Our Team
The Dedicated Hearts Behind the Mission
A collective of passionate volunteers leveraging professional skills to uplift every student.
Eleanor Vance, PTO President and Community Liaison
Eleanor Vance is a seasoned community organizer and former non-profit development director with over fifteen years of experience in strategic planning and volunteer management, bringing a powerful blend of professional expertise and maternal dedication to her role as PTO President. Since her child began attending CCAA three years ago, Eleanor has been a driving force, restructuring the PTO’s annual fundraising campaign to incorporate digital giving and corporate matching programs, resulting in a 40% increase in annual funds raised in her first year. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and believes deeply in the democratic process of the PTO, ensuring that every parent’s voice is heard and that all funds are allocated with equitable consideration for every arts discipline, from the smallest kindergarten painting class to the high school media lab. Her warm, yet decisive, leadership style is instrumental in bridging the needs of the faculty with the resources of the parent body, making her a highly effective and respected advocate for arts education within the Creative Connections community.
David Chen, Treasurer and Financial Strategist
As the PTO’s Treasurer, David Chen brings a meticulous approach and professional background as a certified public accountant (CPA) to the organization’s financial oversight, ensuring complete transparency and fiscal health. David manages the PTO’s budget, overseeing all disbursements for curriculum materials, teacher grants, and event funding, and is responsible for preparing the annual financial reports that are shared transparently with the entire CCAA community. His commitment to the mission extends beyond simple bookkeeping; he actively works with the fundraising committee to develop financial modeling for multi-year capital projects, allowing the PTO to confidently budget for large-scale purchases, such as new stage lighting or digital film editing suites. David’s two children are actively involved in the CCAA theatre and band programs, giving him a deeply personal stake in ensuring that every arts program receives the funding it needs to thrive, making his expertise an invaluable asset to the sustainability of the Academy’s enrichment offerings.
Sofia Rodriguez, Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator
Sofia Rodriguez serves as the crucial organizational hub for the PTO, managing all internal communications, documentation, and, most importantly, the Academy’s vast network of dedicated volunteers. Her background in Human Resources and logistical coordination is evident in the streamlined efficiency of the PTO’s operations, from managing the minutes of monthly board meetings to creating a user-friendly system for parent sign-ups for events, classroom assistance, and field trip chaperoning. Sofia understands that time is the most valuable donation a parent can give, and she works tirelessly to ensure that every volunteer placement is meaningful, respectful of the individual’s schedule, and directly contributes to the student experience. She maintains a positive, encouraging demeanor that fosters a strong sense of teamwork among the parent body, effectively translating hundreds of individual volunteer hours into seamless logistical support for every major performance, art showcase, and school-wide assembly at Creative Connections Arts Academy.
Benjamin Hayes, Faculty Liaison and Curriculum Advisor
Benjamin Hayes is a dedicated CCAA High School art instructor specializing in sculpture and 3D design, and he serves as the vital link between the PTO board and the school’s faculty and administration. His primary role is to ensure that the PTO’s fundraising efforts and volunteer allocations are precisely aligned with pedagogical needs and curricular goals, translating the wish lists of teachers into actionable projects for the parent organization. With over twenty years in arts education, Benjamin provides the board with crucial insights into the evolving requirements of an arts curriculum, from the need for advanced ceramic kilns to professional development opportunities for teachers in new media arts. His unique perspective ensures that the PTO is always operating in direct support of the educational mission, preventing resource misalignment and guaranteeing that the funds raised immediately impact the classroom experience, thereby maximizing the return on investment for the entire CCAA community.
Community & Engagement
Weaving the Arts into the Fabric of North Highlands
Family involvement is not just encouraged at Creative Connections Arts Academy; it is considered the cornerstone of our PTO’s operational success and the bedrock of a thriving school culture. We facilitate structured, meaningful involvement opportunities that respect the diverse schedules and skill sets of our families, ranging from high-commitment roles like serving on the executive board or chairing a major event, to low-commitment options like preparing materials from home or staffing a single shift at a school performance. The PTO utilizes a sophisticated communication platform to send out weekly updates and targeted requests for help, ensuring that parents can easily find roles that match their availability, whether they are a working professional with specific expertise (e.g., website design, grant writing) or a stay-at-home parent with flexible daytime availability for classroom assistance. This robust volunteer pipeline ensures that every CCAA event, from the simplest teacher appreciation lunch to the most complex annual gala, is staffed by enthusiastic, prepared, and informed parents, demonstrating a visible, unified front of support for our students and faculty.
Join Us/Work With Us
Invest Your Career in Creativity and Community
While the Creative Connections Arts Academy PTO itself is an all-volunteer organization, we actively support the Academy in recruiting high-caliber individuals whose passion for the arts and dedication to student success align with our mission. The Academy, in partnership with the PTO, frequently seeks highly motivated and qualified professionals for both teaching and administrative roles, including specialized arts instructors (e.g., graphic design, orchestral music, contemporary dance) and administrative staff who can support the unique logistical demands of an arts-focused school. We are often the first point of contact for external partners who are looking to collaborate with the Academy, such as professional artists seeking paid residency opportunities or local businesses offering paid internships for high school students. If you are a certified educator with expertise in arts integration or a passionate administrator looking to join a community defined by innovation and support, we encourage you to check the CCAA careers page regularly, which we help to promote across our networks to ensure the talented individuals find their way to our Academy.