Faculty & Staff

Degrees: B.A. in History with Distinction and Departmental Honors, Stanford University; M.A. in History, Yale University

Year Joined Staff: 2016

Professional Background: After 12 years working as a craftsman and builder, Mr. Koch’s love of learning led him back into the classroom to study American western, environmental, and religious history. While in graduate school he taught history at a classical Christian school in New Haven and decided to direct his academic efforts toward serving in the classical Christian education movement. Mr. Koch developed curriculum and taught history, literature, rhetoric, theology, and biology for several years at another ACCS member school before coming to St. Stephen’s Academy as the Dean of Academics. He began serving as Headmaster in 2018.

Philosophy of Education: The goal of education is to train up free, wise, and eloquent persons who love God and serve others in the home, church, workplace, and city using whatever gifts God gives them, wherever He calls them to serve. This goal is best accomplished through a liberal arts education that consistently emphasizes the relationships between our knowledge of God, His world, and His creative and redemptive purposes.

Degrees: B.S. in Physical Science, Biola University; Master of Education in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year Joined Staff: 2016

Professional Background: Mr. Gilmore taught high school in inner city Las Vegas for four years, with the first two years as part of Teach for America. He taught physics and geoscience and served in school leadership as the Instructional Leadership Team Chair.

Philosophy of Education: Mr. Gilmore believes that education is ultimately a training of the affections in which a love for the Good, the True, and the Beautiful of each unique discipline is fostered. In the classroom, Mr. Gilmore seeks to develop this love through highly engaging inquiry-based lessons that require students to think critically.

Degrees: B.A. in Elementary Education

Year Joined Staff: 2015

Professional Background: Mrs. Oeverman spent five years teaching 5th and 6th grades in Michigan and Minnesota before having the privilege of being full-time mother to her five children. She returned to the classroom in 2015 and is thankful to be a part of St. Stephen’s Academy’s pursuit of the truth, knowledge, and wisdom of our sovereign God.

Philosophy of Education: Mrs. Oeverman desires to educate students to see God at work in all that he has made, “…for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” This biblical foundation is the basis for the subjects she teaches, as she seeks to train up young men and women who will glorify God and enjoy Him in a lifetime of service to Christ.

Degree: B.S. in Business and Equestrian Studies, Rocky Mountain College

Year Joined Staff: 2017

Professional Background: After completing her degree, Mrs. Emly started working in the banking field. She finished her banking career as a branch manager and loan officer after 10 years of experience. She is a trained Dave Ramsey Financial Coach and has taught many classes of Financial Peace University. Hayley serves the school as Director of Operations and Athletic Director.

Degrees: B.S. in Business: Accounting, University of Idaho; B.A. in History and Social Science, San Diego Christian College

Year Joined Staff: 2018

Professional Background: Prior to joining St. Stephen’s Academy, Mr. Thompson worked in secondary education as a teacher and school administrator.

Degrees: M.S. in Speech and Language, Portland State University.

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Mrs. Hidde has been working with families as a Speech Language Pathologist since 2014, supporting the development and learning in younger children. She developed a love of classical Christian education as she taught her own children over the past few years and through her work as a tutor with Classical Conversations. Mrs. Hidde serves the school as Admissions Coordinator and Community Engagement.

Degrees: B.S. in Elementary Education, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR; Certificate in Biblical Studies, Bodenseehof/Columbia International University, Friedrichshafen, Germany

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Mrs. Adams completed her elementary education degree in 1998. After reading a book on classical Christian education and spending a week in a school based on that approach, she was hooked! Soon after, she started a cottage school for 4 th -7 th graders in her home, creating a 2-year course using classical content and methods. During the past 22 years, she has homeschooled her children, tutored individual students, and taught many subjects to children of all ages in a classical Christian co-op.

Philosophy of Education: 1 Peter 2:4-5 reads, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Children are a precious gift from God! He has entrusted us with the task of raising up immortals, creatures made in the image of God, intended to glorify and enjoy their Creator for eternity. This is a high calling! I hope to support the work of parents and churches by pointing my students to their Savior and Lord and showcasing the wonders of His word and His world.

Degrees: B.A. in Christian Studies and M.A. in Historical Education from Grand Canyon University. 

Professional Background: Mr. Anderson previously held the role of Office Assistant at Grand Canyon University’s College of Theology as a student worker. Upon graduation, Mr. Anderson assisted in instructing freshman Christian Worldview classes at the same institution. 

