OFFICE STAFF
General Office Questions: (707) 253-3594
grant dinsdale: ASE Program Coordinator
Grant is a Napa native raised and educated in Napa Schools and previously taught at Napa High for 20 years. He loves cycling, reading, the great outdoors, and spending time with his family.
- M.A. Humanities, Dominican University, San Rafael
- B.A English and American Literature, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Ana Gonzalez: School Administrative Secretary
707-253-3582
Ana Gonzalez, School Administrative Secretary, is secretary to the Assistant Principal and the support go-to person for the various adult programs: ESL, Citizenship, and Adults Supporting K-12 Student Success. She also manages ordering for the school, and other large NVAE projects and events to include: Employee Handbook, The NVAE Safety Manual and oversight of Celebrating Student Success events promoting ESL students to higher levels twice a year. Ana has worked at Napa Valley Adult Education for the past 17 years. She graduated from Vintage High School with an ROP Certificate of Completion in Banking and Finance. Soon after she attended NVAE in both the ESL and CTE programs. After achieving English language proficiency she enrolled in the Administrative Office Assistant program where she gained the work skills necessary to work for NVAE. She was selected as NVAE Staff Member of the Year in 2019. Ana is a true representation of Napa Valley Adult Education success!
Suzi Grandfield: Senior Administrative Secretary
(707)259-8853
Suzi has worked for Napa Valley Unified School District since 1997. She began her career in Special Education at one of the local High Schools. In 2015, she transferred over to Napa Valley Adult Education and became their Sr. Administrative Secretary. She is responsible for NVAE’s online registration and attendance system called ASAP. I send our class reminders, orientation updates, exciting new class information, “May we be of assistance?” emails and responds to the questions from Contact Us on the ASAP Registration Page. Chances are you have heard from Suzi often. If you are having difficulty registering, you forgot the email you used, or your password, she will help you access your account and send a link so you can reset your password. In addition to maintaining and updating our registration and attendance system, she is also responsible for the reporting and data that ASAP contains. She is responsible for the configuration of our Registration and Attendance system. She creates the courses, classes, calendar, class rosters etc. All of our student information, data, attendance, transcripts, grades, reporting and more is managed through ASAP. Suzi loves working with our student population, especially when she is able to help them find the class they were looking for, or get them the information they need to get started on their journey. She looks forward to the next interaction!
Kathleen Haugen: Communications Specialist
707-253-3916
Kathleen loves her job here at Napa Valley Adult Education. She is always learning and enjoys the creativity that comes with designing and creating our catalog, ads, flyers, website, and much more. It’s her job to get your attention and show you all the amazing things that our school and its programs have to offer you. Please don’t hesitate to contact Kathleen and find the information you need to begin your learning journey.
Laurel Leonard-Brol: Supervisor of Programs, Career and Technical Education
(707) 259-8568
Laurel has worked for Napa Valley Unified School District since 1998. She supervises the Career & Technical Education program and enthusiastically develops programs that meet the needs of learners, the community, and business and industry in the Napa Valley. She is committed to helping all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to meet their academic and career goals. Education: M.A. Education and B. A. Liberal Studies, Sonoma State University Credentials: Clear Administrative Credential, Multiple Subject Clear Credential, Supervision & Coordination Credential
Educational Background:
M.A. Education & B. A. Liberal Studies, Sonoma State University
Credentials:
- Multiple Subject Clear Credential
- Designated Subjects Credential, Supervision & Coordination Credential
- Administrative Services Credential
Ely Lopez, Office Manager: Secretary to the Principal
707-253-3402 ext. 4011
Ely Aguayo has been our Office Manager since 2022. Ely has developed a strong sense of devotion to students in public education. Napa Valley Adult Education provides our community by educating and supporting adult learners to advance in their education and careers. Ely enjoys oil painting, traveling, and exploring nature.
