CMC School - Faculty/Staff Members

Meet Our Faculty/Staff
	Rachel Dufault - Middle School & After School 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!
	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.
	Scotty Green - Kindergarten 4 year olds My name is Scotty Green and I just relocated back to the Lake Minnetonka area. I am a mother of a wonderful son, Tracee. He is the light of my life. We have also joined Calvary Memorial Church and have just loved it here. The church and school have both been so welcoming and we praise God for bringing us here. I attended Crown College and I am back again taking evening classes to further my education as a teacher. When I'm not working, I love to read books with my son, exercise and scrapbook. I am loving the opportunity to work with young boys and girls of CMCS.
	Nancy Meyer— *Kindergarten & Music* 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.
	Ruth Tesch—Second *Grade* I am married to a wonderful man Tom. We have grown so much in Christ together, and in our love for each other that each day we spend together is like a present. Both of us have a passion for children and mission work. In the summer you will find us in Honduras helping God's people, or in Mexico working at an orphanage. Tom and I live in Maple Grove and have been blessed with three lovely children, Andy, Katie, and Suzy. I have been teaching elementary school since 1995. I also was a daycare teacher, a preschool, and Sunday school teacher. I taught Sunday school for 20 years. I loved teaching Sunday school so much that I went to school to become a teacher because of it. I came to Calvary in 1996 through my good friend Janet Labatt who wanted me to teach her daughter Liz, and have been here ever since. It has become my second home, and all of my students become part of my family in God. What a joy I feel to be part of such a Spiritual school.
	Jennifer Lewis—*Third Grade* Hello! My name is Jennifer Lewis. I came in CMCS in 1997. I earned my B. S. degree in Elementary Education at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN and have taken several graduate courses through Seattle Pacific University. My husband, Tim, and I live in Plymouth, MN. When I am not at school I enjoy knitting, cross stitching, baking, reading, and walking. I developed an appreciation for education at an early age since my grandmother was a one room schoolhouse teacher and was very active in my life. Teaching at Calvary is a wonderful experience. I really enjoy the one on one attention I can give each student that I teach and am so excited to be able to share my faith with them throughout each day.
	Sara Roehrig — 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!!
	Melissa Abernethy—*Fifth Grade* I am married to Dave who serves as Senior Pastor at Mound Evangelical Free Church. We live in Mound and have one son Caleb. I have three sisters and one brother. I received my Bachelors of Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Teacher's Certification K-8 from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL.I taught 1st, 2nd and 5th grade at South Park Elementary School in Deerfield, IL. I came to Calvary in the Fall of 2005. I love to read, scrapbook, cook and spend time with my family. At Calvary I love that I can openly share my faith with my students and their parents and that I can pray for and with them.
	Sabrina Ruud—*Fifth Grade* My family consists of my husband Ron, and 4 super kids- Emily, Kayla, Thomas, and Grace. Plus, Rookie (dog) and Pepper (cat). We live in Orono, MN. I graduated from Liberty University with a degree in both elementary and middle education. I have previously taught both in Westonka school district and the Osseo school district. My hobbies include, but are not limited to, reading, hiking, organizing and playing with my family! An interesting fact about me is that I once was into bodybuilding (a long, long, long time ago!) I have a passion for teaching all across the board (no pun intended). I love to see the light bulb turn on in the kids' heads when they finally catch on to what is being taught. I love to be up front and trying to create a 'fun" way to get my message across. I am not afraid to try new things for the best interest of the child
	Andrea Berens—*Fifth and 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 and 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.
	Glenn Heinsch—Administrator I grew up in Owatonna Minnesota in a family of six children and a father who drove semi truck over the road during the week. I attended Christian School for four years growing up before making the switch to public school in 10th grade to play football and wrestle. I attended Bethel College and graduated with a Speech Communication/Media degree in 1990. I worked for the Billy Graham Association for three years and then accepted the call in 1991 as Associate/Youth Pastor at Calvary Memorial Church. During my 13 years of ministry at the founding church of CMCS I became very familiar with the day to day activities of Calvary School and was Chairman of the School Board for 2 years. In the summer of 2006 I accepted the position of Administrator at that school. My wife Mindy and I share a unique role here at CMCS. Mindy's primary focus is the school's curriculum along with using her 10 years of classroom experience to be a support for the teachers. Mindy is in the office two afternoons a week. I am at the school full-time and oversee all facets of the school ministry. I accepted the position of Administrator because I strongly believe in Christian Education and in training the future leaders of our churches and society. Former teachers who made a huge impact on my life were men and woman who molded me and my dreams by demonstrating Christ's love to me. They trained me in the way that I should go. I will never forget them. My desire for students who leave Calvary is to leave "unashamed of the Gospel of Christ" and to know that they are loved by Him and our staff. I am married to Mindy and we have three sons, Connor, Carter, and Carson. I love all kinds of sports but at the core I am a die hard Viking and Twins fan. Being the son of a truck driver I love to travel all parts of our great country whether by car, plane, or motorhome. You might also see me driving a tow truck for a local towing company during the summer and school breaks.
	Mindy Heinsch—*Director of Curriculum & Staff Development* I attended Northwestern College in St. Paul earning degrees in Vocal Music Education and Bible. Following college, I taught in the Elk River School District for over 10 years. In 2000, I graduated from Bethel University with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Not long after completing my degree, I met Glenn. It was worth the many years of waiting to be blessed with such a wonderful partner and now three boys, Connor, Carter, and Carson. We live in Maple Plain in a wonderful neighborhood. I enjoy spending time with family, scrapbooking, and leading worship at Calvary Memorial Church. Although I loved teaching music to children in the elementary school, God had placed in my heart a desire to be in full-time ministry while growing up. I pursued teaching in an MK school overseas. However, God closed the door with a health condition at the time. Waiting on the Lord for many years as to how this desire would be fulfilled, it is now clear that God used those years of waiting to prepare me for the roles I now have. I am delighted to be serving alongside Glenn at CMCS!
	Carole Peterson—Administrative Assistant My husband, Brent Peterson and I have two children, Joseph and Jessica. Our dog’s name is Sandy, our bird’s name is Bubbles and we have 8 fish. We live in Minnetrista, Minnesota. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources from Winona State University and an Associate of Science Degree in Executive Secretarial from Winona State University as well. In the summer our family spends a lot of time on the water racing our sailboat and just boating around for fun. In the winter we enjoy cross country skiing, down hill skiing, and skating. I also enjoy reading. I accepted the position as Administrative Assistant at Calvary in summer of 2004. I chose to work in a Christian school because I value the opportunity to have kids learn about God and the Bible so they can apply it to their own lives and have a solid foundation on which to build their lives.