Alexander, Shari. Position: Teacher
Hello! My name is Shari Alexander and I am blessed to be part of the Calvary Prep team. I was in high school when I met Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. After high school, I attended a year long bible school through Calvary Chapel and was involved in missions and on staff at church as a high school leader, worship leader and secretary. I attended college and after graduating became a teacher. I have been teaching for over 25 years in traditional public high school, charter school and private Christian school. My experience includes classroom based teaching, homeschool, and independent study. I love supporting and guiding students in their education. I am blessed with one daughter who is currently studying at Biola University. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my three rescue dogs (Nano, Scout and Posy), hiking, and listening to music with friends in Julian, CA.
Mrs. Alexander holds a BS in Dietetics and Food Science and a Single Subject Secondary teaching credential in Life Science.
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Arriaga, Lawrence. Position: Teacher
I am enjoying my seventeenth year of teaching. I believe God has blessed me with the chance to work at Calvary Preparatory Academy. My wife and I have two wonderful children who keep us young and active. We live in Orange County, California, where we enjoy the beautiful weather as well as our family and friends. We are active at our church and our children’s schools. We always try to find ways in which we can help better our community with the gifts God has given us. My teaching credentials come from California State University Fullerton and University of California Los Angeles. I have enjoyed being a high school and junior high school teacher, a youth minister, and a coach of several sports. I look forward to getting a chance to meet all of our students and their families. I would like to invite you to visit during my open office hours or send me an email. God Bless.
Mr. Lawrence Arriaga holds both a California Single Subject Credential in science as well as a Multiple Subject Credential.
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Arriaga, Nadia. Position: Spanish Workshop Teacher
Hello/¡Hola! This is my first year teaching with Calvary Preparatory Academy. I am very excited to be teaching Spanish to my students and helping them develop and live a strong walk with our Lord. Even though I was born in the United States, I am a Spanish native speaker with articulate fluency. Our Lord has truly blessed me with the opportunity to learn and speak Spanish with my own family and friends since birth. I bring to Calvary Preparatory Academy a wealth of teaching experience at both the elementary school and the high school levels. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies (Multiple Subject Teaching Track with an English/Spanish Bilingual Emphasis) from Chapman University in Orange County, California. My husband, Mr. Lawrence Arriaga, also teaches for Calvary Preparatory Academy. We have been married for fourteen years and have two amazing children. We are very committed to our relationship with our Lord and our children’s education. We are involved at our church and volunteer in both our church and local community. I am also an active member of the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) at my children’s school. Besides being a teacher, wife, and mother, I also consider myself a “life-long learner”. I have a deep passion for continuing to grow in the various roles that my Lord has blessed me with. Therefore, I am an avid reader of books ranging from all areas of knowledge. I look forward to meeting all of our students and families as well as working with the other staff members from Calvary Preparatory Academy.
Mrs. Nadia Arriaga holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies (Multiple Subject Teaching Track with an English/Spanish Bilingual Emphasis) from Chapman University
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Beck, Jared. Position: Director/Founder
Hello everyone! My name is Jared Beck and I have been the Director of COS since God first planted a vision to start the school back in 2009. As we now enter our seventh year, it is so amazing to see all that God had planned from that initial vision come to fruition! I look forward to seeing COS continue to bless students, families, and communities across the world as it has these past years.
Outside of school, I enjoying spending time with my wife and two children in our town of San Marcos, CA. On the weekends and holidays we often camp and go on road trips to all the beautiful beaches and mountains here in California. I have been playing guitar, piano, and singing for most of my life and it’s something I love to do. I am also a little bit of a gardening fanatic; I have a green house and literally hundreds of varieties of plants on my property. For fitness I enjoy surfing, hiking, running, and since two years I have been training in the Israeli martial art known as Krav Maga.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, right down to help with your individual homework.
Mr. Jared Beck holds a California Administrative Services Credential and a BA in Philosophy and Theology from Point Loma Nazarene University, a MA in Education and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in social science from Azusa Pacific University.
