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.
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.
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.
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 for Ms. Womack. This is Kirsten’s first year as a teaching assistant. Last year Kirsten was a substitute teacher for both Anthem Archway and Anthem Prep, as well as lead Homework Club Monitor. This is Kirsten’s 6th 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 and traveling with her family.
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.