Teacher Bios

I have been married to Pete for twenty-five years. We both grew up on the East coast. We have been blessed with a daughter, Hannah, and three sons; Eliott, Joshua, and Joseph. I love spending time by the ocean, the lake, or the pool. I like listening to books while taking care of household chores. I do not enjoy cooking. I like chocolate, peanut butter, and coffee. I like paddle boarding on the bay.
I work for Christian Unified because I am able to share my love for Jesus with my students.
The reason I wanted to teach at Christian Unified is to help students learn the importance of physical activity and how it contributes to their overall health and wellness for God’s glory and honor.
I believe in the importance of challenging, strengthening, and encouraging students in their faith at school (where they spend the majority of their day!). I believe that a school environment operating from a biblical worldview is especially important for junior/senior high students, who are often seeking to understand who they are.
Teaching at a Christian Unified allows me to teach my students about Christian faith and Jesus. Sharing a common faith builds connection and forms solid relationships with others. Surrounded in our school I cherish the strong community, parental involvement, and opportunities that have opened doors.
I love watching movies with my family, reading God's Word, watching sports especially soccer (go Barcelona!) and the UFC, listening to music, and working out. I was going to be an F-16 fighter pilot, marine biologist, or a lawyer before I became a teacher. Christian and K-pop music artists are my favorites and athletes such as Cris Cyborg and Lionel Messi.
I love the Word of God and have a passion to disciple the youth.
Christian Unified is a school District centered around Jesus. It gives me great joy to educate students and teach them the Gospel.
As part of the Christian Unified family, I am thrilled to teach from a Biblical world view. To be able to encourage, to motivate, and to inspire our precious students to reach their full potential in Christ, and to build a relationship with Him, is both a privilege and a BLESSING.
It is a joy to talk about Jesus everyday, here at Christian Unified, and incorporate that throughout all that we learn! I love the connection of great academics and a Biblical Worldview!
Because I have a counseling background as well, I find teaching incorporates many of my skills and gifts. One of the beauties of teaching literature is in the ability to provoke thoughts about beliefs, evaluate decisions by characters, and value objective truth.
An education without knowing our Savior is of very little value. I believe that education must be grounded in Truth and teaching at Christian Unified allows us that opportunity.
Interesting facts: I went to Christian High School, and four different family members have taught at CHS. I've coached and played basketball for CHS. I have 5 kids that attend Christian Unified.
I have loved being part of the Christian Unified Family as a parent and volunteer for the last 11 years. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work at a place that has invested so much in our family.
I fell in love with Christian Unified all the way back when I was a student on the West Campus. I love being able to teach the students the Word of God and help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

A NOTE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Dear Parents and Students of Christian High School and Junior High School,

I am very pleased to announce that Mrs. Betsy Saffer has been named the new Principal of Christian High School and Junior High. Mrs. Saffer’s service and leadership at Christian Unified Schools of San Diego has been one marked by dedication, excellence and a clear commitment to Christ-centered education.

Mrs. Saffer has deep roots at Christian, beginning her teaching career in 2004 at what is now the CUSSD South Campus, teaching grades 2-6. Over the years she has taken on various roles across our district, transitioning to Christian Junior High and High School in 2019 to teach math when her daughter, Mia, became a high school student at CHS. Since then, she has served as Department Chair, organized our 1:1 Chromebook program, and most recently, served as Academic Dean. Mrs. Saffer says, “Teaching at Christian Elementary, Junior High, and High School has allowed me to see the full spectrum of Christian education at CUSSD and what it takes to help students prepare for the next level. I am excited and trust where the Lord continues to lead.”

Mrs. Saffer is passionate about fostering an environment that emphasizes the importance of Christ in all endeavors. Her life verse, Philippians 4:6-7, encapsulates her commitment to faith in both her personal and professional life: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Sue Lanz, former Principal and current CUSSD Academic Consultant, shares these words about Mrs. Saffer: “I’ve worked with Betsy since she came to Christian many years ago, and she has always stood out as an excellent Christian educator that loves our kids, loves the Lord, and is solution-oriented. This past year, as we’ve worked together in a leadership coaching capacity, I have seen her step up to meet challenges, lean into her gifts, and already have a significant positive impact on our school.”

As Mrs. Saffer steps into this leadership role, we are also pleased that our superb Vice Principal and Athletic Director, Mr. Jeff Briggs, will continue in his critical leadership role at Christian High School and Junior High. Mr. Briggs has been instrumental in shaping the campus culture, overseeing discipline, and guiding our athletic programs; all areas that are so vital to our to the rich heritage of our Christian school community. Mr. Briggs will partner with Mrs. Saffer, along with our dedicated staff and coaches, in fulfilling our school’s mission of “teaching students to think, learn, and live from a Biblical worldview.”

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Mrs. Saffer enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and traveling. She also has a background in martial arts, with eight years of training in Jiu Jitsu and two years in Karate. Betsy and her husband, Neil, who met as students at Christian Heritage College, have been married for 22 years. They are proud parents to their daughter, Mia, a sophomore at Biola University studying Speech Therapy.

In light of our school district’s growth and increased enrollment, we are planning Lord willing, to backfill additional administrative support in the 2025-2026 school year. This plan includes hiring a Junior High Principal to lead our thriving students and staff at that level. At that time, Mrs. Saffer will assume the position of Principal of Christian High School, allowing us to better serve the unique needs of both the High School and Junior High while ensuring leadership continuity and excellence across all levels.

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Saffer as Principal of Christian High School and Junior High. We have confidence that God has uniquely prepared her for this calling and will guide her with wisdom and grace in the days ahead. Also, please join me in praying for Betsy, Jeff and all of our teachers and staff as we continue the eternal work of Christian education.

For Christ & Christian Unified,

Bob Ruhlman
Superintendent

IN MEMORY OF OUR FOUNDER

It is with sadness that we share that the co-founder of our school district, Dr. Beverly LaHaye, passed away on Sunday, April 14. She was 94 years old.

Beverly was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ all the days of her life, and God used her in extraordinary ways to make a difference in the world around her. Along with her husband Dr. Tim LaHaye, she worked to establish Christian Unified Schools at a time when Christian education was in its infancy. She had a vision to meet the need for God-honoring curriculum and teachers who modeled Christlikeness to the students in their care, and she worked tirelessly to that end.

In addition to her influence on our school district, Beverly was also the author of many books, the founder of Concerned Women for America, and a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a faithful and treasured member of Shadow Mountain Community Church, where she was honored recently during the GirlTime women’s event. As the audience stood to applaud, Beverly pointed upward, giving all of the glory to the God she served.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MINIMUMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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research links & INformation

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