Bios of our faculty

Kristin Trezise

Headmaster

Miss Kristin (Kris) Trezise is a former high school English teacher. She graduated from Sterling College in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in English and Education. She received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from CSU in August 2007. She is presently completing her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from CCU. She has resided in Western Colorado since she was a teenager except for the years at college as well as her time living in Hungary as an ESL teacher at college preparatory high school and business college.

From 1992 to 1994 and 1997 to 2002, Kristin lived in Hungary and worked as an English teacher. She also directed summer camps for Hungarian, Romanian, and Ukrainian children to learn English. She has traveled extensively around the world and speaks a few words in several different languages. Her passion for education has charted an unusual path of teaching abroad as well as in public and private schools. She has experience as a private school administrator and 15 years as an English teacher.

Miss Trezise enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with her family and meeting new people. She can often be found with her nose in a book (about education or a good mystery) or planning her next travel adventure somewhere in the world.

Joe Fanning

Dean of Students

Mr. Joe Fanning is a retired United States Navy officer. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Masters of Political Science. While his Navy career took him around the country and the world, he has lived in Colorado since 2000 and Grand Junction since January 2008. His wife, Claudia, is a market researcher and independent consultant.

From 1984 through 1988, he was stationed on a destroyer and two mine sweepers in the Navy's surface ship fleet. He then went to flight school and was designated a Naval Flight Officer. For much of his career, he flew as the mission commander of the carrier-based S-3 Viking, flying missions in all of the world's oceans, the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea. His final tour in the Navy was as an exchange officer at the US Air Force Academy, where he taught military strategy and political science. He retired in 2004, and prior to joining Caprock Academy, was the Assistant Director of Columbia College's Aurora, Colorado, campus.

Mr. Fanning tries to spend his time outdoors, whether riding his off-road and street motorcycles, hiking, skiing and snowboarding or target shooting.

Carrie Sherrill

Director of Curriculum

Carrie Sherrill holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science and Elementary Certification from University of Northern Colorado. Her work experience includes teaching in private and public elementary schools in a variety of classroom settings. She receives immense enjoyment from connecting with kids to help them learn how to read and overcome educational obstacles. Carrie places high value on her family and personal life. She enjoys serving as a volunteer at church spending time with her children and husband. Carrie served the director of the Organizing Committee, founding Board Member and now currently serves as the Director of Curriculum of Caprock Academy.

Sue Pond

Director of Assessment

Sue Pond began working for School District 51 in the personnel office and then as a Kindergarten aide. It was there that she fell in love with teaching. As a result, Sue went back to school at Mesa State College in 1987 and graduated in 1991. After receiving her teaching certificate, Sue spent 2 years as a substitute teacher until being hired in 1993 to teach kindergarten at what was then Columbus Elementary. When it became Dos Rios in 1998, she continued as the kindergarten teacher. In 2000 Sue began teaching 4th grade, which she did until the present. “I’m looking forward to beginning a new stage of my career in teaching at Caprock Academy,” adds Sue.

After 29 years of marriage, Sue lost her husband in 2001. She has three daughters, all of which she stayed home to raise until they were in school. “My family is my life,” says Sue. “I have 11 grandchildren, 5 of whom will be attending Caprock Academy.” Sue also enjoys working outside in the yard and spending time in the mountains.

Dan Sherrill

Director of Business and Facilities Management

Dan Sherrill is an accomplished leader with extensive business operations and purchasing, planning and forecasting, IT, and coaching expertise.  He has 19 years experience at Hewlett Packard in various locations and positions and has traveled North America and Europe during his career.   Prior to joining Caprock Academy Dan was the VP of Finance and Operations for Global Rainmakers, a start-up company that specialized in acceleration coaching for global professionals, teams, and organizations locally and around the world and in helping individuals lead balanced, fulfilling lives.    Dan holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University.  Dan enjoys spending time with his family as well baseball, hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

Sarah Hecht

FT Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Sarah Hecht. I am married and have four children. I was born in Portland, OR and grew up in Oregon and Washington. I met my husband in Washington. In 2005, we relocated to Grand Junction as a result of my husband’s job and love raising my family here. I attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and Colorado Christian University in obtaining my Bachelors in Elementary Education and my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I enjoy hiking, camping, baking, cooking, horseback riding, and anything that entails spending time with my family.

Stacy McDowell

FT Kindergarten (Hecht) Educational Assistant

Stacy McDowell was born and raised in the Midwest. She has been married to high school sweetheart, Wade, for 20 years and moved Grand Junction in 1994.

Stacy worked at Chatfield Elementary as an RIA (Reading Intervention Aide) for 5 years. She joined Caprock Academy as an educational assistant in the full-time kindergarten class in September.

