Heather Harrison
Head of School
For over 30 years, Mariners Christian School has partnered with parents to build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education. We are a distinctly Christian school dedicated to the continual pursuit of our core values to foster a deep Love for Christ, provide Exemplary Academics, build Connected Community, and promote a Culture of innovation with a purposeful Focus on the Whole Child. From transitional kindergarten through eighth grade, we desire for our students to thrive in every way as we provide an outstanding education with authentic spiritual development in a Christ-honoring environment.
At MCS we are passionate about discovering and nurturing the unique gifts of each child. Our highly skilled and dedicated faculty is committed to inspiring children to grow in who God has created them to be as they explore their God given gifts and talents, uncover the creativity inside of them, strengthen their ability to think critically and solve problems, and expand the necessary skills of communicating and collaborating with others. Our rigorous and comprehensive programs focus not only on learning but on developing skills, habits, and character that will shape them for a lifetime. Above all else, our entire staff is committed to encouraging students to building an authentic and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and this is our highest calling.
In this ever-changing and challenging world, it is vital that children know God’s truth, understand their identity lies in being a son or daughter of the King, mature in wisdom and knowledge, and grow in confidence in all God created them to be. Within the Mariners Christian School community of administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students are safe to learn and grow as they become difference makers for His kingdom.
I invite you to visit our campus, tour our classrooms, and personally discover the difference that a Mariners education can make in the life of a child.
In Him,
Heather Harrison
Head of School
Angela Drevlow
Mariners Christian School’s elementary program builds a firm foundation through Christ-centered education. Our elementary team is called to shepherd the young hearts and minds of our students while confirming their identity in Christ. Whether your student is entering transitional kindergarten, fifth grade, or any of the grades in between, we are committed to serving each student spiritually, academically, and social-emotionally.
In a world that is ever-changing, our calling and missional work has been consistent for over three decades. Our dedication to the whole-child, connected community, and exemplary academics ensures that every child can thrive. Our highly effective teachers are skilled in providing differentiated instruction to reach every student within the core curriculum. Incorporating Depth and Complexity with unique experiences students are provided with academics that transfer to real-life application. Utilizing Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) we are able to reach the diverse needs of students. And, we do all of this while intentionally building meaningful partnerships with the families we serve.
I personally invite you to visit our elementary school to see the work that God is doing and experience firsthand how your child would flourish at Mariners Christian School.
Sincerely,
Angela Drevlow
Elementary Principal
Sue Celek
Mariners Christian School takes great joy in our attentional approach to the social and emotional growth of our elementary students. With God’s Word as the guiding foundation, our focus is to teach and to train our students how to walk out their faith with a strong character that reflects Jesus.
Our elementary LIONS’ PACT (Listen, Include, Ownership, Notice, Support) and our Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) help promote a culture of kindness, common courtesy, and respect for others. Our teachers, specialists, aides, and ASP staff all create opportunities for students to acquire the framework of personal ownership for their academic learning, spiritual development, and friendship skills.
MCS desires our elementary students to head up to middle school with a strong love for Jesus, a sense of belonging in their school community, and a wide circle of good friendships for the future.
After His Heart,
Sue Celek
Elementary Vice Principal
Jordan Brown
When I say MCS, you say Lions! MCS...Lions! MCS...Lions!
Here at MCS, we have so much pride in our school. Not simply for the awesome sports teams we have, or the amazing teachers, or the incredible students, but because we know we are not just representing the bravery and leadership of a lion, but also striving to emulate the servitude and compassion of the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. It is my great privilege to model a faithful walk with Christ every day, shepherd their hearts, as well as prepare them academically as the middle school principal.
Middle school is such a transformative experience, and at MCS, because we have a whole-child focus, we have been able to successfully assist students in their ability to navigate these influential years with patience, purpose, and prayer for over 30 years. Our talented team believes in teaching and training students to let their gifts shine in every area of their lives; whether it is writing an essay, finding solutions to real-world problems, putting their efforts into an athletic competition, creating engaging, meaningful entertainment, or meeting the needs of others via service. In middle school, our students have the opportunity to be “rooted and established in love” (Ephesians 3:17), so they can grow and be a witness to what God’s power can do with a humble heart full of purpose.
