BOARD OF EDUCATION
Our Board of Education is the governing body of Salem School. Five members are elected on a rotating basis. This team is responsible for administering the majority of the school's affairs. The Pastor also serves as a voting member of the Council.
CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Sarah Woody
Salem is a second home to our family of five. We have three children at Salem Lutheran School, an amazing church home here and wonderful connections to some of the most amazing families God could bless us to know. It is my honor to serve as a volunteer at Salem - currently as a Board of Education member, and previously on Principal and Teacher Call Committees, the PTL Board, serving lunch at school/church BBQs, as a Room Parent and in our fabulous teachers' classrooms.
My professional background is in marketing and communications, with emphasis in the healthcare sector. I currently own and operate a marketing agency that specializes in helping physicians, hospitals and health systems market their services to the public.
What I love most about serving on the Board of Education at Salem is really what I love about Salem in general - the invested people. I've never known a more committed, God-loving and inspiring group of individuals - from teachers and staff to church members and school families.
My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. It's the first Bible verse I ever wholly memorized as a child and one that still serves as a constant reminder of our mighty God's infinite love for us all.
Mariann Raymond
I visited the Salem campus in 1986 after hearing positive feedback from friends in the community. I was looking for an academically sound program in a positive and loving environment for our two youngest children. After interviewing the founding principal, both my heart and my mind told me this was going to be the answer to my prayers. Our son, Grant, would enter as a 4th grader and our youngest daughter, Amanda, would be a kindergartener. (Our oldest daughter, Lisa, was already attending Lutheran High.) My decision, made almost effortlessly and with a great degree of confidence in my choice, turned out to be a true blessing to our family through the years. We have gained many enduring friendships through Salem Lutheran School and Church over the years. One of our many blessings is that our son, Grant, met his childhood sweetheart at Salem and today they are married and have three children! Salem helped to launch our kids into satisfying careers. Grant is a Certified Financial Planner and Amanda is Associate Director of Partnership UCLA. Our oldest daughter, Lisa, is a mother of three and has made a career in real estate.
I taught third and fourth grade in the public school system when I first graduated from college. In 1991, I became a full time teacher at Salem, teaching the 5th grade until I retired in 2008. I was so blessed to have been able to spend 17 years helping to shape and encourage students to live up to their God given potential.
I am delighted and honored to be a part of Salem’s Board of Education. Salem has enriched my life in so many ways. I am thankful for all my experiences inside as well as outside the classroom over the years. I know how important it is for each and every student to have a safe yet challenging environment where they can strengthen and develop their academic skills as well as grow their faith as they discover their God given talents.
One of my most favorite bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11 - “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It is my prayer that God continues to guide Salem students, parents, teachers, and board members in all matters throughout the days ahead. To God be the glory!
Chrissy Stephens
My Salem journey began in 2010 when we enrolled our oldest son in preschool at Salem. We immediately knew Salem was a special place where the teaching staff had a love for my child and for Jesus. We’ve been blessed to have continued our Salem journey ever since. Currently we have a 6th grader and a 2nd grader attending Salem. Our oldest graduated 8th grade at Salem last year and is now attending Crean Lutheran. I have had the opportunity to serve as a room mom, volunteer in the library, help serve hot lunch and serve on PTL.
My family became Salem Church members in 2014. I have been involved in children’s ministry - teaching Sunday School, organizing church events and volunteering at Vacation Bible School.
I have a background in Communications PR and spent time working for Tustin Unified School District before choosing to stay at home with our three children.
One of my favorite bible verses is Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I find great joy in knowing that we can give our worry fully to God and He will fill us with His peace.
Scott Hemmeter
My family started our Salem journey in 2017 with our daughter Karly attending 6th grade and our son William in Junior Kindergarten. We were looking for a school that provides a strong, Christ-centered education and were pleased to find that in Salem. We were especially drawn to the wonderful feeling of family and community that Salem provides. Karly is now in high school and William is in 3rd grade. It has been amazing to see how Salem has flourished over the last few years under the leadership of Principal Sheets. I am looking forward to seeing this continue as William experiences Salem through 8th grade.
I graduated from the University of Illinois (go Illini!) with an accounting degree. However, my professional life has primarily been in internet and enterprise technology. After over a decade in consulting, I started a company that builds apps on the Salesforce technology platform and have been an executive there since 2010.
I am excited to be serving Salem as a member of the board. I plan to be positive, objective, and thoughtful in my contributions and am excited to be a part of such a great group. I want Salem to strive for excellence, serve all students and their families well, and never lose sight of delivering a strong, Christ-centered education.
It’s difficult to pick just one favorite bible verse, so I’m going to choose two. Psalms 118:8 is often referred to as the center of the bible and it says “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man”. That is such simple and clear advice yet it is so easy for us all to forget this. My other favorite is the last verse of Matthew, 28:20 where Jesus gives his parting words “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”.
Ali Uniack
The Uniack family of five has been part of the Salem community since 2015. We cherish the close knit school, Church and community that Salem Lutheran provides.
I was raised in Orange County and graduated from Santa Clara University in 2001. Before staying home with my kids, I worked 15 years in the hotel industry for Hyatt Hotels in the Seattle area along with Ayres Hotel Group locally. The Hospitality industry helped me develop listening skills and problem solving - which I anticipate putting to good use in my role as a Board member.
My husband, Alex, and I married in 2009 and are blessed with three children who all attend Salem Lutheran.
I am eager to serve a school that has re-ignited my faith and provided immense support to my family and I through my journey the past few years.
My favorite worship song is “See The Light” by TobyMac. I invite you to listen to that song and see why.
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