Heritage Teaching & Administrative Staff
Kamela Anderson-10th Grade Judicial Rhetoric & Literature/ 11-12th Grade Bible
Kamela is a life-long native of Montana. 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 in the sixth grade classroom 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 to teach High School English & Literature, pre-Algebra, and several courses in Biblical Studies. She also produced and directed multiple theatrical productions for HCS and the Bozeman community. Kamela is now the mama of three delightful gals and instructs within and serves as the Head of Department for the High School Humanities at Heritage Academy. She has a penchant for being blunt, a fascination with steep terrain, and a zeal for bringing the “tranquility of order” to the robust life she shares with her enterprising husband and spunky girls as they explore the heights of learning and loving together.
Sonja Applebaker- Preschool & Nursery Director
Sonja was born and raised in southern Oregon, she grew up in a large, joyful family, cherishing summer road trips packed into a family car with a trailer in tow. She met her husband, Joe, in Oregon, and together they’ve embraced a life of adventure, living in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, and now Alaska. Eagle River, Alaska, is their current home, where Joe works, and she travels to Montana during the school year to homeschool a granddaughter and teach preschoolers. Amid the natural beauty of Alaska, she finds peace and inspiration, especially in the southeast coast and mountains. A lover of crafting, gardening, scripture art, and spending time in nature, she treasures moments of camping, beach walks, and lattes. She and Joe are proud parents of three children—Ryan, Annika, and Tamara—and four cherished granddaughters, two of whom now reside in their heavenly home with Jesus.
Tara Bailey - 4th grade English, Literature & Bible; 7th grade Literature
Tara grew up in Southern California and graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara with a B.A. in elementary education. After teaching for a year she married her husband, Matt, and continued teaching 4th and 5th grade until the birth of their first of five children. They moved to Montana in 2002 right out of residency and Matt began his practice as an orthopedic surgeon in Whitefish. Tara homeschooled until her oldest reached high school, learned of Heritage, and enrolled her into its amazing program. Tara has three children in college and two still at Heritage. She enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, running, and reading as well as spending time with and taking care of her family.
Tawnya Bell- High School History
Tawnya grew up in Kalispell and was privileged to be educated at home until 5th grade. The remainder of her education was completed at Flathead Christian School (now Stillwater) where she greatly enjoyed learning within a Classical model. She often reflects on her Logic and Rhetoric training as the most valuable part of her education in that they equipped her to think and communicate more effectively in every area of life. Tawnya has been married to her husband Cliff for 22 years and has been homeschooling their four children since they began their formal education. Their family has been uniquely immersed in the study of history and Tawnya particularly enjoys discussing how a biblical worldview informs our understanding of history and the present day in which we live. In addition to teaching her own children, Tawnya spent several years teaching in the context of a local Classical Conversations community. She also previously served on the Heritage Academy administrative staff. She is thrilled to be in her second year of teaching High School History at Heritage. In her spare moments you can find her enjoying the outdoors, cooking, reading, and playing with flowers.
Sophie Burke - 1st & 2nd Elementary Literature
Sophie Burke has taught in private schools across the Northwest for the past 6 years. After growing up in North Idaho, she has lived in Colorado, Western Washington, and now resides in Whitefish. In July, Sophie and her husband welcomed to the world their first baby (angel), Janie. To the classroom Sophie brings her love of adolescent literature, Gaga ball skills, and tactical approach to pulling loose teeth. When she is not instructing at Heritage, she is recreating outside in some capacity. She likes to man the oars on the raft, summit peaks in Glacier, and rip down Big Mountain on skis. Around town you might see her at live music events, bartending at Blackstar, or teaching Faith and Formation at St. Charles.
Rebecca Chertudi- 8th English & Literature
Rebecca Chertudi grew up in beautiful Missoula, Montana, where she learned to love the humanities. Although her degree at Washington and Lee University in Virginia was in East Asian Languages and Literatures, she also studied Classics extensively. Two years after graduating, Rebecca and her husband, James, left the United States for Japan, where they developed their own curricula and taught English to approximately 3,500 elementary and junior high school students. The lure of teaching in the United States was too strong to resist, however, and after three years in Japan, Rebecca returned to Montana, where she developed her own Latin curriculum and taught Latin and History at Whitefish Christian Academy for four years. Rebecca has worked in our nursery and preschool program and our elementary history department. This year, she is excited to move up a few grades to share her love of words and stories with her students.
