Teacher Bios

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.
I love watching the students grow and mature in their faith and walking alongside them and their families on their education journey.
I graduated from CHS in 1992 and still remember the impact that many of the teachers had in my life. In fact, one of my teachers (Miss Wagner) was the reason I made a career in science.
I love art and have wanted to be a teacher since I was in second grade! It brings me such joy to be able to do both of these things every day while also sharing my faith with my students. That "Aha!" moment when a student gains understanding and mastery of a new technique or skill is such a privilege to witness and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing students express themselves creatively and show pride in what they have learned and accomplished.
I love to be outdoors whenever I can and also love to watch movie at home as much as I like being outdoors. I speak fluent Korean so watching K-drama is also something I like to do. Also, I love all kinds of food!
Our school focuses on offering an education to our families with high academics and strong Biblical values. It is a school that supports the whole development of students, physical, emotional, and academic while maintaining the Bible at the center of its teaching.
My life calling is to train the next generation - as a teacher in a Christian school, I am able to fully explain God's Providence through historical events.
I am passionate about helping students develop strong leadership skills, adapt to ever changing circumstances, and pursue the Lord like they never have before.
I felt I was called to work here. God definitely lined things up for me and made it very obvious this is where He wanted me to be. I wanted to work in a school where I could teach the WHOLE child--SPIRITUALLY, academically, emotionally, and physically, with a BIBLICAL worldview.
I love teaching in a Christian environment and incorporating Biblical truth with a challenging educational curriculum.
I believe God has called and rooted me at Christian Unified because I deeply value the importance of teaching students a biblical worldview that is firmly grounded in God's Word.
I choose to be an educator at CUSSD because I believe in honing a child in a holistic approach whose foundation is the word of God. It gives me pure joy knowing that I can use my God-given talents and skills in an institution where God is lifted high!
I chose to come to Christian Unified because I am so captivated by the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit on this campus. It is a privilege to come to work everyday with people who love Jesus and want to serve Him by pouring into the lives of these amazing students.
I love being able to work in a Christian school where I can help to impact the next generation of leaders in their relationship with God.
My heart is to glorify God by teaching and creating excellent music and seeing students' lives transformed by God's love through discovering the reality of a relationship with our Lord Jesus 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

LIPSYNC 2025

Lipsync will be streamed on the evening of Friday, September 26.
Start time is based on a variety of factors.

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