Teachers and Staff

Andrea Serna

PreK

Hello! My name is Ms. Andrea Serna, and I am so blessed to be part of the Koinonia  family. I have a deep love for nurturing and teaching young children, and I consider it a true joy to help lay the foundation for their growth—spiritually, emotionally, and academically.

I attended Abilene Christian University (ACU), where I developed a strong foundation in both education and Christ-centered values. My heart has always been drawn to the littlest learners, and I feel called to love, guide, and support them during these important early years of life.

In my classroom, I strive to create a warm, safe, and joyful space where children feel loved, known, and encouraged every single day. I believe every child is a gift from God, and it’s a privilege to help them discover His love and truth in their earliest moments.

When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and finding simple joys in everyday life. I’m excited for all that God has in store for this school year, and I’m grateful to walk alongside your family on this journey!

Caleb Ripple

Headmaster, History, Literature, and Singing

I have been married since June 2007 to a most wonderful wife, Erin (EJ). We have nine children yet alive, Ephraim Alexander, Noah Elliot, Gideon Paul, our twins Luke John Owen and Ezra John Calvin, Evangeline Joanne, Josiah Anthony, Esther-Jubilee Martha, and Eden Jerusalem.

I am an elder at Christ Fellowship Church and a board member at Koinonia Classical Christian School which I helped to establish.

I have been the official song leader at Christ Fellowship Church since 2007 after I graduated from a two-year music, leadership, and technology training program out of a church in St. Louis, MO. My training is not classical however, my aim for KCCS students is to equip them, to the best of my ability, to sing well together, from their hearts, to the Lord. I want to impart a love of music and singing with the hopes that the generations that come after me and my students, will be better and better at glorifying God through music and songs!

Catherine Ulmer

Math

I grew up in Arkansas in a small town quite similar to Taylor. I found my passion for math tutoring while I was in high school, volunteering a good deal of time to help my peers. I continued this course of work throughout college, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration. Upon relocating to Texas, I tutored at Lyndon B. Johnson High School. I stopped working when my husband and I started our own family, and I’ve since learned that for me, few joys compare with that of seeing my children not only learn but fall in love with the timeless logic God gifted to us in math.

I am married to Bennett and we have five happy children, Alden, Anderson, Ellie, Oakley, and Isaac.

Cierra Arena

PreK

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona where I attended public school all the way through grade 12. While in high school the Lord drew me to Himself through means of the YoungLife ministry. Shortly after high school I met my husband, Andrew. The Arena quiver now holds three beautiful boys Owen, Shia, and Randall.

To our surprise and at first against our bucking wills God brought us to Taylor, TX where we are now active members at Christ Fellowship Church. I knew immediately I wanted to join the mission at KCCS and am humbled to have the opportunity to do so.

Debbie Cruces

PreK

From West Texas to the Hill Country then to the Blacklands of Taylor in 2012, here is where we make our home. I am married to Emilio. I have 2 children, Christina and Emilio Jr. and 5 precious grandchildren. After moving to Taylor we began attending Christ Fellowship Church where the Lord has brought me to see His grace. I serve as a KCCS board member as well as in our congregation. 

I find great joy in interacting with the kids. Teaching and learning, running and playing, all in all seeing the kingdom grow.

Denise Lenz

PreK

I was born and raised in the Midwest. My parents were not Christian but I was always searching for the Lord. I married a man (Lou), who was a Christian from a beautiful, loving family who loved and served the Lord. We had six children who all love and serve the Lord (EJ Ripple is one of them!) AND a bunch of grandchildren! We were foster parents for years and were always involved in Children’s Ministry in our church. We’re sold out to Christian private education because of the deterioration of the public school system in our country. I’m teaching the preschool class and LOVE that age…they are fun and we can laugh as we learn.

Diana Lopez

PreK and Aide

Born and raised in Taylor, Texas, I’m the youngest of six and now a proud mom of three (with one more on the way in February 2026!). I met my husband in high school, and we’ve been married for 13 wonderful years. Though I wasn’t raised in the faith, I came to know Christ in adulthood—and through life’s ups and downs, I’ve seen His hand at work in powerful ways. That journey led us to our home at Christ Fellowship.

