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 10th year as a faculty member and her 9th 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 20 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 her family as well as running, sailing, playing tennis, 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 sixth 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 eight 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 Great Hearts Anthem Archway. Mrs. Flaming was a first grade teaching assistant at Anthem Archway for 3 years and this is her sixth 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.
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 PE teacher at Anthem Archway Classical Academy. This is Teresa’s third year at Anthem Archway, first year in the PE position. 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 beginning her 5th year as a Lead Teacher at Anthem Archway. However, this is her first year teaching fourth grade. Previously, she taught first grade here at Archway and high school history to 10th and 11th graders for five years at Washington High School. .
In her free time, when she’s not watching her kids play a variety of sports, she loves to read, hike, and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys watching and playing sports and attending Arizona State football games. She has three children, all scholars at Archway, a loving husband, and a black labrador retriever.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
My name is Ms. Jacqueline James and this is my 15th 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.
Elle Pickering is currently the instructional aide for Ms. White’s second grade class. This is her first year at Anthem Archway. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business management from Grand Canyon University. She is a triplet and loves spending time with her family. She also loves fitness, snowboarding, hiking, and traveling.
Chiung-Wen (René) Wang has been with the Great Hearts Anthem Prep since the very beginning of the school as a parent. Both of her children are graduates of Anthem Prep and one is now teaching at the school. She is a true believer in the Great Hearts Philosophy in Education and is inspired by her two children to apply for a teaching assistant position at Archway.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from University of California, Davis and a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from University of California, San Francisco. She enjoys gardening, movie-watching, leisure walking and, most of all, spending time with her family.
Vanessa Coppola was previously a substitute teacher at Great Hearts Anthem and is looking forward to working with the ESS team. Mrs. Coppola received her Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of TX at Austin (Hook ‘em Horns!) and worked in the adoption field and with children in the foster care system for almost a decade. Mrs. Coppola is a published craft book author and enjoys crafting, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.