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Heritage Christian School Staff - 2009/2010

Preschool

Tammy Land
Director - Early Childhood Education

Mrs. Land has over 25 years experience working with and teaching children. She received her Early Childhood Teaching credentials from Saddleback College. Mrs. Land grew up in a Christian household and accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at age 12. She and her husband Scott have three beautiful daughters, Britney, Amber and Emily. Mrs. Land’s love for children has always kept her in the Childcare industry and she considers it a privilege and a great blessing to be a part of Heritage Christian School. Her personal goal at Heritage is to build a program that glorifies God in everything we do, to touch the hearts and celebrate the lives of these young children that God has put in her care.

Mary Rodriguez
Preschool Teacher

Mary attended Saddleback College and Cal State Long Beach as a Speech Communications major, and she is continuing her education in Early Childhood studies at Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College. Mary has taught 4 year-old preschool classes, as well as two years of Kindergarten at a private school in Riverside. After many years in the corporate world, Mary followed her heart and God's calling back into teaching. Mary was raised in a strong Christian home and gave her life to Christ as a teen. She taught Sunday school at every church she attended, and is currently a small group leader and research volunteer for Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. When she is not working, you will most likely find her spending time with her family. Mary feels that her work here at Heritage is an answer to prayer, and she enjoys every minute she spends with "her kids" here at Heritage.

Kim Buhl
Preschool Teacher

Kim earned her Early Childhood teaching credentials from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Miss Kim has taught Preschool at Newport United Methodist Preschool, Christ Church Children’s Center and most recently at Capo Beach Calvary Preschool. Kim joined us at Heritage in 2010 as a Teacher in our wonderful two year old class. Miss Kim lives in San Clemente with her husband Michael and their two children Emme and Kaleb, both attend HCS as well. Miss Kim attends church at Shoreline Church of San Clemente and she considers it a joy to be able to come to work everyday and share God’s love with all of the children.

Lorena Casillas
Preschool Teacher

Lorena obtained her Preschool teacher’s Certificate from Cerritos College in 1992 and has been teaching Preschool every since. Her most recent locations include Carden Children’s Academy and KinderCare Learning Center. Lorena loves teaching children and feels it is the Lords calling for her in her life. Lorena has been teaching our three year old class at Heritage Christian Preschool since our very beginning year in 2007-2008. Lorena lives in Mission Viejo with her husband and two children. She attends church and small group bible study at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.

Carrie Navarro
Preschool Teacher

Carrie obtained her Preschool teaching credentials from Saddleback College and has been teaching Preschool for the last14 years. Carries previous experience in teaching includes 8 years at St. Mary and All Angels followed by a year at Childbridge Christian and a year at Carden Children's Academy. Carrie has been teaching the young fours preschool class at Heritage Christian Preschool since we opened in 2007. Carrie has lived her entire life in South Orange County and has three wonderful children; Daniel, Nicholas, and Megan. Carries family attends Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. Carrie loves teaching young children and is very excited to be part of Heritage Christian School.

Lisa Timm
Preschool Teacher

Lisa graduated from Azusa Pacific University and earned her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. Lisa has successfully taught elementary school children for over 10 years. She took three years off to be a mommy and now is happy teaching junior kindergarten at Heritage Christian School. Lisa was raised in a Christian home and at an early age found Christ. Lisa’s father was a youth pastor and she has been involved in church her whole life. Lisa and her family are members of Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo where she has been involved in MOPS, women’s bible studies, children’s Sunday school and Home Group. When Lisa is not at work she loves spending time with her husband and two children. Harrison and Jack, both attend HCS. Lisa feels very blessed to be part of Heritage Christian School.

Amber R. Puckett
Preschool Assistant Teacher

Amber is currently a Freshman at Saddleback College, taking her General Education classes as well as Early Childhood Education classes. Amber has been with Heritage Christian School from the very beginning. She worked as an Assistant in our Summer Camp program during the summer of 2007 and as a child care worker in the Fall. Amber is currently employed in our Preschool as an Assistant Teacher. Amber was raised in a Christian household and accepted Christ into her heart a young child. Amber has a passion for children and for Christian education and she looks forward to continuing her teaching career at Heritage Christian School.

Kevin M Pierce
Preschool Assistant

Kevin is currently attending Saddleback College where he is completing his General Education as well as taking classes in Early Childhood Education. Kevin began working at Heritage in 2008 as an after school child care teacher and assistant football coach. In 2009 Kevin began working with the Heritage Preschool as a teachers Assistant. Kevin is an avid Football player and watcher. He began playing football when he was a very young boy and finished his high school career on the very competitive Varsity team at Trabuco Hills High School. Kevin has been a Christian for the majority of his life. He grew up in a Christian home surrounded by a strong loving Christian family. Kevin currently attends church at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.

