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Mary has been with Kolbe Academy Home School since the program’s inception. She has contributed to the growth and development of the home school program over the years as home school manager (2002 – 2004), head of academic advising (2004-2007), registrar (1996-1999, 2005-2008) Assistant Executive Director (2017) and Executive Director (2008-2016, 2018-) of Kolbe Academy. Mary and her late husband, Chuck, had been married for over 30 years. She has ten children, 6 boys and 4 girls, and so far, is the proud grandmother of 16. Mary has home schooled several of her children off and on over the last 20 years, three of whom have mild to moderate learning disabilities. All of her children have attended Kolbe Academy’s Day School or online school during years that she was not home schooling, and her 9 oldest have graduated from Kolbe thus far.
Megan received her BS in Physics from the University of Dallas and her MS in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. She began at Kolbe in 2004 as Kolbe’s Math and Science Curriculum Advisor and later helped to get the online school off the ground in 2013. She continues to serves Kolbe's mission on the Executive Team as the Chief Academic Officer, or as Kolbe's students typically call her, "The Principal." Megan and her husband live north of Atlanta, Georgia, and have four children, three of whom are currently homeschooled with Kolbe Academy.
The oldest grandson of founders Dianne and Jerry Muth, Chris Rowles graduated from Kolbe Academy before attending University of Dallas and studying Economics. He spent 10 years in Mortgage Servicing and Call Center Operations before moving back to Napa, CA, to join Kolbe as Chief Operations Officer. His wife Maureen is presently teaching with Kolbe Online and their 5 children have begun enrolling with Kolbe Academy.
Steven received a BA in the Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College and a BS from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville and is a professional civil engineer in the state of California. Steven has worked in administration in Catholic, classical, distance education since 2006 and joined Kolbe Academy as Development Director in 2021. Steven, his wife Maggie, and their 5 children live in the southern Ozarks in Arkansas.
Steve is from Eastern Washington and a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Accounting. He worked for the Deloitte firm out of college and has been self employed for 22 years owning gas and convenience stores. He and his wife Tonja have 8 children, of which the 6 oldest were home schooled for several years. They have one graduate of the Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep day school with 5 children currently enrolled there.
Everett was born and raised in Southeast Alaska, aka “God’s Country.” He studied Philosophy at Gonzaga University (Go Zags!), and spent two years in the seminary before discerning he wasn’t called to the priesthood. He and his wife Melissa live with their five sons in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before joining Kolbe Academy in 2008, Everett worked as a high school teacher in math, science and computer literacy at a small private Catholic school in Cottonwood, Idaho. In addition to his work as Director of Academic Services, Everett teaches for the Maris Stella Institute in their catechist formation programs and is a Little League board member and umpire.
Jordan has been with Kolbe since 2013. He was homeschooled back in the 1980s and 90s and eventually earned a PhD from Göttingen University in Germany. He is the author of two books, "When the Earth was Flat" and "He Whom a Dream Hath Possessed" as well as numerous book reviews and articles. He is the father of five kids and lives in New Hampshire where he also teaches Greek and Latin at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts.
Nicole received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Composition and a Master of Science degree in Online K-12 Education through Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has worked both in the classroom and online with students ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade. Writing has always been her passion; however, she is even more passionate about helping young students learn to read, write, and love grammar! In 2018, Nicole served as vice president on the board of a non-profit preschool and helped develop their pre-reading program. Serving as their reading instructor for many years, she found her true passion in working with families in the early years. Whether she is in the classroom working through grammar drills or playing Play-Doh with preschoolers, Nicole loves the gift of assisting children and families discover their hidden talents and passions. Nicole taught for Kolbe for 6 years in the English and Literature department before moving into various administrative roles. She now serves as the Director of Online Elementary Learning. Nicole and her husband live in Orange County, California, and have three daughters.
