Staff

Janelle Bayer- Administrative Assistant

Terri Walter - Special Education Teacher

Terri Walter is looking forward to her ninth year of teaching at Northern Hills Christian Academy, after retiring from the Kearney School District!! She has also enjoyed teaching preschool for 5 years at Joyful Noise Preschool, after retiring. Terri Walter has previously taught in various schools including the Kearney School District, Liberty Schools, and Kansas City Schools and has been teaching for a total of 36 years in special education.

Terri Walter was also very involved in developing and implementing various social programs for social skills enhancement, self-esteem, and friendship skills while teaching at Southview Elementary for 17 years. Terri also enjoyed many years of individualized tutoring and assisting with Special Olympics after school. Terri received her B. S. Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education and also a Master’s Degree in Special Education from NWMSU.

Terri has been married to her husband for 41 wonderful years and they are blessed to have 2 sons. Her oldest son is currently a Special Education Teacher at NKC Schools and her youngest son is currently involved in broadcasting for ESPN and other sports related events. Mrs. Walter’s interests include spending time with her family, listening to her son broadcasting various sports related activities on ESPN, traveling, and going to Royals and KC Chiefs games. She is so excited to be part of such an amazing team and to serve in a God centered school to provide the best education for our NHCA families!!

Jenna Pehriz - Pre-K Teacher

Hi, my name is Jenna Pehriz. I teach Preschool here at Northern Hills Christian Academy. I hold a BS in Social Psychology from Park University and am pursuing a MA in Clinical Mental Health from Liberty University. Before coming to NHCA, I homeschooled my three kids for five years. My kids and I attend Liberty Christian Fellowship and love to serve the Lord wherever He leads us. 

Roben Hamby-Pre-K Aide

Roben is excited to be joining the staff as a pre-k aid. She is a retired teacher having taught 30 years in the Kearney School District. Roben accepted the Lord into her life at a JR. High camp retreat. She's strived to be a Christian example throughout her life's journey.  

Roben attends Kearney First Baptist Church. She has 2 adult children, Timothy and Faith and 2 grandchildren, Zachariah and Eliza that play a huge rol;e in her life. She is looking forward top sharing the love of God to the young children that God has placed in the school.

Debbie Walters - Pre-K Aide

Deborah Walters is a 2025/2026 preK aide. After volunteering in the lunchroom and with class parties, she joined the staff at NHCA. She enjoys the excitement of the preschoolers as they learn and complete tasks. At home she enjoys altering formal wear and watching her 13 grandchildren grow. She has volunteered at area nursing homes playing the piano. In the past she and her family have served on several foreign mission trips. Her “retirement” has turned into a passion for students and she loves the friendship of the staff at NHCA.

Bridget McDowell - Kindergarten Teacher

Hi there I am Bridget McDowell. This will be my seventh year teaching. I am so excited. I am a country girl born and raised in Vermont. I moved to Missouri 13 years ago for school and stayed since then. It is here that I met my husband and my step daughter. God has blessed my life this past year and I can't wait to see what he does next. 

Meghan Frick- 1st Grade

Meghan is stepping in as our 1st Grade teacher this year. She has her degree in Elementary Education from Park University and served as Children's Ministry Director at Pisgah Baptist Church for the past 6 years. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 daughters and is looking forward to serving the Lord at NHCA.

Lori Creason- 2nd Grade Teacher

Hello, my name is Lori Creason, and I am looking forward to being a part of NHCA and teaching second grade. I am also very excited to share the love of Jesus with my students! I spent 29 years in the classroom teaching either third or fourth grade, in which 25 years were spent with Smithville School District. After retiring in 2013, God blessed me with an opportunity to begin a new Pre-K with OSCA in Smithville. It meant so much to me to serve the Lord by sharing His word with those students and their family!

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from NWMSU. I also hold a Master of Art from Baker University.My husband, Roger, and I have been married for 37 years. God hasblessed us with three grown children, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and eight beautiful grandchildren. We enjoy traveling, camping, gardening, and spending quality time with our family.

Jeanette Wright - 3rd Grade Teacher

Jeanette Wright joined the NHCA Staff in 2020 as the 3rd grade teacher. She is excited about this opportunity to share the Love of Christ with her students in a Christian School setting.

