Kindergarten Instructor

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.

1st/2nd Grade Instructor

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!

3rd/4th Grade Instructor

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.

5th/6th Grade Instructor

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.