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Meet Our Team - Teachers

We are blessed to have a truly incredible faculty and staff at RSM Christian School.  From our extended care and office staff to our teachers and administrators, you won't find a more caring, dedicated, and professional team.  We invite you to reach out to any of them with questions or just to get to know them.

Raquel Stitz

Raquel Stitz

Science & 7th-Grade Bible Teacher

Raquel Stitz

Raquel Stitz is a passionate educator who graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor’s in Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. With an extensive background in science and special education, Mrs. Stitz’s true passion lies in shaping the minds of young learners, recognizing that they are the future.

When she’s not in the classroom, Mrs. Stitz spends her time with her loving husband, wonderful son, and crazy fur-ball dog. She loves all things nerd culture, from Disney to Lord of the Rings, and is fascinated by anything science-related. Mrs. Stitz also loves to travel and worship, always seeking to expand her horizons and enrich her life.

Carrie Johnson

Carrie Johnson

4th Grade Teacher

Carrie Johnson

Carrie Johnson loves being a teacher. She’s worked with children since her first job as a swimming instructor at age 16. She is married to her college sweetheart, Ed, and lives in Mission Viejo. They have two young adult children. Mrs. Johnson attends Mission Hills Church with her family, where she teaches the 4th-6th grade Sunday School class and is involved in small groups. Mrs. Johnson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC San Diego and her teaching credential from San Diego State University.

In her spare time, Mrs. Johnson enjoys baking, reading, and working on home improvement projects with her husband. She loves being an elementary school teacher because she gets to build relationships with children (they’re so much fun!) and help all her students make progress every day.

Sarah Salazar

Sarah Salazar

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

Sarah Salazar

With over 15 years of experience teaching preschool-aged children, Sarah brings a joyful and creative approach to early education. She has a passion for music, having taught preschool music for five years and worked with students from toddlers to 6th grade. Originally pursuing music therapy, Sarah earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music performance and continues to perform professionally.

Sarah enjoys helping her students grow academically and creatively. She believes each child is unique and wants her students to know who they are and whose they are. 

When she isn’t teaching or singing, she enjoys hiking and spending time with her Frenchie, Gio. She resides in Rancho Santa Margarita and is honored to be a part of the RSM Christian School family. 

Michelle Gerard

Michelle Gerard

3rd Grade Teacher

Michelle Gerard

Michelle Gerard has a passion for teaching and guiding children to develop their God-given talents and gifts. She has many years of teaching experience in private Christian schools, public schools, and as a missionary in Mexico. She received her undergraduate degree and teaching credential from San Jose University.

Mrs. Gerard is married and has two children. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and exploring God’s creation, playing instruments and singing, reading, finding creative outlets through art, and enjoying time with family and friends.

Mary Desmond

Mary Desmond

Music Teacher

Mary Desmond

Bobbi Nyce

Bobbi Nyce

STEM Teacher

Bobbi Nyce

Bobbi Nyce has a deep love of Jesus and is passionate about sharing that love with children and seeing them enter their own relationship with Him. She graduated from Grand Canyon University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a Christian Education Emphasis. Mrs. Nyce has been in the classroom in many different roles – as a kindergarten aide, a technology and Bible teacher, and a Special Education aide.

When Mrs. Nyce is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog. Most weekends, you can typically find them on a soccer field. She also enjoys reading good books and taking walks.

Gail Newton

Gail Newton

Kindergarten Teacher

Gail Newton

Gail Newton has been teaching in Christian Schools since 1974. Upon college graduation, she was called into Christian education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California Baptist University and did graduate work at CBU and U.C. Irvine. Mrs. Newton holds a lifetime K-9 California Credential and has her ACSI certification.

At home, Mrs. Newton enjoys spending time with friends and playing with her cat, Zuzu. In her free time, she likes cooking, sewing, cake decorating, reading, gardening, and taking long walks at the harbor. Mrs. Newton is active in her church where she is involved with greeting, communion, senior adults and any other ministry where she can make people feel welcome and loved.

Mrs. Newton treasures the privilege of teaching the Bible daily and leading little ones to love Jesus. 

Kara Haverkamp

Kara Haverkamp

Math & 8th-Grade Bible Teacher

Kara Haverkamp

Kara Haverkamp received her Multiple Subject Credential from Concordia University and cleared her credential through CalStateTEACH. She spent the first five years of her Christian school career teaching 6th grade. After a few years in 6th grade, Mrs. Haverkamp knew God was preparing her to teach junior high students. On top of her teaching experience, she has personally organized and helped at many junior high retreats, was heavily involved in Young Life, and led an ongoing Bible study for junior high girls. Although she could have taught at any number of schools, Mrs. Haverkamp chose RSM Christian School because of the heart behind the school; the relationships with the students are built with the great love of Christ as the foundation, which binds us together with the purpose of learning how to love the Lord and others every single day.

Mrs. Haverkamp is married to her husband, Peter, and has recently welcomed their first child into the world. In her free time, Mrs. Haverkamp loves reading, cooking at home, going on hikes, being at the beach, and spending time with family.

Diane Escobar

Diane Escobar

2nd Grade Teacher

Diane Escobar

Diane Escobar has been a Christian educator for more than 40 years. She considers herself blessed to work with children each day, leading them on the road to academic success and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Mrs. Escobar has a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development degree from California State University Northridge and received her ACSI Professional Teacher Certification in 1991. Mrs. Escobar is married,  the mother of two grown daughters (both products of Christian School education), and a grandmother. She loves art, cooking, traveling, and reading great books.

Dawnell Viole, PE Teacher / Athletic Director

Dawnell Viole

Elementary PE Teacher / Athletic Director

Dawnell Viole

Dawnell Viole graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1995 and has been in education since 2006. Since graduating from college, she has been in the physical fitness field and built her own personal training business as well as teaching physical education in a Christian school. In addition, she worked for the city of Mission Viejo teaching various youth fitness programs to elementary and junior high students.

Mrs. Viole is an avid runner and enjoys hiking and water sports with her family. Outside of fitness, she enjoys reading and going to L.A. Galaxy soccer games with her family. She has been married to her husband, Tony, since 1995 and has two boys, Nicholas and Christopher. Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 15:1-2, and she feels blessed to be able to combine her love of sports and fitness with her faith in Christ.

Please join us as we gather for a night of giving and in celebration of the students & staff of RSMCS. There will be live music, dinner, drinks, special presentations, silent & live auctions, & more.

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