Administration
Rick Fitzgerald
Head of School
rfitzgerald@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Fitzgerald enjoys golf, spending time with his family and more golf. “Trinity Christian allows me to live out my two passions - working with kids and my faith in Jesus Christ. As the Head of School, I am challenged to continue to grow in my walk with the Lord as I try to lead humbly, but with conviction.” He received his BA in Economics from Stanford University, and his MA Ed in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix. He is certified as an Athletic Administrator through NIAAA and holds ACSI Teacher Certification. Prior to joining TCHS in 2011, he had 16 years in education as a Teacher, Principal and Athletic Director.
Kathi Lares
Vice Principal, Business Manager, Admissions Director
klares@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Lares reads just about anything and avidly supports Bay Area sports – especially the SF Giants! “I work at TCHS because I am passionate about Christian education - what it means in the life of a student, in their family and in the Kingdom of God. I love the family of Trinity Christian High School!” She received her BA in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Service from UC Santa Barbara. Prior to joining TCHS in 2005, she was the Business Manager for the Monterey Bay Charter School for 9 years and the Operations Manager for a Carmel stock brokerage firm for 12 years.
Staff
Tiffany Combs
Athletic Director
tcombs@trinityhigh.org
Tiffany Combs enjoys everything outdoors! She enjoys the sun, the beach, hikes, playing catch, walking her basset hound, cooking, and gardening, especially if she can do all these things with her husband and 4 kids. She’s grateful that God moved her family to the Monterey Peninsula from Southern California in 2001 to work at a local church in youth ministry. Tiffany has a Degree in Kinesiology/ Physical Education with an emphasis in Athletic Training from Long Beach State University. She has always appreciated working with Middle school and High school students. She is excited to get to partner with Trinity as the Athletic Director and hopes to get to share the love Jesus has always shown her to the student here at Trinity.
Bobbi Espinoza
Office Manager
bespinoza@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Espinoza enjoys hiking, knitting, playing cribbage, gardening, reading a good book as well as a good Bible study! Always on her heart are her children and precious grandchildren. “Working at TCHS is a ministry to me. It gives me the opportunity to serve many people who come through my office - students, parents, teachers and co-workers. I love people! It is an honor for me to be able to listen and love each person with the hands, feet and heart of Jesus.” Mrs. Espinoza holds an AA degree from Pierce College. Prior to joining TCHS in 2006, she served in the Front Office of Monte Vista Christian School for 8 years.
Jack Liebig
Photography
jliebig@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Liebig enjoys photography, playing contemporary jazz and Christian music (keyboards), running, hiking, and is remodeling his house in the Del Monte forest. “I’ve taught for 26 years, 5th grade through high school. I am a middle school youth leader at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey. I was a manager of information systems for a Fortune 500 company in the 80s for eleven years. I have AA, BS, and MBA degrees from CSUS and CSEB (CSUH). I like to work with and hope to help young people as they navigate the world we inhabit. I want Jesus to lead my walk and to share that with youth and everyone I meet.”
Faculty
Macayla Ayers
Prep Program Teacher
msayers@trinityhigh.org
“Ms. A” enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and any form of adventure. She chooses to teach at a Christian school because “Christian education helps to inspire and mold the next generation of leaders, missionaries and world changers and I am excited to play even a small part in such a mission!” Ms. A joined the staff at TCHS in 2019 and has a BA in English from Regent University.
Michelle Ayers
Prep Program Teacher, Program Administrator
mayers@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Ayers loves to spend time with her family, playing games, taking long rides or sharing a meal together. When given the opportunity, she loves to travel to see the amazing world that God has created. “I count it as a privilege to work in a Christian School. I am honored to spend time with my students and to be able to help them gain knowledge in so many areas. I am so blessed that each day I can share the love of God with my students. When God’s love breaks through the heart of a student, and they finally see how much God loves, them nothing beats being a part of that!” Prior to joining TCHS in 2017, Mrs. Ayers taught for eight years in the classroom and nine years as a homeschool teacher. She holds a BA in Applied Communication from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Multi-Subject Credential and Master’s in Education from Liberty University. She is ACSI Certified.
Sherilyn Bouwens
Prep Program Drama, Performing Arts
sbouwens@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Bouwens loves dancing, making jewelry and listening to music. “I chose this school for many reasons, the biggest being the freedom the share my love for God with the students. The school allows the students to be creative and they are able to participate in sports as well as the arts. We are more like a family here and seeing my own sons excel and love this school, shows me, every day, how truly wonderful that is.” Mrs. Bouwens holds a BFA in Theatre and Dance and AEA certification.
Patty Brem
English
pbrem@trinityhigh.org
Ms. Brem loves to be outside hiking or running or just being outside. She's an avid sports fan and follows baseball and football as much as time allows. Ms. Brem has her BS in Special Education and is pursuing her MA in Education. She has worked with high school students for the last 23 years and has no desire to stop quite yet.
