Staff

Administration

Tammy Marshall, ES Assistant Principal

Tammy Marshall has been a teacher or administrator in Los Angeles for over 20 years. She has taught in Spain and Texas and specializes in early childhood education. Tammy is also a Spiritual Director, having graduated from Talbot Seminary’s Institute of Spiritual Formation. Getting to know families and students at LACS has been one of her favorite things about living in L.A. She loves the outdoors, hiking with her kids, and visiting the mountains.

Grace Leong, MS Assistant Principal

Grace Leong wanted to be a teacher since she was young and got her BS in Physics and MA in Education/Teaching credential from UCLA and recently, a MA in Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. After teaching at a public high school, she joined LACS in 2001 and has worked here as a science teacher and now as an assistant principal. Her favorite part of LACS is the family feel of the LACS community. She loves learning and playing sports in her free time.

Julie Deas, Business Manager

Julie Deas has been in ministry in Los Angeles since 1996 and joined LACS as the Business Manager in 2003.  She enjoys how LACS feels like family because of the community between staff and school families. She enjoys gardening and other activities that allow her to be outside.

Elementary School Staff

Gabriela Jacome, Kindergarten Teacher

Gabriela Jacome earned her BA/MA in Early Childhood Education from the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil in 1997. She obtained another MA in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University in 2011. She taught Kindergarten in Ecuador and then substituted/taught preschool for the Culver City Unified District School. Also, Gabriela taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades at private schools for over 14 years before coming to LACS. In her spare time, she enjoys reading the Bible, traveling, and outdoor activities with friends and family.

Eric Hernandez, First Grade Teacher

Eric Hernandez is a former teacher assistant for LAUSD who loves God and has a passion for working with kids.  He has always been dedicated to helping students overcome their obstacles and succeed academically.  He is eager to bring that same determination to LACS and help students grow in their studies and spiritual life.  Moreover, he seeks for the will of God to be done in his life and is excited to see how God will use him.

Gesselye Mejia, Second Grade Teacher

Gesselye Mejia is a 2020 graduate from CalState LA and received her BA in Sociology. She has always been passionate about working with kids and youth and she looks forward to working with our LACS students! Her favorite things include watching movies and taking pictures in her free time. She looks forward to learning what God has in store for her and our LACS family this year.

Mindy Francisco, Third Grade Teacher

Mindy Francisco earned her BA in Elementary Education from North Park University in 2010. She taught internationally in Indonesia and Ghana before coming to LACS in 2015. She has been teaching 3rd grade ever since! Mindy loves the small class sizes and meaningful relationships with families at LACS. She loves traveling, painting, and the Chicago Bears.

Anne Bolcom, Fourth Grade Teacher

Anne Bolcom made a career change later in life, to become a teacher. After earning her Elementary Teaching credential through Point Loma University in 2007, she came to teach 4th grade at LACS. She loves her students and their families, as well as the staff of LACS. She never ceases to be amazed at how God has guided in this season of her life! For fun, Ms. Bolcom likes to read French, play with her dogs, and share Christ with others.

Jami Gezon, Fifth Grade Teacher

Jami Gezon studied Elementary Education at Taylor University in Indiana, and first came to LACS as a student teacher for 5th grade in the fall of 2017. She returned to LACS the following fall to teach 5th grade full-time! She loves the strong relationships that are formed in our school community and the freedom that students and teachers have to express their creativity. Jami is passionate about reading and also loves playing games and spending time outside.

Tracy Steers, Resource Teacher

Tracy Steers taught in the Los Angeles public school system for 19 years before God called her to Los Angeles Christian School as a 4th and 5th grade teacher and now as a resource teacher helping students who struggle in reading and math. She loves living near the school and being a part of the community that God has created with our staff, students and their families. During her free time she loves to work in her garden, bake scones and explore secret historic staircases in LA.

Kathie Quiring, ES Art/Library

After graduating from Seattle Pacific University, Kathie Quiring taught in a rural three-room school in Oregon, in private schools in Los Angeles, and lastly, for the Beverly Hills School District where she remained for 25 years. After retiring she felt she had lost her purpose. She started volunteering at LACS in 2017, teaching art and library in the elementary school. She finds the children very capable, respectful, curious, and fun. And, she found her purpose again.

Cynthia Layton, ES CCL

Cynthia Layton is a native Angelino and attended LACS from kinder through eighth grade. She taught her first class in 2010. Over the years, she has taught many grades and many subjects and has been the spiritual life coordinator.  She has a passion for discipleship and walking with students as they transition into high school and college. Cynthia has her BS in Elementary Education and her teaching credential in both Arizona and California. She loves movie nights, planning adventures, and spending time with her family.

Doug Peters, PE Teacher

Doug Peters started teaching the PE class at LACS in 2019. Doug has been in Christian ministry for over 30 years and during that time taught many Bible clubs in the city and taught computer class at the Watts Christian School. He loves spending time with his wife and 3 children, especially out enjoying nature, camping or traveling.

Cyntia Calderon, ES Office Manager

Cyntia Calderon graduated from PCC with an associates degree in Business Administration. She attended LACS from kinder through eighth grade alongside her older brother and younger sister. She loves connecting with the parents and the students, which is part of LACS culture. She enjoys going on adventures, hiking, eating Korean food and spending time with family and friends. She went to cosmetology school and got her license as a manicurist/nail artist. She hopes she can continue to spread God’s love and kindness working at LACS.

Middle School Staff

JinHa Kim, MS Math Teacher

JinHa Kim studied Child Development and Family Life Education at California State University, Long Beach while working with various age groups in the education field. She started teaching middle school math at LACS in 2020. She loves the school community of students, teachers, and administrators and how the school genuinely cares for their students and families. She enjoys knitting, taking walks, and spending time with family and loved ones in her free time.

Jessica Froman, MS Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher

Jessica Froman started teaching 5th grade at LACS in 2000.  After 18 years she moved away, worked at a middle school, as a reading specialist, with the County of Ventura in the Homeless Services Program.  But God has bigger plans!  In 2020 she felt God leading her back to LACS.  She graduated from California Lutheran University and Loyola Marymount University with a teaching credential and a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Literacy.  Jessica loves being back and is looking forward to learning and growing with her co-workers, her students and their families.

Victoria Udebiuwa, MS Science and PE Teacher

Victoria Iheanyichi Udebiuwa is a native New Yorker, who began her career as a personal trainer and health coach, upon graduating from UVA with a degree in Kinesiology. After more than 10 years in this field, Victoria is now becoming LACS’ middle school science and PE teacher. Victoria is very excited about the opportunity to go from teaching adults to now working with young minds. She enjoys listening to worship music, working out, being out in nature, and good food!

Cristina Amaro, MS Bible Teacher

Cristina Amaro is from Ventura, CA, but she is also very proud of her roots from Zacatecas, Mexico. She has worked in ministry mentoring children and youth for over ten years in the local church, on the mission field in Thailand, and in private Christian schools in both Ventura and L.A. County. She has a Theology degree from Portland Bible College and  received her M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Biola University. She is excited to explore with LACS students how deep and wide God’s love is for them and their families! She loves writing poetry, baking cakes, dancing at family fiestas and soaking in the sun at the beach.

Norma Lira, MS Office Manager

Norma Lira has been in ministry for 30 years. She started serving at LACS 2013 after being a church planter in Los Angeles for 6 years. She loves the community that gets built between the staff and the families in the neighborhood. She enjoys discipleship time with the middle schoolers and building relationships with the moms. Norma enjoys spending time with friends, family and former students.