Evergreen Christian School
Who We Are
Evergreen Christian School began as a PSP in January 2018. However, nearly all of our families have been homeschooling in some capacity before joining ECS. All of our leaders have administrative and/or educational experience.
Mary Hebert, Administrator and Teacher
Mary and her husband Chris have been homeschooling their children for their entire education. Mary holds a bachelors degree in chemistry and a masters in math. Before her kids were ready for homeschooling, Mary worked in the biotech field and taught math at Cal State Fullerton. For nine years, Mary taught classes at a local homeschool PSP (history, science, Bible/apologetics). She has also been in charge of planning field trips, social activities, and school events. In the classroom, Mary is dedicated to utilizing strategies to engage and challenge students of all levels. Both Chris and Mary work side-by-side in leading Evergreen Christian School.
Christopher Hebert, Administrator and Teacher
Chris received his first Bachelors in Cinema through USC, then went on to get his English degree/teaching credential through CSUF, and his Masters in Theological Studies through Golden Gate Baptist Seminary. He has been involved in public education for the last 20 years. At the high school level, Chris has taught Film Studies (a course he designed and piloted) and English. Currently, he coordinates the AVID program (a program for college-bound students) at a local high school. He tries his best to bring engaging and rigorous strategies to any lessons he's doing, and genuinely cares about the success of all students. Chris also is involved in a small Christian film production company and participates as part of his church's worship team. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching classic films, listening to music, road trips, his wife's spaghetti, and afternoon naps on weekends.
Chris received his first Bachelors in Cinema through USC, then went on to get his English degree/teaching credential through CSUF, and his Masters in Theological Studies through Golden Gate Baptist Seminary. He has been involved in public education for the last 20 years. At the high school level, Chris has taught Film Studies (a course he designed and piloted) and English. Currently, he coordinates the AVID program (a program for college-bound students) at a local high school. He tries his best to bring engaging and rigorous strategies to any lessons he's doing, and genuinely cares about the success of all students. Chris also is involved in a small Christian film production company and participates as part of his church's worship team. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching classic films, listening to music, road trips, his wife's spaghetti, and afternoon naps on weekends.
Cortney Pena, Activities Director and Teacher
Cortney and her husband David homeschool their three kids, ranging from preschool through fifth grade. and she is thrilled to be teaching at Evergreen. She has a BA in English and an MS in education with a reading specialization, both from Cal State Fullerton. (Go Titans!) She has a Multiple Subject Credential, Single Subject Credential in English, and Reading Specialist Credential. She taught high school Language Arts and junior high English and reading in the Corona-Norco Unified School District and the Orange Unified School District. Cortney has also taught reading at the community college level and substitute taught for the elementary classroom. She has been teaching since 2000 at either a local public school, Evergreen Christian School, or for her own children. She loves being in the classroom and helping students learn new things utilizing a variety of learning styles. "Student engagement is key in my classroom. I want every student to be engaged in the learning process."
Cortney and her husband David homeschool their three kids, ranging from preschool through fifth grade. and she is thrilled to be teaching at Evergreen. She has a BA in English and an MS in education with a reading specialization, both from Cal State Fullerton. (Go Titans!) She has a Multiple Subject Credential, Single Subject Credential in English, and Reading Specialist Credential. She taught high school Language Arts and junior high English and reading in the Corona-Norco Unified School District and the Orange Unified School District. Cortney has also taught reading at the community college level and substitute taught for the elementary classroom. She has been teaching since 2000 at either a local public school, Evergreen Christian School, or for her own children. She loves being in the classroom and helping students learn new things utilizing a variety of learning styles. "Student engagement is key in my classroom. I want every student to be engaged in the learning process."
Brooke Angaga, Teacher
Brooke and her husband, Evans, are homeschooling their kindergarten-aged daughter. Prior to this, their family participated in the preschool program class day through a local Christian co-op. Brooke has a BA in Psychology and Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University, and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. She adores experiencing other cultures; she spent a semester in the Middle East during college, participated in summer outreach trips to Jordan and Russia, and spent 2-and-a-half years working as a public health worker, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a rural Kenyan village. Brooke also worked as a social worker for children with a foster family and adoption agency prior to homeschooling. Brooke is excited to share her love of the beautiful people and world that God has created.
Brooke and her husband, Evans, are homeschooling their kindergarten-aged daughter. Prior to this, their family participated in the preschool program class day through a local Christian co-op. Brooke has a BA in Psychology and Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University, and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. She adores experiencing other cultures; she spent a semester in the Middle East during college, participated in summer outreach trips to Jordan and Russia, and spent 2-and-a-half years working as a public health worker, serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a rural Kenyan village. Brooke also worked as a social worker for children with a foster family and adoption agency prior to homeschooling. Brooke is excited to share her love of the beautiful people and world that God has created.
