Our Team
Meet our team of dedicated partners and educators. Skilled at what they teach and with a love for educating students, they all practice their skills in the classroom or with years of experience in their industry.
We focus on strong academics to prepare Olive Tree students for the next step in their education and encourage them to do their best work and to aim for excellence.
More importantly than that, we care deeply for our students and their families and are invested in each student's growth and development.
Read more to learn about our hand-picked staff here to support you. Click under each of their photos to read their bios.
Learn About Our Instructors & Team
Tina Kim, Campus Director
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My philosphy: “No one cares how much you know, unless they know how much you care.”
I’ve wanted to be a teacher from a very young age and this philosophy of education has carried me through my 20 years of teaching students in all different areas of education: public, private, online, and charter schools.
As a credentialed teacher and graduate of UCLA, I have enjoyed working in the classroom for many years, and being able to empower each of my students to do their best, including my two teenage boys that I homeschooled.
Working as an Educational Facilitator for a charter school, I guided and supported homeschooling families to identify their needs and pain points.
Olive Tree Education was born out of a passion and desire to meet even more of those needs I have heard over my career: community for homeschool students, strong academics, and support for moms.
With every family that comes to us, I want to hear your story and experiences so that I can prescribe the best solution for you.
As the founder and director of Olive Tree, I am always thinking about what resources, modalities of learning, and teachers we can bring to our families, based on your students’ needs - I know that kids are not meant to just learn from a teacher and not engage with what they are doing. And you’re not meant to do this alone, without a community. I want this to a be a place where people know your name, and who you are.
I love to provide ways to enrich their developmental years and give you the resources to reach the high standards we have so that every student is prepared for the next step they need to take in their future: to be excellent at what they do, while making it interactive and fun.
It is an honor to be able to work with our wonderful families at Olive Tree Education and to be creating opportunities for homeschool families to connect, when I’m not with my husband, two teenagers and our little maltipoo.
Some of my most rewarding moments at Olive Tree have been seeing different families that reconnect with each other after not seeing each other for a long time and also those who meet new friends that they have great chemistry with. I am truly blessed to connect the dots between the people in our community and to share my knowledge with them.
My philosphy: “No one cares how much you know, unless they know how much you care.”
I’ve wanted to be a teacher from a very young age and this philosophy of education has carried me through my 20 years of teaching students in all different areas of education: public, private, online, and charter schools.
As a credentialed teacher and graduate of UCLA, I have enjoyed working in the classroom for many years, and being able to empower each of my students to do their best, including my two teenage boys that I homeschooled.
Working as an Educational Facilitator for a charter school, I guided and supported homeschooling families to identify their needs and pain points.
Olive Tree Education was born out of a passion and desire to meet even more of those needs I have heard over my career: community for homeschool students, strong academics, and support for moms.
With every family that comes to us, I want to hear your story and experiences so that I can prescribe the best solution for you.
As the founder and director of Olive Tree, I am always thinking about what resources, modalities of learning, and teachers we can bring to our families, based on your students’ needs - I know that kids are not meant to just learn from a teacher and not engage with what they are doing. And you’re not meant to do this alone, without a community. I want this to a be a place where people know your name, and who you are.
I love to provide ways to enrich their developmental years and give you the resources to reach the high standards we have so that every student is prepared for the next step they need to take in their future: to be excellent at what they do, while making it interactive and fun.
It is an honor to be able to work with our wonderful families at Olive Tree Education and to be creating opportunities for homeschool families to connect, when I’m not with my husband, two teenagers and our little maltipoo.
Some of my most rewarding moments at Olive Tree have been seeing different families that reconnect with each other after not seeing each other for a long time and also those who meet new friends that they have great chemistry with. I am truly blessed to connect the dots between the people in our community and to share my knowledge with them.
Ruth Kim, Campus Manager
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Hello! My name is Ruth Kim, and I am privileged to be the campus manager.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of California Riverside and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Southern California. To this day, I have retained my license to practice as a pharmacist but have chosen to spend the past eight years homeschooling my two children (who are now in 7th and 10th grade)! There is not a day that I regret that choice! It has been a blessing to spend those years investing in my children, and likewise, an honor to be able to invest in your children as well!
So I guess you can say that I am a pharmacist by trade, but a science enthusiast and a teacher by heart! Surely, few things give me more joy than to delve into the intricacies of the wondrous world around us and to be left marveling at the unfathomable perfection of its design! With that said, my hope this year is to engage in lots of messy, hands-on adventures with your children and to help them see their everyday world in a whole new light.
On a personal note, I am also a Sunday school teacher, wife to an amazing husband (who is also a pharmacist), and mother to two pretty awesome children! One of my favorite things to do is to travel with my family. Our goal is to visit every state together and have an adventure in each one!
