top of page

Heritage Administration & Teaching Staff

Kamela Anderson- English Studies
 

akanderson1998@gmail.com

 

Kamela is a life-long native of Montana who developed a love for learning in a variety of different school settings.  Educated in Christian schools and public schools alike, Kamela recently embraced the rewards and challenges of homeschooling her three daughters and is committed to teaching a new generation a love for and excellence in imparting the word in all its forms.  She received her B.A. in English and Theatre along with her teaching certification in grades 6-12 from Montana State University in 2000.  After a year of teaching sixth grade at Heritage Christian School (HCS) in Bozeman, MT, she worked with the school to develop and launch its high school program in 2003.  She then returned to the classroom taking her original sixth graders through their years of English studies until they graduated in 2007.  In addition to English studies, she has taught pre-Algebra, Biblical Studies, and produced and directed multiple theatrical productions for HCS and the Bozeman community.  After six years at home with her young children, Kamela is privileged to return to the classroom alongside of them teaching and instructing in wisdom and virtue.

Kristin Cotton- Science

kristincotton92703@gmail.com

Kristin Cotton, a life long Montanan, grew up in Bozeman.  She and her family moved to the Flathead valley four years ago, now residing in the beautiful, little town of Lakeside.    Kristin attended and graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in Spanish and a minor in Biology.  During this time, Kristin was able to live in Valencia, Spain and finish her Spanish studies.  After graduating from Gonzaga, Kristin moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend Creighton University’s accelerated nursing program, graduating with a  B.S.N, Magna Cum Laude.  Kristin has practiced nursing over the last nineteen years in many areas of health care.  She has considered it such an honor and privilege to be able to help and care for people during difficult times in their lives.  Kristin has been married for fourteen years to her amazing husband Ted.  They have two wonderfully fun kids, Macy and Teddy and a handsome, red, golden retriever, Willie Nelson.    She and Ted have been classically educating their kids for four years.  Kristin has a passion for God’s word and has enjoyed studying  with BSF.     When there is free time, Kristin enjoys being outside hiking, mountain biking, and taking the cold plunge into Flathead Lake.

 
Rachel Cremer- 1st & 2nd grade Foundations 
 

rachelcremer40@gmail.com

Rachel grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BA in Elementary Education in 1996.  She taught school and coached swimming until marrying Jake in 1999 when they moved to Plains, Montana.  She continued to teach in Hot Springs, Montana until the birth of their first born, Isaac.  Rachel homeschooled her three sons and daughter until 2014 when she returned to full time teaching and pursued an Integrated Arts (MFA) Degree at the University of Montana. She is very excited to teach at Heritage and return to homeschooling.  In her free time she can be found drinking a hot cup of chai, reading, hiking, and driving between Hot Springs and Kalispell.

 

 

Joyce Whitney-Davies- Science
 

joycewhitney@gmail.com

Joyce worked as a wildlife biologist for 20 years before she and her husband Rob decided to homeschool their two children Tove’ and Soren.  She received her B.S. in Fish and Wildlife Management with a minor in Environmental Education from Ohio State University in 1991 and later completed graduate courses at Idaho State U and Montana State U in Environmental Education and Biological Sciences.  During her professional career she worked for several state, federal and non-profit wildlife agencies in Greenland, Alaska, Montana, Washington and Ohio conducting research on Federal species of concern.   For the past two years she tutored/directed a classical education program in Kalispell and co-taught science courses for five years in a local cooperative.  Sharing her quest for understanding God’s creation with her children and others has become her passion and she LOVES the sense of awe knowing we will never truly understand its complexity until we reach heaven! 

Rya Diede -  Humanities
 

ryaivydd@gmail.com

 

Rya received her B.A. in Elementary Education, with a minor in Early Childhood Education and an endorsement in Middle School Education from the University of Wyoming in 2000. She taught middle school Language Arts, History, and Science in Tacoma, Washington, for five years before moving back home to Kalispell where she and her husband, Zach, raise their six boys. While teaching in Washington, she achieved her National Board of Professional Teaching certification in Early Adolescent English Language Arts.  Mrs. Diede applied her love for literature and learning as a part of a teaching team that worked to integrate NASA education into the school curriculum. Rya is inspired by children falling in-love with literature and finds tremendous joy witnessing the “ah-ha” moment when a child’s mind grasps the concept of reading.  Over the past eight years she has become a passionate home school advocate. Rya’s love for each individual student overflows from the moment a child walks in her door.

