Faculty and Staff

Head of School

Kenneth V. Trotter

Ken was born in Pensacola, Florida. He received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky in 1983 and a Masters of Education degree, with an emphasis in Counseling, from the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky in 1987.

Ken has worked in education for more than 25 years. He has served as a counselor and administrator in both public and private institutions at the K-12 and postsecondary levels. In 1999 he was selected as founding headmaster for the first classical and Christian school in Northwest Florida, Trinitas Christian School. Ken was the Head of School at Trinitas Christian School for 17 years. Under his leadership Trinitas Christian School experienced consistent mission-centered growth. He also led Trinitas Christian School successfully through the accreditation process with Christian Schools International (CSI) in 2004, Christian Schools of Florida (CSF) in 2010, and the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS) in 2010, 2012. In addition to his administrative role at Trinitas Christian School, Ken served as a classical, and Christian school consultant for select member schools in the Association of Classical and Christian Schools; was an accreditation team member and team leader for both the Association of Classical and Christian Schools and Christian Schools of Florida; served as a speaker at the ACCS conference; and served as a member of the New Saint Andrews College Board of Directors and a member of the Executive Committee of Christian Schools of Florida. Ken and his family were also founding members of Providence Church in Pensacola, Florida.

Above all else, Ken is grounded by a deep and abiding love for God’s Word and is convicted that serving families, helping parents to raise their children in the way they should go, is of the highest importance in following Jesus Christ. And while he has done much for the world of Christian education, Ken still believes his greatest success is his wife Kenwyn, his four children, and his two grandchildren.

Director of Admissions

Kenwyn Trotter

B.A. in Sociology, University of Mobile

Having “accidentally” stepped into classical Christian education while homeschooling her four children, Mrs. Trotter is passionately intentional about making classical Christian schooling available to families on the Central Coast of California. She is a first-generation American, missionary daughter, mother of four classically educated zealots for Christ, and adoring wife of 30+ years to Ken Trotter. Ken and Kenwyn founded Trinitas Christian School in Pensacola, Florida, where Kenwyn taught and worked in administration for over 16 years before moving to San Luis Obispo to begin Christ Classical.

Kenwyn has served as Dean of Students, Curriculum Coordinator, 5th and 6th grade teacher, substitute teacher, Assistant Principal of Grammar School, and Etiquette Instructor throughout her educational tenure. She enjoys playing the hostess for any gathering, beautifying her surroundings, and creating a comforting and God-honoring atmosphere wherever she is.

Teachers

The role of teacher at Christ Classical School is to instruct, advise, train, and disciple children with an attitude of compassion, devotion, and keen interest. For the school to fulfill its stated mission of “equipping students to live lives of moral and spiritual integrity, personal and social responsibility, with a genuine passion for knowing and serving a Holy God.”

The successful Christ Classical teacher will:

Demonstrate a passion for the things of God and a desire to grow in favor with God and man.
Love families and understand the importance of the family system while deeply appreciating the structure of authority established by God
Possess the God-given ability to teach and the desire to enhance their gift
Hold a B.A./B.S. degree (prefer M.A.), in-field and credentials in classical education

Fifth/Sixth Grade Lead Teacher

Brittany Hartke

B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture, New Saint Andrews College
M.A. in Liberal Arts, St. John’s College, Expected 2018

Miss Hartke is originally from the Seattle area and has been teaching at one of the top ten classical Christian schools in America for the last seven years. Steeped in classical Christian education and recognized as a Master Teacher by the Association of Classical and Christian Schools, Miss Hartke’s intellectual abilities are deep and broad. She is also known for her love of training dogs, cooking, and teaching her students the fine art of enjoying tea. Instrumental in building faithful Christian culture, Miss Hartke has been known to begin community book clubs and women’s Bible studies, lead nursing home visits and mommies-of-infants outings, and host pasta-making parties at her home. She is ever self-giving and faithfully loving towards fellow faculty, her students, and school families.

Third/Fourth Grade Teacher

Maggie Church

B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture, New Saint Andrews College

Miss Church moved with her family from Michigan to Moscow, Idaho in 2004 and attended high school at Logos School, flagship of the classical Christian education resurgence. After graduating from New Saint Andrews, Miss Church worked for two years as a Secretary and Creative Media Consultant for Christ Church in Moscow, then was hired to teach Latin and Fifth Grade at Logos School. She enjoyed gaining teaching experience at her Alma Mater for three years.

