Gavin Keller, School Director
Gavin Keller has been employed in an administrative role at Journey since 2013. He currently manages all aspects of the school’s operations including faculty, staff, and student relations. Mr. Keller also oversees the curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the daily operation of the school.
Mr. Keller first came to Journey in 2009 as a main class teacher, leading his class through 5th, 6th and 7th grade. Previously, he taught 5th grade for several years at Dapplegray Elementary in Palos Verdes, California. In the interim of the two roles at Journey School, he was employed as an Assistant Director in Student Affairs at University of California, Irvine. Mr. Keller holds an Administrative Services Credential, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a Masters Degree in Education and B.A. degrees in Psychology and Communication.
Shelley Kelley, Education Director
Mrs. Kelley joined the Journey Faculty in 2011 and feels it is a great honor to lead as an Education Director. Before teaching at Journey School, Ms. Kelley was an educator for 12 years after completing undergraduate studies in philosophy at the University of Portland. She then went on to earn a Master’s Degree and Teaching Credential from Lewis and Clark. Ms. Kelley also possesses a Teacher Certification in Waldorf Education.
In 2014, Mrs. Kelley was honored by The Wyland Foundation, Toyota, and KCBS2/KCAL9 as an “Earth Month Hero.” She was one of only five Southern California teachers selected for inspiring students through environmental education.
Mary Luhrs, Director of Student Services
Ms. Luhrs joined Journey School in 2023 as our new Director of Student Services. Ms. Luhrs comes with 13 years of experience in education from Orange Unified School District. Ms. Luhrs holds a BA degree, Masters Degree in Education with a focus in Online Learning, Single subject teaching credential, Administrative credential, and currently finishing her Masters in School Counseling.
In the interim of her current position Ms. Luhrs managed her family’s global distribution business along with running her own design business.
Amanda Simmons, Independent Study Director
Before arriving at Journey, Amanda Simmons was a standout First Grade teacher within the Capistrano Unified School District. Mrs. Simmons earned her BA in Liberal Arts from SDSU as well as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSU Fullerton. She also possesses a Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, as well as a Master’s Degree and Administrative Credential in Educational Leadership. Additionally, Ms. Simmons possesses a Teaching Certificate in Waldorf Education from Steiner College.
Mrs. Simmons is proud to be the Administrator of Journey’s Independent Study program. Mrs. Simmons feels that her experience teaching Grades 1-6 at Journey School has given her invaluable insight into Waldorf Education and makes her especially qualified to mentor parents and students in the K-5 Independent Study program.
In her free time, Mrs. Simmons loves spending time with her husband, their two daughters, extended family, and friends. She especially likes to go to the beach with her dogs, crafting, traveling and reading good books.
Larry Tamayo, Financial/Business Consultant
Mr. Tamayo works with ExED, a non- profit provider of business services for charter schools in Southern California. He oversees the business operations for San Diego and Orange County charter school clients, which includes supervising finances, payroll, human resources, compliance, and general operations. Prior to leading ExED’s San Diego office, Mr. Tamayo was the School Development Coordinator and a Compliance Analyst in ExED’s Los Angeles office. He previously worked as a program coordinator at the Atlantic Community Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Tamayo earned an M.A. in public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles and a B.A. in criminology, law and society at the University of California, Irvine.
