Napa Christian

Standing Firm in the Armor of God

Our Staff

Justine Leonie

Justine Leonie

Position: Principal
Email: jleonie@napachristian.com

Biography

Mrs. Leonie brings to Napa Christian 25 years of experience in education, specifically child development and curriculum from several countries. She has taught every grade, served as an administrator for three schools in California, and trained teachers and principals in Marketing the Modern Parochial School. Although her job requires her to wear several hats, it is the time spent with her students in the art classroom, on the stage, in her office, or on the road which she values most. It is her belief that children learn best, and are at their happiest, when the school's hidden curriculum is one of unconditional positive regard for all.

Mrs. Leonie authored the CONQUESTS program in response to our mandated responsibility to meet our students' evolving learning needs. "Our world is constantly and frenetically changing, and it is imperative that we ensure that our students are being prepared to meet these unpredictable challenges with confidence."

When she's not molding young minds, Mrs. Leonie enjoys reading - finishing about a book a week, watching British comedy, and spending time with her family.



Dawnelle Ellis

Dawnelle Ellis

Position: Registrar, International Student Coordinator
Email: daellis@napachristian.com

Biography

Mrs. Ellis, a local ‘Napkin", comes to Napa Christian with over 25 years of experience in the field of education. She has her Associate of Science Degree in Child and Family Studies, Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and Master of Science Degree in Education with a focus in Administration.

She taught preschool and kindergarten in her early years and quickly moved up to director, administrator, head of school, and then superintendent. After many years of full time dedication to Christian education it was time to “slow down” and share her experience and vast knowledge in a supportive role as Napa Christian’s Registrar and International Student Coordinator. Mrs. Ellis’ new role allows her to fulfill her passion of working with students and the ability to pour more time into family.

She has been happily married for 29 years and she and her husband have two wonderful children who also attend Napa Christian. They love spending time together and building life long memories.



Chris Ames

Chris Ames

Position: Business Manager
Email: cames@napachristian.com

Biography

Bio coming soon.





Denise Kaczmarczyk

Denise Kaczmarczyk

Position: Office Manager, Hot Lunch Coordinator
Email: dkaz@napachristian.com

Biography

Bio coming soon.














Madeleine Carr Leonie

Madeleine Carr Leonie

Position: CONQUESTS Teacher's Aide, Yearbook, After School Care
Email: mcarr@napachristian.com

Biography

Born and raised in Napa, California, Maddie is an alumnus of Napa Christian. After graduating in 2017, she went on to study Set Design in Theater Arts and Early Childhood Education at San Francisco State University. After working many of her breaks in the office, she officially joined our CONQUESTS Teaching Team in January 2021. Last year Maddie worked as Mr. Blue's Teachers Aide in 3/4 while also teaching 5/6 art. This year, Maddie has taken on the office manager position and will continue to jump into the classroom to teach an elective and help out as needed. Her penchant for organization and creativity along with her innate ability to connect with her students has made Maddie an excellent addition to our team.

When she's not working in the office or with the kids, Maddie enjoys spending time with her family, painting and hanging out with her "personal shadow" Leela (her dog).



Philippe Doherty

Philippe Doherty

Position: Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Coordinator of International Students
Email: ad@napachristian.com

Biography

Philippe Doherty brings a wealth of experience to the Napa Christian Campus of
Education community due to his varied background. Philippe was born in France
and speaks fluent French. Philippe also lived in West Africa for 5 years as a child
in Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso before moving to San Francisco.

Philippe grew up in San Francisco with his 3 brothers and attended Sacred Heart
Cathedral High School where he was in the scholar program and played basketball
and baseball and was an All-WCAL player in both sports.

Philippe attended Santa Clara University where he played basketball on the 1995-1996
and 1996-1997 teams at Santa Clara University. The 1995-1996 team made the NCAA
tournament and defeated Maryland in the 1st round before losing to Kansas in the 2nd
round.

The 1995-1996 team, which featured NBA Hall of Fame player Steve Nash, was inducted into the Santa Clara University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Philippe played at Santa Clara University with former Atlanta Hawks Head Coach and current Indiana Pacers asst. coach Lloyd Pierce, and with current Charlotte Hornets assistant coach, Marlon Garnett.

Philippe transferred to UC Davis for his junior and senior years where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and French.

Philippe coached JV basketball at his alma mater, Sacred Heart Cathedral, before moving on to the University of San Francisco where he coached for 5 years under Phillip Mathews and Jessie Evans. Philippe also coached AAU/Club basketball for 9 years in the Bay Area.

Philippe has coached and trained players in basketball from around the world the past 25 years and has been involved with the High-Rise exterior building maintenance industry since 2006.

Philippe is an immigration specialist and works closely with the office of Congressman Mike Thompson in Napa to help international students explore opportunities to study in the United States.

At Napa Christian Philippe assists AD Darren Smith with the scheduling of Boy's Frosh and JV basketball games. He also helps Darren with gym scheduling and transportation to and from Boys JV and Frosh basketball games.



