Welcome 2019-2020 MCS Family
New Faculty & Staff Introductions

Reflect the Son
"...the Lord, who is the spirit, makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into his glorious image." 2 Corinthians 3:18b (NLT)
08.08.19
 
August 8, 2019



Dear MCS Families,
 
The conclusion of summer and the arrival of the 2019-2020 school year is just around the corner. Together, we are about to embark on a journey. It is my prayer, and the prayer of the entire MCS staff, to enter into the year trusting God is with us, He goes before us, and that He has great things in store for us according to His will and love for the school, staff, students, and families.
 
As we embark on the journey of the school year, we all recognize the transition it brings. Amidst change, challenge, concern, uncertainty, even heartache, there are important truths that will never change. Most important, and many of you will recognize this as our theme last year, MCS, and all who are a part of it, are HIS! All belongs to Him and because of this truth, it is God who will lead as we fervently seek and fix our eyes on Him. Also unchanged is the staff's unwavering commitment and dedication to the mission and vision of the school. God has called and entrusted us to do His kingdom work. He has inspired and given great vision for now and the future. Every day, every second, "whatever we do, we will work with all our hearts as working for the Lord" Colossians 3:17. And, in this present time and season and beyond, we will seek to serve in love. We will serve our amazing God, our amazing students, and our amazing families with our whole hearts. We will do so, as this year's theme proclaims, with hearts that prayerfully and humbly endeavor to Reflect the Son and "the Lord-- who is the spirit-- will make us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image" 2 Corinthians 3:18b. In all times, these are truths that can be relied upon.
 
Among this committed team of servants are both familiar faces and new faces. God has assembled and appointed this team and we are excited to serve together and see how God moves. Please join me in welcoming all of our new team members who are now a part of the MCS family (listed below). In addition, it brings me great joy to announce the elementary leadership team. It has been a privilege to witness how they have stepped out in faith and obedience as they have stepped into leadership.  
  • Brandy Sick-- Interim Elementary Principal
  • Angela Drevlow-- Elementary Dean
  • Kim Wilson-- TK-5 Instructional Facilitator/Coach 
With great confidence I can say our entire staff deeply loves the Lord, MCS, the students, and families. I consider it a great privilege to serve with them this year and we are asking and believing for God to do great things! With even greater confidence I can say God loves His people and His school. Forever thankful for His goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty. Praying, trusting, hoping, and seeking, with great anticipation!  Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.
 
In His Service,

Heather Harrison
 
We Welcome Our New MCS Team Members
Elementary 
Sandra Gonzales: Elementary Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Gonzales, who has lived in California for 39 years, graduated from Hope University at Fullerton with an M.A. in Education and has a California teaching credential. 

Sandra has been a teacher for 12 years. She and her husband, Michael, are members of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Mrs. Gonzales is the mother of three sons - Dominic, Christopher, and Nicholas - all three attend Coastline Community College. She enjoys reading, painting, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Gonzales is thrilled to be on staff at MCS.
Abigail Jones: Fifth Grade Teacher

Miss Jones, a Northern California native, graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Human Development and has a California teaching credential. 

She previously taught fourth grade in Burlingame, California for six years. Abigail enjoys reading, baking, running, traveling and spending time with her family. 

Miss Jones is excited to join the staff this year.
Amanda Majkrzak: Fifth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Majkrzak and her family relocated to California in July from Wisconsin where she had been teaching 5th grade for the past several years. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.  She has an amazing husband, Dave, and a spunky 4 year old son named Jace. Jace will be entering TK at MCS this fall and he could not be more thrilled to be in the same school as his momma. (His momma feels the same way.) Mrs. Majkrzak and her family are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She loves spending time with her family, reading, playing guitar, being outdoors as much as possible and is an avid CrossFit athlete. 