Philosophy of Education: Education concerns helping students discover what is good, true, and beautiful. Christian education embraces that it is ultimately God who is Good, True, and Beautiful, and therefore orients all education towards His glory. It is my goal to cultivate a challenging educational environment that fosters critical and constructive discussions, so that students may be equipped to live mindfully and purposefully as image bearers within their own communities.

Degrees: B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies, Multnomah University.

Professional Background: Mr. Anton worked as a case manager at a Christian ministry for the homeless before joining St. Stephen’s Academy. He was also a teaching assistant for Bible and theology courses at the seminary and undergraduate level.

Philosophy of Education: The aim of education is to shape character and understanding. It is the role of the educator to implant a love of learning and growth in the heart of the student. Education is successful when God is brought to the forefront and one can see how the world reflects His awesome character, works, and promises.

Degree: B.S. in Applied Art & Design, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; M.S. in Safety & Systems Management, University of Southern California; Certificate in Classical Christian Studies, New Saint Andrews College

Year Joined Staff: 2013

Professional Background: After graduating from Cal Poly, Mrs. Bergeron worked for Computer Sciences Corporation as a graphic designer. Then, after spending five years at home with her four children, she joined the team at Classical Conversations as a classroom teacher and trainer. Later she joined the Classical Conversations administrative team as State Manager for Oregon and Idaho. The necessity of furthering her education in the humanities led her to take classes at New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho, where she discovered her love for history, languages, and writing. Mrs. Bergeron loves coaching students through the multi-faceted, integrated “subjects” of Mock Trial: writing, linguistics, logic, rhetoric, acting, and law. She is currently continuing her own theological Latin studies through the Davenant Institute.

Philosophy of Education: Preparation happens before a teacher enters the classroom. A teacher who expects active participation from her students must be active in her own education, active first in her own mind. Students become like their teachers–with their same weaknesses, their same strengths. My aim is to increase activity and confidence in each student’s mind and body, employing pedagogies of the medievals as well as current research about how we learn and remember best. I want to give quick feedback so that my students are aware that I applaud their hot pursuit of truth and virtue, or that they’re not there yet, and can exert further effort in order to reach the goal. In both discipline and encouragement, I am seeking what a wise teacher called “soul-to-soul interaction” with my students.

Degrees: B.A. in English, Biola University; Teaching Credential and M.A. in English, California State University, Long Beach

Year Joined Staff: 2016

Philosophy of Education: Love my students. Build relationships. Learn cool stuff. Write about it. It’s not very philosophical, but it is elementary, Dear Reader. The challenges and joys of the blessed role of “teacher’ are, from my perspective, founded on a desire to connect with my charges as we explore the world of story. And there is so much to discover! I am inspired and awed by the divine story, of course, the greatest of tales, told by a Master Author, in which we “live and move and have our being.” As my students and I delve into history and literature, joining the adventures of characters both real and fictional, we learn how our attitudes and actions impact others, how precious and fragile is the human heart, and how our need for redemption makes us yearn for Truth. Love my students. Build relationships. Learn cool stuff. Write about it. It’s a story I’m grateful to be living.

Degrees: B.A. in Arts and Letters with minor in Linguistics, Portland State University; M.A.in Education with Reading Endorsement, George Fox University

Year Joined Staff: 2011

Professional Background: Ms. Conteh has done missions on and off with Mercy Ships. She taught at The Language and Culture Institute and The Riggs Institute. She taught 4th and 5th grade at MITCH Charter School, Kindergarten at Happy Hollow Children’s Center, was a reading specialist at Park Academy, and has always privately tutored. She taught for nine years before joining St. Stephen’s Academy.

Philosophy of Education: Ms. Conteh believes that her primary role as a teacher is to guide her students into knowing and loving Jesus Christ. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, she seeks to model character virtues such as kindness, faithfulness, and patience while genuinely loving and encouraging her students. She wants them to learn from her how to have their own trust in Jesus, how to obey Him, and how to love others. She strives to implement the Gospel into every subject.

Degree: B.A. in Liberal Studies: Teacher Education, The Master’s College

Year Joined Staff: 2015

Professional Background: Mrs. Cybulski first began teaching in 2005 at a Christian school in California. After an extended time off to raise her family she returned to teaching. She was very excited to join the team at St. Stephen’s.

