Meet the Faculty

Preschool

Ms. Shelley DeVito

sdevito@olmalibuschool.org

Ms. DeVito’s own children are her greatest accomplishments!! They are young adults now and raising and loving them is the best thing she’s ever experienced and accomplished.

Shelley is an early childhood educator with a degree in ECE. She has been teaching for 25 years. Young children are her passion. Shelley is also a Domestic violence counselor, advocate, and art therapy facilitator.

Shelley’s mission statement in her classroom 

When you enter her classroom: 

You are important 

You are leaders 

You are smart 

You are creators

You are explorers 

You are readers 

You are authors 

You are mathematicians 

You are dreamers 

You are loved 

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

Mrs. Kym Shafai

kshafai@olmalibuschool.org

Mrs. Kym Shafai’s absolute passion is teaching Kindergarten, 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

First Grade

Mrs. Erika Quinonez

equinonez@olmalibuschool.org

Mrs. Erika Quinonez is excited to be a part of the Our Lady of Malibu School family. She received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fullerton, and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California Lutheran University. She is truly blessed to have her two children attend while teaching at OLM. This is her 6th year teaching first grade, and she absolutely loves teaching these beautiful minds. Erika is passionate about teaching children and challenging them to take a hands-on approach to learning during our project-based learning activities. Learning should be fun, and she truly enjoys creating these activities that challenge the students to think and understand the material we cover.

Second Grade

Ms. Tracey Schroeder

tschroeder@olmalibuschool.org

Ms. Schroeder is our award-winning second-grade teacher. She has decades of experience and is so blessed to work at our beautiful, amazing school with our fantastic students, families, and staff. Tracey is a UCLA alumni who has spent many years teaching in public schools. She is skilled at incorporating the arts into grade-level subject matter and meeting kids at their just-right learning level. She loves watching kids learn, grow, and begin to make their own discoveries over time. In addition to teaching kids, she enjoys hiking, studying nature, roller-blading, reading, spending time with family, and sipping oat-creamer hazelnut coffee.

3rd Grade

Mrs. Kim Caplinger

Mrs. Caplinger is thrilled to be teaching 3rd grade at OLM! My favorite 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! We will finish by analyzing our 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 my perfect day includes running with my pup at the water’s edge, then hopping in!

4th & 5th Grade

Mrs. Ruth Marsden

tmarsden@olmalibuschool.org

Mrs. Marsden loves teaching fourth grade! It is an exciting and pivotal year for so many reasons. She grew up in Pacific Palisades and has lived in Malibu for over twenty years. She graduated from Pali Hi, SMC, and California State University Northridge, receiving a bachelor’s Degree in Art (after minoring in engineering). She also received her teaching credential from CSUN and was immediately hired to teach fourth grade at Round Meadow Elementary School in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. She taught there for four years, teaching fourth grade and a fourth/fifth combination class. During that time, she received an Award of Merit, Employee of the Month, and was nominated for a WHO Award. Ruth was granted a three-year maternity/childcare leave but opted to stay home and did not return to teaching professionally until 2007 when both of her children were in high school. During that time, she taught Sunday School, led a Girl Scout Troop, served as a Den Mother for a CubScout Pack, and served as PTA Co-°©‐‑President of Parent Programs at Webster Elementary School. She received the PTA Continuing Service Award in 2002. Ruth is a lifelong learner, and she continued her education, earning supplemental authorizations to teach introductory art, introductory math, and introductory science in grades K-8. Ruth returned to teaching in 2007 as a first-grade teacher at Webster Elementary School in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. Before joining Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Parish School staff, she taught first grade, Reading Intervention for grades 3-5, and substituted for grades Pre-K -5 and Special Education in both SMMUSD and LVUSD. Teaching is one of the best jobs in the world. Each day, she has the opportunity to find a way to make a lasting difference in a child’s life, especially a child who is struggling in some way. Ruth believes in providing children with a balanced and well-rounded education, inspiring them to achieve their best socially, emotionally, and academically, and equipping them to succeed as responsible, thoughtful, and wise members of our society and the world.
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6th Grade

Mrs. Marguerite Wolfe

mwolfe@olmalibuschool.org

Mrs. Wolfe is thrilled to be a part of OLM, where she can integrate her passion for teaching with her Catholic faith. With over 20 years of experience in education, Marguerite brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as the sixth-grade homeroom teacher. She was raised in Moorpark and attended La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks before earning a BA in Spanish from California Lutheran University and a multiple-subject teaching credential from National University.

Marguerite has taught students of all ages, from preschool to adults, in public and private school settings. Her journey in education began as an assistant in her mother’s 4th-grade classroom and continued as she taught Spanish classes at a park and recreation program while pursuing her own education. She also served as a Sunday School teacher while raising her children.

At OLM, Marguerite guides her students through the transition from elementary school to the higher-level expectations of middle school. She focuses on instilling values of organization, responsibility, and accountability to help students become better citizens and scholars. In addition to her role as a homeroom teacher, Marguerite teaches math and English, subjects she is passionate about due to her love for puzzles and riddles and her appreciation for the intricacies of language.

Marguerite takes great pride in being a part of the OLM community and refers to the school as the GEM of Malibu. She welcomes all to join in celebrating learning and growth at OLM.

