Junior Academy

Quality Courses, Biblical Worldview

Del Cerro Baptist Church

Please visit the Academies page for important class registration dates and eligibility requirements.

Jr Academy 2026 2027 Course Catalog Cover
Click on the image above to view the online catalog.
Download as a pdf document here.

Location (2025-2026): Del Cerro Baptist Church 5512 Pennsylvania Lane, La Mesa CA 91942 (map)

Meets: Weekly on Mondays, 9:00am - 2:30pm 

Lead: Genoveva Rodriguez

Weekly Drop Off Classes for Grades TK - 6th 

Classes will cover the four core subjects of Language Arts, Math, History, and Science. 

Classes are taught by Independently Contracted teachers.

Class fees are payable directly to the teachers: $1,600/year per student.

Admin fee (in addition to the class fee): $225

Teachers have different drop policies and billing cycles. Please note the policy and payment information for each specific class.

Kinder class

Schedule: The full campus will meet for a Chapel opening and then split off by classroom.

9:00am - Chapel
1:30pm - TK & Kindergarten Dismissal
2:30pm - 1st - 6th Grade Dismissal

Meet Our 2026-2027 Junior Academy Team

Lead

Lydia Amos portrait
Lydia Amos

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 28 to 11 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. She believes that Heritage offers so many opportunities for clubs, class days, and sports and there is something for everyone to enjoy and use their gifts and talents to serve the homeschool community.

Instructors

Jessie Concepcion

TK/Kindergarten Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Jessie has been working in the field of education for 9 years. Her certification is in the field of special education. She holds an Education Specialist credential and primarily served students from grades K-5th with mild to moderate disabilities. For her undergrad, Jessie attended Mesa Community College and transferred to the University of San Diego to complete her Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Literature. After graduating with her bachelor’s, Jessie participated in a teacher residency graduate program in East Los Angeles. Upon completion of the program, Jessie earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching, Instruction, and Curriculum from the University of the Pacific along with her Education Specialist credential. Over the years, Jessie has developed a passion for providing an education that is attainable and accessible for all students at all levels.

Jessie is married to her high school sweetheart, Benjamin. He is also an elementary grade educator. They have two beautiful daughters, a toddler named Winona and a newborn named Margot. Jessie loves having summers and holidays off with her husband. As teachers who have worked mainly in the public school sector, both Jessie and her husband learned early on that homeschool education is far superior, safer, and spiritually supportive for children and hope to raise their daughters’ early education years in homeschool.

Jessie has been blessed to travel internationally on mission trips as a teenager and young adult. She considers her time having worked in orphanages in Thailand and Cambodia, and volunteering at a special education school in England as foundational to the path God set her on for pursuing the field of education. Currently, Jessie’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband and daughters going on adventures around San Diego (the Zoo being a frequent location) and even traveling internationally. Jessie enjoys being a part of a Christian mama’s cookbook club, loves leading worship with her husband, and is spoiled with an enriching community of friends, family, and church family at the Branch Church.

Jessie is excited to bring a Pre-K and Kindergarten class combo to HCS Junior Academy. There is so much fun, creativity and exploration in learning this year to be had.
kinder jr academy teacher

Casey Fraser

1st/2nd Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Casey and her family have been part of Heritage Christian School since they began homeschooling over 14 years ago. She cherishes the community of Christian friends that she, her husband, and 4 children have found at Heritage. They are so thankful for the many clubs, sports, class days, and academy classes that their children have been able to participate in. She and her husband greatly enjoy the flexibility and quality time that homeschooling has given their family.

Casey received her Bachelor’s Degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and holds a Special Education Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. She taught special education for 4 years in the public school setting before joining HCS to begin her homeschooling journey with her own family. Since then, Casey has taught kindergarten, preschool, 1st-3rd combo classes, 4th-6th grade combo classes, and high school classes at HCS class days. She also taught the TK/Kindergarten combo and the 1st/2nd grade combo at the HCS Junior Academy with her oldest daughter, Avery. Casey is passionate about making learning engaging, fun, and glorifying to God. She loves the small class size and the one-on-one attention that she is able to give to her students.


