Faculty & Staff

Mrs. Kirsten Born
Teaching Principal

As the Teaching Principal of South Bay Christian School, I face the unique challenge of balancing my teaching responsibilities with administrative duties. This role feels natural to me, as my journey with SBCS has been deeply personal and fulfilling. I was a student here, started my teaching career at SBCS, and even met my husband through the school. After we got married, I continued teaching and later welcomed my own children to start their educational journey at SBCS. Two of my children have already graduated, and I currently have one in middle school. Last year, I stepped into the leadership role as the Teaching Principal.

Our recent 8th-grade graduation really highlights the lifelong friendships built here at South Bay Christian School. More than that, thanks to our emphasis on social-emotional intelligence, our students are always open to welcoming the new friends they meet along the way.

Our aim is to focus on the things that make South Bay Christian School special and guarantee that our campus stays a loving, friendly, and safe environment for all of our students. In that, we are adopting as a biblical text that captures what we hope to do here: To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Our school theme this year is SOAR above all things based on Isaiah 40:31. "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strengths; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

We want to take you on this journey with us! Whether as a student, a parent, or a member of our community, we all have a role to play in helping our children develop a life-long friendship with Jesus.

Most Sincerely,

Mrs. Kirsten Born

Ms. Dwana Estrada

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Estrada is a kind and caring person. She holds a Master's Degree in Education and a Child Development Director Permit. She has been in the field of education for 23 years. She has taught for LAUSD and RBUSD. Mrs.Estrada is dedicated to helping students succeed and sets high standards in her classroom.

Her favorite quote is, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best."

~ St. Jerome

Ms. Deborah Dahl

Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Dahl says her life has been a testimony of God’s plans for her. He placed the desire to be a teacher in her heart when she was in second grade because her love for her teacher, Miss Bailey. "My goal has always been to teach children that they can do anything they set their hearts on, with determination and self-confidence; that they are the children of the King of the universe and with such a high calling, their job is to always carry themselves as such and never give up on any endeavor set before them."
Ms. Dahl holds two degrees from La Sierra University and Pacific Union College in Communications and Education. She has a professional SDA Teaching Credential and has been teaching for decades.

Mrs. Dinah Villanueva

1-2 Grade Teacher

First and second graders have the privilege of enjoying the kind and loving personality of Mrs. Dinah Villanueva, the perfect mentor for impressionable first graders.

Mrs. Villanueva has taught for 20+ years, many of them at South Bay Christian School. She also taught at the White Memorial Adventist School and the Antelope Valley Adventist School. She graduated from La Sierra University.

Ms. Silvia Hernandez-Jones

Summer Day Camp and
1-2 Grade Teacher's Aide

Mrs. Kirsten Born
Principal
3-4 Grade Teacher

Mrs. Born has been a lifelong learner first as a student and then as a teacher at South Bay Christian School for many years. While she enjoys teaching all subjects to her elementary students, it's the development of interpersonal skills and helping students recognize their God given talents and gifts she loves the most. She is grateful to have the opportunity to support other colleagues and work to cultivate a positive learning environment for everyone involved at SBCS as well as partner with parents for the growth and development of every child.

Mrs. Cheri Dawson
Administrative Support and 3-4 Grade Language Arts Teacher

When Mrs. Dawson’s own children began school at South Bay she switched careers and got her Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Having taught 3rd grade for many years, she retired in 2022, and graciously comes back to support us in the office and classroom. This year she will be teaching language arts for 3rd and 4th grade. She continues to support our fundraising efforts with the Fall Fundraiser and the Color Run, and is the school registrar. Her love for the school and our children is evident in her dedication to SBCS.

Mrs. Silvija Sekulich

5-6 Grade Language Arts

Middle School Science

7-8 Grade Bible
Teacher

Mrs. Silvija Sekulich is a wonderful example of a South Bay Christian School alumnus. She, along with her two sisters, attended SBCS throughout her elementary and junior high years, and it was at SBCS that Mrs. Sekulich decided to be a teacher.

She went on to graduate from California State University at Long Beach, and subsequently earned her Master’s Degree in Education at La Sierra University. She currently teaches LA and Science to middle school students.

Mr. Mario Negrete

Middle School Athletic Director, Social Studies, and P.E. Teacher

Mr. Mario Negrete has been teaching for a decade. He grew up in the home of a teacher and Education Superintendent. He has taught athletics, physical education, history (U.S./World), religion, learning resources, and English language learners.

He has been the co-sponsor for Student Association, participated in biannually mission trips (international and domestic), coached boys varsity soccer, boys JV basketball, and junior high soccer. He is fluent in Spanish.

He is very much in tune with physical, mental and spiritual needs of students.
He and his wife have a young boy and are members of the Monrovia Bilingual SDA Church.

Mrs. Jenny Grierson

Middle School Math Teacher, Grades 5-8

Mrs. Grierson continues in her second year of teaching at South Bay Christian School and has expanded her role to teaching all of middle school math. Previously she taught 5th and 6th grade math.

Mrs. Grierson comes to us from England where she earned her degree at De Montfort University.

Ms. Darolyn Jensen

Administration

Paul Marcondes

Finance

Mr. Marcondes has been a dedicated member of South Bay Christian School for 14 years, with the last 5 of those serving as the school's Financial Administrator. His deep passion for the school and its mission fuels his commitment to ensuring the financial stability and growth of the institution. Known for his unwavering dedication, Mr. Marcondes plays a crucial role in supporting the school's goals and maintaining its financial health. His long-standing tenure and enthusiasm make him a valuable asset to the SBCS community.

Ms. Francey Marzicola

Marketing and Development

Ms. Francey, as she is known by the students, holds a Master's Degree in Business from the University of Southern California. She has been with the school for a decade and is dedicated and enthusiastic about the growth of SBCS.

Her role encompasses all things marketing, public relations, community engagement, event planning and management, donor relations and admissions.

Ms. Anbrelynn Abuana

Teacher's Assistant for TK/K, Lunch and After-School Care Supervision

Ms. Lyn is a kind, soft-spoken, and dedicated educator with a heartfelt passion for sharing God’s love and kindness with her students. Now in her second year as a Teacher’s Assistant for TK/Kindergarten she brings warmth, patience, and enthusiasm to the classroom daily. Ms. Lyn is currently pursuing her teaching credential at El Camino College and aspires to further her education in the field of child psychology and development. Her goal is to continue growing as an educator and to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of young learners.

Mr. Semsi Moniati

After-School Care

Mr. M, as he is referred to, has been providing after-school care supervision for our students for many years. He is dedicated, dependable and the students enjoy his calm and gentle nature.

Mr. Sal Salelesi
Maintenance and Facilities

Mr. Salelesi first became acquainted with South Bay Christian School ten years ago when his eldest child started kindergarten. Seeking to stay close to home and his children, he utilized his finish carpenter skills to take on the role of maintenance and facilities at SBCS. He thoroughly enjoys serving our school community and being actively involved in his children's daily educational activities.

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