TRINITY ACADEMY BOARD

Kea Runyan and her husband, Matt, live in Bushnell, IL on their family farm. Kea grew up in Colorado but gave her life to Christ at 16 years old in a small country church in rural Mississippi on a mission trip. She later went to California where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Biola University. In 2001, she married Matt and moved to Illinois where she eventually left the workforce to become a full time homeschool mom for the next nine years. Their family are active members of Checkrow Community Church in Avon, IL. Kea is passionate about an education that shapes and develops not only the mind, but also the heart and spirit, and is all rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

I reside just outside of Industry, Illinois, and have deep roots in this community. I attended school in the very same building that now houses Trinity Academy. After graduating from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in AgriBusiness, I pursued a career as a farmland appraiser and continue to farm part-time.

My wife and I are blessed with three children—Hannah, James, and Jarrett—who attend Trinity Academy. We are active members of Industry Assembly of God, where I serve as a Deacon and help lead the Youth Group.

I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve at God’s school. I look forward to what He has in store for this year and beyond.

A native of North Carolina, Vickie moved to Macomb, IL with her family in 2001. She has two grown daughters and two beautiful grandchildren. After moving to Macomb, Vickie felt called into the counseling profession and received her Master’s Degree in counseling from Western Illinois University. She works as a full time Christian counselor for Synago in Macomb, IL. Her passion is sharing God’s love and encouraging clients no matter what their difficulties may be. She joins the Trinity Board in support of helping young people to gain confidence and strength seeing themselves as God sees them. She attends Maple Avenue Christian Church in Macomb. Outside of work and other service projects, Vickie’s greatest joy is spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Bio pending

Mitchell Curtis and his wife Jill, live in Avon, IL on their family farm with their 3 daughters Kendall, Harper, & Nora. Mitchell is a 4th generation farmer who farms alongside his father, and Jill, who manages the farm books. Their family is actively involved at Checkrow Church in Avon, IL. Mitchell is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Trinity Board with a passion of supporting his children’s education and journey with Christ and hopes to share that passion with others.

Claire Monteen and her husband, Erik, moved to Schuyler County in 2003 where they quickly engaged in local Christian ministry. In addition to owning and operating the local Christian bookstore, The Good Book, Claire has been an active volunteer for the Pregnancy Resource Center and Erik serves as an elder at their church, Rushville Church of Christ. Blessed with three children and a family legacy of passionate learners, Claire began to focus on education, eventually home schooling their eldest daughter. She, alongside other local families, earnestly sought God’s direction for a Christ-centered, classical school in west central Illinois, and founded Trinity Academy in 2014. Claire is grateful to serve as board chairman and for the opportunity to grow in wisdom and grace as her children attend Trinity Academy.

Neal and his wife, Bobbie, have been married for twenty-five years and are the parents of three wonderful daughters, Cortney (age 24), Bhrea (age 22), and Neelie (age 10). They have also been blessed with two sons-in-law. Neal and Bobbie began their walk with Christ together in the mid 90’s and are members at the Astoria Church of Christ. Neal’s employment background is in retail sales, management, and agricultural production. He is currently employed as Feed Mill Manager for Akron Services Inc. Neal served on a local public school board while his two oldest children were in attendance and is currently serving on the Two River Valley Cattleman’s Association board as the Secretary/Treasurer. Neal answered God’s call to serve on the Board of Directors at Trinity Academy and has found in doing so to be a very humbling and life changing experience. Neal says,
“It has been a personal joy to watch my family become productive members of Christ’s Church. We are thankful for Trinity Academy and the fulfilling opportunity it brings in raising a disciple of Christ.”

Louise was born and raised in northeastern Illinois.  She enjoys learning new things and working with children, which led to teaching as her career of choice.   She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and her Masters of Science in Education degrees from Illinois State University.  She taught for thirty-eight years in the public schools in the area of special education . Her hobbies include reading, hiking, gardening, traveling, and crafting.

Teaching at Trinity Academy gives her the privilege of teaching the whole child.  It is a joyful, cooperative journey of learning together.  Besides just teaching facts, she gets to teach the “how” and “why” tools of learning so that her students become lifelong learners.   Louise recognizes that teaching is a huge responsibility, knowing that how she teaches impacts students now and in their future.  She wants her students to be the “Did” who did not hide like “Wouda, Coulda, Shouldas” in Shel Siverstein’s poem.