Staci Cope- Choir Accompanist
Music has always been a part of Staci's life. Learning to play the piano at the age of 3, she started playing in churches by the age of 8. Becoming the accompanist for the choir in 7th grade set the course for her career in music. She has accompanied choirs from preschool to college age and has played for too many weddings and funerals to count.
As the Director of Music in a Lutheran Church for 20 years in Las Vegas, she was the organist for traditional services, pianist for the contemporary services, and directed vocal and handbell choirs of all ages. For 10 years, Staci was a paraprofessional in the music department at the largest Lutheran Jr/Sr High school in Las Vegas, where she assisted all the vocal and instrumental choirs. She has been accompanying students in their District Music Festivals since she was a student at Flathead High School, continuing to do that for students at Glacier High School now.
Happy to be back "home" in the Flathead Valley, Staci enjoys working in the music department of Heritage Academy with Susie Sullivan in the same building where they both attended church many years ago. She loves the kids and hopes to instill some of the joy she has always found in music in them.
Kristin Cotton- Kindergarten Foundations
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.
Megan Couser- Chemistry
Megan Couser grew up on a small farm in central North Dakota where she raised sheep, chickens, a donkey, and more, and attended a small one room school until 8th grade. Following graduation, from a much larger high school, she attended The University of Montana where she studied Biology, Broad Field Science, Secondary Education, and participated in Track. She met and married her husband Noah (also an educator) while they were still in college. They both student taught in the Flathead Valley and fell in love with the area. Megan taught IB Biology, Chemistry, and other science courses at Flathead High School for nine years and resigned after having her first son. She now has three sons, one old enough to attend Heritage Academy, and is loving life and serving the Lord with her adventure crew. She is honored to serve the students at Heritage Academy by teaching Chemistry this year.
Phil Cunningham- Physical Education K - 5th grade
Phil Cunningham is the husband of Amy and father of three beautiful daughters, a dog, two cats and way too many chickens. He has been a follower of Jesus for 40 years and a full time missionary with Youth With A Mission and Steps of Justice for many of those. He is passionate about Justice, specifically about bringing awareness of the poor and oppressed and advocating for them. Phil
is a lover of coffee and 80’s rock music. He has been privileged to travel and work in 23 different countries, including N. Ireland where he was born. Phil was raised in Canada and now lives with his family in Kalispell.
Celena Daniels- 3rd grade Foundations, Math & Bible
Celena Daniels grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a B.A. in Health Science. Upon completion of her Bachelor's degree, she packed up all her belongings and drove out to New Braunfels, TX to be a part of TBarM Camp's first discipleship program. There her passion for recreation and ropes course facilitation was born. Her career involved managing 5 different ropes courses and facilitating programs in team-building, problem solving, and communication. She can be found reading game books, playing games, or thinking up a new game as well as skate skiing in the winter or hiking and mountain biking in the summer. She is excited about merging her passion for games and learning in the classroom. This is Celena's 7th year at Heritage as a parent and 4th year as a teacher. She and her husband have been married for 16 years and have one daughter in 6th grade who started at Heritage as a kindergartener.
Katie Danielson - Spanish I
Hello! My husband and I, both natives of western Washington, relocated with our two older children in the summer of 2021. My journey into teaching began unexpectedly while I was job hunting during my graduate studies in Seattle. I had the fortunate opportunity to teach middle school, high school, and community college students before my eldest was born. Now, it's a joy to be teaching at Heritage High School!
Joyce Davies - K-7 Science/Conservatory Science
Joyce was born in Hawaii and lived all across the nation with her multitude of animals, thanks to her adventurous parents. This love of adventure continued throughout her life. She received her BS in Environmental Science and Wildlife Biology from Ohio State University and completed her master’s work at Idaho State. Her first professional career was as a wildlife biologist in S.E. Alaska, and for 20 years she worked in various states and countries completing wildlife habitat restoration, evaluations and wildlife species research. After having her son, Soren and daughter Tove’, Joyce hung up her biology work to homeschool her children and share adventures with them. Joyce has worked as a science and math teacher at various facilities and loves to encourage students’ enthusiasm for all things Created!
