Laurie is a California native and has lived in the beautiful city of San Diego for 23 years. She has been married for 15 years and has three children ages 13, 12, and 10.

The Aguayo's family life revolves around Christ centered church attendance, serving their community, and opening their hearts and home to loved ones. They like to travel, meet new people, explore their city, cook, and eat some good food!

Their homeschool journey began two years ago. They used a charter and enrichment centers to help guide them through the beginning stages of home education. Laurie quickly learned that her bottom line was that she wanted her kids to have an entirely faith based educational experience.

Laurie is delighted and looking forward to diving into the Heritage model of homeschooling. Being surrounded by so many with tons of experience will nurture the change and growth she desires. She is thrilled to take on the role of campus lead and serve the wonderful Heritage family! "2023-2024 school year here we come! Let’s go!"

Lydia Amos was born and raised in San Diego, California. She has been married to her husband, Dennis, since 1992 and will be celebrating 30 years of marriage this coming November. They have six children who have never been to a traditional school. Their children range from 27 to 10 years old. Since homeschooling for 22 years now, they have graduated three with three more to go. Their older children are successful in their jobs, their son in the Air Force and their two daughters are managers at Chick-fil-A.

Lydia has been with Heritage for the whole homeschooling journey so far and will continue until her younger son graduates. She loves what a class day offers in relationship building, community, core subjects, and electives. When the call for a new class day in Clairemont came up, Lydia was thrilled to participate as she knows the benefits. The Lord knew that she would be the one to lead this new class day. She is looking forward to what the Lord has planned for the coming year.

Originally from Simi Valley, CA, Marcy moved down to San Diego after marrying her husband, Jonny, a police detective. They have been married for 14 years and are blessed with a daughter, Elena, 13. Marcy is a licensed esthetician, has a background in design, loves DIY projects and enjoys serving in her local church where she has been involved in both children’s and women’s ministries, singing in choir, and volunteering with the middle school choir.

As a 2nd generation homeschooler (K-12th), Marcy is passionate about homeschooling her daughter and loves the numerous opportunities, the flexibility, and the focus on Christ that homeschooling provides. Although homeschooling Elena since kindergarten, Marcy is grateful to be part of the HCS family for the last 5 years and has enjoyed the amazing friendships, activities, field trips, and productions with the HCS Drama Club.

Together, the Bamba family enjoys traveling, frequenting San Diego beaches and local coffee shops, antique shopping, family movie nights, and serving together at their church.

Having been born into a Navy family, Dana spent her childhood in Virginia, Guam, Coronado, and eventually University City. Because of a strong desire to travel, Dana backpacked through Europe the summer she turned 21 and two years later took a job teaching elementary school for the Department of Defense Dependents School in Germany.

The globetrotting continued after she met and married her husband, John, in 1999 with trips to Ireland, England and Costa Rica. Little did they know the best adventure was yet ahead when they welcomed their two daughters into their lives, Avery, in 2003 and Annaliese in 2005.

After receiving encouragement from friends who were homeschooling, Dana and John decided to take the leap in 2013. It has been their honor to guide their children through their most formative years, infusing the entirety of their education with God’s truth. They are thankful that God has provided an abundance of opportunities through HCS such as sports, class days, speech and debate, drama, choir and the academy but most importantly the support and friendship of likeminded fellow sojourners in their homeschooling journey. As their last child is graduating this year, Dana can say with certainty that homeschooling their children has been her greatest joy.

Christa Beyenhof has a couple of music education degrees and more than 20 years of teaching experience, including serving as the director of bands at Calvary Murrieta Christian School for 8 years, teaching instrumental and classroom music at San Diego Academy and Horizon Christian School, and leading the Heritage Bands for the last 5 years.

Christa and her husband, Brad, have five children, and they have been homeschooling with Heritage since 2016. The Beyenhofs are very active in Bonita Class Day, Drama, Choir, Volleyball, Dad's Breakfasts, and field trips through Heritage. They are a very musical family and they also love serving at their church, participating in sports, taking road trips, and enjoying family movie and game nights.