Philosophy of Education: It is Mrs. Cybulski’s desire to educate students about who God is and what He has done in the world around them. She enjoys highlighting God’s hand in history, science, mathematics, and even language. She seeks to build a foundation of education that will prepare students to discern truth and think critically.

Degrees: B.A. in English Literature (History minor), Biola University; M.A. in History, California State University, Fullerton; Ph.D. in Medieval European History, Northwestern University

Year Joined Staff: 2019

Professional Background: After a brief period working at a mutual fund company, Dr. Fort pursued his love of history and the Middle Ages in graduate school, where he studied the religious, cultural, and intellectual developments of this vibrant era. In Evanston, he taught courses, published articles, and undertook a fellowship for teaching history. Over the next two years, Dr. Fort lectured and taught in the Honors College — a Great Books program — at Azusa Pacific University.

Philosophy of Education: I work to train the minds and hearts of students to cultivate wonder, ask questions, humbly approach a text, and diligently pursue ideas, which are the enemies of test-like approaches to education that focus on simplistic answers. When students examine primary texts and wrestle with big ideas, they are not only sharpening their minds but also developing their love for all of God’s creation. I am excited to walk with students on this journey so that they will be prepared for whatever vocational callings they pursue.

Degrees:
B.A. Music Education & Liberal Studies, Simpson University; M.A. Cross Cultural Education, National University; E.S.O.L. Endorsement, Western Oregon University; Orff Schulwerk Certification – Level 2; Feierabend First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege Certifications

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Mrs. Gaither began her music teaching career in 2002. She comes from a musical family, filled with memories of singing hymns in church and attending her grandmother’s choir concerts with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. It was a 1980’s McDonald’s commercial, where she first heard the song, “Fur Elise,” that inspired her to play the piano. She has sung in various choirs from middle school through college and into adulthood, including the Willamette Master Chorus in Salem. She regularly participates on the worship team at her church, and she participates often in music and choral conducting workshops, most recently with the Westminster College of Music.

Philosophy of Education: I believe that all people need to experience beauty. When they do, it changes them. When we experience beauty, we behold a glimpse of God’s glory (Psalm 19). The more we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, the more we are transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is my desire that my students have a rich experience of God’s beauty found in music. It brings me joy as a music educator to be a part of their experience.

Degrees: B.A. in History, Metropolitan State University of Denver; M. Ed., University of Phoenix

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Mr. Gryniewicz spent 10 years teaching elementary students at an English immersion school in South Korea. Previous to that, he taught early childhood education and completed his student teaching at Oberon Middle School in Colorado.

Philosophy of Education: Mr. Gryniewicz is extremely passionate about education and believes that lessons should be practical, engaging, and stimulating for all students. He constantly challenges his students to go beyond what they think they are capable of and reach their true potential as learners. He believes that God’s image shines clearly through children, and it is his duty to educate students in a loving and Godly manner.

Degree: B.S. in Biology, University of California Irvine

Year Joined Staff: 2019

Professional Background: Miss Imboden has worked in the medical field as a Radiologic Technologist (X-ray Tech) and as a Physician’s Scribe. Prior to joining St. Stephen’s, she taught 3rd and 4th grade at a classical Christian school in California for five years and Upper School math and science at Veritas School in Newberg, Oregon.

Philosophy of Education: “Behind and beyond all the telling, explaining, and lesson-giving, there lies as the essential aim of it all, and of all that the teacher does, the awakening and setting in action the learner’s mind, the arousing of his self-activities, as they have been called – those faculties of cognition, imagination, and reasoning whose action must always be voluntary and self-impelled. As already shown, knowledge cannot be passed from mind to mind like apples from one basket to another, but must in every case be re-cognized, re-thought by the receiving mind.”
John Milton Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Education and Professional Background: Mrs. Jackson studied at Virginia Tech and at the University of Maryland. In 1996, she married a Marine officer, following him as he was sent and teaching children at home.

Philosophy of Education: I believe that a teacher must not merely be a master of her subject, but be an avid learner, constantly seeking to grow and gain. I follow hard after Christ and pray that, as I stand before them, my students might see less of me and more of Him. Respect, courtesy, and service of others is expected and encouraged, since we are a body working together toward a common goal. We will work hard, play hard, and strive to be skilled workmen, worthy of praise. I want my students to taste and see, hear, feel, and smell (yes, even smell) that the Lord is good! With joy and wonder we will observe, examine, measure, weigh, and learn new things. We will test the limits of our minds and bodies, seeking to do a little more and a little better with every attempt. At the end of the day, my desire is for students to be both satisfied and insatiable – that they would be stretched and filled, but hungry, hungry, hungry for more.

