About Elva

Elva is the youngest of three children born to parents who immigrated to the United States from Mexico. She was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in a tough neighborhood, but her parents instilled in her a strong belief in the power of education to overcome obstacles and achieve success. She received her teaching credential from California State University, Northridge and went on to earn a master’s degree in educational administration. She began teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2003, where she taught grades 9–12 and also served as a dean of discipline and testing coordinator. She loves that “aha” moment when students begin to make sense of new concepts. She lives in a small rural town near Lancaster, California, with her husband and two children, four dogs, three goats, and a flock of chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, camping, hiking, and gardening.