Jeanette and her husband, Larry, have been married since 1976. They met while students at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Ks. Jeanette holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bible/Christian Service from Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Ks. She also studied at Kansas State University in the areas of Human Ecology and Mass Communications. Jeanette took classes through Highland Community College and Emporia State University in Early Childhood Education. She has taught and directed in private Christian Preschools in Kansas, and completed training in Montessori Education. She had the honor of helping start a state licensed Christian Preschool at a church in Leavenworth, serving as both the Director and Lead Teacher. After moving to Kearney, Jeanette worked part-time at the Kearney branch of the Mid-Continent Library. Her main responsibility was planning and implementing the Children’s Story-Time and related events. Jeanette worked for 15 years as a substitute teacher for the Kearney School District, teaching in classes K-7. This included many long-term substitute positions in the regular classroom plus Library and Special Education.

The Wright’s have served churches in Kansas and Missouri all their years together. They moved to Kearney in 2000, and currently are meeting as a home church with Holt Christian Church. They have four adult children, three of whom are married, and nine grandchildren who are all serving the Lord and learning of His love and purpose in their lives.

Tasha Hulstein - 4th Grade Teacher

Hello! My name is Tasha Hulstein and I am the 4th grade teacher here at NHCA! I graduated from Ottawa University with a BS in Secondary Education and a minor in Psychology. It is my 4th year teaching! In the past, I've taught at Our Savior Christian Academy and New Hope Christian School. Before that, I had a photography business for 7 years! I have two daughters that are 9 and 5, and I currently live in Smithville. I'm originally from northwest Iowa and a country girl at heart. In my free time, I love anything outdoors - I especially love fishing and exploring creeks/trails with my girls! NHCA is like one big family, and I'm so excited to love students as image-bearers of God, and foster a safe, Christ-based classroom community rooted in faith, kindness, and respect. I am so blessed to be here!!

Eva Smith - 5th Grade Teacher

Occasionally a student will accidentally call a teacher “Mom” which has happened in my classes. Recently a student called me “Grandma” which is an indication that I have taught for a long time.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from William Jewell College in 1983. While I was in college my dad asked if I knew anything about home education. I had never heard of home education, so I did a research paper about the movement for one of my classes. A few years later I began to teach my five children at home and continued that for more than twenty years. I never imagined that God would give me my dream of teaching in a classroom until Northern Hills Christian Academy opened in 2004, just around the corner. I brought my two youngest children to school and began teaching third grade. I also taught second and fifth grade. In 2021 I completed the Orton Gillingham training and worked as a reading specialist.

In addition to teaching I also enjoy meeting new friends, hearing people’s stories, eating good food, particularly Indian food and ice cream, skiing and hiking in Colorado, reading, singing with worship music and hymns, and visiting my kids and sixteen grandkids in various parts of the country.

When I was eight years old, Jesus called me to follow Him and He is faithfully completing the work that He started.

It is a gift from God to be back at Northern Hills Christian Academy teaching fifth grade.

Cassandra Hutchison - Middle & High School Science, French, & Keyboarding Teacher

Hi, my name is Cassandra Hutchison, and I teach middle school and high school science, Typing and French this year at NHCA. This is my fourth year teaching at the school.  This is my eigth yhear coaching cheerleading for NHCA.

My roots are in Kearney, MO, where I attended Kearney schools in kindergarten through 12th grade. I didn’t stray too far from home and now live in Holt with my husband, Brint, and my four children, Grace, Arielle, Trinity, and Malachi. When I am with my family, you will often find us playing board games, watching movies together, and singing and dancing to music in our kitchen. In our house, there is so much singing and dancing life might as well be a musical!

I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Psychology and Minor in Religion from Park University. My degree helped to make me well rounded in the areas of literature, religion, philosophy, history, the arts and humanities. I studied French for 7 years in school and I am excited to give NHCA students the opportunity to learn this foreign language and broaden their horizons. I have completed 48 hours in undergraduate Biblical Studies and Ministry courses and have spent the 14 years prior to teaching in Children’s and Youth Ministry in local churches. I am passionate about leading children and youth to a greater understanding of God and a relationship with Him and feel blessed to have the opportunity to teach a biblical worldview at NHCA.

Stephanie Knoche – Government & Current Events Teacher

Stephanie Knoche is returning to NHCA staff to teach Government and Current Events for our middle school and high school students. Stephanie has a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education and is particularly interested in teaching lower elementary children. Teaching is her passion and in her life she has homeschooled her own children, taught in various children's ministries and has also taught at NHCA in the past and another Christian school in the area. Stephanie says that watching children learn to love Jesus is one of her greatest joys.

Jeff Parks - Middle School/ACE Bible Teacher

 Jeff Parks teaches Bible at the middle school and ACE at NHCA. Jeff has been at NHCA since the fall of 2017. He has a B.S. in Elementary Education (grades 1-8), B.S. in Physical Education (secondary level), and a Master’s Degree in Education from Webster University. Before coming to NHCA, Jeff taught for approximately 30 years in the Liberty and Kearney school districts, primarily at the middle school level.