She feels truly blessed to be a new member of the MCS family.
Tessa Nease: First Grade Teacher

Tessa Nease received her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Educational Studies, Multiple Subjects Credential and her Master of Arts in Teaching at Chapman University. She minored in Language and Literacy, as well as Religious Studies. She joins the MCS staff after teaching first grade for three years in the Tustin Unified School District. Prior to her career as a teacher, Mrs. Nease worked as the children's choir director at Aldersgate United Methodist, and as a dance teacher and vocal director at the ClubHouse Academy through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley. She and her husband just celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary. They recently started attending TerraNova Church in Lake Forest after spending some time searching for a good fit for their family. Mrs. Nease enjoys doing yoga and drinking coffee with her two sisters, traveling whenever she can, going to live theatre with her husband, and spending time with her family. She is grateful to be part of the MCS family.
Allison Petrovich: Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Petrovich grew up in Colorado and moved to Costa Mesa when she started school at Vanguard University of Southern California. She graduated from Vanguard with a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication and went on to get her California teaching credential following her undergrad degree. Prior to becoming an educator, Mrs. Petrovich and her husband, Craig, were wedding videographers. She and her husband are members of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa. Mrs. Petrovich loves to spend time with her husband, bike around Costa Mesa, travel and explore new places, and spend as much time as she can by the beach and in the mountains. She is excited to be joining the MCS staff this year. 
Jamie Kruse: Mariners Institute of the Arts Director

Miss Kruse, originally from California, graduated cum laude from Biola University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in art and theology, and was credentialed through the BTSA induction program while working for Santa Ana Unified School District as an intervention teacher and long-term sub in kinder and fourth grade. She has taught fourth and fifth grade and intervention for K-6th grade. She has been involved in church community since a young age and continues to be invested at Canopy Church in Costa Mesa. She enjoys whatever adventures allow her to learn and experience new perspectives, even more so if others are included. Adventures may include creative expression, working with her hands, dinner parties, getting lost in the pages of a book, gardening, and outdoor physical activities. Miss Kruse values faith and family and can usually be found filling time to connect both. She is grateful to be joining the MCS staff.
Christian Lucas: Elementary General Music Teacher

Born in Bakersfield, California, Mr. Lucas attended Vanguard University where he earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2015 and a Music Teaching Credential in 2019. He earned his first level Orff Music Certification with the San Diego AOSA. Prior to MCS, Mr. Lucas was a 6th-12th grade music and worship teacher in Henderson, Nevada for three years. 

He enjoys nature, quality time with loved ones, bicycling and basketball. Mr. Lucas attends Mariners Church in Irvine. He is enthusiastic to teach young learners the skills and love for God's gift of music at MCS.

Note:  Christian is the twin brother of Christopher Lucas, our Band teacher.
Angela Rogers: Kindergarten - Eighth Grade Art Teacher

Mrs. Rogers was born and raised in Orange County. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Fullerton and her Master of Arts in Education and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in public and private education. She has taught Pre-K, Elementary, as well as English and art while living overseas in India and the Middle East. She is passionate about art, culture, reading, cuisine and traveling. She has been married for 11 years to her husband Kevin and they have a 2-year-old daughter named Olive.  They currently attend Canopy Church in Costa Mesa and she is thrilled to be part of the MCS team.

Elizabeth Sanchez: Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Sanchez has 16 years of teaching experience in both the elementary and middle school classroom. She graduated from National University with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies as well as a Master of Education. She has a California teaching credential, and is GATE certified through Cal State Fullerton. Mrs. Sanchez has three boys who will also be attending MCS. 

In her spare time, she enjoys going on camping trips with her family. Mrs. Sanchez has a heart for Christian education and is so excited to start this new journey at MCS! 
 
Middle School
Matt Fan: Middle School Mathematics Intervention Specialist

Mr. Fan graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Art in Sociology and Minor in Education. He received his Master of Arts with Teaching Credential from Azusa Pacific University. He and his wife, Joyce, attend Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. 

Mr. Fan enjoys spending time with his wife, watching sports (especially his Lakers), camping/hiking, and spending time with his friends and family. Mr. Fan is excited to be part of the MCS family.

