WCGS Hiring Updates for 2026-2027

This school year, we are excited to welcome multiple new faculty and staff to the school! There are also several individuals who have moved into different roles, so we wanted to highlight those for you as well. The Lord has been at work in the hiring process over the last few months, and we are excited about all He has in store for the WCGS team as we partner with parents to raise up the next generation to be Christ-centered, critical thinkers and community builders.

Kindergarten

Full-Day Kindergarten Aide – Lisa Kortenhoeven

“After so many amazing years in Preschool classrooms, I am excited and thankful for all that I am going to learn while being in a Kindergarten classroom! Also, I love that I will continue to see so many families and students that I know!”

Fun Fact: I love to bake sourdough, my favorite things to do are hiking and reading and my favorite city I have visited is London.

Half-Day Kindergarten Aide – Lindsey Hoff

“I love being a part of the WCGS community as a parent, and now I am so excited to join the amazing kindergarten team! I am looking forward to getting to know the students, encouraging a love of learning, and growing in our faith together.”

Fun Fact: “I married my high school sweetheart. Before kids, my husband and I backpacked around the world for 5 months. I love to be outside – walking, hiking, biking, etc.

1st Grade

1^st Grade Spanish & 5^th Grade Aide – Alicia Garavaglia

“It is a joy to work at a school where we can freely live out our faith and disciple our students as we engage with them.”

Fun Fact: “I was born and raised in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Everyone in my family has dual citizenship – 1 Bolivian, 3 Italians! Also, I have hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu twice.”

2nd Grade

2^nd Grade Aide – Kaila Van Cott

“WCGS profoundly changed my life 30 years ago as a student. I am looking forward to being a part of God’s continued work in the students and community of WCGS!”

Fun Fact: “When I was in 8th grade at WCGS, my basketball team got a school banner by winning the school’s first ever City Championship in any sport! Two other teammates, our coach, and a team manager are also currently WCGS parents.”

3rd Grade

3^rd Grade Teacher – Lilliana Coyle

“I am looking forward to teaching alongside staff and families who are committed to growing in their faith and passionate about education. I am excited to see how the Lord grows me as a believer and an educator by working at the Grammar School.”

Fun Fact: “I love to learn languages! I am currently studying Arabic and am conversational in Spanish. I have also lived in Egypt and studied in the Canary Islands. Despite these warmer climates, I really enjoy winter. I grew up in Minnesota and have learned to make the most of cold weather.”

4th Grade

4^th Grade Teacher – Elise Farrell

“I am most excited to share my faith through my teaching and to work alongside other believers. Having a community of Christians who can pour into me as I pour into the lives of students will be so life-giving!”

Fun Fact: “I love to go on fun travel adventures. My favorites were dog sledding on glaciers in Alaska and hiking with monkeys in the Amazon Rainforest!”

5th Grade

5^th Grade Teacher – Delaney Duffy

“I am most excited to teach and disciple students, helping them see Jesus in all things, and to continue getting to know the amazing WCGS community.”

Fun Fact: “I grew up as a missionary kid in Indonesia, and in my free time I love to do anything involving art, poetry, and songwriting.”

Jr. High

5^th – 8^th Grade Studio Art – Carly Aagaard

“I am excited to work at WCGS for many reasons, but I am most looking forward to getting to know the students and creating art together. I loved my time at WCGS as a student, and now that I have three daughters attending, I am thrilled to be a part of such a special community in a new and deeper way.”

Fun Fact: “I went skydiving in New Zealand and studied art in Italy. I had many unique pets growing up, including flying squirrels and a chinchilla.”

Jr. High English – Alyssa Hughes

“I am most excited about getting to know the students and working alongside all my amazing new coworkers.”

Fun Fact: “I love poetry and my favorite book of the Bible is Psalms. Also, I sometimes use three or more different mugs throughout the day based on my mood or the type of coffee/tea I’m having.”

Jr. High Science – Christel Bates

“Having had three children graduate from Wheaton Christian, it is a joy to be returning to the Wheaton Christian family. This is a special place! I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve the Lord and our WCGS families by exploring the character of our God through His beautiful creation and science.”

