Mrs. Susan Barnes - Kindergarten

BS Human Development - Warner Pacific College
Years of teaching experience: 7
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 7
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I teach at St. Stephen's because I have a love for teaching. Being part of a school that cultivates virtue, wisdom, and godliness while teaching basic foundational and traditional subjects is enriching. The daily interactions with the students and faculty have inspired me to grow and continue to educate myself in many areas.
Philosophy of teaching: Without education poverty expands, democracy shrinks, governments fail, and people are oppressed. Education is the key to liberty - personal as well as societal. As an educator it is my responsibility to demonstrate to my students the value of education and nurture an appreciation for it.
Hobbies: reading, writing, walking

Mrs. Brooke Ziehnert - 1st Grade

BA Education - Washington State University
Master of Education - Whitworth College
Years of teaching experience: 9
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 5
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I teach at St. Stephen's because it is a Christ centered, biblically based Christian school with a loving staff who is focused on providing excellent academic opportunities for their students. I am blessed with small class sizes, dedicated families, and enthusiastic students when I arrive at school each day.
Philosophy of teaching: I love teaching using classical methods! The curriculum taught in a classical school is delivered to the children at their developmental level. Learning is a joy, and we have a lot of fun as we use sound-offs, singing, and chanting to memorize facts in the lower grades.
Hobbies: wake-boarding, water skiing, reading, coordinating Operation Christmas Child for my church, watching my children participate in their activities

Mrs. Paige Ueltschey - 1st Grade

BA English Literature - Texas A & M University
MA English Literature - University of Texas
Years of teaching experience: 5
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 1
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I love what the classical educational philosophy stands for, and I value the children that St. Stephen's educates.
Philosophy of teaching: I love teaching enthusiastic young children and opening their minds to all the wonders of God's creation.
Hobbies: pottery, gardening, jogging

Mrs. Emily Conteh - 2nd Grade

BA Arts and Letters, minor in linguistics - Portland State University
Master of Education - George Fox University
Years of teaching experience: 10
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 1
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I align my teaching philosophy with the classical approach and love how St. Stephen's bases its instruction on Christian principles. The intentional purpose of developing character in students while challenging them academically attracted me to this school.
Philosophy of teaching: I believe in fostering meaningful relationships with and among my students, contributing to a healthy classroom community and constructive learning environment. Through flexible, energetic, and careful direction, I strive to connect my students to knowledge in authentic and engaging ways. As a teacher, I am hard-working, passionate and  careful; continually learning and growing.
Hobbies: trail running, beading jewelry, playing the piano, reading, playing games with family and friends

BA Biology - Washington University
MA Early Childhood Education - Hood College
Years of teaching experience: 13
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 6
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I believe God has opened a door for me at St. Stephen's to teach. He has placed a passion, as well as a commitment in my soul to strive for excellence in my teaching. St. Stephen's offers me an opportunity to teach children to love learning and to love God's awesomeness.
Philosophy of teaching: I believe education is a collaboration between the student and the teacher. As described in the Seven Laws of Teaching, trust, respect, and a desire to learn are interwoven together so that the student is guided to discover the facts of God and His creation. Ultimately, these facts will one day enable the student to be not only a life-long learner, but also the steward of God's creation as God has intended him/her to be.
Hobbies: rock hounding with family, hiking, quilting, gardening, reading, puzzles

Mrs. Susan Stopoulos - 4th Grade (Grammar 2)

BA French and Spanish; Minor in Education - Seattle Pacific College
Years of teaching experience: 25+
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 6
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: St. Stephen's offers a wonderful environment to teach a rich curriculum using age-appropriate methodologies in a close and friendly community of colleagues, parents and students. Its philosophy is consistent with my own convictions about education so it provided a good fit. I was also impressed with its responsible leadership.
Philosophy of teaching: I believe that children have the responsibility to master curriculum. It is both his right and his reward. It is the responsibility of the teacher to present that material in an age appropriate manner. For the fourth grader, this means applying drama, projects, drills and games to quality content. It is my job as teacher to select material that displays truth, goodness and beauty that will last beyond just the days of childhood, filling the heart of the child with riches for life. We begin with the basic facts necessary to provide a foundation in each of the subject areas and enrich it with beautiful music, poetry and art. As a Christian, I am committed to focus on the truth and beauty of God's creation and redemptive purpose as it is manifested in each subject area.
Hobbies: walking, reading, sewing, knitting, English hand smocking, crocheting, birdwatching, making music

