Get to know some of Firm Foundation's finest!  
​Our Friday School teachers are dedicated to teaching your kids each and every Friday.  
They are there rain or shine and are prepared for whatever comes their way.  

Beverly Wolterbeek

Beverly Wolterbeek has been teaching instrumental music for 29 years. She graduated from CSU Northridge with a performance major on oboe. As a public school teacher, she has taken her middle school bands and orchestras across the country winning major festival competitions. Beverly was Music Program Coordinator for the San Gabriel Unified School District, has been a guest lecturer at CSULA, and has also coached with PYSO. Her current mission and passion is bringing instrumental music ensembles to the homeschool community. Her husband and daughters also enjoy playing music, and wild Irish fiddle music can sometimes be heard wafting from their house!

Denise Agron

  Twenty-two years ago, Denise Agron resigned from teaching English as a Second Language at Azusa Pacific University and Gladstone High School in order to become a stay-at-home mom. Then the Lord called her to a 16-year journey of homeschooling / discipling her two children, a journey which recently ended (both kids are now in college). Currently, in addition to working part time for the homeschool division of a local school district, Denise is a volunteer teacher and supervisor for after-school Good News Clubs held in several elementary schools in the Charter Oak School District. She holds a B.A. in Spanish, a minor in English, an M.S.Ed. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), a California State Teaching Credential (Secondary) and is a Registered Writing Teacher for the Institute for Excellence in Writing. She loves the Christian homeschool community and fervently believes in homeschooling. ​

Kristin Valle

Because Kristin’s dad was in the Air Force, Kristin grew up in nine different states before graduating from high school. She is especially happy to finally find a long term home in Glendora. Kristin taught both English and theatre arts as a high school teacher and received an M.A. in theatre from Cal State Los Angeles. Kristin met her husband, Mike, a designer, here in L.A., and they have three delightful children. She has stayed home with her kids for over a decade, homeschooling a bit along the way. Kristin loves the homeschool community; she is delighted to be teaching Theatre and thrilled to be doing so at Firm Foundations. 

Marilyn Burke

I have taught Speech and the Bible for 13 years. Have studied 5+ Speech courses.  Have a passion for building confidence and wholeness in students' lives as well as creating  a desire and boldness in the student to stand for Biblical truth. ​

Hsin Sykeh

Mrs. Hsin Sykeh (pronounced "Sheen See-Kay")
​
My husband and I have been married for 12 years and have 3 happy kids, ages 8, 4, and 3. I earned both my Bachelor and Master degrees in Education at APU before teaching in public school for 12 years. This will now be our fourth year homeschooling our children, and we look forward to all that the Lord has planned for us! etc.

Cath Howarth

Cath Howarth - Being able to homeschool her three children was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream of being a teacher.  As an elementary student, she would gather the younger students on the playground and read them stories during recess.  Later after receiving her BA in Biblical Studies, she married and did not pursue her goal of becoming a teacher until she enrolled in the Sonrise Christian Homeschooling program through which she was able to teach her now-grown children from kindergarten through eighth grade.  For the past 20 years, she has worked at Temple City Education Center as a tutor and writing instructor.  It brings her great joy to assist with the homeschooling of her grandchildren and to continue her connection with Firm Foundation Christian Academy by teaching writing for the Friday School program.  ​

Beth Tirado

I am the mother of two sons and have been singing in the Music Ministry and with my husband, the Worship Pastor at Calvary Chapel Pasadena, for over 25 years. My goal is to help your children enjoy music and singing and gain confidence to perform in front of an audience.  ​

​Irma Salcido

Hello,
My name is Irma Salcido. I am forever grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ, I am a wife, a mother and a grandmother. I was educated in Mexico and moved here several decades ago. I have been teaching children of all ages for many years. I specially love to teach Spanish. I enjoy quiet evenings with my husband.
Thank you for the privilege to teach your children!
You can text me at:
(909) 917-2804
or email at: irmaqsalcido@gmail.com
​

Chris Saenz

Chris Saenz has a Master’s Degree in Theology and Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University. He has 15+ years of experience teaching students of all ages in subjects like Bible, Theology, Church History, Philosophy, and Apologetics. The Firm Foundation community is a major priority for him, and his desire is to bring Christian thinking and living to the community in any way that will bring benefit.
 
For more information on any current or future classes, or any other way he can benefit the community, you can contact him by email at chris@saenz.ca.
 
His thoughtful perspective on Christianity and culture is currently on display at his blog: www.PostChristianEra.com
​

Grace Favatella

I am an art lover through and through. A proud military veterans wife and mother to four amazing, brave and wild kids. I graduated from APU with a Liberal Studies degree concentrating in English and Art. I was a private tutor for 5 years, and a remedial teacher for 2.  I have been homeschooling for 8 years which has  proven to be the greatest decision we have ever made for our family. I am also an Assistant Facility Manager at Bithiah's House, which has been the most rewarding and beautifully difficult job aside from motherhood.
I love bacon, and amazing food. An Essential oil enthusiast and educator. I am not a morning person therefore I am grateful for coffee. I adore my pups, chickens and our very grumpy goat.  My laundry is never finished and there is almost always dishes in the sink. In reality I'm simply mom, doing her best, leaning on Jesus everyday, failing everyday and forgiven every day.  ​ 

Wendy Saenz

My name is Wendy Saenz. I am married to Chris Saenz. We have 3 little blessings- Haley, Liana, and Thomas Saenz. When I am not tending to my little ones, I enjoy planting or maintaining flowers on our patio. I love chocolate and coffee, even better when they are put together! I have been an elementary teacher for 12 years in Covina Valley Unified School District. Teaching children has been such a honor God has blessed me with. I look forward to continuing this journey and teaching your scientist!
My name is Wendy Saenz. I am married to Chris Saenz. We have 3 little blessings- Haley, Liana, and Thomas Saenz. When I am not tending to my little ones, I enjoy planting or maintaining flowers on our patio. I love chocolate and coffee, even better when they are put together! I have been an elementary teacher for 12 years in Covina Valley Unified School District. Teaching children has been such a honor God has blessed me with. I look forward to continuing this journey and teaching your scientist!

Linda McElroy

Linda first learned fingerspelling when she was in middle school. She used this in high school when she started babysitting her deaf neighbor. Linda studied speech and deafness, along with psychology and early childhood education in college. After that she earned a Master's Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Deaf Education. 
 
Since then Linda has instructed deaf and hard of hearing high school students in a wide variety of subjects. She also taught Signing Exact English and American Sign Language and directed a sign language performing group at the high school level. Most recently she was a teaching assistant for a home school ASL class.  Linda has always loved helping hearing people learn to communicate with deaf individuals.
 
The best way to reach Linda is by a text message to (626) 589-4438. She can also be reached by email at lindajmcelroy@gmail.com. Linda usually responds much more quickly to text messages, but she will answer emails especially for longer or more involved questions.