Faculty

Dr. CJ Newburn, Head of School, Board Member, Scripture, Coach, Projects, Humane Letters

Computing Technologist; Distinguish Engineer and Principal Architect for High-Performance Computing — Strategy, Roadmap, Community Building, NVIDIA. Ph.D. in Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Over 80 patents. Academic conference and workshop organizer. International and keynote speaker.

Dr. Amy Newburn, Head of Curriculum, Science and Math, Board Member

Home Educator, Ballet Instructor. 20 years of teaching experience. Physical Therapist for 14 years. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Northwestern University, DPT, COMT

Trish Lewis, Math, Physics, Board Member

BS in Biology, Augustana; Started an MS in Secondary Ed, Rockford College; 16 years teaching experience at Boylan, Hononegah; Tutor; Religious Ed Teacher; Family business Owner and Accountant

Celeste Dal Pra, Literature, Science, Advisory Board Member

Teacher with 35 years of experience. BA in Education and Special Education, Marymount University

Dr. Tony Dal Pra JD, Scripture and Theology, Advisory Board Member

Business owner. Teacher and Youth Minister for 10 years. BS in Business, Notre Dame University MS in Real Estate and Urban Development, American University Juris Doctorate, George Mason University School of Law

Jennifer Ambrose, Art, Scripture, and Theology

Business Owner, Account and Head Decorator, Ambrose Christmas Store. Retreat leader and religious education teacher over a period of over 40 years. Has a deep heart for people and a love of learning. Accomplished artist in multiple media.

Carol Burke, Humane Letters, Literature and Composition

Many years of teaching experience including: Annunciation Classical Catholic Co-op-9-12th grade Literature, History, Composition, Director; Hallstrom Homeschool Cooperative-Composition; Emmaus Academy- 9-10th grade Literature, Composition, History, Fine Arts, and 12th grade SeniorThesis; freelance editor and reporter for 20 years Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Journalism-University of Wisconsin, Circe Classical Institute Apprenticeship program, 2017-present; Mother to 8 grown children who we homeschooled over a period of 28 years.

Dr. Tony Dal Pra JD, Scripture and Theology, Advisory Board Member

Business owner. Teacher and Youth Minister for 10 years. BS in Business, Notre Dame University MS in Real Estate and Urban Development, American University Juris Doctorate, George Mason University School of Law

Louise Doherty, Spanish

Fluent in Spanish, studied 8 years, lived in Barcelona, Spain. BA in Spanish from U of IL. Spanish interpreter. Hosts a Meetup group at a coffee shop for practicing Spanish. Loves to travel. Homeschooled 25 years as a mother of four. Taught Spanish for several years at high school and grade school levels.

Amy Drog, Science and Geography

Worked as a Physical Therapist at Rockford Memorial Hospital, Van Meter, Mercy Hospital. Taught science at Annunciation Coop. Homeschool mother of three. B.S, Masters in Physical Therapy, University of Evansville

Liz Drog, English and Science

BS NIU in Med Tech with minors in Chemistry, Biology, English. Post-grad certificate in Genetics. Mercy Health for 30 years in Biochemistry and Genetics, teaching NIU interns and new hires. Teaching experience in Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology.

Katy Hopkins, Literature and Latin

BA in English Literature, medieval concentration, Northern Illinois University. Homeschool teacher, private Latin and writing tutor.

Cecelia Jelinek, Spanish

Masters in Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Bachelor’s in Geology and Geosciences, Texas A&M University. Teacher, more than 10 years at Marian Central High School. Native Spanish speaker, worked in Hispanic Ministry for the last 15 years at parish and diocesan levels.

Trish Lewis, Math, Physics, Board Member

BS in Biology, Augustana; Started an MS in Secondary Ed, Rockford College; 16 years teaching experience at Boylan, Hononegah; Tutor; Religious Ed Teacher; Family business Owner and Accountant

Jenny Maragia, Choir and Drama

Involved musically in church/youth ministry consistently since the age of 13. In training to become a concert pianist until the age of 15 when she decided to branch off into the studies of various genres of music including jazz, blues, and gospel under the tutelage of local professionals. Began playing and singing locally during high school and also began teaching privately and in groups. In college, studied Christian ministries and missions and also led worship for a local church. In 2009, founded Studio 3 and has retained a robust teaching schedule since 2012 offering both piano lessons and vocal coaching. Single mother of 4 and a veteran homeschooler of 14 years. Known for creative teaching methods and the unique performance opportunities she creates for her students. At the heart of Jenny’s work is emphasizing the importance of creative and engaging performance as a necessary and beneficial part of the performing arts and Christian ministries. Currently serves as the Director of Music Ministry at Old Stone Church in Rockton, IL.

Penny Muldowney, Math

BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Worked in the engineering field until becoming a stay at home Mom of four. Managed rental properties for over 30 years. Private math tutor since 2016.