Degrees: B.S. in History, United States Naval Academy; M.S. in Operations Research, Naval Postgraduate School

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background:  Prior to joining the SSA faculty, Mr. Jackson worked for six years in the analytics industry as an Operations Research Analyst, developing mathematical models and conducting both quantitative and qualitative analyses in support of organizational decision-making. His professional expertise developed out of a 20-year career in the Marine Corps, where he also served as an intelligence officer.

Philosophy of Education: Be what you want your students to become; cultivate their affections to love rightly; ask questions that inspire inquiry; all with the object of filling students with the desire to take every thought captive for Christ.

Degree: B.S. in Marketing Management (Minor in Operatic Vocal Performance), Grove City College.

Year joined staff: 2023

Professional Background: Mr. Laurie’s career began in business development for law firms, but most recently he worked as a management consultant and trainer for several software conglomerates. His role as a trainer reminded him of one of his earliest loves—teaching. He returned to Oregon from his home in North Carolina and is thrilled to be back at his high school alma mater.

Philosophy of Education: The St. Stephen’s faculty handbook reminds teachers that we operate in loco parentis; we steward and develop young minds on behalf of, and in collaboration with, the families of our students. In that light, it is well to remember that each of our students has a heavenly father. He has created them in His image, and their minds reflect His own. Our efforts on behalf of these students ought always to point them to Him—and to remind them that the capacity for creative, critical thought is evidence of our origins as creations of a divine being. We are responsible for encouraging students to steward that capacity well, to use it for His glory, and to participate in His work.

Degrees: B.A. in English, Oregon State University, Corvallis

MBA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Year Joined Staff: 2023

Professional Background:

After graduating from Oregon State, Mrs. Lehne worked for Human Resources at a semiconductor company in Hillsboro. Five years later, circumstances took her to Virginia where she completed her MBA at Virginia Tech.  Upon returning to Oregon, she continued working in Human Resources until deciding to stay home with her two sons. During this time, she was asked to become a Children’s Leader with Bible Study Fellowship.  She served on the leadership team for over a decade teaching preschool children about God’s attributes, His love, and His true Word. In the past two years, she has helped substitute for St. Stephen’s Academy at the Lower School, and it became apparent that the Lord was calling her to become a full-time teacher at the school.

Philosophy of Education:

Teaching at St. Stephen’s Academy for me is about loving and leading the next generation to find a vibrant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  In doing this, I seek to help students see and understand the beauty, truth, and love that the Lord has graciously given us.  I look for ways to encourage the students to grow to their fullest potential academically and spiritually.  It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead these children, pointing them towards Jesus. It’s a calling that enables me to find such joy in knowing that this is eternal, kingdom work.

Degrees: B.A. in Liberal Studies, California State University, Fullerton; M.A. in Special Education: Orientation and Mobility, California State University, Los Angeles

Year Joined Staff: 2016

Professional Background: Prior to teaching Kindergarten at St. Stephen’s Academy, Mrs. Marshall worked as an educator for blind and visually impaired students in California for seven years. She has experience working with students ages birth through 12th grade and has worked for a variety of educational agencies in both the public and private sector. She also holds a Clinical Rehabilitation Credential and completed an internship at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the V.A. Hospital in Palo Alto, CA.

Philosophy of Education: Mrs. Marshall strives to teach her students to view all areas of learning through the lens of a biblical worldview. She strongly desires for her students to be both challenged and encouraged by what they are learning, and she feels honored to be one of the instruments used to cultivate growth and instill grace in her students’ lives.

Professional Background: B.S. in Elementary Education, minor in Early Childhood Education, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Year Joined Staff: 2019

Professional Background: Mrs. Midkiff completed her first semester of student teaching in a 2nd grade gifted class at Everglades Elementary in Wellington, Florida. For her second semester of student teaching, she taught in a 2nd grade classroom at Jupiter Christian School in Jupiter, Florida. She has experience teaching PreK at Beginnings Preschool and 1st grade at The Conservatory School, both located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Mrs. Midkiff also has worked as a youth peer mentor for Work Opportunities Unlimited, helping support youth with disabilities, ages 14-26.

