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.

Alejandra Sugahara was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia and studied law at Universidad de los Andes. Before joining LACS as the Middle School Office Manager, she gained several years of experience in legal services, administration, operations, and team management. She enjoys using organization, creativity, technology, and empathy to help students, families, and staff feel supported and connected. As a native Spanish speaker, she especially values being able to welcome and assist LACS’s Spanish-speaking families.

For the past two years, Alejandra has volunteered as the assistant coach of the LACS Drone Team, supporting her partner, who serves as the team’s head coach. She was drawn to LACS because of its close-knit community and the genuine care shown to every student, family, and person within it. Outside of school, Alejandra enjoys photography, music, and spending time with her partner and their two cats

Lily Yee has many years of audit and nonprofit experience, especially helping streamline organizational processes, procedures, and efficiency planning, fundraising / volunteering efforts, and other administrative skills.   Lily is active at Christian Assembly Church in Eagle Rock and leads an International Student Ministry reaching USC college students and teaches / mentors students from K-5 grades and children from divorce families.  She also is involved with foster kids with Royal Family Camp, works with homeless children at Door of Hope and on the Board of Directors of Young Life – USC.  With LACS, Lily enjoys helping others, building relationships with school parents, coordinating events and volunteers and seeing youth continue to grow in their spiritual walk.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with the Lord, friends and family and  traveling.

Michelle Mayorga “Tia Michelle”  is a Transitional Kindergarten teacher from Costa Rica with more than 16 years of experience working with UNICEF in Latin America. She is passionate about creating a joyful, nurturing, and Christ-centered classroom where every child feels loved and valued. With a special focus on trauma-informed care, Michelle strives to provide a safe and supportive environment that promotes healing and helps children grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys traveling, outdoor adventures, serving her community, and spending time with her family. She is also a big fan of Snoopy and Star Wars!

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.

Ibis Ramirez, who has been teaching for over 15 years, prays for a year filled with reading adventures, mathematical explorations, and creative lessons. She graduated in early childhood education with a focus on special education and mental health. She spent the last decade fostering a love for reading and discovery in early childhood classes. Her goal is to create a safe, joyful, and encouraging space where every student feels confident to take risks and grow. After graduating from their seminar institute, Ibis serves her church by teaching, preaching sermons, and leading worship. Outside of the classroom she likes to hike, serve at her church and spend time with family and friends! She is a true music lover, with a heart that’s deeply dedicated to worship. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13,”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and her favorite song is “How Great Thou Art”, “Cuán Grande Es El”.

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.

Morena Aviles has been teaching at Los Angeles Christian School since 2026 and is excited to serve as a third-grade teacher. She has worked with children for several years as a paraprofessional and Behavioral Interventionist, supporting students with a variety of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. These experiences have strengthened her passion for creating a classroom where children feel safe, loved, encouraged, and excited to come to school each day.

Morena earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Biola University and is currently completing a post-baccalaureate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders as she works toward a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Morena hopes to create a classroom where her students can learn, grow, and strengthen their identity in Christ. She is grateful for the opportunity to invest in her students and provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that bring learning to life.

Genesis Mendez graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a specialization in TESOL. She completed her student teaching at LACS in the fall of 2023 and instantly fell in love with the school, its community, and its students. She prayed for the opportunity to return one day, and the Lord answered!

Genesis is someone who loves to laugh and spend quality time with the people she loves. When she’s not in the classroom, you may find her exploring new coffee shops or reading. She also loves celebrating and sharing her Mexican culture!

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.

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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, followed by private schools in Los Angeles. She then joined the Beverly Hills School District, where she taught for 25 years. After retiring, Kathie felt that she had lost her sense of purpose. In 2017, she began volunteering at LACS, teaching art. She quickly discovered that the children were capable, respectful, curious, and, most of all, fun. Through them, she found her purpose again.

Doug Peters started at LACS as the PE teacher in 2019 and is serving to keep the campus running smoothly. Doug has been in Christian ministry for over 35 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.

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 has spent the past two decades teaching, mentoring, and walking alongside students in their faith formation. He earned his Doctor of Ministry in Youth, Family, and Culture and Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware.

James is passionate about helping students recognize their belovedness in Christ and discover how they fit into God’s story of healing, freedom, and beauty. He enjoys dancing and going on treasure hunts with his courageous wife and two precious children, sharing just about any adventure with his family, and finding joy in good stories.

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 Quay 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.

Anthony Rosales was born and raised in Los Angeles and has always had a love for music. He plays bass guitar and piano and enjoys expressing his creativity through music, film, and art. As the oldest of four siblings, Anthony has developed a strong appreciation for relationships and encouraging others.

Anthony earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, Long Beach, with a background in pre-med. He has a passion for film and plans to continue creating film and art in his free time.

Anthony is excited to be part of the LACS community and hopes to make a meaningful impact on students by helping them better understand their strengths, explore their interests, and pursue their future goals. He strives to look for the positives in every situation and hopes to pass that perspective on to his students as they grow and prepare for the future.