Visit a Teacher...See What's Happening in the Classroom
 Kindergarten, Mrs. HanfordEmail: thanford@zlcs.org  Background: • B.S. Chemistry Radford University • CA Teaching Credential Concordia University, Irvine Tamara Hanford and her family moved to Fallbrook in 2004 from Pittsburgh, PA. They retired their wings at US Airways to run a successful avocado farming business. She is married to Eddy Hanford, Zion Lutheran Church Elder, and they have 2 children, Haley (7th grade) and Hannah (5th grade). Tamara has 6 years of teaching experience, 2 years at a teacher’s aide, and 2 years as a 6th grade teacher and 2 years as a Kindergarten teacher. She serves on the Zion Lutheran Church Board of Fellowship and enjoys leading Children's Church. Her hobbies and interests include tennis, reading and golfing. |
 1st
Grade, Miss EllisEmail: sellis@zlcs.org |
 2nd
Grade, Mrs. GordenierEmail: kgordenier@zlcs.org Background: • B.A. in Education from Concordia University, Irvine, California. • California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Born and raised in Arcadia, California, Mrs. Gordenier has taught in Lutheran Schools for 19 years, serving 17 of those years at Zion. She has taught in grades K-4 and began the all day kindergarten program at Zion in 1989. She has participated in numerous professional growth opportunities including Math Their Way. Mrs. Gordenier has been married for 17 years to Jeff Gordenier, a teacher in a Christian High School. They have one daughter, Rebecca, who will be a fifth grader at Zion this year. Mrs. G., as the students fondly refer to her, is an avid reader who loves to garden, travel, and spend time with her family. |
 3rd Grade, Ms. GreenwaldEmail: cgreenwald@zlcs.org Background • BS in Education/Minor in Psychology with post-graduate work • Lifetime CA Teaching Credential • Rostered/Commissioned Lutheran Teacher Certificate • Who’s Who in American Teachers • Teacher of the Year, Pacific Southwest District After CJ Greenwald began her teaching career in Ohio, she moved to San Diego where she taught second and third graders in a Lutheran school. Then in 1990, CJ was called to teach grade three at Zion. She loves watching the Lord work in the lives of her students as they grow in their love of Jesus. |
 4th Grade, Miss ArnettEmail: barnett@zlcs.org Background: • B.S. in Education, Concordia teachers College, River Forest, IL Major: Physical Education, Minor: English • M.S. in Education, Cal. State University Fullerton, Major: Physical Education • California Standard State Teaching Credential for Life • Lutheran Teacher Certification • Teacher of the Year, Lutheran High School of Orange County • Nominee for Teacher of the Year, Orange County Department of Education • CIF-SS Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame Bev Arnett has taught for 44 years including her 14 years at Zion. Bev has taught and coached at the elementary, high school and college levels in the United States and Hong Kong. Bev always looks forward to seeing the growth of her students, especially in their relationship with Jesus. Bev is currently a mentor of new teachers for the California credential program. |
 5th Grade, Mrs. WoodsSchool Principal & 5th Grade Email: dwoods@zlcs.org Background: • Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies-Teacher Preparation (Middle School), Old Dominion University • California Professional Clear Credential/CLAD, California State University-Fullerton • Lutheran Teacher Colloquy, Concordia University, Irvine Donna Woods has 13 years of teaching experience at Zion: 5 years as Zion’s Expressways to Learning Director and 8 years as a 5th grade teacher. Donna has also worked as a high school special education instructional aide and in the legal field (teacher, paralegal, court reporter, law office manager, and assistant to Chief Family Court Judge in Hawaii). Donna is married to Zion’s Deacon, Carl Woods, and a proud Marine wife of 27+ years. They have one daughter, Lauren, who is finishing college. She loves to read, travel, and raise guide dogs for the blind, and golf. |
