CMC School - Faculty/Staff Members

Meet Our Faculty/Staff
	Rachel Dufault - Middle School Spanish Hola, my name is Rachel Dufault. I am the Spanish teacher at CMCS. I am married to my husband Stan and have two boys Matt and Sam. I graduated from St. Cloud State with a double major in Spanish and International Relations. In college I had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica and later return there to teach English. I was blessed with a wonderful Christian host family from Costa Rica and I still am in contact with them. After college I worked with mostly Spanish speaking migrant farm workers, who came to Minnesota to do seasonal agricultural work. My job was to help them obtain full time work through job placement, training and education. After this I worked for Dakota County as a Financial Worker. I was able to work with Spanish Speaking clients at this job as well. In 2004 God placed an opportunity before me to teach Spanish from my home and to a home-school group. And this year I am teaching the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at CMCS, as well as an after school class for the younger ages. I have a passion for the Spanish language and culture and feel very blessed being able to share this with students.I feel there are many things God can do with someone who has the gift to speak another language and understand another culture.I am so excited to see what else God has planned for us!
	Julie Maas-Kusske - Pre-K My husband Bart and I reside in Maple Plain with our two sons Adam and Andrew. Since a young age I have always had a love for children of all ages and a passion to share Jesus unconditional love with others; so I am very excited to be apart of the Calvary teaching team! In 1997 I graduated from Crown College, with a double major in Elementary Education and Christian Studies; I also earned my kindergarten endorsement. I worked for Orono Community Education for fifteen summers; I loved it! I got to be outside most of the time and always with children. I also taught at Son-Shine Corner Christian Preschool for two and a half years, it is a great preschool but I needed more flexibility since we had started a family. So I left and accepted the call to First Presbyterian Church in Maple Plain, where I am currently the Director of Youth Ministries, this is part time position about twenty hours a week. Now that my boys are growing up and in school all day, I needed to find more work and God opened the doors and lead me to Calvary! So when you see me I could be wearing any one of my many different hats: wife, teacher, Mom, youth director, friend, volunteer or sister just to name a few. I am an energetic, people person and I look forward to meeting you!
	Brenda Nastepniak - Art My name is Brenda and I am married to a wonderful man, Joe. We have three children who have graduated from CMCS or are current students. I attended the University of Wisconsin - River Falls where I received by Bachelor of Science in Art. Along with my time at CMCS I also love teaching Sunday School and working with children at my church. When not teaching Art at CMCS I also work on interior design projects.
	Nancy Meyer— *Kindergarten* My name is Nancy Meyer and I am married to my husband Bruce. We have three children: Mandi, Erik, and Jared. We also have a wonderful poodle named Maggie who brings us all a lot of joy!I graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. I have taught since 1993 in the elementary classroom and in the music classroom. All of those years have been in Christian education except one. I love teaching in a Christian school environment where I am free to pray with my students and teach them the ways of the Lord. I also directed children's choirs for 7 years. An interesting tidbit about me? I enjoyed riding my family's motorcycle growing up and had my motorcycle license for about 3 years until I moved to Florida to teach and had to give up the motorcycle endorsement. It was fun jumping over all those hills!
	Alice Leuer— First Grade I am married to my husband Leonard and have two adult children Matthew Alan and Rebecca Marie and three precious grandchildren Dillon, Ciara, and Brennan. We live about a mile outside of Loretto (considered in the country.) and attend Messiah United Methodist Church. I received my education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois; BA Elementary Education, St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN; MA in Education and Crown College St. Bonifacious, MN ECFE Degree. I have taught in Illinois, St. Michael/Albertville, Deephaven and Rockford before coming to Calvary. My hobbies include Reading, sewing, going to garage sales, stamping, enjoying the grandkids, attending conventions and being with people, listening to country music, blue grass music, and ELVIS. I like keeping busy!! I am a member of the National Kindergarten Association, MN Kindergarten Association, Women of Faith Group and the Red Hat Society. I love God and sharing my faith with the "little people" so they can get a good start in life. I believe we need to establish a good Christian faith as well as a good basic education in children today. Since I was from a large family, college was not affordable so I prayed for a way to go. God provided me with the education and ability to become a teacher. I promised Him if I could teach I would be the best teacher I could be. Having taught in both public and private schools, I believe God called me to Christian Education as a way to help others and to practice and strengthen my faith. I enjoy telling the Bible stories and singing the praise songs to my students. As a teacher I also need to be a good role model and set an example for the students as we seem to have a harder time finding good role models in today's society.
