Faculty and Staff

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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.