“I feel truly blessed to be a part of Caprock, I work with a wonderful teacher, Jill Fox, and the students are amazing! I am also enjoying meeting the parents of the students and getting to know them.”

Stacy has 3 children: Aaron, 19, a Freshman at Ft. Lewis College; Meaghan, 18, a Freshman at Mesa State College; and Ally, 14, an 8th grader at Bookcliff Middle School.

Stacy enjoys traveling with her family, scrap booking, motorcycling, and cross-country skiing.

Amber Snow

HT Kindergarten Teacher

HI, my name is Amber Snow and I teach kindergarten here at Caprock Academy and have done so since the school opened it’s doors in 2007.  I am originally from San Antonio Texas and moved to Colorado to finish college.  After marrying my wonderful husband Brian I taught school in Las Vegas.  When we decided to start a family we knew coming back to Colorado would be the best environment.  We now have a beautiful daughter named Harlow Lynn who was born in October of 2008.  Brian and I love watching movies and we love winter sports.  We also love taking in the beautiful scenery while taking Harlow on walks.  Brian owns an HVAC business and I am currently pursuing my masters degree in education, which I will have completed in the fall of 2010.  I am passionate about education and feel blessed to work at a school who’s vision and values align so closely with my own beliefs about education.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing students in the Grand Valley.

Debbie Hull

HT Kindergarten (Snow) Educational Assistant

I am so thrilled to be a part of the Caprock Academy family! I have had a love of teaching and children for many years. I met and married my husband 11 years ago and we have 3 children. Our 2 oldest attend Caprock. I was pursuing my Elementary Education degree when my husband Nathan and I married. Two years later we welcomed our first son Tim. I was 18 months shy of my degree when he blessed our family. I decided to stay home with Tim and be a full time mother. During the next 5 years we were blessed with 2 more children, Lindsay and Noah. I have been home with all of them for the last 9 years. I have so enjoyed this privilege, however, I was always anxious to return to the classroom. I did homeschool my two oldest for 1 year and then Caprock came along!

We love this school and my children are thriving here! It is my great pleasure to work among these precious kindergarteners! They are a great joy and enrich my life! I plan to stay at Caprock for many years to come. I am greatly blessed to feel so at home here.

Cassandra Piper

HT Kindergarten Teacher

Tina Leger

HT Kindergarten (Piper) Educational Assistant

Tina is originally from Washington State, but spent the past eight years living in Georgia. She relocated with her husband and daughter to Grand Junction this past summer and is enjoying getting to know the area and the people. She has always loved children and has spent time working with them throughout her life as a caregiver, Sunday school teacher, reading tutor, nanny, and mother. Throughout her college years, she took courses in elementary education, communication disorders, art, and psychology and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University in 1997. She is married to her husband, Duane, and their daughter, Emily, who is in the fifth grade at Caprock. She also has a stepdaughter and two grandchildren. She is excited to be working with the kindergarteners at Caprock and is looking forward to learning and growing in the field of elementary education.

Christie Antczak

1st Grade Teacher

Christie Antczak up in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon. She attended the University of Utah and met her husband in a singing group called “New Sounds”. She needed a ride to one of the performances and he was happy to be of help, the rest is history and they have been married for 16 years.

Christie has spent the last several years helping her husband with his business. She also has spent the majority of her time doing various types of volunteer work in her children’s classrooms at school, in her church’s Women’s’ Relief Society Organization and in the community. Her hobbies include genealogy, reading, computers, Sudoku and other mind puzzles.

Christie has three children that attend Caprock, Alexandra who is a 6th grader, Andrew who is in 2nd grade and Brett who is in Kindergarten. Christie has thoroughly loved working at Caprock and with the wonderful people who work there. She considers it to be a blessing and a privilege to associate with the caliber of individuals that have been drawn to this incredible school. “We all work as a united team, and that team has the kids’ genuine interest at heart and are dedicated to make great things happen.”

Tania Settje

1st Grade (Antczak) Educational Assistant

My name is Tania Settje. I was born and raised here in Grand Junction. I graduated from GJHS and then went on to Mesa State where I got my AA in Early Childhood Education and my BA in Liberal Arts. I met my husband while in college and we will celebrate our 10th anniversary in June of 2010. We have two wonderful daughters who are now both at Caprock. Before having children, I spent 7 years in Early Childhood Education. I started out while in college as an assistant teacher, moved on to become a teacher and then spent a few years as an assistant director/director of a center here in town. I truly love working with children and watching them grow and learn each day. In my free time I enjoy photography, graphic design, digital scrapbooking, reading and spending time with my family.