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Fankhauser, Katherine. Position: Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Miss Fankhauser and I teach middle school and high school students here at Calvary Preparatory Academy. Before joining the team here I taught math in a nearby school district. After I graduated from high school, I attended community college for two years and earned an associate degree. Then I transferred to Concordia University in Irvine where I majored in math and earned a teaching credential. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, baking, volunteering at church, and teaching math enrichment classes. Have questions come up during the week? Visit me during my office hours each Tuesday at 9:30 am Pacific Standard Time. You might also find me filling in at math tutoring from time to time.
Ms. Katie Fankhauser holds a California Single Subject Credential in Mathematics from Concordia University.
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Fergus, Cris. Position: Assistant Principal
Prior to COS, I was a public school administrator in Poway Unified School District, Huntington Beach Union High School District, and Riverside Unified School District as well as a middle school and high school teacher in the public and private setting.
My husband and I have raised three adopted children, all of whom graduated from the University of San Diego and are currently pursuing or have received graduate degrees in medicine, epidemiology, business, or cell and molecular biology.
When my children went off to college, I realized I needed another project, so for the last three years, I have been teaching a small core workout group of seven women who enjoy exercising their mind through bible study and their body through physical fitness. This two hour daily routine has done wonders for my spiritual well-being. As an avid reader, cook and a lover of fine art, I volunteer at the local Art and Cultural Center once a month.
If you have questions regarding Career or College Counseling, do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to assist you.
Mrs. Cris Fergus holds three credentials from Cal State University at Long Beach and the University of California at Irvine in Art, Reading, and Administration and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Reading and Curriculum.
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Gillis, Eleni. Position: Enrollment Coordinator
Hello everyone! I’m Eleni Gillis and I am the enrollment coordinator for COS. I am truly blessed to be a part of this amazing school and love working with all of our COS families.
Outside of school I am a wife and a mother of three very busy children. Through God’s grace, this year I will begin my first year of homeschooling. We are a very athletically active family. I run/hike 5-6 days a week and we spend the majority of our weekends at basketball tournaments, swim meets, and soccer and T-ball games. During our rare free moments we love to travel and just rest.
I am here to serve so please let me know how I can help make your academic career a success. God Bless!
Mrs. Eleni Gillis holds a MA in Secondary Education.
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Jackson, Michelle. Position: Teacher
Hi Everyone! My name is Michelle Jackson and I am the newest addition to the wonderful Calvary Preparatory Academy team. Although I may be new to COS, I am not new to teaching. After receiving my Bachelor’s in History from California State University San Marcos, I was unsure of what to do. I had planned on immediately enrolling in a Master’s program, but it was cut due to budget constraints at the college. I knew I also had loved teaching others and so (with some encouragement from my family) I enrolled at San Diego Christian College and began working on my credential.
During this time, I was substitute teaching at inner city schools in San Diego and put in over three years before receiving my own classroom. I have worked largely with those who are in a lower socio-economic class, including students and parents from war torn countries who have safety for the first time in their lives.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy travelling, volunteering with the San Diego Blood Bank, amusement parks, and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather. I also love History (hence the degree and credential), reading (hence the English credential), technology (currently working on a Master’s in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on secondary technologies) and learning how to love and appreciate all of God’s creation.
Ms. Michelle Jackson holds a BA in History from Cal State University San Marcos, two CA teaching credentials in English and Social Science, and she is currently working on her Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership.
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Lashlee, Tammy. Position: Teacher
Hi there! My name is Tammy Lashlee and I joined the COS team in 2014! I am truly blessed to join this amazing team and look forward to working with each of the families God brings into my life through COS! When I am not working, I stay busy as a wife and as a mother of two. I enjoy spending time with my family in the little beach town of Carpinteria, CA that I have been blessed to call home since I was born. I love getting out in God’s creation any chance I get, both here and as I travel. I look forward to hearing about your adventure out there as well!
Mrs. Tammy Lashlee holds a BA in Liberal Studies with a science concentration from Azusa Pacific University. She holds a Clear CA Single Subject Credential in Geosciences.
