Our Staff Directory

At Valley Christian, class sizes are small, allowing our teachers to actively involve each student in the learning process. VCS teachers have time to know each student and their special gifts and provide support and mentoring.  Faculty and staff interact with students in a number of different roles as members of the Valley Christian community.  They are coaches, advisors, supporters in the audience and invested in seeing our students succeed.  Our faculty are also master teachers in their subject area.  Over half of our faculty have advanced degrees, including some with doctorates. 

Our Executive Leadership Team

Troy Thelen ’03

Troy Thelen ’03

Head of School

Kittren Johnson

Kittren Johnson

Executive Director of Advancement

Timothy Livengood

Timothy Livengood

Executive Director of Business Operations

Daniel Johnson

Daniel Johnson

K-8 Principal

Robin Rugg

Robin Rugg

HS Principal

Our Directors and Deans

Michelle Cefola

Michelle Cefola

Dean of Academic, College and Career Advising

Kelly Clausen

Kelly Clausen

Dean of Student Activities

Eric Cochran

Eric Cochran

Director of Security

Jason Gregg ’96

Jason Gregg ’96

High School Vice Principal

Greg Haagsma

Greg Haagsma

Director of Athletics, HS Boys Basketball Head Coach

Kristi Hanenburg

Kristi Hanenburg

Controller

Marianne Heim ’97

Marianne Heim ’97

K-12 Director of Fine Arts, HS Director of Choral Studies

Barbara Hunsaker

Barbara Hunsaker

Director of Special Education (VINE)

Allena Hynes

Allena Hynes

Director of Human Resources

Vickie Linehan

Vickie Linehan

Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

Sarah Snedeker

Sarah Snedeker

5-8 Vice Principal

Michael Tallent

Michael Tallent

Director of Facilities

Charmain Thorneycroft

Charmain Thorneycroft

K-4 Vice Principal

Dr. Greg Tonkinson

Dr. Greg Tonkinson

Director of Spiritual Life, Director of ENGAGE, HS Ministry Development Teacher

Ashley Trathen ’09

Ashley Trathen ’09

Director of Marketing & Communications

Our Faculty and Staff

Taylor Adams

Taylor Adams

Engage Administrative Assistant

Candido Aguilar

Candido Aguilar

Maintenance Service Technician II

Melissa Ainsworth

Melissa Ainsworth

3rd Grade Teacher

Abby Alvarado

Abby Alvarado

Kids Club Aide

Chizuruoke Anderson

Chizuruoke Anderson

Coordinator of Student Health & Wellness

David Anderson

David Anderson

HS Bible Teacher, Department Chair

Maia Arneson

Maia Arneson

Community Engagement & Events Coordinator

Jeff Bailey

Jeff Bailey

JH Spanish Teacher

Jacquelyn Balzer

Jacquelyn Balzer

K-8 VINE Teachers' Aide

Addison Bare

Addison Bare

JH Social Studies Teacher

Kim Blum

Kim Blum

HS English Teacher, NHS Advisor

Sara Botma

Sara Botma

Speech Therapist & Special Education Teacher

Taylie Bouten

Taylie Bouten

4th Grade Teacher

Jenny Brecht

Jenny Brecht

HS Teacher (Freshman Seminar, STEM Survey), HS Cross Country Coach

Jesus Briceno

Jesus Briceno

Maintenance Service Technician I

Maria Briceno

Maria Briceno

Facilities Custodian Technician I

Laura Brundage

Laura Brundage

5th Grade Teacher

Bob Bubik

Bob Bubik

Lead Maintenance Technician

Kathy Cappellano

Kathy Cappellano

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Haley Cefola

Haley Cefola

Academic Support/VINE Teacher

Madolyn Chamerski

Madolyn Chamerski

Kindergarten Teacher

Alyssa Cheney ’18

Alyssa Cheney ’18

HS Math Teacher

Kevin Christy

Kevin Christy

HS Teacher (History, Government)

Melody Christy

Melody Christy

Kindergarten Teacher

Giselle Coronel

Giselle Coronel

Operational Support Liaison

Debbie Cox

Debbie Cox

Human Resources Specialist

Janine Crow

Janine Crow

2nd Grade Teacher

Cesar Cruz Espinoza

Cesar Cruz Espinoza

Maintenance Service Technician I

Bethany Davis

Bethany Davis

6th Grade Teacher

Georgette Dicataldo

Georgette Dicataldo

JH Teacher (Science, STEM, Math)