Philosophy of Education: I believe it’s my role as a teacher to instill in my students a love for lifelong learning. I believe in using students’ natural curiosity and wonder to examine a world that reflects our beautiful and good God. I believe that every day my students and I should seek the truth which we can find in God’s word. The goal is for my students to leave my class each day with a better understanding of who God is, how to have a relationship with Him, and how they can love others.

Degree: B.A. in Psychology and Art, Southern Oregon State University 

Year Joined Staff: 2002

Professional Background: A lifelong artist, Mrs. Mier has been showing and selling her artwork in shows, galleries, and privately for over 25 years. She owned a gallery in Portland, Oregon, before coming to St. Stephen’s Academy and has been teaching art for 19 years, 15 of those at St. Stephen’s. She recently illustrated a children’s chapter book written by a local author that is now available on Amazon. Her passion is watching students reach their potential in art and have that work be a joy to fellow men that honors God in Heaven.

Philosophy of Education: Education should be provided in a safe but disciplined environment that challenges all students to achieve academic and artistic excellence by honoring God and exciting the human need to create and question through a demanding and comprehensive curriculum. Students should be able to obtain and use tools of learning to create demonstrate and perform or present materials that represent the curriculum learned.

Degree: Graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a major in Christian Education

Year Joined Staff: 2017

Professional Background: Mrs. Miller has over 25 years teaching experience with 3s, 4s, and Kindergarten. Prior to coming to St. Stephen’s Academy, from 2001-2017 she taught morning and afternoon 4s classes and was the music teacher for all 4 year old classes at Beaverton Christian Church Preschool and Kindergarten. During the time she raised her children, Mrs. Miller took time away from teaching and served in her church as the Children’s Choir Coordinator, supervising nine choir, directors, and staff. She was also the Concert Series Coordinator for the evangelistic outreach ministry. After several years in business management, God led her back to her passion for teaching Pre-Kindergarten children.

Philosophy of Education: Mrs. Miller believes preschool is a very important part of a child’s education where foundation stones for their future learning and their relationship with Christ can continue to be securely set. She hopes to instill in young children a love for God and to know that God loves them, to appreciate God’s creation, and that their life is a valuable part of His creation. She also hopes to develop within them a love for learning, to encourage academic development as well as social and emotional skills and small motor abilities. Mrs. Miller loves the freedom at a Christian school to bring Christ into all areas of teaching. She is excited to be part of the St. Stephen’s family.

Degrees: Undergraduate: B.A. in Philosophy (Historical Theology minor), Grand Canyon University; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Rev. Parker has been a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) since 2016 and served as a pastor in Mississippi before venturing to the Pacific Northwest to serve as the Senior Pastor at Evergreen Presbyterian Church. While in Mississippi he was an adjunct professor at Belhaven University, teaching New Testament and Old Testament classes. He has written extensively for Reformation 21 since 2007.

Educational Philosophy: Rev. Parker considers it a very high calling to labor alongside others in training up young people as disciples. Education is not simply about the communication of facts and information, but is about personal formation and transformation as students learn wisdom and eloquence.

Degrees: BS Biology, Linfield University; MS in Teaching Science, Portland State University; MA in Teaching, Willamette University

Professional Background: Following two wonderful seasons of field botany, Mrs. Person began preparing for a career in education. Over the past fifteen years, Mrs. Person has taught in a variety of formal and informal settings, with students ranging in age from preschool through adulthood. She is delighted to return to teach the age group that has truly captured her heart: middle school.

Educational philosophy: In Mark 22, Jesus instructs that the greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Whatever the content of the class, Mrs. Person strives to encourage students to fulfill these commands,  both in the present and all their days after leaving St. Stephen’s. Learning should be a joyful experience that directs the learner to celebrate God and His goodness, giving thanks for what He has created.

Degrees: B.A. in English Literature (Humanities Minor), M.A. in English Literature, Azusa Pacific University

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Aside from a brief stint in recruiting for IT companies, Mr. Reasoner has spent the majority of his professional life teaching English grammar, reading, and composition. While finishing higher education, Mr. Reasoner began his teaching career as an English tutor to Japanese business professionals in the Tokyo prefecture. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University, Mr. Reasoner spent the next two years teaching language arts to 2nd, 4th, and 6th grade students in Pasadena, CA.

