Faculty and Staff

fletcher@christendom.academy

Dr. Fletcher’s full bio can be found here. // Our Lady of Knock

barker@christendom.academy

A Kansas native, Emily Barker holds a B.S. in Social Work from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a Master of Social Work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. While at Franciscan, Emily was formed by the University’s Great Books Program. Emily has completed ICLE’s Spirit and Craft of Teaching Program and Level I training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Her favorite book is What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss, and her favorite saint is St. Maximilian Kolbe. // Our Lady of Częstochowa

admissions@christendom.academy

Cathy Hula is an Iowa native, holds a B.S. in accounting and minor in Management Information Systems from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. After working in accounting for Mutual of Omaha for 10 years, she home educated her four children, most of them through high school. It was during those years that she discovered the beauty of classical education and saw the fruits of it in her own children. She is excited to be a part of offering this unique education to the Omaha area and to be working alongside joyful, faith-filled Catholic men and women at Christendom Academy. Her hobbies include hiking, bicycling, sewing, and spending time with her granddaughters. Her favorite book is Anna Karenina and her favorite saint is St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She enjoys volunteering with helping those in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Society efforts at her parish. // Our Lady of Guadalupe

brockhaus@christendom.academy

An Omaha native, Lydia Brockhaus is excited to learn more about the Montessori method under the direction of Miss Wieger and to discern a career in education. Outside of school, she can be found thrift shopping and drinking coffee. Her favorite book is The Brothers Karamazov and her favorite - as well as Confirmation saint - is St. Joan of Arc. // Our Lady of Częstochowa

chouinard@christendom.academy

Born and raised in Omaha, Elizabeth Chouinard attended college at the University of Dallas, earning a B.S. in Physics. As well as a scientific mind, she also has the heart of an artist - playing violin and piano and enjoying sketching and painting. Elizabeth has completed ICLE’s Spirit and Craft of Teaching Program. Her favorite book is I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée and her favorite saint is St. Teresa of Calcutta. // Our Lady of Częstochowa

fecci@christendom.academy

An Omaha native, Annie Fecci attended Mercy High School and the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where she earned a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies. She is a passionate crafter, enjoying everything from crochet and cooking to using resin and pottery. Annie has a special affection for all things astronomy and collects rocks from every vacation spot. She enjoys assisting children in the experience of wonder and the joy of learning. Annie enjoys being in nature and as a special love for animals, which led her to adopt a very fluffy bunny. Her favorite books are the Percy Jackson series, and her favorite saint is Queen Margaret of Scotland. // Our Lady of Knock

gronewold@christendom.academy

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Mary Gronewold has lived in Omaha since her undergraduate studies at Creighton University. She holds a B.A. in English and a M Ed. in Secondary Education, and has experience both at the middle and high school levels. When not busy with their six children, Mary and her husband Joe enjoy reading and live music. Her favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird and her favorite saint is Pope St. John Paul II. // Our Lady of Częstochowa

hilger@christendom.academy

Maria Hilger holds dual B.A.s from Benedictine College in English and Secondary Education. During her time in grade and high school in Wisconsin, she fell in love with the classical curriculum in which she was educated and desired to pursue this model of education in her own teaching. Throughout college, she became involved in youth ministry which grew her desire to combine education with the pursuit of the Faith. On the side, Maria has a passion for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and is fully certified in Level One and is currently working towards completing Level Two She lives in Omaha with her husband, Christopher, and her sons Isaiah and Damien. Her favorite saint is St. Therese of Lisieux and her favorite book is Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. // Our Lady of Guadalupe

kinnison@christendom.academy

Originally from Colorado, Bernadette Kinnison and her husband Ben moved to Omaha after both graduating from Benedictine College. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Theology. After teaching fourth grade for the past two years, she is excited to move down to first and second grade. Bernadette has begun formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Her favorite series is Anne of Green Gables and her favorite saint is St. Maria Goretti. // Our Lady of Guadalupe

Bio coming soon! // Our Lady of Częstochowa

amellender@christendom.academy

Born in England, Annelise Mellender has lived in Nebraska since she was three. She graduated from Ave Maria University with a B.A. in Theology. She spent two summers teaching Totus Tuus for the Archdiocese of Omaha. When not at school, Annelise can be found singing in parish choir and hanging out with her siblings. Her favorite book is Little Women and her favorite saint is St. Cecilia. // Our Lady of Knock

lmellender@christendom.academy

An Omaha native, Luke Mellender is a graduate of the Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts. He holds a B.A. in the Liberal Arts. While in high school, Luke earned the rank of Eagle Scout as well as many awards on the National Latin Exam. Luke has completed ICLE’s Spirit and Craft of Teaching program. His favorite book is Till We Have Faces and his favorite saint is St. Francis of Assisi. // Our Lady of Guadalupe

Miss Sam Perkins is a professional violinist within the community and an instructor for the Omaha Conservatory of Music. Ms. Perkins has played in the orchestras for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Buble, and several shows at the Rose Theatre. Most importantly, she is a passionate and impressive teacher. At Christendom, she teaches music, music theory, and introduction to stringed instruments.

potter@christendom.academy

Cathy Potter is a retired resource teacher for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Her career also includes 25 years as a private tutor for students in grades K-8. Mrs. Potter is certified in the Spalding Phonics Method. Spalding is a language arts program that uses explicit, integrated instruction and multisensory techniques to teach spelling, reading and writing. Cathy enjoys teaching and spending time with her 12 grandchildren. Her favorite books are Little House on the Prairie, and her favorite saint is St. Catherine of Siena. // Our Lady of Guadalupe

ramsgard@christendom.academy

Raised in Omaha, Matthew Ramsgard attended Roncalli Catholic High School and the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science. He and his wife, Ellie, have three children, Maria, Gabrielle, and William. Among his favorite pastimes are building/home improvement projects, a good pick-up basketball game, or a long conversation, especially about theology or political philosophy. His favorite book is The Lord of the Rings, and his favorite saints are John the Baptist and Sir Thomas More. // Our Lady of Knock

thordarson@christendom.academy

Bio coming soon! // Our Lady of Częstochowa

virnig@christendom.academy

Bio coming soon! // Our Lady of Knock

Bio coming soon! // Our Lady of Knock

wieger@christendom.academy

Olivia Wieger holds a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Education. She is a native Nebraskan whose family relocated to Kansas where she attended St. James Academy, Benedictine College, and spent summers as a camper, counselor, and on Blue Team at Camp Kateri Tekakwitha in Williamsburg, Kansas. Her soul stirred by Truth, Beauty and Goodness, she was called to further study of the nature of man, human development, and the child. This led to earning a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I certificate, an Association Montessori Internationale Primary diploma, and teaching in a Catholic Montessori school. In her leisure time, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in nature, reading, engaging in various work of the hand, and learning and celebrating the lives of the Saints. Her favorite book is The Jeweler’s Shop by Karol Wojtyla (Saint John Paul the Great) and her favorite saint is St. Therese of Lisieux. // Our Lady of Guadalupe