 

Karen Dunham -  Humanities
 

kriggsy@gmail.com

 

Karen and her husband, Brad, have had the privilege of homeschooling their 5 children for the past 17 years.  Karen has enjoyed teaching Latin, history, and literature for several years in both homeschooling and co-op settings.  She loves classical education and is committed to teaching her students to think.  Karen is well-loved by her students for her passionate and engaging presentation of the course material.  If she had any free time, she would read Newberry Medal winners and blog about each of them.

 

Alissa Finlayson - 6th-12th Choir
 

alissa.finlayson@gmail.com

 

Alissa majored in voice at Montana State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education.   She has been teaching private vocal, piano, and saxophone lessons for over 10 years.  While living in Port Orchard, WA, she taught elementary general music, band, and choir for 4.5 years.  She has worked with junior high and high school vocal ensembles, and has directed various community choirs with members of all ages.  Alissa has experience in musical theatre and has participated in several opera workshops. She brings a wealth of musical talent and experience in performance and teaching.  Some of her greatest passions are teaching music literacy, expression, and vocal technique so that children can spend a spend a lifetime enjoying music.  She also enjoys loving on her four young children. We feel very blessed to have had Alissa at Heritage for six years and have been told that she is one of the best music teachers in Montana!

Trina Karow - Art
 

karowacademy@gmail.com

 

Trina has been immersed in art for her whole life. She began painting in adult oil classes at age 10 and went to work at an art gallery at age 13. There she learned matting, framing, and art restoration. In high school, she studied under nationally recognized NWS/AWS watercolor artist Judy Morris, was art editor of the Student Literary Magazine, first place winner of the Harry & David Bear Crk Corp card design/scholarship, and her artwork was featured in the Best of the Best art shows at the Rogue Gallery. Trina went to college to become an art teacher at the University of Oregon and Southern Oregon State University, and graduated from Bilmes School of Art in 1993. She taught art before having children, and has spent the last several years as full time, homeschool mom of three boys: Caleb, Nate, and Elijah. She has continued to use her talents for the Lord through some mural work at schools, churches and private homes, VBS stage and classroom designs, and occasional art workshops for home school students in both Wyoming and Montana. Trina has been in the classroom at Heritage for five years, and her talent speaks for itself.

Gwen Kashmier- Latin
 

o4hglory@gmail.com

Gwen Kashmier has lived in Montana all her life and moved to Kalispell in 2010.  She attended Montana State University and received her B.A. in K-12 Health Enhancement (P.E. and Health) in 1999.  She taught In West Yellowstone for 4 years as she coached, advised classes, and organized track meets. Gwen has taught classical studies for 3 years with Classical Conversations, which included Latin. She has been involved with co-op groups and serves the children and youth at her church.  Most of all, Gwen loves to see kids know the love that the Lord has for them, which includes her 2 children that she has homeschooled for 11 years. Gwen also enjoys the outdoors,  crafting, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 

 

 

Angela Kenney- PE

montanakenneys@gmail.com

Angie is a fourth generation Montanan, growing up in the majestic Flathead Valley. Teaching her 3 children at home, she values how partnering with Heritage Learning provides support, relationships, accountability, and enhances their education. She and her husband, Mark, are passionate about supporting and investing in their homeschool community as they are both Flathead Valley Homeschool graduates. Angela is actively involved in the Flathead Valley Homeschool Athletic Association, coaching 5th-8th grade girls’ volleyball and supporting her husband as he coaches high school basketball. She enjoys skiing, camping, playing basketball and volleyball, paddle boarding, and recreating in God’s beautiful creation with her family.

 

Marlo Lancaster - Science
 

marlolancaster@gmail.com

 

Marlo has taught the biological sciences for the past 17 years. She has her secondary teaching certificate in Biology, Health, and Physical Education and has held her certification in Washington, Arizona, and Montana. Teaching in both the private and public sectors she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her subject area. Marlo currently homeschools her two boys. Well-known at Heritage for her dynamic personality, Marlo has a unique ability to make science entertaining.  Her students are engaged because her enthusiasm is contagious!

