Johnny Marmelstein
Dean of Students

Johnny Marmelstein comes to Pacifica from St. Mary’s School, an International Baccalaureate institution in Aliso Viejo, where he taught physical education and health to Grades 5-8. Prior to St. Mary’s, he was the Director of Student Life at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, and he also served as the longest-tenured Dean of Students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano for nineteen years. Johnny is also an accomplished high school soccer coach winning over 500 career games and multiple CIF championships throughout his career.

Mr. Marmelstein completed his undergraduate work in Physical Education & Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and subsequently received a Master’s in Education from Azusa Pacific University. He also earned his Certification in College Counseling from UC San Diego, and a National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Certification in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.

Johnny lives in San Juan Capistrano with Lara, his lovely wife of 35 years, an avid pickleball player, and a nurse at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. His son, Mitch, played college basketball at Grove City College near Pittsburgh. Mitch is currently pursuing a Master’s of Divinity from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mitch plays professional basketball with Basquet Atlético Club San Martín in the Mendoza Province of Argentina where he also serves as a missionary to the people of San Martín. His daughter McKenna, who won back-to-back CIF Soccer Championships with her dad, played college soccer at Biola University in La Mirada. McKenna earned a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy, and she is currently working as an occupational therapist in San Diego and Orange counties. Johnny’s interests include spending time with his family, lifting weights, playing basketball and soccer, and all things involving the Liverpool Football Club. He and his wife attend Harbor Point Church in San Juan Capistrano.

Credentials

M.Ed.— Azusa Pacific University
B.A. Physical Education & Religion—Hope College