Donny Kim
Head of School
Grade 8 History Teacher
Donny has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Kansas, a B.A. in History from the University of California, Santa Barbara, along with a Single Subject Teaching Credential. Donny is a strong believer in life-long learning and recognizes the importance and excitement of learning new things. He has Web Design and Graphic Design certifications from the University of California, San Diego. Adding to Donny’s educational background are his twelve years of experience in outdoor education for the Catalina Island Marine Institute, where he taught marine ecology, geology, astronomy, underwater photography, and SCUBA certification courses. He has been a part of the TCPS family since 2001 as a homeroom teacher, advanced research teacher, middle school history teacher, and assistant head of school. As the current head of school, he is excited to continue to teach in the classroom as the Grade 8 history teacher as his greatest joy in education comes from teaching students. TCPS students bring such a passion and enthusiasm for learning which makes education immensely rewarding and fun!
Mariel Cairns
Business Administrator
Mariel joined TCPS in 2017 as our Business Administrator. Her background in engineering and project management accounts for her love of spreadsheets and task lists. She received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from San Diego State and was the office manager of a family business for over 10 years. She enjoys volunteering in the community and has served in leadership roles for several local non-profit organizations. A long-time resident of San Diego, she loves family time with her husband, two sons and their beloved dog. She’s a big fan of anything related to yoga and in her free time, she can be found cheering on the sidelines at her kids’ activities.
Schuyler Twyman
Director of Admissions and Marketing
Schuyler Rainey Twyman has a long affiliation with The Child’s Primary School. She was a parent and active volunteer at TCPS for many years while her three children attended the school. Schuyler has a B.A. in English Literature from Yale University and did post-baccalaureate studies specializing in child psychology at SDSU. She has previously worked in admissions and student services and most recently was Director of Customer Service for an international internet and marketing company. In her spare time she enjoys taking classes, reading, cheering for her children in their sporting events and activities, and spending as much time as possible walking by the beach. Schuyler has long been an advocate for TCPS and is thrilled to be back on campus, sharing her love for TCPS in a professional capacity with new families.
Rachel Szalay
Kindergarten Teacher and Lower School Lead
Rachel has been with TCPS as the Kindergarten teacher since 2011. She graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her B.A. in Speech Communications. She later pursued a career in teaching at Point Loma Nazarene where she obtained her M.A. in Education and her teaching credentials. Before coming to TCPS, Rachel taught music in Point Loma for grades K-3. She worked with Peace Corps-Belize as a teacher trainer for two years while coaching girls’ soccer, and co-advising a girls club. A Pennsylvania native, her love for teaching grew while teaching pre-school for 6 years. She lives in Ocean Beach with her husband (and son, Frankie!) and enjoys spending time with family, singing, cooking, yoga, and running. Students inspire and refresh her love for teaching every single day. She is dedicated to bringing her best to the classroom and providing rich experiences for her students.
Emily Cartwright
Grade 1 Teacher
Emily has a Bachelors of Science in Teaching and Learning from the University of Houston. She grew up in Texas, where she taught early elementary for three years in Houston and Austin. Emily is new to San Diego and is absolutely thrilled to be joining the TCPS team! Emily is dedicated to providing a safe, fun and interactive learning environment for her students. She is passionate about instilling a life-long love for learning in all her students and continually challenging them in their learning. In Emily’s free time, she enjoys all things outdoors, adventuring, beach volleyball and traveling.
Jenni Van Tuyl
Grade 2 Teacher
Jenni graduated with her B.S. from the University of WI, and later earned her M.A. from San Diego State University. She has over 18 years of experience teaching at the primary level. Jenni was delighted when she had the opportunity to join the TCPS faculty! The amazing students, creative staff, and outstanding parent community make this a wonderful place for everyone to learn and grow. In her free time, Jenni enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Cara Dunn
Grade 3 Teacher 
Cara joined the TCPS faculty in 2010, as a Math Teacher and the Program Coordinator. In 2013, Cara became the 2 & 3 Homeroom Teacher at TCPS. Cara has a B.A. in Education Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education from Stonehill College, Massachusetts. She also has her M.A. in Mathematics Education from San Diego State University. Though she has been in San Diego for a few years, Cara grew up in Rhode Island and lived and worked in the Boston area before moving to San Diego. In the past, Cara has taught third grade in a public school, was a substitute teacher in Grades K-6, a tutor for third grade students, a test-prep tutor for middle school students, and a co-coordinator of a junior high tutoring program in Brockton, MA. Her goal as a teacher at TCPS is to help students become confident mathematicians and problem solvers. In her free time, she likes cooking and started a container vegetable garden this year so that she could cook with fresh vegetables. She loves to travel whenever possible, especially to the many beautiful places in California.
Sandra Mello
Grade 4 Teacher
Sandra is a San Diego native who was born in Chula Vista, then moved to Rancho Peñasquitos where she graduated from Mt. Carmel High School. After high school, Sandra attended San Francisco State University and received her B.A. in Liberal Studies with a minor in Spanish. Sandra received her multiple subject teaching credential from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute while working as a first grade co-teacher at The Bentley School in Oakland, CA. From 2007 to 2009, Sandra, along with her husband, worked for Peace Corps-Vanuatu in the South Pacific as an early education literacy trainer for local teachers. She also led sewing workshops and helped women entrepreneurs in her village market and sell their woven baskets. After returning home, Sandra taught 4th grade for three years in San Diego. In 2014, Sandra came to TCPS as a Kindergarten substitute teacher. Since 2016 Sandra has been teaching 4th grade at TCPS. In her free time she loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters, work on sewing projects, create art of all kinds, and build sandcastles at the beach.
