Elementary Faculty

Kindergarten: Marcy Davis

Education Background: Patriot University, Del Norte, Colorado; Bachelors of Arts in Christian Counseling

Teaching Experience: Coordinated and taught art/drama for grades 1st-6th at Valley Forge Baptist Temple in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Taught 1st grade  Sunday School for 7 years and 3rd grade Sunday School for 3 years. Marcy was also a middle school and high school summer camp counselor for many years.  Marcy has been teaching with USCS since the fall of 2010.

1st Grade: Laura Bazemore

Education Background: University of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Bachelors of English/Elementary Education.

Teaching Experience: Laura Bazemore has been a Fourth Grade Student Teacher at Springs Ranch Elementary as well as a Volunteer Reading Tutor at Pikes Peak Library Districts. Laura has also been a First Grade Sunday School teacher and Children’s Church Leader for Grace Bible Church; as well as a Child Care Coordinator for Campus Crusade for Christ and Children’s Program Team Leader for Global Hope. Laura has been teaching with USCS since the fall of 2010.

2nd/3rd Grade: Nancy Holaday

Education Background: California State University in Fullerton, California; Bachelors  in Liberal Studies

Teaching Experience: A credentialed teacher in the state of California. Nancy has taught for a total of 20 years. Her teaching experience includes teaching at private and public schools and home education.  She has taught at Stetson Hills Elementary Special Education Department in Colorado Springs and has been teaching elementary at USCS since 2006.

4th Grade: Amy Mientka

Education Background: Colorado University; Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies

Teaching Experience: A credentialed teacher in the state of Colorado and has taught for 4 years in District 20, Colorado Springs as a 2nd Grade and Spanish K-5 teacher. Amy has been teaching at USCS since 2007.

4th Grade Assistant Teacher: Kimberly S. Hoekert

Education Background: Taylor University; Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Christian Education; University of Michigan; Masters of Social Work: Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Groups, and Families, Minor in Community Organization.

Teaching Experience: Kimberly Hoekert has been involved in Elementary home education in Art and has educated her own children (K-4grade and 8th grade). She was also the Girls Basketball coach for 5th-8th grade students for CSCS and has worked as a Counselor/Social Worker for Chipeta Elementary school, District 11. Kimberly Hoekert has been working with USCS since the fall of 2010.

5th Grade: Bethany Champlin

Education Background: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; Bachelors of Arts in English in 2006 and a M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in LDE in 2008.

Teaching Experience:  Worked and volunteered in a home for parentless children ages 5-11 with various learning backgrounds in Bangalore, India and oversaw a one-room, Christian elementary school. Assisted professors and tutored adults and worked in the Writing Center at Pikes Peak Community College, CO. Taught all subjects to K/1st Grade ESL and NEP students for Colorado Springs, District 2. Worked as a part-time ESL teacher for all K-5th grade students at Will Rogers Elementary, District 11. Taught as a specials teacher (Spanish) for Falcon, District 49 Springs Ranch Elementary. Bethany Champlin has been teaching at USCS since the fall of 2010.

6th Grade: Stephanie Bishop

Educational Background: Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, Cuesta College; Sacramento extended Police Academy Graduate; POST certificate in 1997

Teaching Experience: Home educated her children for 5 years and has also taught many co-op home education classes for many years. Stephanie Bishop has been teaching for USCS since the spring of 2010.

Elementary Art: Lisa Tsiao

Education Background: Covenant College, Lookout Mountain; Radiological Technologist Certification through St. Luke’s School of Radiology, Denver, CO.; American Heart Association BLS Instructor (Credentialed from 2007 – present).

Teaching Experience: Worked as a Health Assistant for Colorado Springs Christian Elementary School for 6 years. For 4 years, Lisa Tsiao instructed all age groups in loom knitting, origami, craft demonstration for the general public and more at Michael’s Arts and Crafts Store. Lisa Tsiao has been teaching with USCS since the fall of 2010.

