Admission

About

About Us

Faculty & Staff

Faculty & Staff

Gonzalo Andrade

Kindergarten Teacher

Antioch Los Angeles University 
B.A. in Liberal Studies 
M.A. in Education/Leadership

Alexa Atkins

1st Grade Teacher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies

Juliet Bridgesmith

Kindergarten Teacher

Kelli Chau

Kindergarten Teacher

Pacific Oaks College
B.A. in Early Childhood Education
M.A. in Education and Elementary Education

Certificates/Recognition

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Google Certified Educator

Christian Cid

P.E. Teacher

California State University, Los Angeles
B.S. in Business Administration, Management

Certificates/Recognition

Dynamic Physical Education Seminar Specialist 

Fitness Specialist

Jonathan Dar

4th Grade Teacher

University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. in History
M.A. in History and Education

California State University, Northridge

M.A. in Educational Administration

Certificates/Recognition

Magna Cum Laude

Phi Beta Kappa Society

Brian Duggan

4th Grade Teacher

Georgetown University
B.A. in History

Julia Flores

Spanish Teacher

Mount St. Mary’s University  
B.A. in Childhood Development

Pacific Oaks College
M.S. in Early Childhood Education

Chenelle Geoffroy-Lindsey

6th Grade Teacher

Queens College, City University of New York
B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Science 

Brooklyn College, City University of New York 
M.S. in Exercise Physiology

Rosi Gonzalez

2nd Grade Teacher

Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
B.A. in Spanish and
Chicano Studies
Minor in Communications

patrick gray

Playground Supervisor

Emmerson College
B.A. in Visual Media Arts & Political Science

stephanie Guerra

    Art Teacher

University of Southern California
B.A. in Sculpture and Graphic Design

Ed Hermeno

Math Specialist

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.S. in Environmental Engineering
Minor in English Literature

University of California, Berkeley
M.S. in Environmental Engineering

Loyola Marymount University
M.A. in Education

Certificates/Recognition

Teaching credential for Mathematics

Maya houston

Playground Teacher

University of Southern California
B.A. in Writing for Screen and Television

Minor in Occupational Therapy

Jennifer hunt

School Counselor

Bridgewater State University
B.S. in Psychology

Touro University
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy (Summa Cum Laude)

UCLA
Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Education

Gabrielle Jackson

Performing Arts Teacher

California State University, Fullerton
Theater Arts
African American History

daisha johnson

2nd Grade Teacher

Loyola Marymount University
Liberal Studies with emphasis on Special Education

Alice Kuramoto

5th Grade Teacher

California State University, Los Angeles 
B.A. in Home Economics, BA 

Concordia University 
M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction-Inclusive Classroom

Claire Lagerwey

Science

Goshen College and The Evergreen State College 
B.S. in Environmental Studies

Portland State University 
M.S. in Educational Leadership
Policy/Focus in Sustainability Education 

Certificates/Recognition

Community Engagement Award for the Education Department at PSU

Ji Hae Lee

Music Teacher

Seoul National University
B.A. in Music

Columbia University
M.S. in Music Education

University of Southern California
PhD in Music Education

Eura Lim

Learning Specialist

California State University, Northridge
B.A. in Liberal Studies
California Clear Teaching Credential in Multiple Subjects

Loyola Marymount University
M.A. in Literacy Education

Certificates/Recognition

Reading and Literacy Authorization Certificate

Brenae Linares

Kindergarten Teacher

University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. in Linguistics

Katrina Lovegren

3rd GradeTeacher

USC Rossier School of Education

M.A. in Teaching

Chapman University

B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies

Ashlee Morales

3rd Grade Teacher

California State University, Northridge
B.A. in Liberal Studies
Focus on Gender and Women’s Studies
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Christina Olague

1st Grade Teacher

California State University, Los Angeles
B.A. in English
Single-Subject Teaching

University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. in Library and Information Science

Karen Oquendo

Learning Specialist

 St. Francis College
B.S. in Psychology

Brooklyn College
M.A. in Childhood Special Education

Luisa Reyes

Music Teacher

Berklee College of Music
B.A. in Professional Music

Cal State Channel Islands
M.A. in Education Administration, and Curriculum and Instruction

Eileen Payoyo

1st Grade Teacher

University of California, Irvine
B.A. in English

National University
M.A. in Education

Certificates/Recognition

California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential

Lauren Reynoso

1st Grade Teacher

University of San Diego
Master of Education (M.Ed)
Education

Krystian Rutledge

Design and Create Teacher

Savannah College of Art Design
B.A. in Communication Art

Theppong Sae-Low

Writing Specialist

University of California, San Diego 
B.A. in History 
Minor in Teaching 

California State University, Los Angeles
Teaching Credential

Tracey Spencer

2nd Grade Teacher

University of Central Florida
B.S. in Elementary
Education

EdM in Reading
Education K – 12

Certificates/Recognition

California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Georgette washington

BYS Director

California State University, Long Beach
B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies
A. S. in Early Education 

Richard Yi

5th Grade Teacher

Boston University 
B.A. in Economics
Minor in Computer Science 

CalState TEACH 
Cleared Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Computer Concepts and Applications 

Certificates/Recognition

Supplementary Authorization Google Certified Educator

Byron Zapata

Playground Supervisor

University of Phoenix
A.A. in Education

Certificates/Recognition

Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Trainer

Christopher Zapata

Playground Supervisor

Santa Monica College
A.A. in Liberal Arts – Social and Behavioral Sciences

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About St. James'

Admission

Our Values

Academics

Beyond School

Community

Giving

Laura petersen

Preschool Director

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
B.A. in Administration

Pasadena City College
Child Development 

Certificates/Recognition

Responsive Classroom, Child Care Center Application, Outdoor Classroom

Laura is an experienced educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in education. Throughout her career, Laura has worked with children and families across a variety of educational settings, with a particular passion for creating nurturing, engaging, and supportive environments where children can thrive. Prior to joining St. James’, Laura served as the Director of a private school in Pasadena serving children from infancy through sixth grade. She also spent 12 years at Saint Mark’s Episcopal School in Altadena, where she developed a deep understanding of the importance of strong relationships between educators, children, and families.

Laura holds a degree in Business Administration, but has always had a passion for early childhood education.  Laura believes children learn best when they feel safe, valued, encouraged, and genuinely known. Her approach to leadership centers on creating a warm and welcoming school community while supporting teachers in providing meaningful experiences for every child. Outside of her professional life, Laura is a proud mother of two children. She has also opened her home as a foster parent to multiple children, an experience that has strengthened her understanding of the individual needs, experiences, and strengths every child brings with them. Laura  is honored to serve as Preschool Director and looks forward to partnering with families to create a joyful, supportive, and enriching foundation for each child’s educational journey.