Mrs. Karen Alston - 5th Grade (Grammar 3)

BA Elementary Education - Arizona State University
Years of teaching experience: 25+
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 4
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: Classical Christian education offers the best of all worlds, in that we are able to teach and nurture the whole child - spiritual, intellectual, moral, physical, psychological, and social. Also, St. Stephen's is a very grace-filled environment in which to work.
Philosophy of teaching: My desire is to see students grow and mature in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, as Jesus' boyhood is described in Luke 2:52. Classical Christian education is, I believe, the best way to do that as we focus on truth, goodness and beauty.
Hobbies: gardening, Classic English novels and films, travelling

Mrs. Glenda Portukalian-Lewis - 6th Grade (Grammar 4)

BA English Literature - California State University Fullerton
Years of teaching experience: 8
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 8
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: Teaching the fundamental tools for life-long learning is essential to any child's success in this world. Teaching at St. Stephen's provides the atmosphere and support I need to teach these tools.
Philosophy of teaching: God has a perfect plan for all His children. I want the students I teach to grow up humbly accepting that plan and having peace, knowing that whatever it may be he does for the glory of God.
Hobbies: gardening, outdoor sports, exploring Oregon

Mr. Michael Kane- 6th Grade Math (Grammar 4)

BSC Finance - Liberty University
MBA - Liberty University
Years of teaching experience: 10
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 10
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I love the school. I love math. I love Grammar 4.
Philosophy of teaching: My aim is to teach 6th Grade math in a way that is authentically Christian and authentically classical. Consistent with our vision as a Christian school, my goal is that students “discern the unchanging God of order and truth who is reflected in the beauty and order of mathematical principles”. Consistent with the classical model, my goal is that students graduate 6th Grade with a solid foundation in the Grammar of mathematics and ready for the challenges of the Logic years.
Hobbies: cycling, music

Mrs. Delyn Schuler - 6th Grade Science (Grammar 4)

BS Systems Engineering - US Military Academy at West Point
Years of teaching experience: 3
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 3
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I love science, and I love our students. I'd like to see our students excited about the possibility of making a difference in the world through exploring science.
Philosophy of teaching: Love learning, love teaching, love students.
Hobbies: skiing, running, learning about creation v. evolution

Mrs. Michelle Blanchard - 3rd Grade - 6th Grade Latin (Grammar 1 - Grammar 4)

BA English - Hillsdale College
Graduate Certificate in Classical Christian Studies - New Saint Andrews
Years of teaching experience: 3
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 2
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: I teach at St. Stephens because I love watching young minds grapple with new concepts. It is my joy and privilege to be teaching at a school that strives to continue in the tradition of classical Christian education.
Philosophy of teaching: The purpose of a Christian education is to produce a well ordered soul. The hope is that the student will emerge loving God and submitting to His truth.
Hobbies: hiking, biking, reading, sewing and grading

Mr. Mike Mayo - Kindergarten - 6th Grade Physical Education

AA Liberal Arts - St. Leo's University
BA Theology - Hawaii Theological Seminary
Years of teaching experience: 7
Years teaching at St. Stephen's: 2
Why I teach at St. Stephen's: The purpose of Christian education is not to prepare a child to enter the work force or any profession. Its purpose is to prepare him or her to enter adulthood with wisdom nd a desire to serve and obey God.
Philosophy of teaching: Know your subject, be prepared, and have fun with your students. Set the example, and they will follow and learn.
Hobbies: archery, shooting sports, swimming, weight lifting