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Tony is a happily married husband to Kate and proud father of two daughters. He holds a bachelor's degree in History from the University of Iowa and a master's degree in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University. After graduating from college, Tony spent six years on and off active duty while a member of the Air National Guard and then pursued a career in education. His professional experiences include classroom teaching at the junior high and high school levels and assessment and program evaluation work in higher education. He began at Kolbe as an academic advisor and taught middle school history during the 2021-22 school year before stepping into this role in April of 2022. Tony resides in the Chicagoland area and in his leisure time enjoys spending time adventuring with his family in the outdoors, gardening, cooking, and his Catholic men's book club.
Josh Beckman is experienced as Communications and Marketing Director and has a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. He specializes in Digital Marketing, Strategic Communications, and Event Management. Joshua has worked with Fortune 100 companies as well as numerous Catholic organizations. He is a great fan of writers such as Chesterton, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis, and hopes to use his talents to encourage a new generation of prolific writers and thinkers.
Erica has two decades of experience in classical education. As a military spouse and home educator, she has been active in homeschooling communities throughout the country. Before joining Kolbe Academy’s advising staff in 2020, Erica worked in diverse fields for non-profit and multinational organizations. She has interests in creative writing, clear and beautiful communications, and organization.
Rylan grew up homeschooling in Wenatchee, Washington until her junior year in high school at which point, her family moved to Napa, CA and she attended her last two years of high school at the Kolbe Academy and Trinity Prep day school. She graduated with her BA from the University of Mary in North Dakota in 2017 and then returned to her hometown in Washington. Since finishing college, she married her husband Tony, and they have a one-year old daughter. Rylan also works at her local parish. She was the Religious Education Director then moved into the Youth Ministry program where she currently serves as the Youth Minister for the high school youth group and confirmation programs.
Julie was raised in the desert region of Southern Nevada and was homeschooled, along with her two sisters, from 5th to 12th grade. Her experience with homeschooling was very positive and so she is eager to bring her experience to Kolbe Academy. Her Bachelors is in Fine Arts and she has worked in a variety of educational settings and grade levels. One of her favorite jobs was as a kindergarten teacher. Outside of work, some of her favorite activities are painting, camping, and discussing fine literature in a book club.
Krysten was raised as a Navy “brat”, moving every few years; but, spent much of her childhood in Hawaii. She received her Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 2004. She holds an MBA from Touro University as well. After 5 years active duty she hung up her uniform to raise her growing family. She currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband and 5 children. She has been homeschooling with Kolbe Academy since 2013. As the mom of special needs children, helping families find ways to make homeschooling work for them is important to her.
Agostina grew up homeschooling with Kolbe and Mother of Divine Grace in San Diego, CA, Houston, TX, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is completing a degree in Literature and Linguistics at the Catholic University of Argentina, and has worked several years as a tutor and college teaching assistant, in addition to legal marketing. When she isn’t reading or studying new languages, she’s probably exploring the city and other interesting places around Buenos Aires.
Cecilia grew up homeschooling with Mother of Divine Grace in Sacramento, California. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in ethics from the University of Dallas in 2020. Since graduating from the University of Dallas, she married her husband, Stephen, and gained professional experience working in higher education. In her previous role, she worked as an Admission Counselor guiding homeschool students in their college decision process. She is excited and blessed to have the opportunity of working in education again, serving families in their homeschool journey.
Dr. Kathleen Troost-Cramer, O.P. is a die-hard New Englander, a life-professed Lay Dominican, and homeschooling mom to her wonderful twin daughters. Prior to joining Kolbe’s Academic Services team, she taught Scripture, theology, and Western civilization courses as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Providence College in her home state of Rhode Island. She has also facilitated virtual courses for Notre Dame University, the Israel Study Center, and the Diocese of Providence Office of Faith Formation. With a solid teaching background and a passion for authentically Catholic homeschooling, she decided to leave academia for a full-time role in helping homeschooling families to form communities that keep the Faith (literally!). Dr. Troost-Cramer’s extra-academic interests include Western horseback riding, historical longsword fencing, and playing the fiddle.
