Faculty and Staff
Administrative Staff
Mrs. Haiping Sun (Angelina)
Administrator
Angelina Sun is a lifelong educator has been establishing and running Christian schools for
over 23 years. By the grace of God, over 10,000 students have been educated and discipled
in schools that Angelina has founded. Countless parents of her students have taken to
calling her their "intimate sister." Her husband Joshua is pastor of the Chinese-language
congregation at Emmanuel Baptist Church, where their son and daughter lead the
worship team.
Mr. David Griffin
Dean of Academic Affairs
Mr. Griffin is devoted to sharing the love of Christ by teaching others about God's word
and the world He made. Mr. Griffin helps ensure Emmanuel Christian School students
receive a high-quality and godly education. He is completing a Ph.D. in Judaism & Christianity
in Antiquity, and he is also pursuing ordination to the ministry when he's not spending
time with his wife and three children.
Pastor Dave Melander
Chaplain ECS
Pastor Dave serves at the Chaplain and Pastor for the families, parents, children, and staff
of Emmanuel Christian School. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts and
Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Arts in Evangelism and
Church Planting from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently enrolled at Liberty for a Certificate in Pastoral Counseling. His hobbies include hiking, fishing, and painting.
Mrs. Mitzi Penaranda
Finance
Mrs. Penaranda may not be in the front office, but she is dedicated to the mission of ECS.
She prays for each student as she prepares finance paperwork and asks God to bless each
parent and guardian as they invest in the education of their student(s). She has worked
with the college and career and AWANA.
Mrs. Zoe Bowen
Office Staff
Mrs. Bowen plays a vital part in the day to day operations of Emmanuel
Christian School. She has an extensive background in Preschool Administration,
loves children, and has a deep love for the Lord.
ECS Preschool Faculty
Mrs. Genoa Dillon
K3/K4
Mrs Dillon has been working at Emmanuel Christian School for twenty years
and she loves teaching! One of her favorite moments is watching a child read
after working hard on learning their sounds and putting them together.
She says, “Children are my passion and our future.”
ECS Elementary Faculty
Mrs. Min Gong (Cindy)
Chinese Teacher/Elementary Aide
Cindy joined our ECS family last year as the K5 teacher. She is assisting in various classes this year as well as teaching Chinese. Cindy has been in charge of a Chinese immersion summer camp at our school for two years! She has an amazing testimony and is a strong Christian.
Mrs. Jenny Cronin
K5/1st Grade & Spanish
Jenny is a life long teacher who has taught students of all grade levels in three different countries (Ecuador, the United States, and the United Kingdom) and in two different languages. She is also a Reading Recovery Specialist and has a passion for curriculum development, and a very caring heart.
Mrs. Joyce Thomas
2nd Grade
A well-traveled daughter of missionaries to Jamaica, Mrs Thomas has been a
part of the Emmanuel Christian School team since the spring of 1995. A
graduate of Cedarville University, Mrs Thomas also earned her Master's degree
from Wright State University.
Mrs. Millie Zhang
3rd/4th Grade
From prekindergarten to middle school aged students, Millie has taught a variety of ages and grades. She is excited to be a part of our school and be able to share her love for learning and love for Jesus!
Ms. Rebecca Jones
5th/6th Grade
Ms. Jones has taught grades 1st-8th and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She has 2 Masters degrees and loves Shakespeare! Ms. Jones became a Christian at the age of 13 and teaches a 3rd grade Sunday School class at her church.
Mr. Shiting Han (Tex)
Middle / High school & ART
Mr. Tex is from Shandong, China, and is an accomplished artist and professor of art, teaching
high school art since 2003 and college-level art classes since 2008. He committed himself to
Jesus Christ in 2005 during his postgraduate studies. Since then his constant prayer is that God would use his skill and technique to His glory.
ECS Specials Faculty and Support Staff
Ms. Lou Johnson
Physical Education
Ms. Johnson is a retired school teacher who loves students and loves physical
education. She is passionate about children growing strong, learning about good
nutrition, and keeping their bodies fit and healthy. She teaches children that God
created them and that physical education is a way of giving God the glory for His
handiwork.
Mrs. Dianne Rice
Music
Mrs. Rice has taught music to both children and the elderly. She enjoys having her students experience many different instruments and types of music. Mrs. Rice loves to use music for praise and worship time!
Mrs. Bonnie Bottomley
Before/ After Care
Mrs. Bonnie has been a part of our school for many years. She has been an Aide in the preschool classrooms and more recently is part of our Before and After Care teams. She is very organized and enjoys sharing the Bible with the students. Bonnie and her husband are members of EBC.
Mr. Eric Olanaiyan
After Care
A graduate of Osbourne Park High School, Mr. Eric is studying to become a nurse. Mr. Eric has been a summer camp counselor in the our ECS Summer Camp and has worked in the ECS before/ after care program for several years.
Miss Kamryn Jenkins
After Care
Miss Kamryn is a former student of ECS and is currently enrolled in college courses to become a teacher. She has worked in After Care and summer camp for two years.
Miss Samantha Shafer
Before/ After Care & Preschool Aide
Miss Samantha has worked as a summer camp counselor and teacher's aide
here at Emmanuel Christian School for a number of years. She is working with Mrs. Bonnie in Before Care and assisting Mrs. Dillon in preschool.
Mrs. Cici
School Meals Program
Everyone looks forward to the wonderful smells and great tasting lunches prepared
by Mrs. Cici in the ECS kitchen. She greets each one with a ready smile and her
gentle heart of service for our ECS students!