	Char Sorenson—Second Grade & Title I I am married to Larry and we have three adult children, Eric, Adam, and Andrew. We live in Delano and attend Light of Christ Lutheran Church where I sing in the choir, am an usher, greeter, and volunteer for Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ). I received my education at Fergus Falls Community College (AA degree), Moorhead State University (BS degree in Special Education), and St. Cloud State University (MS degree in Elementary Education). I taught special education, fifth, third, and second grade at Delano Public School for 37 years. My hobbies include walking, reading, golf, and boating. Coming to teach at Calvary Memorial Christian School is an answer to my prayer. It is a privilege to talk to the children about God and to share the love of Jesus with them.
	Sara Roehrig — Third/Fourth Grade I am married to a wonderful man named Bob. We have three children; Joe, Maddie, and Lilli and live in Minnetrista. Before moving here, we lived in East Lansing, MI and then Richmond, VA. Some of my hobbies include playing the piano, reading, and watching sports! After moving to Minnesota, I pursued attaining my Elementary Education license through Crown College. I had been in the Business field and had felt for a while a strong pull towards teaching. I am so glad that I finally stopped and listened, I love teaching! I now know exactly where God wants me to be! The best thing about teaching is watching the students learn, what a thrill! I also love the fact that I can share my faith everyday at Calvary with the students…it does not get much better than that!!
	Andrea Berens—*Fifth/Sixth Grade & Basketball Coach* I grew up in Rockford, Minnesota and currently reside in Mound. I am the youngest of 3 girls and am the proud aunt to 4 nephews and 2 nieces. I graduated from Northwestern College with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Bible. Following college, I worked for Faith Studies International (it was through this connection that I discovered Calvary!) I also planned after school programs in Minneapolis. In August 2001 I went to Europe to teach English and work with Youth Groups in both Holland and the Czech Republic. For 6 years I lead a Teen Program in Minneapolis, again I loved working with this age, but I always found it difficult because I could not share with them about God. Calvary has become everything that I loved in my different jobs wrapped into one. I love the relationship that I have with my students as well as being able to talk to them about God and his desires for our lives. I have learned a lot from these kids and I enjoy being able to share my love with Christ with them! I also love math and do it all the time during my free time!!!
	Marnie Walden—Seventh/Eighth Grade I grew up in Minnesota as the oldest of three girls. I attended Christian school from 5th grade through high school. I obtained my degree in elementary education with an emphasis in middle school education at the University of Minnesota, Morris. I was blessed right after graduation to find my dream job at Calvary as a middle school teacher. I absolutely love being a part of lives of 10-14 year old children. Having attended Christian school as a child, I know the value of a solid Christian education. I find it pure joy to help shape young minds in the knowledge of our Creator. I currently live in Plymouth with my husband Jason and our kitty, Blu. I love to read, cook, and watch old movies.
	Kari Johnson My first experience with CMCS was in 1988 when I was placed here on a Child Psychology rotation. I remember thinking “What an amazing reflection of Christ in exceptional education!” Little did I know I’d be so blessed as to work here today! I majored in Psychology, Bible & Music at Northwestern College. After obtaining my Bachelor Degrees, I pursued additional education in Am. Sign Language, Chemical Dependency Counseling, and many various health care avenues. I developed Therapeutic Rec. Programs for the Dementia Unit at Pres. Homes before becoming the Program Director for Sojourn Adult Day Services where I specialized in Adult Ed., Music, Art, Horticulture, and Sensory Stim. Therapies for adults challenged with Mental Health and Dementia. After 11 intense years at Sojourn, the Lord led me to CMCS. In addition to being the school secretary, I am excited to continue my 20+ years of giving music lessons. When I’m not behind the front desk, you will find me teaching band or the after school intergenerational Sign Language Worship class. What a joy it is to work with these beautiful children and Christ centered teachers! I live in St. Boni with my talented husband, Michael and adorable children Autumn & Ricky. For additional fun, I teach private piano and play in the Bethel Fellowship Worship Band. Thank you God for the delight of serving you at CMCS!
	Tom Quast - Head of School Maintenance My wife, Bobbie, and I live in Crystal Bay. We have four children and I am a retired steel worker. I started working at Calvary because I didn't want to spend my retirement sitting around doing nothing. I spend almost every morning, before coming to work, fishing the Lakes of Minnetonka. I enjoy surprising staff and parents with fresh baked cakes and pies or fresh fish. I love how working at Calvary keeps me surrounded by kids.
	Mary Bailey - Private Piano Instructor I have been married to Larry, a retired police chief and Chairman of the School Board, for 35 years. We live in Mound and have three children who went to Calvary from Kindergarten - 8th grade. I have been offering private piano lessons at Calvary since 1982. I started teaching lessons at the school to help pay the tuition for our first son and have been doing it ever since. I am a proud grandma who loves once again having my house filled with the laughter of children.