She is looking forward to teaching 1st and 2nd grade with her daughter Avery again this year at HCS Jr Academy. Casey is honored to help teach and guide her students and will be praying for each one of them. Her desire is that every child would love learning and would know God’s great love for them!

Shaunna Shamoon

3rd/4th Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Shaunna has been a homeschool mom for the past nineteen years. She has four children and is still homeschooling the last two, one in high school and the other in middle elementary. She has a love and a passion to teach the next generations about living a life that honors God. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from San Diego State University and two Master’s Degrees from Liberty University (Theological Studies and Religious Education). She finished her academic career with Liberty, achieving a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. Her love for learning shows in her academic endeavors and in how she teaches others the knowledge she has learned. She is currently a professor in the online program at Colorado Christian University. This dynamic puts her in a unique position to teach students who are beginning their education here at Heritage and those who are finishing their educational journey.

In her personal life, Shaunna enjoys spending time with her family (husband of 26 years/four children) and investing in her local church of thirteen years. She currently disciples many young adult women in her church’s congregation, leads in the weekly college ministry, and serves on the worship team.

Shaunna is very excited to work with the 3rd/4th-grade class and is extremely hopeful for a wonderful year with her students and parents. Please know that she will be praying for all the families and students she is involved with and is looking forward to sharing this piece of your homeschool journey.

5th/6th grade teacher jr academy

Megan Sims

5th/6th Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Megan and her husband, Aaron, have been married for 22 years and are both proud HCS graduates. Together, they have embraced the homeschool journey, currently teaching three of their four children. Since joining Heritage in 2010, Megan has walked through every stage of homeschooling—celebrating the graduation of her oldest in 2024 and preparing to graduate her second this year.

Having grown up in co-ops and class days herself, Megan deeply understands both the joys and challenges of homeschooling. This firsthand experience fuels her passion for encouraging and supporting homeschool families.

Megan has always loved teaching and investing in students. After high school, she studied early childhood development and has continued to pour into children through both education and ministry. In addition to her role at HCS, she serves on staff at North Coast Church, where she leads children’s ministry.

Megan is passionate about creating a positive, engaging classroom where students feel supported, confident, and excited to learn

Meet Our 2025-2026 Junior Academy Team

Lead

Genoveva Rodriguez

Genoveva is a San Diego native. Wife to Kenny Rodriguez est. 2003 and mother to Oliver (2014) and Analyn (2017). The Rodriguez family has been blessed in their homeschooling journey at Heritage Christian School. There has been support and encouragement in their academic journey by the many families as well as being lifted up in prayer through the tough times academically and personally.

The family enjoys camping, dog life with Sparky, going to the beach, and serving biweekly in the nursery at their home church, Maranatha Chapel.

Instructors

Jessie Concepcion

Kindergarten Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Jessie has been working in the field of education for 8 years. The last 4 years she has been working as an Education Specialist serving students from grades K-5th with mild to moderate disabilities. For her undergrad, Jessie attended Mesa Community College and transferred to the University of San Diego to complete her Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Literature. After graduating with her Bachelor’s, Jessie participated in a teacher residency graduate program in East Los Angeles. Upon completion of the program, Jessie earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching, Instruction, and Curriculum from the University of the Pacific along with her education specialist credential. Over the years, Jessie has developed a passion for providing an education that is attainable and accessible for all students at all levels. 

Jessie is married to her high school sweetheart, Benjamin. He is also an educator and teaches 4th grade. They have a beautiful daughter, Winona, who was born in July of 2023. Jessie loves having summers and holidays off with her husband. As teachers who have worked mainly in the public school sector, both Jessie and her husband learned early on that homeschool education is far superior, safer, and spiritually supportive for children and are resolute to raise their daughter in homeschool. 

