Our Team

Ms. Nelson joined the FCS faculty in 2012 as a middle school science and 5th grade classroom teacher. She then transitioned to a position as Assistant Head of School in 2020 before assuming responsibilities as the Head of School in 2021. For her, the best part of school is undoubtedly spending time with the children. She also loves spending time with her four zany older siblings as much as possible.

With a passion to serve, Margalie has worn several hats during her time at FCS.  She began as a volunteer in the school library in the Fall of 2015. She was subsequently asked to come on as a substitute and after-school assistant, then Kindergarten Assistant. After serving as an assistant in kindergarten for 6 years, she was hired as lead Kindergarten Teacher in 2022.  With her passion for public service, education, and children, she earned her degree in Political Science with a minor in Education at Florida A&M University. Throughout her years here, she has dedicated herself to FCS’s mission of working to transform young minds through sound academic education with a distinctively Christian worldview.

Natalia Ortiz has been teaching for 6 years with a passion for helping children grow both spiritually and academically. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Western Governors University. She is a member of an Assembly of God church in Amityville, where she serves on the worship team. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and doing photography.

Ms. Lucy Calma has been teaching at FCS since 2020, following over 20 years' experience in the education field. Born in Italy ("My name could be pronounced LuCHEEa"), Ms. Calma exhibits the dynamic personality needed to connect with lively students, if only they can keep up!

Ms. Debbie Boodram joined the FCS faculty in the fall of 2020 and has lived in the classroom in Trinidad and here in Queens for over 20 years. She is actively involved with her family in a local church ministry. Since she loves rearranging her house, her students should be prepared for interior design changes in their classrooms!

Arriving in Spring 2024, Ms. Dixon started out assisting with the 2nd grade class for a few months and is now serving as our 5th grade teacher. Ms. Dixon studied Bible and Theology at Alliance University (Nyack College) and loves incorporating biblical truths throughout each lesson taught, pointing her class to hear and know God's voice. Fun fact, her dad attended FCS way back in the 70s. Outside of being in the classroom, she enjoys going on bike riding adventures and playing her guitar. 

Ms. Kimberly James is a dedicated educator with 13 years of experience in the field of education, including 6 years as a NYC E.L.A. teacher. With a strong Christian faith that has guided her since her teen years, Ms. James integrates values of compassion and integrity into her teaching. Passionate about literacy, she strives to instill a love of reading and writing in her students, believing that literacy is key to unlocking a world of possibilities. Through engaging lessons and a supportive classroom environment, Ms. James aims to inspire a passionate pursuit of discipleship of Jesus Christ and a lifelong appreciation for literature and learning in every student.

Arriving in fall 2022, Mr. Vallejo brings a variety of talents to our school. He teaches music to the whole school and leads chapel worship. Additionally, he will be teaching the hand chimes and Japanese Culture electives this year. His relaxed personality and high expectations make him a perfect fit for the middle school classroom.

Mr. Tom joined the school in 2024. He is a lifelong New Yorker with over seven years of teaching experience. He is married with two daughters and two beautiful grandchildren. He attends First Baptist Church of Flushing. He is our social studies teacher from middle school, and he also teaches the film and financial literacy electives. His goal is to teach social studies from a Christian worldview. 

As memorable as her math lessons are, Mrs. Feld is probably best known for modeling the gentleness of God. She has been teaching at FCS for decades, sandwiched around a hiatus of a few years. God has used her gracious wisdom to pour into students as our middle school math teacher. "But I don't teach math," she says. "I teach children using the tools of math." She certainly teaches more than math.

David Lou joined us in 2024. He graduated from Hunter College with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Sociology. He currently teaches Physical Education to all grades. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Flushing and serves as a youth leader and on the worship team. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball. 

 Mrs. Rosemarie Rodriguez is a warm and welcoming presence at Flushing Christian School, where she has been an integral part of the community since 2014. As one of the first smiling faces you’ll encounter upon arrival, she helps create a friendly and supportive atmosphere for students, families, and staff alike. Outside of school, Mrs. Rodriguez has been happily married for 30 years and cherishes spending time with her husband, daughter, and son-in-law. Her dedication to her family and her school community reflects her nurturing spirit and caring nature.  

Janet Garcia is a dedicated Admissions Coordinator with a strong background in the educational sector. Since joining FCS in 2021, she has been instrumental in streamlining the admissions process, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and welcoming experience for prospective students and their families. Her attention to detail, organizational expertise, and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset to the team. In addition to her main role, she also leads the Yearbook elective class for Middle School.