Dr. Amy Newburn, Head of Curriculum, Science and Math, Board Member

Home Educator, Ballet Instructor. 20 years of teaching experience. Physical Therapist for 14 years. Doctor of Physical Therapy, Northwestern University, DPT, COMT

Dr. CJ Newburn, Head of School, Board Member, Scripture, Coach, Projects, Humane Letters

Computing Technologist; Distinguish Engineer and Principal Architect for High-Performance Computing — Strategy, Roadmap, Community Building, NVIDIA. Ph.D. in Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Over 80 patents. Academic conference and workshop organizer. International and keynote speaker.

Tony Pondelick, Projects

DeVry Technical Institute, computers and electronics. Jack of all trades with 37 years in the automation business, where he invented and custom-built thousands of parts, including with 3D computer-aided design. Designed, built, remodeled houses.

Elissa Sullivan, Math

BA in education, Concordia University Wisconsin (education, music, math, Lutheran doctrine). Mother of 4 in public, private and homeschool situations. Private piano teacher. Church worship leader. Women’s Bible study leader. Dog foster family.

Michaela Ambrose, RN

Registered Nurse OSF Nursing School, 2019

Brea Balzer, PE Coach

Long-term teacher and home schooler

Dr. Brad Reynolds JD, Golf

Gesmer & Reynolds Law Firm Juris Doctorate, University of Iowa College of Law, High Distinction Avid golfer

Teresa Ambrose, Literature and Math

Over fifteen years of teaching experience. Physical Therapist.

Brian Belh, History and Coaching

Brian serves as Pastor at Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Rockford, IL. Th.M., Westminster Theological Seminary M.Div., Columbia Biblical Seminary B.A., Cedarville College CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), ILSC, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Kirsten Belh, Math and French

French and Junior Math Teacher. Home educator since 2010; ESL instructor online for 4 years and Rockford University for 2 years; YMCA Group Fitness Instructor. Directed and tutored Classical Conversations for 6 years. B.A. in French from Middlebury College in Vermont. Kirsten spent two years living in the Paris region, 3 months in Switzerland, and 5 months in Quebec. She returns to vacation in Quebec with her family every chance she gets.

Dr. Allan Carlson, History/Advisor

Ph.D. in Modern European History, Ohio University. Author of 15 books and numerous articles on subjects including family, religion, and social politics. Former President of several think tanks. Former Distinguished Visiting Professor of Politics and History at Hillsdale College. Currently, John A. Howard Senior Fellow for The International Organization for the Family.

Toni Cermak, History, Math, Drama, Art, Latin

Degree in Theater and Set Design. Taught drama and religious education. Youth minister. Drama director, acting coach and set designer for several drama productions.

Benjamin Keoseyan, Humane Letters, Composition and Literature

Mr. Keoseyan is a Historian of Ancient Philosophy, Classics, and Literature. He has a passion for teaching the humanities, and is especially fond of the classical and medieval periods. B.A. in Hispanic Studies, with minors in Creative Writing and Philosophy, summa cum laude, Pepperdine University M.A. in Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, in progress.

James Marck, Music

Artistic Director, Kantorei. Co-Directed mixed a cappella, VP of Dramatic Crossroads Opera Organization, Choirmaster, Mendelssohn Chorale, Camerata Emanon, Executive Board of American Guild of Organists (Rockford Chapter), Rockford Rhythm. B.S. in Music Composition, Bradley University. ACDA, ASCAP.

Dr. Marjorie Haney Schafer, History, English/Advisor

Co-owner of Round Barn Fiber Mill, Inc.; teacher, writer, and editor. Taught English and Religious Studies at the college level for 7 years; homeschooled for 5 years; and taught religion, history, and English for 4 years in a homeschool co-op setting. B.A. summa cum laude in History, French, and Philosophy/Religion, Hillsdale College;  M.A., in Religious Education, Gannon University;  M.A. and Ph.D. in Literature, University of Dallas.

Savannah Schaffer, English

Private Tutor and Freelance Educator Aerospace Quality Manager, Rockford ID Shop

Julia Spinnie, Math and Science

Adjunct Professor, Rock Valley College Taught at Emmaus Academy, tutored at WyzAnt B.S. in Geology, Minors in Mathematics, Chemistry Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL M.S. in Geology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

Carl Armato, Coach

Former Huskie Assistant Coach, Rockford Public Schools Athletic Director, and Northern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Member for Basketball

Terry Bomkamp, Coach, Projects

Owner, Emmaus Adventures, led 130 high-adventure wilderness, backpacking and float trips, including for youth groups and scouts. People of Praise Action Advisor for Rockford Branch. Teaches Back Country Cooking, Food Safety. Semi-retired General Manager from 37 years in the Hospitality Industry.

Jenny Dallio, Volleyball Coach

BS Quincy University in Elementary Education, played volleyball. Coached volleyball 12 years, including at Boylan, Winnebago and Rockford Volleyball Association. Officiated 9 years with IHSA, 7 years with USAV. Taught for 3 years at Holy Family.

Sarah Landerholm, Literature, Soccer Coach

BA in English from Loras College Member of the US 3rd-ranked soccer team from Rock Valley. Licensed coach, U.S. Soccer Federation. Former coach and Technical Director for the Bruce Samlan Soccer League.