Elementary Faculty

Kindergarten: Denette Dixon

ducation Background: Goldenwest College in Fullerton, California; Orange Coast College, California

Teaching Experience: Denette has been teaching for a total of 10 years including many subjects in the elementary grades. Denette has been teaching for USCS since 2006.

1st-2nd Grade: Debbie Blake

Education Background:

Teaching Experience:

3rd Grade: Nancy Holaday

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

5th-6th Grade: George Poli

Education Background:

Teaching Experience:  George began teaching at USCS in 2009.

Elementary Art: Abby Rankin

Education Background: Colorado Christian University; Bachelors Degree in Business

Teaching Experience: Abby has home educated her children for several years and has been teaching at USCS since 2008.

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 – Pre-Algebra, Algebra 2, 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.

Derick Hull – Math 7

Education Background: Graduated Saddleback Community College, California with a Associates Degree; Derick is currently completing classes at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Teaching Experience: Derick was a pastor in California for two years and has been teaching at USCS since 2008.

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.

Marcy Barrera – Life Science, Biology, Physiology & Anatomy

Education Background:

Teaching Experience: Began teaching at USCS since 2007.

English Department: Department Head – Karla Sheveland

Karla Sheveland – English 7, English 8, English 9

Education Background: University of Wyoming, B.A. in Education

Teaching Experience: A credentialed teacher in the state of Colorado with 14 years of teaching experience. Karla has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Jill Adler – Foundations of English, French

Education Background: University of Colorado, Boulder; B.A. in Linguistics

Teaching Experience: Jill has a total of 10 years of teaching experience. She has taught ESL for many years. Jill has been teaching at USCS since 2008.

Mandy Houk – Creative Writing

Education Background: University of California, Irvine, B.A. in Social Ecology

Teaching Experience: Mandy is also a freelance writer, editor, and ghostwriter for authors and has home educated her daughters for several years. Mandy has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Lessie Cooper – American Literature

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 English and History at Spirit Preparatory School in California and at USCS. Lessie has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

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 – World Studies, American Republic, U.S. History, American Government/Economics

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 English and History at Spirit Preparatory School in California and at USCS. Lessie has been teaching at USCS since 2006.

Jill Adler – World History

Education Background: University of Colorado, Boulder; Bachelors of Art in Linguistics

Teaching Experience: Jill has a total of 10 years in education. She has taught ESL for many years. Jill has been teaching at USCS since 2008.

Biblical Studies: Department Head – Dan Gammie

Derick Hull – Missions

Education Background: Graduated Saddleback Community College, California with a Associates Degree; Derick is currently completing classes at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Teaching Experience: Derick was a pastor in California for two years and has been teaching at USCS since 2008.

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

Jeff Cooper – Introduction to Adventure Leadership, Adventure Leadership 1, Adventure Leadership 2, 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 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.

Electives

Kitty Robbins – Guitar, Web Design

Education Background: Northwestern State University, Louisiana

Teaching Experience: Kitty has been involved in worship leading and theatrical productions for many years. She has been teaching guitar at USCS since 2007.

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.

Robin Gammie – Speech

Teaching Experience: Robin has been a public speaker for church events and for Christian Home Educators Association in California for many years. Robin has also been teaching Toastmasters for 10 years and worked as the Administrator for The Master’s Academy in California for 11 years. Robin has been teaching at USCS since 2008.