MAKE A DIFFERENCE
LOWER ACADEMY – STAFF
Staff
Amy Wickstrom
Founder
Dr. Amy Wickstrom, Founder
Mr. Ron Ross has spent over twenty years challenging students to grow in their faith, achieve scholastic excellence, and develop practical leadership skills. His education experience includes teaching history and Bible to junior high and high school students, developing curriculum, coaching basketball, and school administration. He also organized and implemented a weekly homeschool co-op at his church when homeschooling his own children during their high school years. Mr. Ross’s previous school administration roles have included Principal of Faith Christian School (Roseto, PA), Assistant to the Principal and Academic Dean at Grace Baptist Academy (Kankakee, IL), and Vice Principal of Vineyard Christian School (Costa Mesa, CA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology from North American Baptist College, a Master’s of Divinity with an emphasis in Church History from Denver Seminary, and a Master’s of Education with an emphasis in Christian School Programs from Regent University. He has an All-Levels Administrator’s Credential and an All-Levels Bible Credential from ACSI. Ron and his wife live in Huntington Beach with their son and daughter.
Ms. Su Shea
Administrator
Su Shea, Director
Mr. Ron Ross has spent over twenty years challenging students to grow in their faith, achieve scholastic excellence, and develop practical leadership skills. His education experience includes teaching history and Bible to junior high and high school students, developing curriculum, coaching basketball, and school administration. He also organized and implemented a weekly homeschool co-op at his church when homeschooling his own children during their high school years. Mr. Ross’s previous school administration roles have included Principal of Faith Christian School (Roseto, PA), Assistant to the Principal and Academic Dean at Grace Baptist Academy (Kankakee, IL), and Vice Principal of Vineyard Christian School (Costa Mesa, CA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology from North American Baptist College, a Master’s of Divinity with an emphasis in Church History from Denver Seminary, and a Master’s of Education with an emphasis in Christian School Programs from Regent University. He has an All-Levels Administrator’s Credential and an All-Levels Bible Credential from ACSI. Ron and his wife live in Huntington Beach with their son and daughter.
Mr. Ron Ross
Discipline and Guidance
Mr. Ross, Discipline and Guidance
Mr. Ron Ross has spent over twenty years challenging students to grow in their faith, achieve scholastic excellence, and develop practical leadership skills. His education experience includes teaching history and Bible to junior high and high school students, developing curriculum, coaching basketball, and school administration. He also organized and implemented a weekly homeschool co-op at his church when homeschooling his own children during their high school years. Mr. Ross’s previous school administration roles have included Principal of Faith Christian School (Roseto, PA), Assistant to the Principal and Academic Dean at Grace Baptist Academy (Kankakee, IL), and Vice Principal of Vineyard Christian School (Costa Mesa, CA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology from North American Baptist College, a Master’s of Divinity with an emphasis in Church History from Denver Seminary, and a Master’s of Education with an emphasis in Christian School Programs from Regent University. He has an All-Levels Administrator’s Credential and an All-Levels Bible Credential from ACSI. Ron and his wife live in Huntington Beach with their son and daughter.
Mrs. Rodriguez
Kindergarten
Mrs. Rodriguez, Kindergarten
Mrs. Rodriguez has been teaching children of all ages for over 12 years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and worked in both private and public schools in Chicago, IL, for many years. She also developed and trained high school students for theSpanish AP and S.A.T exams. Mrs. Rodriguez enjoys developing curriculum, as well as creating dynamic class materials to enhance the learning experience of young students. Her passion to teach her native language, Spanish, led her to design, develop and create Language Learners Español, which is an interactive Youtube channel focused on teaching Spanish as a second language to young children. Mrs. Rodriguez has one daughter who she attends King’s Academy. She and her husband serve as pastors to La Viña Laguna Niguel, which meets at the Vineyard Laguna Niguel. They enjoy outdoor activities as a family, as well as reading and watching movies together.
Mrs. Roberson
Grade 1
Mrs. Roberson, Grade 1
Mrs. Roberson brings an extensive background in music and early elementary teaching to King’s Academy. After living in Tennessee for many years and serving as the Children’s Worship Coordinator at her church, she relocated to California in 2021 with her husband and middle school daughter. She previously taught 2nd grade for seven years and was heavily involved in all aspects of the school, including music programs, family programs, school plays, and extra-curricular activities. She also has a background in coaching volleyball and basketball for elementary and middle school students. Mrs. Roberson loves to volunteer alongside her family with NCL philanthropies, as well as with their church charitable needs, events, and children’s/student ministries. She also plays the guitar, piano, and mandolin. She earned her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Education, and teaching credential from Samford University.
