PRESCHOOL
Preschool Director and Little Lambs Room: Tamara Simpson
Over 8 years ago, God blessed Tamara with the opportunity to become a teacher at Ascension. In her second year, she was again blessed with an opportunity to grow when she became the Preschool Director. She enjoys working with preschool-aged children as no one can beat their joy of life and learning.
Mrs. Simpson has been in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field for 19 years. She received her ECE degree from El Camino College with follow-up courses at UCLA and Concordia University. She enjoys learning and is usually taking some course or class.
Tamara is married and has two sons, ages 11 and 13. She and her family thoroughly enjoy soccer and are heavily involved in AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization). She also enjoys camping, boating, and a great road trip.
Butterfly Room: Cindi Shepherd
Mrs. Cindi Shepherd has been an early childhood educator and director for 36 years. She’s been on staff at Ascension since 1988. She completed her Early Childhood Education units at Pepperdine University. She is committed to displaying the best in learning, teaching, caring, and spiritual guidance.
Mrs. Shepherd is a Christian, a wife, and a mother. She and her husband Ron have a daughter, Ronae, who is in law school. Her firefighter son Eric blessed her with a beautiful granddaughter named Sarai.
Mrs. Shepherd and her husband enjoy spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling. She devotes a large portion of her time to a fundraising committee that helps provide funding for future college students. Her hobbies include craft making and cooking.
Rainbow Room: Briana Jensen
Mrs. Jensen is in her 6th year of teaching at Ascension Lutheran Preschool. She looks forward to each year of fun-filled learning with her students.
Briana enjoys attending Early Childhood Education conferences and workshops. She loves learning new things so that she can bring them into the classroom. She especially enjoys anything that has to do with the ocean—it’s her favorite theme to teach children or anyone who will listen!
Briana attends King’s Harbor Church in Torrance. She and her husband enjoy the great outdoors: Going to the beach, camping, and going to the river. Her hobbies include crafting, scrapbooking, and coloring.
To our Rainbow Room parents, Briana says, “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of your child’s school experience.”
Rainbow Room: David Welch
Mr. David Welch chose the field of child development because he wants to make a difference in children’s lives and help them succeed. He has coached basketball and AYSO soccer for over 8 years and is a youth and adult referee for the United States Soccer Federation. He is currently enrolled at El Camino College studying child development. David believes it’s important to inspire children to explore, create, and play while developing character and values.
David is married and has one son who is an honor roll student at a school in the South Bay. He loves the outdoors and enjoys playing soccer, riding his bike, and swimming.
Substitute: Jennifer Pedrotti-Pace
Mrs. Pedrotti-Pace knew at a young age that she wanted to work with children. After graduating from high school, she earned her A.A. degree in Liberal Arts with 22 units in Child Development. She has been blessed to work at Ascension since 1999. Jennifer first worked as a preschool teacher at Ascension and is now the co-director of the School-Age Care program. She thanks God for the opportunity to work in a place where we can worship Him while teaching children.
Jennifer is Italian and Greek and grew up in San Pedro. She enjoys cooking, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her husband, family, and of course her little toy poodle “Max”.
Jennifer’s goal for the future is to teach elementary age children at a Lutheran school. She currently attends Concordia College in pursuit of her teaching degree.