Passionate about supporting students on their educational journeys, Janet works closely with families, guiding them through each stage of the admissions process, from initial inquiry to final enrollment. Her excellent communication skills, coupled with her deep understanding of FCS's values and culture, allow her to build strong relationships with both prospective students and colleagues, creating a positive and collaborative environment.

Outside of her professional role, Mrs. Garcia is a proud mother to six children and a grandmother to six grandchildren. Her nurturing and caring nature extends beyond the classroom, making her a beloved figure within the school community.

Nimisha Baball served as Development Coordinator during the 2018–2019 school year and graciously returned to the role in October 2024. In the years between, she spent six years as PTFA President and continued to support the school wherever needed. She is also the proud mom of a recent FCS graduate. When she’s not working, showing or selling homes, caring for her parents, or cheering at her son’s track meets, she can usually be found reading or painting.

Sandra Payne started serving at FCS as a volunteer in 2012. She later started subbing in the elementary grades. She has been with our after school program since 2019. She has extensive experience working with kids. She attends First Baptist Church of Flushing and Chinese Evangelical Missions Church in Bayside. She was married for 20 years and has been widowed for 7 years. She adores her 10 year old cat Moses.

Pastor Michael was born in London, England of Barbadian and Trinidadian parents and is a citizen of three countries (Barbados, England and USA). Personally, he is committed to equipping Christians to live out their faith vibrantly in contemporary cross cultural church communities (Ephesians 2:10,14-18).

He became the lead English pastor of Chinese Evangel Mission Church of Queens in March 2018 after serving for 10 years as pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Cambria Heights. More importantly, he attended and served with FBCF for seven years and continues to maintain close ties with FBCF members and leadership including living with his cousin. He is also the former Dean of New York School of the Bible, former New York Center Director for Bethel Seminary of the East and is currently the President of the Trustee board of Flushing Christian School in Queens.

Pastor Mike graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1990 with a BBA in Accounting and Bethel University & Seminary of the East in 2007 with a Master of Divinity. 

He has been happily married to Mirna Sambula- Herbert, LCSW, Executive Director of Pastoral Counseling Center, since 2016 and is the proud father of Rebecca and Jeremy. Pastor Mike and Mirna have been blessed with two beautiful children, Zuriel and Zimran.

Anli grew up in a Christian home in Kyoto Japan to Taiwanese parents. Her family immigrated to NY when she was 8.5 years old. She grew up attending public schools. She earned her B.A. and an M.A. in Linguistics and Social Sciences and Education specializing in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Even though First Baptist Church of Flushing is her and her husband’s home church, they are currently serving at Brooklyn Christian Church, where he is the senior pastor.

She came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior in a gradual process. She has learned to serve in different capacities, such as leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday school, discipling and mentoring women.

The majority of her teaching career was spent in a middle school in Queens, as an ESL teacher/coordinator. She has also taught at Grace Christian Academy for a couple of years, and tutors periodically.

In terms of ministry, she is currently involved in consulting a Summer Day Camp, administrating and co-facilitating GriefShare Ministry, volunteering for Pastoral Counseling Center, and a Board member at FCS, serving as a Vice-President. 

Tom Murray was born in Flushing, but grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island. After graduating from Oceanside High School, he attended Manhattan College for his undergraduate studies in Mathematics. His first full time job was teaching Algebra and Geometry at LaSalle Academy, in Manhattan. He received his Masters degree in Secondary Education from Queens College, and taught math for 16 more years at the Robert F Wagner, Jr. Secondary School in Long Island City, Queens. He recently has started a second career, working on the trains, and in the train yards, of the New York City Transit Subway System, as a conductor.

He has two sons, John, age 28, and Liam, age 26. They have gone on retreats with him to Spruce Lake and Tuscarora in recent years, He also enjoys taking them to Mets games, and to pitch-and-putt golf in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. John lives in Harlem, while Liam lives in Sunnyside, Queens.

Tom’s faith journey was strongly influenced by a Bible/Prayer group that met on Friday’s at Robert F Wagner, Jr., and by a Billy Graham Crusade in Flushing in 2005.  He received the new waters of Christian baptism in 2008 at First Baptist Church of Flushing, where he has been attending for roughly the past 15 years. He gratefully serves at FBC Flushing as a Sunday school teacher and usher.

Joan Carter is a former NYC Board of Education ENL teacher who retired in January 2018. Teaching was her second career, and she served in the classroom for 17 years. Before that, she worked as an office secretary in Manhattan and then in Queens for 13 years, until stepping away to raise her two children. She currently serves on the Café team at the newest Shelter Rock Church campus in Bayside. Prior to that, she was a member of the Manhasset Campus for thirty years, where she continues to serve weekly at the food pantry. She and her husband have been married since June 1982 and are blessed with two granddaughters.