Staff
Mike Cuckler, Head Administrator
Mike Cuckler is a Pensacola Christian College graduate and has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies. Mike has been involved in Christian education for seven years, serves as our Head Administrator, Jr/Sr High Principal and also teaches Jr. High Bible class. You can reach Mike at mcuckler@heritagechristian.info
Brian Ness, K-6 Principal
Brian Ness has been in education for 16 years in the Fort Collins area. After graduating from Colorado State University, he worked at Choice City Christian School for ten years as teacher, coach, athletic director and administrator. Brian has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. He currently serves as HCA K-6 Elementary Principal and teaches P.E. You can reach Brian at bness@heritagechristian.info.
Patricia Hahn, Academic Administrator
A 1972 graduate of Chadron State College, Patricia Hahn has been involved in Christian education for nearly thirty years, serving in both teaching and administrative roles during that time. The history classes she teaches are considered legendary by former students, and her wealth of knowledge with Christian curriculum make Patricia’s role as Academic Administrator critical as the school strives toward academic excellence. You can reach Patricia via email at phahn@heritagechristian.info
ELEMENTARY
Kindergarten – Mrs. Jeanette Drees
BS Liberal Studies, California Polytechnic State University
Has taught for 13 years
Has taught for 11 years at Heritage
Her three children all graduated from Heritage
Pre-Kindergarten – Rhonda Howeth
B.S.E. from Quachita Baptist University
Currently working towards a Master’s Degree
Has taught 8 years
Has taught at Heritage since 2006
Home missionary with the North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention
1st Grade — Teri Beaver
Bachelor of Education from the University of Northern Colorado
Master’s Degree in Whole Learning from Regis University
Certificate in Theology from Theological Education Institute
Has taught for 17 years
Has taught at Heritage since 2005
Author of The Author’s Profile: Assessing Writing in Context
Has one daughter attending Heritage
2nd Grade – Doyleen Miller
B.A. Education from Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe, KS
Has taught for 18 years and has been at Heritage since 2001.
3rd – Mrs. Lori Merkley
B.A. Elementary/Middle School Education from the University of Northern Colorado
Has taught at Heritage since 2003
Has two sons who attend Heritage, James and David
4th – Mrs. Denise Pogue
B.S. Child Development from Colorado State University
Teaching Certificate - Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado
Has taught 12 years
Has taught at Heritage since 1999
5th – Mrs. Nancy Chambers
B.S. in Education from University of Illinois
M.A in Education from University of Illinois
Has taught 22 years
Has taught at Heritage since 1999
Studied one semester in England, Elementary Education
Had one son graduate from Heritage, Eric-2006, and one daughter graduate from Heritage, Bethany-2008
6th – Mr. Russ Bruxvoort
BA in Youth Ministry from Colorado Christian University
MA in Biblical Studies from Denver Seminary
MA in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University
Currently in his 5th year of teaching
Has taught high school and junior high school social studies, Bible and language arts
Has 3 children at Heritage, Kyla, Jakob, and Seth
Music-Mrs. Myra Emslie
B.A. in Religion and Sociology from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine
Master’s of Divinity from Beacon University
Has taught for 27 years
Has taught at Heritage since 1987
SECONDARY
English – Mrs. Liz Pike
B.S. Social Justice from Montana State University
M.S. Counselor of Education from the University of Wyoming
Has taught at Heritage since 2001
Had two sons graduate from Heritage, Levi: 2004, Sam: 2006
English – Mrs. Heather Smith
Business Administration degree from George Fox University
Master of Education from Montana State University
Has been teaching at Heritage since 2004
English – Mrs. Miriam Balderson
Bachelor of Education University of Nebraska
Has taught at Heritage Christian since 2001
Math – Mr. Lon Holder
BS in Physics from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN.
MA in theology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL.
Served for 20 years as an officer in the US Air Force, as a pilot and flight instructor.
He has taught math and Bible at Heritage Christian since 2005.
Has a son, Joseph, and daughter, Michelle, attending Heritage
Math – Mr. Gary Wright
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of Kansas
Master’s degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary
Has taught at Heritage Christian high school since 2003
Taught several years in college while a graduate student.
20 years on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Science – Mrs. Janette Lewis
B.S. in Science Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University
Has taught at Heritage Christian since 2004
Has two daughters, Elisa and Carissa, and a son, Josh, attending Heritage
Science – Mrs. Kathy Gregory
B.S. from Arizona State
Masters for Instruction from Colorado State University
Has taught for 18 years
Has been teaching at Heritage since 2002
Two daughters have graduated from Heritage, Courtney:2006 and Deanna:2008.
Bible—Mr. Curt Martin
B.A. Bible from Biola University
M.A. Apologetics froom Tyndale Seminary
Education Degree from San Diego University
Has taught for 21 years
Foreign Language—Mrs. Trisha Schutzius
B.A. in French and Spanish from California State University–Bakersfield
Has been teaching for ten years
Music/Band—Mrs. Kari Fedde
B.A. in K-12 music education from Augusta College, Sioux Falls, SD
Has taught at Heritage Christian since 2002
Music director at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Has two sons, Kevin and Cameron, attending Heritage
Yearbook—Mrs. Julie Weilert
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with emphasis in graphic design
from the University of Kansas.
Taught High School art at Heritage 2001-2004
Teaches yearbook journalism at Heritage, 2004-present.
2006 Yearbook won first place in the K-12 school division from the ACSI Rocky Mountain Regional yearbook competition.
2007 Yearbook won the Judge’s Choice, over all winner, of the ACSI Rocky Mountain Regional yearbook competition.
Had two sons graduate from Heritage, Ben:2004, Tim:2007. One son, Dan attending Heritage
K-12 Art—Mrs. Christine Hansen
Degree in Early Childhood Education at Kansas State University
Degree from Colorado State University with an emphasis in graphic design
Has taught art at Heritage Christian since 2001
Spends studio time oil painting and drawing with pastels.
OFFICE STAFF
Joli Garcia - Finance
Stephanie Belmarez - Front Desk