310-644-0433
2043 Lomita Blvd., Lomita, CA 90717
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EXTENSION CLASS Tutor Biographies
Mrs. Leslie Bezich (Literature Based Writing (6th-8th Grades)
After graduating from UCLA, Leslie worked at Hawthorne Christian Elementary School and then landed a position at Richard Dana Middle School in San Pedro with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). When 9th grade students reconfigured to San Pedro High School (LAUSD) Leslie went with them.
After twenty years of teaching English and Journalism, Leslie worked with an online tutoring program, Progressive Learning through Compton Unified School District as well as an online website about American Presidents written for and by students. Leslie continued her teaching career teaching English and Journalism at Richardson Middle School in the Torrance Unified School District.
She has taught for forty years. She’s been mentioned in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2021. She looks forward to this new experience working with the students of Coastal Academy.
After graduating from UCLA, Leslie worked at Hawthorne Christian Elementary School and then landed a position at Richard Dana Middle School in San Pedro with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). When 9th grade students reconfigured to San Pedro High School (LAUSD) Leslie went with them.
After twenty years of teaching English and Journalism, Leslie worked with an online tutoring program, Progressive Learning through Compton Unified School District as well as an online website about American Presidents written for and by students. Leslie continued her teaching career teaching English and Journalism at Richardson Middle School in the Torrance Unified School District.
She has taught for forty years. She’s been mentioned in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2021. She looks forward to this new experience working with the students of Coastal Academy.
Mrs. Andrea Camarena (Chemistry 3rd-6th)
I'm an alumni here at Coastal. I have a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal State Fullerton. I was an art teacher for a private school in Palos Verdes for 2 years. What does Art have to do with science? Actually, mixing paints to get the right shade is a science. I started homeschooling my 4 children 5 years ago. I have also taught a few elementary science classes at Coastal's Academy Day program in addition to teaching the Elementary Biology and Physics Extension Classes the past couple of years. I have this amazing science curriculum that is easy for students to understand, hit different types of learners and of course, has a ton of hands-on experiments that explain the lesson even more. I'm looking forward to another great year exploring God's world with your students.
I'm an alumni here at Coastal. I have a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal State Fullerton. I was an art teacher for a private school in Palos Verdes for 2 years. What does Art have to do with science? Actually, mixing paints to get the right shade is a science. I started homeschooling my 4 children 5 years ago. I have also taught a few elementary science classes at Coastal's Academy Day program in addition to teaching the Elementary Biology and Physics Extension Classes the past couple of years. I have this amazing science curriculum that is easy for students to understand, hit different types of learners and of course, has a ton of hands-on experiments that explain the lesson even more. I'm looking forward to another great year exploring God's world with your students.
Miss Stefanie Camarena (Ready! Set! Learn!)
Miss Stefanie is a Cognitive Skills Specialist with over 10 years of experience working with children. She is passionate about helping young learners build confidence through engaging, hands on learning experiences. Her approach combines structured skill building with play based activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Miss Stefanie enjoys creating a supportive environment where every child can grow academically and socially while developing a strong foundation for future success.
Miss Stefanie is a Cognitive Skills Specialist with over 10 years of experience working with children. She is passionate about helping young learners build confidence through engaging, hands on learning experiences. Her approach combines structured skill building with play based activities that encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Miss Stefanie enjoys creating a supportive environment where every child can grow academically and socially while developing a strong foundation for future success.
Mrs. Dorina Hawkes (Grammar & Writing Structure 3rd-5th grades)
Dorina has loved the written word for as long as she can remember. She was both an AP and Honors English student in high school and graduated near the top of her class. She was Editor-in-Chief of her high school newspaper before choosing to pursue Journalism at Westmont College in Santa Barbara where she wrote on staff for the college paper. Upon leaving Westmont, Dorina founded, wrote for, and published her church’s newsletter for several years before moving. She is an independent blogger and has written several articles for Coastal’s Spotlight newsletter.
Dorina has been homeschooling for over 10 years and has served as Record Keeper at Coastal Academy since 2020. She is a die-hard supporter of the em dash, the Oxford comma, and good old-fashioned pen on paper. In a generation heavily reliant on AI, Dorina’s goal is to give students the foundational tools needed to spark creativity and breathe life into their writing.
Dorina has loved the written word for as long as she can remember. She was both an AP and Honors English student in high school and graduated near the top of her class. She was Editor-in-Chief of her high school newspaper before choosing to pursue Journalism at Westmont College in Santa Barbara where she wrote on staff for the college paper. Upon leaving Westmont, Dorina founded, wrote for, and published her church’s newsletter for several years before moving. She is an independent blogger and has written several articles for Coastal’s Spotlight newsletter.
Dorina has been homeschooling for over 10 years and has served as Record Keeper at Coastal Academy since 2020. She is a die-hard supporter of the em dash, the Oxford comma, and good old-fashioned pen on paper. In a generation heavily reliant on AI, Dorina’s goal is to give students the foundational tools needed to spark creativity and breathe life into their writing.
Mr. Gerry Ortiz (Robotics, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1)
My name is Gerry Ortiz. By the grace and mercy of GOD, I have been a lifelong Christian and a 20+ year member of the Branch of Hope OPC in Torrance. My experience with homeschooling goes back 25+ years as my wife and I homeschooled our 3 boys who are now all college graduates. My career experience is in the aerospace industry as an engineer/scientist and as a teacher most of my life (40+ years), particularly with NASA/JPL. I have BS/MS/PhD degrees from UCLA/UNM in engineering and physics. I am excited to tutor the next generation and look forward to meeting each of you.
My name is Gerry Ortiz. By the grace and mercy of GOD, I have been a lifelong Christian and a 20+ year member of the Branch of Hope OPC in Torrance. My experience with homeschooling goes back 25+ years as my wife and I homeschooled our 3 boys who are now all college graduates. My career experience is in the aerospace industry as an engineer/scientist and as a teacher most of my life (40+ years), particularly with NASA/JPL. I have BS/MS/PhD degrees from UCLA/UNM in engineering and physics. I am excited to tutor the next generation and look forward to meeting each of you.
Mrs. Susan Truman (Math Fluency 3rd-5th grades)
Susan has always loved math and it was by far her favorite academic field. She double majored in Business Administration and Mathematics and holds a BS from the University of Redlands. Her early years included a career in Business Management at TRW in their aerospace sector. As she moved into her parenting years, she used her business administration training leading various children and parenting ministries, special needs ministries, and organizing and leading teenage students in the production of our Coastal Academy yearbook for 16 years. She also has extensive background in graphic design for both print and digital content. She is a strong believer in honoring the order that God created in our world and longs for students to embrace math and not fear it.
Susan has always loved math and it was by far her favorite academic field. She double majored in Business Administration and Mathematics and holds a BS from the University of Redlands. Her early years included a career in Business Management at TRW in their aerospace sector. As she moved into her parenting years, she used her business administration training leading various children and parenting ministries, special needs ministries, and organizing and leading teenage students in the production of our Coastal Academy yearbook for 16 years. She also has extensive background in graphic design for both print and digital content. She is a strong believer in honoring the order that God created in our world and longs for students to embrace math and not fear it.
Coastal Academy - 2043 Lomita Blvd.. Lomita, CA 90717 - 310.644.0433 - [email protected]