Mrs. Melissa Payne has been working in the education field since 2010, and has served at CLS since 2017. Prior to that, Mrs. Payne served at other Lutheran Schools in Southern California, including St. Paul’s Lutheran School- Pacific Beach and Grace Lutheran-Escondido, teaching pre-kindergarten, fourth grade, and fifth grade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University - San Diego, CA, a Site Supervisor Permit for Early Childhood Centers from Grossmont College - El Cajon, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Micah Burog has served at Christ Lutheran Preschool since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development with a Theater Arts minor from San Diego State University and is currently working on her Master of Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Concordia University-Irvine. Micah has been the lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher and Assistant Director of the preschool since the fall of 2019. She also has experience directing summer camps and teaching Christian Youth Theater. 

Mrs. Amy Ferguson became the Admissions Counselor for Christ Lutheran School and Preschool in 2022. Amy is a huge supporter of Lutheran Education having gone to Lutheran preschool, Lutheran grade school, and a Lutheran University herself! She has worked in college admissions (both at Concordia University—Nebraska and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville), adoption and pregnancy crisis, mental health, and in different ministry settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Behavioral Science from Concordia University—Seward, NE, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from the Townsend Institute of Leadership and Counseling at Concordia University—Irvine, CA.

Maria Pepin has 28 years of teaching experience in early childhood education, and has taught ages 2-5. She has 30+ ECE units and holds a Certificate in the Early Childhood Program from Grossmont College. She has taught at several preschools in the San Diego area, including: Charlie Brown, Children’s Hospital Child Care, Mission Nazarene and Christ Lutheran. She has been the lead 2’s teacher since 2016. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at Lakeside Christian Church, teaching Sunday School, gardening, walks on the beach, and spending time with her family.

Mikaila Stroud has served at Christ Lutheran Preschool since 2016, beginning as a teacher's aide, and now serving as Lead 3’s Teacher. Mikaila holds 45 ECE units from Grossmont College and is currently working on completing a Site Supervisor Permit for early childhood centers. Mikaila also has 4 years of experience with elementary-age children. Mikaila is called “Ms. Mickey” by students and families. She enjoys reading to her students, and bringing music into her classroom any way she can. More than anything, Ms. Mickey enjoys finding fun ways to teach and connect children to Jesus in every part of their lives.

Rachel Duggie has served at Christ Lutheran School and Preschool since 2016. She is an alumnus of Christ Lutheran and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California – Irvine and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network. Over the last 7 years, Rachel has held positions as the Pre-Kindergarten teacher and 1st-grade teacher at Christ Lutheran. One of Rachel’s favorite things about teaching at Christ Lutheran is helping students see how God loves, protects, and guides His people both by studying the Bible and noticing His works in our daily lives.