Donna Dukes

Donna Dukes

HS Science Teacher

Ashley Eason

Ashley Eason

K-4 Receptionist

Dr. BJ Eason

Dr. BJ Eason

HS Bible Teacher

April Ellis

April Ellis

1st Grade Teacher

Nicole Eyler

Nicole Eyler

5-6 ELA Intervention/VINE Teacher

Genevieve Ferrara

Genevieve Ferrara

Kindergarten Teacher

Gregory Fisher

Gregory Fisher

Transportation Manager

Savannah Freeman

Savannah Freeman

Executive Project Manager

Carol Freibott

Carol Freibott

4th Grade Teacher

Allison Gentala

Allison Gentala

K-8 VINE & Intervention Manager

Alicia Gerard

Alicia Gerard

K-4 Physical Education Teacher

Hannah Gonzales

Hannah Gonzales

HS History Teacher

Linda Gregg

Linda Gregg

5th Grade Teacher

Erin Groen

Erin Groen

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Sean Gruenemeier ’07

Sean Gruenemeier ’07

Maintenance Service Technician II

Anthony Gutierrez

Anthony Gutierrez

Kids Club Coordinator

Elizabeth Hales

Elizabeth Hales

HS VINE Teacher

Jeffery Hankins

Jeffery Hankins

Maintenance Service Technician II

Troy Hanzal

Troy Hanzal

HS Weight Training Teacher, Athletic Trainer

Cleonie Harrison

Cleonie Harrison

HS Spanish Teacher

Paige Harrison

Paige Harrison

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Amy Hartranft

Amy Hartranft

Accounts Payable Specialist

Ben Headrick

Ben Headrick

HS STEM Teacher

Brian Heigle

Brian Heigle

K-4 Physical Education Teacher

Erica Herman

Erica Herman

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Nici Higby

Nici Higby

Student Account Manager

Kristin Hines

Kristin Hines

K-4 Student Services Coordinator

Peter Hinkley

Peter Hinkley

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Kimberly Hirsch

Kimberly Hirsch

HS English Teacher

April Hooper

April Hooper

K-4 Reading Intervention & VINE Teacher

Jonathan Hunsaker

Jonathan Hunsaker

Technology Specialist II, HS eSports Head Coach

Madison Fraley

Madison Fraley

HS Teacher (Girls Health, PE, Weight Training)

Ashley Folker

Ashley Folker

HS Teacher (Integrated Science, Physics)

Makayla Hurt

Makayla Hurt

K-4 Computers Teacher

Tracey Jackson ’97

Tracey Jackson ’97

HS Administrative Liaison

Justine Jaeger

Justine Jaeger

HS Upper Division Math Teacher

Christy Johanningmeier

Christy Johanningmeier

JH Bible Teacher

Brynn Jones

Brynn Jones

HS Teacher (Speech, Theatre)

Andrew Kaemingk

Andrew Kaemingk

HS History Teacher, HS Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

LeAnn Kazan

LeAnn Kazan

5-8 Receptionist

Tina Kidd

Tina Kidd

Executive Administrative Assistant & Registrar

Trish King

Trish King

Instructional Technology Specialist

Vera Kingkade

Vera Kingkade

HS Instrumental Teacher

Joy Kini

Joy Kini

Kids Club Aide

Eric Kluth

Eric Kluth

Development Manager

Dan Kuiper

Dan Kuiper

Senior Ambassador

Trey Kuyper

Trey Kuyper

Marketing Specialist

Maggie Lengyel

Maggie Lengyel

Fine Arts Coordinator & Events

Elizabeth Limbeck

Elizabeth Limbeck

JH Teacher (VINE ELA, VINE History)

Heather Loechelt

Heather Loechelt

JH Teacher (Math, Coding, Robotics)

Deneen Mackey

Deneen Mackey

HS VINE Teachers' Aide

Heather Malmin

Heather Malmin

K-4 Math Intervention/VINE

Gina Mangiaracino

Gina Mangiaracino

4th Grade Teacher

Dominic Marotta

Dominic Marotta

Maintenance Service Technician I

Mikayla Marshall

Mikayla Marshall

K-8 Admissions Manager

Wendy Marsh

Wendy Marsh

Elementary Music Teacher

Damian Martin

Damian Martin

5-8 Fine Arts Teacher

Marie Martin

Marie Martin

HS Spanish Teacher

Guadalupe Mascarenas

Guadalupe Mascarenas

Facilities Custodian Technician II

Jayce Maxwell ’20

Jayce Maxwell ’20

Technology Specialist

Jen McCarthy

Jen McCarthy

1st Grade Teacher

Olivia McCarty ’18

Olivia McCarty ’18

HS Science Teacher

Frank Medrys

Frank Medrys

K-8 Security Officer

Dr. Lisa Miller

Dr. Lisa Miller

HS Science & Department Chair

Stacy Miller

Stacy Miller

2nd Grade Teacher

Taylor Miser

Taylor Miser

Kids Club Aide

Carla Morgan

Carla Morgan

HS Teacher (ASL, Bridges)