Morgan Hardridge
Preschool Aide

Morgan began working at Heritage Christian Preschool in the Fall of 2008 as a Teacher’s Adie in. She is currently taking General Education classes at Saddleback College. Morgan lives in Mission Viejo and attends church at Christ Our Redeemer Church in Irvine. Morgan loves working with children and teaching them about Jesus. Morgan intends to be a part of the Heritage team for many, many years.

Annette Picard
Preschool Aide

Annette earned her B.S. in Psychology from U.C.Irvine. In the past Annette has worked with special education children and adults as an Instructional Assistant. Annette and her family attend church at Mission Hills Church where she teaches the 2 & 3 year-old children Sunday school. Annette also enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and going to Bible Study. She feels very blessed to be a Preschool Assistant at Heritage Christian School.



Elementary/Jr. High School

Caryn Doyle
Kindergarten Teacher

Caryn has attended college at Orange Coast College and Cal State Fullerton as an Early Childhood Major. She has taught Preschool, PreKindergarten and Kindergarten. Caryn had the opportunity to homeschool her own children for many years. She has been a Christian since her Junior year in High School and has taught several Women's and Children's Bible Studies. She has been attending Saddleback Church for 10 years, has been involved in their counseling ministry and leads a Women's small group at her home. In her spare time she enjoys doing things with her family, running and being outdoors. She is overjoyed at the privilege she has been given to teach at Heritage Christian School

Marti Adams
First Grade Teacher

Since 1970, I have had the privilege of teaching children in several capacities: including working in the YMCA, teaching swimming, volunteering at the Crippled Children’s Society, and teaching Sunday school/VBS for 14 years. I attended University of Redlands, I then attended UCLA, and graduated from University of Redlands. After graduating, I entered the Reading Specialist Master’s Program at Cal State Fullerton. In addition to school, I taught 6th grade in Yorba Linda. I began teaching in the Capistrano Unified School District in 1983, as a substitute teacher. I have taught grades Kindergarten through 12th. Four years ago, God decided to redirect my path and brought me from public education to teaching in Christian schools. Last year, I had the privilege of being part of Mr. Gay’s staff -teaching Kindergarten- and opening Heritage Christian School. I hold a Clear Multiple Subject Credential and after three years earned a Reading Instruction Certificate through the CUSD. As a teacher for over 20 years, and accepting Christ as my personal Savior over 38 years ago, my goal has been to use the gifts and talents God has given me to make an impact on each child in the classroom. Most importantly, I strive to seek each child’s potential and let God use me as “His coach” to help them succeed and grow closer to Him.

Rebecca Hayes
2nd/3rd Grade Combo

Rebecca Hayes graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and History. She recently graduated with a Master's Degree in Theology & Christian Education. She holds both a Life-Time Kindergarten-Eight Grade Teaching Credential and a ACSI Credential. She has taught in grades 1-4 for over 26 years. While teaching in a St. Louis, Missouri inner-city school she taught a second-third grade combo class. Rebecca is called to the teaching ministry and to Heritage Christian School. She feels that every child is a gift from God and loves involving children in missions work. Her desire is to help each child reach the potential that God has placed within them.

Terri Stoop
4th/5th Grade Combo

Terri Stoop has been teaching elementary school for six years. Prior to that she worked as a resource teacher and a preschool teacher. Terri has a degree in Child Development and a California Clear Credential from California State, Fullerton. She also has a credential from ACSI. Terri believes that each child is a unique gift from God and she looks forward to the privilege of having your child in her classroom.

Miss Barnes
4th/5th Grade Combo / K - 8th Art

Robin Barnes is currently teaching 4th and 5th grade combination class with Mrs. Stoop and Art to grades K through 8. Miss Barnes received her undergraduate degree from California State University of Long Beach majoring in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design. Shortly there after, she obtained her teaching credential followed by a MA degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in Irvine. Miss Barnes has experience working with children needing extra support in academic intervention services, such as the Title One program provided in the public school system. Miss Barnes enjoys art, riding horses, going to church, spending time with friends and family, and providing a positive, engaging, Christ-centered environment for each and every student in her classes.

