Amanda Benson is HCA’s Elementary Art Teacher. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts/Art and Humanities/Spanish. She has worked with children through teaching school and leading as Children’s Ministry Director in her church for the last twelve years. She has a true passion for children and empathy is a strength of hers as she shepherds them. Mrs. Benson believes the opportunity to guide children with God’s love through the creative process of art is a calling and mission for her life. 

Baily Welz is one of HCA’s third grade teachers. She is passionate about Christian education and instilling a love of learning while helping children to see who they are in Christ. She strives to be a willing vessel for God to work in and through. 

Baily graduated from UCCS with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Prior to her family coming to Heritage in 2024, she homeschooled her children for 10 years. She is married to Josh, and together they have seven children, three of whom are adopted, and all currently attend HCA.

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Monica Sheppard is the Kitchen Coordinator, Aftercare Coordinator, as well as HCA’s Librarian. She attended Colorado State University, worked at a daycare, and trained under a pastry chef!  Mrs. Sheppard started working in the food service industry at the age of 14, has worked with children her whole life, and has been a part of Heritage since 2002. In her free time, she is passionate about hosting and participating in Bible studies.  Her favorite part of working at HCA is getting to know the students better, and being able to pray with them!

For over twenty years, Mrs. Silvestri has been a music educator. She has directed children’s vocal choirs and specializes in conducting and ringing in English Handbell choirs.

Mrs. Silvestri holds music degrees from Colorado State University (M.A. in Music Education- Kodály emphasis), and Oberlin Conservatory (B.A. in Music Education-with a minor in vocal performance). She has completed her Kodály and Orff Certificates as well as Orff Master Class Certification. Mrs. Silvestri has taught elementary music in Southern and Northern Colorado school districts, served as a district music mentor in Poudre School district, been a university coach for student teaching placements with Colorado State University, and presented at multiple conferences throughout Colorado.

In addition to teaching music, Mrs. Silvestri has the privilege of leading women in bible study using the Precept Upon Precept inductive method. She has served as the Cubbies director in the AWANA International club, as well as joining with local musicians in leading worship at church.

AndeeLynn Doane is HCA’s Sixth Grade Teacher. Mrs. Doane started teaching in 2015. She has taught in both the collegiate and secondary levels of education, and has served as an elementary and middle school Track and Field coach for five years. She is new to the HCA family this year.

Mrs. Doane is a 25-year U.S. Air Force veteran.  She performed a variety of duties while on active duty, some of which included Associate Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of New Mexico and Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Upon her retirement from active duty, Mrs. Doane taught 11th and 12th grade U.S History and Bible at a Christian school in Albuquerque, NM. Mrs. Doane is married to a U.S. Air Force helicopter pilot and has two children and one grandchild. Mrs. Doane holds a Master of Education degree in Teaching and Learning History, a Bachelor of Arts degrees in German Studies and History, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Mrs. Doane’s favorite part of teaching is connecting with students and sharing her love of learning. Through the evident work of the Holy Spirit, Mrs. Doane was led to a career in Christian education.

Mrs. Doane and her family love the great outdoors. Whether it is skiing, hiking, or golfing, the Doane Family is rarely to be found inside. In addition to her many hobbies, Mrs. Doane spends a considerable amount of time coaching and watching her daughter compete in volleyball and track and field.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Michal Packard is HCA’s 5th grade teacher. Before she was seven years old she realized she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. She wanted to be a teacher. Her stuffed animals were her first students. She didn’t have any behavior issues.

Both her parents were teachers until retirement age. She is originally from Southern California, but has lived in Fort Collins since 2003. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Language Arts, at Arkansas State University where she played Division 1 Volleyball. She loves being a teacher. Her favorite thing is to make learning fun for kids.

She has three sons Eddie, Charlie, and Matthew. Her entire family is here at HCA. Her husband, Joe, is the Athletic Director and does a few other things around HCA. She has been teaching 5th grade since 2020.

She loves being a teacher at HCA for so many reasons. At the top of the list of reasons that teaching fills her cup is because of the team aspect that teaching provides. She views herself as part of a team that is together, helping raise kids into being decent humans in this world and a person that leads with love and service to others. She believes we have the most perfect example in Jesus Christ. When a child gets asked what they want to be when they grow up, she teaches kids to say that they want to be whatever God is preparing them to be. It is her greatest joy to walk kids toward the Light of the World.

Devon Smith is HCA’s Fourth Grade Teacher. Mrs. Smith started teaching in 2001. She has taught in both the public and private sectors on and off since then. She has been at HCA since 2022.  

Mrs. Smith is married to an Air Force helicopter pilot and has four children; her two daughters are current students at HCA, her youngest son is an alumnus, and her oldest son lives and works in Washington.  She has taught in 5 different states and moved 14 times since being married in 2001. Mrs. Smith grew up in Germany where she spent 14 years of her life. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in German, and a Master of Teaching degree is Early Childhood Education. She holds a professional license with ACSI.  

Mrs. Smith’s favorite part of teaching is helping students develop their love and faith in Christ. She was led to Christian education in 2017 after staying home for 10 years to raise her children. Her passion has been found in Christian education.  

When Mrs. Smith is not teaching or attending her children’s MANY sporting events, she loves to spend time with her husband and children. As a family, the Smith’s spend their winters on the slopes and their summers on the lake.  

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it. 

Sherry Walker is one of HCA’s 3rd grade teachers. She has been married since 2000 and is the mother of two adorable children. Mrs. Walker was a primary teacher in the public school system for 14 years. She spent 10 years at home when her children were small and has been at HCA since 2021. Mrs. Walker loves witnessing “a ha!” moments with kids and has found out it is a huge privilege to be given the opportunity to share her faith and pray with her students. She enjoys playing piano and reading when alone. Plus, she loves hiking with her husband, learning about chickens with her son, and baking with her daughter.

Heidi Anderson is HCA’s 2nd grade teacher. She is originally from Fort Collins.  She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Elementary Education.  She is passionate about the LORD, her family, and children.  Heidi is married to a loving, kind, strong, and tenderhearted man- Russ Anderson.  Together they have three children:  Kaylee, Levi and Josiah- the treasures of their lives.  They love sports (watching kids play), camping, 4-H and all the adventures the LORD has taken them on.  Her life verse is Isaiah 41:10- “Do not fear for I am with you.  Do not be afraid for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  She is so grateful for God’s endless grace and goodness in her life.  He is good!!

Kelly Curnutt is HCA’s first grade teacher. She is originally from California, then lived in Southern Utah for 10 years before moving to Colorado in 2014. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado Christian University in Early Childhood Education. Kelly has experienced teaching students in Kindergarten up to 4th grade, and has found her heart is truly in first grade!

Kelly is deeply passionate about the Lord, her family, and her animals. Kelly is married to her husband, Jason, and in addition to managing a classroom of first graders, she manages a home of family members that include three sons, one daughter, two dogs, and three bunnies.

Kelly and her family are big sports fans (Go Avs and Go Giants!) and spend most of their weekends cheering on their kids in baseball, hockey, and gymnastics, or traveling with their camper on family adventures.

Kelly is actively involved in her church and with her church family. Kelly and her husband served on a missions trip to Guatemala in 2017 and she is looking forward to serving on an upcoming missions trip to Peru in 2024!

Kelly feels so blessed to be part of the Heritage Christian Academy family where her school-age kids also attend (elementary through high school). Kelly is dedicated to living out the word of God and excited to see the impact God has on Heritage students!