"Ms. Metsgar was born and raised in the Lone Star State of Texas. She received her Texas Teaching Credential in 1990 and taught preschool, physical education and third grade. Ms. Metsgar moved to Temecula, California in 1997, where she earned her California Teaching Credential through the University of California Riverside. Ms. Metsgar has been teaching first grade at Temecula Preparatory School since the opening of the school on September 6, 2000. She was awarded the title of “Lower School Teacher of the Year� for 2007-2008. Ms. Metsgar feels honored to be teaching at the best school in the valley, a school that inspires students to become virtuous citizens, critical thinkers, and life-long learners through a classical education and understanding of human virtue. She also feels very blessed to work with such an amazing staff. "

"I believe that every child can learn when given the opportunity. I wouldn't want my teachers (future and past) to give up on me. It is an honor to be of service to families here at Temecula Prepartory School."

"It's my 5th year here at TPS, and I have loved every minute. Our school is a busy place where students,teachers, admin, and parents do more that their share to guarantee us a high quality learning environment. I am currently Head of the High School Science Department, and Boys Varsity Volleyball Coach. I teach Biology, AP Biology (2011-12), Physiology, and Pre-latin. I also work with our High School Robotics Team, which is a year-round program for budding engineers, scientists, and marketing and business students. Our team competes in the San Diego Regional (3/10-12) and Las Vegas Regional 3/30-4/1) for the first time this year. I can be reached most easily via school email, or through edline, if you have any questions, or just want to find out more about the TPS Science Dept, or Boys Volleyball."

"Mrs. Kirkendall and was born and raised in California. She moved to Murrieta when she was very young and graduated from Murrieta Valley High School in 2001. She graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2005 with a B.S. in Business Administration. She then attended Azusa Pacific University, where she received a multiple subject teaching credential in 2006. Upon graduation, Mrs. Kirkendall was hired by a school district in Moreno Valley. There, she taught 2nd grade to 30 underprivileged children. The commute eventually became too burdensome and Mrs. Kirkendall decided to look for a school closer to home. Shortly thereafter, she was called by Temecula Preparatory School to interview for a kindergarten position. Mrs. Kirkendall immediately fell in love with the school, its staff, its virtues, and its culture. Needless to say, she was ecstatic when she got the job! Mrs. Kirkendall began teaching at TPS in the middle of the 2007-2008 school year and won Teacher of the Year in 2008-2009. She currently serves on the staff social committee, is faculty representative to the board of directors, and is the faculty liaison for the kindergarten through second grade teachers. She looks forward to helping the students here at TPS leave “A heritage of virtue, wisdom and knowledge.� On a personal level, Mrs. Kirkendall was married in 2003. Mr. Kirkendall is the Senior Pastor of a local church. The couple enjoys fellowshipping with their congregation and helping with the youth and children. They have no children of their own, but spend their time playing with their beagle, Mac, and cat, Stubbs. In Mrs. Kirkendall’s free time she loves to shop, spend time with her husband, read, and decorate her home. "

"I have a math degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and AP Calculus is not just a class that I teach, it's a hobby that I enjoy. I also coach varsity girls basketball and love every minute of it!"

"Mrs. Hayes has a degree in Industrial Engineering and has worked as both a Process and a Systems Engineer. In her sixth year of teaching, she has taught in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. She enjoys teaching at Temecula Preparatory School because of the students, the staff and the unique culture that is so prominent at the school."

Mr. packard has been teaching art and art history at Temecula prep since 2002. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from San Jose State and a Master's in Educational Technology from Azuza Pacific.

"Ms. Taitano was born and raised in Southern California. She lived in Clairmont Mesa and then Escondido, where she graduated high school. She graduated from Orange Glen High School in 2002 and went straight to the University of California, Riverside. Ms. Taitano graduated from UCR in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in Business Administration and a minor in Education. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree, she decided to continue her education and strive to become a teacher. Ms. Taitano continued to work for her Master’s Degree and Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential at the University of California, Riverside and graduated with both in 2006. While going to graduate school, Ms. Taitano taught in the Jurupa Unified School District. Upon graduation, Ms. Taitano returned to where she grew up. She worked in various schools as a substitute teacher, including Temecula Preparatory School. Ms. Taitano immediately fell in love with the school, its staff, its students, its virtues, and its mission. The following year, in 2007, there was a position open for a sixth grade teacher and Ms. Taitano applied. Ms. Taitano joined the staff at Temecula Preparatory School at the start of the 2007-2008 school year. This is her fourth year as a sixth grade teacher and she loves it. She looks forward to helping the students here at Temecula Preparatory School leave a heritage of virtue, wisdom and knowledge."