Yolanda Montanez: Assessment Assistant
(707)253-3866
Yolanda was born in St.Helena, and raised in Napa. She graduated from NVC with an AA degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Transferred to Sonoma State University and graduated with a BA degree in Liberal Studies. She has worked at NVAE since 10/2018 as a tutor and as an Assessment Assistant since 01/2019. She loves working at NVAE because she has the opportunity to work directly with our students, help them in their education, and see their progress. She also enjoys working with such wonderful staff at NVAE.
Andy Neal: Technology Coordinator
707-259-8416
Andy takes care of all the technology on the NVAE campus and in the off-site Childcare classrooms and volunteers as our campus Safety Coordinator. Andy started with the NVUSD Technology Department in 2011 working at American Canyon High School, and was promoted to Adult Education in 2014. Andy discovered the fun and challenge of computers in college which ultimately led him to a career in IT. Andy enjoys solving technical problems, planning hardware deployment and practical safety trainings.
Nieves Ochoa: English as a Second Language Coordinator
707-259-8584
Nieves discovered her love for teaching as a tutor in the ESL Program. She has over 10 years of teaching experience. As Program Coordinator, Nieves is empathetic to the needs of the immigrant community and is humbled by the opportunity to help build a program that not only enables students to become proficient in English, but that also sets a foundation for ESL students to realize their educational and career goals,
Coleen Petersen: Principal
707-253-3594
Starting in September of 2023, Coleen Petersen is the new Principal of Napa Valley Adult Education. Coleen worked previously at the Napa County Office of Education and has been an integral part of the Adult Education Consortium. She has built strong working relationships with NVAE’s partners including Napa Valley College. Coleen brings extensive knowledge of career pathways and is a skilled and supportive leader. She looks forward to continuing to work with the team at NVAE to provide excellent opportunities for college, career, and life readiness to our adult learners in Napa County.
- Education: CSU Chico: MA Educational Leadership, BS Nursing
- Credentials: Clear Administrative Credential, Designated Subjects Teaching Credential
Ivette Picos: School Administrative Secretary
(707) 253-3594
Ivette was hired as a bilingual Senior Administrative Clerk after completing the Administrative Office Assistant Program here at NVAE in 2018. She loves the environment here at Napa Valley Adult Education! She enjoys being able to help new and returning students, assisting with various office duties and providing support to the amazing staff of this school. Currently, she is attending Napa Valley College to obtain a degree in Human Services so she can continue to help the community of this beautiful valley.
Marisela Plancarte: front office clerk
(707) 253-3594
Marisela has worked at the front desk as a bilingual front desk clerk since early 2024. She spends her weekdays taking care of children as a Health Aide at a local elementary school, then she comes to Napa Valley Adult Education in the afternoons where she works until 6:30 PM Monday through Thursday. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to help our adult students and the public with registration, or any questions that they have. We are lucky to have her as part of the Napa Valley Adult Education office team!
Byanka Ramirez: Administrative Clerk
(707) 253-3594
Like many students, Byanka came to Napa Valley Adult Education motivated to learn more and prepare herself for a better job in what she loved to do. She completed the Office Assistant Program in 2023 and after a few months, when the position became available, Byanka was hired as a Bilingual Administrative Clerk at NVAE. While working here, she is currently enrolled in our Instructional Assistant and Introduction to Human Services classes. She would love to continue with her education and have more job opportunities in the future. She is very happy to be here and to help other students achieve their goals.
Dolores Torres: Custodian
Lety Vazquez: Assessment & Accountability Assistant
707-253-3595
Lety likes working at NVAE because it gives her the opportunity to contribute to the studies and learning of many students. She also has the opportunity to meet students from different countries. She was born in Mexico and came to this beautiful city in 1982 and since then she has lived here in Napa. Lety is bilingual and loves helping our Spanish speaking students. She likes to go for a walk and enjoys knitting. In her spare time she likes to help her husband feed their goats, rabbits, and chickens.