 

Buffi Lloyd - 5th and 6th grade English 
 

buffilloyd@gmail.com

Buffi has lived an adventure in California where she was raised and met her husband while finishing radiology technology certification at LLU, Florida. She obtained her certification in abdominal, obstetrical, and gynecological as well as cardiovascular sonography at ADU and Guam where she worked at a mission clinic with her husband for six years. California was then home for 10 years before moving to Montana last year with their four children. Buffi has worked as a radiologic technologist and sonographer for the last 23 years but reduced to per diem schedules starting in 2009 when she decided to attempt her lifelong goal of teaching. Her children and a few friends were her first victims and all have survived. She has worked with others in co-op situations and taught Essentials in Classical Conversations. After one year at Heritage, she has fallen in love with the mixture of strong Classical Christian curriculum, prayerfully friendly staff, and fabulous children. She is in the process of actually getting a degree to officially do what she really wants to do – teach.

 

Ashley Mason- Science
 

audubonashley@gmail.com

 

Ashley started her career in music in 1986 as a voice major at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem North Carolina. She was nearly finished with her degree in voice performance when she transferred to Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina to receive her B.S. in Geology with a minor in field biology in 1992. Ashley then came to Montana to teach for the Glacier Institute and completed graduate work at The University of Montana – Missoula in Environmental Studies. A veteran naturalist and conservation educator, Ashley is a former Ranger Naturalist for Glacier National Park and educator for organizations, such as The Glacier Institute, Swan Ecosystem Center, and Flathead Audubon Society.  In 2012 she was voted Audubon Educator of the year. Currently she teaches Geology courses at Flathead Valley Community College and is a Naturalist/Instructor with Road Scholar, The Glacier Institute, and the MSU Outdoor Campus Ministry Program.  Ashley loves to take the miraculous drama of God’s Creation and turn it into a story that will captivate her students.  She has homeschooled her two daughters for the past 8 years.

Jenny Mattern- 1st, 2nd Foundations
 

jackandtheo@gmail.com

 

Jenny Mattern graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman in 1996 with a degree in elementary education.  Having grown up in western Washington, she returned there to teach fifth grade at a public elementary school in Federal Way.  She married Scott in 1999 and continued to teach until the birth of their first child in 2001.  Jenny has been home ever since, as their first daughter was followed by a son and then three more daughters.  The Matterns moved to Kalispell in 2004, and they started homeschooling soon afterwards.  Jenny is excited that Heritage is a wonderful extension of this.  She loves to drink a good cup of French-press coffee, lose herself in a book, and hang out with family and friends.

Angela Nye- Latin, Logic, & Accounting
 

amnyeinmt@gmail.com

Angela received a Bachelor of Science in business in 1994 and worked as an international forecast and systems analyst until leaving to be at home full-time with her children in 2006.   Analytical and methodical by nature, after much research of various methods, she chose to teach using a classical Christian model.  She has 8 years of experience with home-schooling and began at Heritage Learning helping with bookkeeping and registration.  Angela loves the classical method of teaching and developing students’ ability to think through what they are learning.  In her spare time she loves reading, spending active time outdoors: skiing (all kinds), bike riding, hiking and camping.  Free time is always sweeter when it’s with her husband, Mike, and children, Joshua and Haley.

 

Theresa Paolini - Art
 

pao1234fischer@hotmail.com

 

Theresa received her B.A. in art and physical education, with a teaching certificate, from the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in 1990. After college she taught a few art classes but has been busy with her own four children for the last several years. Theresa enjoys painting organic subjects and has been working most recently with oil pastel, charcoal, and oil painting; she has been successful in showing and selling her work. Theresa has taught art at Heritage for six years.  She is very gifted with children and enjoys helping her students develop and improve technique.  

 

Beth Rainford - English

family@rainford.co

 

Beth and her husband Eddie live in Whitefish, Mt and have four children.  Beth went to Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where she earned her Bachelor’s in Spanish and Environmental Science.  As a post-graduate, she earned her Master’s Degree in Teaching.  She taught at the middle school level for three years before staying home to be with her two youngest children.  For the last 11 years Beth has used her training as a teacher to homeschool her children, to pastor youth, and to coach high school track. Her passions include her family, the Bible, teaching youth about the amazing expanse of God’s love, and running.  She is very blessed that God has asked her back into the teaching world with a community of such faith filled teachers, parents, and students.  

