Staff & Faculty
- Administration
- K-5
- Middle School
- High School
- Enrichment
- Intervention
- Preschool / Infant Toddler
Joel Phillips
Superintendent, Senior Pastor
Joel Phillips is Senior Pastor of Escondido Christian Church, a Foursquare Church located in Escondido. He is also Superintendent of Escondido Christian School (toddler through High School). He holds a BTh and M.A.R. degrees. Pastor Joel is married to Kathie Phillips. They have four children, Cole, Paige , Cameron and Tally, along with their spouses and 11 wonderful grandkids, with two more on the way. Joel and Kathie have been serving in full-time ministry since 1988 and serving as Senior Pastors since 1995. For twenty-five years they have been pastoring Escondido Christian Church. In his free time he is a pilot, an avid cyclist, and a level 2 ski instructor.
Matt Conway
Head of Schools
Mr. Conway is a native of Escondido. He attended Escondido public and private schools all the way through 12th grade. He earned his B.A. from Biola University and M.A. from Talbot School of Theology. Prior to becoming the Head of Schools, he taught History and Bible at ECS. He is married to his wonderful wife, Jenni. They have four children. Mr. Conway’s passion is leading students and teachers toward a greater understanding of how God’s character is both a comfort and strength in the life of the Christian. Mr. Conway’s pastimes include disc golf, muscle cars, following current events, home renovations and hanging out with his family. He can be bribed with anything made of chocolate and peanut butter.
Heidi Stock
Elementary Principal
Mrs. Stock has been at ECS since 2007. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Cal State San Marcos, CA Multiple Subject K-8 State Credential, CLAD certified, and a Masters in Education from WGU. She has been married to her wonderful husband, Jeremiah, since 2012 and has three precious children. She enjoys cooking, doing crafts, and swimming. Heidi has always wanted to teach our lower elementary students ever since she began at ECS as a Summer in the Son staffer at the age of 17. Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 5:16.
Martina Nielsen
Preschool Director
Mrs. Martina has been at ECP for over 12 years as a teacher, assistant director and now director. Before moving over to the preschool she was part of the support staff at ECS for three years. She has been an active member of our campus church, Escondido Christian Church for 29 years. Martina has been married for 36 years and has two adult children. Martina loves to see children learning, growing and experiencing God in their daily activities. When not working, she enjoys cycling, the ocean and being outdoors.
Acts 20:24...nor do I count my life dear to myself, so I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Phyllis Nichols
Support Teacher/Mentor
Judy Collins
Jr. K Teacher
Yvette Sanchez
Pre-K Lead Teacher
Natasha Montoya
Green Room Teacher
Melanie McClure
Red Room Teacher
Mrs. McClure has been married to her husband, Adrian, for the last 15 years and have 3 children. They are brand new to the area, and Escondido Christian is where God has placed her three children and herself. Early Education is something she is deeply passionate about. She is incredibly grateful to be working with her preschoolers and counts it as a tremendous blessing.
Sidney Pinkerton
Yellow Room Teacher
Teresa Martinez
Yellow Room Support Teacher
Audrey Churchward
Pre-K Room Aide
Mrs. Churchward, her husband, and her daughters attend Awaken Church San Marcos Campus where she is also worship director. Her daughters have been attending ECS for 2 1/2 years. She looks forward to getting to know you, serving your children and continuing to support the stellar staff at ECP!
Karissa Grissom
Rufina Ruiz
Infant Support Teacher's Aide
Sierra Tisch
ITP Sprouts Teacher
Miss Tisch is very excited to be working here at ECS. She also teaches 4th and 5th grade ministry at her church, North Coast San Marcos/Escondido Campus. She is an alumni of ECS, and attended from preschool to 6th grade. Miss Tisch had Ms. Yvette as her Pre-K teacher. She has a passion for sharing the gospel in a way that is fun.
