Stoneybrooke employs people who are passionate about Christ-centered education and maintain a standard of excellence in their respective jobs. Learn more about the unique individuals that call Stoneybrooke home. If you would like to email any faculty or staff member, simply click the link under their bio.
Administration
Jim Berkompas graduated from Calvin College with a major in Physical Education, a minor in History and teaching credential. He received an MA in Curriculum and Instruction as well as an administrative credential. After teaching in junior high for twenty years he came to Stoneybrooke in 2003 as an elementary principal. In his free time, Jim can be found cheering for the LA Lakers and UCLA basketball teams.
After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, Lloyd Grim graduated with a Liberal Studies degree from Point Loma Nazarene College. He received a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Vanguard University. Lloyd joined the Stoneybrooke junior high staff in 1996 and has taught physical education, technology and bible. In 2006, he became the school's principal.
Theresa Yurkovich earned her BA in Journalism MA in Education from Pepperdine University. She taught 1st and 2nd grade in public school and later worked on staff at Saddleback Church before joining the Stoneybrooke teaching faculty in 2011, teaching JK and 1st grade. Theresa is passionate about teaching and loves watching students grow in their knowledge of, love for, and commitment to Jesus.
Sheri Currier received her BS in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University and has been working with young children since 1995. She earned her elementary teaching credential and can often be found substitute teaching at Stoneybrooke. Sheri formally joined the Stoneybrooke preschool staff in 2012 and truly enjoys her 4 year olds classroom.
Office / Support Staff
Kristi Young joined the staff in 2019 after several years as an active Stoneybrooke parent. She transitioned from a career in managing real estate sales to overseeing the school's admissions process. Kristi works tirelessly answering questions and addressing concerns for incoming students to ensure that their needs are met as they join the Stoneybrooke family!
Mone Pace received an AA in Liberal Studies from Saddleback College, and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from UC Irvine. Prior to coming to Stoneybrooke Christian School, she worked as a paralegal for a law firm in Newport Beach. Mone has been on staff since June 2001 and greatly enjoys the opportunity to work at the school her children attended!
Tressa Donaldson received her BA in Sociology from Cal State Fullerton, but has been working in the accounting field for over 15 years. When her sons started attending Stoneybrooke in 2017, she became involved in SPO and working as a part-time TA. She is thankful to now be able to use her background and serve the Stoneybrooke families as the school’s Bookkeeper. Tressa is grateful to be both a Stoneybrooke Mom and a Stoneybrooke staff member!
CoCo Nicole Makos received her bachelor's degree from University of Colorado. She worked for Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego for ten years planning events for the church and outreach events for the City of San Diego. Additionally she worked on Horizon's international team coordinating "Festival's of Life" across Mexico. CoCo has three children who have gone through Stoneybrooke starting in Preschool and has spent lots of time volunteering in the classroom and serving on the SPO board.
Sherry Worel is one of the founders of Stoneybrooke Christian Schools and has joyfully served as its Superintendent since 1983. In addition to her school leadership responsibilities, Sherry teaches a weekly Bible study for Stoneybrooke moms and community friends. She has spoken internationally at many leadership and educational conferences, school sites and parenting workshops.
Cari Ulm worked for over 14 years in the accounting departments of several credit unions as well as a mortgage company before coming to Stoneybrooke in 1988. While she started as a part time bookkeeper, Cari has spent most of her career overseeing the school's Business Office and currently is the school's controller.
Lauren Johnson has worked in a supportive role for several large local businesses and churches including The Walt Disney Company, Mission Hospital and Saddleback Valley Community Church. While she spends her days making sure the school office is running at full speed, Lauren continues to be very active in children’s ministry at her church. She recharges her batteries by gardening and running.
Melanie Hershock started her work at Stoneybrooke first as a parent, volunteering to help out with various office tasks for the junior high. Her work proved to be invaluable and she formally came on staff in 2013. Melanie possess a variety of skills including woodworking, carpentry and graphic design which allow her to use her abilities to coordinate the many special events planned for our school families.
Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, Denise worked in the IT industry and, after that, owned her own business as a corporate events planner before joining Stoneybrooke. She has been part of the school since her youngest son started as a KB Bear in 2012. She is grateful for the opportunity to become part of the Stoneybrooke team and looks forward to serving our school community.
Leslie received her undergraduate degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and her Masters in Educational Counseling and PPS Credential from Azusa Pacific University. Leslie has a strong desire to connect with students to contribute to their academic, social, emotional and spiritual development. She is grateful to be a part of the Stoneybrooke family!
After receiving a Liberal Studies degree and music minor from Cal Poly, SLO, Kevin earned his elementary teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton. He joined the elementary faculty in 2002 as a technology teacher and became the IT Director in 2009. Kevin maintains technology throughout the school and can often be found using his gifts in music and a/v for chapel programs, musicals and other events.
Faculty - Early Education
Lindsey Reese returned to teaching in 2019 after 18 years of staying home with her three children, all who have attended Stoneybrooke. She has graced the halls of our campus as a faithful Parents in Prayer member, an elementary and junior high substitute teacher and ran an after school PE program. Lindsey is very thankful that God has given her the opportunity to teach her "precious little ones"!
Mary Barnes graduated from Cal State Univ, Long Beach with a BA in Sociology and a multiple subject teaching credential. After teaching 5th grade and staying home to raise her 3 sons, she has found a love for Early Ed and thoroughly enjoys teaching the 4 year old class and helping out as assistant director.
Irina Klokochar graduated from Stoneybrooke in 2006 and has been a part of the school staff since 2009, first working as a teacher's assistant. She earned her Early Childhood Teaching certification from Saddleback Community College in 2014 and the following year began teaching the 3 year old preschool class full time. Irina loves to work with the "littlest" Stoneybrooke students making their day fun and exciting!
Faculty - Elementary
Pamela Long graduated from Trinity College with her BA in Elementary Education. She earned her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University. Pam has taught 1st grade at Stoneybrooke since 2001 and has 3 children who are Stoneybrooke graduates. She feels very blessed to be part of the family here!
Janet Saalberg received a BA in English Literature from UCI and completed her MS Credential through National University. Janet taught for 8 years at Truman Benedict Elementary School in San Clemente before deciding to stay home with her children. She returned to education, first in the public school as a part-time instructional aide and in 2019 became a full-time 2nd grade teacher at Stoneybrooke.
Christina Perkins received a BA in American Studies with a minor in Ethnic Studies from Cal State Fullerton. After a short career in banking, Christina went on to earn her elementary teaching credential from Chapman University. While Christina has been part of the Stoneybrooke family as a parent, volunteer, and substitute teacher for many years, in 2013 she was thrilled to become a full time classroom teacher.
Kim Snyder attended Cal State Fullerton, earning a degree in Child Development as well as an elementary teaching credential. She has over 20 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. Kim began teaching preschool at Stoneybrooke in 2012 and moved to the elementary side in 2015 to teach 3rd grade. She feels blessed to part of such an amazing Christian school!
Jesse Pike earned his BA from Westmont College in 1994 and earned his elementary teaching credential from Concordia University. After working in real estate, he began teaching in 2000 and joined the Stoneybrooke staff in 2007. He went back to Concordia in 2014 to earn his MA in Educational Administration. His gifts lie in inspiring his students to excel through motivation, laughter, discipline, music and prayer.
Cara Heitmann earned her Bachelors degree and teaching credential from the Cal State Fullerton. She began her career teaching elementary education in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. In 2008, Cara joined the Stoneybrooke family as a fourth grade teacher. She has a passion for teaching and guiding her students both academically and spiritually.
Kathryn O'Brien received her bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara and elementary teaching credential from UC Irvine. She is an experienced classroom teacher in both public and private schools, and taught 3rd grade at Stoneybrooke before taking the position of Director of Curriculum & Instruction in 2012. She returned to the classroom in 2024. Kathryn is also a published author of several children's books!
Karen Prete graduated from Westmont College with a diversified major and later received her elementary teaching credential from UC Irvine. Karen taught 5th grade for ten years before coming to Stoneybrooke in 2012. She and her husband have two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Jessica, and attend Compass Bible Church, in Aliso Viejo.
