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.

Jessica and her husband Chester live in Macomb with their daughter Kaley. Jessica and Chester met while doing ministry work at their college in Indiana. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2009, and then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree through an office administration internship in 2012. The Ruffs attend Victory Baptist Church in Macomb, where they enjoy singing and playing the piano (Jessica) and guitar (Chester) and working in various ministries of the church. They also love disc golfing as a family and going on walks with their dog Hunny.

God led the Ruffs to Trinity through their daughter Kaley in 2021, and it was a perfect fit right from the start. Through a series of events, Jessica felt God directing her to invest her time and efforts into education, after years of working in office administration.  He then opened the door for her to begin teaching first grade at Trinity during the spring semester of 2022.

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 lives with his wife Johanna in Roodhouse, while both Elijah and Mark are 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.

Currently residing in Virginia, IL, Sarah Helmich obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Illinois College in 2014 and spent the two years following as the Daycare Director at Beardstown Christian Academy. She is active in her church both as a choir member and Bible study teacher for 4th-6th grade girls.

Sarah’s greatest passions are for art, literature, and volunteering. Outside of the classroom, you’ll find her busy with her latest craft or painting project, sitting with her nose buried in a book, walking outdoors enjoying God’s beautiful earth, or volunteering at Beardstown Christian Academy, her church, or Lincoln’s New Salem.

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 two small 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.

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.