Wendy Luttinen
6th Grade

Wendy Luttinen has had 18 years teaching experience in both public and private education. She earned her BA in English from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington. She graduated from the University of Washington with her MA in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Writer’s Workshop. She is ACSI certified with a life-time membership.

Emily Updegraff
Jr. High - History/Spanish

Emily Updegraff has a passion for Jr. High kids. She has been a teacher at the Jr. High level for the last four years. She has taught World History, United States History, Spanish, and has coached two Tri-Way League Championship Volleyball Teams. She has always dedicated herself to education. Emily received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Hope International University and is credentialed by ACSI.

Catherine Doretti
Teacher’s Aid

Catherine received her B.S. in Education at Michigan State University in 1981 and performed social work in the State. For several years she was a clinician and middle management in full time day care for physically and mentally handicapped adults. After marrying she worked in child development with pre-school children, taught Sunday School, was an Awana leader, before home schooling her own children through the fourth grade. She loves reading in her “spare” time.

Daniel Lee
Jr. High Math and Bible Teacher

I grew up in a Christian home and have been attending Saddleback Church for the past 21 years. I also attend a small group that has met for the past six years. My faith in Christ is my primary motivation in all that I do. I was home schooled as a child through 8th grade. I then went to the local school and played football, basketball and baseball. I then went on to community college before I transferred to Cal State Fullerton where I received my degree in Psychology. Currently, I am married to my wife Samantha of four years and we have one daughter, who is almost 2 years old, and one more on the way. Samantha works as a nurse at Saddleback Memorial Hospital. I have been in Christian education for the past 6 years. I am extremely honored to be a part of your child’s future.

Oscar Montecinos
Phys. Ed Teacher

Oscar Montecinos graduated with a double major in Criminal Justice and History/Political Science at Greenville Christian College in Illinois where he was the captain of the football team and point guard for the basketball team. He is currently attending graduate school and will receive his Masters Degree in Education next Fall. Oscar is finishing up his teaching credential and is looking forward to be teaching high school history.
He has worked with Mr. George Gay for the past 5 years in the following capacities: Athletic Director, Day Care Director & Physical Education.
Oscar is also a Coach for his alma mater, San Clemente High School Basketball Program.

Robin Romero
6th Grade & Jr. High Science / Fitness Teacher

Robin Romero completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of La Verne. After working a few years for a large corporation, she felt called to pursue a career in teaching. Robin went back to the University of La Verne where she completed a Masters Degree in Education. Robin has taught in the public school system, as well as, in Christian ministries, serving as the Preschool Ministry Leader for Lake City Community Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Having recently returned to her roots in California, Robin has committed to continuing in the classroom as a middle school teacher. Robin is married to Stephen (10 years) and has two girls, Charlotte (8) and Claire (6). Both girls attend HCS.

Myrna Brito
Computer Lab

Myrna Brito earned her Bachelors degree from California State University, Los Angeles in Liberal Studies. She has a ministerial background that has included serving in ministry alongside her husband for over fifteen years. Much of this service has been in an area that she has a lot of passion for—children’s ministry. Her professional background includes working in human resources and office management. During her professional career she always desired to work with children in a professional setting and found a way by becoming a teacher. This has allowed her to serve children in a ministerial, as well as a professional setting. She considers this pairing of ministry with professional career in her service to children a blessing from God and acknowledges that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. She feels honored to be able to take all of her years of experience with computers and her love of teaching children and fuse the two as she teaches the computer courses at Heritage Christian School.

Edie Gay
School Secretary

Edie Gay has her A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education. She has served in ministry along side her husband for the last 15 years. She has been married to George for 32 wonderful years. They have 4 beautiful daughters and three amazing son-in-laws. She enjoys spending time with her 5 adoring grand children and cooking for her entire family and friends. She counts it a joy and privilege to be working at Heritage Christian School. When she is not working in the office you may find her in the kitchen whipping up some of her famous “Fresh and Spicy” salsa for the salsa company that she and her son-in-law David have started.

Jennifer Gaynor
Financial Administrator
Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Gaynor received her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development from Cal State University Fullerton in 1993. She and her husband, Joe, have been married for 16 years and are raising their three children, Lauren (12), Ryan (10), and Emily (5), in Lake Forest, California. All three of her children attend Heritage Christian School. Jennifer has worked as an Office Manager for the past 15 years and recently joined the Heritage Christian School staff as their Financial Administrator. Jennifer has been a Christian for 14 years and over those years, she has been very involved in various church ministries and Christian school activities. Jennifer truly has a heart for people and loves the Lord with all her heart!