Pennie Dillon

1st Grade Teacher

Pennie Dillon grew up in Littleton, Colorado, attending Chatfield Sr. High where she would meet her future husband, Justin. She knew early on that she wanted two things out of life: to be a mom and to be a teacher. "I always loved being around children and repeatedly had caring and compassionate teachers in my life who inspired me to do something great." Pennie graduated with honors from Mesa State College with her degree in English Literature/Elementary Education and then moved back to Littleton, Colorado to be closer to family. She taught 3rd grade at Leawood Elementary in Littleton and then took some time off from the classroom to raise her two daughters, Paige and Ella. Shortly after, Pennie and her family moved to Bend, Oregon after a change in her husband's career took them out of state. In Oregon, Pennie helped design a curriculum for a private preschool/kindergarten and thought she would be there forever -until her husband was relocated back to Grand Junction in August of 2006.

"I feel very fortunate to be a part of the exciting energy of something big in education happening here at Caprock. I absolutely love working with the staff, the parents, and the children. I truly feel proud to be part a community that is dedicated to educating such amazing children!"

Brandie Hough

1st Grade (Dillon) Educational Assistant

Brandie Hough was born in Whittier, California. As the daughter of a TWA pilot, she spent most of her childhood moving between Southern California and Kansas City, Missouri depending on airline hubs and commuting times. On one Kansas City move, she thought her big brother’s best friend was pretty cute . . . so nine years later, she married him! Brandie and Eric have been married for 21 years and have 4 children. 6th grader Carter, 2nd grader Jack and 1st grader Emma all go to Caprock and home schooled 9th grader Austin can be frequently spotted around campus helping out in many ways!

After a double career teaching dance and coaching Elite level gymnastics for 20 years, with 10 of those fun filled years also being with Nordstrom, Brandie stepped out of the “working” world to stay at home and raise the kiddos!

The Hough family moved here from San Diego two years ago and has transferred their love of the beach to love of the slopes!

Spare time is FILLED with the privilege of serving at Calvary Chapel in Fruita where another of her roles is Pastor’s wife. Worship Team, Sunday School and teaching Women’s Bible Studies keep her busy, but this theatre major also finds time for a little “American Idol.”

Mrs. Hough and her family thoroughly enjoy the adventures life provides here, and still have had time for a little “vacation” . . . They traveled back to their old S.D. suburb of Rancho Bernardo (what was left of it) where they helped dig through rubble, debris and ash days after the Wildfires last October. The kids prepared Thanksgiving meals for fire victims, organized and handed out household supplies with FEMA and even filled sandbags by hand!

“Probably the biggest highlight of the year though,” Brandie said, “has been to work these incredibly gifted and bright students! What a blessing Caprock is! Thanks for letting me be apart of something great!”

Cynthia Gray

2nd Grade Teacher

Cynthia Gray is an Arizona native, but has lived in Grand Junction for the past seven years. She is a recent graduate of Mesa State College with a BA in elementary education with content area in Social Sciences.

Cynthia has been married for 14 years and has two children, Anthony, age 12 and Alexa, age 8, both of whom are enrolled at Caprock Academy.

She had substituted within District 51 since January 2007, but now teaches 2nd grade. Cynthia says “I absolutely love it! It has been such a blessing and the support has been incredible! Not only by administration, but by parents as well. I hope to be at Caprock Academy for a very long time.”

Julie Dollar

2nd Grade (Gray) Educational Assistant

Julie Dollar grew up in Southern California. She graduated with a BA in sociology from Biola University. Julie has been married to Stacy Dollar for 14 years. She has three children: Justin, age 11 in the 5th grade; Aaron, age 9 in the 3rd grade; and Jessica, age 6 in Kindergarten. All her children attend Caprock Academy.

The Dollar family moved to Grand Junction in June of 2003 and have fallen in love with the area. The whole family loves the wonderful outdoor activities Grand Junction has to offer.

Julie has been an Educational Assistant in third grade for close to a month and loves working with Mrs. House and her students!

Teresa Drake

2nd Grade Teacher

I was born and raised in Belton, Missouri, a small town south of Kansas City. After graduation I attended Central Missouri State University where I received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. I then moved to Page, Arizona on Lake Powell where I met my wonderful husband Mike. While in Page, I returned to college to pursue an education in elementary education. After finishing school at Northern Arizona State University, I taught 4th grade and Kindergarten in Page. We then moved to Grand Junction where I live with my husband Mike, our 3 children Emily in 4th, Kylie in 1st, both are Caprockers, and Jaxon who is 2.

I am very thankful for this wonderful opportunity to teach at such a school that has such pride in education. From the children to the parents and the administration I feel as if this is where I truly belong.

