Grade School

Karin Bourquin

Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • B.S., Child Psychology and Music from Missouri Western State College

Experience:

  • At CCS since 2019
  • Child Development Laboratory Teacher at Arizona State University, 1990-2000
  • Behavior Specialist at Applied Behavior Consultants, 2001-2003
  • Children Ministries Director at church, 2009-2014

Kayla Busenitz

6th Grade Team Teacher and Aide

Education:

  • B.A., History from The Master’s University, Magna Cum Laude

Experience:

  • Worked in hospice scheduling prior to CCS
  • Worked as an auditor for medical staffing agency
  • Served on church youth ministry staff for 6 years

Anthony Dials

Administrative Intern; 4th Grade Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • Air Force Associates Degree

Experience:

  • United States Airforce Technical Sergeant and Munitions Supervisor
  • Multiple medals
  • Trained and supervised individuals and teams

Hayley Duncan

7th Grade Homeroom Teacher, H.S. Teacher

Education:

  • Valedictorian from Cornerstone Christian High School
  • A.S., Social and Behavioral Sciences from Sierra College
  • B.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders from CSUS, Summa Cum Laude

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • Cornerstone teacher for two years
  • Barton Tutor (dyslexia) for two years
  • Behavioral Therapist for Autistic Children
  • Sunday School and VBS Teacher

Cayla Elliott

1st Grade Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • Valedictorian from Cornerstone Christian High School
  • A.A., Early Childhood Education from American River College
  • A.S., General Science from American River College
  • B.A., Child and Adolescent Development focused in Elementary Education from CSUS, Cum Laude

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • At CCS since 2019

Tracey Elliott

Classroom Aide, BASS Supervisor

Education:

  • B.A., English/Communications with a Minor in Christian Studies from Simpson University
  • ACSI Certified Teacher K-8

Experience:

  • Taught 6 years prior to CCS
  • At CCS since 2012

Nick Elizondo

4th and 5th Grade Team Teacher

Education:

  • B.S., Secondary Education from Pensacola Christian College
  • Master of Science in Educational Leadership from
    Pensacola Christian College (in progress)

Experience:

  • 4 years teaching experience
  • Taught upper elementary prior to CCS
  • Taught music to 3rd-12th graders
  • Taught piano for 5 years

Cindi Garrisi

Classroom Aide, H.S. Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., English and Communication Studies from Westmont College, Cum Laude

Experience:

  • Associated with CCS since 2013 as a parent and Helping Hand Volunteer
  • Substitute teacher prior to CCS

Shuniqua Guss

Elementary P.E. Teacher, Playground Supervisor

Education:

  • B.A. – English / Creative Writing from California State University, East Bay
  • M.S. – Leadership / Adult & Organizational Development from the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Experience:

  • Active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Midtown, Sacramento, serving in several ministries
  • Americorps / Peace Corps volunteer
  • HR and Operations

Emily Guydyk

5th Grade Homeroom Teacher, Jr. High Teacher

Education:

  • A.A., English, Liberal Arts, and Humanities from Sierra College
  • B.A., Medieval and Modern Studies from UC Davis

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • Multiple years in tutoring ESL students at the elementary, high school, and college levels
  • Taught 6th-8th grade Math prior to CCS

Nicole Johnson

Classroom Aide, P.E. Teacher

Experience:

  • Former Preschool Substitute Teacher
  • Involved in Children’s and Youth Church Ministries since 2009
  • Event Coordinator
  • Associated with CCS since 2018 as a Parent, Helping Hand Volunteer and PTF Volunteer

Melissa Keller

Elementary, Jr. High, and Sr. High Art Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., Fine Art from College of Charleston, South Carolina

Experience:

  • 10 years in graphic design
  • Associated with CCS since 2014 as a parent and Helping Hand Volunteer
  • Taught homeschool for 4 years

Trinity Keller

Classroom Aide

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • Bible Group Leader
  • CCS High School President

Yuliia Kushch

Teacher Aide

Education:

  • B.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language from the International University of Economics and Humanities, Ukraine

Experience:

  • Over 10 years in teaching English as a second language at the preschool and elementary school levels (Ukraine)
  • Children Ministry Director at church in Ukraine, 2010- 2018
  • Sunday School and VBS Teacher Assistant at a local church in Sacramento

Trilingual: Ukrainian, Russian, English


Jared Lee

6th Grade Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • A.A., Liberal Arts and Humanities, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, and Film and Media Studies
  • B.A., Theology from William Jessup University

Experience:

  • English Tutor
  • Student Ministries Director
  • Editor

Rebekah Leiplein

Yearbook Advisor, Marketing and Communications, Elementary Teacher, Drama Assistant

Education:

  • A.S., Recreation Management from Sierra College, Honors
  • B.S., Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management from CSU Chico

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • Event Planner/Coordinator
  • Over 12 years of theater training

Rene Markey

3rd Grade Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., Liberal Studies with English Supplement from CSUS

Experience:

  • 20 years working with children in church ministry
  • Substitute teacher
  • At CCS since 2018

Heather Reeves

2nd Grade Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., Liberal Studies with a History Minor from the Master’s University
  • CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Experience:

  • Taught outside CCS for 4 years
  • At CCS for over 20 years

Oksana Romanyuk

8th Grade Homeroom Teacher, Elementary & JH Team Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., English (Pre-Credential) at Sac State
  • M.A., Teaching at Jessup University

Experience:

  • 4 years teaching experience
  • Substituted for grades K-8
  • Taught English and Art in grades 6-9 for the past 3 years
  • Tutored ELs from first grade to college levels

Trilingual in English, Ukrainian, and Russian


Anna Silchuk

Elementary Music Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., Music – Violin from University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music

Experience:

  • Lake Tahoe Music Festival
  • Placer Pops Chorale and Orchestra (First Chair)
  • Slavic Chorale and Orchestra
  • Multiple Church Worship Teams
  • Private Business: Silchuk Violin Studio
Bilingual: Ukrainian and English

Mary Lee Sonke

H.S. Counselor, Librarian

Education:

  • B.A., Elementary Education from Covenant College
  • M.Ed., Integrated Curriculum and Instruction from Covenant College

Experience:

  • Developed curriculum for elementary history and literature
  • 7 years combined teaching experience in Christian education and homeschooling
  • Associated with Cornerstone since 2011 as a parent and Helping Hand Volunteer

Savannah Sweet

Classroom Aide, BASS Supervisor

Education:

  • 2025 Salutatorian at Cornerstone Christian School
  • Enrolled at Jessup University for a B.A. in Liberal Studies

Experience:

  • CCS Alumna
  • Sunday School teacher for 2 years
  • Children’s ministry volunteer for 6 years

Erin Winter

TK Homeroom Teacher

Education:

  • B.A., Child Development and Theatre Arts Minor from CSUS

Experience:

  • Over 15 years working with preschool age children
  • At CCS since 2013