Ashley Fischer- 1st Grade Foundations, Math & Bible
Ashley grew up in Kalispell and is a 3rd generation educator - both her grandfather and father taught for the FFA program. Her husband, Mark, is also a multi-generational Montana educator, former school administrator, and wrestling/softball coach. Teaching runs deep in their families. In 2009, Ashley received her BS in Elementary Education from Montana State University. She spent the first 5 years of her career teaching 4th grade in Kalispell Public Schools. In 2010 Ashley traveled to Ethiopia to join up with a friend in the peace corps where she was able to teach in classrooms throughout the country. In 2015, Mark and Ashley welcomed their first child, and that year she stepped out of education to be a stay-at-home mother. They now have 3 children; Kate, Luke and Leah. In addition to her lead role as a mother and wife, Ashley helps guide K-12 youth formation classes at Risen Christ and St. Matthews. She is trained to provide professional development to educators around the state in the area of math. Over the last 10 years Ashley developed an onboarding mentorship program to support new teachers in our area. Outside of the education realm, Ashley has a passion for designing homes and Mark has a passion for building them, which led to the decision in 2020 for Mark to embark on a new career as a contractor. In 2021, by the grace of God, Mark and Ashley began homeschooling through the Heritage Academy. Their eyes have been opened to the beautiful world of hybrid learning and they have been blown away by this amazing program and even more amazing community.
Nicole Fisher- 10th grade girls Bible; 7&8th grade History
Once upon a time, there was a girl from Northern California who loved books and read voraciously. Her passion for stories led her far from home to Texas, where she earned degrees in English and Communications, with minors in Creative Writing and Film, from Southern Methodist University. During a summer job in Glacier National Park, she met and married a charming Montana cowboy. She pursued a Master’s degree in literature but left the program to embrace the calling of motherhood, eventually raising six children—four daughters and two sons—who share her love of books. In 2021, with four of her children grown and married and the youngest two aged 16 and 12, she completed a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on English instruction. Her love of books also shaped her career as an educator with the Heritage program, where she spent nearly a decade developing and teaching writing and language arts for grades 1-12, designing K-12 humanities coursework, creating original curriculums, and supporting her school community through policy development, teacher training, and encouragement. All of this grew from one little girl’s love of books.
Melanie Fritsch - 2nd Grade Foundations/2nd grade Math
Melanie grew up in Illinois, where she lived until she left for college. She earned a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from ASU. Melanie returned to Illinois where she taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade for 10 years. During that time, she earned a master’s in Reading Education from Concordia University. Melanie's husband Adam is a Physical Therapist and Professor. They have two children, Connor and Olivia. Melanie stepped out of full time teaching to stay home and raise their kids. A desire to relocate out West, near family, brought them to Montana. Connor is in 6th grade at Heritage and Olivia is in Pre-k. When she's not teaching, you can find her family exploring the outdoors or cozying up by the fire, enjoying a movie or book. They are truly blessed that God has brought them into such a wonderful community of parents, teachers, and students.
Sandra Gardiner-Office Manager
Sandra, a homeschool mom for 26 years, has embraced various roles throughout her life. She has experience in nursing, foster care, homeschooling, ski patrol, and entrepreneurship with her cleaning business. Currently, she is an administrative assistant at Heritage. Sandra finds joy in serving others and prefers to work behind the scenes. She is a proud mother to five daughters and grandmother to eight grandchildren. Her passion lies in ranching on a former Christmas tree farm, where she tends to cows, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. For the last decade, she has been active in 4H. Sandra's hobbies include skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and relaxing on the beach.
