Our Staff... Sharing The Gospel message with families

Mr. J Gynther

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Principal

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principal@gracelancaster.org

Mr. Gynther received his B.A. from Concordia University, Portland. He served as a teacher and principal at St. John's Lutheran School in Oxnard, CA for 27 years before joining us. He and his wife, Tina, are blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. Mr. G is passionate about Lutheran schools and the life long advantages they provide for their students.  He is a fan of the Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals and the U of O Ducks.

Ms. Chris, as many of the children call her, has served at Grace Lutheran since 1993. Mrs. Calvert has three adult children, all whom attended from preschool through 8th grade at Grace. Hobbies/pastimes/enjoyments include gardening, animals, reading, sewing, quilting, crocheting, watching old movies and spending time with family.

Ms. Claudia has attended Antelope Valley Community College and University of California Los Angeles to earn her Early Childhood basic and advanced certificates. Ms. Claudia has taught for over 17 years, and has been at Grace for more than 15 years. Hobbies include cooking and scrapbooking. Her passions are teaching the kids cooking and she loves to sing. Ask her about her Betty Boop collection!

Mrs. Franer has been connected to Grace Lutheran since 1990, and teaching for 19 years. Both of her daughters attended Grace from 4 year old pre-school through Grade 8. She is a native Californian, graduated from the University of Cal Poly SLO. She likes tole painting, crafts, sewing, and baking. Mrs. Franer likes being around animals and enjoys riding horses and training dogs. 

Ms. Heather Jensen

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Grade 3 Teacher

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hjensen@gracelancaster.org

Mrs. Cross was born and raised in Michigan and Wisconsin. After graduation from Concordia University, Seward, she taught in South Dakota, then moved to Lancaster. Her three children attended Grace. Mrs. Cross has been teaching for over 30 years. She serves as the faculty PTL representative and can often be found volunteering around the school and church. Besides teaching, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching sports and doing crafts.

Ms. Jensen was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, went to Lutheran schools most of her life, and graduated from Concordia University - Wisconsin in 2007 with a BA in elementary education and a minor in English. She taught for 10 years in Oxnard, CA before moving to Texas for two years to teach and be technology director.  She got her Master's in Educational Design and Technology in December of 2016.  She has two dogs, Ollie and Rowan, who enjoy watching Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs games with her.

Mr. Gary Henricksen

Grade 4 Teacher

ghenricksen@gracelancaster.org

Mrs. Serrao graduated in 2011 from Adelphi University (New York) with a Bachelor's in Biochemistry with a concentration in education and genetics. She has a passion for athletics,  music, and photography.   She is married with two little girls. 

Mrs. Norris graduated in 2003 from Concordia River Forest (Chicago) with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics. After serving for 2 years as a teacher/missionary in Chiayi, Taiwan, Mrs. Norris took the Call to Grace.  She has been married to her husband Brad since 2009 and has 2 boys. She enjoys music, crafting, reading, and photography.

Mr. Welsh has been teaching in the Antelope Valley for 17+ years.  He has taught 4th through High School and enjoys multiple subject areas. Music is a passion, and he likes to play the guitar. Mr. Welsh and his wife Trudy have two children.

Mr. Matalon holds a Master Degree in Music. He has been teaching over 40 years here at Grace. He also teaches band at Paraclete High School and helps out at Quartz Hill High, along with leading the band at Antelope Valley College and being involved in his own band that entertains throughout Southern California. When not involved in music, Mr. Matalon collects baseball cards, old instruments, and Pez's. A hobby is fishing.