Stephanie Alexander has been with Great Hearts Anthem Archway since 2022, and quickly established
herself as an essential part of the 5th grade team. She has two daughters who are currently in Prep but started in Kindergarten and 3rd grade. She is a firm believer in Anthem Prep’s approach to a classical education and was excited to start contributing to that with the opening of our new building.
Mrs. Alexander is known for her ability to make people feel calm and content simply by being around her. She brings this kindness to her students every day and helps them find the very best versions of themselves.
She is incredibly organized and believes that if she is on time, she is actually late. She consistently demonstrates to her students how these qualities are essential for success upstairs in Prep and beyond.
Mrs. Alexander was born in Maryland and moved to Arizona at 8 years old. Prior to Anthem Prep she worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Phoenix Police department, got her EMT certification, and worked as a school Health Technician. Given her background, even the stress of starting a new role in a brand-new building did not affect her. She has been described as a “superhero” by coworkers, but due to dress code, she has thus far refused to wear her cape to school. Mrs. Alexander states that the only thing she
does not like about her job is knowing that next year she will not see her students often because they are upstairs in Prep. However, she states it gives her a lot of comfort knowing that they are very well prepared for sixth grade and beyond.
When Mrs. Alexander is not at school she loves to hike, read, and make healthy meals but most of all she loves to spend time with the most important people in her world, her family.
Ruth Anthony is currently the kindergarten through fifth grade music teacher. While this is her first year in this role, she has been a faculty member of Anthem Archway for the past 3 years. She also has 2 children that have been students at Anthem Archway and Anthem Prep for the past 7 years. Mrs. Anthony has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and enjoys hiking, exercising, reading, traveling and spending time with her family.
Cherise Begalke is currently a 5th grade teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. This begins her 6th year as a faculty member and her 5th year as a 5th grade teacher. Ms. Begalke began at Archway Anthem as a 5th-grade assistant teacher, and then became a 5th grade teacher. Ms. Begalke has been teaching for over 17 years. She has a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Education with endorsements in Gifted Education, Reading Specialist, English Language Learner, and Early Childhood. Ms. Begalke enjoys spending time with family, running, and scuba diving.
Angie Davis is currently in her third year as a kindergarten teaching assistant. She previously enjoyed volunteering a for one year at the Anthem Prep /Archway front office. Angie started her career with children working with preschoolers for several years. She worked at a mutual fund company for eight years as a supervisor. Angie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She enjoys exercising and spending time with her husband and two kids.
Lillian Domina is currently a 4th grade Teacher Assistant at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. She has been in the educational field for 13 plus years. This begins her 4th year as a faculty member. When not spending time with her beloved fourth grade students, Ms. Domina enjoys spending time with family, especially with her first and only granddaughter.
Kristin Dumpit is currently one of the First-Grade teachers at Anthem Archway Classical Academy. This begins Mrs. Dumpit’s ninth year as a faculty member and her fifth year as a First-grade teacher. Mrs. Dumpit has two children one of whom attends Anthem Preparatory Academy. She enjoys crafting, and spending time with family and friends.
Michelle Elmer is an ESS Coordinator at Great Hearts Anthem and is beginning her fifth year with Great Hearts Schools. She has recently completed her master’s degree in special education, mild to moderate (K-12) at Arizona State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She has been an Arizona native for seven years, previously residing in Washington state where she raised four children and co-owned a business. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys traveling, walking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Lisa Flaming is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Anthem Archway Classical Academy. Mrs. Flaming was a first grade teaching assistant at Archway Anthem for 3 years and this is her second year as the kindergarten lead. Prior to teaching here, Mrs. Flaming taught kindergarten and first grade at Rancho Solano Private School in Phoenix for 4 years before staying home to raise her two children. She also loves being an Anthem Prep parent and a part of the school community. In her free time, Mrs. Flaming enjoys baking, singing, and spending time with her family and puppy.
Amy Garretson is currently a Second Grade Teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. This begins Mrs. Garretson’s tenth year as a faculty member and her fourth year as a Second Grade Teacher at Archway. She began as a Teaching Assistant in Third Grade then taught Kindergarten for four years before moving to second grade. Mrs. Garretson has been teaching for more than 25 years in various public and private schools. Mrs. Garretson has a bachelor’s degree in education. Mrs. Garretson enjoys spending time with family, hiking and cooking.
