Quotes: Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.
- Person She Admires: Mrs. Driess, Mrs. Borra
- Favorite Past Time: Shopping, Watching Soccer
- Favorite Places to Eat: Tony Roma
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy's
- Mrs. Mary Cortez, Office Assistant & Day Care Provider
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Teachers
- Mrs. Angela Boyce, Kindergarten
- Favorite Quotes: “We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, some are more popular than others- but they all have to learn to live in the same box.”
- Person She Admires: My mom because she always sees the positive in everything and is very giving to everyone.
- Favorite Past Time: Spending time with my children Sophia and Lucas.
- University Attended: Cal State University, Northridge- B.A. in Child Development & Multiple Teaching Credential; Cal Lutheran University- M.S. in School Counseling PPS Credential in K-12.
- Number of Years Teaching: 10
- Favorite Places to Eat: Maggiano’s and Wood Ranch
- Favorite Places to Shop: Express, Macy’s, and Pier 1 Imports
- Mrs. Ellen Driess, First Grade
- Favorite Quotes: "Life is what you make it, and what you make it, is up to you." - Johnny Mercer
- Person She Admires: Ellen Degeneres, for her non-offensive humor, generosity to people in great need, and her dedication to treating everyone with respect and kindness
- Favorite Past Time: Watching my grandson, John
- University Attended: BA, Loyola Marymount University; Teaching credential, UCLA
- Number of Years Teaching: 32 years (27 years have been at OLV)
- Favorite Places to Eat: Ruth's Chris Steak House
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy's
- Mrs. Erica Cope, Second Grade
- Favorite Quotes: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Plato
- Person She Admires: My mother
- Favorite Past Time: Reading and hanging out with my son
- University Attended: CSUN, UOP
- Number of Years Teaching: 4
- Favorite Places to Eat: Umami Burger, Lemonade, Leo and Lily
- Favorite Places to Shop: Nordstrom, Gap, H&M, Forever 21, Target
- Mrs. Jeane Poole, Third Grade
- Favorite Quotes: “Don't sweat the small stuff!”
- Person She Admires: My mother who is 94 years old and still volunteers in the hospital gift shop!
- Favorite Past Time: I have a new favorite past time, and it is knitting.
- University Attended: University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio
- Number of Years Teaching: I have been teaching at OLV for 16 years. I taught in a public school for 2 years and in an Environmental Education Center for 2 years in Ohio.
- Mrs. Lisa Williams, Fourth Grade
- Favorite Quotes: "This too shall pass." -Ann Smith
- Person She Admires: My parents because of their dedication to each other, their family, and their faith in God.
- Favorite Past Time: Camping and reading books
- University Attended: San Diego State University, CSUN, Cal State LA
- Number of Years Teaching: 14
- Favorite Places to Eat: Los Toros
- Favorite Places to Shop: H&M, New York & Co
- Mrs. Evette O'Donaghue, Sixth
- Favorite Quotes: “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.” ~Mother Teresa
- Person She Admires: Ronald Reagan
- Favorite Past Time: Laughing with my husband Vince and our daughters Emily and Andrea.
- University Attended: University of Southern California, CSULA, and Mount Saint Mary’s
- Number of Years Teaching: 12 years (7 years in OLV)
- Favorite Places to Eat: Cheesecake Factory, BJ’s, and Corner Bakery.
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy’s, Forever 21, and of course Target because it has everything
- Ms. Elka Zakowski, Seventh Grade
- Favorite Quotes: "Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity; they think of you."
- Person She Admires: My Parents
- Favorite Past Time: Spending time with my son and family.
- University Attended: CSUN
- Number of Years Teaching: 5
- Favorite Places to Eat: Lazy Dog Café and Los Toros
- Favorite Places to Shop: H&M, Macy’s, and Target
- Mrs. Stephanie Money, Eight Grade
- Favorite Quotes: "It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” ~John Wooden
- Person She Admires: My dad
- Favorite Past Time: Watching sports with my family
- University Attended: CSUN, University of San Francisco, Loyola Marymount University
- Number of Years Teaching: 9
- Miss Mandy Cortez, P.E. Teacher
- Favorite Quotes: There are too many.
- Person She Admires: My dad
- Favorite Past Time: Playing baseball
- Number of Years Teaching PE: 8 years
- Favorite Places to Eat: Las Fuentes
- Favorite Places to Shop: Target
- Mrs. Katy Schecter, Music Teacher
- Favorite Quotes: In music there is harmony. In harmony there is piece.
- Person She Admires: Yo-Yo Ma
- Favorite Past Time: Doing jigsaw puzzles
- University Attended: University of the Pacific, Conservatory of Music. UCLA film music
- Number of Years Teaching: 31 (21 in classroom)
- Favorite Places to Eat: Mandarin Garden, Chinese. Fast food - Del Taco & Jack in the box
- Favorite Places to Shop: Lowes
- Mrs. Anna Dornhuber, Computer Teacher
- Favorite Quotes: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present." - Bill Keane
- Person She Admires: My parents and husband.
- Favorite Past Time: Spending time with my son and family.
- University Attended: Chapman University
- Number of Years Teaching: 2
- Favorite Places to Eat: Cheesecake Factory
- Favorite Places to Shop: New York and Co. and Michaels
Support Staff
- Mrs. Lori Hubbard, Transitional Kindergarten & Classroom Aide
- Favorite Quotes: "God only give us as much as we can handle.”
- Person She Admires: My Mom
- Favorite Past Time: Going to the beach.
- University Attended: Cal State Northridge
- Number of Years Teaching: 20
- Favorite Places to Eat: Maggiano's
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy's
- Mrs. Marilou Manlapaz, Kindergarten Aide
- Favorite Quotes: "All things are possible with God"
- Person She Admires: My Mom
- Favorite Past Time: Shopping and walking along the beach.
- Number of Years Teaching: 13
- Favorite Places to Eat: Maggiano's, Stonefire, and Love Sushi
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy’s and Express
- Mrs. Beverly Borra, Librarian
- Favorite Quotes: "Take one day at a time."
- Person She Admires: My two daughters.
- Favorite Past Time: Going to Vegas and gambling. (LOL!)
- University Attended: CSDH and CSUN
- Number of Years Teaching: 36
- Favorite Places to Eat: Maria’s Italian Kitchen
- Favorite Places to Shop: Macy’s
- Mr. Rogelio Leal, Custodian
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- Mr. Daniel Sandoval, Athletic Director
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