Mrs. Nancy Knight
Kindergarten/Principal

I received my Bachelor of Science degree and teaching certificate in 1971 from Concordia Teacher’s College, Seward Nebraska.  My first teaching assignment was in Chicago where I taught 6th and 4th grade.

After moving to California, I taught at St Paul’s Pacific Beach.  I taught grades 3-8 at different times and was also principal for 5 years. While teaching at Grace, Escondido, I had the opportunity to teach kindergarten and found a new joy in teaching the younger children.
God has blessed me with the opportunity to teach and serve as Principal here at Ramona Lutheran School, the past 6 years.

I have been married for 24 years.  My husband and I have a 22-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son who have been educated through the Lutheran school systems.
I too, received the majority of my education in Lutheran schools,  where learning and Christian values were taught by the examples of Godly teachers.  I feel blessed to be able to teach daily,
in an environment of Christian love.

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Mrs. Carolyn Matthews
Grade One

I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University.  I practiced Medical Technology for ten years.  I went back to school after my second son was born, to get my teaching credential.  I obtained a Professional Clear, CLAD Multiple Subject Credential from California State University, San Marcos.  I also hold authorizations to teach Computer Applications, science and math.

Prior to coming to Ramona Elementary, I taught Early Literacy Intervention in the Ramona Unified School District, math in Escondido and Reading Intervention and math and science in the Poway Unified School District. This is my second year at Ramona Lutheran School and I can think of no other place I would like to be right now.  The Lord has brought me here for a reason, and I believe it is to teach.

I enjoy the beach.  That’s where I can relax, read a book, take a walk with God and reflect on his power and love for us.

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Mrs. Kathy Palcic
Grade Two

I graduated from California Lutheran University.  I taught 5th grade at a Lutheran school in Utah.  When I moved back to California, I began teaching at Ramona Lutheran.  For the last 20 years I have taught grades 2-4.  I enjoy teaching and sharing God’s Word with the children.

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Mrs. Karen Giebelman
Grade Three

Karen Giebelman grew up in Illinois farm country.  At an early age she knew she wanted to be a teacher in a Christian school.  She graduated from Concordia University in 1972 and began her career teaching in Lutheran schools, which has spanned 27 years.  During this time she has taught first, third, fourth, and sixth grades.  In 2004, she was given the Elementary School Teacher of the Year award for the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church.  Karen loves teaching more with each year and thanks God for the opportunity.

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Mrs. Jackie Fisher
Grade Four

Mrs. Fisher hasn’t always taught 4th grade here at Ramona Lutheran.  When she first arrived in l998, she taught a combo 1st and 2nd grade class.  Four of her First Graders just graduated 8th grade last June.  After two years, RLS was growing so the classes were split and she stayed with First Grade for the next four years.  This is her fourth year helping Fourth Graders become the best students they can be. 

Cal State University, Long Beach is where Mrs. Fisher earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics.  She also completed her teaching instruction there.  Student teaching was accomplished in Ridgecrest, CA in both 3rd and 5th grades.  Mrs. Fisher is a continual learner and has taken many, many classes in the 22 years since graduating, which has helped her become a more competent teacher.

Before coming to RLS, she was a substitute teacher for seven years here in San Diego County.  Prior to that, she taught Special Education for two years in Trona, CA (near Death Valley). 

Mrs. Fisher accepted Christ as her savior at ten years old after listening to a special speaker at her church.  Her desire is to follow all that Jesus wants her to do which includes her activities here at RLS.  She has been involved on the Playground Committee for seven years and helped organize fundraisers and activities to further the outreach of RLS into the community.  The Gospel of John is her favorite book in God’s Word and a special passage she likes is chapter 15, especially verse 5 where Jesus says, “I am the vine, and you are the branches.  If a person remains in me and I remain in him, then he produces much fruit.  But without me he can do nothing.”

As Mrs. Fisher begins her 10th year at Ramona Lutheran she wants everyone to know that “RLS is a great place to learn and to grow to be all God wants you to be.”  She has appreciated the love and encouragement shown to her by students, parents,
and those she works with here.