After working as a Behavior Specialist at a private practice and for several school districts in the metro Atlanta area, Kelli became a certified teacher in Special Education and Math. She also taught Latin, rhetoric, literature, writing, and science to 7th graders in a Christian classical homeschool program for many years. She homeschooled her son through high school, and all of those memories continue to bring her joy. Kelli lives in north Georgia where she enjoys hiking, gardening, and any excuse to be outdoors. Currently, she serves as the Director of Confirmation at her parish, and as a side project, she is editing a high-fantasy fiction trilogy that involves giant forest spiders, elves, dragons, and the works. She absolutely loves working with students and their families and is honored to be a part of your journey at Kolbe.
Ashley was homeschooled herself as a high school teen and is excited to bring her love of at-home learning to support Kolbe Academy families. She has a B.A. in English (UNLV) and a M.A. in Pastoral Studies (HACS) Currently she is completing her M.S. in Social Work (UNR). Her work experience is varied and includes university and public libraries, substitute teaching in both virtual and brick and mortal schools, volunteering and working for NET Ministries, and previously serving in a local parish as youth ministry coordinator for middle school, high school and young adults. The main goal of her life in her education, work and married life is to strengthen the domestic church, that of the family unit. She enjoys kayaking, reading, renovating her home, and spending time with her husband and extended family. She resides in the mountainous state of Nevada.
Ashley was homeschooled herself as a high school teen and is excited to bring her love of at-home learning to support Kolbe Academy families. She has a B.A. in English (UNLV) and a M.A. in Pastoral Studies (HACS) Currently she is completing her M.S. in Social Work (UNR). Her work experience is varied and includes university and public libraries, substitute teaching in both virtual and brick and mortal schools, volunteering and working for NET Ministries, and previously serving in a local parish as youth ministry coordinator for middle school, high school and young adults. The main goal of her life in her education, work and married life is to strengthen the domestic church, that of the family unit. She enjoys kayaking, reading, renovating her home, and spending time with her husband and extended family. She resides in the mountainous state of Nevada.
Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania where she earned degrees in biology and Catholic theology. She and her husband homeschool their children and, as a military family, move to a new state every few years. They enjoy connecting with Kolbe families along the way! Elizabeth hopes to inspire in her students awe of the marvelous complexity of God’s creation.
Mrs. Powers holds a BS from the University of Georgia in Mathematics Education. While there, she received the Hooten Award which is bestowed upon the student that the faculty feels best demonstrates exceptional promise from that graduating class. She taught in the public school system for seven years, serving as a lead teacher in Geometry and AP Computer Science. Kelly was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2003. She loves that teaching for Kolbe allows for her to focus on the three most important things in her life: her faith, her wonderful husband and two children, and her never ending desire to see math “click” for a student. Mrs. Powers loves dark chocolate, math songs, dressing up in themed attire, and making people laugh.
Mary has been with Kolbe since 2009. She is a California native and received a BA from St Mary's College with training in Montessori. Mary and her husband have been married over thirty years and have six children and one granddaughter.
Jeanne Anne is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army which meant her family had to move all over the United States every two or three years. Her conversion to Catholicism at the age of 21, she attributes to listening to Archbishop Fulton Sheen on tape. She graduated from the University of San Francisco while working and taking care of small children and thus understands the struggles of juggling motherhood, working and teaching. After home schooling her eight children for over 16 years, she now resides in Napa with her youngest three children who attend Kolbe Academy Trinity Prep Day School.
Maggie received a BA in the Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College. Maggie has worked in Catholic distance education since 1998 as an administrator, educator and curriculum developer. She joined Kolbe Academy as Curriculum Director in 2021. Maggie and her husband, Steven, live in Arkansas and home educate their children.
Stephanie grew up in the beautiful state of New Hampshire and is a Kolbe grad herself! She received her BA in Journalism from Franciscan University of Steubenville and spent more than a decade doing digital communications for Catholic radio networks. Stephanie is a wife, a mother of three boys, and in her free time she enjoys reading, running, and really good coffee.