Vickie Daleo
Sub Teacher/Support ITP
Jody Leduc
Admissions Director
‘Mrs. Jody’ has been at ECS since 1988 when her husband’s job moved them from Ventura County to San Diego County. Her children attended and graduated from ECS and now her grandchildren are at ECS. She taught our 3yr old preschool classes until 1994 and then was asked to become the Preschool Director. In 2016, she retired from that position and moved over to the front office at ECS as the Admissions Director. She loves ECS and enjoys giving tours of our campus to new families. She refers to her position more as a ‘grandma’ of the school and pitches in wherever she can to help.
Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord and do good…”
Ginna Carroll
Student Services Coordinator
Mrs. Carroll previously worked at ECS for over 10 years. Both of her daughters are alumni. She enjoys reading, camping, hosting parties, and spending time with family and friends.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13
Linda Wycinsky
Business Manager
Mrs. Wycinsky has been at ECS since 1987. Her two daughters attended ECS and now, so do her two grandchildren. She has been married to her husband for over 45 years. She has always been thankful to be able to serve our school community. In her spare time she enjoys reading, quilting and spending time with her family.
Lindsey LeDuc
7th and 8th Grade Math
Julie Mitchell
Tami Bootsma
School Counselor, Intervention Dept. Lead
Susie Shuster
PLP Director
Mrs. Shuster started her career in banking starting as a Loan Secretary, then Loan Officer, and finally as an Assistant Compliance Officer. She has been married for 43 years and has a 33 year old son who attended ECS from kindergarten through 8th grade. Mrs. Shuster has been with ECS for 23 years and has been a part of PLP since its inception. She has taught math grades 1-8, in PLP and through private tutoring for the past 20. Mrs. Shuster loves working with children and watching them gain success in math. She enjoys gardening, reading and camping.
Tonya Pinkerton
Athletic Director
Mrs. Pinkerton has been working at ECS since 2019 as a P.E. teacher and after school sports director. She graduated from Barclay College in Haviland, KS with a degree in Christian Ministries where she met her husband of 23 years. They have four wonderful kids all who have attended ECS at one time or another. During her college years, she was a part of their NCAA volleyball and basketball programs. While working at a church in Indiana, she and her husband felt God's call to plant a church in Escondido. During that time, she had the opportunity to be the Director of Children's Ministries for another church here in Escondido for three years where she started a sports outreach program. Mrs. Pinkerton is blessed to be at ECS where she can help kids build their faith as well as promote health and physical fitness.
Denisse Gushwa
Spanish Teacher, Aide
Mrs. Gushwa was born and raised in Baja California, Mexico where she graduated from college and became a 2nd grade teacher before meeting her husband Nate and immigrating to the United States. Nate was the Spanish Pastor at Escondido Christian Church and Denisse partners with him in missions. The Gushwas have two young boys that attend ECS and ECP.
Kate Canady
Academic Director
kcanady@ecslions.org
Mrs. Canady came to ECS in 2015 as our school counselor. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors in Child Development and Family Studies and a Masters in School Counseling. She is our Academic Director, which includes high school guidance counseling, and overseeing school-wide assessments and curriculum. She is married with two sons who attend ECS. Mrs. Canady enjoys spending time with family and friends and is thankful to be a part of the ECS family.
Diane Pombert
Kindergarten
Mrs. Pombert graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in Education and has a Kindergarten-9th Grade teaching credential. She has been teaching at ECS school for 40 years! She has always taught Kindergarten in the same classroom. Her daughter, Tricia, attended ECS from Kindergarten through eighth grade, and is now our other kindergarten teacher as well as the summer program director. Diane loves reading, giraffes, the Padres and Disneyland. Mostly she loves teaching children about Jesus.
Tricia Pombert
Kindergarten
Ms. Tricia attended ECS as a student from kindergarten through 8th grade and has been on staff since 1998 in various capacities. Tricia has now come full circle and is teaching kindergarten. Tricia has her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University. She enjoys reading, movies, the Padres, Disneyland and spending time with family and friends.
