2025-2026
Meet Our Team
Our team has a heart to serve our families and community.
"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Hebrews 6:10
ADMINISTRATION
Summer Shaw, Director
Mrs. Shaw has been married to her husband Ricky for 20 years and they have two amazing boys together, that both attend Branches. She has a BS in Anthropology from Cal State Fullerton & has a background working in education, but found her true passion working in ministry. She is currently the Women’s Ministry Director at Church Two42. Serving as the director of Branches is an honor and perfect opportunity to combine the things she loves most...Jesus, homeschooling, Christ-centered community, and spurring on the next generation! She loves her French Bulldog (Sir Bowser), spending quality time with loved ones, reading, baseball, going on Jeep adventures with her husband, praying, talking to new people, & homeschooling her boys!
Lucy Kunstmann, Admissions Coordinator
Mrs. K is a homeschooling mom of three, married to her husband of 21 years and deeply grateful for the life they’ve built together. Her background is in art and education with a degree in design. Her family’s days are filled with homeschooling, laughter, and a bit of occasional chaos sometimes brought on by their two sweet dogs, Sunny & Nova. She’s passionate about creating a nurturing home where Christ is at the center, and is blessed to be surrounded by a community of faith-filled, Christ-loving friends. Whether her family is exploring the outdoors, diving into hands-on projects, or just enjoying walking the dogs, she finds joy in being present, purposeful, and creative.
Martina Loynd
Kindergarten
Mrs Loynd and her husband Mahlon have been married for 17 years. She loves being mom to
her two children Ryan and Vivian and their dog Astro. Mrs. Loynd has a Bachelor of Arts in
music education from California State University San Bernardino and taught music and art to
K-8th grade for 10 years at a local private school. After teaching she found great joy in
homeschooling her children for the last 10 years. She is active at her church in the music
ministry and Endow women's group. She enjoys reading, playing flute and oboe and being
outdoors with her family.
Mary Rivera
1st/2nd Grade
Mrs. Mary Rivera is happy to be starting her 3 rd year here at Branches. She has been happily married to Gil for 33 years. Her two daughters, Melanie and Amber, were recently married, and she is Nana to little Madelyn, who is 2 1/2yrs old. Her youngest, Luke, is in his 3rd year of college. As a credentialed teacher, Mrs. Rivera has taught preschool, kindergarten, and third grade at Christian and public schools, and has enjoyed being the long-term substitute at her children’s Catholic K-8 school, so that she could enjoy their experience with them. Mary has great admiration for the hard work that homeschooling parents do to give their children a solid foundation built on Christ-centered, classical education. Christ is at the forefront of all she does and puts Him first above everything. She is happy that all her adult children are devout and love Jesus like she does. Mrs. Rivera is active at her church with Bible studies/Women’s Fellowship, teaches Faith Formation to children two evenings a week, and she volunteers at a Pregnancy Help Center. She is excited to be able to share the love of Jesus with her students at Branches!
Jennifer Overby
3rd/4th Grade
Mrs. Overby is a wife of 15 years and mother of three kids (11, 9 and almost 3). She is a veteran public school teacher and excited to team with the families at BHA for another year creating a community of excellence among homeschoolers. As a credentialed teacher she taught high school and middle school Mathematics and AVID. Now homeschooling her own young children, she is inspired by how their curiosity naturally integrates subject matter and catalyzes a love of learning. Working with children in various age groups has cemented the truth that you learn where you are loved. She can't wait to lean into the love of Jesus this year and grow together as scholars and image bearers.
Madi Leach
5th/6th Grade
Mrs. Madi Leach and her husband, David, have been happily married for 13 years and are blessed with three daughters — Sarah, Charlotte, and Olivia — who attend Branches Homeschool Academy. For the past nine years, she has dedicated herself to homeschooling, a journey that has deepened her appreciation for faith, family, and the precious role God has entrusted to her. She finds great joy in teaching through hands-on activities, art, and exploration of the world around her, all while pointing her students toward God’s redeeming love. With a background in administration and business, Mrs. Leach enjoys blending traditional academic methods with exploratory, biblically based learning. She and her husband are lifelong, active members of their home parish, where their faith continues to grow and guide their family. Her hobbies include baking, reading, outdoor activities, and crafting. As a teacher at Branches, Mrs. Leach is excited to share Christ’s love in the classroom and inspire her students to see His presence in every subject they study
Jessica Wolfe
Junior High & Student Leadership
Mrs. Jessica Wolfe has been married to Tim for 21 years, together they have 3 sons -Ethan 21, Oliver 20, and Teddy 16. As a family, they attend Church Two42. She has always enjoyed coming alongside her boys throughout their education and has found a blessed purpose in teaching at BHA while homeschooling her youngest. After 2 years of working with the admin team, Mrs. Wolfe began teaching the junior high class and this will be her 5th year with BHA Jr Highers! Mrs. Wolfe loves teaching from a biblical worldview. Her goal as a teacher is to see her students make connections to God’s workmanship in all things. She makes it a priority that her classroom is a place of growth and grace.
