Our Leadership Team
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
Johanna Hendries
Elementary Principle
Dear MCS Community,
I am elated to join the family of believers at Mariners Christian School and serve as the Elementary Principal! I’ve always known Mariners as a beacon in Christian education, and I am honored to work alongside its dedicated, loving staff. I am excited to meet each of you, learn about your gifts, and observe how the Lord is empowering you to further His kingdom.
From a young age I knew I wanted to teach and that desire led me to Cal State University Long Beach where I earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies and M.A. in Educational Administration. I hold both a teaching credential and administrative credential and have taught and held leadership positions in both public and private school. For the past several years I have served as the Head of Schools for Grace Christian School in South Orange County.
As a Christian educator, my mission and prayer is for others to experience the “peace beyond understanding” that only a relationship with Jesus provides. Through His will and plan to place me at Mariners, I seek to nurture young minds, help them develop a biblical lens in all aspects of learning and life, and understand and truly experience God’s grace and love. I value excellence in education and the opportunity to grow disciples and exceptional critical thinkers, who in turn are equipped to discern and lead in love.
I am grateful for this opportunity to provide support, join the Mariners family, and share an abundance of joy and laughter along the way. May the Lord continue to guide, direct, and bless Mariners Christian School, as we serve Him mightily.
In His Peace and Love,
Mrs. Johanna Hendries
Kim DeAllen
Elementary Vice Principle
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Jennifer Herrera
Middle School Principle
Mrs. Herrera has been a committed educator for over 16 years. She completed her undergraduate through Florida Christian College and Utah State earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and 2nd Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders. She continued her learning at the University of Texas earning her Masters of Educational Leadership.
Mrs. Herrera began her teaching career serving in 2nd and 5th grade at Calvary Chapel Christian School before beginning her teaching and leadership in urban education in the Compton area. Mrs. Herrera has been an instructional coach, assistant principal, interim principal, and principal over the past years.
Mrs. Herrera and her husband, Alex have a large blended family of seven kids. Her youngest child Avalie will be entering 2nd grade at MCS this upcoming school year. The family has worshiped and been part of Knott Avenue Christian Church for the past 10 years.
Jordan Brown
Middle School Vice Principle
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 vice 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.
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.
24-25 Board of Trustees
Kaley Brandon
Board Chair
Kaley and Chris Brandon have been married for twelve years and have two children at MCS: Gavin (Class of 2027) and Elle (Class of 2030). 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 Clemons
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.
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.
Chase Emery
Treasurer
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.
Punita Jeyakaran
Secretary
Punita and Vinod Jeyakaran have been married for fourteen years. Their daughters, Naomi (Class of 2025) and Selah (Class of 2028) joined MCS in 2021 when the Jeyakaran family moved to Orange County, and have truly been blessed to be a part of the community. In this season of their lives, they enjoy traveling and spending time together, building Lego or baking some treats! They attend Crossroads Community Church in Mission Viejo.
Punita was blessed to be born and raised in a loving, Christian home in India. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, she moved to the US to pursue her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. After graduating, Punita moved to Southern California where she worked for over 13 years at Second Sight Medical Products helping restore vision in blind individuals. Since 2021, Punita has worked at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine where her focus is on obtaining regulatory approval for early-stage cardiovascular medical devices for patients with heart disease. Punita is very passionate about helping people and is extremely grateful that her professional experience allows her to directly touch the lives of patients. Punita is also very involved in mentoring younger professionals at work.
Punita strongly supports Christian education, and has enjoyed getting to meet the wonderful teachers, faculty, and staff at MCS. Her favorite volunteer opportunity at MCS has been driving Naomi and her volleyball teammates to their games. The Jeyakaran family have been blessed by MCS, and Punita would love to give back and support the MCS Mission.
Joel Klatt
Joel and his wife Sara have been married for 19 years. They have three sons, Henry (MCS ’30), Sam (MCS ’33), and Theo (MCS ’35). Joel and his family attend Mariners Church where he serves as a Shepherding Elder. Born and raised in Colorado, Joel played two seasons of minor league baseball following high school in the San Diego Padres organization. After leaving baseball, he went to the University of Colorado to pursue his bachelor’s degree in economics. While at Colorado, Joel joined the football program as a walk-on and earned the starting quarterback role. A walk-on mentality, coupled with hard work and dedication, has aided him in his professional career. Joel began his career at FOX Sports in 2006 where he is the lead college football game analyst. He has had the opportunity to work with some of the best leaders in the country while covering the top CFB teams in America. This experience has taught him the art of effective communication and strong leadership. In Colossians 1:23 Paul encourages believers to “remain steadfast and grounded in the faith, not shifting away from the hope of the gospel you have heard.” Joel believes that staying grounded and steadfast in the faith is critical to avoid the slow drift that can eat at an organization, church, or school. It is his desire to help MCS remain true to its mission and values in order to build a firm foundation through Christ centered education and truly have a kingdom impact.
Milagro Maggette
Milagro is a God-fearing woman who desires to share the Love of Christ everywhere she goes. Milagro and Corey Maggette have been married 17 years and are the parents of 5 energetic children. Three currently attend MCS, Sofia ( 7th grade), Fiel (3rd grade), Miliana (kinder), Mila Coco 10 months and their oldest Sergio (12h grade) graduated from MCS. The Maggette’s love sports and being active, family movie night, spending time with friends, Maggette Basketball and getting donuts at their home church Mariners in Irvine.
Milagro attended Georgia Institute of Technology on a full ride scholarship for basketball. She graduated with a Bachelors in business. Milagro and Corey founded Maggette Basketball Association in 2013. They enjoy sharing their passion and knowledge of the game with the next generation with a spirit of excellence as unto the Lord. Milagro also works on the administrative side of the business utilizing her business degree.
Milagro loves getting on campus and serving whenever she is able to do so. She has a strong desire to support the mission of MCS and the spirit of excellence in which the school operates. Milagro is truly honored to serve MCS.
Joey Patierno
Joey and his wife Shaheena have been married for 15 years and are blessed with 3 children: Joyelle (1st grade), Jacob (Kindergarten) and Joseph (attending TK in the fall). Joey grew up in Southern California and received his undergraduate degree in Accountancy from the University of San Diego and his MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Joey is a licensed CPA and began his career as an external auditor at Ernst & Young before becoming a Manager in the firm’s Transaction Advisory Services group. He has held various managerial roles in accounting and finance over his career and is currently the Director of Global Business Planning at American Vanguard Corporation.
The Patierno family attends Mariners Church in Irvine. They enjoy being outdoors together, spending time with family and friends and cheering for the Angels at Angels Stadium. During their time at MCS, Joey and Shaheena have been encouraged to see the school’s desire to bring students into greater knowledge of who Jesus is and how much He loves us. Joey is honored to have the opportunity to serve MCS and further the school’s pursuit of
Milagro attended Georgia Institute of Technology on a full ride scholarship for basketball. She graduated with a Bachelors in business. Milagro and Corey founded Maggette Basketball Association in 2013. They enjoy sharing their passion and knowledge of the game with the next generation with a spirit of excellence as unto the Lord. Milagro also works on the administrative side of the business utilizing her business degree.
Milagro loves getting on campus and serving whenever she is able to do so. She has a strong desire to support the mission of MCS and the spirit of excellence in which the school operates. Milagro is truly honored to serve MCS.
Dr. Ben Roberson
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.
Michele Vail
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.
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.