Elementary Spanish: Maria Lackey

Teaching Experience: Taught Spanish at Colorado Springs Christian Schools (Elementary and Middle School) for 2 years and had home educated her children for several years. Maria has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Secondary Faculty

Mathematics Department: Department Head – Tracey Hess

Tracey Hess – Algebra 2, Study Skills/SAT prep, Personal Finances, Introduction to Statistics

Education Background: University of Houston, Texas with a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, Minor in Education; she is also an ACSI certified teacher

Teaching Experience: Tracey has been teaching for a total of 8 years; her teaching experience includes mathematics at Colorado Springs Christian Schools (CSCS). Tracey has been teaching at USCS since 2007.

Shawn Gibson – Math 7, Pre-Algebra

Education Background: Florida State University; Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary in Social Sciences

Teaching Experience: Taught for Dunnellon Middle School, Dunnellon, Florida for 2 years as a Middle School teacher. During his time at Dunnellon, Shawn began a pilot program designed for levels 1 & 2 FCAT students in reading. He also helped Dunnellon become an “A” grade school and volunteered to lead the PAWS reading program. A substitute teacher for 3 years at Colorado Springs Christian School (CSCS). Currently working for LearningRX as a Cognitive Trainer (approximately 4 years now).

Lisa Danforth – Geometry

Education Background: Northwestern University, Louisiana; B.S. in Electric Engineering

Teaching Experience: Lisa has home educated her children and has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Kim Brackett – Algebra 1, Pre-Calculus

Education Background: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, B.S. in Mathematics

Teaching Experience: Kim has been a volunteer tutor, home educator, and has taught at USCS since 2007.

Jeff Cooper – Calculus

Education Background: A graduate of Carson-Newman College with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science; Received his M.Div from Golden Gate Seminary in 2006.

Teaching Experience: Before working for USCS, Jeff worked as a youth pastor for Pacific Church of Irvine for 8 years. Jeff had also been teaching advanced math and outdoor leadership for a total of 8 years (in California and in Colorado). He has been trained with Alpine Training Services for rock climbing and canyoneering. He is also a certified instructor for the Red Cross in CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid. Jeff has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Science Department: Department Head – Dan Gammie

Dan Gammie – Physics, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Physical Science

Education Background: California State University, Long Beach; Bachelors of Science in Medical Micro-Biology

Teaching Experience: Dan has been teaching for a total of 18 years. His experience includes teaching at California State University, Long Beach for 15 years (instruction in Forensic Science), teaching as a pastor for Reverence Bible Church in Southern California, and teaching for USCS since 2008. His experience also includes working as a Forensic Scientist for 15 years for the Orange County Sheriff Department, Southern California and as a Forensic Engineer for 10 years in California.

Lisa Tsiao – Biology, Physiology & Anatomy

Education Background: Covenant College, Lookout Mountain; Radiological Technologist Certification through St. Luke’s School of Radiology, Denver, CO.; American Heart Association BLS Instructor (Credentialed from 2007 – present).

Teaching Experience: Worked as a Health Assistant for Colorado Springs Christian Elementary School for 6 years. Worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver providing Radiographic services in a hospital setting, including; portable radiography, surgical and fluoroscopic radiography, veni-puncture, contrast studies, and patient care.

Nathan McAleese – Life Science

Education Background: Graduated from Azusa Pacific University, California with a Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies and a minor in Biology.

Teaching Experience: Nathan has been teaching with USCS since the fall of 2010.

English Department: Department Head – Karla Sheveland

Karla Sheveland – Literature 7, Literature 8, Literature 11

Education Background: University of Wyoming, Bachelors of Arts in Education

Teaching Experience: A credentialed teacher in the state of Colorado with 16 years of teaching experience. Karla has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Becky Fulcher – Literature 9

Education Background: Graduate of University of Texas with a Bachelors of Business Administration; Graduate Studies at University of West Florida in English Literature.

