Rev. Jacob Hsieh, O.Praem
School Rector
Father Jacob was born in Dallas Texas and went to Mary Immaculate School from kindergarten until eighth grade. He then went to Jesuit College Preparatory School in Dallas and was inspired by his sophomore religion teacher there to see the power and beauty of the Catholic faith. He convinced him to go to Thomas Aquinas College in California, where he studied the classics there and found a beautiful Catholic community that was serious about Catholic education and the Faith. After graduating from Thomas Aquinas College, he entered Saint Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, where he studied philosophy and went on to study theology in Toronto at St. Philip’s Seminary with the Oratorians. He spent his last year of theology in Rome studying music and Gregorian Chant. While a deacon in Rome, Father Jacob sang the Exultet at St. Peter’s Basilica for Pope Francis during Easter. He came back to California, was ordained a priest, and was immediately sent to San Pedro to be the chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor. He also took care of the high school choir at Mary Star High School and taught Latin and Religion there for seven years. He has joined us as SPPS Rector and shares his musical talents with the students!
Nancy Kuria
Principal
Nancy Kuria grew up in Kenya, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education, with an emphasis in History and a minor in Economics at Kenyatta University, and received her graduate degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nairobi. After moving to California, she earned her Clear California Multiple‐Subject Credential from Hope International University. She is a certified counselor and has experience working with college students as an adviser in greater Los Angeles. She served in public and private schools (grades K-12), both in Kenya and California, as a Teacher (in Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies) and Athletic Director (Basketball, Swimming, Tennis). She has served as Principal of SPPS since 2008, advancing the school’s growth through fundraising, renovations, and new programming. In this capacity, she has also been a leader in the broader Wilmington community. In her time away from work, Nancy enjoys sports and travel adventures.
Nicole Campazzie
Dean of Students
Director of Marketing and Development
Nicole Campazie was born and raised in Torrance, California. She attended Catholic School and always wanted to be a teacher. She received her B.A. in History with a Marketing minor from CSU, Long Beach. She received her Elementary and E.C. Montessori Teaching Credentials from St. Nicholas College in London, UK. After teaching Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten, she earned a CA Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University in Orange and began working at SPPS. She received her Master’s of Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. After teaching 2nd Grade at SPPS for 8 years, she became full-time Dean of Students and Director of Marketing and Development. When she is not at SPPS, Ms. Campazzie enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, hiking, traveling and watching the Dodgers win.
Lily Licea
Office Administrator
Lily has lived in Wilmington her entire life and has always been a parishioner of Sts. Peter & Paul Church. She received her B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Human Resources from the CSU Dominguez Hills. She worked in the banking industry and the parish, before transitioning to work at Sts. Peter and Paul School. Lily has been an instructor for Maestro en Casa, taught home economics classes during the summer enrichment programs, and started a young girl’s group that focused on etiquette and serving our Lord. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and baking.
Jasmine Lopez
TK Teacher
Jasmine Lopez is from Long Beach, California. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Mount Saint Mary’s University in May 2021. She plans to begin on obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University during the Spring 2023. Jasmine has always had a passion for teaching children. She believes that a classroom should be a warm, welcoming, and productive environment where each student feels loved and encouraged to learn and explore. This is her first year at SPPS and first year teaching in TK. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Georgette Whitlinger-Rodrigues
Kindergarten Teacher
Georgette Whittlinger Rodrigues was born and raised in Long Beach, California. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Teaching Credential, and Master’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She taught 1st grade, Kindergarten, and was a Resource Specialist before she met her husband, Yuri, and moved to England. She lived in England for 17 years raising 3 children. Georgette also worked 2 part time jobs, one in a grocery store, and the other in a school as a teacher assistant. She is an avid baker and had a business from home making cakes for friends. Georgette returned to CA with her family in 2017 and has been teaching Kindergarten for the past 3 years. She loves to visit the Redwoods and ocean in her spare time. Georgette’s joy comes from her faith, family, friends, and teaching Kindergarten.
Patricia Noriega
1st Grade Teacher
Patricia Noriega was in business until 2003 then decided to pursue a teaching career. She has taught at Saint Peter and Paul School for 9 years as the 1st Grade teacher. She received an AA at Marymount in Palos Verdes, California and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. Patricia received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master of Arts in Education at the University of Phoenix. She received a Certificate of Completion in Technology Integration Specialist from Loyola Marymount University. When she is not teaching, Patricia enjoys spending time with her family (especially her granddaughter), friends, movies, and reading (which helps encourage the same love of reading in her SPPS students).