Philosophy of Education: Education is the means by which curious learners gain an understanding of God, themselves, and the world. When done well, education can provide students with the tools to broaden their perspective, properly orient themselves in the world, and participate with God in His purposes. In this way, education is not only about the growth and liberation of the mind, but also the cultivation and even sanctification of the soul. Mr. Reasoner seeks to implement this philosophy in the classroom by engaging texts with an open posture, fostering critical thinking, contextualizing information within grand narratives, and nurturing an enjoyment of God.

Degree: B.A. in Sociology with social work emphasis and Spanish minor, Chapman University

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Mrs. Ring began her career in a transitional housing program for youth formally placed in foster care. She later worked as a corrections technician and victim advocate within the adult criminal justice system. In the 13 years that followed, she served as a counselor for youth involved in the delinquency system.  After 16 years in social work, the Lord called Mrs. Ring to apply her skillset and love of children to the role of teaching.

Philosophy of Education: My highest calling is to spark in my students a passion for following Jesus and a love of learning. I aim to cultivate a classroom culture focused on glorifying God and exploring the wonders of His creation. I believe that a student’s excitement for learning grows as they come to know their Father intimately, for He is the ultimate teacher and source of all wisdom. It is through this communion that their callings and gifts are revealed.

Degrees: B.A. Education, The Master’s University

Year Joined Staff: 2017

Professional Background: Prior to coming to St. Stephen’s, Mrs. Smith had 11 years of experience as an educator, serving as a special ed. teacher in Los Angeles, a homeschooling tutor out of her home, and a grammar school teacher at Beacon Hill Classical Academy, an ACCS school in California that she and her husband helped found.

Philosophy of Education: Because Jesus calls us to love God with all our minds, it glorifies Him when we train our minds well.  Loving God with all our minds includes exploring the beauty of His creation, telling and writing stories, rehearsing His providential rule through history, analyzing words in sentences and paragraphs, memorizing Scripture, creating art and music, and exercising our brains through logic and mathematics.  Since the whole earth is full of His glory, education is a devotional experience.

Degrees: B.S. in Psychobiology, University of California, Riverside; M.D., Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Dr. Suranyi spent 21 years in private practice as a board certified Anesthesiologist at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, California. Although clinical care and patient interactions have been vocationally and personally rewarding, his passion for other interests, including Christian ministry, teaching, and horticulture have led him to early retirement from medicine.

Philosophy of Education: Being made uniquely in God’s image, we have an innate curiosity about our world and an inner desire to know our Creator. The complexity, as well as manifold dimensions of God’s created order, require an honest, objective, and systematic, yet humble approach to learning. It necessitates the integration of the spiritual, mental, and physical realm of the natural world. Ultimately our goal in learning is not solely the pursuit of understanding, but rather, bringing glory to God in such pursuits.

Degree: B.S. in Biochemistry, Hillsdale College

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Before joining the St. Stephen’s community, Mrs. Walker worked with students ranging from 2nd grade to high school in both classical Christian school and Christian camp settings. She also worked as a writing center tutor while earning her bachelor’s degree.

Philosophy of Education: Mrs. Walker believes that a good and proper education is one where the student’s soul is formed to know, love, and pursue the truth. Through this education, the student is able to distinguish all that is good and beautiful amidst the chaos of our world and live a virtuous life. As a science teacher, Mrs. Walker seeks to form the souls of her students through emphasizing the importance of studying the natural world, the limitations of science, and the joy of what Kepler called “thinking God’s thoughts after him.”

Degree: B.A. in English with minors in Early Childhood Education and Spanish, Hillsdale College

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Miss Wolcott worked for 5 years as a behavioral interventionist with children with Autism spectrum disorders. In this role, she provided therapeutic interventions with a focus on language and communication, social and play skills, self-help and advocacy, and behavioral and sensory challenge management. She also trained and collaborated with parents and educators to support students’ success in home, school, and community settings. During the pandemic, Miss Wolcott led a private, home-based classroom of seven students (1st-4th grade). She provided individualized support, direct instruction, tutoring, and curriculum development and collaborated with local public and private teachers to optimize student growth. Miss Wolcott also develops PreK-8th grade curriculum for online, app-based, and virtual learning.

Philosophy of Education: As teachers, our role is to help students grow and thrive. My pedagogical approach prioritizes engagement of students’ imaginations, fosters creativity, and invites students to take ownership of their academic and personal development. I also believe that students are most likely to understand and retain new ideas when they encounter these ideas in experiential modes of learning. Finally, each student learns in their own way, and it is a teacher’s privilege to help students discover ways of learning that serve them. This process involves helping students develop the resilience, character, confidence, and curiosity to face academic challenges.

