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.

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.

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.

Isaiah Simpson-Loya has worked with youth and young adults for several years, serving in both church ministry and on school campuses. He and his wife moved to Los Angeles, believing this was where God was calling them. Isaiah graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies and a minor in Spanish. Though a Texan at heart, he is proud to live in California and serve LACS. In his free time, Isaiah enjoys spending time with his wife, their dog, and friends, as well as watching and creating movies and shows, drawing, being active, gaming, and making people laugh.

Michelle Mayorga is an accomplished educator with experience in early childhood education and trauma recovery. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Costa Rica and a Master’s Degree in Play Therapy from the Universidad Pedagógica Argentina.

With 12 years of experience as a preschool teacher, Michelle has a strong foundation in early learning and child development. She further expanded her impact by dedicating 16 years to developing trauma recovery programs for children in vulnerable communities across Latin America in partnership with UNICEF. Most recently, Michelle contributed her expertise to the Arcadia School District.

In her personal life, Michelle harbors a passion for outdoor activities, cherishes time with her family, enjoys learning about diverse cultures, savoring cuisines, loves Snoopy and Star Wars and actively participating in her faith community.

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 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.

Leslie Gray is a native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles. From a very young age, she knew she was called to become an elementary school educator. After receiving her BA in Liberal Studies from Cal State University Northridge, she fulfilled her dream. Leslie has been an elementary school educator for over twenty-five years and still loves it! She has always had a passion for working with children, but more importantly, for teaching them about the love of God. Now, she is able to bring that passion to LACS. She graduated from SoCal Supernatural School of Ministry in Pasadena in 2014 and worships with flags with the Banner Corp Ministry at Faithful Central Bible Church. She loves traveling, riding bikes, taking long walks, and spending as much time as possible making memories with her dear family and friends.

Mindy Hernandez 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.

Genesis Mendez recently graduated from Taylor University with a  B.A. in Elementary Education and a specialization in TESOL. She student taught at LACS in the fall of 2023 and quickly fell in love with the school. She prayed that she could return and the Lord answered! Genesis loves to laugh, read, and spend time with friends.

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.

Sussy Canjura is our enthusiastic P.E. teacher who’s excited to return to LACS! A proud graduate of our school, she has come full circle, ready to teach one of her favorite subjects from her own school days. She has grown up in Los Angeles and absolutely loves being born and raised here. After recently graduating from CalStateLA with a B.S in Criminal Justice, she’s been actively working on physical training to further enhance her skills for her future workforce. Sussy is thrilled to share her passion for God and fitness to inspire the next generation of students. When she’s not teaching, she loves spending time with friends, traveling to new places, enjoying concerts, movies, and most importantly, sharing the love of God with those around her.

Michael Fox earned his B.A. in Anthropology from Wheaton College, an M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary, and his Education Specialist credential from Cal State Los Angeles. For more than 10 years, he taught violin to students of all ages, both through private lessons and in elementary schools throughout LA. He also spent 3 years teaching special education students in LAUSD. In his free time, Michael enjoys jamming on the violin and listening to music from around the world, being outdoors with his wife, and playing with his two rescue dog

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.

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.

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Sam Kim studied Math Education at California State University of Long Beach. He has always been interested in wanting to teach and work with kids. Inspired by his Middle School Math teacher, He hopes to be a good role model for the students just like his teacher. He is looking forward to working with the LACS students and what God has in store for the upcoming school year.Sam Kim

James Layton

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 math at the middle school for LACS in 2020 and taught 5 years before transitioning as the Math Resource Teacher. Working with students in grades K-8 has been a huge blessing! She also appreciates the community and how the school genuinely cares for the students and families. She enjoys knitting, taking walks, and spending time with family and loved ones in her free time.

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.

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.

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 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.