Meet our Staff

Annie Cho

Annie Cho, Principal of Lighthouse School, brings a rich background, including founding Morningstar Education, experience in analytics and marketing, and a global perspective from her upbringing in a family of pastors and missionaries. Annie’s educational background includes an MBA from UC Davis and a BSN with a music minor from NYU, complemented by medical studies in Korea. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Liberty University, Annie is deeply committed to fostering Spirit-filled, Jesus-centered leaders and supporting the school community with compassion and dedication.

Residing in Santa Monica with her husband, Hyun, and daughters, Amy and Jessica, Annie enjoys pilates, hiking, swimming, surfing, and boxing. Her organizational skills and innovative thinking drive growth and excellence at Lighthouse School.

Josh Young

The Lighthouse School Ministry superintendent, graduated from UCLA with a degree in History and holds a Master of Divinity. A graduate of LCA, Josh desires to see students achieve their full potential and serves as an assistant pastor at the Lighthouse Church. He values family, faith, and making a positive impact in the lives of young people.

Josh Scribner

Bio to come! 

Aliya Pompey 

Bio to come!

Josh Edralin "Mr. Ed"

A "Lighthouse lifer," Josh attended Lighthouse schools and church since childhood. Graduating from LA Film School in 2017, he is married to a fellow Lighthouse student and he has 4 children. He is an integral part of our team as he leads the media, sound and technical side of our school.  Josh finds Lighthouse as his "home away from home" as he actively contributes to the school community.

Kari Czer

Mrs. Kari Czer has been the LCS Kindergarten Teacher since 2002. With 10 years of teaching experience in the Baldwin Park Unified School District and the Culver City Unified School District, Mrs. Czer is a published author and professional calligrapher. Her most cherished roles are as the wife of Lawrence Czer for 47 years, mother of 7 children and grandmother to 16 grandchildren. Christ Jesus is the Lord of her life.

Carla Tenorio

Working in education since 2007 and a proud graduate of Lighthouse Christian Academy's class of 2005, Carla initially pursued a career in Journalism but felt a strong calling to become a teacher. She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Santa Monica College and a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies from Los Angeles Pacific University. Carla is passionate about teaching her students about God's Word, Science, Art, and Spanish, often integrating art lessons with other subjects. Outside the classroom, she is an avid traveler, wife, and mother who enjoys reading, making music, and actively participating in children's ministry and missionary trips.

Mari Ayala

A Christ-fearing woman with a heart devoted to serving the Lord. Teaching young souls and guiding them in His ways has truly been my calling. Being an elementary teacher brings Mari great joy, and she plans to continue in this work until God leads her in another direction. She loves children and feels blessed to share both knowledge and faith with them each day.

Angela Ayala

An alumna of Lighthouse Christian Academy, Mrs. Ayala began her teaching career at Lighthouse Preschool and later taught First and Second Grade at LCS. After five years in social services at UCLA, Angela returned to Lighthouse, contributing to the growth and vision of school ministries. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys the outdoors, spending time at the beach, camping with her family, and embracing her favorite scripture, Psalm 37:4. Angela believes in taking delight in the Lord, and she brings this perspective into her classroom.

Clarisse Irvin

Bio to Come!

Brenda Bowen

Mrs. Bowen says her love for teaching began in 1975 when she taught in a bus ministry/Sunday School program for lower-income children, and she has been involved in teaching in one way or another ever since. She received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from The University of South Florida. Then in 1991, Brenda and her husband were sent to begin a church in West Africa.  There, in Kabala, Sierra Leone, Mrs. Bowen led children's programs and taught English language and literacy (in Krio) to adult women.  The Bowens also began an elementary school.  There she taught a combined first/second grade class and wrote a phonics-based reading primer so that students could learn to read in their own language (Krio).  In 2006, she became a teacher at Dakar Academy, a Christian, international school.  There, she completed a teacher certification course through ACSI and taught Art for children from grades K - 12.  She returned to the US and Lighthouse in 2012 and has been on staff with LCS ever since.  Mrs. Bowen says she loves teaching and feels honored to be called to equip the next generation for the plans God has for them.

Hannah Huerta

Bio to come!

Sohear Gabrail

Mrs. Gabrail served as the Kindergarten co-teacher at Lighthouse Church School for over 20 years. She has been an integral part of the school, taking on various roles such as co-teacher for 1st and 2nd grade, co-teacher for 3rd and 4th grade, supporting students in the classroom, and serving as the before-school teacher. Mrs. Gabrail's passion for education is evident, and she finds joy in teaching at LCS. With a Master's degree in social work from the University of Cairo, she worked as a fully accredited social worker in Egypt before immigrating to the United States. Mrs. Gabrail believes in the importance of a student's spiritual life and their relationship with God for academic success. In her classroom, she strikes a balance between rigor and fun, guiding students to achieve their goals while fostering a love for learning.

Dawn Forman

Mrs. Forman, a seasoned educator with 26 years of teaching experience, specializes in 4th grade education. Apart from teaching, she holds a diploma in French language proficiency and teaches ukulele classes. Passionate about music and languages, Mrs. Forman is also an author. As the wife of a pastor and a former missionary in Marseille, France, she remains committed to her faith and community.

Justin Kayne

Mr. Kayne graduated from Lighthouse Church School and continued his education at Long Beach State University. Holding a Master's in Education, he began teaching at LCS in 2016, aiming to help students fulfill their academic and spiritual potential. Justin coaches football and basketball for middle school, loves surfing, and appreciates the blessings in his life.

Lucas Moraida

Mr. Moraida has been teaching at Lighthouse Church School for five years. A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Lucas teaches Literature and Writing, finding joy in helping students achieve their full potential. He is married with twin children and enjoys spending quality time with his family, including surfing, his second favorite activity.

Sophie Moon

Mrs. Moon, a math teacher and girls' counselor at Lighthouse Middle School, holds a bachelor's degree in Asian Studies and mathematics. Sophie's journey took her from plans of estate development in China to discovering her true calling—teaching math. With a Master's degree in secondary math education, she considers teaching and counseling God's children an honor and a calling.

Megan Cook

Bio to come!

Katya Rubina

Bio to come!

Patty Peterson

Bio to come!

Jessica Young

Bio to Come!