Monica Grim shows her love for children and their needs inside and outside the classroom. After spending 13 years as Children's Ministry Director at Coast Bible Church, Monica returned to Stoneybrooke in 2010 to teach 5th grade. Monica enjoys serving at her church, spending time with her husband and four children, and loves sharing her passion for helping the children of Haiti.
After earning her BA in International Studies from Pepperdine and pursuing a career in public relations, Tracy Cargill went back to school for her teaching credential and Masters Degree in Education. She has been teaching at Stoneybrooke since 2002, and has a passion for teaching 6th graders! Tracy's joy outside of teaching is spending time with her husband, John, and two daughters, Isabella and Eden.
Doug Harrison earned his undergrad and elementary credential before earning his Masters in Primary Education from Azuza Pacific University. He has been on the Stoneybrooke staff since 2003. Doug can often be found using his gifts in musical worship and discipling former students. He is passionate about missions work in Haiti and has traveled there many times working with orphaned children.
Faculty - Junior High
Katie Beshore earned her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Azusa Pacific University and teaching credential from Vanguard University. She is very enthusiastic about teaching math and is thrilled to share her love of the subject with Stoneybrooke junior high students! Katie is also very involved at her church and enjoys being with her family on the weekends.
Caroline Dailey received her teaching credential and education degree from Baylor University. She has wanted to be a teacher all of her life and couldn't imagine teaching anywhere other than Stoneybrooke - where she attended from Kindergarten through 8th grade! She has a passion for empowering students and she cannot wait to grow with them in their relationship with the Lord.
Aubrey Hess earned her Bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from The Master’s University. She began her career teaching sixth grade at Emblem Academy in the STEM program. She is committed to helping her students find the relevance of math in the world around them. She is passionate about the Bible, math, and seeing student growth! Aubrey can be found coaching and playing volleyball in her free time.
After Bethany received an English degree from Azusa Pacific University, she went on to obtain her teaching credential and Masters in the Art of Teaching from UC Irvine. She taught at Stoneybrooke for 10 years prior to staying home with her daughter, and she's back again for a second round of working with junior highers! Bethany loves to read and hopes to inspire a love for her literature in her students as well.
After attending Bible college at Pacific Christian (now Hope International University), Roxanne earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Fullerton and graduate studies in education at University of San Diego. She has been teaching at Stoneybrooke since 1998. Roxanne considers it a great blessing to be a part of the Stoneybrooke family!
Patrick Vear received his BA degree from University of Michigan in film production, which led him to Los Angeles to pursue a career in filmmaking. After years working into the industry, Patrick felt a call to leadership, and so began his career in teaching. Patrick is excited for the opportunity to help mold Christlike young adults at Stoneybrooke and prepare them for the challenges they will face in high school and beyond.
Faculty - Enrichment
Suzy Garrison taught in home school type programs for over twenty years. She loves teaching Bible and American History and enjoys working with parents and helping them with their teaching skills. Suzy is married and has three grown children, and four grandchildren. When she is not teaching here at school she loves spending time with her family.
Janna White is a native Texan who moved to California in 2019, shortly after getting married. She earned a BA degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Tyler while performing in many different settings and musical genres. Janna brings a wide variety of musical abilities to Stoneybrooke and feels called by God to teach and lead others in worship hoping to draw students closer to Him.
Mary Carlan received a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology from California Baptist University and followed that with a Single Subject Credential in Physical Education from Chapman University. She has been on staff with Stoneybrooke since 2013 teaching elementary and junior high physical education classes. Mary works hard to keep students active!
Juliet Marshall is a Stoneybrooke mom of 2 boys and a certified and licensed speech language pathologist. She received her bachelor's degree at California State University, Long Beach and her Master’s degree at San Diego State University. Juliet feels blessed to be given the opportunity to work with Stoneybrooke students and to assist them in becoming more successful with their communication and reading skills.
Cheryl Hilario has worked in the field of education since 2000. She holds an elementary teaching credential and has taught a variety of grades, as well as working as a resource teacher. She received her Master's Degree and credential as a school psychologist. Cheryl has a deep passion for working with students who think and learn "out of the box".
Teacher's Assistants