Briana Mirkovich
2nd Grade Teacher
Briana Mirkovich has been teaching 2nd Grade for four years at Saints Peter and Paul School. Briana grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She received her Master’s in Special Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles May 2021. Briana believes that success in education is about building relationships and helping her students grow. When she is not teaching, Briana loves to be outdoors, spend time with her family and friends, travel, and read.
Kimberly Buehlmann
3rd Grade Teacher
Kimberly Buehlmann was born and raised in Buffalo, New York; known as “The City of Good Neighbors” and home to the Buffalo Bills. A proud East Coaster, Kimberly spent her undergraduate years studying at SUNY Buffalo State where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. As a junior, she had the opportunity to volunteer for a year as an AmeriCorps ABLE. Kimberly is now in the PLACE corps program at LMU obtaining her Master’s in Education. She now teaches 3rd grade at SPPS. In her free time, Kimberly enjoys hiking, soccer, playing the flute and relaxing on the beach. She has also spent several years volunteering as a youth soccer coach.
Dorian Lindeman
4th Grade Teacher
Dorian Lindeman was born and raised in San Pedro, CA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development at California State University, Los Angeles in 2020. She then continued her education and attended Pepperdine University where she obtained her Master’s in Teaching along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in 2021. Having an extensive background in child development provides her with an understanding of social-emotional awareness and cognitive proficiency, which is implemented in her classroom. She believes that the classroom environment should be safe, nurturing, and supportive where students are able to show their individual talents, intelligence, and strengths. When she is not teaching, Dorian loves to travel, hike, and spend time with her family and friends. She loves her Fourth-Grade class and is blessed to be a part of the SPPS family.
Denise Doane
5th Grade Teacher
Denise Doane is a Long Beach native. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies and a second BA in Literature. It was also at CSULB that she received her Master’s Degree and multiple subject teaching credential. Denise enjoys taking on new adventures with different groups of students from TK to high school, and has been working in education since 2007. She is currently teaching 5th Grade and SPPS. Denise loves spending time with her three rescue dogs Sam, Max, and Lola. She also loves reading, traveling, and going to the beach.
Amaris Lopez
English Language Arts Teacher- 6th, 7th and 8th Grades
Amaris Lopez was raised in Wilmington and is a proud alumna of Saints Peter and Paul School. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. Her teaching career at SPPS began in 2015 as a short and long-term substitute for various grades, and taught TK for the past three years. She is now the 6th Grade homeroom and Middle School ELA teacher. She is working towards a Master’s degree in Education Leadership where she will focus her passion in helping to improve reading programs in schools. When Ms. Lopez is not at work, she enjoys being outdoors at the beach, hiking, traveling, trying new restaurants, reading and painting.
Alexander Lara
Religion and Social Studies- 6th, 7th and 8th Grades
Alexander Lara has been a Wilmington native his whole life. He attended Saints Peter and Paul school from 1st through 8th grade and went on to attend Bishop Montgomery in Torrance. In 2007 he began attending CSU Dominguez Hills following his father’s footsteps in graduating with a degree in Social Studies/History. He worked as a substitute teacher in local schools before returning to SPPS as teacher in 2013. Outside of the classroom, Alexander’s interests include competing in Brazilian Jiu jitsu and judo, coaching sports such as wrestling and cross country, creating 3-D models, and photography.
Lauren Perez
Math and Science Teacher- 6th, 7th and 8th Grades
Dean of Academics
Lauren Perez has been teaching at Saints Peter and Paul School for the last five years. She taught 3rd grade for four years and now teaches math and science to Grades 6-8, and is the school’s STEM Director. Lauren was born and raised in Hacienda Heights. She attended Santa Clara University obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Santa Clara University. She then moved back to Los Angeles and enrolled in Loyola Marymount’s PLACE Corps program to attain her Master’s in Elementary Education and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She strives to increase students’ love of learning through engaging, collaborative and thought-provoking lessons. Lauren is also the Dean of Academics, supporting teachers and students with curriculum. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys exploring the Los Angeles area by hiking, playing sports, and spending time with her family and friends.
Adrian Johnson
PE Teacher and Coach
Coach Johnson has spent most of his career in afterschool childcare at Boys and Girls Clubs. He has served in the Harbor Community for over 15 years. He was the head coach for P.O.L.A. High School’s girls’ basketball team and has coached at his alma mater- San Pedro High School. Coach Johnson brings over 30 years of coaching experience to SPPS. He is the PE Teacher for all grades, is the Athletic Director, and coaches many of our teams. He is a valuable part of the SPPS team!
