Karli Anderson has been working at Anthem Prep since 2017. She earned a Master’s in Music from the University of Texas in San Antonio, and a bachelor’s degree in Musical Studies from Oberlin College and Conservatory. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing RPGs.
Kimberly (Kim) Bidleman joined the Great Hearts Anthem community as a parent in the 2012-13 school year. Mrs. Bidleman became a Great Hearts Anthem faculty member in 2016 and taught 5th grade for four years spending one of those years as an instructional aide. She has a passion for algebra and started teaching middle school math in the 2020-21 school year. Since then, all three of her children have graduated from Great Hearts Anthem. Mrs. Bidleman has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and cooking.
Johanna Chumley received a bachelor’s degree in human development with minors in Bible and Studio Art from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. She has held teaching certificates in both Tennessee, where she taught 5th grade in Bradley Co., TN, and Arizona, where she taught a combined middle school ELL class, 3rd and 6th grade, at Phoenix Advantage Charter School. Outside the education world, she has earned several certifications in mental health coaching from Light University. Her work with the Great Hearts network of schools began in 2019. She has a passion for education and the arts as well as a desire to continue to build a strong culture at Anthem Prep while serving as Dean of Students.
Mr. Duffey has been serving the Great Hearts Anthem community since the Fall of 2020. In addition to his teaching duties for freshman and junior Humane Letters, he also serves on the administration team as Assistant Dean of Students. He is very excited to finally complete his master’s degree in classical education, this November, from the University of Dallas Braniff Graduate School. In his spare time, Mr. Duffey reads avidly, watches as many films as he can, and fusses over his ever-expanding record collection. He hopes to write a novel in the coming year.
Gabriel Herrera is teaching all levels of high school Spanish and is on his fifth year with Anthem prep. He grew up in Moultrie County of central Illinois before moving to Surprise, Arizona where he earned an International Baccalaureate Diploma. He attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2020, with a focus in Studio Art (2D) and Spanish. Mr. Herrera enjoys drawing, painting, and reading philosophy and fiction in his spare time.
Marius Mateescu is entering his 7th year with Great Hearts academies. Mr. Mateescu has a wide range of teaching experience since he first began in 2002, teaching students from kindergarten to 10th Grade in Social Studies, Algebra, Computer Literacy, Science, and English. Mr. Mateescu has a bachelor’s degree in urban Geography from the University of Illinois. He received his teaching credentials from Arizona State University and a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in Christian Studies. Mr. Mateescu is married and has 6 children. He enjoys bicycling, reading, basketball, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Mr. Moore is an Arizona native. He was privileged to teach Humane Letters for six years at Veritas Prep, one of our sister schools in Phoenix, before transferring to Anthem Prep in 2022. He has taught Humane Letters for at least 2 years for all four grades (9th-12th). He has an undergraduate degree in Bible and a Master’s Degree in Theology. He is working on his Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities from Faulkner University and is entering the dissertation phase. Before teaching he worked many jobs including many years as a Realtor, a computer consultant and as an associate Pastor. His daughter Katie teaches Lit Comp at Scottsdale prep, and his son Justin is a musician and Role-Playing Game enthusiast. He has been married to his best friend Michelle since 1986. He loves teaching and the outstanding character of both the students and personnel at Great Hearts Academies.
Dr. Morrow has served on the faculty of Anthem Prep since the first year of the school. It has been his privilege to teach a wide range of courses for the academy, including Latin, French, Lit/Comp, Humane Letters, and Rhetoric. Dr. Morrow graduated from Chaparral High School in Scottsdale and earned his Bachelor of Arts in French from Arizona State University. After two years in Chicago for graduate study in biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), he moved to Texas, where he earned his M.A. and his Ph.D. in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts from the University of Dallas. Dr. Morrow loves seeing the joy in the faces of his students, especially when they suddenly grasp an exciting truth or bask in the beauty of conversing in French!
Christopher Munger is going into his third year at Great Hearts Anthem. Before teaching at Great Hearts, he taught at Ottawa University. He is Currently Finishing his doctoral degree in Transformational Leadership with an under in Performance Psychology. Mr. Munger has taught math and music but is currently teaching all the music courses for middle school.