Through the guidance of following our core values, the middle school has created a rigorous academic program that allows students to persevere and strive for excellence academically in a manner that carefully and compassionately supports their development. By engaging in dynamic learning opportunities, our scholars will discover their spiritual gifts and talents, develop skills to be lifelong learners with a strong biblical perspective, and build upright character so they can lead as effective and impactful difference makers in our world.
Therefore, I invite you to come visit a community that I call home. I am excited for you to have the opportunity to learn more about our middle school, and witness for yourself how we don't just have school spirit, but how we walk by the Spirit every day.
With Gratitude,
Jordan Brown
Middle School Principal
Jennifer Vaughan
Jennifer, who is a native Californian, graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a B.A. in History. After completing her undergraduate studies, Jennifer obtained her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. She has practiced law for twenty-two years as both a litigator and In House counsel. During this time, Jennifer has been very active in fundraising efforts in her local community. She has served as Co-President of the Glass Slipper Guild of Children's Hospital of Orange County where she administered and met the Guild's pledge of $1 million for the CHOC Neuroscience Institute. As a past MCS parent, Jennifer served as the Underwriting and Live Auction Chair of the MCS 2020 and 2022 Galas as well as spearheaded the return of the MCS Golf Classic in 2021 after a seven-year hiatus.
Jennifer and her husband, Adam, are parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach. Jennifer and Adam have been married for 20 years and have two children: Ella (MCS '20), a junior at Mater Dei, and Griffin (MCS '22), a freshman at Mater Dei.
Now, officially an alumni parent of MCS, Jennifer is thrilled to be able to serve MCS in a new capacity as the Director of Advancement. MCS is a place near and dear to Jennifer's heart and she is looking forward to helping facilitate exciting ways for current families, alumni families, and supporters of MCS to come alongside of Mariners Christian School and support its mission to bring Christ-Centered Education to Orange County. Jennifer has seen firsthand the unique way MCS provides a whole child education for her own children and is looking forward to sharing new opportunities of ways we can continue to build this special school that so many of us call home. Please stop by the Advancement office to say hi and introduce yourself!
Warmly,
Jenn Vaughan
Director of Advancement
Our Board of Trustees
The School Board is a dynamic group of volunteers committed to the success of the students, families, and faculty of Mariners Christian School. Their primary responsibilities are to set policy, assist in long-range planning, provide financial and legal oversight, serve as ambassadors for the school, and to hire, support, and evaluate the Head of School.
Board members are committed Christians who typically have experience in leadership and/or management, or prior leadership on non-profit boards. Members are carefully selected through a self-perpetuation process, and they reflect a balance in church affiliation, gender, age of children, home city, and professional background.
Please feel free to contact the MCS Board at mcsboard@marinerscs.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
2022 - 2023 Board of Trustees
Aaron and Cari Hudy have been married for 17 years and have three children, Ava (MCS '22), Alexandra (MCS '22) and Bo (married to their daughter-in-law, Molly). They enjoy sailing, skiing, sports and family time at the beach. They attend Mariners Church in Irvine where they serve as shepherding elders and in the Junior High Ministry. Aaron is currently the President for GE Healthcare’s West Region and has spent more than 25 years in leadership roles at healthcare companies including Siemens Healthcare, Philips Healthcare and Toshiba Medical Systems. He graduated from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance). He has served on MCS’s Finance Committee since 2019 and was part of MCS’s Head of School Search Committee in 2019-2020. He’s honored to serve this amazing school as a member of the MCS Board.
Clifton has served on the MCS Board since 2018. He and his wife, Yuwen have two children at MCS - CJ (MCS ‘24) and Sydney (MCS ‘26). He is currently the HR Director at Mariners Church in Irvine and prior to that he worked in HR at Johnson & Johnson and at Allergan. He attended Cornell University where he studied Industrial and Labor Relations and went to USC for his MBA. Experiencing God’s presence at Mariners Christian School and through its staff has blessed his family and they desire for other families in the community to experience the same.
