MEET OUR TEAM
ELEMENTARY FACULTY
TK Teacher
Rebecca Salazar
Mrs. Becky has been working with preschool and elementary children for the past eighteen years. She worked seven years for the Los Angeles School District, then at the city of San Marino in 2011, now is blessed to be working at Montebello Christian School. Over, the past years she has been able to share her love for music with the children. She is a musician and enjoys singing, playing piano, and drums. You might occasionally see Mrs. Becky at Word Church L.A. on Sunday services playing the piano and singing.
Eleanne Bernard
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Bernard graduated from Cal State LA with a bachelor’s degree in child development. She began working in the education field as an aid which eventually motivated her to become an early education teacher. She has had the opportunity to work in both public and private sectors bringing fresh, fun and innovative ways to learn! Her passion to teach young children continues to grow, but most importantly to raise the next generation in the ways of the Lord!
Yorling C. Montoya
1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Montoya has been teaching at Montebello Christian School for 4 years. She has a bachelor’s in business administration from Vanguard University. Mrs. Montoya is currently working on her Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Elementary Education.
Sandra Martinez
2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Martinez has been an educator for 10 years. This includes being a teacher's aide, a one-on-one special education aide, and a substitute teacher. She is currently working on her teaching credential for multiple subjects and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Azusa Pacific University
Laura Shelton
3rd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Shelton graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California with a degree in liberal studies (emphasis in elementary education), and a minor in psychology (emphasis in child development). Mrs. Shelton loves Jesus, spending time with her husband and two children, sports, and her church community.
Denise Murphy
4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Murphy began teaching in high school and has worked in every grade at least once. She has a Multiple Subject Teacher Credential and a Master of Arts in special education. She is active in her home church and outreach programs. She enjoys crafting, gardening and reading.
Mrs. Murphy wants to continue to invest spiritual principles in the next generation.
Holly Burgess
5th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Burgess graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2004, studying Speech Language Pathology. Her heart and passion has always been for children and has worked in the education field since 2006 with the past four years working as a full time teacher in upper elementary in the Christian private school sector. In Mrs. Burgess words, "My walk with the Lord is my most important part of my life, and it is my blessed opportunity to get to instill Christian core values with a high level education for my students."
MIDDLE SCHOOL FACULTY
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MCS Staff Dedication & Lunch (please see email for RSVP)
Sunday, September 24th, 2023
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MCS Staff Dedication & Lunch (please see email for RSVP)
Sunday, September 24th, 2023
FACULTY SUPPORT
Melanie Maldonado
ELA / 6th Homeroom
Ms. Maldonado is beyond excited to be an MCS teacher this year! She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and a Master of Arts in Education from Whittier College. Go Poets!
In Ms. Maldonado's words, "when questions arise, please do not hesitate to reach out to me and I look forward to a blessed and prosperous year."
Yvettte Reneaux-Palmas
History / 7th Homeroom
Mrs. Reneaux-Palmas has a bachelors /credential from CSULA in social science emphasis history and holds a master's in history from the same university. She also holds a credential in special education mild/moderate credential from Cal Poly Pomona.
Cassandra Anaya
Science / 8th Homeroom
Miss Anaya is an alumnus of Montebello Christian School, graduating class of 2011. This is her 4th year teaching at MCS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis in
pre-med from Grand Canyon University, as well as a Master of Arts in education at Azusa Pacific University and is ACSI certified. She is excited to bring her new and creative style of learning to be both engaging and fun for all.
Diego Alas
Bible / P.E. Coach
Mr. Alas recently graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biblical and theological Studies. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at The Master's University & Seminary. He loves teaching the Word of God to students, so they have a better understanding of the Word and a deeper love for Jesus!
Here at MCS, he enjoys connecting with students as a substitute teacher and floater! When he is not working, he enjoys hanging out with friends, reading books, and trying new foods!
Salina Walters
Teacher’s Assistant
Day Care/Aide
Mrs. Walters has been working at MCS since 1995—over 25 years—in various capacities supporting our faculty. Currently she is serving as a teacher’s assistant in the lower grades from K-2. She helps those lowers grade teachers in working with students during reading time and arts/crafts, as well as serving as a lunch aide and after school day care worker.