Stacy Gwynn- High School Assistant
Stacy, a homeschooling mom for more than two decades, cherishes these years as the greatest blessing of her life. She appreciates the opportunity to conclude her homeschooling journey with the Heritage team, where she assists in grading Mrs. Bell's exceptional history class. Outside of Heritage, her hobbies include running, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Kimberly Hansen- Comp & Rhetoric I; Literature 9th grade
Kim grew up in Annapolis, Maryland near the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and United States Naval Academy. After graduating in 1998 from Covenant College with a degree in Business, she married Pete and started life as a Navy wife. Following nine years of Navy life, Kim & Pete landed in Oklahoma and eventually transferred to the Air Force Reserves. While in Oklahoma they began their home-schooling journey with their four children. Over the years Kim tutored for the Classical Conversations Co-op in Enid, spending two years at the Foundations level and four years directing the Challenge A program. The Hansens moved to Kalispell in 2020 and participated in the Flathead Valley Classical Conversations program for a year before joining Heritage. When she isn't baking cupcakes or decorating a wedding cake, Kim loves being outdoors paddle boarding, hiking, skiing, or rollerblading. She is also content to sit by the lake with a book. She enjoys getting to know the Heritage community better and encouraging students to love God well through their academic pursuits.
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Nik Hernandez- Worship Director
Nikolas Hernandez was born in West Covina, California. He moved to Kalispell at the age of two and has lived in the valley ever since. As a teenager, he planned to move away, but the more he prayed, the more God made it clear that this was where he was supposed to be. Nik is joyously married to his beautiful bride, Michelle, who is an integral part of helping him facilitate the fellowship, feasts, and musical training of our student worship team. They are blessed with two amazing boys here on earth, and three children who they eagerly await to meet in heaven. For the past two decades, Nik has been a part of worship ministry both in churches and various interdenominational ministries. He is passionate for youth and adults to grow in ardent worship towards the one true God, Jesus Christ. He desires to encourage the students at Heritage to view worship as more than the time spent singing in assembly or church, but as a giving of their whole lives. He enjoys discussing apologetics and theology over a Reese's peanut butter cup blizzard. Nik is a Journeyman Electrician, hoping to pursue attending seminary in the future.
Trina Karow - Elementary Art
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 many years, and her talent speaks for itself.
Gwen Kashmier- Student Life, Student Leadership & House Program
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 four years as she coached, advised classes, and organized track meets. Gwen has taught classical studies for three years with Classical Conversations. She has been involved with co-op groups and serves the children and youth at her church. Most of all, Gwen loves to see students know the love that the Lord has for them, which includes her two children she homeschooled for 14 years. Gwen also enjoys the outdoors, crafting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Josh Lancaster - Development Director, Senior Synthesis
Josh grew up in Denver, Colorado and met his wife, Marlo, in Flagstaff, Arizona. They’ve been married 30 years and have been working with teenagers in youth ministry and education this entire time. Recently, he worked as the head of the Visual Arts Department at Glacier High School where he taught for 12 years. Josh has a BA General Studies in Fine Arts from Northern Arizona University, an Education degree from Rio Salado College, and a Masters of Education: Secondary Ed. from Plymouth State University. He helps with lots of logistics, donor development, teaching the Senior Synthesis class, and connecting people in this amazing community.
Marlo Lancaster -7th grade Bible; Biology, Zoology, Health & Human Science
Marlo has been a part of Heritage since its inception in 2011 and has taught the biological sciences for the past 29 years. She has her BS in Health Education and Biology from Northern Arizona University. She holds a secondary teaching certificate in Biology, Health, and Physical Education for the state of Montana and has also held certifications in Washington, and Arizona. Teaching in both the private and public sectors she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her subject area. Well-known for her dynamic personality, Marlo has a unique ability to make science entertaining. Her students are engaged because her enthusiasm is contagious! Marlo's two boys have been at Heritage since they were babies and have grown up a part of the community, thus, becoming an accidental homeschool family. Josh joined the Lancaster team at Heritage and they consider Heritage their Family Mission. Marlo is constantly organizing activities, ordering shirts, and heading up track and cross country to make life more fun at Heritage.
Buffi Lloyd - 6th grade Bible; English/Lit 6; Lit, Comp, Rhetoric II
Buffi grew up in Ventura, California and met her husband while completing the radiology technology program at Loma Linda University, after which, she pursued licensure in abdominal, obstetrical, gynecological, and cardiovascular sonography at AHU in Orlando Florida. She and her husband then worked in Guam at a mission clinic for six years where two of their four children were born. Feeling the need to be closer to family, they moved back to California where they lived for 10 years before moving to Montana. After 23 years of working in radiology, Buffi finally found the opportunity to pursue her love for teaching. For the last six years, Buffi has taught at Heritage Academy and has fallen in love with the mixture of strong Classical Christian curriculum, friendly staff, and fabulous students. She completed her BSRS in Radiologic Sciences from Loma Linda University in 2018 and her MA in Communication with an emphasis in Education from Grand Canyon University in 2022. Eventually, she hopes to teach health sciences at a collegiate level.