Katie Goddard
Emily Hermes
1st Grade
Ms. Hermes has worked with children with special needs, in and out of the classroom, for over ten years and graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 2012. In 2015 she was called to the mission field, where she taught in an orphanage in Uganda for one year, and knew upon returning that the Lord was asking her to do the same back home. Since 2022, Ms. Hermes has been teaching in private school classrooms where she loves sharing God’s goodness with her students and mobilizing others towards fulfilling the Great Commission. Ms. Hermes lives in Ramona and enjoys hiking, reading, playing piano, and taking care of furry friends when she is not spending time with her family and friends.
Ruth Valdez
2nd Grade
Mrs. Valdez attended CSUSM where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Writing Studies. She also received her teaching credential from CSUSM, as well as a Bilingual and English Learner’s authorization. She has been connected with the ECS family since 2013 when she began as a teacher’s aide and daycare staff. Aside from academic instruction, she has also ministered to children and high school students through her church. She is thrilled that ECS is a place where she can do both. God has blessed her with her husband Eduardo and two children, Jaretzy and Josman. Her past times are singing, reading, writing, solving puzzles, and currently raising chickens and a german shepherd!
Britani Drayson
2nd Grade
Mrs. Drayson has worked at ECS since 2019. She attended Cal State San Marcos where she earned her BA in Liberal Studies with a special field in child development. After that, she continued her education and received her Multiple Subject teaching credential. She lives in Escondido with her husband and three beautiful children. In her spare time she loves to read, do outdoor activities like hiking with her family and cook. She is excited for this year, and seeing God work through her students as they grow in his knowledge and love.
Yvette Kochy
PLP Teacher
Betsy Brixey
3rd Grade
Amber Mitchell
6th English, 6th Science, MS Lead Teacher
Amber started teaching 6th grade at ECS in 2004. She has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies and an MA in Cross-Cultural Teaching. She has a CA state multiple subject K-8 credential and is working on her single-subject credential in English. Her hope for her students is that they will gain a better understanding of the importance of their words. If God used words to create everything into existence, they are extremely powerful, so they must be used carefully. She also wants them to discover the talents God has placed within each of them and learn how to use those talents for His glory.
Mitchell Guerra
6th Bible, 6th History
James Pinckney
6th Grade Math, PE Teacher, Instructional Aide
Elaine Crary
3rd Grade
Mrs. Crary has been teaching in various grade levels and subjects since 1986. She is excited to be teaching 3rd grade at ECS. She grew up in Pacific Beach and attended University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She graduated with a Multiple Subject and Physical Education teaching degrees and credentials. She has been married for 34 years and has four adult children. She loves to embroider, craft, garden, read, and teach. Her favorite verses are Psalm 118:28-29.
Tamara Beatty
4th Grade
https://tbeatty0.wixsite.com/msbeatty4thgrade
Ms. Beatty loves teaching 4th grade at ECS. She is grateful that she has been at ECS since 1994. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education from Taylor University in Indiana. She has been blessed with two wonderful children and a terrific son-in-law. Both her son and daughter attended ECS, she even had her son in her 4th grade class! Ms. Beatty loves being a grandmother to her three beautiful granddaughters and travels to Philadelphia as much as possible to see them. She enjoys singing, shopping, dining out, reading and playing golf. Her favorite Bible verse is Phillippians 4:4-9.
Summer Ecks
4th Grade
Miss Ecks graduated from Auburn University in Alabama with a degree in Elementary Education. She grew up in San Marcos and is excited to be back home in San Diego and joining the ECS community! Miss Ecks wants to create a learning environment for her students where they can grow academically and in their relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. She enjoys spending time with her amazing family, taking her dog, Pancake, for walks, watching sports (especially Auburn football and basketball), traveling, and going to the beach! Her favorite Bible Verse is “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Kayla George
5th Grade
Kayla began teaching at ECS in 2006. She graduated from Cal State San Marcos University. In her spare time, she enjoys working as the choreographer for our school drama department. Her two children are students here at ECS and Kayla is an ECS alumni also. Kayla has a passion for teaching and encouraging her students to be the unique men and women God designed them to be. She creates her classroom environment through the idea that education should be individualized, structured, and fun.
