WHO WE ARE

JACOB WALLER

Director

Jacob is an alumnus of the Torrey Honors Institute and Biola University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Arts. Jacob is also pursuing an MA in Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology while developing formal logic curriculum for the Defendable Faith Institute. He has a passion to equip the next generation by preparing them to encounter the world of ideas for the cause of Christ.

ANNA BARBER

Dean

Anna Barber graduated from the Torrey Honors Institute and Biola University with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in English. Her experience of classical education began as a high school student and continued through her undergraduate education at Torrey Honors and her studies at Oxford University. Anna is passionate about learning, the life of the mind, fairy tales, poetry, and helping others cultivate a love of goodness, truth and beauty.

J.P. MORELAND

ECA Advisor & Founder and Director of Eidos Christian Center

Dr. Moreland is a distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and founder and director of Eidos Christian Center, Emmaus's partner in ministry. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, including Love Your God With All Your Mind, The God Question, and Body and Soul.

JILL BERGEN

Partnering Tutor & Curriculum Developer

Jill Bergen is a writer and educator with more than twenty years of experience in classical education. She is a perpetual member of the Torrey Honors Institute and holds a BA in History and an MA in Education with an emphasis in Philosophy of Education. She and her husband Bradley live in Whittier with their two cats.

MEGAN DEPASO

Partnering Tutor

Megan graduated from Biola University and the Torrey Honors Institute with a degree in psychology, focusing on the overlap between Christian spiritual formation, Aristotelian habit-forming, and cognitive behavioral therapy. She recently returned from living in the Dominican Republic for a year, and has settled for the time being in Brea. Within the last few months, she started her own floral design business. She drinks iced coffee regularly (usually from Philz Coffee) and her current favorite foods are either tonkotsu ramen or cinnamon rolls.

TIMOTHY LAWRENCE

Partnering Tutor

Timothy graduated from Biola University and the Torrey Honors Institute with a degree in Cinema and Media Arts (with an emphasis on Screenwriting), and although he is no longer pursuing a career in Hollywood, he still loves movies and acts as the managing editor of a movie review site. He is also a contributing writer to the FORMA Journal through the CiRCE Institute.

JD NEAL

Partnering Tutor & Advisor

J.D. Neal is a pastor and educator who loves helping young folks grow up into wise, humble, and vivacious thinkers and Christian adults. He is a perpetual member of the Torrey Honors Institute and holds a BA in Biblical & Theological Studies and an MA in Theology. Previously, he was the Director of Torrey Academy, where he fell in love with classical education in the high school classroom. He and his wife live in a Christian community-house in Whittier with two cats and many friends. When he's not teaching for Emmaus, he can probably be found working with Wheatstone Ministries, roasting coffee, or trying to find a quiet place to read.

ALYSSA ROONEY

Partnering Tutor

Alyssa is a Torrey and Biola alumna with a degree in Biology. She met her husband, Lukas, at Biola while he was part of the film program. They love to travel and see their families. Her favorite topics to discuss are psychology, science, medicine, art, and philosophy. She loves organization and aesthetics, and is excited to learn all about her students’ fantastic personalities and quirky interests!