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!
 ​

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. ​

Asaph Kim

Asaph began playing guitar when he was five, and by the age of 10, he was performing at local events and his father’s church, where his passion for music performance was established. As his love for playing the guitar cultivated through his childhood and into his college years, he yearned for a higher education and understanding in music. Then, he decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Guitar Performance at Azusa Pacific University, knowing he would have to complete all the prerequisite requirements before starting the master’s program. Over the next three years with the help and guidance of Professor Michael Kozubek, Asaph successfully developed his musicianship and has come to understand the complex techniques of the classical guitar. Additionally, Asaph has studied the jazz guitar under Professor Thomas Hynes and has taken master classes with several world-renowned guitarists including Jason Vieaux and virtuoso guitarist Denis Azabagic. Asaph has placed second in the American Guitar Society’s competition, the Bickford Award. He graduated in December of 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Guitar Performance. Asaph is the marketing director at Azusa Conservatory of Music(ACM). He is also the guitar, ukulele and pop/rock band instructor at ACM. Additionally, he is a free-lance guitarist, currently performing at various events all throughout Southern California.

Suzanne Denny
​(not pictured)

I have been in education since graduating from college.  I taught in the elementary school for a few years before I worked with a charter school for 5 years. I had the opportunity to work with families who were homeschooling as a K-8 home school teacher which opened my eyes to the joys of homeschooling.  Shortly after that, I decided to homeschool my own kids!!  This is my 2nd year of homeschooling and we love it.  I have a 4th grade son, 2nd grade daughter and a 3 year old girl.  I am looking forward to teaching with Jen Overby this school year and connecting with all of the K1 students! ​

Hsin Sykeh

Mrs. Hsin Sykeh (pronounced "Sheen See-Kay")
​
My husband and I have been married for 16 years and have 3 kids, ages 12, 8, and 6. I earned both my Bachelor and Master degrees in Elementary Education at Azusa Pacific University and taught in public school for 12 years before beginning our homeschool journey. This will be our eighth year homeschooling our children, and we look forward to connecting with our Firm Foundation family and all that the Lord has planned for us! ​

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. 

​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 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
​

Christie Chong

Christie Chong has been playing piano, competing, and performing since age 5. In college, she was a member of the award-winning a cappella group, The Harvard Opportunes, as well as the Kuumba Singers (gospel choir). She has been serving in music ministry ever since she was a teen, and later started and directed 2 adult gospel choir ministries at churches in Boston and Los Angeles. While in Boston, she attended the Berklee College of Music for two years, where she studied Voice as well as Contemporary Writing and Production. Moving to Los Angeles, she worked in film scoring, producing, and vocal recording for the film & music industry, eventually recording and producing her own album of original praise songs. Christie has been married for about 13 years now, and is the mother of 3 girls currently attending FFCA. She has been homeschooling for 5 years and is passionate about teaching kids and inspiring them to use their gifts of music to glorify God!

Jennifer Villasenor

Jennifer Villasenor earned her B.A. in English Literature and her teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University. She taught 7th and 8th grade ELA and Social Studies in Rialto for two years, and then began teaching high school English Literature at West Covina High School. She had the privilege of teaching all grade levels, including AP English Literature.  By far, her favorite type of literature is British, and she is quite partial to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She felt led to homeschool her children when her oldest was only two years old.  As a result, she “retired” from the public school and really learned about education as a homeschooler.  This journey brought her to Firm Foundation Christian Academy. Her family has been a part of FFCA since 2010.

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!
​

Jen Overby

Jen is a wife of 10 years and the mother of a preschool daughter and 1st grade son. She is a veteran public school teacher and excited to join the families at Firm Foundations in creating a community of excellence among homeschoolers. As a credentialed teacher she taught high school and middle school Mathematics and AVID.  Now homeschooling her own young children, she loves how their curiosity naturally integrates subject matter and catalyzes a love of learning. She is thrilled to team with Suzanne Denny in leading the K-1 class as they growing together in character, academics, relationships and the love of Jesus.  ​