Prior to coming to ILS, Dr. Buster served as the Director of Professional Development at a nearby school district. Also, previously, Dr. Buster served on Immanuel's Board of Directors, for two terms with the second term as President. She has historically supported ILS with WASC by serving in an advisory capacity since 2014. She is a lifelong Christian worshipping in Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod churches. Dr. Buster graduated from Christ College, Irvine (now Concordia University, Irvine) . She served seven years teaching in two Lutheran Elementary Schools. She earned a master’s degree from Cal State LA and doctoral degree from the University of La Verne. She holds both a Multiple Subject and a Special Education teaching credential. She lives in Riverside with her husband of 40 years. Her two daughters, son-in-law and two grandchildren live less than 4 miles from her, as well. Sharing the Gospel and love for Jesus in all settings throughout her life have been a blessing.
Dr. Sue Buster
Principal
Valerie Thompson
Preschool Director
Valerie joins our Immanuel family with 20 years of experience in the child development field. She comes to us from the University of California, Riverside Early Childhood Services where she has served as a teacher of infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, and school age children.
As she steps into this role as our preschool director, we would ask that you would extend to her every welcome as she gets to know us and our preschool better. We pray that the Lord would bless her and her work in our preschool, as we also pray that the Lord would bless all our work as we serve the families of our community as Immanuel Lutheran.
As she steps into this role as our preschool director, we would ask that you would extend to her every welcome as she gets to know us and our preschool better. We pray that the Lord would bless her and her work in our preschool, as we also pray that the Lord would bless all our work as we serve the families of our community as Immanuel Lutheran.
Ali farnan
Administrative Assistant
Ali has served in various roles at Immanuel over the years, including preschool teacher, church secretary, and currently, Administrative Assistant. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2011 with degrees in Liberal Studies and Child & Adolescent Development and, later, Santa Ana College with a degree in Speech Language Pathology Assisting. She has worked with children in educational and private practice settings and has a passion for helping others. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and being an auntie to her six nieces and nephews.