SCHOOL STAFF

Ms. Xavria Schwarz has served in the education field since 1996, and has been the principal at CLS since 2000. Before becoming a principal, Ms. Schwarz taught fourth grade at Bethlehem Lutheran School - Kennewick, WA. Ms. Schwarz was named the Pacific Southwest District’s Administrator of the Year in 2009 and Concordia University’s Outstanding Alumna of the Year in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Child Development from Concordia University – Irvine, CA, Master of Education in Educational Administration from Heritage University – Toppenish, WA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mrs. Amy Ferguson became the Admissions Counselor for CLS 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.

Mrs. Karen Trapp has served in CLS since 1995. She serves in a variety of roles at CLS, but primarily as our Extended School Care Director.

Mrs. Sarah Buskirk has served CLS since 2003 as School Secretary. Previously she served as a "room mom," lunch aide, and Chairman of the School Board. Her four children and husband are CLS graduates. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from University of San Diego - San Diego, CA.

Mrs. Jill Kusel has served in the education field since 1995, and has served CLS since 2019. Previously, she has served at Faith Lutheran School - Fair Oaks, CA, West Portal Lutheran School - San Francisco, CA, St. John’s Lutheran School - Napa, CA, and most recently at St. Paul’s Lutheran School - Concordia, MO. She is married to our eighth grade teacher, Mr. Mark Kusel. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from California State University - Sacramento, CA, a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Southeastern University - Lakeland, FL.

Ms. Tessa Lohman has served in the education field since 2017 and has served at CLS since 2021. Previously, she served as a preschool teacher at Zion Lutheran School-Dallas, TX and as a second grade teacher at Immanual Lutheran School-Giddings, TX. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University-Chicago, IL and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network. 

Mr. Randy Robinson has served in the education field since 2016, and has served at CLS since 2020. Previously, he served as a substitute teacher in the Santee and La Mesa Spring Valley School Districts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from National University and a Masters of Arts degree in Instruction. He received his teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University.

Ms. LeAnna Christopher has served in the education field since 2009, and has served CLS since 2011. Previously, Ms. Christopher taught Kindergarten at CLS. Before coming to CLS, Ms. Christopher taught a fifth/sixth grade combination class at Immanuel Lutheran School in Orange County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University – Portland, OR, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mr. Josh Payne has served in the education field since 2006, and has served at CLS since 2016. Prior to coming to CLS, he has taught at St. Paul's Lutheran School - Pacific Beach, CA and Grace Lutheran School - Escondido, CA. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, a Master of Arts in Education Technology from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mrs. Casey Sitze has served at CLS since 1997. She has coached and served as one of the leaders of the Student Leadership Team. She loves hearing the fun stories the fifth-graders tell her, and enjoys teaching art. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University - San Diego, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mr. Jacob Sitze has served in the education field since 1998, and has served at CLS since 1999. Previously, he served as the eighth grade teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School - San Diego, CA. He coaches both girls’ volleyball and basketball. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mrs. Tiffany Giles has been working in the education field since 1999, and has served at CLS since 2015. Previously, she taught Physical Education and English in two Southern California public middle schools for 19 years. Mrs. Giles has spent over 20 years coaching girls volleyball and basketball at the middle school and high school levels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Minor in Physical Education from Indiana University - Bloomington, IN, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mr. Mark Kusel has worked in education since 1996, and has served at CLS since 2019. Prior to coming to CLS, Mr. Kusel taught at Redeemer Lutheran School - Redwood City, CA, West Portal Lutheran School - San Francisco, CA, St. John’s Lutheran School - Napa, CA, and Trinity Lutheran School - Alma, MO. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Valparaiso University - Valparaiso, IN, a Master of Science in History from California State University - Hayward, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mr. Aaron Mietzner has taught at CLS since 2017. CLS is the first school Aaron has had the privilege of serving. Previously, he has had experience tutoring and working on various research projects in a university setting. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Concordia University - Irvine, CA, and a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Mrs. Christy Holden has been the Resource teacher at CLS since 2014. Prior to this, she was a teacher of the Deaf in Carlsbad, CA and then a stay-at-home-mom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Master of Arts in Special Education, and a Specialist Credential in Communication Handicaps, all from San Diego State University – San Diego, CA, as well as a Lutheran Teaching Certificate from the Concordia University Education Network.

Kathy Barkett has been a member of Christ Lutheran Church since 1990. As Director of Worship for the church and Music Teacher for the school, she oversees our worship music, classroom music education, and directs music groups for all ages, including choir, handbell, and praise band. Previously, she taught piano and voice lessons, high school choir, and theater music, and also played in a family band. She has a passion for teaching youth, especially in regard to raising up the next generation of worship leaders. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Music from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego. 

Ms. Belen Vasquez has served in the education field since 2019 and has served at Christ Lutheran since August 2022. Previously, she served as a 1^st-2^nd grade teacher aide at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Lemon Grove, CA, and a Spanish teacher at Falls Baptist Academy in Menomonee Falls, WI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Missions and Education from Baptist College of Ministry – Menomonee Falls, WI.