Meet the Team!
*Indicates Current Employee with New Position
ALL-SCHOOL
DOTTIE EASTON
Director of Academics
When we announced Eric Woernle’s departure, we discussed our plans to split his former role as Assistant Headmaster into two positions moving forward: Director of Students and Director of Academics. He would have assumed the role of Director of Academics, overseeing curriculum and teacher training beginning this Fall. We understood the importance of ensuring this role not only needed to be filled quickly, but also filled with the right person who has a clear understanding of classical, Christian education. Therefore, we are fortunate to announce we have hired Mrs. Dottie Easton as our new Director of Academics. Dottie comes to Liberty with an extensive background in Classical, Christian education. She earned both a B.A. and a master’s degree in Music Education, has 27 years of teaching experience, and a wealth of knowledge in classical, Christian education. She spent the last 9 years of her career as an administrator and music educator at Grace Christian Academy in Merrick, NY. Her passion for Christian education came from her frustration at the lack of alignment between her own education in the public schools and the biblical principles she holds dearly. She has spent nearly her entire career working in Christian schools, and was recognized as the 2022 “Christian Teacher of the Year” by the esteemed Stanley Herzog Foundation. Dottie has held responsibilities that include planning and overseeing curriculum standards, teacher reviews, evaluations, and training. Her background also includes training support and evaluation, collaboration with administration, assisting in development and enrichment opportunities for teachers, and classroom assistance, observation and review.
Dottie and her husband are relocating from New York to the Twin Cities to be closer to family. She is highly relational and a self-described “upfront leader,” and we are thrilled to welcome her to our team!
SUSAN WESTLUND
Math and Reading Specialist (Hugo & WBL)
*JEREMIAH VANACKER
Spiritual Formation Director
After careful consideration, we have asked Jeremiah VanAcker to fill the role of Spiritual Formation Director for the upcoming year, and he has gratefully accepted this position. Jeremiah shared in his initial interview with Liberty in late 2023 that his desire was to be involved in our Spiritual Formation program, and he comes highly recommended by John Hann as well. It is very evident that Jeremiah has a passion for developing students and a crucial part of our decision was recognizing the instrumental role he has played in the transition from 5th to 6th grade for our students. John is excited to mentor Jeremiah through this change in leadership, and we are really excited to see what the Lord has in store for Jeremiah!For the upcoming school year, John Hann will maintain his role as the Department Head for Bible and Rhetoric, and he will teach 9-12th grade Bible, 12th grade Economics, and he will cover the first seven weeks of 8th grade Bible for Dr. Bourgand. In addition to being the Spiritual Formation Director, Jeremiah will keep 6th grade Bible, 6th grade History, and 6th grade Homeroom. John and Jeremiah have already begun collaboration and we believe Jeremiah will be an excellent fit to lead our Spiritual Formation program.
*PAIGE HOCKERT
Admissions Assistant
HUGO CAMPUS
*KIMBERLY SCHLEUSNER
Lower School Director, Preschool-2nd Grade
It was announced in April that Kimberly would be our new Lower School Director for Preschool-2nd grade for the 2025-26 school year. She had previously served in our learning specialist department (primarily at the Hugo campus) for the last two years, and was named the Director of Lower School Teacher Training and Support for both campuses for the 2024-25 school year. Her background includes extensive teaching experience, especially in the lower school grades, as well as significant work with student support throughout her time in the classroom. Kimberly has taught since 2013 in the Stillwater and Forest Lake school districts and she spent five years at St. Croix Preparatory Academy. She also worked hands-on with students to develop and facilitate a wide range of support initiatives. Her direct interaction with faculty and students has prepared her well for this role and we are blessed she has accepted the director position. Kimberly received her B.S. in Elementary Education with a Minor in Communicative Disorders from University of WI-River Falls, and she lives with her husband in Houlton, WI.
KASSIE BELONIO
Kindergarten Teacher
Kassie brings extensive teaching experience having worked in both public and Christian schools in Minnesota, South Dakota and Alabama. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD and most recently worked in the Stillwater Area Public Schools as the lead for the district’s school-age childcare program, and at the Lake Area Discovery Center as the lead for its summer preschool program. Kassie is excited for the opportunity to work with young children at such a formative stage in their development and to do so in a school committed to academic excellence and classical, Christian education. She is deeply inspired by Liberty’s mission and energized by the prospect of contributing to a community that values truth, virtue, and a strong educational foundation.
KATE GILMAN
Preschool Teacher Assistant
Kate will join our faculty as the Preschool Teacher Assistant this Fall. She is currently serving in her second year as the preschool aide for Liberty’s Leo Lion Summer Blast program. Kate received her a B.A. in Education from the College of Saint Benedict and a master’s in ESL from Hamline University. In addition, Kate has worked for the past nine years at Yinghua Academy in Minneapolis as an ESL and English Language Arts teacher, and prior to that spent three years as an ESL teacher at Community School of Excellence in St. Paul where she worked primarily with kindergarten students. After recently welcoming her first child, Kate was looking to step away from teaching full-time, and we were excited to be able to offer her the role in Hugo. She has done a beautiful job with the children attending summer camp, and we know she will be an asset in the classroom as well.
ASHLEY JOHNSON
Preschool/PreK Teacher
Ashley graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Bible. She has student taught at three area elementary schools in kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms. She is excited to have the opportunity to work in a Christian school. Ashley also volunteers her time with preschool-aged students on Wednesday evenings at her church. In her free time, she enjoys singing, painting, playing games, reading and sports. Ashley and her husband were recently married, and we look forward to having her join our amazing preschool team!