Tricia was born and raised in a small town in Ohio, moved to AZ after High School where, at age 22, she met her soulmate Mark and they were married 4 months later in March of 1997. After Mark graduated from ASU they moved to San Diego, where Mark had lived during his high school years and where his parents were still living (and still are). In 2007 the first of 4 children came along and with it the early decision to homeschool. Their homeschooling journey started at the Greater San Diego Academy in Jamul, then they felt the Lord calling them completely out of the public school system and they happily became a part of Heritage in fall of 2015.

At Heritage they started attending EC1 (and still do) and over the years have made many friends and have tried to keep busy with various HCS activities as time allowed. Including Field Trips, Drama, Softball, hiking and outings with other HCS families. Mark and Tricia consider HCS to be a considerable blessing for their family, and can't thank the Lord enough for leading them down this path.

When not teaching the kids, spending time with family/friends and driving too and fro, Tricia has a wide range of interests. Including being a former Search and Rescue Volunteer (which she hopes to go back to), for 8 years she has volunteered as the Regional Commissioner for the local AYSO soccer league, she loves anything outdoors (gardening, chickens, hiking, camping, her favorite places are Pine Valley and Mt. Laguna), all things homesteading, cooking, baking, Bible studies, History, studying natural healing therapies and herbs/remedies for healing, as well as anything related to being creative (art, crafts, sewing, building things) and currently has been teaching fine art at EC1 class day.

Considering the blessing that HCS has been to their family, Tricia is looking forward to using her time and talents being a blessing to other families via her role as Academy Lead.

Kelly and her husband of 16 years, Kevin, have been homeschooling their 2 daughters for 10 years and have been with Heritage for the past 9. She and Kevin both grew up in the Kansas City area and are big fans of the Kansas City Chiefs football team. Her family enjoys participating in and watching many sports; especially football, softball/baseball, basketball, water sports, and hiking. She is also enjoys traveling, and had the opportunity to live overseas for 3 years while serving with Youth With a Mission. In those extremely rare moments of free time, Kelly enjoys relaxing at the beach, working in her garden, and baking.

Bio coming soon.

Derrick was born in South Carolina, grew up in Wisconsin, and has lived all over the United States and overseas. Derrick holds a bachelor’s degree in Computers Science with a minor in Astronomy. Derrick and his wife Helen have been married for eighteen years. They live in Harbison Canyon with their two children Sarah Rose (HCS Freshman) and Mikael (HCS Junior). After 5 years of Waldorf education for Mikael and Sarah Rose, the family transitioned to Heritage for homeschooling just prior to the COVID pandemic. Helen is a special education teacher with the Grossmont Union High School District. Derrick’s older three children, and one son-in-law, have settled back into Wisconsin over the years.

Derrick retired from the Navy in 2008 and became a Cybersecurity expert as a Navy civilian. The family has many diverse activities to keep them busy outside of homeschooling including Boy Scouts, East County Youth Symphony, church youth group, Viking age living history, and the farmstead. The Davis farmstead includes a small garden, a horse, two goats, ten hens with one rooster, four dogs, two snakes, one cat, one gecko, one hermit crab, and three turtles. As living historians, the Davis family is known for natural dyes, metal casting, fiber arts, historical engineering, Viking living, Saami culture, and cooking.

Crystal is a San Diego native. She and her husband, Adam, have a son who is in 4th grade. They have been with Heritage for two years but have homeschooled their son from the beginning. Homeschooling wasn’t something Crystal ever anticipated doing but she is grateful for the opportunity to be able to embark on this grand adventure. She feels incredibly blessed to be able to watch her son grow and learn new things. Most of all, she cherishes spending time with her son and the time that their family is able to spend together because of it.

In her spare time, Crystal loves to serve others, read, craft, play games, and randomly fold people’s money into origami.

Catrina Dowers was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to San Diego to attend UCSD and then continued on to get her teaching credential from USD. In the midst of this, she met and married her husband Donald. They have been married 22 years. They have five children ranging in age from 8 to 20.

Catrina taught for a couple years before staying home with her children. She began home schooling when her oldest was 7 years old and is so thankful for this path the Lord is leading their family on. Her husband Don has been a wonderful encouragement and support along the way which has made this road easier. They are both thankful for this opportunity to pour into their children and infuse all subjects with God's Word and present things from a biblical perspective. Neither of them could imagine the kids leaving and heading off to school every day. It has been the sweetest blessing to watch the children grow up together and to be a part of all that they are learning.

