Staff

Head of School

Mrs. Freda is the inaugural Headmaster of The Geneva School in Lake Forest, where she leads with a vision for cultivating wisdom and virtue through classical Christian education. Previously, she served as Head of School for Grace Classical Academy in Laguna Niguel, where she strengthened the school’s academic program, significantly increased enrollment, and successfully guided the school through multiple accreditation cycles with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Grammar School Principal

Mrs. Holt has been involved in classical Christian education for fifteen years, serving both as a teacher and now as a principal. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology with an emphasis in Cellular Biology from the University of California, Davis, and earned her Cytology Certification from the University of California, San Francisco. Before starting her family, she worked as a cytotechnologist in both research and clinical settings, where she was continually reminded of the wonder and beauty of God at the microscopic level.

Operations | Events Administrator

Mrs. Lee serves as an Operations Administrator at The Geneva School. She is entering her second year with TGS. Her love of learning first led her to homeschool both of her children, an experience that introduced her to the classical tradition and curriculum. That same conviction drew her family to The Geneva School. Geneva has become a true second home, a place where faith, friendship, and the pursuit of truth are woven together in daily life. As a graduate of New York University, Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with a minor in Economics. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, interior design, and reading, and serves as the Assistant Director of Royal Family Kids Camp, a program for foster children at Church of Southland Chino.

Office Administrator | Admissions

Mrs. Rhines attended the University of Arkansas where she earned an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a minor in Nonprofit Studies. She recently moved from Bozeman, Montana where she worked as the Ministry Coordinator for Love in the Name of Christ Gallatin County. In her free time Brynn likes to go on runs, read a book, spend time with her friends and husband, and spend time at the beach.

Campus Safety and Student Formation Officer

Mr. Barker earned an Associate in Science degree in Administration of Justice from Irvine Valley College and is a retired law enforcement officer with experience in school safety.  Prior to joining The Geneva School, he served as Student Safety Officer at Grace Christian Schools.  He continues his professional development through school-safety training provided by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security, including resources from CISA’s School Safety Task Force.

A Southern California native and lifelong Christian, Mr. Barker attends church in Lake Forest.  Outside of school, he enjoys photography and spending time with his family.  He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the students and families of The Geneva School and help provide a safe and welcoming campus.

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. McMackin started teaching at classical schools in 2007 after graduating from The Master's University with a BA in Liberal Studies and a California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. She holds her MA in Education from National University. Becky has taught for seven years in kindergarten, second and fifth-grade classes; she has also served as a teacher's aide for three years.

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Raitt loves teaching Kindergarten and brings warmth, creativity, and joy to her classroom every day. With fifteen years of teaching experience, she continues to find deep fulfillment in nurturing the hearts and minds of young learners. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Azusa Pacific University and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Concordia University, Irvine. Her passion for teaching is especially evident in the way she incorporates music into her lessons, using it as a powerful tool to engage children and reinforce learning in meaningful ways.

First Grade Teacher

Mrs. McGehee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University Irvine, where she studied History & Political Thought and Writing. She has experience working with diverse learners, tutoring, and teaching third- through fifth-grade summer school. She is delighted to teach first grade at The Geneva School and to do the joyful work of educating and discipling children. In her free time, Mrs. McGehee enjoys pottery, reading poetry, and baking sourdough.

Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Song has been teaching at a classical Christian school since 2015. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and a minor in Education. Ms. Song has always enjoyed learning about different cultures and languages, so she decided to earn the TESOL Certificate. She taught English as a second language to diverse populations of English learners before going to Graduate School. She also received her multi-subject teaching credential and a Master's degree in Education from University of California in Santa Barbara. 

Fifth Grade Teacher

Ms. Koo brings a rich and diverse background in both education and the arts to The Geneva School. She began her professional career as a cellist and music instructor before transitioning into K–12 education. A graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a Bachelor's in Music Performance, she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education from Purdue University as well as a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through Biola University. Her teaching experience spans a variety of educational settings, including an international school in South Korea, a Jewish school in Los Angeles, and a Montessori school, where she served as an upper elementary teacher.

Sixth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Wimer graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. While attending Biola, she was a part of the Torrey Honors College, where she read and studied a multitude of western classics. She attended a classical school throughout her childhood and has begun her own career in classical teaching with The Geneva School.

Logic School Chair | Eighth through Eleventh Grade Humanities | Seventh & Eighth Grade History

Michelle Hahne has been teaching in classical Christian settings for the last eighteen years. Over that time she has taught every grade from First to Twelfth, specializing in Sixth grade and Seventh through Twelfth grade Latin, Writing, and Humanities. Sharing the beauty of God and his creation with her students is a daily delight, and doing so side-by-side with like-minded teachers and staff brings her the greatest joy. She holds her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Culture with an emphasis in classical education from New Saint Andrews College. 

NT & Apologetics | Seventh & Eighth Grade Logic | Seventh Grade Humanities | Weightlifting | Ninth through Eleventh Grade Theology | Ancient Humanities

Mr. Sholar originally grew up in Marietta, Georgia, before moving out to Southern California in high school. He attended Biola University where he received his undergraduate degree in Biblical & Theological Studies. Mr. Sholar then went on to Talbot School of Theology where he received his Master of Arts in New Testament and he is currently working on a Master of Divinity.

Fifth Grade Math | Third & Fourth Grade Science Teacher

Mrs. Lee has been teaching at The Geneva School since 2018 where she loves being able to serve her students and point them to the truth, goodness and beauty found in our one God and Creator. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2004 from the University of California, San Diego.  She also earned her CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2014 from Cal State Fullerton.

