Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Joe Burck
MS/US Social Studies
B.A. in History Education & Middle Grades Social Studies from Augustana College
Joe Burck
MS/US 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.”
Sarah Coomber
Kindergarten
B.A. – Carleton College
M.Ed. – University of Toronto
B.Ed. – St. Ambrose University with a Reading (K-8) Endorsement.
Kimberly Freeman
1st/2nd Grade
B.A. in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa
Kimberly Freeman
1st/2nd Grade
B.A. in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa
Dakota Garcia
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Dakota Garcia
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Danielle Gorbach
Financial Literacy
Geometry
B.A. in mathematics and biology from Cornell College
Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State University
Danielle Gorbach
Financial Literacy
Geometry
B.A. in mathematics and biology from Cornell College
Ph.D. in genetics from Iowa State University
Shayla Hinzman
LS Spanish & Spanish 1
B.A. in Spanish and teaching degree from Monmouth College
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
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
Morgan Jefferson
Art
B.A. in public policy & administration from the U Wisconsin Whitewater
Tiffany Johnson
English as a Second Language (ESL) & US Teaching Faculty
M.A. in Linguistics with a concentration in ESL from the University of Iowa
B.A. from Southern Illinois University
Tiffany Johnson
MS/US English
English as a Second Language (ESL)
M.A. in Linguistics with a concentration in ESL from the University of Iowa
B.A. from Southern Illinois University
Collin Lawrence
AP Psychology
MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Social Studies from the University of Minnesota
BA in American Studies with a concentration in Educational Studies from Carleton College
Collin Lawrence
AP Psychology
MA in Curriculum & Instruction: Social Studies from the University of Minnesota
BA in American Studies with a concentration in Educational Studies from Carleton College
Haley Leath
Montessori 2 & 3
Haley Leath
Montessori 2 & 3
Early Childhood Associate Teaching Certificate (Authentic Institute of Montessori, MACTE-accredited)
Mackenzie McKnight
Technology
Mackenzie McKnight
Technology
Zackary Murphy
PE & Health
Zackary Murphy
PE & Health
BA in Kinesiology from Loras College & Master’s of Exercise Physiology from St. Ambrose
Lamiaa Nadif
3rd Grade
M.A. – National Lewis University
B.A. – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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 Language
& 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.
Dr. Blanchard Onanga Ndjila
English 7, 9, 11, AP Language & 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
Kristin Rakoci
4th Grade
Kristin Rakoci
4th Grade
B.A. – Monmouth College
Elementary Education (K–9)
Middle School Endorsements – English Language Arts and Social Science
Educational Leadership Certificate – Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Sean Rickman
MS/US Mathematics
B.A. in Physics and Philosophy from Augustana College
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
Jason Sanderlin
MS/US Mathematics & Computer Science
MS in Mathematics from the University of Wyoming
Andrea Schoenhard
MS/US Science
Andrea Schoenhard
MS/US Science
Leigh Ann Schroeder
6th-12th Social Studies
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.”
Leigh Ann Schroeder
6th-12th Grade Social Studies
NCC Constitutional Coach
Fulbright Scholar
B.A. in Political Science, Philosophy, and Education from Augustana College
Christine Shepherd
Montessori 4-6
Certified through the American Institute of Montessori (AIM)
Christine Shepherd
Montessori 4-6
Certified through the American Institute of Montessori (AIM)
Adeline “Addy” Smith
Graphic Design & Marketing
B.A. Art and Design with a Graphic Design Concentration from Saint Ambrose University
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.”
Maria Surma
MS/US Spanish
Master of education & Interdisciplinary studies from WIU
ABD Doctor of Education from UW-Milwaukee in Urban Ed
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
Amber Weeks
Junior Kindergarten
(4 year olds)
B.A. – Blackhawk College/Western Illinois University
Contact Administration
Tia Green
Chief Operating Officer
Richard Wiley
Interim Head of School
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]
Jill Beinborn
College Counselor
Drew Boster
Director of Development
Latisha Delgado
Admissions Director
Jasvir Grewal
Chief Financial Officer
Collin Lawrence
Dean of Academics
Zackary Murphy
Dean of Students
Mattie Nenycz
Dorm Parent
Tye Nenycz
Facilities Director
Chef Melissa Nordenson
Kitchen Manager
Leigh Ann Schroeder
Dean of Faculty & Curriculum
NCC Constitutional Coach
Fulbright Scholar
B.A. in Political Science, Philosophy, and Education from Augustana College
Adeline “Addy” Smith
Admissions & Communications Assistant
Tricia Tapia
Sous Chef
Tricia Tapia
Sous Chef
Christine Starling
Administrative Assistant
(Becherer Hall)
Phyllis Viner
Administrative Assistant
(Mansion Office)
Jill Weitzel
Communications Director
Monique Wooten
Sous Chef
Monique Wooten
Sous Chef