Their family attends Paseo Del Rey Church, in Chula Vista, which is only a few minute walk from their home. The kids are also active in Awana. Catrina serves in American Heritage Girls and Don leads highschool boys in Trail Life. They are so thankful for these different groups that each serve different needs in their life and are a blessing to their family.

In her spare time Catrina enjoys reading, hanging out with friends and family and enjoying good food. She and her family like being outdoors, going camping, playing board games and just enjoying time together.

‬“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬

Priscila is a mother of 6 beautiful children, ranging from 2 years old to her very first college freshman! She and her husband have been married for 20 years and have been homeschooling for 10 years. Priscila was born in Texas but was raised in Oaxaca, Mexico. As a child, she always dreamt of having a large family and a farm of her own, she is thankful to be blessed with both. Community and fellowship are important to her and her family. She hopes one day to offer hospitality to other homeschooling families who travel. Priscila loves to learn and continuously challenges herself and motivates those around her.

Beth was born in San Diego, raised in Central California and after moving back and forth between the two several times in her life has happily settled in La Mesa for the past 10 years. She has been married to her husband Joe for 18 years and together they have three incredible daughters ages 16, 14 & 13.
They have always homeschooled their girls and feel so blessed by the beautiful life God’s gifted them. As a family they share a love of literature, art & music. They enjoy camping, hiking, road trips and anything else that gets them outside in God’s Creation.

Besides being a mom, Beth is an Herbalist and Biblical Counselor. She loves working with plants and helping others to find wholeness and healing in Christ. She can also usually be found knitting, baking, drinking tea and starting dance parties in the living room.

Cindy is a San Diego native. She was raised in Fallbrook and attended Point Loma Nazarene University, where she studied to be an elementary teacher. Her husband was homeschooled, and she decided the Lord was leading her in that direction when her kids were tiny. She's enjoys being able to disciple and teach her kids at home. She loves to read, travel, and go on adventures with her husband. She lives in Ramona and attend the Escondido Class Day.

Donna fell in love with God’s beautiful Pacific Ocean when she was 9 years old. By the time she was in middle school, she was taking the bus or riding her bike the 30 mile round trip to Newport Beach. It was when she moved to San Diego that her lab colleagues introduced her to surfing. When she stood up on her first ride, she was hooked! Many a lunch break was spent surfing at Scripps Pier. Making the decision to serve Christ has led to many twists and turns in her life, all leading to her 33 year marriage with Randy and the raising of their five children.

Four of those five children have taken up surfing, and one day her son Ray saw an old photo of an extinct HCS surf club in the 30th anniversary yearbook. “Mom! Let’s start a Surf Club again at Heritage!” So, after braving the first winter with just 3 boys 3 years ago, the club has grown to include dozens of students of all ages and skill levels. It is great to see the glory of God’s creation at the beach every week!

Aubrie Hendee is a native San Diegan. She has been married to her husband Eric for 13 years. They have 3 children (Madeline- age 10, Zachary- age 8, and Timothy- age 6). They have homeschooled their kids since the beginning, having had the blessing of several other homeschooling family members leading the way.

Aubrie always wanted to be a teacher but she never expected to be a homeschooler! She has a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University in Business Administration with a minor in Spanish. Aubrie loves crafting and singing but her family's main passion is CAMPING!! She serves as the Co-Ministry Director for AWANA at her church and is involved in several other ministries there. She loves the Lord and strives to serve Him to the fullest.

Lilly was born in Mexico City and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah when she was 12 years old. Her family relocated to San Diego where she met her husband, Brian. They have been married for almost 27 years, they have 4 children, Joseph, Gabriela, William, and Natalia. 

Lilly has homeschooled their youngest daughter, Natalia for 3 years, 2 of those years with Heritage. She never thought she would homeschool, but she is so grateful to the Lord for the opportunity because it has been a huge blessing.

Brian is a pastor and a business owner and together they enjoy trying new restaurants. As a family they enjoy taking trips, playing board games, and making fun memories together.