Matthew Schvaneveldt- Assembly
 

mattschvaneveldt@gmail.com

 

Matt received his B.S. in Elementary Education (General Studies) and an endorsement to teach high school Math from Liberty University in 1997. He taught for 3 years as a middle school teacher at Foothills Community Christian School in Great Falls, MT before moving to Trieste, Italy to plant a church. Matt has spent the past 15 years in Trieste where he met his wife and had three children. In order to support his church planting ministry, Matt served for 12 years as a teacher and then the Principal of the International School of Trieste. He loves the Church, pasta, playing the banjo, Mathematics (tricky story problems!) and especially seeing the next generation know and love Christ!

Mara Strobel - Spanish

alwaysmara@gmail.com

 

Mara is an Idaho native and moved to the Flathead Valley 6 years ago with her husband, Scott,​​ and their 3 children.  She graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Secondary Education: Social Sciences and Spanish.  She lived in Costa Rica for a semester in college, and it was there that she really fell in love with the Spanish language and the culture.  She taught first and second year Spanish for seven years at Eagle High School before moving to Kalispell.  Since then she has taught home school co-op Spanish classes, tutors students, substitute teaches in the local schools, and works part-time as a wedding and event planner.  She loves to travel and experience different cultures and challenges students to go beyond their own cultural bubble and see/experience/meet the different people and nations that our God created.  When she is not dreaming up their next adventure, you can find her spending time with her family in the mountains, at the lake, on a ski hill, or reading a good book. 

Erin Tintzman - Community Development & English

erintintzman@gmail.com

 

Erin Tintzman has a passion for life and helping others grow.  Married to her fabulous husband, Dan, and mother of four amazing children, she is humbled and blessed each day.  Trained Classically in education, she and her husband have homeschooled for eight years by the Lord’s faithful leading.  With an appreciation and love for people, Erin uses her gifts to build up the Heritage community through organizing and overseeing the class days, as well as many "behind the scenes" tasks, which are too numerous to list. She cherishes the Heritage community and the support, opportunities, and relationships that come from studying together. Erin enjoys the sun, hiking, biking, singing, crafting, camping, skiing, down comforters, Sweet Peaks Ice Cream and coffee.

Jane Turner - Science & Program Director
 

heritagelearningkalispell@gmail.com

 

Jane and her husband, Josh, are the founders of Heritage Learning. Jane graduated from Covenant College in 2003 with a B.S. in Biology, and a minor in chemistry. While attending college, she worked with a homeschool supplement group in Chattanooga, TN. For several years, Jane tutored math and science and has now taught elementary and middle school lab science classes at Heritage for seven years. She is a homeschool mom of nine children who loves all kinds of curriculum and research, hiking, camping, traveling, and a clean house. Jane loves to share her passion for science because the study of creation reveals much about our great Creator.

Susan Wagner- Art & Model UN

sswagner7@gmail.com

Susan Wagner, mother of five, has been a committed homeschooler for the last 24 years.  She received her B.A. in Home Economics Education with an emphasis in Clothing and Textile Design and a minor in Art Education from the University of Montana.  She taught high school home economics before having children and has led many homeschool activities over the years, including teaching a Model United Nations class.  Besides enjoying teaching students, she loves art and working with a variety of mediums.  She worked with ceramics in college and has since been enjoying watercolor when time allows.  

 

Joy Weaks- Math & Maps

weaksfamilymt@gmail.com

Joy is from Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1997 with a Bachelor's in Psychology & Organizational Behavior. After marrying the man of her dreams, she and Chris moved to his favorite place on the planet, Montana, to raise their sweet family. Before receiving her Master's in Mental Health & Addiction Counseling from the University of Montana, Joy supported and developed educational and community outreach programs for UNC-Chapel Hill, the United Way, Georgia Tech and UM-Missoula. She loves learning and is grateful to God for the "wonderfully hard" privilege of teaching her children and Heritage students from a biblical worldview. When Joy isn't homeschooling or teaching, she works as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has worked as a therapist in the state of Montana for over 10 years.

 

bottom of page