Tammy Simmonton

2nd Grade (Drake) Educational Assistant

Heidi Vidmar

3rd Grade Teacher

Heidi Vidmar grew up just outside of Aspen, Colorado, in a small faming community. She graduated from Mesa State with an Elementary Education Degree. She has been an Educational Assistant for 6 years, 5 of those years were at Appleton Elementary.

In 1995, she married her husband, Andy and they started their family. They have 3 children: Katie, Nathan and Kayanna, all 3 attend Caprock. Farm life is what the Vidmars love. They raise horses, cows and pigs; there is usually a dog or two running around. The mountains are where you will find Heidi and her family riding horses or snowmobiling.

“I love working with the Caprock staff, parents and kids. The standards at Caprock are high and everyone is expected to perform at those levels. I like those expectations. As a parent and an educator, I encourage children to reach for stars and push themselves to those higher standards. Caprock Academy is just one stepping-stone for those to reach their highest potential. I am very excited to be a part of Caprock Academy.”

Kim Shipard

3rd Grade (Vidmar) Educational Assistant

Kim grew up in the small mountain community of Three Rivers, California, at the entrance to Sequoia National Park. In high school, she was very active in the Future Farmers of America, achieving the American Farmer Degree. Kim graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture Business, from California State University of Fresno, in 1993. She moved to Palisade, in 1995, where she operates Alamar Stables.

She has one daughter, Kylie, 10, who is in fourth grade at Caprock.

Helping kids is something that has always been important to Kim. Therefore, Girl Scouting is another big part of her life. As a leader, she took a troop on a nine day trip to study ocean mammals and visit Disneyland, in California. Some of those girls had never been out of Colorado before. Relay For Life, is another passion for Kim. Being a ‘survivor’ for twenty-one years, her whole family is very active with the Grand Junction, Relay For Life. Even Kylie is a team captain.

“I am proud to be associated with Caprock Academy and all it stands for.”

Natalia Miller-Forrest

3rd Grade Teacher

I graduated from GJHS. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. I majored in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Education. My minor is in Special Education. I taught at Holy Family for two years. I home schooled for 6 years.

My husband and I have four children, 3 of whom are here at school! We love this school and are so happy to have our children educated here!

My hobbies are cooking, cake decorating, working out, running, reading, hiking and spending time with my family!

Debbie Dilbeck

3rd Grade (Miller-Forrest) Educational Assistant

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, I moved to Grand Junction in November 2007 with my husband and daughter. This was a great move for us and I really feel like this is home. Our daughter, Rebecca, started kindergarten in 2008 and I was a regular volunteer in her classroom. After a while, my volunteering morphed into a regular position that I really love, being an Educational Assistant.

Prior to our move to Colorado, I worked as an administrative assistant for a large company where I met my husband, Rick, in 2000. We married in May 2001 when I gained a wonderful step-daughter, Amanda, who is now 22 and attending nursing school in California. We miss her greatly and are very proud of her accomplishments.

I really love working at Caprock and look forward to our daughter continuing her education here through high school. One weekends and breaks, we enjoy the beautiful sights of Colorado by camping, fishing and riding quads. I also enjoy gardening, baking and just hanging out with my family.

Zema Chambers

4th Grade Teacher

Zema Chambers worked in the non-profit sector for 35 years. She met and married her husband while attending college in Los Angeles, California. After a brief time in Albuquerque, New Mexico, her family moved to Grand Junction. Homeschooling her own children for a cumulative 20 years, she has taught all grade levels. For 15 years, she wrote, produced and directed an annual Christmas dessert theater which included children, teenagers and adults. She organized and led volunteers in a variety of tasks ranging from one time events to weekly scheduled events. She also taught music and history in a private school. She created and led retreats of various kinds during those years as well.

In 2006, Mrs. Chambers decided to go return to college. During 2008, she also became a certified Life Coach and received her BA from Colorado Christian University in Organizational Management of Human Resources.

Sitting around a kitchen table with good coffee and friends, Mrs. Chambers enjoys listening to the stories and journeys of people. She has traveled to England and Canada, as well as various parts of the United States. If there is a piano available, she might be found playing from the wealth of her experience.

Mrs. Chambers’ mission is to inspire, nurture and release creative purpose in herself and those around her. Recognizing that everyone is living someone’s mission, her greatest fulfillment in life is to help people find their passion and live purposefully. She brings to the classroom this great passion for helping students live purposefully. Embracing the Classical style of learning helps reinforce the power of understanding each individual’s purpose and mission in life. She finds great joy in guiding students to their greatest potential as they are training to become global citizens.

