Faculty & Staff

Kindergarten

Mrs. Randi Nelson

 

Kindergarten

Mrs. Anna Kilcup 

Kate Hydorn

First Grade

Mrs. Kate Hydorn graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in elementary education and minor in Learning Disabilities and then taught at Grandview Park Baptist School. After seven years of teaching and two children, she stayed home for several years and ran a tutoring business, substitute taught, supervised home school families, wrote curriculum for Regular Baptist Press, was a children’s ministry assistant at her church, and homeschooled her children and others. Mrs. Hydorn made her way back to the classroom, teaching at Ankeny Christian Academy and Grand View Christian School. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and loves teaching children to read, helping them develop a love of good literature and incorporating the Word of God into every part of the school day. Mrs. Hydorn and her husband Gary have been married 27 years. They have two grown sons and a one year old granddaughter who is the light of her life! Mrs. Hydorn loves reading, especially biographies and autobiographies, being outdoors in the sunshine, taking walks, crafting, traveling, and just spending time with her husband.  She loves animals and is a self professed crazy cat lady!

First Grade

Mrs. Angie Bettin

Amy Ohnemus

Second Grade

Mrs. Amy Ohnemus attended Iowa State University and earned a bachelor’s degree. She has enjoyed classical homeschool teaching as well as tutoring for over five years. Mrs. Ohnemus teaches adult education classes, and has designed training curriculum. In her free time, Mrs. Ohnemus enjoys serving her family of five – baking treats and making creative dinners are her favorite. If Mrs. Ohnemus is not in the kitchen, you will find her walking on her country road, reading historical fiction, creating, or spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Ohnemus feels so blessed to get to teach at TRCA where she can seek after Jesus in all areas of learning, teaching, and serving.

 

Nancy Schroeder

Second Grade

Mrs. Nancy Schroeder earned both a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in elementary counseling from the University of Nebraska – Kearney. Mrs. Schroeder has over twenty-five years of teaching experience in both public and private Iowa schools, and has worked with homeschool families as their coordinating/supervising teacher. Mrs. Schroeder enjoys helping students and fellow teachers reach their highest potential and seeks to instill in her students a love of learning and a love for Jesus. Mrs. Schroeder brings to TRCA a reputation for a calm and orderly classroom, a strong affection for students, and the ability to motivate them to succeed. She and her husband, Tim, have two grown sons and enjoy outdoor activities together.

Trayla Carter

Third Grade

Mrs. Trayla Carter attended the University of Northern Iowa where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and then worked as a training and development specialist at John Deere, and another training firm in Des Moines. She led a classical homeschool coop for four years and has taught students with a variety of learning challenges. Instrumental in the early stages of starting TRCA, Mrs. Carter brings enthusiasm and joy to every aspect of her involvement. She gets excited about many things, including thrift shopping, tennis, hikes and bike rides, history, coffee, and traveling. She and her husband, Nate, have been blessed with three children who are unique, kind, and silly.

Third Grade

Mrs. Bethany Fisher

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Dana Reddin

Alne Hartog

Fourth Grade

Mrs. Alne Hartog graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Faith Baptist Bible College. She began her teaching career in Illinois at a private Christian academy as well as a Montessori school. She and “her Sweetheart” husband, Paul, have served as youth leaders in churches in Illinois and Iowa, and she’s held administrative positions with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches and The Network, in Des Moines. She taught and led a homeschool coop for several years while her own three blessings participated. She enjoys playing her guitar, Troy, and singing with her students at church and school. Mrs. Hartog loves to celebrate life, including their monthly wedding anniversary!

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Meredith Jamison

Fifth Grade

Mrs. Deborah Rose graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College with a degree in Elementary Education & Bible. She has used her Middle School endorsement teaching at Christian schools for 10 years. She has also taught Library and Literacy, and has served in children’s ministries at her church. She is grateful to have grown up in a Christian home and that she and her husband, Doug, are providing the same for their two boys. She seeks to bring glory to her Savior and looks forward to serving Him as she serves the parents and scholars at Two Rivers. She enjoys family time, hot tea, and reading good books.

Associate Campus Coordinator- Grammar School

Mrs. Sarah Carroll

Associate Lunch and Recess- Grammar School

Mrs. Rebekah Chung

Melissa Tucker

Science & Latin Teacher- Grammar School

Mrs. Melissa Tucker has her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and her master’s degree in practical ministries with an emphasis in counseling. Her experience includes home educating all six of her children from kindergarten through 12th grade, teaching IEW classes and tutoring. Mrs. Tucker and her husband, Gary, live in Winterset and have been on the leadership board with MASCHE, their local Christian homeschool support group, for thirteen years. She enjoys coming alongside other moms to assist them in their journey of educating and discipling their children. She is excited to be a part of TRCA, guiding children in joyful excellence and supporting parents in the Christian formation of their children. In her free time she enjoys playing games with her family, reading historical fiction, and scrapbooking photos.