Charlie and Amy Haggard have been married for 21 years and have three children: Hudson (MCS '21), Dalton (MCS '21) and Vivian (MCS '23). They feel blessed to have found MCS and are thankful for the Christ-centered education and love their children receive at MCS, as well as for the stewardship from the faculty and staff. Charlie and Amy met in Charlotte, North Carolina and lived in Charlotte and Chicago before deciding to call Newport Beach home in 2009. The Haggard family attend Mariners Church where they have enjoyed the children's ministry and serving in various community outreach projects. Amy has been actively involved at MCS volunteering in the classroom as well as serving on the planning committee for the school's Spring Auction the past several years, with Charlie recently serving on the MCS Finance Committee. Charlie is a Managing Director with real estate finance firm Berkeley Point Capital. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Land Economics and Real Estate from Texas A&M University. Charlie considers it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the MCS Community in this capacity.
Chase and Casey Emery have been married for 13 years and have three children: Mason (MCS '27), Miles (MCS '30), and Monroe (MCS '33). The Emery family loves adventuring, fishing, mountain biking, and spending time with family and friends. They have attended Mariners Church in Irvine for many years, where Chase and Casey first met in Jr. High.
Chase served as the MCS Construction Committee Co-Chair for two years, working closely with the MCS Board of Directors and school staff to complete the Phase 2 Construction. He has a heart for how MCS’s staff develop children’s faith and character while also offering strong academics. He’s passionate about continuing to enhance the connectivity and life-in-community with parents and families at MCS.
Chase works as the EVP of Multi-family for Steadfast Companies where he develops and manages multifamily apartments throughout the country. He assists the management and strategic direction of the company, sourcing projects, and providing development leadership. Chase earned his Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning & Development from the University of Southern California. He is excited to contribute and is honored to serve MCS and work alongside the talented staff that have such hearts for the Lord and our children.
Jim Co-Founded Management Resources (MR) in 1980 and the ProFun Management Group (PF) in 1999. MR is a consulting practice providing operational planning, marketing planning, and financial planning services to the leisure-time, commercial recreation industry. PF is an operating company providing management and operating expertise to the
leisure-time industry. The two companies were merged and re-branded in 2017 and now operate as a single entity (MRPF). Over the years, clients have included:
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- Commercial Attractions: Theme Parks, Entertainment Centers, Attractions
- Cultural Experiences: Museums, Science Centers, Aquariums, Specialty Groups
- Brand Centers: Beverage, Educational, Automotive Expositions and Events: World’s Fairs, Olympiads, National/Regional Events
Since semi-retiring in 2007, Jim serves as an advisor and provides consulting services as needed. He served as an advisor to MCS's Head of School Search Committee.
Prior to co-founding Management Resources, Jim was with the Walt Disney Company for nine years. Joining the Disney organization in 1970 in Denver, Colorado, Jim was a Merchandise Manager and later became Employee Relations Manager before transferring to Disneyland in 1973. In Anaheim, Jim worked throughout the Park in various operational and staff training positions before being appointed to head up the Disney University at Disneyland for the last two years of his career at Disney.
Jim lives in Cowan Heights with his wife of 52 years, Marilynn. They have two daughters, Brenda and Wendy, who have blessed them with five grandchildren. Jim’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of Trustees at St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, for six years (two as Chair); chairing the search committee for the St. Joseph Hospital President/CEO position; scholarship sponsor and job candidate interviewer at Taller San Jose Hope Builders, an organization providing vocational and life skills training to disadvantaged youth.
In his personal time, Jim enjoys golf, gardening, woodworking, various men’s groups, and, of course, his grandchildren, 3 of whom have graduated from MCS.
Dr. Ben Roberson has been an educator at the Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Collegiate level for the past 17 years. After completing his undergraduate work at Point Loma Nazarene University, Dr. Roberson completed his teaching credential at Chapman University and began his teaching career at Maranatha Christian Academy in Orange County. Dr. Roberson joined the Bible Department at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village and taught courses in Old and New Testament. During his years at Oaks, he also served as the Head Women’s Tennis coach at California Lutheran University while completing his Masters degree in Physical Education at Azusa Pacific University.
