Our Faculty

We are pleased to present the faculty of Nova Classical Academy! We are fortunate to have secured such an outstanding group of professional educators in so short a period of time. Each instructor brings multiple vocational and avocational interests to our school, as well as strong backgrounds in the liberal arts, fine arts, and sciences.

FACULTY AND STAFF 2007-2008

Administration

Mr. John Greving - Head of School
B.A., Sociology, University of Notre Dame
M.S., Educational Administration, North Dakota State University

Mrs. Vicky Carey - Office Manager
B.F.A., cum laude, Fine Art, Arizona State University

Ms. Nancy Schultz - Business Manager
A.A., Accounting, University of Minnesota

Ms. Jan Beebe - Operations Manager
B.A., Social Work and Psychology, St. Olaf College
M.A., Counseling and Psychological Services, St. Mary’s College

Jane Kahnke - Faculty Administration
B.S., Management, University of Minnesota

School of Grammar

Ms. Rose Coleman – Kindergarten
B.A., Elementary Education, University of Minnesota-Morris
M.S., Education, Winona State University

Ms. Gina Zelinka – Kindergarten
B.A., Political Science and Studio Art, St. Olaf College
MN Professional Licensure, M.A.T. program, Hamline University

Mrs. Patricia Bodenstab – First Grade
B.A., magna cum laude, Elementary Education, Concordia University

Mrs. Cassidy Steiner – First Grade
B.A., cum laude, Elementary Education, Luther College

Ms. Megan Daoust – Second Grade
B.S., Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
M.A.T., Elementary Education, University of St. Thomas
M.A., Gifted, Creative, and Talented Education, University of St. Thomas

Ms. Rebecca Lund – Second Grade
B.A., Elementary Education, Augsburg College

Ms. Kim Keller – Third Grade
B.A., cum laude, Psychology, Antioch University, California
B.A., Elementary Education, California State University

Mr. Chad Long – Third Grade
B.S., magna cum laude, Elementary Education, University of Mary
M.Ed., Elementary Education, University of North Dakota

Ms. Natalie Synhaivsky – Latin Grades 3-6
B.A., Greek and Latin, University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Music, Oberlin College
Master of Music, Juilliard School
Juris Doctorate, cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School

Ms. Maria Marchand – Fourth Grade
B.S., Interior Design, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
M.A., Education, College of St. Catherine

Mrs. Bonnie Schlank – Fourth Grade
B.S., Magna cum laude, Business Administration, University of Colorado
M.A., Education, College of St. Catherine


School of Logic

Ms. Kathleen McLarn – Fifth Grade
B.A., History and Economics, Manhattanville College, New York
M.A. Mass Communication, University of Minnesota

Mr. Patrick Erikson – Science and Math Grades 5 & 6
B.S., Zoology, Psychology, and Exercise Science, Weber State University
M.Ed., Elementary Education, DePaul University, Chicago

Ms. Natalie Synhaivsky – Latin Grades 3-6
B.A., Greek and Latin, University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Music, Oberlin College
Master of Music, Juilliard School
Juris Doctorate, cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School

Mr. Brandon Foat – Middle School History and Language Arts, Grade 6 Advisor
B.A., Fine Arts, Augsburg College
M.A., magna cum laude, Education, College of St. Catherine

Ms. Claudia Houser Crifasi – Grades 6 & 7
B.A., Liberal Arts, University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas

Ms. Courtney Holman – Latin and Grade 7 Advisor
B.S. and Latin Education Certification, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mrs. Sarah Taylor – Grade 7 Language Arts
B.A., Psychology, Yale University
M.B.A., Banking and Finance, The Wharton School, Pennsylvania
M.A., Teacher Education, University of St. Thomas

Mr. Jason Belter – Science and Math Grades 7 & 8
B.A., Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin

Mr. Alex Asancheyev – Eighth Grade
B.A., Magna cum laude, English and Biology, Wheaton College


Specialists

Mrs. Gia Gifford – Art Grades 1-8
B.F.A., Studio Art and Art History, University of Minnesota
M.A., Art Education, University of Minnesota

Mr. Christian Rovn – Physical Education and Health
B.A., Physical Education, Luther College
M.Ed., Athletic Administration, University of St. Thomas
MN Professional Licensure, Concordia University

Mrs. Katie Tuma – Kindergarten Art, Educational Assistant Grades 2-5
B.S. Elementary Education and Studio Art, College of St. Catherine
M.A., Liberal Studies, Hamline University

Mrs. Rebecca Urbrock – Music K-8
B.A., Piano Performance, Macalester College
M.A.T., Music Education, University of St. Thomas


Special Education

Ms. Marsha Bunge – Special Education Teacher

Ms. Amy Elholm – Occupational Therapist

Ms. Anna Apodaca – Speech Pathologist

Ms. Catherine Young – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consultant

Ms. Janell Frakes – Special Education Coordinator

Ms. Mary Ellen West – School Psychologist

Mr. Mike Piersak – Charter School Special Education Director


Student Support

Mr. Justin Brott – Educational Assistant
B.S., Elementary Education, Northern Arizona University

Mr. Adam Eberhardt – Educational Assistant
B.A., magna cum laude, Psychology, University of St. Thomas

Ms. Mary Ellen West – School Psychologist

Mrs. Jane Kahnke – Lunch Program Supervisor

Ms. Greta Kivens – Educational Assistant
B.A. Sociology, Macalester College
Elementary Teaching License, University of St. Thomas

Ms. Mary Lutz – Educational Assistant
B.A., Political Science, Augsburg College
M.A., Special Education, University of St. Thomas

Mrs. Jill Kunz Stewart – R.N., Licensed School Nurse
B.A., Nursing, College of St. Catherine
M.S., Nursing, University of Minnesota
Public Health Nurse Certificate

Ms. Joleen Ross – Educational Assistant
B.S., Outdoor Education/Special Populations, Northland College