Faculty & Staff

Jim Price

Executive Director

Jim is the Executive Director of TCPS.  Jim also has two children, both of which are TCPS graduates.  Jim received his B.A. in Political Science at Washington State University, and his M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.  Additionally, he has a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Chapman University.  Besides Jim's twenty years of business and management experience, he also has twenty years of experience working with children and teens through public schools, residential treatment facilities, summer camps, and as a club and high school soccer coach.  Jim has been a leader in the TCPS family for six years, and enjoys being here because he feels that TCPS truly prepares students for their future academic pursuits and beyond. 

Sherry Risch

Principal/ Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Sherry is not only one of the founders of TCPS, but also one of the principals and the middle school Language Arts Teacher.  Sherry has a B.S. in Special Education, as well as Elementary Education from Miami University, Oxford Ohio.  She also served on the Committee for Primary Assessment and Curriculum Development in Ohio.  Sherry is the founding board member of Women's Empowerment International, whose mission is to provide microcredit loans to women living in poverty.  Sherry's daughter attended TCPS for seven years.  Sherry's love for traveling has taken her to India, Nepal, Europe, South America, and Asia.  She uses these experiences to encourage her students to use creativity and an open mind while learning.  Sherry enjoys spending time with her family, as well as singing; she is a member of the MLK Choir.  Sherry has been with TCPS for its longevity; since 1983!  Sherry is continually excited about TCPS because it fosters an environment where teachers can be innovative and enthused about curriculum design, and brainstorm new and engaging ideas with the students to create classroom activities and lessons. 

Donny Kim

Vice Principal and Middle School History Teacher

Donny is the Vice Principal and one of the middle school teachers at TCPS.  He teaches Geography and History for all middle school grades.  Donny also teaches photography and computer electives for the seventh and eighth graders.  Donny has his B.A. in History from University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as his Single Subject Credential from Sonoma State University.  He has Web Design and Graphic Design Certificates from the University of California, San Diego.  His knowledge base in photography comes from passion as a professional nature photographer.  Adding to Donny's experience is his twelve years of experience in outdoor education for the Catalina Island Marine Institute, where he taught marine ecology, geology, astronomy, underwater photography, and was the SCUBA Divemaster.  Donny has been a part of the TCPS family since 1999.  His favorite thing about TCPS is the amazing connection he feels between the students, parents, and staff; and not just for the grades he teaches, but across all grade levels. 

Rachel Curtze

Kindergarten Teacher

Rachel joined TCPS as the Kindergarten teacher in 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 also 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 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.    

Maggie Price

First Grade Teacher

Maggie is the First Grade Teacher at TCPS, as well as a founder of the school.  Maggie has a B.A. from American University in Washington, D.C.  She did graduate work in Human Development, Counseling, and Teaching at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA.  Maggie is a trained School Readiness Evaluator, and speaks in the community as an Educational Consultant about school readiness and placement.  Maggie has over 30 years experience in the teaching field and brings her expertise of early childhood education to the children of TCPS.  She has an immense appreciation and love for nature and draws upon that in her classroom.  Her students learn about the connectedness they share with the environment and world around them. Maggie has been with TCPS since its beginning in 1983! She is delighted to be a member of a school community that focuses on the students and their individual strengths and needs. 

Stephanie Barnes

Grade 2 and 3 Homeroom Teacher

Stephanie is the grade 2 & 3 Homeroom Teacher at TCPS and the Community Outreach Coordinator.  Her two children graduated from TCPS and are currently in high school.  Stephanie has a degree in Liberal Arts and obtained her Teaching Credentials in General and Special Education from California State University, Sacramento.  She is currently attending The University of San Diego where she is pursuing her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree and a Graduate Certificate in Peace and Global Education.  Stephanie enjoys poetry and public speaking, and shares those passions with the children in her classroom.  She has over twenty years of involvement with Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times where she has trained staff and worked with cancer patients and their families.  Stephanie has been part of the TCPS staff since 1999 and is continually impressed by the way that students of all ages get to know one another and work together.

Marisa Vernec

Grade 4/5 Homeroom Teacher

Marisa joined TCPS as the Grade 4/5 Homeroom Teacher in the fall of 2012.  She is a former student and graduate of The Child's Primary School.  After graduating from TCPS, Marisa attended Francis Parker School and The University of California, Davis.  She earned her B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials from Point Loma Nazarene University.  Marisa taught middle school at another San Diego private school for three years prior to returning to TCPS.  She is not only passionate about education and teaching, but also about travel.  She has been all over the world, from places like France and Italy to India and Turkey.  She so values the learning that comes from experiencing new food, culture, and adventures.  Other interests of hers include indoor and outdoor volleyball, cozying up with a good book, and cooking!

