Greg Friesen
School Principal
greg@legacyschoolauburn.com
Greg has 11 years of teaching experience and worked 15 years in school administration, primarily as school principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He recently moved from Oregon to principal Legacy Christian School and is excited God has called him back into Christian education.
Christina Cross
Assistant Principal
christina@legacyschoolauburn.com
Christina has spent most of her 20-year educational career working as a public school counselor with middle and high school students. However, the past eight years at Legacy have been the greatest blessing and time of growth for her. Christina is thrilled to now be working in a Christian school environment where Christ can be at the center of every conversation.
Ken Kessenich
School Administrator
ken@legacyschoolauburn.com
Ken has spent the past 9 years serving as the Children’s Ministry Pastor at Confluence Church and acts as the liaison between the school and the church. Prior to his ministry work, Ken taught in Christian education at the elementary and middle school levels for 26 years before serving as vice principal for 12 years also at the K-8 level. He is passionate about pointing kids to Christ and encouraging growth in their faith.
Kristen Medley
Kindergarten Teacher
kristen@legacyschoolauburn.com
Kristen is continuing at Legacy as our Kindergarten teacher and also possesses 10 years of teaching experience primarily with preschool-aged children. She earned a Bachelor’s in Bible and Theology and Liberal Studies from William Jessup University and also possesses an Early Childhood Associate Teachers Certificate. Her goal as an educator is to provide a warm, caring environment and to keep Jesus as the center of everything.
Heather LaVallie
1st grade teacher
heather@legacyschoolauburn.com
Heather is thrilled to be back teaching at Legacy as out 1st grade teacher again this year! She has taught many different grades at different schools over the years as well as homeschooling her own son. She looks forward to bringing creativity and excitement to our first graders as well as helping them build a strong foundation of faith in God and understanding of the Bible.
Debbie Phillipson
2nd grade teacher
dphillipson@legacyschoolauburn.com
Debbie is returning to Legacy after spending six years in Georgia and we are thrilled to have her back job-sharing our 2nd grade teacher position! While she thought she was moving to Georgia to retire, the Lord called her back. Debbie has over twenty years of experience teaching and in educational leadership in both public and private schools. Debbie enjoys spending time outdoors and is excited to share her expertise and help her students thrive academically and spiritually.
Kristin Phalen
2nd grade teacher
kphalen@legacyschoolauburn.com
We are thrilled to have Kristin joining Legacy to job-share our 2nd grade teaching position this year! Kristin spent years teaching all three of her own children until enrolling them at Legacy and she has been involved in other youth and young adult ministries. She deeply desires her students to know the love of Jesus and is excited to minister to and disciple her second grade students this year. Kristin enjoys horses and art and looks forward to integrating both into her classroom!
Danielle Evans
3rd grade teacher
danielle@legacyschoolauburn.com
Danielle is returning for her third year at Legacy as our 3rd grade teacher. Danielle has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from Cal State Channel Islands and two years of teaching preschool. Danielle grew up in this area so she feels like moving back to the area and working at Legacy is a homecoming for her! She is excited to bring her creativity into 3rd grade and to openly share the truths of the Bible and the love of Jesus Christ into her classroom at Legacy Christian School.
Deborah de Luna
4th grade teacher
deborah@legacyschoolauburn.com
Deborah is excited to return for her third year at Legacy as our 4th grade teacher! After recently moving to the area, and she and her family have settled into life here. She also feels very blessed that the Lord has brought her to the family here at Legacy. Deborah has taught elementary and middle school grades and also has years of experience teaching and oversee special education classrooms. She is eager to shepherd our 4th grade students in this new chapter of her teaching career. She loves the Lord and all His children and Her desire is to continually point her students back to God’s love for them!
Garret Smith
5th grade teacher
garret@legacyschoolauburn.com
We are thrilled to have Garret joining Legacy as our 5th grade teacher this year. He spent the past two years working as a long-term substitute teacher, last year in 5th grade specifically, as well as substitute teaching at Legacy on many occasions. Garret has a passion to connect with his students at their level, understand how they learn and their individual strengths, and encourage them to persevere through challenges. He has long been an avid athlete and continues to participate in numerous athletic teams now.
Bill Zankich
6th-8th Grade English/History/Bible Teacher
bill@legacyschoolauburn.com
Bill is returning for his third year at Legacy as one of our two middle school teachers and brings with him a multitude of experience! After spending years working as a graphic designer, he felt led to go back to school to pursue becoming an educator. Bill recently completed his Master’s of Education degree from William Jessup and is eager to jump in and help shepherd our middle school students! He is excited to share how the study of History, specifically, points to the truth of God’s word. His greatest desire is to show his students that Jesus is everything they do.
Kristin Avila
6th-8th Grade Math/Science/Bible Teacher
kristin@legacyschoolauburn.com
Kristin is returning to Legacy this year and is thrilled to teach the subjects she is most passionate about: Science and Math! She recently moved back to Auburn after spending 5 years on the mission field in Honduras, with her family, where she was the co-director of a school. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Credential from William Jessup University and has taught for many years. Kristin is coming to us with a rich educational background, a passion for sharing the Gospel message, and helping kids cultivate their personal relationship and walk with Jesus.
Theresa O’Connor
Office Assistant
info@legacyschoolauburn.com
Melanie Smith
Office Assistant
info@legacyschoolauburn.com
Julie Kessenich
Administrative Assistant
julie@legacyschoolauburn.com
Lyuba Garbuzov
After Care Supervisor
Alayna Gaddy
Before & After Care Supervisor
Diane Johnson
Teacher assistant & recess supervisor