Gregory Syssoyev has been with Great Hearts since 2021, starting at Glendale Prep, and with Great Hearts Anthem since 2022, teaching, in various years, 9th Grade Geometry, 10th Grade Chemistry, 11th Grade Physics I, and 12th Grade Physics II. Originally from Palo Alto, California, he has lived in Utah, New Mexico, Maine, and Massachusetts at different points in his life. He graduated from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM, receiving his undergraduate degree in philosophy and the history of math and science. He briefly worked as a political field organizer before growing disillusioned and returning to the world of liberal arts education. He finds fascinating the interplay between mathematics and the natural sciences; namely the way in which mathematical language can be used to express fundamental truths about the cosmos.
This will be Mrs. Vanderham’s fifth year with us at Great Hearts Anthem. She began her teaching journey over 20 years ago, received her bachelor’s from Ottawa University and her master’s degree from GCU. Mrs. Vanderham has three children. Her youngest will be in 8th grade this year at Great Hearts Anthem. She loves our literature selections and sharing them with her students. You will find her often planning our prep dances and events too. For fun, she enjoys roller skating and having friends and family over for game nights and swimming.
This year, Isaiah Wood is teaching Calculus I, Calculus II, Physics II, and Logic and Computation. He received a Mathematics degree from ASU and has been teaching at Anthem Prep for eight years. Isaiah is also a Great Hearts graduate. In his free time, he reads a variety of books, plays video games with his wife, and takes care of his two young children.
Kathryn Young has been teaching art at Great Hearts Anthem since 2022 to both Archway and Prep students. Since 2025 she has been teaching art to grades 6, 7, and 8 at Anthem Prep. 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.
Ms. Robin Roiger Silva started teaching at Great Hearts in 2015 and has taught U.S. History, Nature of Science, Ancient History, Humane Letters I, III, and IV. After growing up in rural Montana, she moved to the Midwest to pursue a bachelor’s in history education. Teaching at Great Hearts introduced her to classical education and inspired her to continue her own education; she completed a master’s in liberal arts (’22) from St. Johns College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in four consecutive summers while teaching full time. Ms. Roiger serves as the Senior Trip coordinator at Great Hearts Anthem. During her leisure time, she and her husband enjoy thrifting, traveling internationally, country swing dancing, and hiking to and through water. Her favorite books are Shakespeare’s Othello, Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom!, and Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.
Aaron is a native to Phoenix and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He originally was led to law school after college, but then decided law enforcement was for him. After a decade plus as a law enforcement officer and defensive tactics instructor, his daughter started attending Great Heart Anthem Archway. After his families first experiences with the Great Hearts Anthem, he knew he wanted to join the team. You can catch him on the enjoying time with his wife and daughter, on a golf course or his Harley-Davidson.
Todd holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Kansas and is dedicated to helping students build confidence and strong analytical skills. He strives to make complex concepts accessible and engaging. When he’s not teaching, Todd stays active with weightlifting and camping alongside his Aussie, and loves spending time on woodworking, guitar, and tinkering with Arduino projects.
Kaelyn Marble started her journey with Anthem Prep as a student from 2016-2018 and began as a teacher in 2023. During her high school education, she developed a passion for classical literature and lifelong learning. Ms. Marble graduated Summa Cum Laude from Holy Apostles College and Seminary in 2022 with a B.A. in English language and literature. She is the proud older sister of three siblings, one of whom graduated from Anthem Prep in 2024 and two of whom are currently students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, weightlifting, running, singing in her church choir, as well as exploring her home state of Arizona and beyond.
Crystal Kirkpatrick is a middle school science educator teaching grades 5–8 over the past decade. She currently serves as a 7th grade science teacher, middle school science lead, and Prep Interventionist. In addition to teaching, Crystal has extensive experience in curriculum development, serving as a lead developer for a Texas middle school science curriculum. She is passionate about creating engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences that help students build scientific thinking skills while supporting fellow educators through collaboration, curriculum design, and instructional leadership.
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.
Liza Boray is the Exceptional Student Services Coordinator at Anthem Prep. She graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University and has been teaching for five years; this is her third year at Anthem Prep. Although she was born in upstate New York, Liza has called Arizona home since 1973.
