Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Joe Burck

Social Studies

B.A. in History Education & Middle Grades Social Studies from Augustana College

Sarah Coomber

Kindergarten

B.A. – Carleton College
M.Ed. – University of Toronto
B.Ed. – St. Ambrose University with a Reading (K-8) Endorsement.

“My goal as an educator is to create a learning environment that embraces the natural curiosity, creativity, and joy of the young learner.”

Kimberly Freeman

1st/2nd Grade

B.A. in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa

Shayla Hinzman

LS Spanish & Spanish 1

B.A. in Spanish and teaching degree from Monmouth College

Caleb Hoffman

K-12 Music & Band

Bachelor of Music Education with Emphasis in Instrumental Music – St. Ambrose University

Morgan Jefferson

Art

B.A. in public policy & administration from the U Wisconsin Whitewater

Haley Leath

Pre-K Montessori
(2-3 year olds)

Lamiaa Nadif

3rd Grade

M.A. – National Lewis University
B.A. – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Blanchard Onanga Ndjila

English 7, 9, 11, AP Lang
& AP African American Studies

PH.D. in English and American Studies from the University of Bordeaux in France
MAs in French & Francophone studies & English and American Studies
Associate Degree in English

“For me, teaching comes down to sharing my own educational background, my own story and teaching experiences to motivate students to learn and understand the positive impact they could make on the world through education. So far, that part of my teaching has always been very well received and appreciated by the students. Therefore, I always like to help them realize areas they need to work on the most. In the final analysis, teaching, to me, is all about sharing my knowledge with the students. This is primarily done by encouraging them to participate in in-class activities. It is also done by setting goals and giving them the academic tools that will ultimately help them develop, mature, and interact with the world. Interacting with students in such a way that encourages them to ask me as many questions as possible is important to me.”

Dr. Onanga is also a published author. His books include: NKANI: An African Prophecy Onkere: An African Boy’s Story of Struggle, Resilience, and Determination, and Race, Ideology, and the Polarization of America in the Age of the Obama Presidency.

Sean Rickman

MS/US Mathematics

B.A. in Physics and Philosophy from Augustana College

Jason Sanderlin

MS/US Mathematics & Computer Science

MS in Mathematics from the University of Wyoming

Leigh Ann Schroeder

PS-12th Curriculum Coordination & 6th-12th Grade History

B.A. in Political Science, Philosophy, and Education from Augustana College​

“What I would like students to take away from my classes, is that history is ever unfolding and alive, not just dates and names in a book. History is a story with characters, conflict, and compromises that need to be discovered to better understand the situations we are in today. Learning from the successes and failures of the past, allows us to move forward as a society.”

Adeline “Addy” Smith

Graphic Design & Marketing

B.A. Art and Design with a Graphic Design Concentration from Saint Ambrose University

Maria Surma

6th-12th Grade Spanish

Master of education & Interdisciplinary studies from WIU
ABD Doctor of Education from UW-Milwaukee in Urban Ed

“I would like to think of myself as a challenger, an eye opener, a brain teaser, a guiding hand through the exquisite complexities of language. I want my students to develop language skills rather than knowledge. Their skills will help them solve any puzzle. Their knowledge might sometimes prevent them from flying.”

Amber Weeks

Junior Kindergarten
(4 year old)

B.A. – Blackhawk College/Western Illinois University

A quote from my children’s favorite book. “The very Hungry Caterpillar” story is about hope. You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings and fly off into the future.” Eric Carle

Collin Lawrence

Interim Head of School

MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Social Studies from the University of Minnesota
BA in American Studies with concentration in Educational Studies from Carleton College

563-359-1366 Ext. 335
[email protected]

Jill Beinborn

College Counselor

MA in Organizational Leadership from St. Ambrose
BA in English from U of Dubuque
Basketball fan!

563-359-1366 Ext. 324
[email protected]

Drew Boster

Director of Development

563-359-1366×314
[email protected]

Tia Green

Chief Operating Officer

563-359-1366×309
[email protected]

Jasvir Grewal

Chief Financial Officer

563-359-1366×315
[email protected]

Zackary Murphy

MS/US Dean

563-359-1366
[email protected]

Tye Nenycz

Facilities Director

563-359-1366×347
[email protected]

Chef Mel

Kitchen Manager

563-359-1366×336
[email protected]

Adeline “Addy” Smith

Admissions & Communications Assistant

563-359-1366×302
[email protected]

Phyllis Viner

Administrative Assistant (Mansion Office)

563-359-1366×301
[email protected]

Jill Weitzel

Communications Director

563-359-1366×308
[email protected]