With a desire to pursue leadership, Dr. Roberson completed his Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at Pepperdine University before taking on the Dean of Students role at Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica where he also has taught courses in the Theology Department. As the Dean of Students, Ben led a variety of programs including college counseling, academic support, and weekly chapels.
Dr. Roberson furthered his academic pursuits by completing his Doctorate at Pepperdine University in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy. He completed his dissertation on the motivation towards learning perceived in Socratic Seminar vs. traditional lecture in High School level students.
After completing his doctoral coursework at Pepperdine, Dr. Roberson took on the role of Head of School at Calvary Christian School in Santa Ana. During his years at Calvary Christian School, Dr. Roberson served to strengthen the academic reputation through effective faculty development resulting in significantly increased test scores in mathematics, reading, and language. Dr. Roberson also serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University where he teaches courses in Secondary Methods, Content Methods for History, and Human Development.
Dr. Roberson returned to the Pacifica community in 2014 when he was named founding Principal for the Orange County campus.
Ben, his wife Cassidy, and their children, Griffin, Peyton, and Callan live in Huntington Beach where they attend Grace Fellowship Church. Ben enjoys surfing, tennis, reading, and spending time with his family during his free time.
Michelle and Blake Vail have been married for 19 years and have 3 children - Knox (17) and Heath (15) are both MCS alumni and now attend Pacifica Christian High School and Tatum (11) will graduate in the MCS class of '24. The Vail family are members of Grace Fellowship Church.
A Texas native, Michelle graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Art/Education. Her professional career includes creating and implementing the K-8th grade art curriculum for the Lexington, Texas school district as well as teaching 4th grade in Highland Park, Texas. Michelle also teaches art on a volunteer basis to students at Skyview, an alternative school serving primarily at-risk youth throughout Northern and Central Orange County.
Blake and Michelle met in Dallas and served at Watermark Church as leaders in the Pre-married and Newly-married ministries. Michelle also served for 8 years as a board member of Council for Life, an organization that funds pro-life ministries including crisis pregnancy centers in Dallas. Blake and Michelle co-founded the Manna House girls home which provides housing and life-skills training to young women who have aged out of the foster care system. Michelle has been blessed to take mission trips to Uganda and Haiti and continues to be involved in childrens’ ministries in Kampala and Mbale, Uganda.
As an MCS parent, Michelle has volunteered in various roles on campus and has also had the privilege of Co-leading Parents in Prayer. She is firmly committed to the mission of MCS as we continue to yield to the authority of Christ and support our teachers, staff and families in their journey to raise the next generation of Christ-followers.
Kaley and Chris Brandon have been married for 12 years and have two children at MCS: Gavin (MCS '27) and Elle (MCS '30). The Brandon family enjoys spending time with friends and family, being active in God’s creation, and reading. They attend Mariners Church in Irvine. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Kaley pursued a career in Sales and Sales Management. In 2009 she and her husband, Chris, founded Brandon Architects. Kaley has had the privilege of working alongside her husband since the company’s inception on the business management side of the firm. Though she is no longer active in day to day operations,
Kaley now enjoys supporting the firm in an advisory role. As an MCS parent, she has enjoyed volunteering in various roles on campus. Kaley has a heart for upholding the mission of MCS, building a connected parent community, and supporting the amazing teachers, faculty and staff. It is an honor for Kaley to serve MCS, a place that is His.
Jacob and his wife Teri have been married for 13 years and have two daughters, Emily (MCS '29) and Janie (MCS '31). Jacob grew up in Colorado. He received his undergraduate in Business Management at Metro State University in Denver, CO, and received his MBA from Biola University. Jacob has been in upper-level management for 20 years in financial services and restaurant industries. He currently is the Director of Operations of Board & Brew and recently opened his own Board & Brew franchise in Ladera Ranch. He and his wife also serve on the board for MAVEN, a youth-focused worldview and apologetics training ministry. The Clemons family attends Grace Fellowship Church in Costa Mesa. They enjoy going to Disneyland and watching the Denver Broncos play. In the short time that they have been involved at Mariners Jacob and Teri have been so pleased that Christ is at the center of everything that is taught to the students.