Liza loves spending time with her husband, her son, and their chocolate lab, Chloe. In her free time, she enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and crafting, and she is especially passionate about traveling. Having grown up with a sister who had special needs, Liza has a deep, personal commitment to supporting others, particularly students with special needs, which guides and inspires her work every day.
Mrs. Xavier Beale has been a passionate educator for over two decades. She has taught the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the Cambridge International Program (IGCSE) to high school students in one of the finest institutions in India, post her qualifications in Literature, and in Education. Having donned several hats from the Head of the English Department and Key Activities Coordinator, she comes with a wide array of experiences including curriculum development. She was one of the founding members of the Cambridge Assessment International Education program at her former school and grew to lead the team from Grades 6-10. She is a nominee of the global Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award and remains an examiner for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. She has been with Great Hearts for two years now, teaching both Literature and Composition as well as Introduction to Fine Arts (Poetry) and continues to remain excited about Classical Education. Apart from travelling, she is an art enthusiast and enjoys spending time with her family and her golden retriever, Simba.
Peter Wilson has been a part of Anthem Prep since the school’s opening, first as a parent, then as faculty, and later administration. He earned a Bachelors in Music Education from NAU, and a Masters in Biblical Studies and Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary He holds a teaching certificate in k-12 music and secondary history. Peter taught for 15 years in the Paradise Valley school district before coming to Great Hearts to engage in the mission to help students pursue truth, beauty, and goodness. He has been involved in theater since childhood and has acted and/or directed many plays and musicals as well as working in all aspects of technical theater. A proud native Arizonan, Peter and his wife have raised two Great Hearts educated children.
Mrs. Fenn grew up in sunny Orange, CA and moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2015 to attend Grand Canyon University. She received her bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in literature in 2019 and graduated with a master’s degree in 20th century European history in 2023 from University of Nebraska – Kearney. She has worked at the college level at Grand Canyon University as an instructional assistant/part time professor. She also has professional experience in the museum industry, conducting public programming, designing educational content, and completed non-profit work as an executive director and program coordinator. Fenn recently is recently married to the love of her life, Isaac, and together they have a wonderful fur baby named Moxie. Mrs. Fenn when not at school can be found cooking, reading, drinking coffee (her favorite), trying new things, and traveling. Mrs. Fenn is excited for her third year as a Great Hearts 8th grade medieval history teacher.
This is my first year at Great Hearts Anthem and my first time working in a school. I moved to Arizona from Colorado in May of 2022. I was originally attending MSU Denver and pursuing a degree in criminal justice, but after taking a psychology class, I decided that psychology was more where my interests lie. I plan on going to ASU eventually to pursue a degree in school psychology. I love the Great Hearts school culture and am excited to begin my journey working here! Outside of work, I love listening to music, practicing piano, practicing my drawing skills, traveling, watching movies, and spending time with my family.
Tawny Amideneau first taught at a classical school shortly after beginning her career in 2013. That experience kindled a lasting love for classical education and led her to choose Great Hearts Anthem for her own daughter, who is now in second grade.
She graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu with a degree in biology and holds teaching credentials in earth science, biology, and mathematics. Mrs. Amideneau delights in the complexity of the natural world and seeks to awaken that same sense of wonder in her students—helping them see science not merely as a collection of facts, but as a window into truth, goodness, and the ordered beauty of the world.
In her free time she plays piano, reads, and dabbles in art.
Jordan Hekowczyk, or Ms. H, is a proud mother of two Great Hearts scholars and USAF wife. Originally from Colorado, she has lived all over the United States—spending significant time in Washington, D.C., Mississippi, Texas, and sunny Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Global Studies with a minor in Biblical Studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Before teaching 6th Grade History and 9th Grade Humane Letters, Ms. H had the privilege of serving Archway as a Teaching Assistant for 2nd and 5th Grade. When she’s not chauffeuring her own tiny humans around, avoiding laundry, or grading papers, she can be found buried in a history book, savoring time with her precious family, creating, hiking, and traveling.
Jordyn Emert, BSN RN is a registered nurse with ten years of pediatric experience. This is her second year caring for Great Hearts Anthem students. Previously, Nurse Emert worked at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, specializing in cleft, craniofacial, and neurosurgery. Nurse Emert is passionate about helping students establish healthy habits and empowering them to manage their care for both acute and chronic conditions.