This is Mrs. Gottschalk’s second year of teaching Latin at Great Hearts Anthem. She grew up in Minnesota where she attended college and law school. The Gottschalks moved to Arizona 10 years ago and have not once missed the Minnesota winters. The Great Hearts curriculum, ethics, high expectations, and methodology instantly appealed to the Gottschalks. (There may have been mention of crying for days if her son did not get in during their first tour.) Happily, her son started at Anthem Archway as a kindergartener. Mrs. Gottschalk is grateful to be able to give back by being the Latin teacher at a school that has given so much to so many. Mrs. Gottschalk lives in Anthem and enjoys going to the movies, baking, reading, hiking, quilting, and laughing with friends and family.
Danielle Hendrickson is currently the kindergarten through fifth grade art teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. This begins Mrs. Hendrickson 5th year teaching students to appreciate and enjoy all aspects of art, including portraits, still lifes, sculptures, perspective, and landscapes. Mrs. Hendrickson has a Bachelor’s of Fine Art. She enjoys spending time with family, camping, and traveling.
Teresa Kruger is a second-grade teacher at Anthem Archway Classical Academy. This is Teresa’s second year at Anthem Archway, first year in second grade. Teresa taught Kindergarten for 8 years and was also the director of the school before joining the Archway team. She has also taught PE/ health and subbed fulltime for Highschool in MN. Teresa has a BA in Early Childhood and an MA in human services. Teresa loves spending time with her husband, their three children, dog Minne, and family back in MN where she is from. She enjoys hiking, working out, traveling, and reading.
Shannon Lozano is currently a 5th Grade Teacher at Great Hearts Anthem Archway. This is her 4th year at Great Hearts where she has also taught Latin and worked as a Math Interventionist. Mrs. Lozano has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of San Francisco and teaching credentials in Elementary Education from National University. She has 19 years of experience teaching every level from K-7. Mrs. Lozano is passionate about classical education and loves spending time with family and friends.
Mandy has been with Great Hearts Anthem since 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice as well as an Arizona state teaching certificate for K-8. Mandy loves teaching 4th graders and being able to have great curricular discussions with them. She has 4 students here herself and her family has been a part of the Great Hearts Anthem for 11 years. In her free time, Mandy enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Shannon Miller is an ESS coordinator at Archway Classical Academy and Anthem Preparatory. She is a native Phoenician and has taught valley wide for 20+ years. She received her degree at Northern Arizona University in Elementary Special Education. She enjoys hiking Arizona trails and community service.
Barbara started with Great Hearts Archway in Anthem during the 2022 school year. She previously worked in the other area schools since 2020 in the same capacity. She was born and raised in North Dakota. Her job history in North Dakota consisted of working in the insurance industry as a processing clerk; in a glass replacement/auto repair shop as a customer service rep for 7 years and then taking the business over as the owner/manager for another 15 years; and working in the banking industry as a teller, teller supervisor, and fraud/security officer. She left North Dakota in 2012 residing for a year in Kansas working in a credit union as a teller and in a Denny’s restaurant as a hostess. Moving on to Arizona for 3 years working in the processing center for a bank and later as a caregiver for seniors along with being a hostess at Denny’s restaurant. Proceeding unto southern California where she got into the paraprofessional work with elementary students and again working part time at a Denny’s restaurant for the next 5 years. In 2020, she moved back to Arizona right before Covid hit in March leaving her unemployed until the following school year that fall. Barbara has one son and 3 beautiful grandsons along with a blended foster family of 3 adult parents, 8 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She stays active with a walking/jogging schedule meshed in with time at a local gym. She enjoys traveling back to North Dakota for the summers to spend time with family and friends.
Stephanie Motter is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. This will be Mrs. Motter’s 6th year as a faculty member and her 4th year as a Kindergarten teacher. After working several years in banking and regulatory law, she found her passion for education through volunteering in her childrens’ classrooms. Watching her students grow in their sense of wonder and seeing that spark grow as they begin their journey with reading are among her greatest joys in teaching Kindergarten. Mrs. Motter has a Juris Doctor, Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mrs. Motter enjoys reading, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.
