Back row: Bob Chinnock, Teri Deacon, Janet Johnson, Wendy Rivera, Lance Carle
Front row: Kristin Dorchuck, Diane Esquer, Julie Kramer, Emily Villeda
The MLAJA Staff
Emily Villeda
Principal and Teacher of 7-10 English, 7-8 Reading, Yearbook
E-mail: ervilleda@mlaja.org
My introduction to MLAJA was in the spring of 2002 when the 9th and 10th graders made their “Discovery” trip to Costa Rica and visited the small Adventist school where I was teacher/principal. By the fall of that year my husband and I were living in Sonora and I was working as an aide, primarily in Mrs. Garcia’s classroom. At that time I was studying for my bachelor’s degree from Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, which I obtained in the spring of 2005. I then accepted a job in Dinuba as principal/teacher where I worked for two years. Now it’s wonderful to be back at MLAJA again. This is God’s school, and I look forward to seeing what He will do in and through each of us this year.
Bob Chinnock
Teacher of Grades 9-10 Math, Biology, Bible and PE, Grades 5-8 PE
E-mail: bchinnock@mlaja.org
I have my Master's Degree in Educational Administration from La Sierra University. I enjoy sports, camping, backpacking, and reading. I have had the joy of teaching for over 30 years, seven here at MLAJA. The most rewarding part of my teaching experience is to see students make positive choices and watch them develop a closer walk with Christ. My wife Earlene is a graphic artist. We have two daughters and two granddaughters.
Wendy Rivera
Teacher of grades 5-6 math, and English, as well as band and handbells for grades 5-10, choir for grades 7-10, and private instrumental and piano lessons (and maker of brownies!)
E-mail: mlmusic@worryfreeweb.com
I can remember as a kid, getting all the neighborhood kids together in the summer and playing "school." Of course, I was the teacher. I have loved music from an early age and started playing the piano in Kindergarten and the tuba in ninth grade and later at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania. I majored in piano and tuba (what else!) at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, graduating with a Batchelor of Music Education. I started my teaching career at Garden State Academy in New Jersey, where I was girls' dean and taught band. Later, I taught at San Diego Academy, Orangewood, and Mesa Grande. Since moving to Sonora in 1986, I have taught at MLAJA off and on over the years. In my spare time, I enjoy snow skiing, backpacking, and hiking. I am the proud mother of Jimmy, who is currently in college in Argentina, working on his Spanish, and Tom, who is currently a senior at Rio Lindo Academy and is the Student Association Religious Vice President. And I am married to the most wonderful man, Victor Rivera!
Lance Carle
Teacher of 7-8 Bible, math, science, social studies, and 9-10 history, keyboarding, and computer applications.
E-mail: lwcarle@gmail.com
I've been teaching here at MLAJA for several years now. I grew up in the Central Valley and always wanted to live in the foothills. When I was offered a job here, it was easy to leave Southern California to move to Sonora. After I graduated with my MA degree, I began teaching 6th grade until I came here to teach 7th and 8th grades with some 9th and 10th-grade classses and the occassional 5th and 6th-grade class. Mark Twain once said, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." There are so many interesting things to learn that I try to combine schooling and education.
Julie Kramer
Teacher of grades 3-4
E-mail: kramerjja@gmail.com
I graduated from Pacific Union College with my Master’s in Elementary Education, and this will be my fourteenth year teaching. Outside of my school interests I enjoy reading, camping, and exploring dirt roads. My husband John is a residential designer.
Kristin Dorchuck
Teacher of Kindergarten and Pre-first
E-mail: kdorchuck@mlaja.org
I have been teaching Kindergarten and Pre-first at MLAJA for seven years. I have taken many child development classes and enjoy helping young children grow and develop. I also have an art degree and work as many art projects into the curriculum as I can. Children at this age thrive on art projects and anything that they can become involved in, and I create an atmosphere where they can feel safe to express their ideas and learn new ones. I am married to Joe. We have three cats and one dog. I enjoy camping, swimming, waterskiing, snowskiing, playing the piano, and scrapbooking. I also enjoy traveling and exploring new places and climates.
Janet Johnson
School Secretary and Treasurer
E-mail: jjohnson@mlaja.org
I graduated from Pacific Union College in 1971 and worked at various schools, conference office departments, and medical offices before coming to MLAJA in 1994. I also teach keyboarding to grades 5-8. In my spare time I enjoy birdwatching, family history research, memorizing scripture, and camping in our RV. My husband Tim currently sells real estate. We have been blessed with two sons, two lovely daughters-in-law, and one grandson.
Diane Stewart
After-School Care and Custodian
E-mail: desquer@sbcglobal.net