Bethany Otto
5th Grade
Mrs. Otto has been teaching in various forms since 1991. She has her B.A. in education from Wheaton College and her M.A in education from SDSU, as well as a California teaching credential. She has taught first grade, Jr. High language arts, has been a reading specialist and a substitute teacher. She took a twelve year break as a stay-home mom to her four kids who are now mostly grown up. She spends most of her time outside of school attending her high school childrens’ sporting events, practicing the violin, reading, and thrifting/antiquing. She has been married for over 27 years and attends Journey Church in Escondido where she participates in the music ministry.
Audra Preston
Librarian, PLP English Teacher
Mrs. Preston has been working at ECS since 2015. She is a PLP English teacher and our school librarian. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from National University. She has been working with children of all ages for much of her adult life and she delights in helping children learn to love reading. Mrs. Preston has been married for 25 years and is the proud mother of two sons, one of which is a graduate of ECS. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and hiking, the beach, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
Erin Peet
PLP Teacher
Mrs. Peet attended California State University, San Marcos and has a Bachelor's Degree in Literature and Writing Studies. She received her teaching credential from CSUSM. Mrs. Peet attended Escondido Christian School through eighth grade and loves that her two children attend ECS as well! She has been married to her highschool sweetheart Mr. Peet for 17 years. Mrs. Peet loves teaching phonics and reading! She also loves walking her two dogs, spending time with friends and family, and camping.
Danielle Gibbs
7th & 8th Grade Science
Mrs. Gibbs has worked on our campus for over 9 years in different roles from our Infant Center and preschool to our elementary and PLP programs. All these while being the Children's Pastor at our church, Escondido Christian Church. Prior to that she spent 10 years in retail management. She has been married to her wonderful husband for 2 years and has a one year old daughter, Annelyn. She is passionate about science and being able to teach our students about the incredible creation that God has made from the smallest cell inside of us to the atmosphere that surrounds us.
Jose Sanchez
Facilities
Mr. Sanchez is excited to be a part of ECS. When not fixing things, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially his son, and watching his 2 daughters play softball.
Caden Smith
Brian Richardson
PE Teacher
Sandra Suitor
Aide
Denice McDowell
7th Humanities, Humanities I & II, HS Latin
Mrs. McDowell is returning for her second year at ECS. She has been married to her husband, Barton, for 27 years. She received her BBA from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID, where she lived until transferring to San Diego for business in 1999. She left industry in 2003 to raise and homeschool her two sons. She served in their educational program for 10 years leading various elementary level classes for 6 years and more recently, directing 7th , 8th, 9th and 10th grade levels. She has a passion for Classical, Christian education and working with students to develop a Christian worldview. It is her heart that students would discover an awe and love for their Creator and be drawn to praise and worship Him in all they do!
Peter McKinlay
8th History, 7th Geography, MS PE Teacher
Peter is a loving husband and father of three girls all who have attended or are currently attending ECS. Peter attended ECS himself, graduating in 1988. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Business Administration. He worked as a business manager for 7 years prior to a career as a regional field sales manager for another 5 years. Peter is very excited to help jr. high students grow in Christ and become strong young minds.
Hannah Sherman
Marketing Coordinator
Mrs. Sherman attended CSUSM where she received her Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Writing in 2018. While attending college she worked as a manager at Chick-fil-A, and during the summer she helped at Summer in the Son on field trip days. When she left CFA she worked part time at Trademark Venues as a creative writer working alongside the marketing team as well as becoming an aide at ECS. She took a break from work during 2020, then came back to ECS at 2021 as the marketing coordinator. She resides in Escondido with her husband, son, and daughter. She enjoys writing, reading, being with family, and anything that involves the outdoors.