Jamie Kruse: Mariners Institute of the Arts Director

Miss Kruse, originally from California, graduated cum laude from Biola University with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a minor in art and theology, and was credentialed through the BTSA induction program while working for Santa Ana Unified School District as an intervention teacher and long-term sub in kinder and fourth grade. She has taught fourth and fifth grade and intervention for K-6th grade. She has been involved in church community since a young age and continues to be invested at Canopy church in Costa Mesa. She enjoys whatever adventures allow her to learn and experience new perspectives, even more so if others are included. Adventures may include creative expression, working with her hands, dinner parties, getting lost in the pages of a book, gardening, and outdoor physical activities. Miss Kruse values faith and family and can usually be found filling time to connect both. She is grateful to be joining the MCS staff.
Cindy Phan: Middle School Math Teacher

Miss Phan grew up in Huntington Beach and graduated with a Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies, received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and Master's Degree in Education from Vanguard University. She taught twelve years in Garden Grove Unified School District as an elementary school teacher. She currently attends Seaside Community Church in Huntington Beach. 

In her free time, she enjoys hanging out at the beach, camping, surfing, hiking, trying out new recipes, and traveling. She is grateful to be part of the MCS team.
Angela Rogers: Kindergarten - Eighth Grade Art Teacher

Mrs. Rogers was born and raised in Orange County. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Fullerton and her Master of Arts in Education and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in public and private education. She has taught Pre-K, Elementary, as well as English and art while living overseas in India and the Middle East. She is passionate about art, culture, reading, cuisine and traveling. She has been married for 11 years to her husband Kevin and they have a 2-year-old daughter named Olive.  They currently attend Canopy Church in Costa Mesa and she is thrilled to be part of the MCS team.

 
Communications
Parker Munson: Communications Director

Parker graduated from Biola University in 2015 with a BA in English. He has previously worked at Rockharbor Church as a Copywriter and Content Manager, and as a freelance content creator and social media manager. He and his wife, Nikki, are originally from Michigan but now reside in Costa Mesa. 

He enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking and feels blessed to be part of the MCS team.


 
Aides
Nancy MacLeod: Art Aide

Mrs. MacLeod who is a native to Californian, A  Real Estate Licensee since 1998, in Sales, Property Management and Studied Interior Design, Flora Design and Culinary Cooking. She and her husband are members of Mariners Christian Church in Irvine.  She has taught VBS for Mariners Christian Church for the past 3 years and is the 3rd Grade Brownie Leader at MCS. Mrs. Nancy MacLeod is the mother of son, Kyle, who is studying his JD/MBA degree at the University of Penn Law/Wharton and daughter, Sophia, who is a 3rd grader at MCS.  She really enjoys art, concerts with family/friends, cooking, pickle ball and spending time with her family.  She is grateful to be on staff at MCS.

Garrett Michael Shipley: Outdoor Aide

Mr. Shipley, raised in Arizona, graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology/Criminal Justice as well as from Biola University with a Masters in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. He is currently working on receiving his teaching credential, but in the meantime serves as a middle school pastor and a spiritual director. He and his wife, Michelle, are members of Journey of Faith in Bellflower. Mr. Shipley enjoys reading, playing board games, and whatever adventures his wife comes up with (including, but not limited to, Antarctica). Mr. Shipley is grateful to be part of the MCS family.
 
Office Staff
Courtney McDonald: Front Desk and Substitute School Nurse

Courtney is the mother of Declan (8th grade) and Delaney (4th grade) as well as a proud Marine Corps wife to Matt. Courtney graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is also a licensed Lactation Consultant. The McDonald family attends Mariners Church in Irvine. As a family they love to volunteer with the Exceptional Families ministry. In her free time she loves to go for trail runs, go to the beach, cook, cheer for the Washington Redskins and watch her kids play the sports they love. 

She is very excited to be a part of MCS. 
 
New Assignments for Returning Personnel
Kim Wilson: TK-5th Instructional Facilitator
Angela Drevlow: Elementary Dean
Brandy Sick: Interim Elementary Principal
Bing Liu: Sixth Grade Homeroom, Middle School Science Teacher
Morgan Knight: Seventh Grade Homeroom, Middle School Science Teacher
Sarah Kim: TK Aide for Mrs. Hammans/Afternoon ASP Aide
updated 08.15.2019
 
 
300 Fischer Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone 714.437.1700 ยท Fax 714.437.7976
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