Cindy Hughes was born and raised in the beautiful mountains of western Pennsylvania. She spent her college years in the rolling hills of West Virginia earning her bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in choral and instrumental music. She has had classrooms in the public and private sectors of West Virginia and California, plus taught private piano, voice, and guitar lessons in her home for over 40 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1977, she met her husband John, of 38 years. They have 5 children and 10 grandchildren ages 17 years to 11 months.

John and Cindy are in their 36 th year of homeschooling. They have graduated their oldest 4 who have all successfully gone on to higher education. Their oldest 3 children are married, their 4th child graduated from Heritage last year and has begun her first semester of college, and their youngest is a Junior at Heritage. All their school-aged grandchildren are currently being homeschooled. Cindy believes in homeschooling and knows that it works.

Through her homeschool journey, Cindy has enjoyed many opportunities to pour into the homeschool community. She has taught at various class days, directed a homeschool sign language choir under Grace Christian, taught private homeschool writing classes, founded and directed the Children in
ACTION mime team, directed Aim SD, been the musical director for several CFS Mira Mesa drama musicals, served as leader of CFS Clairemont, and tutored for Classical Conversations.

She enjoys staying active by biking, swimming, walking, clogging, line dancing, and participating in Zumba classes. She is an avid reader and enjoys expressing herself through writing songs and Haikus. She participates in her church community on the worship team and by teaching in the Children’s
Ministries. Cindy’s focus verse is Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 …” Therefore, choose life,” …

Michelle has been married to Ferdie Hembrador for 20 wonderful years and are blessed with three children ages 18, 16, and 14. This will be their 12th year of homeschooling, and fourth year with Heritage. During this time both Ferdie and Michelle served in various areas of teaching, coaching, and committees. Being a part of Heritage class days, sports, and social events has been such a blessing to their family as it brings many opportunities to fellowship and build community with like minded families. Last June, they graduated their oldest daughter from Heritage and realized right then, homeschooling through high school was not only possible but fun!

The Hembrador family enjoys many different activities like volleyball, basketball, the beach, surfing, traveling, cooking simple meals, movie nights, games, and many more as long as they are together. Their family currently attends North Coast Church. They have been there close to 4 years . Ferdie volunteers on the Tech Team and daughter Caitlyn volunteers in the Nursery.

Both Karie and her husband Will were born and raised in Northern California. March 2023 will mark their 22nd wedding anniversary. They have been blessed with 3 children. Two have graduated college and moved on to successful careers. Their youngest is a Junior at HCS. In addition to 3 children they have 2 beautiful grandbabies, “the littles” who they adore.

The Holmes family moved to San Diego in 2016 and landed in Poway. Karie is a retired Homemaker and Will is an Engineer. They thank God everyday their son requested to be homeschooled and God presented it as the very best option not only for their son, but for their family. Homeschooling is a new journey for the Holmes Family. They know God sent them to HCS.

Karies favorite thing is waking up by the ocean, grabbing a cup of coffee and listening to the waves. She enjoys reading, and spending time with family and pets. Since she was a little girl she has been interested in missions (people and cultures) and helping children see the love of Christ.

Karie is excited to be a part of the Basketball Committee, meet the parents and become part of the HCS community. 

Brandyn (Brandy) Jennings never intended to homeschool her children ( she was adamantly opposed to it!); however, the Lord had other plans! “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails,” Proverbs 19:21. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for 23 years and have two children: Tyler, age 16, and Sierra, age 12. This is their tenth year homeschooling, and they have been blessed to have wonderful support and fellowship through Heritage all ten years.

Brandy has a degree in mass communications from Point Loma Nazarene University, and worked in public relations for a number of years before being blessed to stay home with her children full-time. She enjoys reading, writing, worshipping the Lord, fellowshipping with friends, and peacocks. Her children are both avid golfers, so she spends many hours a week as “golf mom,” walking golf courses and enjoying being outdoors in God’s beautiful creation. She has promised her husband that she will start golfing with him as soon as the kids graduate high school!

Heather has homeschooled for 15 years, entirely with Heritage. She was a public school teacher before having kids. She has a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Literacy & Curriculum, and she firmly believes that you don’t need to be a professional teacher to be the best teacher for your child. Heather fell in love with homeschooling and enjoys equipping and encouraging fellow homeschool parents.