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Mrs. Amy Engler
Grades 5 and 6

I was born in Louisiana.  I met my husband and was married in 1984.  We have three wonderful children and one grandson.  I moved to Ramona in 2000 and have been teaching at Ramona Lutheran School since 2003
I began my education at Louisiana State University.  I was two years into my program when our family moved to Florida.  During my stay there I worked with the Dave County School District as an aid to high-risk children.  I became pregnant with our third child and decided to move to a preschool where I worked as a teacher.  My family moved to Denver and I was able to continue to work as a preschool teacher.  I attended college and obtained my Director’s license and was promoted to Director of my own academy.  I ran an academy where I was responsible for 170 children for 1-12 years old and 20 employees.
I returned to college and finished my degree at San Marcos in 2003. Just one year before my oldest daughter graduated high school…whew!  After graduation I was offered the position at RLS as the 5th and 6th grade teacher.

I feel very blessed to be teaching in an environment where we can teach reading, writing and arithmetic, but most importantly the gospel of our Lord.

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Mr. Christopher Castberg
Grades 7 and 8

I am very happily married to Krista Castberg. Together we have two
children, both at Ramona Lutheran School. Blake our eldest is in the
Seventh grade with me as his teacher and Nolan who is in the First grade. I have been the Youth Pastor at Ramona Lutheran Church for over eleven years and have been teaching seventh and eighth grade at Ramona Lutheran School for over four years now. I have a Bachelors degree in Business Marketing and am two classes away from my Masters degree in Education. I love this school and have a passion for the Lord and teaching youth about how much He loves each and every one of us.

 

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Mrs. Elena Luellen
Preschool

I was born in San Diego and raised in New York State. I have a Fine Arts background including being chosen to sing in the All County Chorus at the age of 13. I was also chosen to attend a prestigious summer school arts program for the visual arts at the age 17. I attended both Grossmont and Palomar College where I completed General Education requirements and Early Childhood Education for teaching.

During a short period, I cared for children in my home and completed more college units. I volunteered, when my oldest son attended Ramona Lutheran Preschool and was asked to substitute. I was hired in June of 1999. I completed my Montessori Credential through the Montessori Teacher's Program in San Diego, along with an Administrator's course. I then became the Director of the Preschool in 2001.

Besides being a preschool teacher, I teach art classes, paint and draw, play piano and love to sing. I also trained in the Adult Literacy Program through the County Library and volunteer at the Children's Museum in Escondido. I am part of the Women's Ministry team at Ramona Lutheran Church and sing when needed. Spending time with my family is most important to me. I have 3 children: Jared, age 14, Jenna, age 2 and Joshua, age 9 months old. My husband, John and I have been blessed with our marriage for 18 years.

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Mrs. Janet Lenahan
Preschool

I co-teach with Mrs. Luellen in Room 2 and co-teach with Mrs. Cahill in the enrichment program.  I have been teaching preschool at RLS for the past 9 years.  I have been involved with the school and church for the past 17 years.  I attended Palomar College and received my ECE units.  I also have a BS degree from William Patterson College.

I have been married to my husband Rich for 28 years.  We have raised two children, Julie, 22 and TJ, 19.  Both are alumni of RLS.
I enjoy teaching preschool and watching the children grow academically,
socially and especially spiritually.  I cherish their smiles and hugs each
day.  I feel blessed to work in a Christian environment where I am able to
share my love for the Lord with the children.

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Mrs. Maxine Cahill
Preschool

I have been teaching preschool at Ramona Lutheran for 7 years. I'm currently co-teacher in room 1 and lead teacher in the enrichment program in the afternoon.  I received my teaching certificate in early education at Canada College in northern Ca. I have many years of experience with young children. I was raised in England, the eldest of seven children. After graduating high school I took a two-year course in Catering. I came to the United States in 1989 as a Nanny and shortly there after, met my husband. We have been married 18 years and have two wonderful boys. Mackenzie 12 and Rory 10, both boys attend Ramona Lutheran School and have been there since preschool.  The boys are also involved in Scouts.  RLS has its own troop 691, which keeps my husband and me busy with camp-outs and hiking.  I feel very blessed to work at Ramona Lutheran, and for the great Christian education my children are receiving. RLS is part of our family.

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