Home Profiles

2009-2010 Faculty and Staff


Doug ReynoldsDoug Reynolds
Head of School

Doug has overall administrative and management responsibility for the Clapham School and is onsite part time at the school during 2009-2010. Doug most recently worked as a Vice President at ServiceMaster and has over 20 years of business experience in the U.S. and Europe. He has a B.A. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Northwestern. Doug serves on the Board of Directors for IFES, a global university ministry based in Oxford, UK.

susanSusan Carrion
Director of Instruction

Susan's primary role is to coach, mentor and develop the Clapham faculty on instructional techniques and curriculum implementation as they teach in our unique model. Susan brings a wealth of experience to this role. She has over 20 years of experience working in various Christian schools. Most recently she served as Principal of Ambleside School of Ocala, Florida, and as Principal of Pontiac Christian School in Pontiac, Illinois. She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts with a concentration in Music from Judson University and has studied at Moody Bible Institute. She has also done graduate work at Northern Illinois University and Columbia International University. This is Susan's second year at Clapham School.


julieJulie Reynolds
Director of Curriculum

Julie oversees the curriculum at Clapham School and is onsite part time during the year. It was Julie's vision that launched Clapham School four years ago. Previously she was Director of a non-profit in London, and helped launch the ESL program for refugee training at World Relief in Chicago. Julie holds a B.A. from Duke University and further degrees from Trinity Seminary in Deerfield and from Wheaton College Graduate School.

Carolyn LitfinCarolyn Litfin
Director of Admissions

Carolyn has a B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee, with a specialization in Math. She has 10 years of experience as a legal assistant, primarily in trial matters. Carolyn has been at Clapham since its inception and is responsible for various administrative duties, including admissions.

lauraLaura Tebbe
Administrative Assistant

Laura holds a B.A. in Christian Education & Ministry, with a minor in German, from Wheaton College. She previously worked as a counselor at HoneyRock Camp, as a nanny, and at OC International's headquarters in Colorado Springs working with missionary children.

emily_schmitt1Emily Schmitt
Explorers I (Pre-Kindergarten) Teacher

Emily holds a B.A. in Urban and International Studies from Moody Bible Institute. She has spent the past 5 years ministering to young children in Cabrini Green and in her church in Chicago. This is Emily’s first year at Clapham, and she is part of the Explorers I Team.

Melissa HarderMelissa Harder
Explorers II (Kindergarten) Teacher

Melissa holds a B.A. in Bible Exposition and Exegesis from Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa. Melissa previously taught preschool in Dubuque before coming to Clapham in 2007 to serve as the aide, and then lead teacher, in our Explorers program. In addition, she has served in various children’s ministries since moving to Wheaton in 2006. Melissa now serves as the lead Explorers II teacher and provides leadership as part of the Explorers I team. This is Melissa’s third year at Clapham School.

renee_shear1Renee Shear
Class One Teacher

Renee holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College. She previously did her student teaching experience in the public schools in Wayne, Illinois, and worked at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri. She was a member of the Wheaton College Swim Team and has enjoyed teaching swimming lessons. This is Renee's first year at Clapham School.

elise_redfield1Elise Redfield
Class One Intern

Elise is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Elementary Education. She spent the last year traveling around the world, as well as being employed as a nanny in Chicago. Elise will be the supporting aide in Class One.  Elise also enjoys teaching swimming lessons.  This is Elise's first year at Clapham School.

Jennifer BernthalJenny Bernthal
Class Two Teacher

Jenny holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois. She previously taught at Regents School of Austin, a classical Christian school in Austin, Texas, and at Rockford Christian School in Rockford, Illinois. This is Jenny's second year at Clapham School.

Kim SceggelKim Sceggel
Class Three Teacher

Kim holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Gordon College. She also has a Master of Education from Covenant College. Kim has over 20 years of teaching experience in Christian schools. This is Kim’s third year at Clapham School.

sarah_stankevitz1Sarah Stankevitz
Class Three Student Teacher / Intern

Sarah is a graduate from Maranatha Baptist Bible College (in Watertown, Wisconsin). She is an Elementary Education major and has a Music Education minor. Sarah is enthusiastic about the unique model at Clapham School, and in her first year at Clapham is a student teacher and intern.

carrieCarrie Szobody
Class Four Teacher

Carrie holds a B.A. from Hillsdale College in History and Religion, and completed a Masters Degree in Biblical Studies from Concordia University in Chicago in 2009. She wrote her master’s thesis on Luther and classical education. Previously Carrie taught at Veritas Academy, a classical Christian school in Pennsylvania, and worked for Veritas Press, a publishing house associated with that school.  This is Carrie's first year at Clapham School.

Melissa HarderCheryl Ward
Class Five Teacher

Cheryl holds a B.A. in Education from Northwestern College and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her further coursework is in Language Acquisition at the University of North Dakota. Cheryl most recently taught Literature for 5 years in China at Tianjin International School, and 4th Grade in a public school district in the Chicago suburbs.  This is Cheryl's first year at Clapham School.

jasonJason Barney
Middle School Teacher, Latin & Logic Teacher

Jason is a graduate of Wheaton College, with a major in Ancient Languages & English Literature. He also studied in Humanities and Bible. Jason taught both Latin and Logic to Clapham students in Classes 5 & 6 last year. This is Jason's second year at Clapham School.

patrick_egan1Patrick Egan
Middle SchoolTeacher

Patrick has a B.A. in music history and literature from Illinois State University, a M.Div. and Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is currently completing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of St Andrews. He is now researching the use of the book of Isaiah in the First Epistle of Peter, but has also presented research on the Gospels and the Septuagint. Patrick and his family have spent the last three years living and studying in Scotland. Prior to this, Patrick served as an Assistant Pastor at College Church in Wheaton. He has taught courses in New Testament and Biblical Greek at Trinity and St Andrews, and has also taught string bass privately. This is Patrick's first year at Clapham School.

nathanael_szobody1Nathanael Szobody
Latin Teacher, Class Four Teacher

Nathanael grew up in France and North Africa, and was homeschooled classically on the mission field through 12th grade. He has a B.A. in Theological Languages at Concordia University in Chicago. Nathanael is currently teaching Latin and French along with teaching responsibilties in Class Four at Clapham this year.  This is Nathanael's first year at Clapham School.

Sara SmithSara Smith
Director of Music / Art Teacher

Sara holds a B.A. in Music Education from Wheaton College. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan during high school, and teaches voice and music lessons in Wheaton. Sara is directing our new Clapham Conservatory (after-school instrument and voice lessons) this year, as well as teaching classroom music and art. She brings to Clapham an extraordinary background in the fine arts! This is Sara’s second year at Clapham.

brandon_levering1Brandon Levering
Chaplain

Brandon holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a M.A. in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. He has served on staff with The Navigators at the University of Nebraska and as pastoral intern at Oak Lake Evangelical Free Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Brandon is currently a Ministry Resident at College Church, where he and his wife are preparing for pastoral ministry. Brandon leads the weekly chapels at Clapham and assists with the school’s Bible curriculum. This is Brandon’s first year at Clapham School, and we enjoy being led by his teaching in chapel.

 

mikeMike Barnett
Physical Education Teacher

Mike holds a B.A. in History from Lawrence University, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI.  Mike previously maintained a private studio for saxaphone.  He has also served as the Director of Climbing and developed and facilitated the outdoor education curriculum at a summer camp in northern Minnesota.  Mike frequently competes in running and cross country ski races from 10K-50K. This is Mike's first year at Clapham School.