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Our Teaching Faculty

Meet Our High School Leadership Team

Teacher Bios

Mike Folsom

I love to share the wonders of history with my students...to show how the hand of God has influenced our world. I also want to share my life experiences as a teacher, coach, college student, father, and soldier to help the students be more well rounded individuals.

Leslie Francis

I believe that it is so important to teach our students through the eyes of Jesus and His word. I hope to help prepare our students academically and spiritually to go out into this world, succeed and make a difference for His Kingdom.

Jim Fuller

I held a Guiness book world record; I saved the lives of two people; Love to golf and ride bikes; Favorite place is Yosemite; Native San Diegan; I won a radio contest and won free tickets to a Charger game.

Justin Fuller

I believe that God literally called me here. My heart is to help the American youth, and Christian Unified is the best place to do so.

Erika Giangregorio

As a Christian High alum and student in the CUSSD for my entire education, this is home. I love the staff, students, families, and the focus on a Christ centered education.

Emily Gonsalves

I attended Christian Unified from fourth grade through high school and believe firmly in its mission. It is an amazing place where the Lord is at work. I consider it a blessing and honor to work there.

Amy Gramp

I am training students to see how God's handprint is on everything. Helping to see the world and all things from a Biblical perspective. To provide them a strong foundation to stand on as the grow spiritually, emotionally and academically.

Brad Green

I love power carving and taking pictures. I retired from the Navy in Sept 2022 (22 years).

Laura Grimm

I love coffee, dark chocolate, and have been learning embroidery and gardening. My husband, Christopher, and I have been married since April 2022 and we live in El Cajon. I am blessed to be able to teach what I love at a Christian school and live by God's grace each day!

Aundrea Hemmerly

I choose to work at Christian Unified for the fellowship and relationships that I gain with my coworkers and my students. It is truly unlike any place to work.

Monica Henry

I have three sons and one fantastic husband. I love coffee, a great book, and the opportunity to travel.

Cynthia Hernandez

I work at Christian Unified to teach children the exciting news of Jesus.—to equip and inspire them to live their lives for the Lord and to tell others all about Him.

Kurt Hines

Christ centered in all we do!

Jaclyn Holmes

Christian Unified is a blessed place. The second you walk on campus, you can feel it. You can see God in the authentic smiles and deep joy from the students. You see Him in the genuine love and concern from the teachers and staff. You see Him throughout the curriculum and discussions around campus. God is here. My two daughters and I were welcomed into the West family with open arms and immediately felt that we were right where we were supposed to be. We were home.

Allison Hyde

I love teaching Kindergarten. I love the growth that occurs throughout the year both spiritually and academically. I love the energy in the classroom and the joy and pride each child expresses when they learn something new!

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Christian Unified Schools

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  • 2100 Greenfield Drive
    El Cajon, CA 92019
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Christian Unified Schools of San Diego is a private Christian school (TK-12th grade) located in El Cajon and Chula Vista, California.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

christian jr/sr high school

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Betsy Saffer, Principal
Jeff Briggs, Vice Principal & Director of Athletics
Bob Ruhlman, Superintendent

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

Web Research Links:

Grolier Online (includes Encyclopedia Americana)
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EBSCO Host Research Databases – Full-text Periodical and Reference Articles Online
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SIRS Knowledge Source – Periodical articles online
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