Staff & Faculty
- Administration
- K-5
- Jr. High
- High School
- Enrichment
- PLP
- Preschool
- Infant Toddler
- Aides / Day Care
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 7 wonderful grandkids, with two more on the way. Joel and Kathie have been serving in fulltime ministry since 1988 and serving as Senior Pastors since 1995. For twenty-two years they have been pastoring Escondido Christian Church.
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.
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.
Judy Collins
Jr. K Teacher
Karissa Grissom
ITC Director
Kalimah Devers
Support Teacher
Des Garcia
Toddlers Teacher
Rachael Jiles
Sprouts Teacher
Rufina Ruiz
Infant Support Teacher's Aide
Britani Drayson
Yellow Room Teacher
Kylie Wright
Red Room Teacher
Natasha Montoya
Green Room Teacher
Yvette Sanchez
Pre-K Lead Teacher
Lindsey LeDuc
Support Teacher
Phyllis Nichols
Support Teacher/Mentor
Diana Murcko
Head Aide, Day Care Director
Julie Mitchell
Amber Mitchell
6th Grade English, 6th Grade Science, Jr. High 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.
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
P.E Coach & After School Sports 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.
Peter McKinlay
8th Grade History, 7th Grade Geography, Jr. High 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.
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
Yvette Kochy
1st Grade
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!
Marissa Carney
2nd Grade
Ms. Carney earned her Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies at LIFE Pacific College and her teaching credential through California State University San Marcos. She is passionate about ministry and is excited to be teaching 2nd grade!
Gina Guerrieri
3rd Grade
Mrs. Guerrieri obtained her teaching credential from CSUSM. This marks her 33rd year teaching third grade. Prior to coming to ECS, she worked for Migrant Education as the coordinating teacher. She loves to shop, swim, and spend time loving on her granddaughters. Mrs. G feels blessed to be able to share Jesus with her class. Her husband, John, is a retired public school counselor, who provides counseling at Escondido Christian Church, Emmanuel Faith, and the families of ECS.
Betsy Brixey
3rd Grade
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.
Lauren Henderson
4th Grade
lhenderson494.wixsite.com/fourth
Mrs. Henderson attended Biola University for a degree in social work, then National University for an elementary education credential. The last 12 years she’s lead ministries at local churches alongside her husband, Eric. All the while, she loved the adventure and creativity of homeschooling their 11 and 13 year old. She teaches with a passion for encouraging and challenging students to become well-rounded disciples.
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.
Chris Grissom
School Secretary
Mrs. Grissom has been at ECS since 1993. She has enjoyed watching her 3 kids thrive and graduate ECS along with lots of nieces and nephews. Now she gets to watch her 2 youngest granddaughters do the same. She loves working in the office and interacting with staff, students and parents.
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.
Christian Rockwell
IT Manager, Tech Teacher
Martha Grangetto
Brian Richardson
Sidney Pinkerton
Support Aide
Sandra Suitor
Aide
Mitchell Guerra
6th Grade Bible, 6th Grade History
Cindey Fikse
6th Grade Math
Cindey Fikse has taught a total of 34 years. Twenty-five of those years were in the 3rd grade at Light and Life Christian School. She loves sharing her faith in Jesus with her students, and her favorite subject is mathematics. Her hobbies include singing in the choir, walking two miles every day, swimming laps in the pool, reading Christian fiction, and playing with her 17 grandchildren! Cindey has a B.A. in mathematics, an M.A. in Education, a California state elementary credential, and a Lifetime ACSI credential. She wholeheartedly and enthusiastically enjoys being in the classroom with her students.
Denice McDowell
7th, 9th & 10th Grade Humanities
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!
Jenni Conway
Creative Arts Director, High School Art Teacher
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.
Aimee Gordon
Creative Arts Assistant, High School Spanish
Mrs. Gordon received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she had extensive training in pedagogy/education and choreography. She also attended The Spanish Institute's year-long study program in San Jose, Costa Rica. She and her amazing husband, John, and their four fantastic children spent many years on the mission field in Panama before the Lord led them to Escondido. While in Panama, Aimee served as a teacher, translator, ministry leader and homeschool educator. Mrs. Gordon is grateful for the opportunity to bring her years of living in a Spanish-speaking country and serving as a missionary to the classroom for His glory! Her prayer is that the Lord would grow in each of her students a love for Christ, His Word, the nations and a boldness to share the hope of Christ with a lost and broken world.
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.
Tami Bootsma
School Counselor
She has been married to her husband, Michael, for 18 years and have two amazing children and 3 dogs. In her free time she enjoys volunteering at her church, school, and spending time with her family. Her main focus on campus is to work with students providing social and emotional support, PLP program, social emotional lesson, and provide support to teachers.
Maddie Villalobos
Rachel Zwicker
Support Aide
rzwicker@ecslions.org
Sarah Fulop
9th, 10th Grade Science and Math
Miss Fulop is new to ECS and will be teaching various math and science classes for the growing high school program. She obtained a B.S. in biochemistry from the University of California San Diego. She has spent several years working in San Diego's biotech industry, and tutoring high school and college students. She is excited to enter the classroom and help mold inquisitive young minds. Equipping them with crucial problem-solving and communication skills essential for living in the secular world as ambassadors of Christ. As a native San Diegan, Miss Fulop enjoys the beach, hiking, traveling abroad, reading, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Kelly Erford
Pre-Algebra, Algebra
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 Grade Humanities
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
11th Grade Humanities
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.
Jen Price
Aide
Ada Hernandez
Annette Tucker
Aide
Maria Cruz
Aide
Jennifer Bumas
Aide
Joe Váradi
Upper Grade Chaplain
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.