CLASSROOM PAGES / TEACHER SITES
Kindergarten - Mrs. Saltzman
My full name is Andrea Saltzman, but I have always gone by 'Andie'. I have been married to Kurt, who's also a teacher, for almost 15 years and we have two boys. Keegan is a 12 year old seventh grader and Micaiah is a 9 year old fourth grader. I have been teaching for 13 years. I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific and my teaching credential from Chapman University. I enjoy filing and sorting, as well as doing laundry. I know it's weird, but I have a type A personality! I thoroughly enjoy organization and keeping things in order!! I also like camping, traveling, shopping and scrapbooking.
My full name is Andrea Saltzman, but I have always gone by 'Andie'. I have been married to Kurt, who's also a teacher, for almost 15 years and we have two boys. Keegan is a 12 year old seventh grader and Micaiah is a 9 year old fourth grader. I have been teaching for 13 years. I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific and my teaching credential from Chapman University. I enjoy filing and sorting, as well as doing laundry. I know it's weird, but I have a type A personality! I thoroughly enjoy organization and keeping things in order!! I also like camping, traveling, shopping and scrapbooking.
First Grade - Mrs. Prull
I worked as a substitute and kindergarten aide for several years before I was able to realize my dream and become a full time teacher. I started teaching first grade at Grace Christian School in 2001 and have been here ever since. I love teaching first grade especially when I see the student’s excitement as they learn new things. My husband and I moved to Visalia from southern California in 1988. My three sons are Grace Alumni and afterwards graduated from California four year Universities. Two sons are married and one has given me an energetic grand daughter. They are giving me a grandson in September. I love being a grandma.
My husband and I are active members at Grace Lutheran Church. I sing in the traditional choir and occasionally sing with the worship team. It is such a blessing to work where I can share the grace and love of God. I learn so much from my students. They have wonderful insights.
I enjoy fresh baked goods and the students will work with me to create several dishes during the school year. I am looking forward to an awesome year. Thank you for sharing your children with me.
I worked as a substitute and kindergarten aide for several years before I was able to realize my dream and become a full time teacher. I started teaching first grade at Grace Christian School in 2001 and have been here ever since. I love teaching first grade especially when I see the student’s excitement as they learn new things. My husband and I moved to Visalia from southern California in 1988. My three sons are Grace Alumni and afterwards graduated from California four year Universities. Two sons are married and one has given me an energetic grand daughter. They are giving me a grandson in September. I love being a grandma.
My husband and I are active members at Grace Lutheran Church. I sing in the traditional choir and occasionally sing with the worship team. It is such a blessing to work where I can share the grace and love of God. I learn so much from my students. They have wonderful insights.
I enjoy fresh baked goods and the students will work with me to create several dishes during the school year. I am looking forward to an awesome year. Thank you for sharing your children with me.
Second Grade - Mrs. Gaffney
I have been at Grace since 1987! I started helping in the classroom when my oldest boy was in kindergarten, then returned as a part-time aide and substitute, then started teaching second grade. I taught second for several years before I was asked to become an Interim Principal (which lasted for 6 years). I returned to the classroom in 2003 and retired from being Principal when Miss Sandy Eitel took my place.
I am a graduate of University of the Pacific in Stockton with a Master's Degree. My husband is a pharmacist, and I have two boys who both attended Grace from kindergarten through sixth grade. They both also graduated from Arizona State University and are now living in Southern California.
I love to make quilts, watch College Football, and visit my boys!
I have been at Grace since 1987! I started helping in the classroom when my oldest boy was in kindergarten, then returned as a part-time aide and substitute, then started teaching second grade. I taught second for several years before I was asked to become an Interim Principal (which lasted for 6 years). I returned to the classroom in 2003 and retired from being Principal when Miss Sandy Eitel took my place.
I am a graduate of University of the Pacific in Stockton with a Master's Degree. My husband is a pharmacist, and I have two boys who both attended Grace from kindergarten through sixth grade. They both also graduated from Arizona State University and are now living in Southern California.
I love to make quilts, watch College Football, and visit my boys!
Third Grade - Mrs. Cook
I am so blessed to be part of the teaching staff at Grace Christian School! This year I am celebrating my 27th school year and I cannot wait to get this year started. Every year I look forward to learning new things and developing new relationships! I cannot think of a better career and I am so thrilled that God chose me for this place!! Over the years I have been blessed with many opportunities to work with students of all ages! I have spent a total of 9 years in the Kindergarten, 8 years in First and/or Second Grade, and 8 years of K-12 music and drama. This year I am so looking forward to beginning my second year in the Third Grade! I am married to my husband, Aron, and have three children of my own; Haleigh, Tanner and Ryan. One of my greatest joys is watching my kids do what they love to do! They have all kept us entertained over the years with dance recitals, plays, football games, soccer matches, baseball tournaments, and basketball games. We have loved every second we have spent in the stands or in the audience cheering on our kids!