Her favorite part of homeschooling is the many years of sweet moments on the couch discussing literature and big ideas. She also appreciates personalizing her children’s education, giving them time to develop their creative talents, and seeing them bond with their siblings. As a
mentor, Heather specializes in college prep for high schoolers, and literature-based learning like Sonlight curriculum.

Heather’s oldest daughter is an HCS grad currently thriving in the Torrey Honors College at Biola University; her son and younger daughter are active in the HCS bands, choir, drama club, & EC class day, and in Stoa Speech & Debate. Heather’s husband Steve is a physicist; they are celebrating their 25th anniversary since marrying in 1998. They are active at Foothills church. When Heather has free time, you’ll find her tucked in a hammock with a good book. The Jensens love reading aloud as a family, watching Lord of the Rings and Marvel shows, and eating yummy breakfast food at any hour of the day.

Sharon Jones has been with Heritage since 2001. She was homeschooled herself, and started homeschooling her nephew and niece. She has graduated 2 of her 3 children from Heritage. The last one is a Freshman with Heritage. Sharon is involved with the mentoring program. She enjoys crafting, reading, and Daughters of the American Revolution in her free time.

Tracy Kiffe and her husband, Brian, have been married for 21 years. They have three children currently in 10th grade, 8th grade, and 6th grade. They have homeschooled with HCS since 2012. During this time they have participated in various class days, clubs, and sports and are thankful for the Godly influence and friendships formed over the years. It has been an honor for Tracy to serve as the Secretary for the Music Club for the past three years. Tracy enjoys traveling the country and exploring God’s beautiful creation with her family. She is thankful for the memories created and the gift of time homeschooling allows.

Juliette (AKA Mrs. Lee at HCS Academy) and her husband of [almost] 25 years, Mark, have graduated two home schoolers [Oldest daughter is married and son is in college] and will finish with their daughter Britlynn - graduating class of 2026. Juliette has been blessed to home educate her children since 2007 and her family has been with HCS for the past two years. She loves teaching Chemistry and Geometry at Academy, with her daughter in one of her classes [yay!] The Lee familee enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, visiting their older two children, and watching Britlynn play volleyball with HCS and club.

Jenny Shippee and her husband, Carlton have lived in San Diego since 2014, however they met in 2008 while serving as musicians in the Navy Band in Newport, Rhode Island. They are blessed with three delightful children aged 12, 10, and 8, and are beginning their 5th year homeschooling and 3rd year at HCS. Jenny’s favorite part of homeschooling is getting to be off-peak tourists and reading amazing books with her kids.

Jenny and Carlton serve in their church orchestra, and Jenny is active as oboist with various community groups and her professional ensemble, the Left Coast Quintet. Since retiring from the military in 2020, Carlton has been pursuing a degree and building a career in IT. 

Heritage Christian School has been a fantastic environment and support for the Shippee family’s educational pursuits, but also so rich in genuine community and activities that challenge and grow them in the Lord. Jenny is honored to lead the OneAchord choir, loves working with the talented teen students, and prays it will be a vehicle to bring more souls closer and closer to God, and that He is glorified by the choir’s offerings of music and worship.

Noel was born in South Korea and was adopted when she was 2 years old. She spent the majority of her life in Minnesota and moved to San Diego almost 10 years ago. She has been married to her husband, Brett, for 21 years and they have four children 20, 19, 17 and 12. This will be their third year homeschooling and third year with Heritage. Noel started out as an assistant volleyball coach her first year with Heritage. Last year, she was one the girl's JV coaches and most recently has been nominated to be a part of the Volleyball Committee. Noel also plays beach or indoor volleyball, as often as her schedule permits.

The Sipes family likes to be physically active together, swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, volleyball, softball, mountain biking, and hiking, to name a few. Noel never thought that she would be a homeschool mom, but God used recent circumstances in society to "encourage" her to take the plunge. It has been a rewarding and exciting challenge for her to navigate this new frontier.

Heritage has been such a blessing to her family and she prays that you too will find your place in this fun, encouraging, and lively community that loves the Lord!