I’ve always had a heart for children—their curiosity, honesty, and the way they teach me something new every day. In the classroom, my goal is simple: to make sure every tiny human feels loved, heard, and truly understood.

Erin (EJ) Ripple

Headmistress, English

Growing up in a large family in a small suburb of St. Louis, I knew I wanted a lot of kids, and I knew I wanted to teach. I pursued a degree in Spanish Elementary Education, but got married and moved to Texas before finishing the program. After starting our family, I soon began homeschooling. My husband and I agreed we wanted a solely Christian education for our kids and quickly fell in love with the classical approach as well. Three years into it, we finally moved forward in the dream of my husband’s to start our own classical Christian school. With 8 kids, I am living out my childhood dream and walking in the calling God has given me to be a mother, and train children up in the way they should go. I did not have a classical education, but I am thrilled that my kids will. I want all of our kids to be able to get the kind of education that enables them to be Kingdom builders and culture influencers.

I am married to Caleb and we have nine children on this side of Eternity.

Jan Humphrey

1st and 2nd Grade Teacher, Proctor

I grew up in Houston, moved to Ft. Worth in 1986 and moved to Rockdale in 1998 to work and help care for my grandmother. Taylor became my home in June, 2007, when I married the man God placed in my life. My senior year in high school I realized I wanted to teach and work with children, so I headed off to college. Working with children has always been a love and joy to me, something I will never grow tired of doing. God has blessed me with this love for teaching children. I have taught Sunday School at Christ Fellowship Church since 2005. I am blessed to teach our KCCS students and hope they enjoy learning in these classes as much as I do.

Jeff Ripple

History

I was born and raised in Victoria, Texas. I moved to Austin in 1981 to attend the University of Texas. Upon graduating in 1984 with a BA in Marketing, I moved to Taylor with every intention of going back “home.” Well, God had different plans and here I am at home in Taylor, Texas. I pastor Christ Fellowship Church, which closed its K-12 Christian school in 1985. Now, God has resurrected our school under a new name through the hard work and dedication of its founding families. I am pleased they allow me to teach History, a subject vitally important in the education of our children and the future of our world.

I was married to Andrea, the founding KCCS kindergarten teacher, who passed away in February of 2024. We have three amazing children and children in-law, Caleb and EJ, Victoria and Matthew, Spencer and Mareli. They have blessed us (currently) with 17 earthbound grandchildren. I am a blessed man!

Joyellen Lopez

Latin

I was born and raised in Taylor, TX. God graciously placed me in a loving, christian home. My parents started attending Christ Fellowship Church (CFC) shortly after it was founded in 1977. CFC is my home church and has been a wonderful community for me my whole life. God has used it to shape my faith deeply. 

I am no stranger to hard work as my husband, Joshua Lopez and I have owned a small business for almost 20 years and counting. Together, we have two children, Emma and Boaz. 

We are founding board members of Koinonia and have put our hands to the plow to labor for God’s kingdom and for generations of God’s children in Taylor, TX. 

I enjoy teaching the Latin language because of the beauty and structure it has to offer. It unlocks new levels of knowledge, not only of the English language, but also of literature. It allows us to know our God more intimately. 

Christus Dominus est. Soli Deo gloria. 

Kynleigh Kirby

1st and 2nd Grade Teacher

I was raised in a Christian family in Lamesa, Texas, where I attended public school. After high school, I went to Texas Tech University where I received my B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Amidst my busy years in college, the Lord graciously began drawing me nearer, refining and strengthening my faith in Christ. During my time in college, I met my husband, Jonah. We now have 4 precious children. I come from a long line of devoted educators to whom I am thankful for much imparted wisdom, experience, and support. Jonah and I knew we needed a classical Christian education for our children. So I homeschooled our first child for a couple of years before God graciously brought us to Taylor to join the fight and feast. We so deeply cherish the community here, and I am ecstatic to be part of the mission here at KCCS—to influence culture and build the Kingdom.

