Headmaster

Mr. David Goodwin holds a Bachelors of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Masters of Business Administration from Boise State University.  He has been involved with the Academy since its first year of operation in 1995 and accepted the post as Headmaster in 2004.  He and his wife have three children.

K-6 Principal & Academic Dean

Mr. William Stutzman holds a Bachelors in English Literature from the University of Idaho and a Masters in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Mr. Stutzman accepted a teaching position at the Academy in 2002, and entered administration in 2005.  He and his wife have three children.

Dean of Students

Mr. David Hardesty graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Political Science. He also received a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Seminary. Before joining the staff, he taught for seven years at Christian schools and pastored for more that two decades. Currently, he teaches 8th grade for the Academy. He and his wife have been married 16 years.

Admissions Director & Office Manager

Mrs. Susan Herrick

Registrar

Mrs. Lisa Black

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Debbie Skinner

Kindergarten

Mrs. Anita Merkle holds a B.A. with honors from Idaho State University. She has taught kindergarten for 30 years, the last seven of which have been with Foundations Academy. She brings with her a wealth of experience, a love of students, and an appreciation for the high academic, behavioral, and spiritual standards of the school.

Mrs. Julie Moy received a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education at the University of Idaho. In addition, she has completed graduate studies in Teacher Mentoring and Pre-school Special Education. She was an educational consultant for behavioral and academic needs at the University of Idaho. Mrs. Moy taught kindergarten and was a vice principal at Cole Valley before coming to Foundations. Her experience and style add abundantly to the classroom.

1st Grade

Mrs. Barbara Daniel has taught at Foundations Academy for 6 years, where her innate gift for teaching has touched many students. She taught at Maranatha Christian School before joining Foundations. She enjoys being able to incorporate a Biblical worldview and use the classical method in all her teaching.

Mrs. Lisa Irving holds a BS in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. After homeschooling her children, she substituted for Foundations Academy, and is now in her third year of full-time teaching bringing her natural teaching talent and belief in classical education to her students.

2nd Grade

Mrs. Terryl Liimakka holds a BS in Elementary Education with Minors in History and Spanish from the University of Idaho. She has also received credits from NNU, BSU, and Whitworth. She has taught for almost 10 years, and has been with Foundations for 3 years. Her four children also attend the school. At Foundations she enjoys the rigorous education, the parental support, and being able to incorporate God freely in all aspects of her teaching.

Mrs. Chris Householder holds an associates degree from the College of Southern Idaho, and has received credits from Idaho State University. She has been a substitute teacher for 5 years, including 3 years at Foundations, before Foundations requested she bring her natural teaching talent to the school. She is in her first year of teaching at Foundations, and enjoys working where she believes in all that is being taught.

3rd Grade

Mrs. Bessie Davis holds a BA in Elementary Education from Idaho State University, and an AA from the College of Southern Idaho. She has also received credits from BSU. She has been with Foundations Academy for 10 years, and enjoys teaching and learning from her students.

Ms. Melissa Owings holds a BS in Criminal Justice from the University of Idaho, and a BA in Elementary Education from Boise State University. She has taught for 8 years, including the last 5 at Foundations. She appreciates the reverence for education and commitment to learning that permeates the school.

4th Grade

Mr. Mike Daniel holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Central Washington University. He has also earned credits from U of I, BSU, and Antioch University. He has taught for 19 years (including a year in the Dominican Republic), and has been with Foundations Academy for 10 years, enjoying and contributing to the supportive atmosphere at the school.

Mr. Jonathan Greif holds a BS in Biology, a BA in History, and a Minor in Philosophy from Boise State University, as well as a certificate for teaching English as a second language. He taught ESL classes at Boise State for two years before joining Foundations Academy. He believes strongly in the classical model and hopes to bring its benefits to the students in his classroom each day.

5th Grade

Ms. Melody Herrick holds a BA in Liberal Arts. She has also received a Bible Certificate from the Master’s College and credits in various classes from BSU. Melody is in her second year of teaching at Foundations, and appreciates working where she believes in the vision and educational philosophy.

Mr. Zach Brown holds a BA in English Linguistics with a Minor in Latin Language and Literature from Boise State University. He taught Latin for Foundations Academy before becoming a full-time teacher this year. He was a youth pastor for three years before beginning his career as a teacher. He desires to make an impact daily on the lives of his students.

