Felice Presley - 6th and 7th Grade Supervisor

Experience: Her college units have opened the door for 14 years of working for the State of California proctoring tests for the Bar Exam and Engineers Exam. Her love for God has taken her on mission trips to Mexico and Arizona.  Her love for her family has opened the door to 14 years of ministry in AWANAs and Children’s Ministries. While on staff at Shadow Mountain as Sunday School Coordinator, Felice trained in many areas of small group leadership and youth groups.  She stepped in at Heartland as a long-term sub and plans to stay a long time.

Interests: loves to cook, lots of crafts, camping, water sports, boating, crafts, wins blue ribbons at the fair

Personal comment: “My heart is to impart a love for learning. My hope would be that the students would be able to see God’s hand in their lives. My heart is that the students would trust God to give them direction and allow Him to grow them. I also hope that the students will develop a new love for literature and explore the depths of each subject.”

Principal’s comment: “Felice loves to be with the students. She is right in there with them, whether they are at school studying or on a field trip skiing. She is a take-charge person, making sure that everyone accomplishes the necessary tasks. Her goal is to see them succeed; however, she’s game for anything a junior high student could think up.”

Allegra LaPrath - 7th-8th Grade Supervisor

Experience:  Teacher for eight years; youth leader for 26 years; volunteer clown for hospitals and gang neighborhoods for four years; home schooled her own children for 11 years.

Interests:  Gardening and landscaping

Personal comment:  "I believe junior highers have a lot to say and I respect their voice. I love their questions and working together to discover the answers. I especially enjoy exposing them to classical literature and creating a love of words."

Principal's comment:  "Soft spoken and sweet, Allegra commands the junior high classes with a quiet authority. She holds to a solid line of expectations, knowing the ability of each student. Allegra is determined to produce well-rounded students equipped for the destiny she believes is theirs. Field trips, games, encouragement, and new frontiers are all part of learning in this classroom."

Fran McKnight - Jr. High Math

Fran is a preacher's wife, which has given her much opportunity to teach. She has taught Bible classes and women's Bible study groups for the past 15 years.Having home schooled her own children for 4 years and worked at Heartland for 3 years, Fran found herself settling into the place that excites her most, the junior high math department. Having always excelled in math, schooled in honors and advance math courses, competing and winning math competitions,tutoring students in math from 1st grade to high school, Fran looks forward to helping others understand and love math.

Interests: First and foremost God and my family. I love hanging at the beach, parks and amusement parks. I also enjoy games!! I love figuring out strategy games, word games and of course numbers :).

Personal Comment: I believe in math! I believe math is in our daily lives. I enjoy it and it has always been an interest to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to explain math to the students in a way they can understand it and carry it forward with them. I like to say, “If you understand it, you will use it."

Principal's comment:  "Soft, sweet, and enthusiastic, Fran has a heart of gold.  Willing to help, Fran has faith that all students can succeed in math.  She is hard-worker and can always be found with a smile on her face."

Carolyn Fisher - Jr. High PE

Experience: Taught gymnastics for 15 years; four-time World Champion arm wrestler; actor, mime, public speaker; home schooled her children for 12 years.

Interests: Nutrition and health, sports of every kind, traveling, speaking, mime, sign language.

Personal comment: “The yard is my classroom and exercise is my curriculum. I love to see kids peeling fruit and eating vegetables and good food. I am committed to encouraging students to physical, spiritual, and emotional health through fun and hard work. Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to school. I want to create connectedness in my PE Class. This will help them to improve personally, finding their own skills and talents.”

Principal's comment: "Carolyn is dripping with pizzazz. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. A natural teacher, Carolyn influences her students to be all they can be and more. Her coaching style is dynamic, structured and fun. Teaching thoroughly what is expected, she inspires confidence, order and positive results. Encouragement is top on her priorities."