Meet the Faculty
Preschool
Ms. Shari Latta
slatta@olmalibuschool.org
Shari realized at a very young age, that children are the most fun people in the world! After high school she headed to Moorpark College to get the required degree and certificates.
Through high school, she worked at a local Preschool, and after graduating with her Early Child Education Degree worked for 2 years as a Preschool Teacher. During that time, she developed ideas about teaching and curriculum that she was unable to pursue, due to the School’s philosophy. She took a chance in 1982, and opened her own school, naming it Children’s Creative Workshop (CCW), which thrived for 40 years, closing in 2022 due to the School District’s construction, leaving CCW without a home.
Shari happily accepted an offer by OLM in Fall 2022 to help with Preschool Science, Art and Music on a part time basis.
Shari is overjoyed to start her first year at OLM in fall 2024 as the full time Preschool Director and Teacher.
Shari’s weekly themed “Creative Curriculum” will encompass topics such as Family & Pets, Dinosaurs, Bugs, Wildlife, Marine Life, Solar System, Seasons, Gardening, USA History, Chumash and much more. Each topic will be presented to the children through song, games, art and free play hands on exploration. The alphabet will also fit into the weekly songs and art. Shari’s goal for the children is to have fun while learning and leave school each day with a smile and an “I CAN” attitude.
Shari has lived in Malibu since 1964, and also works as an LA County Ocean Lifeguard at our Malibu Beaches, of course, teaching Junior Lifeguards in the Summer time. Shari lives in Paradise Cove with her longtime boyfriend and Labrador Retriever named Oliver.
Transitional Kindergarten
Ms. Bonnie Gregory
bgregory@olmalibuschool.org
Mrs. Gregory began her early childhood education and development career in 1997 at KinderCare’s Westside Lancaster Center, working to earn credentials in the field. While teaching preschool at a Huntington Beach nonprofit, she took on fundraising, marketing, and event planning challenges. Quick promotions followed – first to Assistant Director, then Co-Director, and finally to Center Director. In 2004, she returned to the Knowledge Universe family as Assistant Director at Red Hawk KinderCare in Temecula. Four and a half years later, her family moved back to her hometown of Thousand Oaks, where she transferred to the Westlake Village KinderCare as Center Director. Bonnie and her team of veteran teachers fostered a nurturing, safe environment and quality curriculum there. Bonnie holds certificates in infant/toddler care, preschool, and school-aged child development and education. In 2020, Bonnie joined Our Lady of Malibu School as a Transitional Kindergarten teacher. Working with young children is her passion. She has dedicated nearly 25 years to the field of early childhood education and development.
Kindergarten & First Grade
Mrs. Kym Shafai
kshafai@olmalibuschool.org
Mrs. Kym Shafai’s absolute passion is teaching young children, and she is so happy to be a part of the team at Our Lady of Malibu School. From a young age, Kym wanted to be a teacher and has always enjoyed working with children. Kym is a mother of two; her daughter is in her second year at NYU, and her son is a junior at MHS. Kym has over a decade of experience working with elementary school children. She worked for six years at Webster Elementary School, five years in kindergarten, and one in transitional kindergarten. Kindergarten is the most fantastic age when children build the foundations to carry them successfully through their academic careers. Kym is a firm believer in phonics and the science of reading. Nothing is more exciting than to hear students reading for the first time and seeing them write and spell words utilizing these skills. She provides a well-rounded environment, exploring number concepts, science exploration through STEM activities, directed drawings, and arts and crafts using various mediums to strengthen small motor skills. Kym loves teachable learning moments that come up daily and encourages students to learn from one another as she learns from them. OLM provides students with excellent opportunities to grow. Kym is thrilled to have found her place at OLM. Kym’s goal is to make sure that her students develop a love of learning, a curiosity for the world around them, and to know just how incredibly bright and loved they are each day
2nd & 3rd Grade
Mrs. Kim Caplinger
kcaplinger@olmalibuschool.org
Mrs. Caplinger is thrilled to be teaching at OLM! Her favorite part is the introduction to multiplication and division. Kim LOVES math! She looks forward to experimenting with new methods, including a Haunted House PBL (Project Based Learning) unit where students will design and manage a Haunted House business, choosing their decor, activities, floor plan, concessions, and actors….all while staying within budget! They will finish by analyzing their successes/failures to make a recommendation for next year’s business plan.
Mrs. Caplinger has been teaching in various positions at SMMUSD schools since 2010. She has a business degree from USC, and enjoyed a long career in Home Entertainment, with positions in marketing/sales at 20th Century Fox and other studios, plus finance positions at CBS. Kim retired to raise her daughters and then began volunteering at their schools, leading to many years of long-term substitute teaching at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Most recently, she was the Language/Literacy Intervention teacher at Webster Elementary and Malibu Elementary schools through June 2022. Before that, she was the 3rd-grade dance learning teacher at Webster after private teaching 4th grade during the lockdown.