Melissa Werkmeister

4th Grade (Chambers) Educational Assistant

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Melissa holds a B.S. degree in Range Science from Utah State University. She has worked for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a Range Conservationist and Natural Resource Specialist in Shoshone, Idaho; Farmington, N.M.; and Durango and Dolores, Colorado for more than 8 years. In 1994 she met and married her husband, Wayne, a Range Conservationist and Wild Horse Specialist at that time.

We have enjoyed many travels and adventures during the last nine years, while my husband worked with the National Park Service on the Missouri River in Nebraska. I was a stay at home mom, Sunday School and AWANA teacher; MOPS Hospitality Leader; Cub Scout Leader; member of the Page Village Board and Page Improvement Club; and an avid outdoors woman, landscaper, gardener and canner.

We moved to Grand Junction in May 2009, when my husband got a job with the BLM. I really love the opportunity for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, hunting and camping that GJ offers; and, I am enjoying working with children at Caprock even more than I ever thought I would.

Anna Waller

4th Grade Teacher

Anna Waller was born and raised in greater Atlanta, Georgia, and has lived in a various places across the Southeast. After graduating from Auburn University in Alabama, Anna moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she completed her M.Ed in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt University. Before entering teaching, Anna worked for a public relations firm in Nashville, where she handled a variety of government and nonprofit clients, including the Boston Region of Job Corps. Anna taught kindergarten for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools before coming to Caprock Academy. Living and traveling in the West was a long-time dream for Anna and her husband, so they decided to make it happen!

Anna enjoys traveling, and has had the opportunity to visit England, Scotland, The Netherlands, Bermuda, Tanzania, and Japan, among other places. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, photography, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and their two dogs. She especially enjoys getting back to Georgia for a visit every now and then!

Julie Hutto

4th Grade (Waller) Educational Assistant

Christine Meier

5th Grade Teacher

For over 25 years Christine Meier has taught in both public and private education classrooms in addition to home schooling. She has also served in Christian ministry in the Grand Valley. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado with a minor in Special Education- Acoustically Handicapped.

“In addition to my years of experience in education, community involvement, and passion for teaching, I hope to impart to my students a love of learning that will last for a lifetime,” says Christine about her future at Caprock Academy.

Christine is married and has two grown children. She loves to travel and enjoys hiking, camping, running, and visiting historical sites with her husband. Even though she finds History fascinating, Math remains her favorite subject to teach!

Marg Vander Host

5th Grade (Meier) Educational Assistant

Karen Kelley

5th Grade Teacher

Karen Kelley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Riverside, majoring in U.S. History and Education. She grew up in Grand Junction graduating from Central High School. Karen has been a teacher for 14 years, educating 4th and 5th grade students in public schools throughout Colorado and California. She taught for 2 years at a Core Knowledge school in Canon City, Colorado.

“I’m excited about teaching at Caprock Academy. I find the curriculum to be enriching and challenging for children. I look forward to having a successful, engaging year with my students.”

Karen is married to a wonderful husband, Kregg, and they have been married for 24 years. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and camping. She is happy to be back in Grand Junction, her hometown, and looks forward to reconnecting with high school friends and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities that the region offers.

Katelin Gumfory

5th Grade (Kelley) Educational Assistant

My name is Katelin Stinecipher-Gumfory. I was born on July 15th, 1985 (8 1/2 weeks early) in Grand Junction, CO to Bobby and Jeri Stinecipher. I have 1 younger brother, Jay Baron who is 20 years old. I graduated from Fruita Monument High school in 2003.

I spent most of my free time as a child swimming at my grandparent’s pool, riding my bike and playing with neighborhood friends, and being with my animals.

When I was 8 years old, I started taking horseback riding lessons. By the time I was 9 my dad bought me my very own horse Captain. Since then I have had 5 horses that I purchased with the money I raised from my 4-H years. I participated in the 4-H program as a member for 12 years and as a leader for 6 years. I showed horses, rabbits and pigs as a 4-H member, and have been a pig and horse leader since I was too old to be a member. 4-H taught me responsibility, and many life skills that I use everyday. I also made many life long friends. Today, I am still an animal lover; I have a Thoroughbred off the Race Track named Henry. My first horse Captain is still with me today. He is 34 years old and he is still my lifelong friend. I Have a Laso/ Poodle named Ginger that was a gift from Santa when I was 10 years old. I also have 7 birds and 4 fish. My mom and I continue to show our horses together on the Grand Junction Horse Show Circuit, in Hunter Jumper, Dressage, and English pleasure.