Degree: B.A. in English Education, Eastern Washington University

Year Joined Staff: 2018

Professional Background: Before joining St. Stephen’s, Sheila held professional and administrative positions with the State of Washington Employment Security and Child Support programs; the Association of Classical & Christian Schools; and for her church. She moved to Oregon with her family the fall of 2017 and is thankful to be part of the SSA community!

Degrees: B.S. in Nursing, Biola University

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: The first three years of her nursing career Mrs. Gilmore worked in an Adult Day Care, Low Income Christian Health Care Clinic, and Long Term Acute Care hospital in Las Vegas, NV. She also has over four years of experience working as a care manager and triage nurse at OHSU Internal Medicine Clinic. This position has provided her the opportunity to sharpen her knowledge and skills in nursing, while also fulfilling her calling as a wife and mother.

Degrees: B.S. in Psychology, Seattle Pacific University; M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) with a Reading Endorsement, Pacific University

Year Joined Staff: 2018

Professional Background: Karissa has interned and worked in various school districts and programs from Seattle to Palo Alto at all grade levels, including programs in special education.

During her Master’s Degree program, she interned at Emmaus Christian School where she got her first taste of classical Christian education. After graduation from Pacific University, she was hired at Agape Christian School (a former classical Christian school in Beaverton) as a 5th grade teacher, then later as a part-time middle school teacher.

She picked up the hobby of photography because she wanted high-quality pictures of her children’s activities. The owner of the performing arts studio where her children took classes liked her pictures and she was “hired” as the official photographer. She began taking official photos for dance shows, recitals, and musical theater.

Philosophy of Education: I believe that teachers are called to instruct students in new ideas and then to guide students in their own responsibility for both learning and behavior; the relationship is collaborative even at very young grade levels. Students are often capable of more than we give them credit for. I like to emphasize responsibility, communication, and respect in the classroom by listening to students. I want to hear what they have learned, their ideas and perspectives. A teacher’s primary goal is to help students learn and to train them to become independent learners. This skill will transfer to all areas of life as they grow in not only education, but also in their faith, family, and careers.

Year Joined Staff: 2021

Professional Background: Kara worked in accounts payable/receivable for seven years at a large company in the Portland area she and her husband decided to start a family and she stayed home with their daughter. In order to be a stay-at-home mom and contribute financially, she started her own cleaning business in 2012, which she carried on until she began working at St. Stephen’s. Prior to joining the St. Stephen’s staff, Kara was a regular volunteer in the Lower School for many years.

Philosophy of Education: I believe that teaching how to learn is equally important as what we learn. I also believe that by teaching a curriculum that is full of truth in a loving, supportive, and stimulating environment our children will have the tools necessary to navigate their way through life not only academically but spiritually as well! “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Degree: B.S. in Finance and International Business, Oregon State University

Year Joined Staff: 2018

Professional Background: Before joining St. Stephen’s, Evelyn worked in a commercial insurance brokerage firm and did bookkeeping for a local accountant.

Degrees: M.A. in Teaching ESL from Matej Bel University in Slovakia and B.F.A. in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego

Year Joined Staff: 2022

Professional Background: Born and raised in former Czechoslovakia to a mother who holds a PhD in English, Simona developed a passion for education and teaching at an early age and as soon as the Iron Curtain fell, she had the opportunity to pursue that passion by working as a nanny throughout Europe and then in the United States. Working as a nanny proved incredibly valuable in Simona’s ability to work with children of various abilities and backgrounds and also fueled her desire to eventually serve in the classroom.

Upon moving to San Diego with her nanny family, Simona earned her B.F.A. in Interior Design and after moving to Portland, worked as Project Manager for an Interior Architecture firm for six years, until the birth of her first son. Twelve years and four sons later, Simona is over the moon to be serving in a Christ-centered school and to have the opportunity to make an impact and glorify God in the lives of the children at St. Stephen’s.

Mrs. Wright worked in public schools for over 30 years before coming to St. Stephens Academy this year. She worked 13 years in elementary schools, then switched to high schools for another 13 years. She retired in 2019 and continued to substitute as a secretary. She is delighted to be in such an incredible, caring, respectful environment!