Some of my favorite memories were horseback riding through the serene Montana mountains, ziplining across from Georgia to Alabama and rafting through the mighty Colorado River. ,
But on a day to day basis, you can find me drinking coffee, cleaning, cooking, or spending time with family and friends.
Thank you for taking the time to read my bio, and I hope I can have the opportunity to hear yours one day too! Stop by and say hello if you can!
Hello! My name is Ruth Kim, and I am privileged to be the campus manager.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of California Riverside and a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Southern California. To this day, I have retained my license to practice as a pharmacist but have chosen to spend the past eight years homeschooling my two children (who are now in 7th and 10th grade)! There is not a day that I regret that choice! It has been a blessing to spend those years investing in my children, and likewise, an honor to be able to invest in your children as well!
So I guess you can say that I am a pharmacist by trade, but a science enthusiast and a teacher by heart! Surely, few things give me more joy than to delve into the intricacies of the wondrous world around us and to be left marveling at the unfathomable perfection of its design! With that said, my hope this year is to engage in lots of messy, hands-on adventures with your children and to help them see their everyday world in a whole new light.
On a personal note, I am also a Sunday school teacher, wife to an amazing husband (who is also a pharmacist), and mother to two pretty awesome children! One of my favorite things to do is to travel with my family. Our goal is to visit every state together and have an adventure in each one!
Some of my favorite memories were horseback riding through the serene Montana mountains, ziplining across from Georgia to Alabama and rafting through the mighty Colorado River. ,
But on a day to day basis, you can find me drinking coffee, cleaning, cooking, or spending time with family and friends.
Thank you for taking the time to read my bio, and I hope I can have the opportunity to hear yours one day too! Stop by and say hello if you can!
Jill Apolinar, Instructor
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My name is Jill Apolinar and I am so happy to have the privilege of being a part of Olive Tree. I have been an elementary school teacher for 27 years teaching various grades from preschool through sixth grade.
I love watching young minds open up to new insights and revelations through discovery and learning. I also enjoy seeing kids achieve their potential creatively and appreciate their curiosities and questions.
My personal life consists of three daughters that I taught in the classroom and have since gone on to college and beyond. My husband and I were childhood sweethearts and have been married for 28 years. I love art, camping, gardening, and cooking. I graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Soon after, I realized that teaching was my heart’s desire and began my journey.
I am recently retired from full-time teaching but seek to continue to impact children in the way they learn and in becoming an investigator of the world around them. I can’t wait to meet your child at Olive Tree!
My name is Jill Apolinar and I am so happy to have the privilege of being a part of Olive Tree. I have been an elementary school teacher for 27 years teaching various grades from preschool through sixth grade.
I love watching young minds open up to new insights and revelations through discovery and learning. I also enjoy seeing kids achieve their potential creatively and appreciate their curiosities and questions.
My personal life consists of three daughters that I taught in the classroom and have since gone on to college and beyond. My husband and I were childhood sweethearts and have been married for 28 years. I love art, camping, gardening, and cooking. I graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Soon after, I realized that teaching was my heart’s desire and began my journey.
I am recently retired from full-time teaching but seek to continue to impact children in the way they learn and in becoming an investigator of the world around them. I can’t wait to meet your child at Olive Tree!
Felicite Badillo, Instructor
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I am really excited to teach Middle School Literature and American History! I love both of these subjects and I absolutely love middle school students. I have been fortunate enough to live, teach, and homeschool in a variety of places including Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida and now sunny Southern California.
After earning my bachelors degree in secondary education with an endorsement in English from Western Oregon University, I taught middle school language arts and history in the classroom for five years. I was a teacher who practically lived at the school because I loved my job so much!
I became a homeschool mom when my oldest child was in the first grade and I currently homeschool my three children. As a homeschooling mom, I have dug up an ant hill (and gotten bit!) to observe what happens inside, found and identified various types of shells on the beach, fed a stingray, allowed my son to have a pet snail, read aloud many, many historical fiction novels, made soap, and dissected a flower... all in the name of education.
In my spare time, I enjoy running in the early morning hours, reading, being at the beach, traveling, going on family hikes, and spending quality time with my husband and three children.
I am really excited to teach Middle School Literature and American History! I love both of these subjects and I absolutely love middle school students. I have been fortunate enough to live, teach, and homeschool in a variety of places including Oregon, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida and now sunny Southern California.
After earning my bachelors degree in secondary education with an endorsement in English from Western Oregon University, I taught middle school language arts and history in the classroom for five years. I was a teacher who practically lived at the school because I loved my job so much!