Byron Longenecker- 9-12th grade boys Bible Study
Byron graduated from Briercrest College, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 2004 with a B.A. in Business Management. Upon his return to Montana, he met and quickly married (do not ask how quick) his beautiful wife, Jessica, and they now have five kids. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to build and sell several businesses while serving in various ministries. Upon completion of his Masters of Divinity from Covenant Seminary in 2012, Byron served as an Associate Pastor in Billings, MT for three years before returning home to the Flathead Valley. Byron loves people and is passionate to see their faith lived out in every aspect of life. He is especially excited to help students explore and engage the world of learning through the lens of a deep Christian faith. When not chasing after his adventurous wife and kids, Byron can be found making new friends, handing out his favorite theology books, and doing typical Montana man "stuff".
Sarah Louden- 5th Grade English, Literature, & Bible
Sarah grew up the eldest of a homeschooling family in the Flathead Valley before homeschooling was “cool.” After graduating from the first Flathead Valley Homeschool graduating class of 2001, she attended The Master’s College in California where she received a B.A. in English and then a teaching credential for grades 5-12 Language Arts. Soon after moving back to the valley from CA, she met and married Greg who works as a nurse at Logan Health. Sarah taught 6th and 7th grade language arts at Stillwater Christian for three years before moving to teach in a public classroom at Somers Middle School for an additional four. At SMS, Sarah especially enjoyed collaborating with the 6th grade science and history teachers to integrate writing across subject areas. She also enjoyed creating literature units for her sixth graders that encouraged student delight and real-life connections. Sarah is a homeschool mom to three beautiful humans–who are currently enjoying the community of Heritage. The hybrid model of Heritage has afforded Sarah the special privilege of being back in the classroom again part time while maintaining three days at home with her most favorite people. She is beyond grateful to work with the amazing staff and families in this community! Outside of being an educator, Sarah loves hanging with family and friends–drinking coffee, listening to music, crafting, art, and reading good books. She finds special joy in all things outdoors– including hiking, running, skiing, camping, hunting and gardening.
Niki MacLean-Spanish II; Field Trip Coordinator
Niki became fluent in Spanish while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic from 1996-1998. A lifelong learner, Niki has been teaching Spanish and ESL classes for students in preschool through college in both public and private school settings for the last 20 years. She has led student trips to Argentina and Mexico and has also traveled in Paraguay and Venezuela. Originally from Denver, CO, Niki and her family moved to her husband’s hometown of Whitefish in 2010. She holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Oregon and a Colorado teaching license. Locally, she has worked as a Music Together teacher at North Valley Music School, taught Kid’s College and Continuing Education Spanish classes at FVCC and served as a Youth Minister for six years. She has also coordinated field trips for Heritage for the last four years. She is passionate about dynamic, relationship based education, serving Christ, and forming future disciples for our Lord!
Cortney Marx- 4th-6th Grade Math
Cortney and her husband, Cale, have lived in the Flathead Valley for over a decade. She was raised in a small town in southern Oregon, and her husband was raised in a small town in upstate New York. The Lord brought them together in this beautiful state of Montana! They have a dog, Juneau (named after the capital of Alaska), who is a Border Collie Labrador mix. Cortney enjoys incorporating stories about Juneau into her teaching, and always has something new to share about her girl! As a family, they enjoy time together being outside going on hikes, spending time at the river, and snowshoeing.
Cortney knew she wanted to be a teacher since the first grade and has wonderful memories of her teacher, Mrs. Brown, who she aspires to be like. She remembers coming home from school, gathering up her dolls and school supplies, and "teaching" them. Her passion for teaching grew stronger as Cortney got older, so it was no surprise that after graduating high school, she went on to college to pursue her teaching degree. She attended George Fox University and graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, K-8th. Her teaching experiences range from being the lead third grade teacher at a private Christian school, substitute teaching K-12 in public schools, being a support special education teacher, working with students who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, being the lead teacher for first through sixth graders while teaching a different subject to a different age group every 45 minutes, and tutoring. No matter the education setting, Cortney loves to teach!
