Our Admin Team

Heidi Gasca

Executive Director
hgasca@excelacademy.education

Heidi knew she wanted to be in education the minute she stepped into a classroom following college graduation. Following her graduation from UC San Diego with a B.A. in Communications, she went on to receive a multiple subject teaching credential from UC Irvine and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.
She started her career in education in 1997 in Irvine Unified School District. From there she worked in Capistrano Unified for eight years before moving to the charter world. Heidi has held a variety of roles in charter schools since 201o and is now the Executive Director of Excel Academy Charter Schools authorized in San Diego and San Bernardino counties. Excel Academy is a non classroom based personalized learning charter school with 1,920 students and an incredibly dedicated staff.

Heidi is a proud member of the APlus+ Advisory Council and ACSA, region 18. In addition, she enjoys being actively involved in professional organizations such as CSDC and CCSA to support charter school development. She contributes much of her professional development to an incredible network of NCB charter leaders throughout California. Heidi is passionate about the power of positive leadership and enjoys reading books by Jon Gordon and Simon Sineck. Her favorite quote this year is; "You will be exactly as happy as you decide to be."

In her free time, Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband, three daughters, family and friends. Heidi lives in Orange County close to the Excel Academy administrative office in Irvine. If you're ever by Irvine Spectrum stop on in!

Keri Schneeweiss

Assistant Director of Operations
kschneeweiss@excelacademy.education

Keri has been involved in the charter school world since the beginning of her teaching career. After teaching 1st grade in a brick and mortar charter school in Palos Verdes, she moved to Orange County and worked in the traditional setting for 6 years as a Kindergarten and second grade teacher. Since then, she has been working in this independent study model for the past 11 years. Over the years, Keri has had the opportunity to work as a teacher, online teacher, mentor, assessment coordinator, vendor lead and assistant director.

Jenny Craig

Assistant Director of Assessment & Special Programs
jcraig@excelacademy.education

Jenny graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with specializations in Diversified Liberal Arts and Education at UCLA. She then earned her multiple subject teaching credential and CLAD certification from California State University, Long Beach. Jenny started her teaching career teaching second grade and has been at Excel Academy Charter School since 2014. She has had various roles; a Teacher of Record, Curriculum Coordinator, Assessment Lead, and is currently the Assistant Director of Assessment and Special Programs. Jenny is passionate about education and believes all students have the ability to be lifelong learners when they are provided with the necessary support and guidance.

Lara Ulmer

Assistant Director of Special Education
lulmer@excelacademy.education

Lara grew up in Dana Point, California and has spent the greater part of her adult life supporting students with diverse needs. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Widener University, she began working with a nonprofit organization providing social-emotional, behavioral and wraparound support to students in Cecil County, Maryland. This experience sparked a passion that led her to graduate work in Educational Psychology at UNLV. For the past 16 years Lara has served in various roles including School Psychologist, SELPA Liaison, and Special Education administrator. As the Director of Special Education she seeks to recruit, train, and support a highly skilled team of special educators to provide vital services to students with unique educational needs.

Laurie Campbell

Principal
lcampbell@excelacademy.education

Laurie earned a bachelor of science degree in Organizational Leadership from Biola University, a Masters of Education from National University, a California administrative services credential, a multiple subject teaching credential, and two single subject teaching credentials in social studies and business. Having taught in both public charter and private schools as well as homeschooling her own children, Laurie is a proponent of parents’ choice in education. As principal of Excel Academy, she is passionate about partnering with families to make sure that every child consistently learns at high levels and that students are well supported in being successful academically, socially, and emotionally.