Summer Office Hours | May 29-August 11, 2023

Kindergarten
Kindergarten

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
– Proverbs 22:6
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Grades 1-6
Grades 1-6

Our Lower School students learn in a nurturing community where they are taught a 10-part curriculum that evolves as they grow. Here we will get our hands dirty, utilize the latest technology, and encourage independent thinking and doing. It’s our framework for laying a strong spiritual foundation.
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Grades 7-8
Grades 7-8

Here at the midpoint of schooling, everything is changing – making these “in-between years” a time worth cherishing.
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Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12

More than just college prep. This is life prep.
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Admissions
Admissions

Every journey has its first steps.
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Staff Directory

Lower School

Nanci Griffith

Title:: Lower School Principal
Education:: Ashland University (MA - Curriculum and Instruction)
Since:: 2020
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Sarah Herren

Title:: Assistant Lower School Principal
Education:: University of Mount Union (BA - Middle Childhood Education); Ashland University (Masters of Education in Educational Administration)
Since:: 2007
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Barbara Ashley

Title:: Second Grade Teacher
Education:: The Ohio State University (MS - Education, BA - New Media Arts and Science, IUPUI)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Emily Belcher

Title:: Administrative Assistant
Education:: Otterbein University (BA-Music Education)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Jordan Berner (WC ’94)

Title:: Kindergarten Teacher
Education:: Taylor University (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2015
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Amanda Blankenship

Title:: School Nurse
Education:: The Ohio State University (BS in Nursing)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Kelly Burby (WC ’85)

Title:: Math Department Chair and Second Grade Teacher
Education:: Bryan College (BS - Elementary Education w/Kindergarten Endorsement), Ashland University (MA - Curriculum & Instruction)
Since:: 1989
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Anna Burford (WC ’91)

Title:: Physical Education Teacher
Education:: Liberty University (BS - Recreation)
Since:: 2012
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Carrie Chodzin (WC ’10)

Title:: Fifth Grade Teacher
Education:: Ohio State University (BA - Early Childhood Education)
Since:: 2016
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Kristin Couser

Title:: Third Grade Teacher
Education:: The Ohio State University (BS-Education), Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MA-Education)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Stephanie Custer

Title:: STEM Teacher
Education:: Ashland University (MS-Instructional Technology) Muskinham College (BA-Education)
Since:: Returning in 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Leandra Doyel (WC ’02)

Title:: Nurse
Education:: Mount Carmel School of Nursing (BSN - Nursing)
Since:: 2018
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Allie Elifritz (WC ’03)

Title:: Sixth Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher
Education:: Mount Vernon Nazarene University (BA - Middle Childhood Education [Science & Social Studies]), Indiana Wesleyan University (MA- Curriculum and Instruction)
Since:: 2019
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Lauren Erickson

Title:: First Grade Teacher
Education:: Defiance College (BS - Early Childhood Education)
Since:: 2019
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Amy Fourman

Title:: Kindergarten Teacher
Education:: Cedarville University (BA-Early Childhood Education, Minor in Bible)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Lucas Gantz

Title:: Fourth Grade Teacher
Education:: Word of Life Bible Institute (Bible Certificate), Bryan College (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2005
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Phil Gowl

Title:: Facilities Team
Since:: 2014
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Jenny Harden

Title:: School Counselor
Education:: Xavier University (Masters of Education), Miami of Ohio (BS- Elementary Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Katie Hedberg

Title:: Sixth Grade Advanced Math / Grades 3-6 Enrichment Teacher
Education:: University of Wisconsin/LaCrosse (BS - Middle Childhood / Early Adolescence Education)
Since:: 2020
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Amelia Hoffman

Title:: Sixth Grade English Teacher
Education:: Anderson University (BA - Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Suzanne Homoelle

Title:: Administrative Assistant
Education:: The Ohio State University (BS - Criminology)
Since:: 2010
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Robin Hooper

Title:: Second Grade Teacher
Education:: Mount Vernon Nazarene University (BA - Elementary Education & Remedial Reading)
Since:: 1993
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Rachel Janssen

Title:: Fourth Grade Teacher
Education:: Cedarville University (BA - Early Childhood Education, M.Ed. - Education)
Since:: 2005
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Renee Johnson

Title:: Instrumental Music Teacher-Orchestra
Education:: Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (BA - Music Education [Emphasis in Violin and Voice]), Suzuki Association of America (Certified - Books 1-4 Violin)
Since:: 2005
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Laura Kaiser

Title:: SACC Aide
Education:: Moody Bible Institute (BA - International Ministries)
Since:: 2017
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Christy Kline

Title:: Art Teacher
Education:: Ohio Wesleyan University (BA - Art Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Kathy Kramer

Title:: Director of Food Services
Since:: 1996
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Natalie Minch (WC ’06)

Title:: Intervention Specialist
Education:: Lee University (BS - Human Development/Early Childhood and Special Education)
Since:: 2013
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Johanna Mousa (WC ’88)

Title:: Librarian
Education:: Grace College (BA - Education)
Since:: 2020
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Nikalena Patrick (WC’17)

Title:: First Grade Teacher
Education:: Liberty University (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Kimberly Perez

Title:: Fifth Grade Teacher
Education:: Pensacola Christian College (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2006
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Tracy Rettstatt (WC ’80)

Title:: Third Grade Teacher
Education:: Bryan College (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2004
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Jessica Root (WC ’06)

Title:: School Counselor
Education:: The Ohio State University (Masters in Social Work, BS Social Work)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Britney Ruiz

Title:: Fourth Grade Teacher
Education:: Ohio Valley University (BA-Elementary Education)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Susan Sewall

Title:: Administrative Assistant
Education:: Ohio University (BS-Elementary Education)
Since:: 2015
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Melissa Skeels

Title:: Grades K-2 Art Teacher
Education:: The Ohio State University (MA-Art Education), Ohio University (BFA-Art Education)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Denyse Smith

Title:: Kindergarten Teacher
Education:: Bob Jones University (BS - Elementary School; Minor in Home Economics)
Since:: 2008
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Emily Stoll

Title:: Third Grade Teacher
Education:: Ohio Dominican University (BA - Early Childhood Education)
Since:: 2018
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Allison Thomas

Title:: Fifth Grade Teacher
Education:: Walden University (MS - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment); Otterbein University (BS - Elementary Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Emma Thomas

Title:: First Grade Teacher
Education:: Grove City College (BA-Elementary Education)
Since:: 2022
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Julie Vandervliet

Title:: Music Teacher
Education:: Houghton College (BMUS-Music Education); University of Houston (MMUS-Choral Conducting)
Since:: 2013
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

Nicki Walton

Title:: Sixth Grade Math and Bible Teacher
Education:: Miami University (BA - Middle School Education)
Since:: 2021
Email:: Send Email
Campus:: Lower School

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