TRINITY ACADEMY FACULTY

Haley and her husband Jared live in the country, south of Macomb. Haley earned her associates degree in Education from Spoon River College in 2017. She has a passion for children and has been involved in early childhood education for many years. She has been the lead teacher of the YMCA after school program, worked in daycare and self – employed child care. Haley and Jared attend First Baptist in Colchester, where she is the church pianist. Outside of teaching, Haley enjoys spending time with her husband, playing the piano, reading or playing with their dog, Roxy! She also enjoys being outside and spending time with her family. Haley is overjoyed that God has led her to Trinity and is looking forward to what the school year will bring.

 Born in Carthage and raised in Vermont, I am the 7th generation on my mother’s side from Fulton County Illinois.  Having been homeschooled myself, K-12, I am excited to finally be part of a “real school” with classrooms, desks, students & other teachers!  I hope to instill my faith in God & love of learning in my students; and teach them about God’s glory through history, science, literature, and His holy word.  I enjoy cooking, exploring outdoors with my GSD, or chilling with my cat and reading a great book.  I am thankful for this extraordinary opportunity to be part of the TA family of students, faculty, parents, and community

My husband, John, and I live in Macomb and attend church at The Crossing. We have enjoyed the privilege of raising our four children. Our oldest two are married and we have two grandchildren with two more on the way this year! Following the call of God, I taught our kids at home for twenty years, graduating our fourth child in 2022. And now, through the wonderful workings of our Father, He has led me to a place where I can continue to teach and
pour the love of God into children. I am thrilled to be a part of the Trinity family!

I received my bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Psychology with a minor in Child, Parent, and Community Services. After our first child was born, I became a stay-at-home mom. I loved being active in my children’s activities and volunteered in many ways over the years. I am also an avid scrapbooker and try to squeeze time in whenever possible to work on my albums. I’m looking forward to a great school year with the wonderful 2nd-grade class!

Analisa recently got married to her husband Jared, and is living in the country just outside of Bowen, Illinois after moving from Minneapolis, Minnesota in January of 2018. She graduated from Liberty University in 2017 with a BS in Elementary Education. Analisa has always had a deep love for children, and has already taught in a variety of places to hundreds of students. As a classically trained violinist, she taught private and group violin instruction for over 10 years. She also traveled to Oklahoma City to complete a two-semester missionary internship, teaching character to students in the public schools and leading after school Bible Clubs through the In the Gap program. Analisa delights in helping children reach their potential, both in academics and in their walk with God, and is thrilled that God led her to Trinity.

Outside of teaching and being a wife, Analisa enjoys traveling, serving in her church and community, learning about other cultures, and taking in the small joys that God brings her way each day.

Brooke and her husband Dominic Thurman live in rural Rushville. She recently earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. Brooke is very excited to begin her teaching career at Trinity in the Third grade classroom. She always had a passion for teaching, even when she was an elementary student herself. That passion as a student later led into many childcare/education opportunities such as after school youth programs and self-employed childcare, which brought her to where she is now. Besides her love of the classroom, Brooke enjoys playing and singing music with her family and as part of the worship team at Hope Church in Rushville. She also enjoys spending time at home with her husband and their 2 year old Great Dane, Harvey.

God’s direction in my life many times over the years is what brought me here, to teach at Trinity Academy. When I was the mother of a toddler, I was introduced to home schooling by a friend. This was in 1983, so the idea of teaching your children at home was a new concept. When that toddler was five the Lord showed us that He wanted us to homeschool her. Berean Christian Academy, our homeschool, was established. This decision was greeted with concern and even derision by friends and family. In our area, we were pioneers in the movement. We started out just planning to do this for a year or two. Each year, however, the Lord showed us again that this was His plan for our lives. Thirty years later, I had taught our seven children from Kindergarten through high school.

When my daughter-in-law, Analisa Bean, started teaching at Trinity, I came to the Back to School night and really was intrigued by what I saw. The Lord placed a thought in my heart, “I wonder if I could substitute here?” When Analisa was nearing the time for her maternity leave she asked our family to pray for a substitute for her class. As I prayed, I felt a nudge from the Lord, ”You could do this.”   I contacted the school and was given the chance to sub for Mrs. Bean for seven weeks. It was great, they did not even need to change the sign by the room; Mrs. Bean, second grade. When Analisa decided to stay home with Silas I agreed to finish out the school year.

I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to teach here at Trinity Academy. The Classical Christian education model is new to me, but as I learn more about it, I am impressed. I treasure the opportunity to share Christ with my students. I also appreciate the parents and co-teachers. As we work together to educate the students it gives the feeling of being on a team. I am thankful and excited to be a part of the Trinity Academy team.

Morgan and her husband Jim live in rural Littleton with their two youngest children. Most of her education and previous work experience has been in early childhood and elementary education. Before God opened the door for their family at Trinity in 2018, Morgan spent the previous five years homeschooling her children. Their oldest son, Samuel, graduated high school in 2018 and currently lives nearby with his wife Johanna. Elijah and Mark are both students at Trinity. In her spare time, Morgan enjoys reading, cuddling with her dachshund, flower gardening, and watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball. She feels very blessed to be serving with the amazing team at TA and is passionate about instilling Biblical Truth into the hearts and minds of her students.

I was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia, just a short 9,203 miles away from Industry. After graduating high school, I moved to Illinois to attend WIU and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2020. In November last year, I married my lovely wife Christy. We live in Macomb, IL and attend the Crossing church in Macomb.