Jessie has been blessed to travel internationally on mission trips as a teenager and young adult. She considers her time having worked in orphanages in Thailand and Cambodia, and volunteering at a special education school in England as foundational to the path God set her on for pursuing the field of education. Currently, Jessie’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her husband and daughter going on adventures around San Diego (the Zoo being a frequent location) and even traveling internationally. Jessie enjoys being a part of a Christian mama’s cookbook club, loves leading
worship with her husband, and is spoiled with an enriching community of friends, family, and church family at the Branch Church.
kinder jr academy teacher

Casey Fraser

1st/2nd Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Casey has been a teacher for over 18
years. She cherishes the community
of friends that she and her children
have found at HCS and greatly enjoys
the flexibility and quality time that
homeschooling has given her family.

Casey received her Bachelor’s Degree
from Point Loma Nazarene University
and holds a Special Education Teaching Credential from San Diego State University. She taught special education for 4 years in the public school setting before joining HCS to begin her homeschooling journey with her own family 13 years ago. Since then, Casey has taught Kindergarten, Preschool, 1st-3rd combo classes, 4-6 grade combo
classes and High School classes at HCS class days. She also taught Kindergarten at the Junior Academy. Casey is passionate about making learning engaging, fun, and glorifying to God. She loves the small class size and the one-on-one attention that she is able to give to her students.

In her free time, Casey enjoys studying the Bible, going out for coffee, hiking at Mission Trails, reading, and playing games with her family. She is always inspired watching her kids perform in HCS drama productions and sing in the HCS Concert Choir. She also enjoys
watching her kids as they learn new
skills in Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and Surf Club and is grateful for the many opportunities that they have at Heritage Christian School.

Casey is looking forward to teaching
1st and 2nd grade this year at HCS Jr
Academy. She is honored to help teach and guide her students and will be praying for each one of them. Her desire is that every child would love learning and would know God’s great love for them!

Shaunna Shamoon

3rd/4th Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Shaunna has been a homeschool mom for the past seventeen years. She has four children and is still homeschooling the last two, one in middle school and the other in early elementary. She has a love and a passion to teach the next generations about living a life that honors God. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from San Diego State University and two Master’s Degrees from Liberty University (Theological Studies and Religious Education). She finished her academic career with Liberty, achieving a Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. Her love for learning shows in her academic endeavors and in how she teaches others the knowledge she has learned. She is currently a professor in the online program at Colorado Christian University. This dynamic puts her in a unique position to teach students who are beginning their education here at Heritage and those who are finishing their educational journey.

In her personal life, Shaunna enjoys spending time with her family (husband of 25 years/four children) and investing in her local church of thirteen years. She currently disciples many young adult women in her church’s congregation, leads in the weekly college ministry, and serves on the worship team.

Shaunna is very excited to work with the 1/2 grade class and is extremely hopeful for a wonderful year with her students and parents. Know that she will be praying for all the families and students she is involved with and is looking forward to sharing in this piece of your homeschool journey.
5/6 grade jr academy teacher

Raquel Ramirez

5th/6th Grade Instructor
Read Instructor Bio
Raquel is a San Diego native who for the past seven years has been teaching grades 4-6 in a Christian homeschool program. She is passionate about leading children to understand God’s Truth in all subjects of instruction by placing the Lord at the center.

Beginning her ninth year homeschooling her three sons, she delights in being humbled and strengthened through this journey. Motherhood and homeschooling remain her greatest callings.
With compassion and enthusiasm, she loves serving others. She arranges outreaches for women in the community organizing clothing swaps and craft fairs, mentors newly homeschooling moms, and serves on her church’s praise and worship team. Along with her family, she enjoys road trips around the United States where they experience hands-on learning and gratitude for God ‘s creation. Her family’s latest trip was witnessing the Solar Eclipse 2024 in Texas.

Raquel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from San Diego State University and a Master’s in Organizational Management from Ashford University.
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Email: registrar@hcssd.org
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