7th Grade

Ms. Jane Griesemer

jgriesemer@olmalibuschool.org

Jane Griesemer is a mom, teacher, and catechist. She has been devoted to the OLM community since moving here from Indiana in 2012. Jane is the middle school ELA teacher and the 7th grade homeroom, history, and religion teacher. It is a joy to teach the students at OLM and be a part of their intellectual, academic, and spiritual development. Her teaching career began in 2005 as a middle school drama and musical theater director in Fishers, Indiana. Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts in music and theater and a Master of Theology from Loyola Marymount University. Her research in comparative theology earned her the James L. Fredericks Fellowship Award and Theta Alpha Kappa Honors induction. Jane is thrilled to share her love of outstanding novels, poetry, writing composition skills, and theology with her students.

8th Grade

Ms. Candy Wallace

cwallace@olmalibuschool.org

Candy Wallace is a proud OLM Middle School Team member, serving as the 8th 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.

Technology, STEM & Robotics

Mr. Glen Sunyich

gsunyich@olmalibuschool.org

Glen Sunyich is an educator at Our Lady of Malibu School, specializing in technology. He holds a strong educational background, having graduated from Don Bosco Technical Institute and earned a dual major in engineering and mathematics from Cal Poly Pomona. With a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, he pursued his master’s degree while teaching undergraduate Calculus classes.

Continuing his education, he attended graduate classes in Applied Mathematics at Northrop University and obtained his Master of Business Administration at Pacific Coast College. With three decades of experience operating a successful Engineering business before retiring 12 years ago, he taught Engineers and design professionals on subjects such as Applied Mathematics and computer-aided drafting for Corporate and Government clients. Glen conducted training sessions for teachers on integrating new technology into their classrooms. Over the past decade, he taught OLM math, science, and technology courses.

Music

Mr. Austin Trujillo

Mr. Trujillo has been teaching music and Spanish at OLM for eight years. He holds a B.A. in Music from Pepperdine University, where he studied violin performance and music theory/composition, serving as the symphony concertmaster from 2001-2003. With experience as a studio and session player for top film and TV composers, music producers, and symphonies, Austin brings a wealth of musical knowledge to his teaching. In addition to his musical talents, Austin is a credentialed educator for multiple subjects and serves as our Spanish teacher. He also offers private music lessons and enjoys surfing in his free time.

Fine Art

Ms. Justine Petretti

Ms. Petretti, affectionately known as Ms. Spaghetti to the students, has been the art teacher at Our Lady of Malibu School for 5 years. Her youngest son attended OLM and is now in High School, allowing her to remain a part of the OLM community.

At Our Lady of Malibu School, the creative activities of the Art program provide critical building blocks in the students’ development. The program focuses on refining motor skills, strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and fostering overall increased innovation and expression through art creation. The Art program encompasses exploring the elements of art such as color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value, using a variety of mediums, and introducing students to past, present, and upcoming artists. The school is dedicated not only to honing visual art skills but also to nurturing the mind.

“Every Child is an Artist” by Pablo Picasso.

Preschool – Kindergarten Enrichment

Ms. Shari Latta

slatta@olmalibuschool.org

Shari Latta’s passion is young children!

Shari feels incredibly fortunate to be at Our Lady of Malibu School, two days a week, teaching science-based music and art, with a variety of themes. She’s so happy to spend an hour or more with the Preschool class, followed by the Transitional Kindergarten, and then Kindergarten. Children learn when things are fun. Shari has a curriculum full of songs and art that support themes such as Marine Life, World Geography, Rocks, Local Wildlife, Reptiles, Insects and Arachnids, US History, and so much more. These topics are presented with custom-written songs and art projects that support the theme. The children hardly know they are actually learning! We typically do about 30 minutes of music, dance, and visual games about the week’s topic, followed by a creative art project that supports the theme.

Shari received her Preschool teaching certificate and was lucky enough to open and run Children’s Creative Workshop Preschool from 1982 through 2022. We closed due to a lack of space, and promptly received a call from OLM, asking her to join the team.

Shari is genuinely grateful for the opportunity that OLM has given her, and she looks forward to her Tuesdays and Thursdays wholeheartedly each week!

Physical Education

Mr. Daryl Adams

My name is Daryl Adams I was born in Compton, California. I currently live in Los Angeles with my wife and two kids: my daughter (Marlie), 9, and my son (Madais), 3. Over the years, I have developed a strong passion for football and athletics, which has earned me a scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where I received a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and, most recently, a Master’s in Kinesiology from California Baptist University.

In order to fulfill my dream, education was the right way to go. I have been teaching and coaching for over 15 years. Webster Elementary, where I taught physical education for 14 years and 14 years of coaching football between Compton College and Santa Monica College. Some of my hobbies are outdoor cooking, fishing, and exercise.

Our Lady of Malibu has been a fantastic experience, with the different personalities of the kids and the warm and welcoming staff. Each day, we continue to grow through education and experiences, all while looking forward to the future.

Spanish

Mr. Austin Trujillo – Spanish

Mr. Trujillo has been teaching music and Spanish at OLM for eight years. He holds a B.A. in Music from Pepperdine University, where he studied violin performance and music theory/composition, serving as the symphony concertmaster from 2001-2003. With experience as a studio and session player for top film and TV composers, music producers, and symphonies, Austin brings a wealth of musical knowledge to his teaching. In addition to his musical talents, Austin is a credentialed educator for multiple subjects and serves as our Spanish teacher. He also offers private music lessons and enjoys surfing in his free time.

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.