Kim has lived in Malibu since 1994 with her husband, dog(s), and two wonderful daughters. She loves animals and has volunteered at the Agoura Animal Care Center on the Canine Coaching team for 14 years 
. She is also a board member of the Fauna Foundation, a local rescue/sanctuary. Kim loves everything about the beach, and her perfect day includes running with her pup at the water’s edge, then hopping in!
6th, 7th & 8th Grade Homeroom
Ms. Candy Wallace
Candy Wallace is a proud OLM Middle School Team member, serving as the 7th Grade Homeroom Teacher and instructing 6th through 8th Grade Science. Her teaching career began in 2011 as a Robotics and Web Design Instructor for the Upward Bound/Trio Summer Program at California Lutheran University. Since then, she has taught 3rd Grade, 5th Grade, Middle School Math and Science, and Preschool – 8th Grade Technology.
Wallace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master’s of Education from CLU, as well as her California clear multi-subject teaching credential. Her goal is to help students become lifelong learners like herself. Her passion lies in STEM and STEAM education, motivating students to discover the world and their talents and abilities.
Advanced Math
Mr. Ahmad Diba
adiba@olmalibuschool.org
Mr. Diba has had the pleasure and privilege of teaching at Our Lady of Malibu School since 2015. The classes taught included middle school advanced math and school-wide French, as well as specialty electives such as programming for robotics and computer game design.
Ahmad’s professional background primarily consists of experience in production, engineering, and management across various industries such as aerospace, naval, and electrical power. He spent his formative years in Switzerland and France, where he also worked as an expat for a period of time. Holding a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Trinity University and a Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California, Ahmad has a solid academic background. He also tutors students in math and other subjects, ranging from middle school to college level, and finds great enjoyment in teaching.
Art
Ms. Sara Hempfling
STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math)
Dr. Helen Litz
hlitz@olmalibuschool.org
Helen has always felt passionately about the importance of fostering curiosity and interest in science in young children. One of the first questions children learn to ask is “why?”, and her goal is to not only keep the students asking why, but to give them the tools to figure out why and how! Helen works with grades TK-3, guiding the students through hands on activities designed to introduce basic principles of engineering and a range of scientific concepts, while keeping it fun and engaging.
Helen graduated from Boston University where she studied both Chemistry and Mathematics. She then went on to get her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Washington. She was delighted to start teaching at OLM in 2024 and looks forward to expanding the program for the 2025-26 school year.
Spanish
Ms. Rose Vázquez – Spanish
Rose Vázquez was born and raised in Mexico and brings over 20 years of dedicated experience as a language teacher to her role at OLM School. Certified by Cambridge University in the UK, she has taught Spanish in diverse settings, including Hawaii and Las Vegas, and feels truly blessed to share her love of language and culture with her students at OLM.
Beyond the classroom, Rose serves her faith community as the the Vice President of The Legion of Mary at OLM and has served as the Sunday Office Secretary at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church. A practicing Catholic, she is deeply involved in parish life and committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Rose’s strong connections with students, parents, and colleagues create a supportive classroom atmosphere where students feel valued and encouraged. With native fluency in Spanish, she is passionate about helping students develop language skills in a meaningful way. She is excited to continue her journey with OLM, inspiring students through lessons that celebrate language, culture, and faith. She feels honored to be a part of the Our Lady of Malibu School community.
Mandarin
Ms. Yun Ru – Mandarin
Yun Ru has been teaching and tutoring Mandarin for 7 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language Art from The Television University in China and an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education. Additionally, she is certified and graduated from the Startalk Professional Teacher Training Program in Mandarin.
Yun Ru continues to further her education every summer to enhance her teaching skills. She has been working for the Federal Found Program, teaching underprivileged children Mandarin in south-central and east LA every summer.
For the past five years, Yun Ru has been teaching at OLM. She has a passion for working with children, evidenced by her own three children. Recognizing that every child learns differently, she strives to design the curriculum to cater to each individual. Witnessing the joy on her student’s faces as they learn Mandarin brings her immense satisfaction.
French
Mr. Ahmad Diba – French
Mr. Diba has had the pleasure and privilege of teaching at Our Lady of Malibu School since 2015. The classes taught included middle school advanced math and school-wide French, as well as specialty electives such as programming for robotics and computer game design.
Ahmad’s professional background primarily consists of experience in production, engineering, and management across various industries such as aerospace, naval, and electrical power. He spent his formative years in Switzerland and France, where he also worked as an expat for a period of time. Holding a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Trinity University and a Master of Science in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California, Ahmad has a solid academic background. He also tutors students in math and other subjects, ranging from middle school to college level, and finds great enjoyment in teaching.
Italian
Mrs. Mindy Buoncristiani
What Our Parents Say
We love Our Lady of Malibu
Absolutely LOVE This School
We love OLM for so many reasons
Most Unique School
OLM Truly Is A Gem