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Richardson, Jeanne. Position: Teacher
Welcome to Calvary Prep! I am Mrs. Jeanne Richardson, but most students refer to me as “Mrs. R.” I am a California girl, but I was raised in the Midwest and have children living in China. I have five children, three of which are still at home being homeschooled. We live in Escondido, California and attend Cross Connection Church. I hold a masters degree in education, but Jesus is truly my Master Teacher! I teach 7th through 12th grade students in all subjects, but my specialties are math, English and Spanish. I host a weekly Spanish workshop for anyone taking Spanish at Calvary Prep. I look forward to getting to know you!
Mrs. Jeanne Richardson holds a California Multiple Subjects Credential, a Single Subject Credential in English, and a MA in Multicultural Education and Language Development.
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Ross, Rachel. Position: Teacher
Hello! My name is Rachel Ross. I am married, the mother of two wonderful boys (plus a dog and two cats!), and I live in Escondido, in beautiful Southern California. I hold a BA in English Literature and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, and have been teaching for over nine years. I am also passionate about youth ministry; I have worked in middle school and high school ministry for over fourteen years. As a teacher of COS, I am thankful that I get to combine my passion for education with my love of student ministry, encouraging my students as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Please email me anytime for extra support, encouragement, or prayer. I look forward to getting to know you!
Mrs. Rachel Ross holds a California Single Subject Credential in English, a BA in English from San Francisco State University and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. She also attended Bible college at Capernwray Bible College, England.
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Russell, Jaime. Position: Teacher
Hi! My name is Mrs. Russell and I live in California. I have lived in California most of my life and attended college at CSU San Marcos. I have been out of country to go to Mexico to help in an orphanage and China to teach English for a summer. I love getting to know all my students and what their lives are like across the world. I am also a mom to 3 young children and will be homeschooling my oldest in the 2nd grade this year. At COS, I am also the math tutor. I look forward to working with all students during my math tutoring hours which are weekly on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. PST and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. PST. I also hold open office hours for students assigned to me on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. PST. I look forward to getting know you this year!
Mrs. Russell attended CSU San Marcos where she completed her Bachelors Degree as well as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Credential.
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St. Clair, Lisa Position: French Workshop Teacher
Bonjour! I am so happy to be teaching French at this wonderful school. I love the Lord and supporting young people in their walk with Jesus. Having lived, worked and studied for over a decade in France and Switzerland, the French language is my passion. Working as a tour director and lecturer took me around the globe, but now I’m so pleased to call San Clemente, CA my home. I teach French at a local high school and, along with my husband, tend to our 3 children. We have one in college, one in high school and our littlest one is in preschool. I love to read, play scrabble and attend my sons’ rugby games.
White, Laury. Position: Teacher
Hi! My name is Laury White and I am a happy mom of 3 teenagers! My oldest is in community college and a school of ministry, my middle child is on target to graduate this year, the youngest is in 7th grade and I homeschool him. Our home is in Fallbrook, California where we attend North Coast Church. I graduated and received my teaching credential in 1992 from Long Beach State University and have been teaching ever since in both the private and public school settings. I currently teach and tutor 7th through 12th grade students as well as host the Leadership Team and Yearbook Class. You can always find me in the Daily Discussion Forum keeping the attendance and posting the question for the day. I am also available when I hold office hours on Wednesday’s at 4:30 Pacific Standard Time . Lastly, I would like to invite you to attend our Student Leadership meetings every 2nd and 4th Monday at 4:30 Pacific Standard time. Our meetings are similar to an online youth group where we get know each other, have a little fun and make things happen! We would love it if you could come! I really look forward to getting to know you this year!
Laury White Graduated with a teaching Credential from Long Beach State University. She taught for 10 years in public high school and then spent 11 years homeschooling her 3 children. She has been with Calvary Preparatory Academy for 4 1/2 years and has also worked with pregnant and parenting teens for six years as a home instructor for the Escondido Public School District. She is passionate about serving families and raising her own family. This is what she spends all her time doing.
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