Hannah Britain
Sciences
hbritain@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Britain enjoys the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures. She enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband, two daughters and her beagle. “The main reason I choose to teach at a Christian school is the freedom to share with my students how much God loves them and has a perfect destiny for their lives. I also choose to teach science from the Biblical world view and working at a Christian school allows me the freedom to show Christ in Science.” Mrs. Britain has a BA in Liberal Studies from CSU Fullerton and an MA Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
Grant Combs
Bible
gcombs@trinityhigh.org
Pastor Combs enjoys all things related to baseball, soccer, tennis, golf and disc golf. He likes funny things and serious things, laughing and philosophy. He is so grateful for knowing Jesus, his cool wife Tiffany and their four rad kids. “ Christian education provides a platform for the training of the next generation of people who will follow Jesus and lead boldly, I love building relationships with students and their families with the awesome opportunity to point kids to Jesus while helping to prepare them for success as they figure out what kind of life God is calling them to.” Pastor Combs hold a BS in Theology from Liberty University and his ACSI Certification in Theology. He is the Lead Pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Seaside has served as Youth Pastor and Worship Leader at Sanctuary Bible Church for 23 years. He has been with TCHS since 2013.
Andrew Dirkes
Social Studies
adirkes@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Dirkes enjoys flying aircraft, racing cars on his simulator, mountain biking, sports and watching racing. “I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the TCHS family since I enjoy teaching, building into the lives of others and growing closer to God with them.” Prior to joining TCHS in 2022, he retired from the United States Marine Corps after 20 years as a Tank Officer, spent four years as a police officer, and was the Monterey ministry director for Cru Military for two years. He has a BA in History from California Baptist College, an MA in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a Distinguished Graduate from the Naval War College Command and Staff Program.
Rosaura Garcia
Spanish
rgarcia@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Garcia enjoys having long walks with her husband, riding bikes, dancing, reading, music, and going to the movies with her daughter. She loves to go on mission trips and visit historical places. Mrs. Garcia was born and raised in Baja, Mexico. She attended Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and got her B.S. in Psychology. In 1993, in her second year in college, she surrendered to Christ and was grateful that a brave classmate did not hesitate to share the Gospel with her. “I love encouraging students to attend college because they can not only finish a degree, but they can share about Christ bringing people to Salvation” Mrs. Garcia has been working in education for more than 20 years.
Patrick Hawkes
Sciences, Director- I.T.
phawkes@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Hawkes enjoys photography, music and spending time with his wife. “I am blessed to be able to teach at TCHS because of the foundation of faith that the school is built upon. I made some pivotal decisions in my walk with Christ when I was in high school, so I am incredibly grateful to be able to help these students discover their own faith.” Prior to joining TCHS in 2019, Mr. Hawkes was a Ministry Coordinator at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Seaside. He has a BA in Music with a concentration in Recording Technology from California State University at Monterey Bay.
Frank Leonard
Social Studies
fleonard@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Leonard enjoys swimming, spending time with family, cooking, following sports and politics. “I find that I can’t teach with any amount of authenticity, unless my faith and values are incorporated in my daily class structure. Trinity Christian allows me that opportunity. This is the most important thing to me, professionally and spiritually.” Prior to joining TCHS in 2013, Mr. Leonard spent 8 years as a coach and teacher. He has a BA History with an English minor from Cal Poly, SLO and ACSI certified as a secondary History teacher.
Janice Perl
Performing Arts, Vocal Jazz
jperl@trinityhigh.org
Dogs love Mrs. Perl, and Mrs. Perl loves dogs! “God gave me abilities in the area of music and musical theatre. It's a joy to pass that on to the next generation, and see how their lives are positively affected by expanding their own artistic musical gifts.” She has been a professional singer and instructor for years and has served at TCHS since the school’s inception in 2001.
Megan Ryan
Student Life Director, Bible
mryan@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Ryan is a lover of God, people, music, vintage, theology, and the NBA. “Trinity has provided me the opportunity to do the things I am not only passionate about, but feel deeply called by God to do with my life: teaching, mentoring, and building up students, with Christ at the center. This school has empowered me to use my gifts to invest in the next generation through various avenues, including leadership training, counseling, in the classroom, student events, and much more… AND I get to have fun in the process. It’s amazing. I also have the unique privilege of being an alumnus of TCHS, so I have first-hand experience of the blessing this school brings. I had teachers who genuinely cared for me when I was in high school, and now I get to do the same for my own students.” Mrs. Ryan joined TCHS staff in 2011 and holds a BA Counseling/Theology minor from The Masters University and a Certificate of Women’s Ministry. She is ACSI Certified.
Lauren Vevoda
English
lvevoda@trinityhigh.org
Mrs. Vevoda loves to go hiking with her husband and dog. She also enjoys swimming, biking, slacklining and rock climbing. “I previously taught in six different school districts. I found that there was an insurmountable barrier between the students and myself because I could not talk about God with them. I knew I could never be fully happy in a career unless I was able to share the love of Jesus with people.” Mrs. Vevoda joined TCHS in 2016 and holds BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences from CSUMB and a Multiple Subject State Credential from Cal Teach. She is ACSI Certified.
Jared Weaver
Social Studies, Bible
jweaver@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Weaver enjoys reading, making his “terrible” dad jokes, playing video games and kayaking. “I enjoy working with a loving Christian community!” Mr. Weaver joined TCHS in 2008, and holds an MA and BA Theology from San Diego Christian college. He is ACSI Certified.
Marc Wilemon
Mathematics
mwilemon@trinityhigh.org
Mr. Wilemon enjoys time with his family, carpentry, and engineering. He shares the belief that a Christ-centered education is good and right.