Jonathan Hayasaka

Jonathan Hayasaka

Position: Campus Pastor, High School Religion Teacher

Biography

Coming soon.






Jamie Herman

Jamie Herman

Position: CONQUESTS 3rd & 4th Grade Teacher
Email: jherman@napachristian.com

Biography

Mrs. Herman’s life as a teacher and love for little people began when she was a teenager and did a lot of babysitting and teaching in Sabbath School.

She started down the college education path to becoming a nurse, but realized that was not a good fit. She is a third-generation teacher and realized Elementary Education was a better choice.

Mrs. Herman started her career at Foothills Elementary in Deer Park, CA as a 5th grade teacher. Her oldest daughter was born 2 1/2 years later, so she became a full-time stay-at-home mom.

Over the course of the next 15 years, the Hermans added 4 daughters total to their family, moved from Angwin to Washington to Montana to Molokai, HI and back to Angwin.

For the past 29 years Mrs. Herman has helped teach in her husband’s classroom, taught Sabbath School, taught in Vacation Bible School, been a Teacher’s Aide, taught a year of Kindergarten, been a hot lunch lady, and worked at Pacific Union College.

Now she is thrilled that God has led her back to have the opportunity to teach little people in her own classroom again here at Napa Christian!



Annie Hodgson

Annie Hodgson

Position: High School Math Teacher

Biography

Coming soon.











Johnny Leonie

Johnny Leonie

Position: Plant Services Manager; Construction; Farm Manager
Email: johnleonie@napachristian.com

Biography

A true "Jack of all Trades", if it needs fixing or building, Mr. Johnny is our go to guy. You'll find him around campus taking great care of our buildings, garden, and the animals of our farm. From building outdoor stages, and Christmas program sets to Bee Keeping and CONQUESTS personal contractor, Johnny, a licensed contractor by trade, keeps us up and running no matter what.

Mr. Johnny enjoys cooking for his family - and is well known at NCCE for his culinary skills, woodworking, gardening, and raising his menagerie of pets.



Lenny Leonie

Lenny Leonie

Position: Maintenance, Substitute Teacher

Biography

Coming soon.
















Dan Muhic

Dan Muhic

Position: High School Science Teacher
Email: dmuhic@napachristian.com

Biography

Dan Muhic has been teaching at Napa Christian for 11 years. He is a 1999 graduate of Pacific Union College with a BS in Biology and a secondary school teaching credential. Prior to teaching in Napa, Dan worked at Hawaiian Mission Academy from 2000 to 2004.

His joy in life includes spending time with his wife, Kristi and two boys, Noah and Benjamin. His go-to hobbies always bring him outdoors; running, cycling, surfing, snowboarding and traveling.



Darren Smith

Darren Smith

Position: Vice-Principal; High School History and English Teacher; Athletic Director; Safety Coordinator
Email: dsmith@napachristian.com

Biography

Mr. Smith, or "Smith " as his students affectionately call him, has been at Napa Christian for 24 years; joining the Napa Christian staff directly after graduating from Pacific Union College, where he received a B.S. in Social Studies with a minor in Political Science, English, as well as his Secondary Teaching Credentials, both CA State and SDA Endorsed. Mr. Smith has coached the girls basketball and boys soccer teams for longer than anyone can remember; he coaches with love, kindness, and compassion that inspires all his students to grow.

In his free time, Mr. Smith enjoys baseball, and any board sport on water or snow. Mr. Smith brings a passion and dedication to his students inside the classroom and out.



Justine Tabiolo

Justine Tabiolo

Position: CONQUEST 2nd Grade Teacher
Email: jtabiolo@napachristian.com

Biography

Bio coming soon.






Caleb Vanderburg

Caleb Vanderburg

Position: Substitute Teacher, High School Assistant
Email: cvanderburg@napachristian.com

Biography

Caleb comes to Napa Christian by way of Burlington, NC. He’s originally from Durham, NC where he attended the prestigious Durham Academy. While at Durham Academy he was a 3 sport athlete and the winner of the Scott Jameson Filston award, which is “given to one student whose academic and athletic accomplishments represent an unselfish commitment to the school and school community.”

Caleb attended Elon University where he was a student assistant for Men’s Basketball. Helping with player development, scouting, and recruiting. Caleb played a big role in helping Elon make a conference championship game appearance in 2021. During his time at Elon, he worked for Matt Matheny who is currently an Assistant Coach for Men’s Basketball at Davidson College and Mike Schrage who is currently the Assistant to the Head Coach for Men’s Basketball at Duke University.

Caleb graduated from Elon University in 2021 where he earned a Bachelor of
Arts in Public Health Studies.

Caleb taught middle school science and chemistry at The Burlington School, along with serving as an assistant varsity boy’s basketball coach. He helped Burlington capture a state championship in 2022.

In his hometown of Durham, NC, Caleb works to help at risk youth through a non profit called Durham Success Summit. He strives to create better opportunities for youth through mentorship, professional development, and leadership training.

At Napa Christian, Caleb works as the Assistant to the Principal. He assists Principal Leonie with the day to day operations of students, study halls, and high school mentorship.