Staff & Faculty
- Administration
- K-5
- Middle School
- High School
- Enrichment
- Power Learning Program
- Preschool
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, High School Humanities
Mr. Conway is a native of Escondido. He attended Escondido public and private schools all the way through 12th grade. He holds a B.A. in History and M.A. in 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
Melanie McClure
Preschool Director
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.
Martina Nielsen
Red Room
Phyllis Nichols
Support Teacher/Mentor
Judy Collins
Jr. K Teacher
Yvette Sanchez
Pre-K Lead Teacher
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 has four grandchildren and two daughters who are ECS alumni. This is her 15th year working at ECS. She enjoys cooking 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 so did her three 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.
Julie Mitchell
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.
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.
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
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
1st Grade
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 1st grade. 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
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. Additionally, she has completed her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Planning from WGU. 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 church. She is thrilled that ECS is a place where she can do both. God has blessed her with her husband Eduardo and two step-children, Jaretzy and Josman. Her past times are singing, reading, writing, solving puzzles, and currently raising chickens, two Frenchies, 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.
Amber Mitchell
6th English, 6th Science, MS Lead Teacher
Mrs. Mitchell 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 Grade Bible/History/Math, High School Latin
James Pinckney
7th Grade Humanities, and 7th and 8th Grade Math
Mr. Pinckney is a Marine Corps veteran with a bachelor’s degree from California State University San Marcos and is currently pursuing his master’s degree through Liberty University. He is grateful for the opportunity to teach at Escondido Christian School and enjoys helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Outside the classroom, Mr. Pinckney enjoys theatre, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife and their eight children. He and his family attend Valley Center Community Church. One of his favorite passage of Scripture is Psalm 37, especially verses 3–4: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
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 in 2024 with a degree in Elementary Education. She began teaching at ECS that fall and is passionate about creating a Christ-centered learning environment where her students can grow both academically and in their relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Outside of the classroom, Miss Ecks enjoys spending time with her amazing family and friends, taking her dog, Pancake, on walks, cheering on Auburn, and traveling! Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 12:12- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Maddie Engquist
5th Grade
Mrs. Engquist grew up in Valley Center and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College. She has previously worked as a preschool teacher in youth and children’s ministry, and as an Instructional Aide at ECS. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Quinn, and they have a dog named Moose. In her free time Mrs. Engquist loves to visit National Parks, travel out of the country, watch the Dodgers, and go to Disneyland. She strives to have her students grow in academics, but most importantly, grow into young men and women that love and serve the Lord. One of her favorite verses is “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of peace, love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
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 29 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.
Danielle Gibbs
7th & 8th Grade Science, High School Biology
Mrs. Gibbs has worked on our campus for over 10 years in different roles from our preschool and support staff to children’s pastor. Prior to that she spent 10 years in retail management. She has been married to her wonderful husband since 2021 and one daughter. 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 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
IT Manager, Tech Teacher
Brian Richardson
PE Teacher
Sandra Suitor
Aide
Peter McKinlay
8th History, 7th Geography, MS PE Teacher
Mr. McKinlay 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 at Chick-fil-A as a manager and a part of the marketing team. 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, and three children. She enjoys writing, reading, being with family, and anything that involves the outdoors.
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, 9th, and 12th Humanities, Humanities IV
Miss Commins has enjoyed teaching at ECS since 2023, and she loves teaching Humanities! Miss Commins credits her mother and Christian homeschooling for her passion for writing, communication, and studying God’s Word. Before coming to ECS, she invested nearly 10 years serving in children’s and youth ministry, most notably as the children’s ministry administrator at her church in Northern California and as a staff member at Hume Lake Christian Camps, where she truly gave her life to Jesus at Wildwood when she was 16. In 2021, she graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a bachelor’s degree. She loves being a part of God’s work in the lives of students, and strives to remind them that God loves them deeply and is equipping them to glorify Him.
Jeff Polson
Humanities III
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.
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
K-5 Art and Music Teacher
Mrs. Luellen began teaching art and music in ECS Elementary in 2024. She earned certification in Early Childhood Education and Montessori Theory, teaching for 17 years as classroom teacher and directress. Elena worked in SAI while working on a BS in Elementary Education. She has taught art to children and adults for over 25 years. Musically, her experience includes high school musicals and drama, professional voice lessons, choir, worship team and children’s choir. Her heart is moved by the love of Christ to bring others to Him, especially children. In her spare time Mrs. Luellen loves spending time with her family, friends and pets, reading, writing, playing piano, guitar and singing. Colossians 3:12 is one of her favorite Bible verses.
Kylie Wright
ITP Toddler Teacher
Juana Hernandez
Yellow Room
Paula Dunn
Green Room
Tanairi Scott
Yellow Room Aide
Mary Lou Bell
Ashley Wininger
Athletic Director