Our team is made up of dedicated and caring staff that is committed to student success. We foster a positive learning environment and our small class sizes allow us to support students’ individual needs- strengthening skills that have not yet developed while also nurturing skills and talents they already have. We are so excited that God has allowed us the opportunity to partner with families in Alief and in the surrounding areas to educate their children spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.
Eva Portillo
Headmaster / Director
Along with her husband, Pastor Oseas Portillo founded Tabernaculo Cristiano Torre Fuerte in 1999. She has been married for 33 years. She has three children and two grand kids. She worked for Alief ISD for over 9 years in the capacity of Office Administrator.
Eva lives as an example of Christian faith and brings spiritual development experience with nearly three decades of leadership experience. Along with strong student and family guidance, Eva specializes in Christian growth and development for the whole community to better enable them to lead as the next generation of leaders.
Her current position is Sunday School Director. She is very passionate about Christian education and has been a Sunday school teacher for over 25 years.
Katherine Barrera
Teacher/ Campus Life
Kathy has always had a passion for serving and child development. She studied at Houston Baptist University and is a certified crisis intervention counselor. Kathy has worked both in the children’s ministry and youth ministry at Tabernaculo Cristiano Torre Fuerte since 2010. Kathy’s oldest daughter was born at 23 weeks and needed supervised intentional care so Kathy learned and worked closely with an occupational therapist and a physical therapist to help close milestone gaps for over 2 years. Before joining STCA, she was part of a cooperative homeschooling group and led student activities with kids aged 3 to 9 years old, additionally, Kathy formally homeschooled for the 3 years. Her goal is to help other children seek and develop a strong relationship with God from an early age.
Illiana Guzman
Executive Officer – Teacher
liana Guzman has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Houston. She has been serving at TCTF as a volunteer Sunday school teacher for more than 10 years – ranging ranging ages from 7 to 12.
Iliana enjoys working with kids and has a passion for teaching the word of God.
She believes that is important for Christian parents to ensure their child receives an education that is rooted in bible principles using God’s Word as the foundation.
Merlyn Lopez
Executive Officer – Teacher
Merlyn Lopez has a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. She graduated from Houston Christian University , May of 2015.
She has worked as a Teacher Assistant in College and as a tutor for high school students in Chemistry, Biology and History.
She has worked in the corporate business world for the past 8 years, and was most recently a Project Manager .
Merlyn has taught Sunday Classes for over 15 years for various age groups – ranging from 4 years up 21 years. She brings her heart and passion for the gospel and children to STCA.
Cindy Rayo
Off Campus Support
Cindy Rayo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Victoria and a Master’s in Educational Counseling from St. Thomas University. With nearly two decades in public education, she has experience as a Special Education paraprofessional and as a math and science teacher for third and fifth grades, working with diverse student populations, including Special Ed and English Language Learners. Cindy was named her campus’s Teacher of the Year in 2018 and recently completed the state-mandated Reading Academy Program.
Beyond the classroom, Cindy has served as a Sunday School teacher for students aged 10-13 at TCTF, sharing her passion for faith and education. She is dedicated to helping children grow academically and spiritually and is excited to serve in a Christ-centered educational environment.
Berena Reyes
Off Campus Support
Gladys Reyes has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business (Management) from The University
of Houston and, for the past seven years, has been employed by TGS. Gladys is a Notary Public for the State of Texas. She possesses a high multicultural
sensitivity in addition to a solid business development and marketing foundation and a
passion for servicing clients.
She has been an active participant since 2002 at TCTF. She has served in a volunteer
capacity as a program leader, Church Secretary and Sunday School teacher, ages 10
through 13. My goal is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, disciple and strengthen
individuals and families through teaching, learning, and fellowship.
Genesis Paz
Teacher Aide
Aileen Regalado
Teacher Aide
Jeremiah Portillo
Music Teacher / Coach