I am so blessed to be part of the teaching staff at Grace Christian School! This year I am celebrating my 27th school year and I cannot wait to get this year started. Every year I look forward to learning new things and developing new relationships! I cannot think of a better career and I am so thrilled that God chose me for this place!! Over the years I have been blessed with many opportunities to work with students of all ages! I have spent a total of 9 years in the Kindergarten, 8 years in First and/or Second Grade, and 8 years of K-12 music and drama. This year I am so looking forward to beginning my second year in the Third Grade! I am married to my husband, Aron, and have three children of my own; Haleigh, Tanner and Ryan. One of my greatest joys is watching my kids do what they love to do! They have all kept us entertained over the years with dance recitals, plays, football games, soccer matches, baseball tournaments, and basketball games. We have loved every second we have spent in the stands or in the audience cheering on our kids!
Ms. Cole
I, B. Diane Cole (the B. stands for Barbara) have been teaching for well over 30 years, not including “playing teacher” and teaching Sunday School. I graduated from Bethany Bible College in 1977 with a degree in Music, followed by a credential in 1978. My first years of teaching were in private Christian schools in San Jose and Southern California. In 1991, I began teaching second grade for the Ventura Unified School District, retiring in 2010 after buying a house here in Visalia and entering full-time ministry. Last year, I was the School-Age Childcare Director here at Grace, but my heart has always been in the classroom and I am so excited to be part of the fourth grade team. I am also anticipating a great year with the instrumental music program. I have two grownup sons and one granddaughter. I love to read, bake, solve puzzles, and watch both college and pro football. I am relatively quiet until I am watching football, at which time I become an entirely different person!
I, B. Diane Cole (the B. stands for Barbara) have been teaching for well over 30 years, not including “playing teacher” and teaching Sunday School. I graduated from Bethany Bible College in 1977 with a degree in Music, followed by a credential in 1978. My first years of teaching were in private Christian schools in San Jose and Southern California. In 1991, I began teaching second grade for the Ventura Unified School District, retiring in 2010 after buying a house here in Visalia and entering full-time ministry. Last year, I was the School-Age Childcare Director here at Grace, but my heart has always been in the classroom and I am so excited to be part of the fourth grade team. I am also anticipating a great year with the instrumental music program. I have two grownup sons and one granddaughter. I love to read, bake, solve puzzles, and watch both college and pro football. I am relatively quiet until I am watching football, at which time I become an entirely different person!
Fifth & Sixth Grade - Ms. Golden
Ms. Golden has been teaching at Grace Christian School since 1988. She is a lifelong resident of Tulare County, having been born and raised in the Porterville/Terra Bella area. Tami attended Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, where she majored in Elementary Education with a concentration in Music. She received her teaching diploma in May of 1988, and was called to serve in ministry here at Grace, Visalia. She is excited to begin her 28th year in the classroom here at Grace. In addition to serving as a classroom teacher, Tami is also the Director of Music for Grace Lutheran Church, serving as organist, choir director, handbell director, and worship leader.
Ms. Golden has been teaching at Grace Christian School since 1988. She is a lifelong resident of Tulare County, having been born and raised in the Porterville/Terra Bella area. Tami attended Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska, where she majored in Elementary Education with a concentration in Music. She received her teaching diploma in May of 1988, and was called to serve in ministry here at Grace, Visalia. She is excited to begin her 28th year in the classroom here at Grace. In addition to serving as a classroom teacher, Tami is also the Director of Music for Grace Lutheran Church, serving as organist, choir director, handbell director, and worship leader.
Seventh & Eighth Grades - Mrs. Neipp
The 7th and 8th grades are exciting ages to teach! Students in this season of life are truly beginning to find their place in the world, and are trying to define who they are. Therefore, I consider it my responsibility to not only impart academic knowledge to them, and to challenge their intellectual capacity, but to also nurture and solidify character traits such as integrity, work-ethic, passion for setting goals and reaching them, compassion and other-centeredness, and, most importantly, an underlying foundation of faith in God.
I started my career teaching high school biology and AP chemistry, and am excited to bring some of the lab experiences there into my current classroom. I consider it a privilege to teach your child, and I am honored you would allow me to be a part of their lives this year. It is my sincere intention to make the most of every day with them, and to partner with you in bringing out the very best in them.
The 7th and 8th grades are exciting ages to teach! Students in this season of life are truly beginning to find their place in the world, and are trying to define who they are. Therefore, I consider it my responsibility to not only impart academic knowledge to them, and to challenge their intellectual capacity, but to also nurture and solidify character traits such as integrity, work-ethic, passion for setting goals and reaching them, compassion and other-centeredness, and, most importantly, an underlying foundation of faith in God.
I started my career teaching high school biology and AP chemistry, and am excited to bring some of the lab experiences there into my current classroom. I consider it a privilege to teach your child, and I am honored you would allow me to be a part of their lives this year. It is my sincere intention to make the most of every day with them, and to partner with you in bringing out the very best in them.
