2011-2012 Faculty and Staff

Melissa holds a B.A. in Bible Exposition and Exegesis from Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa. Melissa previously taught preschool in Dubuque before coming to Clapham in 2007. Melissa is a native of Columbia and leverages her fluency in Spanish to teach students in Explorers I – Class Five conversational Spanish as well. Melissa now serves as the Explorers II teacher and provides leadership as part of the Explorers I team. Melissa has been with Clapham since 2008.

Renee holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Wheaton College. She previously did her student teaching experience in the public schools in Wayne, Illinois, and worked at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri. She was a member of the Wheaton College Swim Team. Renee has been with Clapham since 2009.

Kim holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Gordon College. She also has a Master of Education from Covenant College. Kim has over 20 years of teaching experience in Christian schools. Kim has been with Clapham since 2007.

Elise is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Elementary Education.  She has spent time around the world, as well as being employed as a nanny in Chicago. Elise also enjoys teaching swimming lessons. Elise has been with Clapham since 2009.

Terri holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Judson University and a M.A. from St. Xavier University. She has over twenty years of experience which includes teaching preschool, elementary school, and home schooling. Terri joins us in the fall of 2011.

Cheryl Ward holds a B.A. in Education from Northwestern College and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her further coursework is in Language Acquisition at the University of North Dakota. Previous to Clapham, Cheryl taught Literature for 5 years in China at Tianjin International School and 4th Grade in a public school district in the Chicago suburbs. Cheryl joined Clapham in 2009.

Katie graduated cum laude from Wheaton College with a B.A. in English and a minor in Music and is currently pursuing a Master degree in Teaching from Wheaton as well. She formerly taught literature at Hinsdale South High School and attends Grace Church of DuPage. Katie joined Clapham in 2010. 

Patrick has a B.A. in music history and literature from Illinois State University, a M.Div. and Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and is currently completing his dissertation for a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of St Andrews. Patrick and his family spent three years living and studying in Scotland. Prior to this, Patrick served as an Assistant Pastor at College Church in Wheaton. He has taught courses in New Testament and Biblical Greek at Trinity and St Andrews, and has also taught string bass privately. Patrick joined Clapham in 2009.

Jason is a graduate of Wheaton College, with a major in Ancient Languages & English Literature. He also studied in Humanities and Bible. Jason teaches Latin to our older students in addition to being the lead teacher for Class Eight. Jason has been with Clapham since 2008.

Zach has a B.A. in biology from Taylor University and an M.A. in Education from Indiana Wesleyan. Zach has over 10 years of teaching experience, most recently at a school very similar to Clapham in the city of Chicago. He has taught at an international school in China and also in a public school setting. Zach joined Clapham in 2010.

Sara holds a B.A. in Music Education from Wheaton College. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan during high school, and teaches voice and music lessons in Wheaton. Sara is directing our classroom music and art classes and providing leadership for our Fine Arts programs. She brings to Clapham an extraordinary background in the arts! Sara joined Clapham in 2008.

Drew has a B.A. in Philosophy from Biola University and is a graduate of the Torrey Honors Institute. He has a broad background in athletics, but particularly loves baseball. Besides teaching at Clapham, Drew currently coaches little league baseball in Batavia, Il.

Chris holds a B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and a M.Div. from Gordon Conwell Seminary. Most recently Chris was Pastor of Outreach and Evangelism at College Church and now leads a ministry to promote gospel renewal within churches throughout the U.S. Chris and his family currently worship at Hope Fellowship Church in Lombard, IL. Chris joins Clapham as Chaplain in the fall of 2011.

Heather has a B.A. in French from Wheaton College and has taught French in several public school districts. She and her family attend Calvary Church in Naperville. Heather joined Clapham in 2010.

Kat has a B.A. in English Literature from Biola University and graduated with honors from the Torrey Honors Institute. Her previous positions include instructing logic and literature at a classical program for high school students in Southern California, teaching for Wheatstone Ministries, and directing theater for Torrey Theatre at Biola University. Kat will support our middle school students with composition / writing, assist with our annual Shakespeare production, and support the main office. Kat has been with Clapham since 2010.