In her spare time, Nurse Emert enjoys exploring internationally, running marathons, reading until she falls asleep, and spending time with her family and two goldendoodles.
Amy Cole is entering her 12th year with Great Hearts, during which time she has had the privilege to teach a wide variety of courses, including Earth Science, Latin, Physics, and Geometry. In addition, she has served as an Academic Dean, Instructional Coach, and College Counselor.
A New Hampshire native, Ms. Cole then moved to Washington, DC to attend college at The George Washington University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Phoenix and decided to pursue a career in education. Before coming to Great Hearts, Ms. Cole worked in a variety of educational settings which only strengthened her commitment to the classical liberal arts model of education. Though she has taught many different subjects over the years, mathematics is her passion, and she is excited to be at Anthem teaching Geometry and Algebra II/Trigonometry this year.
Dr. James Beech is new to the Anthem Prep faculty and is currently teaching 10th grade Chemistry. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Oberlin College and a Master’s in Geology at West Virgina University. He received a doctorate degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Southern California. In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing RPGs.
Katherine Stoll is currently the 7th-8th grade music teacher for Anthem Prep. She graduated from Biola University with her bachelor’s in music performance on the flute, and has participated in orchestral music festivals, such as Credo, with her degree. She also plays the picccolo, piano, and now the recorder! In her freetime, you can find her reading great books, baking, or exploring the outdoors.
Anna Dahlgren is currently teaching ELL (English Language Learners). With her degree in Electrical Engineering from Seattle Pacific University, she originally worked as a software engineer in the air traffic safety industry before transitioning to the school district to be closer to her 3 kids. Her family moved to Arizona in 2022 from Washington State and are loving the community in Anthem. She enjoys coffee, baking, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest.
Mr. Daugherty is an Arizona native, and he is delighted to teach Latin and Greek at Anthem Prep this year. He loves the classical languages and believes that they are central to understanding the Western Tradition, and he is excited to enter into them with students. He graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s in Christian studies, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity (Biblical and Theological Studies Concentration) at Phoenix Seminary. He has also served as a Teaching Assistant for Greek at Phoenix Seminary, but this is his first year as a teacher. He has been married to his wife Noelle for a year-and-a-half, and he is expecting his first child this Fall. He loves the work and mission of Great Hearts, and he is excited to be a part of the great work they do for their students and scholars.
Stephanie Bangston is in her second year at Anthem Prep and her sixth year of teaching middle school language arts. She currently teaches 7th grade Literature and Composition. Mrs. Bangston is an avid reader and is excited to be leading our 7th grade students through a variety of outstanding works of literature, including The Hobbit, Call of the Wild, and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Mrs. Bangston received her Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology from The University of Minnesota and her teaching certification in Secondary Language Arts from Grand Canyon University.
In May of 2024, Kirstyn Burwick graduated with her bachelor’s degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She grew up homeschooled close to Marietta, Georgia following the classical education model—which included Latin and Socratic discussion—and has a deep appreciation for the things she learned and the way they grew her.
In her free time, Ms. Burwick is found spending time at home or a coffee shop with her friends and family talking about a range of topics from relational to educational. She loves being involved in the creative spheres of music, photography, and writing, and loves listening to the stories of others.
Her hope as a teacher is to help equip kids with tools of critical thinking and creativity through discovery of information, deep inquiry, interpretation of ideas, and application.
Ms. Doherty is returning for her 3rd year at Anthem Prep as the 8th grade Latin Teacher. She has an appreciation for the Classical Languages and their historical and linguistic shaping of our modern languages. Ms. Doherty is an active reader and enjoys discussing the classical texts and finding connections between school literature and Latin curriculum. She received her master’s degree in the spring of 2024 from UNC-Greensboro in Theoretical Communications and moved to Phoenix from the East coast. In the upcoming spring Ms. Doherty will be getting married (name change to come) and has 3 dogs and a snake at home. Some of her favorite things are reading, writing, gaming, crochet, gardening with her fiancé. Ms. Doherty is excited for the upcoming school year at Great Hearts Anthem.
