2010-2011 Faculty and Staff

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. Melissa is a native of Columbia and leverages her fluency in Spanish to teach students in EI – Class Five conversational Spanish as well. Melissa now serves as the lead Explorers II teacher and provides leadership as part of the Explorers I team. Melissa has been with Clapham since 2008.

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. Renee has been with Clapham since 2009.

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 third year at Clapham School, having joined in 2008.

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. Kim has been with Clapham since 2007.

Elise is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Elementary Education. She has spent time around the world, as well as being employed as a nanny in Chicago. Elise also enjoys teaching swimming lessons.  Elise has been with Clapham since 2009.

Cheryl Ward 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. Previous to Clapham, Cheryl taught Literature for 5 years in China at Tianjin International School and 4th Grade in a public school district in the Chicago suburbs.  Cheryl joined Clapham in 2009.

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. Jason has been with Clapham since 2008.

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. Patrick and his family spent 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. Patrick joined Clapham in 2009.

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 classroom music and art classes and providing leadership for our Fine Arts programs. She brings to Clapham an extraordinary background in the arts! Sara joined Clapham in 2008.

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 on the pastoral staff at College Church. Brandon leads the weekly chapels at Clapham and assists with the school’s Bible curriculum. Brandon joined Clapham in 2009.

Mike Barnett
Physical Education Teacher and Class Four / Five Intern

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 saxophone.  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. Mike joined Clapham in 2009.