I became a homeschool mom when my oldest child was in the first grade and I currently homeschool my three children. As a homeschooling mom, I have dug up an ant hill (and gotten bit!) to observe what happens inside, found and identified various types of shells on the beach, fed a stingray, allowed my son to have a pet snail, read aloud many, many historical fiction novels, made soap, and dissected a flower... all in the name of education.
In my spare time, I enjoy running in the early morning hours, reading, being at the beach, traveling, going on family hikes, and spending quality time with my husband and three children.
Daniela Chung, Instructor
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Hi! My name is Daniela and I’m a mom of three, homeschooling for four years now and before I was a middle and high school teacher for almost ten years.
I currently have my MA in education and credentialed in math. I taught in IE/OC school districts as a middle and high school math teacher before moving to San Diego.
Then when my daughter was about to enter kindergarten, we decided for me to become a stay at home mom and try out homeschooling for fun due to my husband’s flexible work schedule. After homeschooling for a while now, we love it! We wouldn’t change a thing. As I continue to homeschool, I’m understanding more about different educational philosophies and we are currently delving into the world of Charlotte Mason.
Outside of homeschooling, we enjoy spending as much time as we can together. We enjoy camping, DIYing things around the house, playing with our three dogs and two chickens, and trying to spend much time outdoors.
Hi! My name is Daniela and I’m a mom of three, homeschooling for four years now and before I was a middle and high school teacher for almost ten years.
I currently have my MA in education and credentialed in math. I taught in IE/OC school districts as a middle and high school math teacher before moving to San Diego.
Then when my daughter was about to enter kindergarten, we decided for me to become a stay at home mom and try out homeschooling for fun due to my husband’s flexible work schedule. After homeschooling for a while now, we love it! We wouldn’t change a thing. As I continue to homeschool, I’m understanding more about different educational philosophies and we are currently delving into the world of Charlotte Mason.
Outside of homeschooling, we enjoy spending as much time as we can together. We enjoy camping, DIYing things around the house, playing with our three dogs and two chickens, and trying to spend much time outdoors.
Lisa Clemons, Instructor
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My name is Lisa Clemons, and I love teaching!!
I began working with kids when employed with the Walt Disney Company and left after getting my degree, credential, and Master's in Education.
After teaching for La Habra City School District for 10 years, I left after my younger daughter was born. During that time, I was blessed to tutor while homeschooling my daughters. Teaching math is so much fun, and I love it when I see the lightbulb go on, those “a-ha” moments, or hear “this used to be hard, but now I can do it!”
My name is Lisa Clemons, and I love teaching!!
I began working with kids when employed with the Walt Disney Company and left after getting my degree, credential, and Master's in Education.
After teaching for La Habra City School District for 10 years, I left after my younger daughter was born. During that time, I was blessed to tutor while homeschooling my daughters. Teaching math is so much fun, and I love it when I see the lightbulb go on, those “a-ha” moments, or hear “this used to be hard, but now I can do it!”
Ingrid Gruen, Instructor
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Growing up, I loved to play school with my sister and whoever joined us. We did math problems and read sentences that I had written on a chalkboard. Naturally, I grew up and became a teacher. I earned my credential from Claremont Graduate University and soon got a job in a local school district. The day I received keys to my very own classroom, I felt so proud! I was excited to organize my room and ready my lesson plans.
I left the classroom when I had my first child, but I have never left education. I now have 3 children, all of whom I have homeschooled since, I would say, birth! My first child graduated high school in December and will be attending college in the Fall. I have one child in elementary school, and the other one will soon be in high school. The best part about homeschooling my children has been the precious time we have spent together. I cherish singing hymns with them each morning and reading books with them each day!
My family and I enjoy taking road trips whenever possible. We've driven to Gettysburg, New Orleans, and Yellowstone, just to name a few. I love to see the rolling hills, meadows, farmland, the ocean, and forests as we drive. On our adventures, I love to watch birds, take hikes, and wonder at the beauty! Our country is magnificent indeed!
I look forward to teaching at Olive Tree and meeting many new families. I know it'll be a great experience.
Growing up, I loved to play school with my sister and whoever joined us. We did math problems and read sentences that I had written on a chalkboard. Naturally, I grew up and became a teacher. I earned my credential from Claremont Graduate University and soon got a job in a local school district. The day I received keys to my very own classroom, I felt so proud! I was excited to organize my room and ready my lesson plans.
I left the classroom when I had my first child, but I have never left education. I now have 3 children, all of whom I have homeschooled since, I would say, birth! My first child graduated high school in December and will be attending college in the Fall. I have one child in elementary school, and the other one will soon be in high school. The best part about homeschooling my children has been the precious time we have spent together. I cherish singing hymns with them each morning and reading books with them each day!