Arnica Ortega
Teacher’s Assistant
Day Care/Aide
Mrs. Ortega has been with our school since 2006, serving in many different areas between teacher’s assistant, lunch aide, and day care worker roles throughout her time. She is currently serving as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher’s assistant, assisting with reading, social studies, and science class. After school she serves as a day care worker. Arnica holds an associate degree in child development and holds a pre-school credential.
Deborah Jasiukonis
Teacher's Assistant
First Grade Aide
Mrs. Jasiukonis has worked as an elementary teacher since 1989, in Christian Schools. She worked at MCS since 2015, teaching 1st grade. She graduated from CSU, Long Beach and returned back to take child development classes. Besides working as an elementary teacher, Mrs. Jasiukonis has worked with preschool students. Now, as she feels almost ready to retire, she is working at MCS as an assistant in 1st grade. She loves teaching and wouldn’t consider any other job.
Lindsey Smotherman
Aide
Mrs. Hurtado has been supporting our staff as lunch aide and after school day care worker since 2010. Her warm smile, patient attitude, and gentleness is contagious around our campus.
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Maya Gomez
Aide
Mrs. Hurtado has been supporting our staff as lunch aide and after school day care worker since 2010. Her warm smile, patient attitude, and gentleness is contagious around our campus.
Leticia
Maintenance
Mrs. Alvizo has been a part of our school almost from the very beginning when we first opened doors in 1970. We look forward to celebrating both our school’s and her 50th anniversary with us! She assists the office staff and student learning with focusing on reading/testing, and also serves as our morning day care worker
ADMINISTRATION
Principal
Nella Klepach-Semerenko
Mrs. Klepach-Semerenko has been an educator for over 8 years including a teacher’s aide, working in Sped, and long-term 2nd grade teacher. She brings a well-suited educational background to this position, including a Bachelor of Business Administration from California State LA and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education, from WGU.
Stephanie Semerenko
Marketing Dept. &
Biblical-Spiritual Counselor
Miss Stephanie has worked over 10 years in the design field and about 6 years as a pastor in her local church. She has always loved working with children and her passion is to help children develop spiritually, socially, and mentally. She received a degree in fashion/costume design at FIDM and has a Bachelor of Arts in youth and family ministry at Azusa Pacific University (APU). She has a pastoral role at her church and leads in other ministries as well.
Denisa Mendoza
Office Executive Secretary
Mrs. Denisa is excited to be part of the MCS family. She is an avid church attendee at her local church. Because of her love for Jesus, she also pours out that love in your children and their well being. She's been an executive assistant in the corporate world for 20+ yrs and bringing her expertise to support the school and the team.
Terry Tuttle
Bookkeeper
During the 5th and 6th grades, Mrs. Tuttle's parents enrolled her into what was then a new school called Montebello Christian School. Mr. & Mrs. Hindalong were co-principals, and the school only went up to the 6th grade then. She recalls her 2 years at the school being informative and life changing. Mrs. Tuttle is so honored to be working at the school after all these years.
She loves the school, and it really is like being home again.
Diana Rendon
Office Assistant
Jessica Carrillo
Academic Relations Officer
Jessica Carrillo is a wife, mother and educator. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies/Education with an English Masters equivalent at Pacific Union College. Multiple Subject K-12 & Christian School Credentials along with CLAD certification and Four subject Endorsements (Religion, Reading, Science & Math). She has 24 years in the education realm and taught elementary, junior high and college level.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and trying new cultural cuisine. Mrs. Carrillo also loves promoting, connecting and networking. She has been serving in children and women ministries for several years now. She is thankful every day for all that the Lord has bestowed.
SCHOOL BOARD
Sebastian Petz
Pastor
Tamar Abajian
Board Member
Debbie Calderon
Board Member
Darlene Fierro
Board Member
Carla Gonzalez
Board Member
Giuseppe Veneziano
Board Member