Fifth through Eighth Grade Science Teacher I Sixth Grade Math Teacher 

Mrs. Crabbe graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. She and her husband are very excited at their recent return to their home state of California from Arizona and to have their three children be a part of the Geneva community. All of their wonderful children attend The Geneva School. 

Upper School Math Chair | Sixth through Eighth Grade Math | Fourth through Eighth Grade PE | IT Coordinator 

Mr. Atef has been teaching mathematics for the past nine years. He has a degree in Computer Information Systems from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and a teaching credential from Concordia University Irvine with a specialization in mathematics.

Calculus Teacher

Dr. Gao earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of California, Irvine. Over the past fifteen years, he has taught a wide range of mathematics courses at multiple levels. He is deeply grateful for the Lord’s guidance throughout his academic and teaching journey, and he views education as a calling to serve students with excellence, humility, and joy. Mr. Gao is delighted to join The Geneva School community as a Calculus teacher and looks forward to encouraging students in both their mathematical growth and their walk with Christ.
 

Upper School Writing | Rhetoric | Humanities | Upper School Social Coordinator

Mr. Kerchner attended California Baptist University where he earned an undergraduate degree summa cum laude in Business Administration with minors in both Marketing and Philosophy. It was in his senior year of university that he discovered a passion for English, and since then has pursued a rigorous course of independent study, reading diligently through many of the western canon's great and living books. He is currently working on a Master of Arts in Creative Writing for which both his research and writing have centered on understanding and developing the imagination as a truth bearing faculty. He has had the privilege to be a part of many ministries and has worked with students of every age from preschool through college. In his free time Seth loves reading, writing, creating music, long walks, and fellowshipping with friends.

Rhetoric | Dual Enrollment Art History | Drama Director | AP Seminar

Ms. Myers is entering her nineteenth year of teaching in private Christian education. Throughout her career, she has taught History, English, Writing, Research, Theatre, Film Studies, and Art History. She delights in helping students discover the beauty of God's truth through the humanities and the arts, encouraging them to cultivate wisdom, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. She considers it a tremendous blessing to teach alongside fellow educators who are committed to Christ and the pursuit of classical Christian education.

Logic & Rhetoric School Latin Teacher

A native to Southern California, Mr. Aeschliman is excited to be a part of The Geneva School family. Mr. Aeschliman discovered his passion for Classical languages while in the seminary, where he eventually taught both upper level Latin and introductory Biblical Greek for three years. 

Old Testament Survey & Systematic Theology Teacher 

Mr. Moersch grew up in Southern California in a Christian home. His interest in the study of Scripture, theology, and church history grew while he was in high school and upon graduation, he attended the Calvary Chapel Bible College. After obtaining B.A. in History at California State University San Marcos, he earned a M.Div. at Westminster Seminary California.

Kindergarten through Third Grade PE Teacher

Mrs. Ogburn holds her Associates in Business Management and has taken several Kinesiology and Nutrition courses. She has been teaching at the Geneva School since 2020. Previously she donated her time teaching PE for a homeschool group. She enjoys watching students improve in physical activity, learn how to navigate their place on a team, and see their excitement explode when they earn a point or win a game. She holds her AS in Business Management and has taken several courses in Kinesiology and Nutrition. Deb is married and has two children, Owen and Daylin, both attending The Geneva School. Deb and her family attend Christ Community Church of Laguna Hills where her family is involved and committed. Deb cherishes time spent with family and friends

Athletic Director I Chapel Speaker 

After graduating from New York University, Coach Tim Chung has devoted the past twenty years to full-time ministry, focusing primarily on college students while also serving in a range of educational roles within the local church. He is joyfully married to his wife, Younghae, and together they have three sons who attend The Geneva School.

A passionate advocate for youth development, Coach Chung brings a lifelong love for sports to everything he does. Having grown up playing a variety of sports, he understands the powerful role athletics can play in shaping character, building community, and developing leadership. He is thrilled to share that passion with the next generation of Lions and looks forward to mentoring students both on and off the field.

Teacher's Aide | Librarian | Lion's Den

Mrs. Simonji previously taught First Grade at The Geneva School and has been with the school since it opened. She recently moved into the role of coordinating the Lion's Den and overseeing the Library. She graduated from Thomas Edison State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Mrs. Simonji has been married to her husband, Andy, since 1992. They have five children and one granddaughter. They have attended Christ Community Church in Laguna Hills since 2001. Mrs. Simonji enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. She loves teaching and classical education has been such a blessing as she helps students build up their storehouse with tools in the art of learning.

Teacher's Aide

Mrs. Park and her family are in their 5th year at the Geneva School. It is her second year working as a teacher’s aide, and she is honored to play a role in supporting the invaluable work that the staff and teachers do at the Geneva School as they teach their students to be master learners.

Mrs. Park earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She enjoyed working for several years in cancer rehabilitation prior to starting a family. She and her husband, Tony, learned about classical Christian education from their church community at Grace United Reformed Church, Torrance, where they have been members for 17 years. Her three children currently attend the Geneva School, and she and her husband take great joy in watching them grow in knowledge and faith through their education there.

Teacher's Aide

Ms. Saldana has worked with students from Kindergarten to high school for more than 10 years in Southern California and around the world. Some of those places include Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and Masters of Arts in Teaching from University of California, Irvine. In her spare time she loves watching movies and finding new places to eat.