Shannon Stephenson was born on an AirForce base in Oklahoma and did some travel with her dad who was serving but she was able to spend most of her childhood here in San Diego after he retired. Shannon has been married to her husband, Joshua, for 20 years and they have 3 children aged 19 (first graduate!), 16 and 13. The kids have all been homeschooled their whole lives but have been with HCS 5 of those years. Joshua is a full time pastor and part time planner/scheduler; Shannon teaches piano and homeschools the kids; the two kids in HCS are involved in band, volleyball and basketball.

Shannon has been with the music club since it first started in the choir room and has loved every step of the journey. She loves doing anything she can to see this club succeed and bring honor and glory to God through music. She is currently serving as treasurer.

Kendra Strouse and her husband, Mark, have been married for 21 years. They are both from the San Jose area but have been living in San Diego for 20 years now. They have two daughters, ages 16 and 14. This is their 12th year homeschooling with HCS. Over the years, they have participated in various HCS activities including class days, drama club, choir, and honor society. Their kids are also actively involved in competitive swimming and BMX.

Kendra has her graduate degree in Physical Therapy. In addition to homeschooling, she also works part time as a physical therapist in an outpatient clinic. She has loved teaching her children and the flexibility that homeschooling has allowed their family. HCS has been a tremendous support and offered wonderful opportunities and extracurricular activities for their family. Kendra served on the parent committee with the drama club for the past few years, but she has decided to serve as an advisor for Honor Society this year. She feels blessed to help serve at the school who has given so much to her family.

Lisa Toleno has been homeschooling her two sons through Heritage Christian School since 2017. She has spoken at HCS's Homeschool Conferences on Charlotte Mason education and on the science of reading for dyslexics. She has hosted park days and taught at EC class day using the Charlotte Mason method.

Lisa has hosted a local Charlotte Mason reading group for the last five years. She is a youth group leader and leads the Truth in Training AWANA club at Lake Murray Community Church.

Lisa is a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve and the Commodore of Reserve Tactical Air Control Group One. She flew S-3B Vikings in the Navy.

Jessica Valdez and her husband Felix will celebrate 24 years of marriage this year. They have lived in San Diego their entire life. Felix served in the US Navy, and Jessica served her church body as an Office Manager and Campus & Event Coordinator. They are the proud parents of 20, 18, and 11-year-olds. Their sons enjoy the culinary arts and fitness and attend Grossmont College and Grand Canyon University. Their daughter is in the sixth grade and enjoys drama and music. They own and operate their restoration and construction company. They are faithfully involved at Ocean View Church and currently are Sparky leaders in the AWANA program there.

New to homeschooling, Jessica has found community, accountability, encouragement, and support by being involved in Sports Clubs, Music, Drama, and Co-ops through Heritage.

Laura Walmsley was born in Texas, but has been a California girl since she was a toddler. She met her husband, Robert, who was born and raised in San Diego in 2002. They have been married for 17 years and have 2 children together. Their son Gabriel is a 6th grader and daughter Marissa is a 4th grader.

Laura and Robert attend Bonita Valley Community Church regularly with their family. BVCC has been Laura's home church since she was 3 years old! Through the years she has participated as a group leader with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Moms Connected, has worked in childcare for the MOPS moms, and every summer she co-leads "The Imagination Station" at VBS (Vacation Bible School). Laura currently leads a small group within Women's Bible Study.

2021-2022 was the Walmsley family's first year at HCS and their first year homeschooling! The Lord began stirring Laura's heart very strongly when public school shut down for her children in 2020. Immediately, God began to open doors that were drawing Laura towards the homeschool community, Even though it was not something she ever expected to be doing, she was obedient to the Lord's call and went "all in"! God orchestrated the transition so beautifully by reconnecting her with a high school friend who introduced her to HCS. She found a beautiful, welcoming, and supportive community at Bonita Class Day. It was the glue she needed to keep her faithful on this new journey. Laura is teaching "Hands on Science" this year and she is very excited to see how the Lord will use her in co-leading Bonita Class Day in the Fall!

Laura loves reading, art, gardening, all things wellness, anything vintage and movie nights with her family.