I met my husband Doug in 2007 and we were married in March 2008. We obtained custody of Doug’s niece, Joci in 2007 when she was 8 years old. Joci is learning to love animals. She is a member of the 4-H program. She is showing her horse, Spring Fling, she is showing her pigs, and she is learning to sew in the Clothing Construction project. We hope that through the 4-H program, she will also make lifelong lasting friendships and learn the life skills that 4-H provides for its members.

Warren 'Skip' Schulze

6th Grade Teacher

Tina Hasty

6th Grade (Schulze) Educational Assistant

My name is Tina Hasty. I was born in Fruita and have lived in Grand Junction for ten years. I have two children; Tori, 8 & Kenneth, 11. My husband is Shawn and he is a police officer for the city of Grand Junction. I enjoy spending time with family, friends and cooking.

Emily Seim

7th Grade Teacher

Sharline Thompson

7th Grade (Muller) Educational Assistant

I have worked with children for 17 years. In those 17 years I have provided daycare, taught, Preschool, and worked as an Educational Assistant in elementary school. I have worked with a variety of disabilities including but not limited to; A.D.H.D., Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and learning disabilities. I love working with children. My favorite part of my job is seeing a child's eyes light up when they finally understand something. I have 3 children. 2 boys ages 8 years and 11 years, and a 14 year old girl. In my spare time I like to read, camp, and spend time with my family and friends.

Debbie Thompson

8th Grade Teacher

Debbie was raised in West Texas, but she and her mother spent six weeks every summer on her uncle’s ranch at the base of Ragged Mountain…just east of Somerset. So, the Western Slope is a place that has always been a part of her life. “There are so many things to do around here! It’s great! We are looking forward to checking out the many hiking trails in the area.”

She and her husband, Randy, moved to Grand Junction in 2006, so she could be near her parents, who live in Hotchkiss. Randy is a Senior Planner for the Mesa County Planning and Economic Development Department and has already agreed to be a part of the Long Range Planning Committee for Caprock Academy.

They have three children. Christi is in Woodstock, GA and works for UPS while taking classes to become an RN; Erick, who has spent time serving our country in Afghanistan, has recently become engaged to be married, and is now living in Scottsdale, AZ; and Ethan, who is a business administration student at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

“I have been a teacher since I was two years old!” I used to line my dolls up and have class on a regular basis. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Ministries/Psychology from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, with many other classes taken in education (reading/language). Mrs. Thompson taught 4th -6th grade classes in Georgia from 1975-1992. She then entered the corporate world, for a few years, and experienced success at Lanier Worldwide and SPRINT in their sales/retention departments. “When teaching children is in your heart, however, there is no success like knowing that you are making a difference in a child’s life! Besides, teaching is in my blood! I am happiest when teaching.”

After getting back into the teaching world, for several years, at Olathe Middle School in Olathe, Colorado, and realizing how much she had missed it, she came to join us in October. “What a blessing to be able to teach at Caprock Academy! I am thankful to be a part of this great team of faculty, parents, and students.”

Joyce Chovancek

8th Grade (Thompson) Educational Assistant

My history began in the hills of Somerset, Kentucky. My parents then moved me to Beavercreek, Ohio and from there I left to attend Olivet University. It was there I met my wonderful husband. After we were married we moved to Kansas City while Larry completed his Masters. We then moved to Canada where we ministered there for over 30 years. While in Canada we had the blessing of two children. Our daughter Natalie is married and is an editor in L.A. Andrew is now a Captain in the US Army and on the way back to do another year in Iraq. He is married and has a precious daughter Isabella (I'm a very proud grandmother).

While in Canada I worked as an Educational Assistant in the public school system for a dozen years and then as a Resource Teacher for nine years at BCS.

We are still in awe of the beauty of Grand Junction and excited about being here in Colorado. It is great to be here at Caprock Academy with you.

Dax Lance

9th Grade Humanities Teacher

Mr. Dax Lance was born and raised in Grand Junction, Colorado. He has also enjoyed living in Greely and Boulder, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia. He has also spent time overseas in Thailand teaching.

Mr. Lance earned two Bachelor Degrees from the University of Colorado in Boulder. One degree is in Religious Studies and the other is in Anthropology. Mr. Lance also has a minor in the Classics (Greek and Roman history, culture and languages). He earned his Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Mr. Lance has two boys: Trajan and Creed. He and his wife Brandy were married in 2000. She is his greatest source of strength and support. They can usually be found on the many trails and mountains in the area on weekends.

Before he came to Caprock, Mr. Lance was a Teaching Assistant at the University of Colorado in the Religious Studies Department. He was also a Teaching Assistant at Emory University. Mr. Lance wanted to teach at a “Classical Education” school and was delighted to find Caprock Academy. He teaches the 9th grade: Latin, Classical Literature/Composition, Western Civilization, Moral Philosophy and Journalism classes. He hopes to expand his repertoire and add a few electives in the near future.