Ashley Mason- 9th grade girls Bible
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 12 years.
Jessica Milligan- Preschool & Nursery Assistant
Jessica was born and raised in the PNW where she met her husband and had two children. She has been homeschooling her daughter and son from the beginning of their education and has enjoyed being a part of their journey. God also put it on her heart to help point little children to Jesus and has responded to that call by serving with babies and toddlers for many years at her church. She has been blessed to respond to that call even further by serving in the preschool and nursery program at Heritage Academy. Jessica is passionate about her relationship with Jesus, her family, living in community with others, music, and finding joy in the everyday moments.
Lisa Ochenrider- Latin
Lisa grew up in Alaska where she developed a deep love for Jesus, people, and adventuring in the great outdoors. She attended Multnomah Bible College in Portland, OR, and then went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2003. She and her husband, Mark, spent 12 years in the Seattle area having 5 children and starting and running a small medical practice. In 2016, they moved back to the Flathead Valley where her husband grew up. Lisa has been an educator since 2012, first at a private school and then in co-ops and home-school settings. She is grateful for the combination at Heritage of wonderful teachers and classmates mixed with the gift of learning at home together. As a teacher, Lisa loves getting to know the students and families, and hopes to inspire them to love learning and know the depth of God's love for them. During their free time, the Ochenriders enjoy time with friends, camping, rafting, hiking, and exploring God's beautiful creation together.
Jenny Petersen- Tuition and Accounts, Business Manger
Jenny graduated from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. While in college, she served at several different churches with their youth ministries and received a minor in Youth Ministry. After graduating, she worked as Grant Manager at the largest Christian foundation in the South, where she helped manage a $25-$35-million-dollar annual granting budget; designed and managed the development and implementation of policies and procedures for processing of grants, grant payments, and compliance with relevant laws; as well as played a key role in the design and set up of their grant management database. Jenny joined the Heritage community in 2019. At work she enjoys bringing order to chaos, organizing, and helping to orchestrate “all things money.” When not working, Jenny enjoys reading, visiting with friends, or adventuring with her family.
Amy Peterson - 4-6 History; Logic I & II
Amy, a Nebraska native, holds a degree in Elementary Education from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, after attending the University of Nebraska for a year. She has experience teaching 3rd to 5th grades in private Christian schools across Arizona and California. Additionally, Amy homeschooled her three daughters until high school graduation and instructed writing at their homeschool academy in California. Once her youngest daughter graduated, she resumed classroom teaching. Married to a pastor for 33 years, Amy has dedicated 15 years to youth ministry and 18 years to a church plant, leading both children's and women's ministries. Her family, originally from Coeur d'Alene, relocated to Kalispell to be near her daughter and grandson, enjoying a return to the Pacific Northwest. Amy's passions include reading, fellowship, e-biking, church activities, and above all, family time.
Melissa Quast- Admissions and Academic Records
Melissa grew up in San Diego and graduated from Seattle Pacific University. She married into a Kalispell family who has lived on their former dairy farm for over a hundred years. She and her husband are raising two teenage sons and starting up a small hobby farm. A marketing data analyst by trade, she dreams in spreadsheets and sql code and uses her penchant for creating systems and managing details to help serve the Heritage community. She is jealous of the education her sons are receiving and can often be found reading their textbooks and trying her hand at their writing assignments. She loves taking in expansive views, taking notes from a really good book, and tracking the sunset as it courses across the hills west of her home.
Beth Rainford- 8th grade Bible; English 7/8th grade
Beth and her husband Eddie live in Whitefish 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 15 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.
