Support Staff

Meet Mrs. Ensz:

My name is Jill Ensz.  I am excited to be part of the Immanuel family as an alumni, parent, and now as a teacher.  

I grew up in Reedley and attended Immanuel High School.  After high school, I attended Fresno Pacific University where I earned my BA in Liberal Studies, as well as an elementary teaching credential.  Following that, I taught elementary school for 4 years. When my husband and I started a family a stay at home mom.  In 2023, I returned to the classroom, here at Immanuel Elementary, as an intervention aide.  I enjoy working with small groups of students and seeing them feel successful when they master new skills.

I am happily married to my husband, Doug. We live on our family’s fruit farm in Reedley with our four children Koen, Isaak, Natalie, and Julia.  In my spare time, I enjoy playing piano, cooking, and watching my kids compete in various sporting events.  

The verse that I stand on is Philippians 4:13 which says, “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” 
 

Meet Mrs. Lyon: 

Hi, I'm Sherin Lyon! My husband David and I live near Fresno with our son William, who is now also attending Immanuel. We feel incredibly blessed to be part of this Christ-centered school community where faith, learning, and family values are so beautifully woven together.

I was born and raised in Europe and earned a master's degree in Finance and Business Administration from Frankfurt Goethe and Paris Dauphine universities. After over a decade in global finance roles at General Electric (where David and I met), I stepped away from the corporate world to focus on raising William and supporting our family businesses.

I recently had the joy of serving for two years at Faith Baptist Academy in Fresno, where I provided individualized instruction to elementary students and taught high school French with an emphasis on conversation and culture. This experience deepened my appreciation for Christian education as a unique space where students can grow academically while strengthening their faith. I'm excited to serve our Immanuel SOAR JH/HS students through our individually crafted learning plans.

As a family of three (plus our goofy German Shepherd, Aslan), we love the outdoors and regularly go hiking and wilderness camping in the Sierras. At home, we enjoy cooking long (French!) dinners and spending time with family and friends.

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28: "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." It reminds me that God is sovereign and able to redeem every difficulty for His greater purpose.

Meet Mrs. Thiesen:

Hello! My name is Kate Thiesen, and I am grateful to serve as the Junior High Intervention Aide at Immanuel. My heart is to point students to their Creator and remind them that they are intentionally designed in the image of God. Because of this truth, I believe each student’s unique perspective and learning style is a gift, and I am passionate about helping them discover ways to grow and reach their full potential.

I grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon, where I spent my high school years running cross country and track while cultivating a love for drawing and painting - hobbies that continue to bring me joy today. My husband, Kurt, and I have three daughters, and we feel truly blessed to be part of the Immanuel community.

Psalm 28:7 - “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”