Suzanne Guerin
Jr. High & High School Science
Mrs. Guerin has been married to her husband, Kevin, for 16 years, together hey have three children. Suzanne and her family have faithfully attended Vantage Point Church in Eastvale and she has served as one of the Preschool-Kindergarten classroom leaders for the last 10 years. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, Suzanne was a 7th grade Life Science and 8th grade Physical Science Teacher in the Ontario-Montclair school district for six years. She has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from Cal Poly Pomona and a Masters in Education. Suzanne is thankful for this new opportunity to teach at Branches and she is looking forward to getting to know her students and having the freedom to teach high school students from a biblical perspective.
Kyen Villaluna
Intern/Teacher's Aide
Kyen is Branches alumni and our Class of 2025 Valedictorian. He has been attending Church Two42 for 2 years and has a passion to continually grow in his relationship with God. He is currently enrolled in Mt. SAC Community College for his associate's degree in computer programming and is planning to transfer to a four-year college, likely continuing to major in computer programming. He is very thankful and excited to have this opportunity to be a BHA Intern (Teacher's Aide) for the Jr High/High School teachers at Branches, as well as to support the amazing learning environment that leads the students to grow into who they are called to be.
Carla Perez
High School History and English
Mrs. Perez has been a classroom teacher, a college faculty member, a homeschool mom for her four sons, a curriculum writer, and a tutor for international students. She has a multi-subject MAEd., and has taught grades K-12 in four different states. Mrs. Perez strongly believes that students should know history well, and should be able to express themselves well in both speaking and writing. I Peter 3:15 urges Christians to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect," To help students achieve that goal, Mrs. Perez will be teaching writing.
Samantha Guidry
Performing Arts
Mrs. Guidry has been happily married for 12 years and is the proud mother of four incredible sons. She earned her degree in Education from the University of La Verne, and has had the opportunity to work in multiple local school districts before transitioning to homeschooling her boys. For over 9 years, she has had the joy of serving as a worship leader at various churches in the community, an opportunity that has allows her to express her deep love for Christ through music and ministry.
As a member of the Screen Actors Guild with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she has been blessed to work as an actress and singer in a wide variety of commercials, television shows, and countless musical theater productions. The stage has always been a place where she has felt God’s presence and calling.
Her faith is the foundation of everything she does, and she is passionate about using her gifts to glorify Him. This year, she is incredibly excited to step into a new chapter—teaching performing arts! It’s an honor to inspire and equip the next generation of performers while helping them discover their own unique voices and purpose in Christ.
Jessie Lowell
High School Psychology
Dr. Jessie Lowell has been married to her husband, Jonathan, for almost 10 years and loves being a mother to her three young children. She and Jonathan serve as the Associate Pastors at Foothill Vineyard Church. Dr. Lowell is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at California Baptist University. She earned her doctorate from Loma Linda University and has specialized training in early childhood mental health, parent-child attachment and parenting, child and family therapy, and assessment. Her passion is in seeing children thrive and providing the optimal environments that allow them to foster their development in a strengths-based and faith-integrated way. Her love for child psychology, theology, and parenting have come together in her homeschooling journey and is a strong advocate for the homeschooling community. She looks forward to working with our learners and supporting their parents as we encourage them to grow in their love for Jesus, their excitement for learning, and their confidence in who Christ has made them.
TEACHERS
BOARD MEMBERS
Candice Hernandez, President
Mrs. Hernandez is a wife to her outdoor loving husband, John. As of 2024, God has blessed them with 13 years of marriage. She is a mother to three wonderful children, who all attend BHA. While she has enjoys other forms of work, being a home educator has been one of her greatest joys and callings. She comes to us with previous experience as a board member for Love Without Borders Inc. and has taught our 1st grade students at BHA. She has held the title of Board President for two years and the opportunities listed above give her great insight as she continues to serve our community. She believes all children are image bearers of Christ, possessing gifts and purpose. This is what fuels her dedication to the mission of BHA. In her words, "May the students at Branches develop deep roots in who they are in Christ. May they grow in wisdom, stature, and academically so they may pursue that which causes their minds to soar. It's these very things that increase their positive impact in this dark world. I pray their lights burn all the brighter as they walk through the halls of BHA and beyond."
Rosalie Salazar, Board Secretary
Rosalie Salazar is a dedicated homeschool mom, wife, and ministry leader with a heart for strengthening families and encouraging spiritual growth. Married for nearly 20 years, she and her husband, Daniel, are the proud parents of two teenage daughters.
With over 25 years of ministry involvement, Rosalie has served in various roles within the church, but her current passion lies in supporting strong Christ centered marriages and families. Together with Daniel, they lead marriage enrichment bible studies in their church, drawing from deep biblical insight to help couples grow in faith and unity.
Prior to homeschooling, Rosalie dedicated the past two decades to public education, serving in various roles including School counselor, Assistant principal, and as an Adjunct college instructor. She currently holds a Masters Degree from Cal State Northridge in Educational Psychology and Counseling, with Pupil Personnel and Administrative Service credentials. Rosalie was drawn to our Branches community because of her combined love for Christ and educational leadership. As a Branches Board member, she continues her commitment to supporting a biblically integrated academic environment where students are strengthened in character, leadership, and their biblical foundations.