Music Teacher- Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric School

Mr. Jordan Pohlmann

Physical Education Teacher- Grammar and Logic School

Mrs. Misty Sano has her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Master’s in Education with a Physical Education emphasis.  Mrs. Sano has taught for over 40 years from 6th grade to college, in Iowa and California. In addition to teaching PE and coaching volleyball, she has taught language arts, career/finance, and senior ministry.  She loves working with young people and instilling the desire to take care of their bodies and minds through physical fitness. In her free time she loves to hike, read, and play disc golf.

Math & Science Teacher- Logic School

Mrs. Merci Day

Karen De Bruin

Academic Advisor and Math & Science Teacher- Logic School

Mrs. Karen De Bruin completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a middle school endorsement and mathematics specialization from Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA. Prior to having children, Mrs. De Bruin taught math and science at Calvin Christian School in Blaine, MN, at Des Moines Christian School, and at Ames Christian school. After enjoying several years at home with her daughters she felt called back into Christian education. She was the first administrator of Trinity Academy in Macomb, Illinois, a classical, hybrid school, where she was both parent and Academy teacher. Mrs. DeBruin is passionate about the integration of Biblical truth into all learning, the formation of virtue, and the pursuit of knowledge with the purpose of bringing honor to God. She and her husband, Jason, and their two daughters enjoy travelling and outdoor activities.

Leah Dietrich

World Literature and Composition Teacher- Logic School

Mrs. Leah Dietrich earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Faith Baptist Bible College. She has been an English teacher at both Walnut Ridge Academy in Waterloo and Grandview Christian School in Des Moines, and has written curriculum for Faith Academy, an online school. Mrs. Dietrich also taught classically for several years through a homeschool coop. Leah enjoys traveling, reading, and coffee roasted by her husband. She was instrumental in setting the founding vision for TRCA. Leah and her husband Zach homeschool their five children, and against her better judgment, also raise chickens in their backyard.

 

Zach Dietrich

Academy Dean

Mr. Zach Dietrich is an associate pastor at Soteria Church where he oversees theological development, which is a fancy way of saying he loves teaching and books. Zach grew up in eastern Iowa but has spent most of the last twenty years in the Des Moines area. Zach has a Master of Divinity from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been reading about and researching classical education for over ten years, but his other passions are coffee. He and his wife Leah have engaged in classical home education for their five children for several years. 

 Band Teacher- Logic and Rhetoric School

Mr. Carroll Hardy Mr. Carroll Hardy holds a B.A. in music education from the University of Northern Iowa, and an M.M. in piano performance from the same institution.  He has also done additional graduate work in music education through Boston University.  His teaching experience includes thirty-four years of teaching band and general music in Norwalk and most recently, four years at Des Moines Christian, teaching fifth and sixth grade band. He and his wife Kathy homeschooled their two children, one a professional oboist in Boston and the other an app developer working in California.  He and Kathy were founding members of Christian Home Educators of Warren County.  As an adjunct at Simpson College, he teaches music education methods and supervises student teachers in music. In his spare time, he enjoys creating piano hymn and classic arrangements, serving as a worship leader at his church, and vegetable gardening.

Latin and World Literature Teacher- Logic and Rhetoric School

Mrs. Tracy Dickinson

Headmaster and History and Theology Teacher- Rhetoric School

Dr. Nathan Oppman was himself homeschooled and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in History, and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Bob Jones University. His doctoral dissertation focused on the area of Biblical worldview in young adults who were active in the public policy arena. He comes to TRCA after spending eight years working in the field of public policy, at both the national level in Washington, D.C. and the state level in Des Moines. Dr. Oppman serves as an adjunct college professor and is a guest speaker at a range of classes, conferences, and seminars for young people. 

Writing, Grammar, and Math Teacher- Logic School

Mr. Steve Skinner

Tricia Webster

Math & Science Teacher- Grammar and Logic School

Mrs. Tricia Webster has a degree in Exercise Science and has worked with individuals to plan and implement healthier and stronger lifestyles. When she and her husband, Matt, became parents they felt led to homeschool their two boys, now in high school. Mrs. Webster enjoys spending free time traveling with her family, scrapbooking, gardening, and supporting her boys in their various activities. A Des Moines native, she values having extended family close by.

Melissa Karas

Associate

Mrs. Melissa Karas