Meet the Staff

Ms. Kathryn

 kldean@callutheran.edu

Kathi graduated from CSU, Northridge with a BA in Child Development. She has a Master’s in Teaching, and has worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years in a variety of positions. She worked for GPCDC/Patagonia for 15 years as a teacher and Preschool Director.  She has worked as an Early Interventionist and is an Adjunct Instructor for the Child Development Department at Moorpark College.  She loves guiding new teachers in the ECE field.  She enjoys reading, camping, swimming and spending time with her family.  Mrs. Kathi believes in providing families with positive experiences and environments that will enrich children’s lives as well as give them the support they need during early childhood.

Mrs. Faten

 fjarjou@callutheran.edu

Faten has been teaching at the Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center since 2000. She is married and has two children, Matthew and Mary. She has a BA in English Literature and has many courses in Early Childhood education. She enjoys the outdoors and particularly likes to work in the garden, here at school and at home.

Mrs. Heidi G.

 hgiller@callutheran.edu

Heidi earned her A.S. degree in Child Development from Moorpark College. She has served as an Early Care Assistant Teacher for the Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning, and volunteered countless hours with the Simi Valley Unified School District. Heidi has been married for over twenty five years and has two adult sons. She is passionate about Early Childhood Education and is dedicated to ensuring that each and every member of our FFECC "family" feels heard, supported, and loved. Heidi enjoys spending time outdoors and firmly believes that children learn best when immersed in an environment of nature.

Mrs. Yvanna

 yherrera@callutheran.edu

Yvanna loves children! She has worked in the early childhood education field for 13 years. Yvanna has been married to her husband Leonel since 2009. They enjoy spending time with their wonderful son and two lovely daughters. She enjoys reading, attending concerts, gardening and doing crafts with her kids. Yvanna is so excited to be part of the CLU family.

Mrs. Curstin

 caupperle@callutheran.edu

Curstin received her Associates Degree from Pierce College and completed the Early Childhood Education program at Moorpark College. Her fun and energetic personality have complimented her passion for teaching preschool for over 14 years. Curstin has lived in Thousand Oaks for 20 years with her husband Tim, where they raised their three sons. As a parent, Curstin shares the passion parents have for their children and loves working with our families and their children in a nurturing environment. She enjoys listening to music and cheering for the Dodgers!

Mrs. Gema

 ghayek@callutheran.edu

Gema is proud of her career as mom to her three grown children, and recently became a Grandma!  She has a diverse professional history working in the early childhood field, including running her own at home child care business. Gema is a first generation college student. She studied Psychology at Pepperdine University, and achieved her Child Development certificate from Palm Beach College, Florida.  Gema believes sharing her gifts with others is an important part of teaching. And one of her greatest gifts is being bi-cultural, which she shares with our school through incorporating Spanish into the curriculum. Gema has been married for almost 10 years to her husband George, with whom she loves to go on cruises, take walks, watch movies, and travel the world. Gema loves to dance, read, listen to podcasts, design, spend time with family, and collect miniature clocks & owls.

Mrs. Sophea

 sreacheahaiby@callutheran.edu

Sophea (pronounced with a P) has been working with young children her entire life. She earned her A.S. in Early Childhood Education at Moorpark College, and is currently in the process of obtaining her B.S. Sophea is empathetic, patient, kind, and always has a positive outlook. She is passionate about encouraging children to develop their perceptual, cognitive, motor, and social skills, and helping each child to reach their full potential. When she is not working with children, Sophea enjoys sewing, cooking, and gardening.

Mrs. Christina

 christinaacosta@callutheran.edu

Christina has worked for the Conejo Valley Unified School District as a preschool teacher, as well as in the after school program. She has also worked as summer camp counselor at the Boys & Girls Club, and volunteers at her local high school and parish. She graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a BA in Early Childhood Studies and holds a Master Teacher Permit. Family is very important to Mrs Christina. She is married to her loving husband James, and together they have two teenage children. Mrs Christina greatly enjoys walking, camping, and admiring her precious hummingbirds. She has a love for animals, especially; her two senior dachshunds Hubba & Bubba, her puppy Mosa, and her Amazon parrot Joey! She’s very excited to be a part of the Cal Lu family.

Ms. Penni

 penniburns@callutheran.edu

Penni is excited to join the Fredrickson team! Most recently, Penni has been managing the afternoon program at a local Montessori school in Westlake Village. She obtained her Associates in Early Childhood Education at the University of Arizona and has a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from CSUN. She intends to continue her education, looking forward to obtaining a teaching credential and potentially a M.S. in Education. Penni has a passion for children and it shows with her positive vibe and joy for each child. Penni is a local to the area (30+ years), having grown up in Oak Park and currently residing in Thousand Oaks. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, going to the theater, and hanging out with her two pups, Luke & Leia.

Mrs. Carmen

 cbarbagiovanni@callutheran.edu

Carmen attended the Child Development program at Moorpark College and holds her Master Teacher credential. She has taught preschool children for over 20 years and has been working with infants since 2020. Carmen truly loves working with the infants. Helping children and their families is a most rewarding job for her. She enjoys working with children of all ages and is happy to be a teacher at the Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center!

Mrs. Janell

 jdelre@callutheran.edu

Janell attained her B.S. in Kinesiology with a Minor in Child and Adolescent Development. She has been working in the school setting for over 5 years. When Janell isn't at work, she enjoys travelling the world with her husband, and seeking "hole in the wall" restaurants. Janell feels overjoyed to work at our school. She sees children as a garden, not all flowers bloom at the same rate.

Mrs. Heidi R.

 hrockwoo@callutheran.edu

Heidi has been studying and working in the Early Childhood Education Field for 17 years, and considers it a great privilege to be a part of our Preschool Team. She has been married to her husband for 40 years, and has 2 grown children; a daughter, and a son who is a CLU graduate. In her free time she loves to read and to knit.

Mrs. Susan

 shansen@callutheran.edu

Susan joined the FFECC team in 2021, as a substitute teacher throughout the school.  She has twenty-eight years of experience working with young children in a variety of positions: as a teacher, a coordinator for children’s weekend and summer programs, and a children’s event planner. Susan greatly enjoys her many years as a resident of Ventura Country with her husband and son. She enjoys the natural beauty that only God can create, as well as the colors, textures, and diverse styles of people and art. Cooking, traveling, swimming, volunteer work through church, and hanging out with her special dog, family, and friends, keeps her busy when not at work.

Mrs. Jennifer

 jmleone@callutheran.edu

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from CSU, Northridge.  She also earned her Master of Education in Cross Cultural Teaching from National University and has worked with children of all ages for the last 18 years. Mrs. Jen loves teaching the little ones!  She started as a substitute teacher here at the center in July 2019. This gives her the opportunity to enjoy her passion of teaching and love of raising her family. She has been married to her husband Larry for over 16 years and has two amazing children Bella and Giancarlo.  In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering throughout the community with her daughter. Mrs. Jen feels blessed to work with your little ones on daily basis!