Lucas Fitzgerald, Principal | Email | Mr. Fitzgerald's page

Lucas Fitzgerald has been at Pacific Lutheran High School for the past nine years.  He recently accepted a Call to be the Principal of Pacific Lutheran following his previous tenure as Athletic Director and Assistant Principal.  He has taught Theology, American Literature, British Literature, and English II over the years and continues to teach a few Theology classes as principal.  He has been married for seven years to his beautiful wife Erin and was recently blessed with a new daughter Christy Grace. 

Mr. Fitzgerald graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 1997 with a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Writing. He received his California State Teaching credential and Lutheran teaching certificate in 1999, followed by his M.A. in Reformation Theology in 2001 from Concordia University, Irvine.  He has since had the opportunity to engage in  postgraduate studies at Biola University and in Strasbourg, France in the field of Christian Apologetics - a love of his.

Debbi Knauft | Email | Mrs. Knauft's page

Mrs. Knauft has been teaching at PLHS since 2000. She currently teaches General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Geometry. Mrs. Knauft graduated from Valparaiso University with majors in Biology and Chemistry. She also graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Medical Technology. Mrs. Knauft brings to PLHS experience in clinical lab science, biomedical research, and biotechnology; as well as home school and Montessori teaching experience. She is doing graduate studies at Biola University in Organizational Leadership. Mrs. Knauft and her husband, Rev. Jess Knauft, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Redondo Beach, have been blessed with two children: Lisa, who attends the United States Naval Academy, will become a commissioned officer in 2009; and Andrew who is a senior in high school.

Gale McKim | Email | Mr. McKim's page

A Southern California native, Mr. McKim graduated from Los Angeles Lutheran High School. He received his bachelors degree from Concordia University in River Forest, Ill. and his Masters Degree at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Ca. He taught at Christ Lutheran School in Rancho Palos Verdes for 27 years. Mr. McKim has been at PLHS since 2003, and now teaches Pre-Algebra and Religion.

Mike Nickolai | Email | Mr. Nickolai's page

Mr. Nickolai graduated from Concordia University in Irvine California in 2001 where he was engaged in the Theater Department as well as the education program. Mr. Nickolai teaches Calculus, Math Analysis, Algebra I & II, Physics and Drama. He has been teaching at PLHS since 2002 and has completed his Masters in Education at Concordia.

Rebekah Steffens | Email | Mrs. Steffen's page

Mrs. Steffens graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, where she got a taste for mission work during a summer trip to Northern Ireland. Following graduation, she taught at a Lutheran high school in Slovakia, where she met her husband, Kevin. They spent two years in Hong Kong, before coming to California to teach. She has been at PLHS since 2002 and currently teaches Journalism.

Kevin Steffens | Email | Mr. Steffen's page

Mr. Steffens received his Masters Degree in TESOL and has taught at the secondary and university level for twelve years. He has taught internationally and brings a strong list of talents to Pacific Lutheran High School.

Joanne Gonzalez | Email | Ms. Gonzalez's page

Ms. Gonzalez comes to us from South Bay Lutheran High School where she has been on the faculty for 20 years.

Wesley Bareford | Email | Mr. Bareford's page

Mr. Bareford graduated from Pacific Lutheran High School as valedictorian in 2003. He is a recent graduate of Concordia University, Irvine with a B.A. in Theology. He is looking forward to his second year of teaching at his alma-mater.