Lori Morgan

Lori Morgan

5-8 Fine Arts Teacher

Margaret Mosteller

Margaret Mosteller

JH Math Teacher

Julie Murphy

Julie Murphy

Elementary Teachers' Aide

Cami Niland

Cami Niland

Recruiting Specialist

Lisa O’Brien

Lisa O’Brien

Guidance Assistant/Athletic Secretary

Jay Olinger

Jay Olinger

HS Security Officer

Hannah Patterson

Hannah Patterson

Marketing Specialist

Sharon Pearson

Sharon Pearson

5th Grade Teacher

Sergio Peralta

Sergio Peralta

Facilities Custodian Technician II

Jake Petersen

Jake Petersen

HS Weight Training Teacher, HS Assistant Athletic Director, HS Football Head Coach

Samantha Phillips

Samantha Phillips

1st Grade Teacher

Tim Pitts

Tim Pitts

HS Bible Teacher

Viviana Quintanilla

Viviana Quintanilla

K-8 Administrative Liaison

Matt Rainey ’12

Matt Rainey ’12

Maintenance Service Technician II

Stephen Ramsey

Stephen Ramsey

Associate Conductor & Collaborative Pianist

Diana Rhoades

Diana Rhoades

6th Grade Teacher

Chessie Ross

Chessie Ross

5-8 Health & Administrative Liaison

Jill Sanchez

Jill Sanchez

3rd Grade Teacher

Janine Sass

Janine Sass

K-4 Nurse

Kris Sawyers

Kris Sawyers

3rd Grade Teacher

Ellie Sayer

Ellie Sayer

HS English Teacher

Jenna Semon

Jenna Semon

JH English Language Arts Teacher

Gabrielle Sherrill

Gabrielle Sherrill

HS Math Teacher

Brett Sexton

Brett Sexton

JH Teacher (Bible, Social Studies)

Blake Silves

Blake Silves

JH Physical Education Teacher, JH Athletic Director, HS Girls Basketball Coach, JH Boys Basketball Coach

Ashleigh Sloan ’11

Ashleigh Sloan ’11

2nd Grade Teacher

Tiffani Sproul

Tiffani Sproul

K-12 Senior Lunch Program Liaison

Dorothey Staten

Dorothey Staten

HS Art Teacher, HS NAHS Advisor

Geoffrey Stemple

Geoffrey Stemple

HS VINE Teacher

Damon Sterling

Damon Sterling

HS Admissions Manager, HS Girls Flag Football Assistant Coach

Drew Streeter

Drew Streeter

HS Teacher (English, Yearbook), Department Chair

Jennifer Sulger

Jennifer Sulger

HS VINE Teachers' Aide

Scott Timmer

Scott Timmer

HS Teacher (Health, PE, Weight Training), Assistant Development Director, HS Boys Basketball Assistant Coach

Jennifer Tonkinson

Jennifer Tonkinson

JH Language Arts Teacher, JH Student Council

Loren Trathen

Loren Trathen

JH Math Teacher

Tyler Trathen

Tyler Trathen

HS Career & Technical Education Teacher, Student Council Advisor, HS Volleyball Head Coach

Mark Van Bebber

Mark Van Bebber

HS Bible Teacher

Cori VanderLey

Cori VanderLey

6th Grade Teacher

Araceli Vazquez

Araceli Vazquez

Facilities Custodian Technician II

Debbie Weidinger

Debbie Weidinger

HS VINE Teacher

Amy Whiteley

Amy Whiteley

5-8 Math Intervention/VINE

Brianna Widger ’18

Brianna Widger ’18

HS Teacher (Math, Ministry Development), Department Chair

Alexandrea Wolf

Alexandrea Wolf

Curriculum & Instruction Manager

Dr. Renee Wozniak

Dr. Renee Wozniak

HS VINE Teacher

Summerslee Young

Summerslee Young

Academic, College & Career Advisor

Maddie Yue

Maddie Yue

Kids Club Aide

Cheryl Zimmerman

Cheryl Zimmerman

JH Science Teacher

Marianne Zylstra

Marianne Zylstra

HS Math Teacher, Student Council Advisor

The Valley Way Award

At Valley Christian Schools, we are excited to honor our colleagues who are well-representing our Core Values and our Staff Culture Guide. This peer-nomination process is a great opportunity to celebrate how God is using each of our faculty and staff members to equip students to be culture changers for Christ.

Tina Kidd

2024-25

Drew Streeter

2021-22

Troy Hanzal

2020-21

Barbara Hunsaker

2017-18

Nicole Eyler

2024-25

Myrna Haagsma

2021-22

Jenny Brecht

2020-21

Marianne Heim

2016-17

Jennifer Tonkinson

2021-22

Chizuruoke Anderson

2021-22

Kevin Allen

2020-21

Michelle Cefola

2016-17

Charmain Thorneycroft

2021-22

Dr. Lisa Miller

2020-21

Kelly Clausen

2018-19