Lenka Pascanu is part of the ESS program as an ESS coordinator. Ms. Pascanu has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and has worked with students in general education as well as with autistic students. She is certified as a Registered Behavior Technician. Ms. Pascanu loves to be outdoor spending time with her family and her dog Rocky.
Kristin Pegram is currently a second-grade teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. Mrs. Pegram came to Archway Anthem as a parent volunteer, substitute teacher, led Homework Club and was a fourth grade TA prior to joining as a faculty member. Mrs. Pegram has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Cincinnati. She possesses a strong passion to serve others and help instill a lifetime love for learning in her students. She enjoys spending time with her family, CrossFit, reading and the outdoors.
Kendra Pillsbury has served as a master 4th grade teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem for the past 9 years. Mrs. Pillsbury has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology and a Masters of Business Administration. Mrs. Pillsbury is passionate about teaching a liberal arts curriculum and has appreciated this gift for her four children. Mrs. Pillsbury enjoys reading, coffee, and family time.
Dana Rideout is a new Teacher Aide at Anthem Archway. She is a wife and mother of three. Mrs. Rideout previously taught high school history to 10th and 11th graders but is excited to work with a new age group of students. For the last six years she’s been a stay-at-home-mom. In her free time she loves to read, hike, and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys watching and playing sports, volunteering with Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue, and attending Arizona State football games. Mrs. Rideout has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and a Master’s of Arts in Secondary Education from Arizona State University.
Mariel Schmitt is currently the Assistant Teacher in Mrs. Stone’s third grade class. This is Mrs. Schmitt’s second year at Anthem Archway. Mrs. Schmitt has a BA in English Literature from the University of Illinois. She enjoys gardening, sewing, reading and spending time with her family.
Robin Setto has been with Great Hearts since 2013. Mrs. Setto is an Arizona native, and she and her husband have 2 sons. She has previously worked in the medical field and in the veterinary field. She feels most blessed to be a part of the Great Hearts family serving our K-5 students in her role as a TA. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her English Bulldog Poppy Mae, being outdoors, traveling, yoga, and reading.
Susan Spickler, M.A., NBCT, is Great Hearts Anthem’s English Language Learner Coordinator. Susan has taught English language learners in every year she has been in education. Guiding development in reading, writing, listening, and speaking so learners can access the core curriculum at a deeper level. Within her additional work as an IEP meeting facilitator with Key2ed, Susan shares genuine experiences and situations with her training members. With her 25 years as a special educator for students with multiple disabilities, she also bridges the gap between general education and specialized classes for students in self-contained and resource programs. Teaching in San Diego, Texas, and Arizona has broadened her perspective on supporting diverse students and families. Believing in the worth of every child, Susan is determined to make a difference in the students’ lives she encounters. She academically and emotionally supports families and school staff in every opportunity that is presented.
Jami Stone is currently a 3rd grade teacher at Archway Classical Academy Anthem. Mrs. Stone has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Cabrini College. She enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, reading, and traveling.
Maria Swartz started working at Great Hearts Anthem 4 years ago. She has worked as a 1st grade teacher and assistant for the past 2 years and she is happy to be back in Kindergarten as an assistant to Mrs. Flaming. She enjoys time with her family, photography, and crafts.
Bethany Von Gullbrantz is a new ESS Instructional Aide at Anthem Archway. Prior to this position she had enjoyed being an at -home-mom. She is married, and has two children who attend Anthem Archway. She has a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University. She has studied abroad and lived in England while in college. She enjoys volunteering with the 2-5 grade students at her church. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and also enjoys cooking, swimming, playing games, and watching movies.
Kirsten Wadsworth is a 3rd grade teaching assistant and is in her 4th year working alongside Mrs. Womack. Prior to joining our team as a teaching assistant, Kirsten substituted in both Anthem Archway and Anthem Prep, as well as being our Homework Club Monitor. This is Kirsten’s 9th year as an Anthem Prep parent. Kirsten has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona and enjoys hiking, cooking, jigsaw puzzles, reading, traveling with her family and spending time with her 3 dogs.
