Dr. Alex Lin started his education career focusing on providing health and educational services to impoverished communities including resourcing schools for 12 million people living in rural villages of Nepal. He has extensive experience as a credentialed elementary and social studies teacher (secondary level) with over a decade of teaching experience in California. His goal is to prepare and equip the next generation of trauma-informed, compassionate teachers.

Dr. Seon Chun-Burbank has been in the field of Early Childhood Education over 20 years as a full-time faculty member and an administrator in three higher education institutions, a pre-K teacher, a consultant, and a researcher.

She is actively engaged in the professional community, presenting nationally and internationally, conducting research, co-chairing conferences, and volunteering for various professional and community-based non-profits. Born-again Christian during her college years, Dr. Chun-Burbank believes that VU is her mission field where she can share God’s love and grace with others. 

Professional Organizations

Board Member, Association for Constructivist Teaching, Fall 2022 - present.

Advisory Board Member, Iowa Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education, Fall 2022 - present.

Executive Board Member, Treasurer of the California Association for the Education of Young Children,  2019 - 2022.

Council Member, Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council, Spring 2019 - Summer 2022.

Dr. Joanne Van Boxtel joined Vanguard in 2023 and is a proud alumnae. She was a special education teacher and teacher leader in the Long Beach Unified School District for 14 years and she has over a decade of experience in higher education teacher preparation. Her pursuit of vocation as mission led her to opportunities to provide training on inclusive education to teachers and specialists in Romania and El Salvador. 

She is honored to equip Vanguard students who will teach and serve individuals with disabilities and their families with compassion and expertise. She is grateful to be a member of the Vanguard community and for the opportunity to integrate faith and teaching.

Jennifer Jagerson came to the field of education out of the recognition that it is one of the most profound ways to engage the next generation for their growth and flourishing.  

Prior to coming to Vanguard, she had the privilege of working among marginalized populations in urban ministries in the US and India and as a teacher in the CA public school system.  Her doctoral studies focused on pedagogies that harness the biblical narratives to bring significant transformation in rural communities in southwest Ethiopia.  

Renée graduated from Vanguard (SCC) and began her career in law enforcement as a Crime Scene Investigator for the City of Costa Mesa. In 1996, she felt the Lord calling her to make a radical change and pursue a career in teaching. She began her educational career working at Coastline ROP as a criminal justice instructor. 

She then worked for Capistrano Unified, where she served as a classroom teacher and a TOSA in the district’s Induction Program. In 2005, she joined Vanguard as an adjunct professor and has taught several courses both in the credential program and the MA Core.

She is a member of the OCC GATE consortium, where she supports educators across Orange County. Renée is the founder and principal of Kingdom Life Academy, a learning center for K-12th grade students that supports families in the education of their children. She is passionate about educating, equipping, and empowering others to shape culture through education for the glory of God. She is currently working toward earning her Doctorate of Education (EdD) degree from Regent University.

Dr. Rebecca Spady is currently the lead MA faculty responsible for the MA program and coursework taught in Vanguard’s School of Education. Dr. Spady guides MA candidates in developing skills to become teacher-researchers and teacher-leaders. Dr. Spady teaches on-campus courses as well as online courses and has a passion for the use of formative assessment in all teaching environments.

Her doctoral dissertation focused on the relationship of formative assessment to student achievement and self-efficacy during online instruction. Over 10 years ago, Dr. Spady played a key role in jumpstarting the online MA Core component in the School of Education. Dr. Spady also works with doctorate in education students as a dissertation chair or committee member.

Previously, Dr. Spady worked as an elementary teacher. She received her multiple-subject teaching credentialing and master’s degree from Vanguard University. Dr. Spady seeks to support each of her students throughout their MA journey.

Nathan is a higher education professional with experience in academic advising, program management, and counseling. He is passionate about helping students to accomplish their academic goals. Nathan comes from a family of public-school teachers and has great respect for those in the teaching profession. His interests include spending time with his family, writing and performing music, children’s ministry work, and cooking. He is graduating in Spring 2024 with a Doctorate of Education (EdD) from Cal State University, Long Beach.