Some of Mr. Lance’s favorite sayings to share with his students are:

“The free exchange of ideas is worth everything.”

“Come to class with an open mind, helpful hands and a positive attitude and we can achieve greatness together.”

“Never wait to do the right thing.”

Tasha Castillo

9th Grade Humanities (Lance) Educational Assistant

Tracee Flenard

Art Teacher

Tracee is a native of Seattle, WA, calling Grand Junction her home now for 16 years. As a proud military brat, she grew up traveling and living around the US, Japan, and Germany.

She received a BA in Fine & Performing Arts from Mesa State College, and then continued with her teacher certification through the Post Baccalaureate Licensure Program at Mesa, an intensive year-long student teacher internship. This year marks her 6th year as a teacher, having taught elementary, middle and high school levels in GJ and Carbondale, CO.

"I love kids, love art, and love being a teacher! I knew at a very young age that I had a special talent for art, I was always drawing and creating. I was inspired to become a teacher by my favorite art teacher from middle school. I am fortunate to be teaching at a school where art is an important part of the curriculum as it is at Caprock Academy."

Cherry Shellabarger

Music Teacher

I love studios, microphones, and stages; but when I returned to Grand Junction in January of 2008, it was not to sing or perform or work as a radio announcer (all of which I had previously done); but to complete a novel. I love writing and I like to write children's musicals. Appropriately for a starving writer, I found temporary work as a server for a few months until I heard about Grand Junction's new Core Knowledge School: Caprock. Since I love core knowledge; the philosophy of a classical education, watching children grow, AND raising young musicians; finding a charter school like Caprock Academy was a dream come true.

I have 6 years previous experience as music specialist in Core Knowledge schools on the Front Range, and approximately 30 years experience as a private piano teacher. All three of my biological children are musicians. I had the privilege of teaching my youngest two at Lincoln Academy (Arvada) as well as sharing flag raising bugler duties with my son (now a senior in high school). I am a graduate of Grand Junction H.S. and Colorado Christian University, and most recently lived in Conifer, CO for seven years. Other interesting places I have lived: Seattle, Guam, Dallas, Chicago, Karlsruhe (Germany), and Olathe, CO.

My hobbies are walking/hiking, reading, writing, singing with the Sweet Adelines, and loving my three grandkids. I want to travel more and would like to see all of our 50 United States as well as the various wonders of the world.

Lori Chandler

Special Education Teacher

Lori Chandler is originally from Washington State. She started school at Brigham Young University where she met her husband of 21 years, Jeff Chandler. She graduated from the University of Colorado where she received her degree in psychology and received her Special Education license through Western State University.

She has worked for School District 51 at Palisade High School and Fruitvale Elementary. Lori enjoys working with children and assisting those students who need help.

Lori lived in California and Denver before settling in Grand Junction with her family. She has three children, ages 10, 17 and 19. She enjoys traveling with her family as well as scrapbooking and evenings walks.

Sandy McMacken

Science Teacher

Grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Two children, 7 year old attending Caprock, 14 year old attending Palisade High School. Graduated from Eastern Washington University, BAE in Earth Science with Geology minor.

Worked for United Airlines and as a travel agent before deciding to go back to school to earn a degree. Member of the Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club, enjoys helping with the annual show in May.

Also enjoys knitting, reading and jewelry making. Was a tutor at Sylvan and worked with teenagers at Treehouse Youth Shelter before joining Caprock Academy.

Andrew Rist

Latin Teacher

Andrew Rist is a first year teacher at Caprock. A recent graduate of Harvard University with a major in the Classics (Latin and Greek) and a minor in History, he was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. Andrew grew up and went to school in Austin, Texas and became a lover of Latin in middle and high school, both through his Latin classes and Latin Club. He participated in state and national competitions all over Texas and the country. Andrew hopes to bring his enthusiasm for Latin to the classroom.

Jana Lentz

Spanish Teacher

Jana Lentz, Caprock Academy's Spanish teacher, was born "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." Well, maybe the latter is an exaggeration. In any case, she was born in a hurry, two months early, to a soon-to-be chemistry professor father and a home economics/reading teacher mother in Boulder, Colorado. Her father was told she would not live the night, but if she did her parents were not to expect much of her because she would be physically and mentally disabled. Fortunately, the baby did not know this and went on to ride her horses, teach archery, ski, travel, enjoy life and graduate from Colorado State University after learning three languages: English, French, and Spanish. During this time, she met and married a cowboy named Jim from the Western Slope of Colorado and found more to do and learn on the family farm/ranch. She and her husband stacked the neighbors' straw on their first anniversary. Even with that as a first anniversary, they have managed to stay together and parent two children--a daughter, Joni, the mother of their three grandchildren who live in Grand Junction; and a son, Joel, a mechanical engineer who lives in Fort Collins and is a third generation Colorado State University graduate.