Susie Sullivan- Choir K-7th grade
Born and raised in Kalispell, Susie has seen many changes over the years. A very welcome change has been the establishment of Heritage Academy. The express purpose of Heritage~cultivating in students virtue, a love for wisdom and faithful service of the Lord Jesus Christ~has captured her heart to support this great community in any way she can. Susie and her husband, John, were married in the church on the Heritage campus, almost 50 years ago. They were discipled here as new Christians and as newlyweds. Their daughters, Kamela Anderson. also an instructor at Heritage, and Kelsey, who resides in Bozeman, will tell you that they was born and raised in the church on this property. Susie had the privilege of leading several children’s choirs back then in the very sanctuary where she now leads the Heritage choirs. It gives her such a sense of awe and responsibility to do it again.
Lisa Thiessen - Elementary K - 4 Director; Conservatory Director
Lisa Thiessen is joining Heritage Academy staff this year as the Head of the Elementary (K-4) department and the Director of the Conservatory program. She has been married to Aaron, the love of her life, for over 21 years. They have four children: Wesley, 18; Annabelle, 16; Colette, 13; and Lincoln, 10.
She has been in education for over twenty years in California, working in public, homeschool, charter, and private Christian schools. She left public education and felt the calling to homeschool. Seeing a need for community, she started Freedom Christian Homeschooling 501c3. While working with homeschooling families, she was asked to join a homeschooling charter school as an Administrator/Coordinator, facilitating homeschool classes and supporting and supervising teachers in their K-12 academic program.
In 2018, the board of trustees for King's Corner Ministries asked her to develop a private Christian school for a large citrus grower in Central Valley, CA, employing over 800 employees. In the fall of 2020 (during the pandemic in California, which is a mighty God story), the school doors were opened on a temporary school site/church campus, and Lisa continued to work as the School Developer and Head of School. By June 2022, the school was accredited through WASC and ACSI, and in the Fall of 2023, the school moved into its beautiful brand-new school site and began to develop its High School program.
Lisa currently has the privilege of consulting and supporting newly developing Christian schools and homeschooling cooperatives all over the U.S. through her LLC and working alongside the Herzog Foundation. She is honored to be a part of God's kingdom-building through education.
Christie Thomas- Parent Partner Coordinator
Christie was born and raised in the Midwest where she received her bachelor's in nursing with a business administration minor from Illinois Wesleyan University. While working as an ER nurse in Madison, Wisconsin, Christie was challenged to evaluate her faith. Shortly after accepting Jesus as her savior she met her husband on e-harmony and moved to Kalispell to be with him. Though she never imagined homeschooling their 3 children, when their oldest began kindergarten, God opened the door and they have been blessed by the Heritage community since. After several years at Heritage the parent partnership model was introduced and so began Christie's role as the parent partner coordinator. She loves getting to know each Heritage family and remains in awe each year as God weaves together everyone's gifts to bless our wonderful community.
Erin Tintzman - Operations & Admissions Director
Erin grew up in Idaho, immersed in classical education. She graduated from the University of Colorado with a BS in dental hygiene. Erin has a unique passion for life and helping others grow. Married to her fabulous husband, Dan, and mother of four amazing children, she has homeschooled for 12 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 - Head of School, Physical Science; Geometry
Jane and her husband, Josh, are the founders of Heritage Academy. Jane graduated from Flathead High School in 1999 and 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 11 years. She is a homeschool mom of nine children who loves all kinds of curriculum and research, hiking, camping, reading aloud, spending time with family, traveling, and a clean house. Most of all, Jane loves to see students and families grow to love God, love others, and love learning so that they can use their God-given gifts to shape culture.
Susan Wagner-Art 6-12th grade
Susan Wagner, mother of five, has been a committed homeschooler for the last 25 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.
Cara Yeh- Algebra 2
Cara Yeh grew up in Northern California, before venturing off to Minnesota for college where she got her B.A. in Mathematics along with her teaching credential. From there, she moved to Southern California, where she taught high school math until meeting her husband and starting a family. After a lifetime of visiting family in Montana as well as spending her college year summers in Montana, God finally called her and her family of 5 kids to move to Montana in June 2020. For the past 3 years, she has enjoyed re-learning how to ski, discovering new lakes and hikes, learning how to homestead and house horses, and growing in faith and community with her Heritage Family. Joining Heritage was a gift to the family, allowing Cara to be back in the classroom as a math teacher, as well as providing her kids with a classical, God-focused community to learn from. As of last year, she graduated her first born and is thoroughly enjoying this season of life.