Maddie Engquist
Instructional Aide
Kelly Erford
Algebra I, Algebra II & Pre-Calculus
Mrs. Erford is an Escondido native and an ECS alum. She received her BA and Single Subject Math Credential from CSUSM. She married her wonderful husband, Chris, in 2012 and has three children who attend ECS currently. After taking time to raise her children she is ready and eager to be back in the classroom. She loves spending time with her family, gardening, and walking her dog.
Lindsay Commins
8th Humanities, Humanities IV, Biology
Miss Commins is excited to be entering her first year teaching at ECS. She graduated in 2021 from Azusa Pacific University with a BA in Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications. Throughout her education, she developed a passion for writing and communication, noticing a real and positive change in a variety of aspects in her life. Miss Commins credits her mother, and faith-based homeschooling for her love of and conviction for strong Christian education. She has spent nearly 10 years serving in children’s and youth ministry. She recently moved to Escondido and is looking forward to finding a home church in the area, spending time at the beach, and exploring all that North County has to offer.
Jeff Polson
Humanities III
Francine Morey
Instructional Aide, PLP
Ms. Morey grew up on a farm in Escondido, raising exotic animals such as camels, llamas and ostriches. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a BA in Diversified Liberal Arts, a Minor in English, and a Master's in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. Morey has 25 years of experience teaching first grade, reading intervention, and substituting in all grades. She is most grateful to God for her two wonderful daughters, and her awesome son, as well as her precious granddaughter. She's also grateful to God for the opportunity to teach at ECS and inspire students to love learning, to be the positive Light of Christ to others, and to use their talents to give glory to God. Ms. Morey enjoys working out, dining out, playing the piano and spending time with family and lifelong friends.
Annette Tucker
Classroom/Playground Aide
Jennifer Bumas
Classroom/Playground Aide
Nate Canady
Physics, Chemistry
Mr. Canady grew up in the Midwest. He attended Purdue University where he earned a BS and MS in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. His work experience includes time as a project manager at an environmental remediation company, a child care counselor at a home for troubled youth, and a chemical process engineer in the semiconductor industry. He and his family moved to the Escondido area in 2011. He enjoys playing musical instruments, hiking, and spending time with family.
Jenni Conway
Creative Arts Director, Yearbook
Mrs. Conway attended Clearwater Christian College in Florida and graduated from a prestigious performing arts high school where she did intensive study in theater and art with an emphasis in set-design. She worked at Disney World as a performer and photographer. Jenni has traveled extensively, been a missionary and is fluent in Spanish. She has four fun-loving children who have all attended ECS and she is married to Matt Conway, who is our Principal. Her favorite Bible verse Matthew 6:33.
Joe Váradi
Upper Grade Chapel Coordinator
Mr. Váradi grew up in rural Oregon. After serving as a Marine Corps rifleman and a San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy, God called him into the ministry. Mr. Váradi previously taught Jr. High Bible at ECS and is now an M.Div student at Westminster Seminary and serving as a chaplain for the S.D. Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Váradi enjoys listening to symphonic music with his family, hiking Mt. Woodson, and pipe smoking.
Angela Corbin
Parent Services Coordinator
Mary Schuster
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Schuster is a lifelong resident of Escondido. She has a Certificate of Achievement in Hospitality Management and Certificate of Proficiency in Meeting & Event Management from MiraCosta College. She comes to us from San Diego Gas & Electric where she held various roles in Customer & Electrical Operations in her over 20 year career there. Mary and her husband George have been married for over 15 years, and have two amazing children Addison, and Camdyn who both attend ECS. It is very full circle for her to be working at the ECS campus where she has many wonderful memories while she attended ECC (then Cathedral of the Valley) in her youth. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:6.
Elena Luellen
Creative Art Assistant
Mrs. Luellen is very excited to begin her first year at ECS! She majored in art/science in high school, attending a respected art school program in New York and all-state chorus. She acquired both a Montessori and Early Childhood certification to work as a teacher/director for 16 years. She worked as an aide in SAI while earning a BS in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. She has taught art for 27 years, loves to draw, paint, play piano, sing, read, write, play with her animals, teach Sunday School and spend time with her husband of 34 years and their children, ages 17,19 & 30.