Stasha Becher is from St. Paul, MN and is Catholic Youth Minister who teaches middle and high school girls at her local Parish, and most recently her son’s youth hockey team. Before joining Kolbe Stasha worked in marketing for a large corporate company but was led to continue her work in a Catholic setting. Stasha resides in a small farm town in Minnesota with her husband and three outdoor loving boys. You can find them playing football (go Vikes!), swimming in the lakes in the summer, or skating over them playing endless hours of hockey in the winter.
Vanessa grew up and resides in South Florida. She received a Catholic education and became a youth group leader within her archdiocese, where she met her husband. After graduating with her BS in Civil Engineering (FIU), she began her career. Several blessed years and three wonderful children later, Vanessa felt called to transition her work into Catholic education, focusing on STEM. She started an Engineering Academy at her alma mater, and taught middle and high school before joining Kolbe Academy.
Nancy, also a daughter of the founders of Kolbe Academy, has been with Kolbe since 2001. She and her husband Dave have been married for 25 years and have 4 children and 5 grandchilden.
Jon is originally from northwest Florida. He joined the Army after completing high school and retired from active duty after 24 years of service. Jon holds a B.A. in History from the University of Maryland United Colleges and a M.B.A. in Project Management from Grantham University. He and his wife Chris now live in eastern Virginia and have five girls at home; four of whom are homeschooled with the Kolbe curriculum.
Tony Sciacca was born in raised in Fairfield, California. His warehouse experience began working for his godfather at Pearson's Appliance. After moving to San Luis Obispo, he gained management experience, as well as his love of golf managing a golf supply warehouse. Tony has since worked in both the medical and wine industry, before finding a home at Kolbe Academy. Tony loves hunting, fishing, and golfing with his dad and brothers.
Brigid Tebaldi earned her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. While working on her M.B.A. at Youngstown State University in Ohio, she taught AP sciences at a local Catholic school. She and her husband live in western Pennsylvania and after having their first child (now three), she chose to leave teaching in a traditional setting so she could raise the little one(s). Brigid owns and operates a wedding barn venue and horse training facility in western PA.
Nichole graduated with her BA in Politics and an MBA with a concentration in nonprofit management from the University of Dallas. There she met her husband, Oskar, and after living in the Washington, DC area for a few years, they returned to her hometown in the Central Valley of California. Their 5 children are blessed to be homeschool students of Kolbe Academy. She is thrilled to be able to support Kolbe Academy in her role as HR and Payroll Administrator. Nichole and her family enjoy exploring the natural beauty of their home state, gardening, and raising livestock on their small homestead.
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Gregory received his BS in Computer Science from Virginia Tech and his MS in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. He began his career in software engineering but eventually transitioned to information technology with a focus on server and cloud infrastructure. He now serves as Kolbe’s Educational Technology Manager. Gregory and his wife Kelly live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with their eight children, five of whom attend Kolbe Academy.
Brianna grew up in northeastern Connecticut and was homeschooled with Kolbe Academy. After graduating from Kolbe, she received her BSE in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut. She went on to work as a Software Engineer in the financial industry and to obtain her MS in Cybersecurity from Fordham University. In her free time she enjoys travelling as well as any outdoor adventures with her husband and husky dog.
Greta is a Kolbe Academy, Kolbe Academy Trinity Prep Day School, and University of Mary alumna. She and her husband, one of Dianne Muth's 45 grandchildren, met when they were attending the Day School and eventually both ended up in Bismarck, North Dakota for college. They got married in 2020 and just welcomed their first child in August. Greta worked in hospitality up until the birth of her son, when she decided she needed a change. She is so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work at Kolbe and bring her baby with her. It is quite the full circle moment, as she was homeschooled by her own mother and is now returning to Kolbe two decades later as an employee! Greta loves good coffee, building puzzles and spending time with her family. She resides in Napa, California.
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Claire is a graduate of Kolbe Academy, Class of 2013. She has received her Associates Degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as Arts and Humanities from Los Medanos Community College in Pittsburg, CA. She is a certified Level One catechist for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and she assists in Level 2 as well. Having graduated from Kolbe Academy, Claire is very familiar with the curriculum and is excited be going back to her roots!