Alyssa White is a second-grade lead teacher at Archway Anthem. She graduated from Moravian University (nee College) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. While in college, Ms. White had the opportunity to work in several high schools as a student teacher, sharing her love of the sciences with struggling students. Ms. White began her tenure with Great Hearts in 2015 at Archway Anthem with the second-grade team. In 2020 she was hired as a third-grade lead teacher at Archway Scottsdale where she taught for two years, then happily returned to 2nd grade and Anthem. This year marks her seventh year with Great Hearts Academies. She loves sharing her passion and joy for learning with all her students and studies the world through the curious eyes of a scientist. When not at school, you can find her out in nature either hiking or kayaking. She loves reading, traveling, good food and spending time with her family and her Dobermans.
Margo Womack spends her day being delighted by and teaching her Third Grade class. She graduated from Bushnell University with a Bachelor’s in Developmental Psychology. She has been teaching at Archway Anthem since its first year. Margo loves hiking and reading. She asserts like Jane Austin, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading. How much sooner one tires of anything than a book!”
April Zahlmann is starting her 2nd year as a 5th grade Teachers Assistant, and 3rd year with Archway Anthem Great Hearts. Mrs. Zahlmann has a passion for serving others and a dedicated interest in igniting a love of learning in children. Mrs. Zahlmann has a BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona. In her spare time she loves to read, travel and spend time with her family.
Kathryn Young has been teaching at Great Hearts since 2022. She teaches art for both Anthem Archway (Grades 4 & 5) and Anthem Prep (Grade 8). Originally from Maryland, she previously worked in the private sector for ten years as a graphic designer and accountant before returning to school to earn her master’s degree and teacher certification. After moving to Arizona in 2017, Kathryn taught art at a Deer Valley K-8 public school in the Anthem community. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and is a certified teacher in the state of Arizona. Outside of teaching, she loves to spend time with her husband and two children (both attending Great Hearts), travel, cook, read, and listen to music.
Crystal Kirkpatrick is a dedicated educator with a strong educational background, including two bachelor’s degrees in business and education, and a master’s degree in human development. Her commitment to quality education shines through her five years of teaching grades 5-8, where she consistently earned the honor of being a “highly effective” teacher. Crystal’s passion for nurturing young minds is further amplified by her role as a mother of two, emphasizing the importance of providing the best possible learning experiences.
In addition to her teaching, Crystal has made significant contributions to curriculum development during her four years as a curriculum developer for a middle school science program. Her work in shaping lesson plans and curriculum formats has been instrumental in ensuring students receive top-tier education. Notably, she was a key creator of a new Texas curriculum and played a central role in establishing a bilingual resource portal, showcasing her dedication to inclusivity and accessibility in education. Crystal Kirkpatrick’s efforts and innovative approach continue to inspire and empower students, teachers, and parents.
My name is Ms. Jacqueline James and this is my 14th year as an elementary school teacher. I was born and raised in New York. I served as a Broadcast Journalist in the United States Navy. I have always loved being a teacher and 2nd grade is my favorite grade to teach. I have a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Design and in Educational Leadership. I am passionate about instilling Leadership Skills in my students and facilitating the Leader in Me in my classroom.
My name is Lisa Jossi and I am a 2nd grade TA. I have a Bachelor of Science from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. I am from Colorado where most of my career life was in corporate and in helping my husband with our log post and beam construction company. I am blessed to have been a part of Great Hearts for over a year. I enjoy the gym, pilates, paddleboarding, hiking and reading. I have been married for 36 years and have two daughters, one living here in AZ and another living in Cabo Mexico. I enjoy visiting my grandson and granddaughter in Mexico! I have a fur baby, his name is Bear.
I have lived in Anthem for 9 years. I taught bilingual 4th grade in Avondale, AZ for 6 years. I am a native of Arizona, but have lived in CA, OR, WA, OH, Germany and Mexico. I enjoy leading trips to an orphanage in Mexico where I worked. One of the most rewarding things I have done (besides teaching) was to lead Bible studies in the Federal Prison. My husband and I like to hike and explore Arizona (and other states and countries). We have 3 adult children, and 2 grandsons.