Meet Cross and Crown’s Teachers & Staff
 
Our staff members are all caring, compassionate, Christian individuals. They are dedicated to developing your child’s optimum potential, and yet are trained to be sensitive to individual needs. Elementary teachers are credentialed California graduates, while our preschool teachers all meet the California State educational requirements for teaching at the preschool level.
 
Cross and Crown’s teachers are passionate to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to pass that passion on to their students. This commitment to our Lord builds one of the strongest assets we possess at Cross and Crown…the devotion of our staff. Because of this, there is very little turn over. Most of our teachers have remained at CCLS for one or more decades. They are passionate to help our students explore the world around us, and The One who created it; utilizing a curriculum strong in academics and integrated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Please meet our devoted teachers and staff:
 
Debbie McAllister: Administrator
Email - dmcallister@cclsrp.org
 
Mandy McCarthy - Preschool Director:
Email - mmccarthy@cclsrp.org
PRESCHOOL
 
Ms. Mandy McCarthy - Preschool Director:
Email - mmccarthy@cclsrp.org 
 
Jilly Mirkin - Preschool  Aide
Email - jmirkin@cclsrp.org
 
Keyley Peterson -- Preschool Teacher
Email - kpeterson@cclsrp.org 
 
Lissete Martin -- Preschool Teacher 
Email - lmartin@cclsrp.org 
 
 ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
 
Mrs. Marlene Bullard - Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten:
Email - mbullard@cclsrp.org
 
Ms. Mackenzie Lowe- 1st/2nd grade:
Email - mlowe@cclsrp.org
 
Mrs. Amy Der - 3rd/4th grade:
Email - ader@cclsrp.org
 
Mrs. Marisa Hardina- 5th/6th grade:
Email - mhardina@cclsrp.org
 
Administrator - Ms. Debbie McAllister

707-795-7863


 
Debbie McAllister: Administrator
 
Years of experience: Over 35 years
 
Education: BA in Elementary Education, Linfield College, McMinnville Oregon 
                    MA in Special Education, Learning Handicaps, San Francisco State University
                    MA in Divinity, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CCA 
 
Credentials: California Multiple Subject Lifetime Credential
                      California Administrative Credential, Education
                      California Special Education Lifetime Credential 
 
Certification: 
 
Experience: Millbrae Elementary School District
                     Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District
                     Sonoma County Office of Education, Court and Community Schools
                     Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Mi Wuk Village, CA 

 
Personal Information: I am the mother of two adult children and grandmother of one. Children of all ages, learning and Christian ministry have been the focus of my life for as long as I can remember. I love music and began training at the age of 5. My interests have morphed over the years as my children have grown and my callings have changed. I consider that I have a very long life resume, which has served me well. Once again in transition, as I move from semi-retirement to full time work, I am sure I will continue to learn and grow.
 
Reflection: God has led me in many different directions during my lifetime. I am delighted to once again be called to work with children, parents and staff and further delighted that it is in this gracious, caring Christian environment of Cross and Crown Lutheran School. I believe life is a journey, not a destination, and look forward to this next leg of my journey.
Preschool Director Ms. Mandy McCarthy Image Preschool Director - Ms. Mandy McCarthy

707-795-7863


Preschool Director:
 
Mandy McCarthy
 
Years of experience: Over 20 years
 
Years at Cross and Crown: Over 15 years
 
Education: AA degree in Early Childhood, Santa Rosa Junior College, CA
                   BA in Early Childhood Studies, Sonoma State University, CA
 
Certification: Child Development Teacher Certificate
                        CA State Associate Teacher Permit
                        Site Supervisor Permit; CA Director Permit
                        CPR and First-Aid Certified - Infant, Child & Adult
 
Experience: I owned and operated a home childcare center for many years. I continue to take classes, attend conferences, and seminars. At every event, I learn new ideas that bring new classroom experiences for the children and me.
 
Personal Information: I am married to Brian, and we have two grown children, Kelsey and Jack, as well as a dog, named Molly. In 2019, we added to our family with my daughter getting a puppy named Scout, and my son and daughter-in-law having our first grandchild named Lauren. In my spare time, I plan on creating wonderful memories with my family. Hopefully, I will still find some quiet time and time to read.    
 
Reflection: As a teacher I believe that each child who enters my classroom is an individual. It is my job to create an environment that will help that child expand his/her world. Assessing the individual and global needs of the children in the classroom takes me to the next step--developing an environment. As I reflect on teaching and my professional growth, I am drawn to the personal side of my life. I need to take time to read a book, or just sit outside in nature in order to recharge my batteries. My philosophy is to reset the personal side of my life so that I can be the best I can be in my teaching environment and in my professional growth.