My family and I enjoy taking road trips whenever possible. We've driven to Gettysburg, New Orleans, and Yellowstone, just to name a few. I love to see the rolling hills, meadows, farmland, the ocean, and forests as we drive. On our adventures, I love to watch birds, take hikes, and wonder at the beauty! Our country is magnificent indeed!
I look forward to teaching at Olive Tree and meeting many new families. I know it'll be a great experience.
Niña Gruezo, Instructor
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I absolutely love teaching and enriching the lives of others.
I am passionate about challenging students to do their very best, helping others grow as responsible individuals, and seeing children and young adults truly enjoy learning.
UCLA is where I earned my BA in English Literature, and I obtained my teaching credential at Cal State Fullerton.
Before I decided to stay home with my three very energetic sons, I taught in a traditional classroom for 13 years.
I love reading, baking, and traveling, and my entrepreneurial heart led me to open my own business in wedding planning nine years ago.
I also love making memories with my family and serving my community. I am privileged and honored to be working with homeschoolers and be able to impart my love for learning to my students at Olive Tree.
I absolutely love teaching and enriching the lives of others.
I am passionate about challenging students to do their very best, helping others grow as responsible individuals, and seeing children and young adults truly enjoy learning.
UCLA is where I earned my BA in English Literature, and I obtained my teaching credential at Cal State Fullerton.
Before I decided to stay home with my three very energetic sons, I taught in a traditional classroom for 13 years.
I love reading, baking, and traveling, and my entrepreneurial heart led me to open my own business in wedding planning nine years ago.
I also love making memories with my family and serving my community. I am privileged and honored to be working with homeschoolers and be able to impart my love for learning to my students at Olive Tree.
Eunice Han, Instructor
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I am an industrial designer on the weekdays and gardener on the weekends.
I went to ArtCenter College of Design to pursue a B.S. in Product Design, and prior to that I graduated from a special school called Orange County Highschool of the Arts where I spent most of my late afternoons painting or drawing!
I find that my diverse experience in the creative world and knack for outdoor activities allow me to provide fun, out of the box experiences for young children.
As I continue to explore the beauty of nature and the impact of good design in the world, I can’t help but want to help kids experience this too.
I am excited to be working at Olive Tree to support their vision for providing a well-rounded, meaningful education for today’s youth. I value every teaching moment and personal connection made at the learning center!
I am an industrial designer on the weekdays and gardener on the weekends.
I went to ArtCenter College of Design to pursue a B.S. in Product Design, and prior to that I graduated from a special school called Orange County Highschool of the Arts where I spent most of my late afternoons painting or drawing!
I find that my diverse experience in the creative world and knack for outdoor activities allow me to provide fun, out of the box experiences for young children.
As I continue to explore the beauty of nature and the impact of good design in the world, I can’t help but want to help kids experience this too.
I am excited to be working at Olive Tree to support their vision for providing a well-rounded, meaningful education for today’s youth. I value every teaching moment and personal connection made at the learning center!
Daniel Kim, Instructor
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David Kim, Instructor
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I graduated from UC Santa Cruz and am glad to have this privilege and opportunity to educate and support homeschooling students as an instructor at Olive Tree Education.
Education is a passion of mine and it all started with one of my high school teachers inspiring me and showing me what it means to not only teach curriculum but explore passions in life!
Some other passions of mine are film and photography and writing. Watching a good movie is something I can enjoy anytime!
I graduated from UC Santa Cruz and am glad to have this privilege and opportunity to educate and support homeschooling students as an instructor at Olive Tree Education.
Education is a passion of mine and it all started with one of my high school teachers inspiring me and showing me what it means to not only teach curriculum but explore passions in life!
Some other passions of mine are film and photography and writing. Watching a good movie is something I can enjoy anytime!
David Yun, Instructor
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Hi, my name is David Yun. I am a musician, foodie, pastor, teacher, and composer. I consider myself to be an introverted leader. I love to read at home but also enjoy performing and singing on stage. I am a foodie at heart and I am not afraid to explore and taste new types of food. I have traveled to 8 different countries to help and teach children in need. I hope and plan to visit 10 more countries in the next five years. Loud music helps me concentrate better. I love teaching students music, and I always strive to help them achieve higher goals while having fun.
Hi, my name is David Yun. I am a musician, foodie, pastor, teacher, and composer. I consider myself to be an introverted leader. I love to read at home but also enjoy performing and singing on stage. I am a foodie at heart and I am not afraid to explore and taste new types of food. I have traveled to 8 different countries to help and teach children in need. I hope and plan to visit 10 more countries in the next five years. Loud music helps me concentrate better. I love teaching students music, and I always strive to help them achieve higher goals while having fun.
We Love our Olive Tree Students