Diana Hock

Grade 6 Homeroom Teacher and Math Teacher

Diana is the Math Teacher for grades five, six, seven, and eight and leads staff professional development in mathematics.  Diana graduated from Ohio University with a B.S. in Education, and from San Diego State University with her Master's in Math Education in the Spring of 2010.  Diana enjoys teaching her students to explore the meaning of Math concepts, not just the memorization of procedures.  Diana loves traveling, and even spent a year living in Australia.  She has shared her passion for travel with students by being a 2008 summer group leader for People to People in Japan.  Diana delights in the active and warm lifestyle San Diego has to offer and loves spending her summers scuba diving and relaxing at the beach.  She has been a teacher at The Child's Primary School since 2005.  She loves the warm, welcoming feeling she has experienced since the first day she stepped into the TCPS hallways.

Cara Dunn

Math Teacher, Program Coordinator

Cara joined the TCPS faculty in 2010, she is a Math Teacher and the Program Coordinator.  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 is 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.

Nichole Frazier

Middle School Teacher and Librarian

Nichole is the Middle School Research and Art Teacher, school librarian, and assists Ms. Risch as a Middle School Language Arts Teacher.  Nichole attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a Master of Teaching with a concentration in English Education.  After graduating from VCU, she taught Language Arts at Luray High School in Virginia.  Nichole has been a teacher and staff member at The Child's Primary School since 2009.

Marvin Santiago

Physical Education Teacher/After School Director

Marvin is the Physical Education Teacher at TCPS, as well as the athletics coach and the Extended Day Program Director.  A native of Hawaii, Marvin, "Coach," went to the University of Northern Colorado and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology, with an emphasis on Physical Education.  After graduating from college, Coach returned to Hawaii and was the Head Basketball Coach for boys and girls varsity teams.  Coach believes that it is crucial for physical activity to be a part of a healthy lifestyle and encourages his students to "get out there and play!"  In addition to teaching and directing the Extended Day Program, Coach runs the competitive sports programs at TCPS, and is an active dad to his two children.  Coach has been a part of the TCPS family since 2005, and loves being in a place where he can motivate the students to try their best and have fun doing so. 

Vickie Jenkins

Music/Asst. Classroom Teacher

Vickie is the TCPS Music Teacher, as well as an assistant in the second/third and fourth/fifth grade classrooms.  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, 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 foster their talents. 

Tina Miller

Science Teacher

Ms. Sanchez

Spanish Teacher

Ms. Sanchez is the Spanish Teacher for all ages at TCPS.  She teaches Spanish to adults as well.  Ms. Sanchez received her B.A. from San Diego State University in Spanish with a minor in Child and Family Development and a focus in domestic violence.  Ms. Sanchez spent a semester studying in Panama and Costa Rica, where she continued to perfect her knowledge of the Spanish language.  She also lived in Toronto for two years where she did mission work and taught English.  Ms. Sanchez enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and helping others to be better speakers of both English and Spanish.  Ms. Sanchez has been a part of the TCPS family for the past two years, and loves that the school lets kids be kids, and that they work on cross-age group projects.

Jan Landt

Executive Assistant

Jan is the Executive 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 and Berkley, 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, as well as the Senior Leader of Children of the American Revolution at local, state, and national levels.  Jan keeps everyone smiling at TCPS with her baking skills, as well as with all of her creativity in handicrafts.  Each year Jan coordinates participation of TCPS in Naturalization Ceremonies for new citizens. Jan has been with TCPS since the 2006 school year, and loves the daily interaction with the students, staff, and parents.    

Lorenda Ballard

Admissions Assistant

Kaitlin Musser

Marketing Coordinator

Kaitlin is the Marketing Coordinator at TCPS.  She attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication with a focus in Public Relations.  After college, Kaitlin became the Communications Director at her high school alma mater, Lancaster Catholic High School in Lancaster, Pa.  Soon after she met her Navy husband, she relocated to Connecticut.  Kaitlin, her husband and two canine children are now happily living in San Diego.  Kaitlin will use her experience in marketing and school admissions to promote TCPS and attract new, wonderful students! 

Ying Moua

After-School Assistant

Ying is currently pursuing her degree in child development. Ying has worked with the Girl Scouts of America as a leader and Event Coordinator for several years. Additionally, Ying works with Supplemental Education Services where she provides tutoring services to students.