Teaching Experience: Becky has taught Sunday School, AWANA and Bible Studies to all ages (preschool through 12th grade) and has been a youth worker for 5 years. Becky Fulcher has been teaching for USCS since the spring of 2010 (English/Literature for 9th grade).

Lessie Cooper – Literature 10

Education Background: Vanguard University of Southern California, B.A. in History/Poly Sci; Minor in Religion

Teaching Experience: Lessie has been teaching for a total of 5 years. Her experience includes teaching high school English and History at Spirit Academy in California and at USCS. Beginning in 2005, Lessie has taught 2 years of 9th grade Literature, 1 year of 11th grade Literature, and 1 year of 7th-8th grade Foundations of English/Grammar. Lessie has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Bethany Champlin – Foundations of English/Grammar (7th-12th grades), Creative Writing

Education Background: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; Bachelors of Arts in English in 2006 and a M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction with emphasis in LDE in 2008.

Teaching Experience:  Worked and volunteered in a home for parentless children ages 5-11 with various learning backgrounds in Bangalore, India and oversaw a one-room, Christian elementary school. Assisted professors and tutored adults and worked in the Writing Center at Pikes Peak Community College, CO. Taught all subjects to K/1st Grade ESL and NEP students for Colorado Springs, District 2. Worked as a part-time ESL teacher for all K-5th grade students at Will Rogers Elementary, District 11. Taught as a specials teacher (Spanish) for Falcon, District 49 Springs Ranch Elementary. Bethany has been teaching at USCS since the fall of 2010.

Lisa Danforth – British Literature

Education Background: Northwestern University, Louisiana; B.S. in Electric Engineering

Teaching Experience: Lisa has home educated her children and has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

History Department: Department Head – Lessie Cooper

Lessie Cooper – U.S. History

Education Background: Vanguard University of Southern California, B.A. in History/Poly Sci; Minor in Religion

Teaching Experience: Lessie has been teaching for a total of 5 years. Her experience includes teaching high school English and History at Spirit Preparatory School in California.  Lessie has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Dan Gammie – World History

Education Background: California State University, Long Beach; Bachelors of Science in Medical Micro-Biology

Teaching Experience: Dan has been teaching for a total of 18 years. His experience includes teaching at California State University, Long Beach for 15 years (instruction in Forensic Science), teaching as a pastor for Reverence Bible Church in Southern California, and teaching for USCS since 2008. His experience also includes working as a Forensic Scientist for 15 years for the Orange County Sheriff Department, Southern California and as a Forensic Engineer for 10 years in California.

Shawn Gibson – Civics/Economics

Education Background: Florida State University; Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary in Social Sciences

Teaching Experience: Taught for Dunnellon Middle School, Dunnellon, Florida for 2 years as a Middle School teacher. During his time at Dunnellon, Shawn began a pilot program designed for levels 1 & 2 FCAT students in reading. He also helped Dunnellon become an “A” grade school and volunteered to lead the PAWS reading program. A substitute teacher for 3 years at Colorado Springs Christian School (CSCS). Currently working for LearningRX as a Cognitive Trainer (approximately 4 years now).

Heather Sullivan – World Studies/Geography (7th Grade), American Republic (8th Grade)

Education Background: Northland International University; Bachelors of Science in History Education.

Teaching Experience: Worked as a camp counselor at Camp Eden, Wheat Ridge in Colorado from May 2008-2009. Substitute teacher for Lansing and Holt School Districts. Heather also worked as the Basketball coach for Irish Elementary.

Biblical Studies: Department Head – Dan Gammie

Nathan McAleese – Survey of the Bible

Education Background: Graduated from Azusa Pacific University, California with a Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies.

Teaching Experience: Nathan has been teaching with USCS since the fall of 2010.

Jeff Cooper – Bible Course

Education Background: A graduate of Carson-Newman College with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science; Received his M.Div from Golden Gate Seminary in 2006.