6th Grade

Mrs. Carla Tracy homeschooled her four children for many years before becoming involved in Foundations Academy as a substitute teacher. She has since joined our staff as a full-time teacher. She has been a permanent staff member for two years. Three of her children are currently in the school, and her son graduated in St. Ambrose Christian High School's first graduating class.

Mr. Todd Gabriel holds a BA in Communication from Boise State University. He is currently in his 2nd year at the school, where he shares his gifts of teaching and mentoring, and desires to see his students grow in the way of leadership and Christian values each day.

Grades 7-9

Mrs. Debbie Bonde holds a BA in English Literature and American Studies from Albertsons College of Idaho, an MA in American Studies from Washing State University, and Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. She taught at the college level for many years, as well as working with various businesses in workforce training. She enjoys the true sense of mission and teamwork she shares with parents and staff at the school, and enjoys bringing literature alive to her students each day.

Grades 9-12

Mrs. Bobbie Post holds a BA in Social Sciences from Seattle Pacific University, graduating Cum Laude, and an MA in Reading and Literacy from City University, with Honors. She homeschooled for 7 years, was a substitute teacher for 2 years, and a Jr. High teacher for 3 years. She is currently in her first year at St. Ambrose.

Grades 7-9

Mr. Todd Gabriel holds a BA in Communication from Boise State University. He is currently in his 2nd year at the school, where he shares his gifts of teaching and mentoring, and desires to see his students grow in the way of leadership and Christian values each day.

Science & Math

Mr. Ken Hosier holds a BS in Biology with Minors in Chemistry and Zoology from the University of Idaho, and an MA in teaching from George Fox University. Before coming to the school, he worked as an organic chemist at a local lab. He is in his third year of teaching at St. Ambrose. He also brings 10 years of coaching experience to St. Ambrose. He enjoys sharing his passion for science and Christ, and helping young men and women develop into servants of God.

Math

Ms. Melissa Bent holds a BS in Mathematics from Boise State University and a BAS as a Computer Service Technician from Selland College. She taught 3 classes at Boise State University and worked as a math tutor for 5 years before joining St. Ambrose. She has taught at St. Ambrose for two years.

Greek

Ms. Sheila Swartz shares her love of and expertise in the Greek language with her students at St. Ambrose. She also speaks Spanish and has studied Hebrew. She received her Certificate of Biblical Studies (a 3-year course) from Cole Center for Biblical Studies, and taught Greek there before joining St. Ambrose. She loves teaching Greek and seeing her students grow in reason and learning.

Grades 7-9

Mrs. Anita Wasdahl holds a BA in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University.  Before joining us, she taught a group of homeschool students Latin for several years and taught part-time at a Christian school in San Diego.  She holds a multiple-subject Teaching credential.  Since 2005, she has taught Latin and 7th grade Letters at the Academy.

Science and Science Lab

Mr. Larry Grant holds a B.S. in Science from Bradley University and a B.S. in Medicine from the University of Illinois. He taught various grades from 3rd grade through 7th grade for 46 years, and has participated in Homeschool programs in science education. He has been with Foundations Academy for 6 years, where he works to share his love and knowledge of science and Jesus Christ with his students.

Music and Drama

Mrs. Mollie Ingram Petty holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Arts, with emphasis in Directing and Theatre for Youth, from Northwestern University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She also holds a BA in Theatre Arts. She is a resident company member of Opera Idaho, and was previously a Drama School and Camp Shakespeare instructor with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. She has been sharing her talent with Foundations for 2 years.

Teaching assistant

Mrs. Lori Richter has been a teacher’s aide for the 1st and 2nd grades for two years. She has a BS in Political Science from the University of California at Davis. Before coming to Foundations, she homeschooled two of her three children and was a substitute teacher. She enjoys all the students, working with the teachers and meeting the wonderful parents.

Teaching assistant & college advisor

Mrs. D'Ann Zickau homeschooled her children for 14 years before coming to Foundations Academy. She has three children, two attending Foundations. She teaches grammar and spelling in the fifth grade, guides a first grade reading group, and coaches a pre-algebra class for sixth and seventh grades. In addition to her teaching duties, she is the school's testing coordinator and she serves as the high school's college advisor. Her desire is to use her gifts of teaching and help shape our precious students into diligent servants of Christ in all they do.