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.

Richard Intlekofer

richard.intlekofer@roavc.com

Meet Richard, an educator whose journey spans decades of dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering strong community ties. With a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Notre Dame and an MS in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University, Richard embarked on a lifelong mission to empower students. 

His credentials speak volumes, holding the State of California Single Subject Credential for Life since 1973, and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential since 1986. 

Richard's career unfolded within the Conejo Valley Unified School District, where he wore many hats. From his early days as a teacher at Sequoia Intermediate School and Newbury Park High School to his role as a mentor teacher and counselor, Richard's impact was profound. His tenure at Newbury Park High School extended for nearly three decades, during which he not only counseled students but also served as a beacon of guidance and support. 

His passion for education extended beyond traditional classrooms. As a high school counselor at River Oaks Academy Charter School, Richard continued to inspire and guide students toward their aspirations. 

Richard's commitment to education was further evident in his role as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he shared his expertise in English and Education. He also contributed significantly as the Coordinator of In-service at the South Coast Writing Project. 

Beyond his professional endeavors, Richard's heart for service shone brightly. As a fellow and consultant at the South Coast Writing Project and a volunteer at the Newbury Park High School College and Career Center, he dedicated his time to enriching educational experiences. 

His community involvement extended to serving on the Board of Managers for the Miller Family YMCA/Conejo Valley YMCA and as a member of the Newbury Park High School Scholarship Foundation. 

But what truly sets Richard apart is his unwavering compassion and dedication. Known as the most caring educator, Richard's love for working with students and parents is palpable in every interaction. His commitment to nurturing young minds and shaping futures is not just a profession but a calling—a testament to his remarkable character and profound impact on those around him. 

Richard eagerly anticipates the possibility of joining the River Oaks Academy Charter School Board of Directors. Should he be voted onto the board, he looks forward to contributing his expertise and passion for education to support the school's mission, vision and students' success. With a heart dedicated to nurturing young minds, Richard is excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with fellow board members to shape a bright future for the students of River Oaks Academy.

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.

Jennifer Berryhill

My family has a long history with River Oaks. I was previously on the board for 3 years, 2 of those as Chairman and 1 year as Vice Chair. That experience was incredibly enriching and it was amazing to see how well a board could work together to steer meaningful change. I witnessed people uniting with a deep commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students. We operated with respect for one another, creative problem-solving, and by listening deeply to the needs of students, their families, and the exceptional staff at ROA. My daughter, Sophia, graduated in May of 2018, went to Hillsdale College in Michigan, and then finished her master’s degree in nursing at Vanderbilt this year. Her experiences as a student here are fondly remembered by all of us. She was able to experiment with different interests, challenge herself academically, grow socially, and work with other students as a team to not only support the school itself but also to mentor younger students. Currently, my son Charles is an incoming Sophomore at River Oaks. He’s a gifted classical pianist with dreams of becoming a professional performing artist. We are incredibly grateful for the flexibility that ROA allows in our schedule so that he can attend lessons in Los Angeles each week and practice many hours each day when students in a traditional setting are still in classes. Wehad a3-year hiatus from California, with a move to Indiana, but returned last year because we just couldn’t stay away from the beauty and climate, but also because we knew that River Oaks would be the best place for our son to finish high school. We were so touched that everyone here welcomed us back with open arms! Currently, I work as a Health & Wellness Coach for women going through the menopause transition. My company is called Peak Menopause Coaching, LLC. I also support and guide clients going through an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or those who want to do everything they can to prevent cognitive decline. It’s very rewarding work, and I’m grateful to be able to share my skills to help find the tools they need to reach their goals and overcome some of the most difficult health-related challenges of their entire lives. I am thrilled to be back on the board of River Oaks Academy to continue the work that we started years ago and also learn about the great accomplishments the board has made in the last four years.