Miss Church has been immersed in classical education from early on. Because of the wonderful teachers in her life, she has developed a deep understanding of what classical Christian teaching should look like. She loves to engage her class with a high intellectual standard and a very healthy balance of fun and structure. In addition to teaching, Miss Church enjoys freelance graphic design, spending time with friends and family, and traveling near or far. She is an innovative artist, a kind-hearted friend, and a conscientious teacher, one that endeavors to be the very best for her students.

First/Second Grade Teacher

Elizabeth Mitchell

B.A. in Liberal Studies, California Polytechnic University
M.A. in Education, Chapman University

Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell is a longtime resident of California’s Central Coast, with more than seventeen years of educational experience, including five years of homeschooling. Passionate about teaching and committed to the highest standard of Christ-like integrity, Mrs. Mitchell’s classroom presence is one of love and joy. Highly respected by students and parents alike, Mrs. Mitchell is a teacher who is patient and kind, hard-working, and dedicated to being a lifelong learner.

She is married to the love of her life and prayer partner, Matthew. Elizabeth and Matthew have lived faithfully in this community for over 30 years. Together they have raised three sons, young men who love the Lord and know Him as Savior. Mrs. Mitchell defines her life passions as teaching, reading, writing, and enjoying the splendor of our coast. She also thoroughly enjoys spending time in the scriptures, worshipping, writing poetry, taking long walks with Matthew, and sharing time with her sons. She is looking forward to being a part of the Christ Classical School family.

Office Administrator

Shannon Egan

B. A. in Liberal Studies, University of Hawaii
CCS Certified Coach, Christian Coaching School

Ms. Egan was born in California and lived on the Central Coast until she moved to Honolulu in 1989 for college studies. She opened her private practice in Honolulu in 2000 and focused her time with individuals, groups and corporate professionals. Shortly after returning to the central coast in 2016, Ms. Egan pursued a teaching position with Christ Classical School, having found like- minded, classical Christian educators who desire, as she does, to shepherd and raise up young men and women to worship and glorify God.

Ms. Egan has served Christ Classical as P.E. Teacher during the inaugural year, substitute teacher for 3 rd -6 th grades, and currently as office manager. She hopes to remain faithful to encourage and serve our faculty and families in their time at our beloved school.

P.E. Teacher

Jason Olaiz

B.S. in Recreation Administration, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. Concentration in Sports Management

Mr. Olaiz is from Southern California and moved to the Central Coast to attend Cal Poly, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration. Mr. Olaiz has served at Pacific Camps as a camp counselor assisting with the camp’s sports and exercise programs. Upon arriving in San Luis Obispo, Mr. Olaiz worked for the City of San Luis Obispo as a Director in their Youth Services Division.

Throughout the years he has coached youth basketball, futsal, baseball, softball and football. Mr. Olaiz has also completed his certification from Positive Coaching Alliance. In addition to Mr. Olaiz’ background in sports, he also has served as a Children’s, Youth, and Associate Pastor. Currently, Mr. Olaiz is the lead pastor of a local Christian church in San Luis Obispo. His passion is to equip the body of Christ through the teaching of God’s Word and further His Kingdom wherever the Lord leads him. He is married to his beautiful wife, Jennifer and together they are raising 3 godly children.

Music Teacher

Lynne Oliverius

Liberal Arts: Music Education emphasis, BA | Academic Leadership, MA

Lynne’s love of music is first and foremost rooted in the church. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod and sang in the cherub choir at age 3. Piano lessons began at age 5, violin at 4 th grade and cello in 6 th grade. She shared her musical gifts as a child in church services, at national religious conventions and then earned a bachelors degree from Western Illinois University in Suzuki music education and liberal studies, cello and violin emphasis, and earned a masters degree from the University of Illinois in Academic Leadership. In the Midwest Lynne founded 3 Suzuki Music Schools, the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony, was a guest clinician at many workshops, authored articles for music education, piloted programs for Kindermusik and along with a staff of 8 teachers, taught private and group lessons for 300 students per week. She also taught K-8 music at Trinity Catholic School and music appreciation at Illinois Valley Community College. Arriving here on the central coast 8 years ago, Lynne maintains a private teaching studio of 25 students ages 4-adult, founded and performs with Encore Strings, is the music director at Morro Bay Presbyterian Church and is the concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra. Lynne is delighted to join the staff and students at Christ Classical Academy.

Ephesians 5:19 19 Speaking [a] one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”