Summer Shaw, Board Member
Mrs. Shaw has been married to her husband Ricky for 20 years and they have two amazing boys together, that both attend Branches. She has a BS in Anthropology from Cal State Fullerton & has a background working in education, but found her true passion working in ministry. She is currently the Women’s Ministry Director at Church Two42. Serving as the director of Branches is an honor and perfect opportunity to combine the things she loves most...Jesus, homeschooling, Christ-centered community, and spurring on the next generation! She loves her French Bulldog (Sir Bowser), spending quality time with loved ones, reading, baseball, going on Jeep adventures with her husband, praying, talking to new people, & homeschooling her boys!
Jessie Lowell, Treasurer
Dr. Jessie Lowell has been married to her husband, Jonathan, for almost 10 years and loves being a mother to her three young children. She and Jonathan serve as the Associate Pastors at Foothill Vineyard Church. Dr. Lowell is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor at California Baptist University. She earned her doctorate from Loma Linda University and has specialized training in early childhood mental health, parent-child attachment and parenting, child and family therapy, and assessment. Her passion is in seeing children thrive and providing the optimal environments that allow them to foster their development in a strengths-based and faith-integrated way. Her love for child psychology, theology, and parenting have come together in her homeschooling journey and is a strong advocate for the homeschooling community. She looks forward to working with our learners and supporting their parents as we encourage them to grow in their love for Jesus, their excitement for learning, and their confidence in who Christ has made them.
Kathy Delgado, Board Member
Mrs. Delgado has been happily married to her high school sweetheart, Art, for 52 years. They are blessed with two adult children and three grandchildren, ages 19, 17, and 13. After retiring from the Guidance Program at Alvarado Middle School in the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD), Mrs. Delgado now serves on the board of the Association of Christian Educators and Administrators (ACAE), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to supporting educators in both public and private sectors.
She and her husband attend Water of Life Community Church, where they have a passion for building Christ-centered foundations in young families. Together, they lead and teach the Pre-Marital Ministry at their church. In her spare time, Mrs. Delgado enjoys reading, singing, and participating in the Rancho Cucamonga Silver Choir. She is an avid traveler and especially loves visiting her grandchildren in Tennessee.
Mrs. Delgado is excited to be part of Branches Homeschool Academy’s board, where she can help provide direction and support in raising and teaching children according to a biblical worldview. Her guiding scripture is Jeremiah 29:11.
Misty Delatorre, Board Member
Mrs. Delatorre has been happily married to her husband Manny for 27 years, they have one daughter Trinity who will be 18 in December, and who will be graduating this year. Mrs.
Delatorre has been involved in church ministries in several different capacities for over 30 years. This is her 2nd year as a Board member, and as the Yearbook Teacher. She is currently attending Church two42, and serves as a leader in the Inheritance Childrens Ministry. Mrs.
Delatorre has a passion to serve and a desire to work with children as well as teens. Her goal is to to guide her students in producing a high-quality, memorable yearbook that accurately reflects the school year. As well as to support and serve in the board where ever there is a need.
Yanira Aguero, Board Member
Mrs. Aguero has been married to Carlos for 19 years and together they have two wonderful children, who she has had the privilege of homeschooling for more than eight years. She has many years of work experience in the corporate world, and had a successful business in real estate. She has a BS in Business Management from Vanguard University. One of the most wonderful gifts the Lord has bestowed upon her is the opportunity to submit to the Lord in leading Branches for more than seven years. Mrs. Aguero is passionate about homeschooling. She has a desire to serve and partner with families in their own homeschooling journey. She loves Jesus! And loves sharing Jesus with Branches' students, families and friends. . As a former Branches teacher, corporate employee Mrs. Aguero has a unique perspective.
Magda Ayala, Board Member
Mrs. Ayala grew up on the East Coast but felt the Lord’s call to California in 2014. Shortly after settling in, she met her amazing husband, Fernando. This year, they joyfully celebrate 10 years of marriage. Together, they are raising two enthusiastic daughters, Evangelina (8) and Analiese (5), and deeply cherish their extended family, including two adult children, a daughter-in-law, and a sweet granddaughter.
She is an active member of Life Bible Fellowship Church, where she serves as Outreach Coordinator, a LifeKids substitute teacher, and a member of the Prayer Team. She also volunteers with Assure Pregnancy Center, where she finds joy in sharing God’s love with expectant mothers and their babies. In addition, she supports Hearts of Beauty California through its Prayer Team, extending her heart for intercession and encouragement.
Mrs. Ayala holds a B.A. in International Relations with a minor in Portuguese from Mount Holyoke College. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, she spent nearly two decades as an executive in the athletic industry. Since 2021, she has homeschooled her daughters, taught at BHA, and led the school’s parent volunteer group, Rooted. Now serving as Board Liaison to Rooted, she brings a heart grounded in faith, a deep love for community, and a passion for inviting others to adventure together with the Lord, whether over a cozy latte, through meaningful Bible study, or on a reflective walk beneath the California sun.