DANETTE JOHNSON, RN
Licensed School Nurse – Hugo
Our new licensed school nurse at the Hugo campus for the 2025-26 school year is Mrs. Danette Johnson. Danette and her husband have four children who attend Liberty and we are grateful to have her on board with her expansive experience in the nursing field. Danette received her B.S. in Nursing from Bethel University, and prior to Liberty worked for Allina Health as a registered nurse at the Special Care Unit at Regina Hospital in Hastings, and most recently in the Remote Medication Refill HUB and Remote Telephone Triage HUB. She also worked in the Neurosurgical ICU at the University of Colorado for six years, as well as in the Neuro Intermediate Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI for one year.
*DEBBIE JOHNSON
Preschool-2nd Grade Art
With the departure of Tara Woernle, Debbie Johnson will move to the Hugo campus to helm the preschool-2ndgrade art program this Fall. Previously, Debbie served as the 3rd through 5th grade art teacher at the WBL campus. We know her experience will transfer seamlessly, and her gentle demeanor will be a welcome addition to our littlest learners in Hugo!
OLIVIA MARCHIAFAVA
Administrative Assistant - Hugo
Olivia will be a new, friendly face greeting our families this year at the Hugo campus. She will work as the Administrative Assistant to Hugo’s Lower School Director, Mrs. Kimberly Schleusner. Olivia and her husband have four children, three of whom attend Liberty. Olivia received her B.S. in Exercise Science/Sports Medicine from Mankato State University and also works as a Pilates instructor at Summit Pilates and Training. Prior to beginning her family, Olivia worked at Regions Hospital as a Therapy Aide and Therapy Scheduler. We are so thankful that she will be bringing her talents to our administrative team in Hugo!
*KEIANA SMITH
5-Day Preschool Teacher (2025-26 New Offering)
For the 2025-26 school year, Keiana has been promoted to teach our new, 5-day preschool class! Last year, Kiana ran our kindergarten extension program, and we are grateful that she will continue to use her classroom skills in the preschool program at our Hugo campus. In addition, Keiana is continuing to advance her early childhood education and she is currently in the process of obtaining her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
WBL CAMPUS
BRYN HOMUTH
Middle School Director
Bryn has joined Liberty Classical’s faculty this summer after more than 7 years at another classical, Christian school in MN. There, he taught English, Logic, Math and P.E. to both middle and upper school-aged students. He is also an adjunct professor at Crown College, instructing courses in composition and literature. He has a B.A. in Writing and Spanish from Concordia College and a master’s degree in English Literature from Kansas State University. Bryn has a deep passion for creative writing, especially poetry, and is a published author. He is originally from Fargo, ND where he was an avid tennis player throughout school, has experience coaching, and still continues to play. He lives in the Twin Cities metro with his wife Jennifer and their four children. He also enjoys low brass instruments, cooking, hunting, and so much more! He truly has a heart for connecting with students and helping them identify their God-given gifts and we’re excited to bring him onboard. At his previous school, Bryn helped lead student participation in things like the National Spelling Bee and he constantly sought creative writing opportunities for students at the national level...and he is excited to continue these pursuits at Liberty for our students!
KARLA MOSELEY
4th Grade Teacher
Karla graduated summa cum laude from Mankato State University with a B.S. in Elementary Teaching and Spanish and later earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education there as well. She has 10 years of experience teaching in the public schools, and she has also served as a homeschool educator since 2002. In addition, she has worked as a substitute teacher in the Forest Lake, Stillwater, Mahtomedi and White Bear Lake school districts since 2022. She is passionate about helping young learners develop their academic, social and emotional skills and is looking forward to building meaningful relationships with her students, families and fellow faculty. Outside of teaching, Karla spent time as a Worship Dance Instructor for the Christian Homeschoolers of Stillwater and the FAITH Co-op of North St. Paul. Karla will complement our lower school team at the WBL campus well and we can’t wait to have her onboard!
LEANN WILKINS
3rd-5th Grade Art
LeAnn is a graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX where she received her B.A. in Art Education. Most recently, LeAnn taught middle school Art at Hudson Middle School in WI. Prior, she was an art teacher for three homeschool co-ops in the Twin Cities metro for six years, working with students in grades 1-8. LeAnn looks forward to working in a Christian school and having the opportunity to encourage kids in their walk with God through daily, positive interactions while also encouraging them to create. She has enjoyed teaching all ages throughout her career, but elementary is her favorite and we are excited for her to get to know our 3rd-5th grade students this year.
BENJAMIN FONDRK
8th Grade Science
Benjamin graduated from the University of WI-Madison with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Science. His teaching experience includes teaching 5th and 6th grade at an elementary school in WI, teaching grades 4 through 12 at a sports academy, working as a substitute teacher for all grades, and homeschooling his own children. In addition, he owns a photography business and has worked in various settings as a hockey coach and trainer. As his faith in Christ has deepened, so has his desire to teach students in a Christian setting. We are excited to welcome Benjamin to our Science department!
*MELONIE BRENNAN, RN
Nurse On-site – WBL
Our new nurse on-site at the WBL campus is Mrs. Melonie Brennan. Melonie is not new to Liberty, having most recently served as our long-term substitute for Mrs. Sweeney in 4th grade last semester, and as a classroom aide prior to that at the Hugo campus. She has also served as a substitute teacher in our lower school classrooms, and with four children who all attend Liberty, is very familiar with our day-to-day operations. While she has spent most of her time at Liberty in a teaching capacity, Melonie has an Associate's Degree in Registered Nursing from Central Lakes College and worked at Hudson Hospital, primarily in OB, for 6 years. Her experience both in nursing and at Liberty have her well prepared for her new role at the WBL campus!