Mareli Ripple

Science

I am originally from South Africa and transplanted to Austin, TX just 5 days shy of my 5th birthday. I enjoy life with my husband, Spencer, and our seven children. I’d like to think I’m a semi-successful small farmer (mostly thanks to my husband’s constant provision and efforts). I never expected to get married young or to become a teacher, but I’m enjoying the way my story is unfolding. From early on, animals and nature have been something I’ve found pleasure in exploring and learning about. Naturally, Science and Math became my favorite subjects because they “made sense”, seemed logical, and were easy to follow. I look forward to sharing the glories of God’s creation through teaching and I hope I can spark wonder in the lives of my students as we examine what’s been laid out in this world before us. 

Veneza Grillo

Art

I grew up in Allen, Tx to parents who were both devoted educators. Growing up, witnessing their zeal and over a few summers of helping my mother teach in summer school, they instilled in me a passion and love of service, specifically with teaching. My first memory of realizing my love for creating Art was when I was about 7. I was sitting with my family at a restaurant coloring on a paper menu when my father took a crayon and peeled its paper wrapping off and began to color with the side of the crayon instead of the pointed end! Little did I know that by him changing my perspective, as I watched him create colorful variated ribbons on the paper, he would plant the seeds for my future!

I have four precious children with my husband Rico, all of whom inspire me continually to create! 

As an Art teacher, I find that understanding new perspectives, developing a curiosity for the language and techniques of Art, and delighting in a love for God can enable any one to develop a toolbox for artistic expression, and a love for craftsmanship. 

Victoria Berry

Kindergarten and Recitation

I was raised in Taylor Texas where I attended a private Christian school for a couple of years, but received most of my education through Christian homeschooling. I continued my education at the University of Texas at Austin where I majored in English and minored in classical civilization. I didn’t intend to become a teacher, but God had bigger plans for my life than I could imagine. After graduating with my BA in English, I completed the Texas Teacher’s certification and began teaching at a public charter school as a Reading Interventionist. My desire had been to teach at a Christian School so when KCCS began, I knew I wanted to be a part of this vision. 

I am a published author currently with two children’s books and a young adult fantasy novel. After graduating high school, I discovered my love of writing and since have not put down the pen and paper. I write poetry, fiction short stories, children’s stories, and young adult fantasy novels. 

I am married to Matthew, and we have three children. I am thrilled my children will have the opportunity to get a classical Christian education. 

Andrea Ripple

December 11, 1961 – February 29, 2024

IN MEMORIAM

Andrea Ripple was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Because her mother, Martha Burghart, was a kindergarten teacher, for as far back as she could remember, kid-friendly crafts, songs, activities, games and teaching ideas were a part of her life. After moving to Taylor and marrying her husband, Jeff, in 1985, she began to get involved in teaching the children in her church (Christ Fellowship) at every opportunity, including homeschooling all three of her children. She was a substitute teacher with Head Start in Taylor for 11 1/2 years. She enjoyed finding ways to instill the love of learning to the children all around her while playing and engaging in everyday life.  She was one never afraid to swim against the tide and preferred biographical blurbs to be written in the third person perspective. 😉

Upon her passing into glory on Thursday, February 29, 2024, when she met her Jesus face to face and a handful of grandchildren who had gone on before her, Andrea and her husband Jeff had 3 happily married children and 17 grandchildren yet alive, all of whom are a part of KCCS in one capacity or another. Her heart was to teach children to love learning about God and the world around them.

Just after the 2022-2023 school year began, Andrea became sick and eventually she could no longer continue teaching her beloved class. She took a sabbatical from teaching in 2023-2024 as she was led by her Good Shepherd through the dark valley that is a cancer diagnosis. Through that time, though she was physically unable to do much, she was still an integral part of the KCCS family and helped to guide and support the work in various ways, striving to ensure that what our Father was building through her labor would continue well beyond her short life.

All who knew her well know that Mrs. Ripple’s death has left a gaping hole in our hearts and in our school, but her memory remains and her legacy continues to bear fruit. Today, we award the Andrea Ripple Memorial Award to one student each year who demonstrates a keen eye to selflessly bless those around them in great and little ways, just like Mrs. Ripple did for all of those around her.