 6th Grade, Mrs. SoonMiddle School Social Studies Email: csoon@zlcs.org Background: • K-8: Trinity Lutheran School, Whittier, CA *8th Grade Valedictorian • 9-12: Whittier Christian High School, Whittier, CA *12th Grade Valedictorian • Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. degree from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Education in 1981 Major: General Studies in Education • California State Teaching Credential – Multiple Subject Mrs. Soon has served as a public and private school teacher in elementary, bilingual, and special education classes prior to becoming a Zion third grade teacher in 1996. Since 2002, she has served in Zion Middle School, and currently teaches Bible, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math. Achievements include: 1984 Pilgrim School Teacher of the Year; Honoree in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (2003-2006); Disney Hand Teacher of the Year Nominee (2004). All three of her sons are Zion alumni. She enjoys composing/playing music, singing, writing, reading, and playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. |
 7th Grade
Homeroom, Mr. FischerMiddle School Science & Math Email: dfischer@zlcs.org Background: • B.S. degree in Education: Major: Biology Minor: Theology, Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska • M.A. degree in Education: Science Curriculum and Instruction, San Diego State University • California State Teaching Credential – Multi-subject Dan Fischer has 37 years of experience in Lutheran Education. Prior to his arrival at Zion Lutheran School in 2002, Dan served for thirteen years as a middle school science teacher and chair of the science department at Hong Kong International School. He is the author of numerous articles published in the National Science Teachers Association’s journal: Scope. At Zion, Mr. Fischer teaches the middle school science courses, algebra and Bible. Dan is married to Sandie Fischer. They have three wonderful grown children and two grandchildren. |
 8th Grade Homeroom, Mrs. FischerMiddle School Writing Email: sfischer@zlcs.org Background: • BS in Education with a Major in English and Minor in Psychology, from Concordia (University, Seward, Nebraska) • East Asia Writing Project Sandie has been teaching, either in the classroom or as a private tutor, for over 25 years. She has taught at various levels serving last in Hong Kong, where she was also Religion coordinator for the elementary grades. She is a writer and has led various writing workshops for students. She has been married to Dan Fischer for 37 years. They have three wonderful children and two beautiful granddaughters. |
 Physical
Education, Mr. CarlePhysical Education & Facilities Email: gcarle@zlcs.org Background: • BA in Human Development • Elementary Education from Azusa Pacific University, 2001 After devoting 27 years with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Greg started teaching P.E. at Zion (2001). Greg and his family have been connected to our church and school since 1985 and he served on the school board from 1989 to 1993. He is married to Marcy, and all three of their lovely daughters attended Zion Lutheran School. Recently, Greg's job description includes heading up our campus facilities. He likes to garden, watch sports, and sing praises! |
 Physical
Education, Mrs. BuntStudent Council & After School Sports Programs Email: lbunt@zlcs.org Background: • Physical Education Degree - Long Beach State • Early Childhood Physical Education Degree - Long Beach State • Adaptive PE Degree - Long Beach State • Sensory Motor Education - Long Beach State For 33 years, LaDorna has been doing what she does best, teaching Physical Education, coaching, and motivating young student athletes. Her teaching career includes a long list of outstanding achievements including being awarded “Teacher of the year” in 2003-04 and authoring several PE books, manuals, teacher workshops, and training videos. Before arriving at Zion in 2008, LaDorna taught PE in Huntington Beach schools as well as Clairbourn School in San Gabriel. She is married and an avid runner. Her two adorable grandsons attend Zion Lutheran School where we are blessed to have her as our K-8th grade PE teacher, Student Council Advisor, and Zion’s After-School Sports Program Director. |
 Technology,
Mrs. ThomasKindergarten-8th Grade Email: pthomas@zlcs.org Background: • B.S. degree in Management Science (MIS), Virginia Tech • Certified Lotus Notes Application Developer As an analyst/software developer, Pam has over 20 years of business experience. She found her passion back in 2002 when she began to share her computer knowledge with the students and staff at Zion. Mrs. Thomas teaches the technology courses for Kindergarten through 8th grade, maintains the Church and School website as well as IT systems across the campus. She is married to Gordon Thomas, BOE & Church Elder, and they have two children, Gordie (10th grade) & Kelly (8th grade). |