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 Rainey 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 several years while her three children were enrolled as students. 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 on Capitol Hill as an aide and speechwriter, in admissions and student services and most recently was Director of Customer Service for an international internet 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 and the public.
Rachel Szalay
Kindergarten Teacher and Lower School Lead
Rachel has been with TCPS as the kindergarten teacher since 2011 and became the Lower School lead teacher in 2018. Rachel graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her B.A. in Speech Communications. She pursued a career in teaching at Point Loma Nazarene where she earned her M.A. in Education and multiple subject teaching credential. 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 six years. She lives in Ocean Beach with her husband, son, and daughter and enjoys spending time with family, singing, and cooking. Students inspire and refresh her love for teaching every single day. She is dedicated to bringing fun learning experiences 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 Middle School Math teacher and Program Coordinator. In 2013, Cara became a full time homeroom teacher at TCPS. She has taught both 2nd and 3rd grade and is currently the 3rd grade homeroom teacher. Cara has a B.A. in Education Studies with a minor in English from Stonehill College, Massachusetts. She earned her M.A. in Mathematics Education from San Diego State University. Though she has been in San Diego for over 15 years, Cara grew up in Rhode Island and lived and worked in the Boston area before moving to San Diego. In the past, Cara taught third grade in a public school outside of Boston, 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 and to introduce them to mindfulness in the classroom setting. In her free time, she loves yoga and cooking. 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 and a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Peñasquitos. 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 sell their woven baskets. After returning home, Sandra went right back into teaching. 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, and create art.
Melissa Smith
Grade 5 Teacher
For as long as she can remember, Melissa has wanted to be a teacher. Inspired by one of her all-time favorite poets, Melissa tries to live by Maya Angelou’s quote, “I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being.” Raised near Seattle, Washington, Melissa graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and received her Master in Teaching from Northwest University in Washington. Melissa has taught in private schools since 2010 and joined TCPS in 2016. As a teacher, Melissa’s goal is provide a positive classroom environment where her students feel safe, valued, and heard. When at home, Melissa enjoys writing and handlettering, as well as spending time with her husband Charles and their daughter Malaya. As a family, they love cooking, baking, sports, and being active.
Vickie Jenkins
Music Teacher 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. Haley has been teaching since 2009 and continues to be motivated by the excitement of the students and her love for Science . She lives in Point Loma and enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, cooking, and exercising. Haley loves being a part of the TCPS family!
Michael Payne
Middle School Math Teacher (6-8) and Coding 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), daughter (Vivian), and youngest son (Wyatt).
Angela Lathem-Ballard
Middle School Language Arts Teacher (6-8) and Librarian
Angela fell in love with books and learning as a child. She 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 and as a Y.E.S. facilitator at Walt Disney World. She has studied at The Globe Theatre in London, Nancie Atwell’s Center for Teaching and Learning, and is a member of the San Diego Area Writing Project. Her classroom experience has spanned grades two through eight, with a special interest in teaching Shakespeare through performance. 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. In addition, Angela has served as a social-services volunteer in Ghana, Peru, Russia, and China. In her free time, you might find her reading, running and hiking with her dog, or enjoying San Diego with her husband and daughter.
Rachel Piper
Grade 6 & 7 History Teacher and Middle School Advanced Research Teacher
Rachel knew she wanted to work with children when she fell in love with playing and teaching piano at a very young age. She received her Bachelor’s in Child Psychology and Education at the University of North Florida and shortly after moved to Israel to teach English. It was then when Rachel fell in love with traveling the world, authentically experiencing cultures, and eating all the delicious and exotic food! This is also when she realized how incredible history can be – and she knew she had to become a history teacher. She received her Master’s in Educational Leadership at the University of Florida (go Gators!) then moved to San Diego where she loves nothing more than hiking and going to the beach with her 2 dogs and fiancé. Rachel has been teaching since 2012 and is thrilled for another incredible year here at TCPS sharing her passion for history and research!
Miriana Clark
Director of Giving and Events
Miriana Clark is a San Diego native, returning to her home city for the fourth time. Always the wandering spirit, she has worked as a model, broadcaster, journalist, a fun-park event master, spent over 18-years in the construction and architectural industry, and is a serial entrepreneur (ask about the wine club business). Her spouse, Matt, owns a Ruby-on-Rails consultancy and the coding bootcamp, LEARN Academy, near Petco Park.
She has spent the last 9 years volunteering all her experience for their son, Mike, at his school and sports activities. She has served as PTA VP of Fundraising and chaired many committees for his K-8 school in Oregon; was Boosters president and auction chair for his high school, and served on the board and as coach for many baseball activities. Mike is a senior in high school this year.
Having lived in New Orleans, Redding, San Luis Obispo, Madison (WI), Portland (OR), and all over San Diego (La Jolla, North Park, Hillcrest, Ocean Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia, Clairemont), she is grateful to be close to home.
She looks forward to working with TCPS families for a successful and joy-filled school year. Her party trick is wine recommendations, and discussing how much she loves New Zealand.
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.” Jan has been with TCPS since the 2006 school year.