Teaching Experience: Before working for USCS, Jeff worked as a youth pastor for Pacific Church of Irvine for 8 years. Jeff had also been teaching advanced math and outdoor leadership for a total of 8 years (in California and in Colorado). He has been trained with Alpine Training Services for rock climbing and canyoneering. He is also a certified instructor for the Red Cross in CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid. Jeff has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Foreign Language

Maria Lackey – Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3

Teaching Experience: Maria has taught Spanish at Colorado Springs Christian Schools (CSCS Elementary and Middle School) for 2 years. Maria has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Leadership: Department Head – Jeff Cooper

Doug Rykerd – Intro to Adventure Leadership, Adventure Leadership 1

Education Background: California State University, Pamona, California

Teaching Experience: Doug has been experienced in the outdoors for 40+ years and has been teaching for USCS since the fall of 2008.

Jeff Cooper – Adventure Leadership 3, Adventure Conditioning

Education Background: A graduate of Carson-Newman College with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science; Received his M.Div from Golden Gate Seminary in 2006.

Teaching Experience: Before working for USCS, Jeff worked as a youth pastor for Pacific Church of Irvine for 8 years. Jeff had also been teaching advanced math and outdoor leadership for a total of 5 years (in California and in Colorado). He has been trained with Alpine Training Services for rock climbing and canyoneering. He is also a certified instructor for the Red Cross in CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid. Jeff has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Julie Dunham – Adventure Guide Program

Education Background: TBA

Teaching Experience: Julie Dunham is the owner/operator of SummitLife Adventures. She has been an outdoors instructor at Pikes Peak Community College. A high school P.E. teacher specializing in outdoor education, she is also a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. An avid outdoors person, she enjoys extending her backpacking and climbing experiences to international adventures.

Electives

Heather Sullivan – Secondary Art: Water Color/Acrylic

Education Background: Northland International University; Bachelors of Science in History Education.

Teaching Experience: Worked as a camp counselor at Camp Eden, Wheat Ridge in Colorado from May 2008-2009. Heather later worked as a substitute teacher for Lansing and Holt School Districts. Heather was a lettered athlete in Basketball and Track. She has been a member of the Colorado State University Track Team and was on the Northland International University Basketball Team for 3 years. She received the Mary Award for teach ability in Athletics and was the Basketball coach for Irish Elementary School.

Heather Sullivan – Physical Education

Education Background: Northland International University; Bachelors of Science in History Education.

Teaching Experience: Worked as a camp counselor at Camp Eden, Wheat Ridge in Colorado from May 2008-2009. Heather later worked as a substitute teacher for Lansing and Holt School Districts. Heather was a lettered athlete in Basketball and Track. She has been a member of the Colorado State University Track Team and was on the Northland International University Basketball Team for 3 years. She received the Mary Award for teach ability in Athletics and was the Basketball coach for Irish Elementary School.

Becky Fulcher – Fine Arts: Cooking

Education Background: Graduate of University of Texas with a Bachelors of Business Administration; Graduate Studies at University of West Florida in English Literature.

Teaching Experience: Becky has taught Sunday School, AWANA and Bible Studies to all ages (preschool through 12th grade) and has been a youth worker for 5 years. Becky Fulcher has been teaching for USCS since the spring of 2010 (English/Literature for 9th grade).

Nancy Holaday – Drama Production

Education Background: California State University in Fullerton, California; B.A. in Liberal Studies

Teaching Experience: A credentialed teacher in the state of Colorado. Nancy has taught for a total of 10 years. Her teaching experience includes teaching at Stetson Hills Elementary Special Education Department, Colorado Springs and as an elementary teacher at USCS since 2006.

Jonathan Puckett – Yearbook, Photoshop

Education Background: Currently enrolling to attend Moody Bible Institute via an online program for a degree in Biblical Studies.

Teaching Experience: Very talented with artistic photography and Adobe Photoshop and has been teaching Photoshop and Yearbook classes for 3 years. Jonathan has been teaching for USCS since 2008.