Chelsea Hendargo, Teacher
Chelsea is a student at Laguna College of Art + Design and will graduate in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share her skills and knowledge in art with the students at Evergreen Christian Homeschool and hopes that she can encourage students to never stop using their creativity. As a former Christian homeschool student herself, she experienced how influential a positive Christ-following role model can be growing up, so she aspires to help our students grow in both their artistic skills, as well as their faith.
Chelsea is a student at Laguna College of Art + Design and will graduate in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. She is grateful to have the opportunity to share her skills and knowledge in art with the students at Evergreen Christian Homeschool and hopes that she can encourage students to never stop using their creativity. As a former Christian homeschool student herself, she experienced how influential a positive Christ-following role model can be growing up, so she aspires to help our students grow in both their artistic skills, as well as their faith.
Candace Batsford, Teacher
Candace is on track to graduate in December 2018 from Hope International University with a degree in liberal studies teacher preparation with a concentration in English and a minor in Biblical studies. After she graduates, she will begin Hope’s teacher credentialing and master’s degree program. Before working at Evergreen, Candace served as a peer mentor for Dongseo University, a sister school to Hope located in South Korea. Currently, she is not sure what grade level she would like to teach but has a passion for working with children and knows God will guide her to the right grade level. She is excited and grateful to be working with Evergreen Christian Homeschool.
Candace is on track to graduate in December 2018 from Hope International University with a degree in liberal studies teacher preparation with a concentration in English and a minor in Biblical studies. After she graduates, she will begin Hope’s teacher credentialing and master’s degree program. Before working at Evergreen, Candace served as a peer mentor for Dongseo University, a sister school to Hope located in South Korea. Currently, she is not sure what grade level she would like to teach but has a passion for working with children and knows God will guide her to the right grade level. She is excited and grateful to be working with Evergreen Christian Homeschool.
Masha (Maria) Hemmerling, Teacher
Masha (Maria) is an artist of 35 years, art teacher of 7 years and art curriculum developer of 5 years. She graduated from Russian College of Traditional Culture with her diploma in Fine Arts, and minor in Traditional Russian Folk art.
While still in Russia, Masha worked as an art teacher at the Technical and Vocational School for Disabled, taught the Bible through arts and crafts at the Sunday school, was an art tutor and freelance artist, and worked as an artist for different companies and non-profit organizations. Many of her artwork are in private collections all around the world: Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, and America. After moving to the United States, Masha participated in and received awards at many art festivals between 2004-2008. She has taught art classes at Christian elementary schools and has seen her own students achieve similar recognition in events such as ACSI Art Festivals. She is also the author of her own art curriculum (which we are proud to be using at Evergreen). Masha started her Inspirational Online Art Studio “PaperPaint&Palette” as a platform for her art tutorials, digital courses, and live broadcasts that are based on Christian principles. Recently she started “The Mission of a Painted Block”, which is devoted to using wooden blocks donated by philanthropic organizations that are then painted with uplifting designs and inspirational words from the Bible and finally distributed by Containers of Hope to people groups around the world.
Masha (Maria) is an artist of 35 years, art teacher of 7 years and art curriculum developer of 5 years. She graduated from Russian College of Traditional Culture with her diploma in Fine Arts, and minor in Traditional Russian Folk art.
While still in Russia, Masha worked as an art teacher at the Technical and Vocational School for Disabled, taught the Bible through arts and crafts at the Sunday school, was an art tutor and freelance artist, and worked as an artist for different companies and non-profit organizations. Many of her artwork are in private collections all around the world: Scandinavia, Europe, Russia, and America. After moving to the United States, Masha participated in and received awards at many art festivals between 2004-2008. She has taught art classes at Christian elementary schools and has seen her own students achieve similar recognition in events such as ACSI Art Festivals. She is also the author of her own art curriculum (which we are proud to be using at Evergreen). Masha started her Inspirational Online Art Studio “PaperPaint&Palette” as a platform for her art tutorials, digital courses, and live broadcasts that are based on Christian principles. Recently she started “The Mission of a Painted Block”, which is devoted to using wooden blocks donated by philanthropic organizations that are then painted with uplifting designs and inspirational words from the Bible and finally distributed by Containers of Hope to people groups around the world.
Velyda Demuth, Teacher
Velyda has a BS in Biology and another in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University, and I have a MS in Math and Science Education, Chemistry, with an additional 18 grad hours in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has a background in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physical science, biology, medical terminology, health education, cancer biology, immunology, forensic biology, botany, and genetics. "I have a passion for homeschooling and science. And, most importantly, I am a committed Christ follower!"
Velyda has a BS in Biology and another in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University, and I have a MS in Math and Science Education, Chemistry, with an additional 18 grad hours in Biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has a background in chemistry, anatomy and physiology, physical science, biology, medical terminology, health education, cancer biology, immunology, forensic biology, botany, and genetics. "I have a passion for homeschooling and science. And, most importantly, I am a committed Christ follower!"
Sandra Attalla, Teacher