I consider myself a nerd to the highest degree. I have interests in trading card games, board games, video games, books, and anime. On the flip side, I also love watching and playing sports, with bowling being by far the sport I am best at.

I am 100% certain that the reason I am here at Trinity Academy is because God has placed me here. I am incredibly excited to see the work He does through me and within me during my time here.

Scot Williamson is a home-schooled guy who grew up playing with Legos, reading eight hours a day, and went to school for audio/broadcasting. Later, he became interested in film making and then, after graduating from Cornerstone University of Grand Rapids, MI in 2009 with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies, he taught himself illustration, photography, and graphic design. He has worked as a bank teller, freelance media producer, general construction worker, industrial supply salesman, and more recently a substitute teacher. His passion is to fill the world with wonder. He enthusiastically pursues life with his wife and three children. He is excited to see children grow in the knowledge of the Truth and is grateful for the opportunity to serve at Trinity Academy.

Courtney was born and raised in the West Suburbs of Chicago where she lived happily with her wonderful parents and two sisters .  Early on, Courtney had an interest in music, taking piano lessons for several years.  After graduating from Elmhurst College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, Courtney moved to the Rushville area to marry her husband, Jon.  Soon after, she attended WIU to pursue graduate level study in Literacy.  Since its inception, Courtney has been involved with Trinity Academy in various roles including board member, TPO member, substitute teacher and most recently our Reading Specialist.  She currently lives in Rushville with her husband Jon and their two beautiful children.  In her church life, Courtney is blessed and honored to serve as Worship Coordinator.  In this role, she serves as a Worship Leader, Vocalist and Pianist.  Courtney feels very blessed to be called to serve God as an educator at Trinity Academy and is grateful for the opportunity to witness the precious minds and hearts of our students develop in the wisdom, truth and beauty of God’s kingdom.

We are educators, parents, and grandparents.  We met in Enid, Oklahoma, and lived in Kansas and Nebraska before coming to Burlington, Iowa in 2000. John served in the Coast Guard and then the Army, as well as in congregations as preaching minister. Then he became a hands-on science and math teacher in Christian schools. He taught students in grades 6 through 12th, and some college courses. Karen raised three fine sons, and taught, among other things, resource, high school English, and third grade. We love family, the outdoors, campfires, gardening, and funny movies. We encourage students to love the Lord God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  We worship God every Sunday, often where our sons worship in Macomb IL and Danville IA. 

I am extremely passionate about teaching history. As a historian I am somewhat of a generalist, not specializing in any one topic. I firmly believe a good historian must be well-rounded in as many topics as possible in order to fully understand any given historical era. I received my BA in History from Western Illinois University in 2018 and I am currently working towards an MA in Political Science.

My journey to Christ has been a long one. Since coming to WIU I have begun to renew my faith and I am striving to grow as a Christian. It is my sincerest hope that as I grow in my faith, I will inspire my students to grow as well.

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.

My passion is for sports. I started playing field hockey at the age of 7 and pursued professional field hockey for a career. Additionally, I became involved with teaching physical education and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and coaching in multiple settings. This love led me to teach physical education in two K-12 International Christian Schools. I have also taught in the University setting. I obtained certification to teach Physical Education from Iowa and maintain my IHSA (Illinois High School Association) coaching licensure in Illinois. I am still involved with the USA field hockey association for regional and national coaching and selecting teams assignments. My wife Abha and I moved to Macomb from Iowa City, IA in 2008 for Abha’s job at Western Illinois University.

I believe students develop the understanding of perseverance, dedication, self control, and application of Biblical values through physical literacy. Physical Education develops attributes of good sportsmanship skills through activities. I continue to voluntarily contribute to American Red Cross, and have CPR certification through them.

I am thrilled to be part of Trinity Academy.

Sonya and her husband Peter Johnson live on a small farm in Rushville.  They have two grown children and are recently retired.  Previously, Sonya spent 30 years working as a research scientist and chemist at Mars/Wrigley, creating many of the flavors for their gum and candy products and coordinating agricultural research for Wrigley.  During her career at Wrigley, Sonya taught chemistry to numerous students, interns, and co-workers.  She holds a BS in Biology, a BS in Chemistry (both from Southampton College), a Master of Product Development (NWU Executive Program), and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management (U of I). 

The world is full of the order and beauty of God’s creation, with all its intricacy and detail.  I am looking forward to helping my students understand the wonder of science.  

Currently studying at Lincoln Christian University, Adam has incredible interest in continental philosophy and the history of ideas. As a Rhode Island native, Adam graduated from the ‘Upward Bound’ program at Rhode Island College. Having a wide education background, ranging from robotic engineering and mathematics to art and the humanities, combined with his autodidacticism, Adam is a young pantomath that enjoys conversation about almost any topic. Adam desires for young people to have the intellectual tools to both analyze critically and think independently within a largely confusing world of ideas and opinions. Adam serves various churches and ministries around Illinois in different positions and calls Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois his church home.

I am humbled and excited to join Trinity Academy this fall. I reside in rural Ellisville with my husband, Bob. Since 1996, I have been home educating our children. Nine years ago I joined Classical Conversations and have served as a tutor, director, speaker trainer, and practicum speaker. Additionally, I have taught private piano lessons. When I am not teaching, I volunteer as a 4-H leader, and I serve in our church by helping with children’s ministry and playing piano on a worship team. My husband and I have four children and seven grandchildren. My hobbies include reading, gardening, playing piano, and spending time with my family.
I am thrilled to be part of this academic team. I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity to partner with staff helping students develop academically and spiritually.