Jana taught adult education for nine years, seven of those years for the Colorado Department of Corrections, where she honed her Spanish, teaching, among other things, English as a second language. She then transferred to the Youthful Offender System and taught English and Spanish for three years in Colorado's most violent youth high school. Her next teaching assignment was high school language arts and Spanish at Plateau Valley Schools in Collbran, Colorado. After several years, she tried to retire and managed to for over a year but learned through her daughter and grandchildren that Caprock Academy needed a part-time Spanish teacher and saw it as a wonderful opportunity. She loves teaching Caprock students and finds them intelligent and eager to learn.

Ron Phillips

P.E. Teacher, H.S. Math Teacher

Ron is a third generation native to Grand Junction. He grew up on a pear orchard near Clifton. He attended Clifton Elementary, Bookcliff Junior High, and Central High School. He proceeded on attending Colorado State University where he received a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.

Ron returned to the Western Slope working on and managing orchards in Hotchkiss and Cedaredge for 12 years. He planted his own orchard in Cedaredge and also had his own company designing and selling irrigation systems for orchards and vineyards.

Wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, Ron decided to return to school in 2000 first getting an A.A. in Early Childhood Education and then receiving his Teacher’s License through the PBL program, both at Mesa State. Ron did his student teaching in first grade at Holy Family and then worked a year in the preschool Holy Family. He proceeded to teach preschool for a year at Dos Rios Elementary and then first grade for a year at Tope Elementary.

While returning to school he met his wife Samantha. They were married in Italy during June of 2005. They now have one 2 year-old curly headed son named Benjamin. Ron enjoys planting and growing his own garden, then cooking with the fruits of his labor. In addition to remodeling their home, Ron loves being outside, on his backhoe, working on their 2 acre ranch.

Ruth Stanley

P.E. Educational Assistant

I was raised in Alaska and worked in retail management for 7 years. In 2007 I  graduated from Career Academy in Anchorage Alaska and took a job in Phoenix with Mesa Airlines as an Aircraft Dispatcher. In 2009 it was decided to move to Grand Junction to be closer to family.

I take every opportunity to travel and am always looking for life’s next adventure. I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with family.   I am also a proud mother of a student at Caprock.

Billie Jo Pace

School Nurse

Heather Clementson

Health Tech

Heather was born and raised in the Midwest. Her family relocated to Grand Junction where she graduated from New Horizons Christian School and went on to attend Mesa State College. After college she worked at a private Pediatric office for 8 years and has spent the last 2 ½ years working in the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Her passion is her family! She and her husband have 2 beautiful girls, Rylan and Katelyn. Rylan is in kindergarten here at Caprock and Katelyn will start next year. She loves spending all her time with them reading, playing, painting, making crafts, and baking.

Correne Coty

Administrative Assistant

Correne grew up on the Eastern plains of Colorado and spent much of her childhood on her grandparent’s farm. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. In 1994, she married her husband, Kevin. For 10 years the Coty’s called Craig, CO their home, but with a change in her husband’s career, they chose to move to Grand Junction. Correne volunteered to help with Caprock’s enrollment process in February of last year and has been actively involved ever since.

“It has been wonderful to see everything come together. We have an amazing community at Caprock Academy. I feel very fortunate to work with such dedicated teachers and privileged to know so many wonderful students and their families.”

Correne and Kevin have two children who attend Caprock Academy, Karen who is a diligent 6th grader and a spunky full-time Kindergartner, Marcus.

Julie Hoge

School Secretary

Julie Hoge is a native of Stevensville, MI, a small town in the southwestern portion of the state. She has lived in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan, before moving to Grand Junction in June of 2008. Living near Lake Michigan most of her life, she does miss the beach, lighthouses, and especially Mackinaw Island, but much prefers the climate of Grand Junction.

Julie graduated from Andrews University, with a degree in Music Education and Junior High Studies. Before teaching, she worked in the banking industry for 8 years as an IRA department head & teller instructor. After moving to Minnesota, she began teaching in 1994, and has taught since, either as a private instructor, in her own classroom, or as a long-term substitute. She also worked as an elementary school secretary in Illinois, and loves serving in the office as much as teaching.

Julie and her husband Mike will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 2009. They have 2 children, Rachel, a sophomore, and Matthew in 6th grade. She and her family especially enjoy watching the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, and Nascar. Julie also loves to read, garden, travel, and watch movies.