Jeff is also currently the pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lawson, MO and on the board of directors for Indigenous Church Strategies where he also helps train pastors in the remote areas of Oaxaca, Mexico. Jeff has been married to his wife Kristy for 30 plus years and they have two children, Jordan and Kaitlyn. Jeff and Kristy also have four grandchildren, Josiah, Harper, Megan, and Audrey.

Shawnna Silvius- Middle School Language Art & Journalism Teacher

Hi, I’m Shawnna Silvius and I am so blessed to be a part of the NHCA family. I teach middle and high school ELA and journalism, which includes being the yearbook and student newspaper adviser.

I grew up outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, attended college in Arkansas, and moved to Kansas City over 20 years ago. I received my bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas and taught school in Kansas and Missouri before returning to Fayetteville to pursue my master's degree. I later married, moved back to Missouri, and completed my master’s degree in education at Avila University. I have taught English and journalism at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels, but I also have a lengthy professional background in marketing, graphic design, and communication.

After being a stay-at-home mom for almost 14 years, I decided to once again pursue my passion for teaching, and I am truly enjoying my life as a Patriot. My family and I attend Linden Baptist Church in Gladstone where I teach Girls in Action, lead the Women’s Ministry Team, and coordinate Vacation Bible School. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and I’m always up for a grand adventure.

Stacey Zarges – First Grade, Creative Writing & Literature Teacher

Stacey Zarges is excited to be returning to NHCA as a middle school and high school teacher for Creative Writing and Literature and teaching in the first grade classroom. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education and enjoys teaching students about the Bible and about God’s love for them.

She accepted Christ at an early age and has worked in children’s ministries since her teens. She has taught Middle school at NHCA and has a passion for Christian education.

Stacey homeschooled her two daughters, has taught Sunday school, Backyard Bible clubs, Awana, VBS, Nursing home ministry, homeschool co-op classes, served in nursery, and various other church ministries.

Stacey teaches with a Christian worldview and will always apply Biblical truth to the lesson, along with application to our lives.

Mandee Rogers- Middle School Math, History, & PE Teacher

Justin Culp - School Librarian / High School Math Teacher

Shelby Baker - Drama/Theater

Shelby Baker received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Oklahoma City University. She has over 20 years of theatre experience, and 11 years teaching and directing at Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre in Olathe, KS. Her theatre education includes: TCH Artist Development Program, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, JCCC Theatre, and Oklahoma City University. Shelby teaches acting and private voice at Trilogy, and is thrilled to be a part of the NHCA faculty this year teaching drama. When she’s not instructing young theatre artists, Shelby is living out her true dream of being a wife and mom of three!

Christina Scholdberg - Art Teacher

Nyree Howard - Home Economics Teacher

I have been at NHCA in some fashion (whether it be a parent, staff member, or volunteer) since its second year.  All four of my children have attended NHCA. I have an associates degree, but most of what I have learned has come from living life on a farm. God is an amazing teacher through His creation. 

Joseph Toma- Music Teacher

Joseph Toma has been a professional musician since 1984 and teaching since 1995. Mr. Toma has a variety of skills, playing and teaching eight different instruments. He is an experienced stage musician having performed with Stevie Wonder, Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, and soloist for the Liberty Symphony's Four Season concert. Not to mention, he also has performed as the violin soloist in orchestras for presidents and kings around the world!

Courtney Curry – Custodial Assistant

Hello there, my name is Courtney Curry, and I have the pleasure to be a part of such a huge mission and vision this year with NHCA!

As I searched and prayed to provide a powerful educational setting for my son God and his people not only made it possible for him to learn and grow here but I am also able to be a part of this place in a positive impactful kind of way! I simply love where our Father in Heaven places me in this world and fulfilling my calling, my purpose daily, knowing it’s a part of Gods plan!

My journey began working with kids and families at a young age; working alongside my mother in our community. I soon fell in love with people of all kinds and learned how valuable Life and community can be as we follow and believe. This passion and calling in my life really took off in 2003 in Asheville, NC and it carried me into a beautiful and powerful college experience at Ferrum College, in Ferrum VA. This is where I studied and grew in the recreation and leisure field with the emphasis of outdoor rec. connecting with our outdoor world and a minor in journalism, learning the power of words and how to use them especially Gods word.

During my college career and many years after I worked with kids and families in outdoor summer camps, overnight and day camps, before and after school care, community parks and rec programs, preschool classes, organizing special events and so much more for almost 20 years now.

So, So thankful for this Life we live and all we get to be a part of!