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Our Teachers.

This is Our Team of Teachers. Each unique in the way we engage students in their work, but all of us with the same passion to serve Jesus by teaching the children in our community. Our music teacher, Joani Baker also known as Gmama, is an expert in a things music, she is passionate about her field of expertise and the students love her. Shauni Whyte is our new Physical Education teacher and Office Administrator. She is gifted in teaching healthy living for the mind, body, and spirit as well as organizing and communicating the needs of our school. She is fun-loving and has a heart of service. Celeste Mays is the visionary of the school and has experience in teaching children of multiple grades and bringing a classroom to life. To learn more about each teacher and their specific background clip on their pictures below. 

About Celeste Mays.

Celeste and husband are High School Sweethearts; they started dating their senior year of high school. They have been married for 14 years and as such have faced many challenges in their lives, but Glory be to our Heavenly Father because He has always worked it out for their good. School, a love of music, and a desire to have a family of their own is what brought them together. 

 

They are so excited to be able to share what they believe God's vision is for our community in supporting Godly marriages, families, and our community through an impactful educational experience that is trustworthy, reliable, and fun.

They hope to grow and fellowship with like minded families and also reach out to others whose desire is to know God alongside believers who want to do the same. 

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Qualifications
Celeste is a mama of two children, but her love of teaching originally stemmed from being the oldest of 9 children. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from The College of Idaho. She holds a current certification in Idaho to teach K-8 and Literacy Education K-12. She is also a native Spanish speaker. ​

Experience 

  • Homeschooling her children 2022-2023.

  • Kindergarten Teacher for Greenleaf Friends Academy for the 2021-2022.

  • Early Learning Advisory Committee Member of the Notus-Parma Preschool Development Grant (PDG) collaborative for Notus Elementary School in Notus, ID in 2021.

  • Pre-K teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in Caldwell, ID during the 2019-2020​ school year. During Covid, she opened her home to family and friends one day a week to "do school" for preschoolers. 

  • 1st grade teacher at Notus Elementary in Notus, ID from 2015-2017.​

  • Special Education Assistant for Riverview Academy in Caldwell, ID 2014-2015.

  • Faith

  • Family

  • Community

  • Outdoors

  • ​Music/Art/Dance

  • Education

Interests & Hobbies

About Shauni Whyte.

She was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Shauni and her husband have been married for 10 years and experienced many different seasons in that time. They have always desired a different lifestyle and moved their family to Idaho in 2021. She is passionate about performing arts, health, and lifelong learning, which is what led her to teach physical education. Her love for performing arts and teaching started at a young age as she watched her mother make a big impact on many lives she taught. She began performing professionally at age 9.

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Qualifications

Shauni graduated in 2011 from Cal State Fullerton’s competitive Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical Theatre program, where she had the privilege of performing in several shows in Los Angeles, CA. Shauni's love for dance inspired her teaching credential in Physical Education.  She also holds a current Idaho State Teaching Credential in Physical Education for k-12 in addition to a Master of Arts in Teaching from San Diego Christian College. Their family is so thankful for where God has perfectly placed them and they are excited to be a part of Cornerstone Community Schoolhouse.

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Experience

  • Teaching and running the physical education dance program at Valhalla High School in San Diego, CA from 2014 to 2021

  • California Association for Physical Education, Recreation & Dance-Dance Educator of the Year 2020

  • East County Friends of The Arts-Grossmont Union High School District VAPA Teacher Of The Year 2019

  • Teaching and running the physical education dance program at El Capitan High School in San Diego, from 2013 to 2014

  • Choreographing and coaching dance at several high schools in the Grossmont Union High District 2011-2013

  • Running the youth program at Summit Church San Diego alongside my husband from 2012 to 2015

Interests & Hobbies

  • Her Family

  • Worship

  • Dance

  • All Things Baking Sourdough

  • Homesteading 

  • Musical Theater

  • Education

About Joani Baker.

Joani was born and raised in Jamestown N.Y.. She started performing at the age of 5 on WBEN TV in Buffalo N.Y.. God placed a love for Music and Dance in her heart at a young age and she has been a performer/teacher ever since. She has one son and one daughter and two grandchildren who are the loves of her life. Joani's performing life took her from upstate N.Y. to Kansas City Mo., and to San Diego, CA.

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Qualifications

Joani has a current license to teach Music, K-12 in the State of Idaho. Joani's career of teaching has spanned over 50 years, including teaching, performing, and directing while running her own dance & piano studio. She has worked with many celebrities and directed many shows, including ones at Disney. Her reputation is astronomical. She has won numerous awards such as, "Teacher of the Year and Choreographer of the Year". God has truly blessed us with this gifted and talented teacher. Her passion has become the heart of our school. 

 

Experience

  • BFA from the University of Missouri Conservatory of Arts in Kansas City, MO. 

  • MFA Degree in Dance, Music, and Musical Theatre from the highly acclaimed United States International University. 

  • Studied dance with Hanya Holm at Colorado College. 

  • Studied music at Fredonia State Teachers College in N.Y.

  • Studied music at Chautauqua Institute in N.Y.

  • Graduate work at San Diego State, Fresno Pacific Uni., Chapman College, Uni., of San Diego, University of the Pacific.

Hobbies & Interests

  • Knitting & Crocheting 

  • Playing instruments; her current passion is the banjo

  • Playing & Educating her grandkids about all things Music

  • Watching her daughter raise her family

  • Talking with her beloved son over the phone

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