Erica Johnson began her career in journalism before transitioning into marketing and communications, where she spent 15 years serving the education and healthcare sectors. Most recently, she launched her own consulting business, working independently with a variety of clients, before accepting the opportunity to join Great Hearts Anthem as the Family Giving and Community Engagement Officer. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from Benedictine University.
In addition to being a staff member, Erica is also a proud Great Hearts parent. Her daughter Ruby is a member of the Class of 2038, and Sloan, who will be Class of 2041, is eager to join her mom and sister on campus. Erica and her husband, Jason, also have an older daughter, Kamille, who recently moved to Denver for her first job after graduating from ASU. In her free time, Erica enjoys reading, camping with family and friends, serving her church community and exploring trails in her husband’s Jeep.
Erica is excited to serve the Great Hearts Anthem community by helping raise funds that support an exceptional education – one that shapes not only students’ minds, but also their hearts. Go Eagles!
Jessica Johnson is a CNA with almost 3 years of experience working with both pediatrics and adults. Jessica spent a year in the PICU at Phoenix Children’s before coming to Great Hearts. Jessica started with Great Hearts in December of 2025 as a Health Assistant covering 5 campuses and is joining Anthem as of this year.
In Jessica’s spare time she enjoys gardening with her daughter, going to the movies, going on hikes, and traveling with her family. She also has 3 dogs, Odin, Freyja and Atlas.
This is Serena Singh’s first year at Great Hearts, after most recently serving as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Deer Valley Unified School District. She brings over 15 years of experience working with children and families in a variety of settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, medical settings, home health, and teletherapy.
Ms. Singh earned both a Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona. She also received her Master of Science in Speech-Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2011.
As both a speech-language pathologist and a Great Hearts parent, Ms. Singh values partnering with teachers and families to help students become confident communicators and reach their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her son, exploring nature, and traveling.
This is Dr. James Beech’s second year Great Hearts Anthem Prep, where he teaches 10th grade Chemistry. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Oberlin College and a Master’s in Geology at West Virgina University. He received a doctorate degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Southern California. In his free time, he enjoys reading and playing RPGs.
Hi, I’m Sarah Tinlin. My history with Great Hearts began when I was 12 years old – a 7th grader at Glendale Prep. Growing up at Glendale Prep, I learned how to express myself clearly in conversation and also experienced many forms of art which enriched my life. What impacted me even more than these benefits was the love and care showered on me by my excellent teachers. I graduated from Glendale Prep in 2016 and then got my Bachelor of Science in Education at Baylor University. I chose to study education because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the teachers who helped me to value myself and others. After graduating I worked with students with autism for two years as a registered behavior technician. I joined the Great Hearts faculty in November 2023, working in the ESS department of Trivium Prep for two and a half years. I believe in the Great Hearts mission to form students’ souls, not their intellect alone, by instilling in them a love for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
Mr. Sweeney is joining the Great Hearts Anthem Prep faculty for his first year to teach Physics I & II. He earned a degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he also participated in research efforts in mathematical and statistical modeling of memory as well as the effects of brain stimulation. He went on to complete additional coursework and assist with research focusing on biomedical engineering and neuroimaging. In his free time, Mr. Sweeney enjoys fostering his interests in philosophy, social and physical sciences, and, more importantly, spending time with his wife.
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.
Ryan Shrode is an alumni of the the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he received his B.M. in Double Bass performance under the tutelage of Scott Pingel (Principal Bass of the SFS).
While at the conservatory he received master classes from many of the greatest living musicians such as, Yo-Yo Ma, Edger Meyer, and Emanuel Ax. He has played with many of the Bay Area’s orchestras as well as in numerous ensembles ranging from Rock to Jazz and everything in between.
He completed his M.M. at SFSU where he studied under Shinji Eshima (Associate Principal of SF Ballet) and Joe Lescher (Principal of SF Opera). He won the SFSU Concerto Competition in 2016 and performed the Bottesini Bass Concerto No.2 with the SFSU orchestra.
Ryan began playing electric bass at 15 and recorded his first album at 16 after winning 1st place in NMHS Talent Competition. Soon after he began to study Jazz, Classical and composition. At 18, for his senior project he composed and performed his Concerto for Cello and Orchestra with the North and South Medford Orchestras. He lived in San Francisco for 13 years before moving to Arizona 3 years ago
where he lives with his wife and their daughter Zoe.