Melissa Smith
Grade 5 Teacher 
Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Washington and a Master’s degree in Teaching from Northwest University in Washington. Melissa was born in Ventura, California, and raised near Seattle, Washington. Melissa enjoys cooking and baking with her husband and trying to perfect new recipes.
Vickie Jenkins
Music and Program Support
Vickie is the TCPS Music Teacher, as well as our program support and on-site substitute teacher. Vickie earned her Bachelor’s degree from Scripps College in Claremont, CA and her teaching credential from the University of San Diego. Before teaching at TCPS, she taught Language Arts for San Diego City Schools. Vickie spent many years acting and singing in musical theater, and is now a professional musician and a piano teacher. She is also involved in Renaissance and Medieval musical performance. In addition to being a teacher here at TCPS, Vickie teaches music during the summers at Gateways Summer School. She also has a son who is a graduate of TCPS. Vickie has brought her love for music, instruments, singing, and poetry to the students attending TCPS since 1993. She is continually amazed at the musical creativity the students possess when given the time to nurture their talents.
Ashley Harris
Spanish Teacher and Extended Care
Ashley comes from Chicago with several years’ experience teaching all ages from Pre-K through High School. She received her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!) and her M.A.T. at National Louis University in Elementary Bilingual Education. In her free time she enjoys taking her dog Mickey to the beach. Ashley is looking forward to joining the TCPS family and teaching a love of learning a new language to students.
Haley Morris
Science Teacher and Upper School Lead
Haley is the Science teacher for all ages at TCPS. She was born and raised in Moorpark, CA, which is in Ventura County. Haley received her B.A. from California Lutheran University in Liberal Studies with a minor in Spanish and a concentration in Art. She also holds her M.S. in Educational Leadership as well as a certification to teach Gifted and Talented students. Before joining TCPS, Haley taught middle school science in Ventura for two years, elementary school in San Diego for two years, and another year teaching Science in Imperial Beach. She lives in Point Loma and enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, cooking, and exercising. Haley loves being a part of the TCPS family!
Michael Payne
Middle School Math Teacher
Michael has over fifteen years of teaching experience, including twelve years teaching middle school math. Attending both public and private schools just outside NYC, Michael earned his BA from Lake Forest College and his MAT from Manhattanville College. Prior to finding his passion for teaching, he enjoyed working in broadcasting for CBS and ABC News in New York. Michael is excited to be a part of TCPS and share his knowledge with students, increasing their curiosity, motivation and confidence. Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends. Photography, surfing, and triathlons are just some of his favorite hobbies.
Greg West
P.E. Teacher / Extended Care Supervisor
Greg joined TCPS as the P.E. Teacher and Extended Care Supervisor in 2013. Greg previously taught P.E. at Emory Elementary School in Imperial Beach and was the Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Olympian High School for the previous three years. While at Olympian, Greg also taught 12th grade math. Greg is a local San Diego Native and graduate of Mission Bay High School. After high school, Greg spent two years playing Baseball at San Diego Mesa Junior College, before getting a scholarship to play at Pace University in New York. Greg returned home to San Diego and received his B.A. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Education from San Diego State University. Greg holds a single subject P.E. credential from National University. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, identical twin boys (Parker and Mason) and daughter (Vivian).
Angela Lathem-Ballard
Middle School Language Arts and Librarian
Angela fell in love with books and learning as a child. This passion has lead her down many paths that have shaped her education and her life. Her true joy comes from exploring and immersing herself in experiences that she can share with others. Angela has studied at The Globe Theatre in London, Nancie Atwell’s Center for Teaching and Learning, the Disney Institute, and recently completed Stanford University’s mathematics coursework with Jo Boaler. Angela holds an M.A. in Education from Bradley University and B.F.A. in Theater from the University of Illinois. Before becoming a teacher, she spent several years working in outreach education in zoos and museums and as a Y.E.S. facilitator at Walt Disney World. She taught for nine years at La Jolla Country Day School as a lead teacher in grades three and five, elementary department chair, and as the Junior Shakespeareans drama instructor. During the summer months, Angela volunteered in China, Russia and developing nations in Africa and South America to share her love of teaching and learn from the global community. Her daughter, Norah, was born in 2013 which led Angela to take a break from the classroom and nurture both her child and the many women whom she served as a doula and childbirth educator. When she isn’t baking, reading, or dancing with Norah, Angela loves to engage in nature and with art. Angela marvels at the sense of wonder and curiosity that each child brings to the world and is looking forward to working with the thoughtful, inquisitive, and mindful students at TCPS!
Rachel Piper
Grade 6 & 7 History Teacher and Middle School Advanced Research Teacher
Rachel comes to us with a Teaching Credential in Social Sciences and a Master’s degree in education. She has experience teaching world and U.S. history at the middle school level and is incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to teach history and research classes at TCPS.
Jan Landt
Administrative Assistant
Jan is the Administrative Assistant here at TCPS. She received a B.S. in Dietetics from University of California, Davis. Jan spent the first part of her career as an Administrative Dietitian in Boston, MA and Berkeley, CA. She also was the secretary for All Saints’ Episcopal School, and worked with their lunch program for 25 years. Jan is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Society of Mayflower Descendants. Crocheting afghans for Project Linus keeps her fingers busy in the evenings. She is a self-described Alaska “junkie.” Each year Jan coordinates participation of TCPS in Naturalization Ceremonies for new citizens. Jan has been with TCPS since the 2006 school year.