Fun Fact: “My oldest son recently got married, and our family is looking forward to having “Christmas in London” this year where my son Corbin and his wife Anna are missionaries.”

Faculty and Staff

Nurse – Rachel Austin

“What excites me most about working at Wheaton Christian Grammar School is being able to use my nursing skills for more than just caring for the physical needs of students. I am excited to encourage them spiritually and help them grow in their love for the Lord!”

Fun Fact: “I have two different colored eyes!”

Nurse-Karen Cherry

“I am most excited to work at WCGS because I’ve always loved the staff community here and loved that Mike worked here; so now I get to experience it for myself and use my nursing skills.”

Fun Fact: “I am 100% German. My mom was born and raised in Germany and my dad’s parents came over from Germany.”

Front Desk Associate- Carmela Keller

“What excites me most about working at Wheaton Christian Grammar School is the opportunity to continue serving a community that has meant so much to my family. Having already worked at WCGS as a recess supervisor, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the school has on students and families. I’m excited to step into this new role, build even more relationships and continue supporting the schools Christ-centered mission.”

Fun Fact: “I’m 100% Italian, a first-generation American and I speak Italian.”

Marketing Specialist- Varya Bazalev

“I’m excited to serve God and the WCGS community by continuing to creatively capture and share all the things that God is doing in this school!”

Fun Fact: “I speak Russian fluently and have been to 20 countries.”

Academic Specialist – Gwynyth Harris

“I am looking forward to being a part of a Godly community of educators!”

Fun Fact: “I just had a baby boy in January! And I am the oldest of 7 kids.”

Instructional Coach – Carleigh Schoenleber

Carleigh is a current school mom, a former teacher at WCGS, and currently teaches in the education department at Wheaton College.  She has her MA in Curriculum and Instruction and a doctorate in Teacher Leadership.  In addition to supporting our early career teachers, she will provide an extra layer of support in the area of curriculum.

New Role-Brenda Johnson

Brenda Johnson will be stepping into a new role next year as K-5 Dean of Students.  Brenda has a rich legacy of teaching, and we are thrilled that she will be helping to guide our K-5 student body in this role, offering additional care, support, and intervention.

New Role-John Koslosky

John Koslosky will be stepping into a new role next year as Jr. High Dean of Students.  He will continue with some of the responsibilities that Mike had, but also provide additional presence, support, and discipleship of our junior high students.  John will also continue in his role on our security team, working closely with our Security Officer.

New Role-Mary Waterman

Mary Waterman will be assuming a new role this year as K-5 Student Services Support.  In this role, Mary will come alongside Heather Van Wagner to support our teachers and students at the lower grade levels, especially those who have accommodation plans and require additional intervention.

New Role-Val Terdina

Val Terdina will continue in her current role in the Music Department but will also be teaching 6^th and 7^th grade Spanish.  She speaks Spanish fluently and has a degree in Spanish from Wheaton College.  Val currently teaches junior high students and has formed great connections with them, so we believe this will complement her role for next year well.

New Role-Carol Sartell

Carol Sartell will be transitioning from her role as a second-grade aide to this role as a kindergarten aide.  She will be working in half-day kindergarten, alongside Andrea Estabrook.  Prior to her role as an aide at WCGS, Carol taught preschool, so she is looking forward to working with some of the younger students again at our school.  We are grateful for her role over the last couple of years in second grade and are confident that this will be a great match for her in kindergarten next year!

Title Change-Shannon McDonald

We are grateful for Shannon McDonald and all the work she has done stepping into the Development Coordinator role the past year. Starting this academic year, Shannon McDonald’s role will be changed to Director of Advancement. Shannon has incredible relationships throughout our community and an eye for detail and excellence.  She loves the Lord and the mission of the school in a profound way.

As you can see, God has been at work in the details here at WCGS. We look forward to another school year of educating, training, and nurturing children for godliness and excellence equipping them to engage and transform their world for Jesus Christ!