I have a BA in Music Education and a supplementary credential in Math. This year I am teaching all the middle school and high school music classes and one class of Algebra I. I strongly believe in classical education and look forward to watching our students become the leaders of the future generation.

"Yvonne truly enjoys what she does for she knows that in the long run, teaching and counseling will leave a lasting impression on the student body. She believes that it is all about the students, so she always keeps them at the top of her list. Yvonne wants to help any student who is willing to work hard, do the right thing, and have fun at the same time."

"Tracy Givens teaches Drama at TPS. Mrs. Givens is a retired actress, and teaches private TV/Film classes for kids in the Temecula Valley. Mrs. Givens lives with her husband, and her two children locally and enjoys teaching at the school."

"Mr. Phillips has been the Headmaster and Executive Director of TPS since May 1, 2008. Prior to that he served on the TPS Board of Directors as a member at large and as the president. Mr. Phillips has been in private and charter school administration and has taught high school courses for ten years. He has also been an attorney for 20 years and still consults in constitutional cases dealing mostly with the First Amendment."

"Mrs. Terri Marek is a dedicated member of the TPS faculty. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro majoring in Elementary Education K-6 with a minor in Sociology. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Education from Chapman University along with her Administrator’s Credential. Currently, Mrs. Marek is a Doctoral Candidate at Northcentral University and is working on her dissertation in Educational Leadership. Mrs. Marek has thirteen years of teaching experience in grades K, 1, 2, 4, and 5. "

Sunny McGowan taught second grade in Jurupa Unified School District for 4 years. She is also a licensed realtor with Coldwell Banker.

"Mr. Weeks was born in Florida, but raised here in Southern California. His work experience has always revolved around education and youth. He worked for seven years at Christian youth camps where he primarily taught wake-boarding, water-skiing and drama. Mr. Weeks has also enjoyed the many mission trips he has been on and planned as the president of the non-profit organization, Youth Outreach Unlimited. In the classroom Mr. Weeks has had the good fortune to work with the entire range of school age children, from kindergarten to high school band during his long-term and short term substitute positions. In addition, before coming to TPS Mr. Weeks spent two years working in a small Christian school, where he had a combined sixth through eighth grade class. Mr. Weeks is now enjoying his third year here at TPS."

Eduardo Vanella was elected to his first term on the TPS board in 2010. He was born and raised in Argentina, where he earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine and practiced as large animal veterinarian for a few years.  During this time, he also taught three classes at the Veterinary School of the local University. Then, in 1986 he moved with his wife to the United States, they have been residents of Temecula since 1991.

Currently, he is the Director of Operations for an international biotech company.
 

BIOGRAPHY

A native southern Californian, Greg Morrison is a graduate of San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  He and his wife Michelle have three sons and a daughter. 

 

A respected local leader, Greg has positively influenced Southern California business, civic and political affairs for the past 20 years.

 

As Director of Legislative and Community Affairs for Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Greg directs all district communication programs and represents the district on complex water policy issues at the local, state and national level.  Greg joined EVMWD from Western Municipal Water District, where he served as Government Relations Officer, managing the district’s legislative agenda.  He has served numerous legislative leaders at the state and federal levels and held executive positions with Stoorza Communications and Sharp HealthCare.

 

Greg was recently appointed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce and several industry associations boards and committees, most notably is the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) statewide Legislative Committee.

 

He is the Past President of the Murrieta/Temecula Group, an organization of proven community leaders dedicated to the social and economic well being of southwest Riverside County.  He is also the Past Chairman for the Southwest California Legislative Council that provides a basis for the Temecula Valley, Murrieta, Wildomar, and Lake Elsinore Valley chambers of commerce to act on local, state and federal government issues to secure a favorable and profitable business climate for the region.

 

Greg is a founding member of the Republican Lincoln Club of Southwest Riverside County.  He is also a former member of the board of directors for the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival and also served as executive Vice-President of the Riverside Chapter of the Building Industry Association Board of Directors.  He is a past member of the board of directors for the Temecula Valley Chamber of commerce and the past Chairman of the Temecula General Plan Citizen Advisory Committee, which was responsible for reviewing and recommending improvements to Temecula’s General Plan.  He and his family reside in Temecula.