Ms. Miller
Grade 2
Ms. Miller, Grade 2
Ms. Miller had every intention of making a difference in peoples’ lives by becoming a doctor. Then, at 21, her dreams took a new direction when she gave her life to Jesus. Soon after giving him the wheel, she earned her degree and teaching credential at the University of CA, Irvine. For eleven years, Ms. Miller taught in public and private schools until her involvement in a little church-plant called the Vineyard developed into a new path of full-time church ministry. Ms. Miller was ordained and served as children’s pastor at VLN for 23 years. She pastored the children’s ministry, organized church-wide family events, taught adult Wednesday night classes, preached, and lead women’s Bible studies. Then, in 2018, after authoring her bestselling book about finding God amid difficulty, she believed God led her in a new direction. Ms. Miller returned to the classroom and continues her call to make a difference, having the conviction that in a time of great turmoil, King’s Academy is God’s answer and provision for children and their families.
Ms. Stabe
Grade 3
Ms. Stabe, Grade 3
Ms. Stabe has a passion for motivating students to discover the joy of learning and become independent learners at an early age. She brings several years of experience teaching K-12 and special education as a long-term substitute teacher in the public schools. Her heart for children and their families led her to serve as a volunteer at Orangewood Children’s Foundation, where she spent five years mentoring foster children and collaborating with foster parents, social workers, and therapists. She also served as an associate pastor at Safe Harbor Church in Tustin for fourteen years. Sara earned a Bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University of Southern California, and she is currently a doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary working toward a degree in Practical Theology. For fun, Sara loves anything active and outdoors, especially running, as well as spending time with her family which includes 15 nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Riley
Grade 4
Mrs. Riley
Mrs. Riley has always desired to be a teacher. She loves to learn and finds immense joy in seeing her students discover something new. She is excited to teach at King’s Academy where she can make a difference through education while sharing the love of Jesus with her students. Mrs. Riley earned a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, as well as a multiple subject teaching credential from the University of Redlands. Recently married, she and her husband relocated to South Orange County where he serves as a Marine at Camp Pendleton. In Mrs. Riley’s free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, writing, and singing at church.
Mrs. Shaunna Espinosa
Grade 5
Mrs. Shaunna Espinosa, 5th
As the daughter of an educator, Mrs. Espinosa had a front-row seat to witness the effort, creativity, and dedication involved in teaching. During her college years, however, she pursued a different path. Mrs. Espinosa earned an Associate of Arts degree in Merchandising and Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. Mrs. Espinosa and her husband have four adult children, whom she homeschooled over a period of eleven years. When her children attended a private Christian school, she discovered a love for classroom teaching. For the past 15 years, Mrs. Espinosa has been a K-12 substitute teacher in both private and public schools. One of her greatest joys comes from serving in children’s ministry at Union Church in San Clemente where she attends with her husband and three of their adult children.
Ms. Caryl Phillips
Art Teacher
Caryl Phillips, Art Teacher
Mr. Steve Lutton
Security
Mr. Steve Lutton, Security
Mrs. Daniela Nasser
Substitute Teacher and Playground Support
Mrs. Daniela Nasser, Substitute Teacher & Playground Support
Mrs. Nasser combines cross-cultural perspectives, a love for teaching, and whole-hearted devotion to Jesus Christ. She recently returned from the mission field in Romania, where she developed preschool and elementary programs for a Christian non-profit organization called The Mission, Inc. She also served the poorest Roma (gypsy) communities and provided relief to children who were victims of human trafficking. Prior to this, she worked in Mexico and taught all grade levels at a school dedicated to teaching missionary children. She also served as an English and Spanish translator, and she lived as a permanent “live-in” staff member at an orphanage where she coordinated activities for over 100 children. Additionally, she worked as an individual support aide at Casa Hogar “Horizonte” in Ensenada, where she developed curriculum and appropriate learning activities for special needs children. Prior to her international work, she taught preschool in Rancho Santa Margarita for 3 years.