Alyson Zuzolo holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and Sociology from John Carroll University. Upon completing college, she participated in Operation TEACH, a Catholic service-teaching program. While in the program, Alyson earned her Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Notre Dame University of Maryland. Since then, she has worked in Catholic schools teaching Language Arts, Social Studies, and Religion. Alyson has a particular interest in Ignatian Spirituality and is thrilled to be part of a school community where this tradition is valued. She lives in the Cleveland area with her husband and three young sons. In her free time, she enjoys cheering for the Cleveland Indians, exercising outdoors, spiritual reading, cooking/baking, and having fun with her family.
Melissa Johnson earned her B.A. in Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame. She has spent over a decade preparing high school students for college entrance essays and for SAT writing and English. She has been a guest contributor on Catholic blogs focused on Catholic social justice issues. Melissa lives in Texas with her husband and seven children. She is currently completing a Masters of Arts in English with a concentration in American Literature.
Mrs. Monica Kinney graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in California. She then moved to Alaska to teach, and still lives there with her husband and five homeschooled children. Monica has taught numerous subjects including Latin, history, and geometry both in person and online. As the Elementary Latin teacher for Kolbe Academy, seeing the discovery of language blossom for her students is a great delight. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and singing in a sacred music schola.
Having grown up in a faith-filled Catholic home, Mrs. Klements is a proud New England native. In 2004, she graduated with a B. A. in English Secondary Education from Dominican run Providence College, where she was president of the pro-life committee. She has over a decade of experience as a middle and high school English teacher and tutor. In 2007, she married her wonderful husband Bill, also an educator, and together they live with their five beautiful children in Massachusetts
Daniel Albers received his BA in Classics and his BS in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2007. He received his MSc in Ancient Worlds (Classics and Archaeology) from the University of Edinburgh in 2022. He has been an English teacher for sixteen years at public schools in central California, and has taught Confirmation classes at his local Catholic parish for the past year. He has taught all levels of English, from English Learners to Advanced Placement courses. He lives in central California with his wife, Catherine. They are currently a “waiting family” for adoption, and hope to be blessed with a child soon. He enjoys reading, astronomy, travel, and spending time with their two cats, Flora and Aspen.
Merideth Ochs earned her BA in English and certification in secondary education from Oklahoma State University. After teaching middle school for three years in Oklahoma, she moved to Nashville, TN and earned her Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning degree from Aquinas College. She taught high school composition at a Catholic school for four years before moving back to Oklahoma with her husband. Since moving back to OK, Merideth had been teaching middle school grammar at a Catholic grade school. She is passionate about Catholic education and exploring English language and literature with students.
Kristin earned her degree in Elementary Education, with a Theology minor from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After graduating in 2011, she began teaching high school religion, history, grammar, and composition online. She later worked in administration and curriculum development. She loves helping students become more confident in their reading and writing skills. Kristin currently resides in Maryland with her husband and four children. She enjoys homeschooling, reading, crafting, and spending time with family and their parish community.
Christina received her B.S in Chemistry from the University of the Philippines and her M.S . in Chemistry from Virginia Tech. She and her husband are blessed with 8 children, whom they homeschooled for several years. After living in California for 24 years, they moved to Texas in 2019. Christina is very active in the Respect Life Ministry at their parish.
Abigail was born and raised at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho. She was given the gift of a classical homeschool education by her wonderful parents, and after high school, she chose to more thoroughly study the classics through reading the Great Books of the Western World. In 2016, Abigail acquired a Liberal Arts degree from the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in New Hampshire. In the years following college, she spent her time living out of a backpack, traveling from country to country to visit pilgrimage sites. In 2018 she settled down as a teacher in the Diocese of Boise where she became quadruple certified in secondary education. Abigail is grateful to be a part of Kolbe Academy and looks forward to devoting her time and energy to the world of classical Catholic education.
Gwynith Hayden has taught Latin, French, English, history, literature, and more for over four years and is currently pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Southern California. Gwynith has also worked as a photographer and graphic designer, and enjoys photography in her free time. When she’s not working, Gwynith can usually be found hiking or baking while listening to an audiobook.
