Administrative
Mrs. Theresa Hafstad
Head of School | Kindergarten
What I love most about CCA is that the class sizes are small. This makes it easier for teachers to really know their students and help them in areas they struggle and push them in areas they excel. The favorite part of my day is first thing in the morning when the day is new and fresh and the anticipation of the amazing things that could happen today! I love books!!! I don't want to hurt other books' feelings by choosing just one!
thafstad@calvarystcloud.org
Jacque Gleisner
Administrative Assistant
I am so thankful my own children get to experience the great classical education they provide here at Calvary Classical Academy. I personally help facilitate CCA in many various ways, including but not limited to office work and substitute teaching.
jgleisner@calvarystcloud.org
Grammar School
Mrs. Theresa Hafstad
Head of School | Kindergarten
What I love most about CCA is that the class sizes are small. This makes it easier for teachers to really know their students and help them in areas they struggle and push them in areas they excel. The favorite part of my day is first thing in the morning when the day is new and fresh and the anticipation of the amazing things that could happen today! I love books!!! I don't want to hurt other books' feelings by choosing just one!
thafstad@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Joy Barrett
First & Second Grades
This is my second opportunity to teach part-time at CCA. I previously taught in public schools in both Minnesota and North Dakota. What I love most about CCA are the students—each one a precious gift from God. I consider it an honor and a privilege to partner with parents in teaching and guiding their children. One of my favorite children’s books this year is The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill, and a recent favorite adult read is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi.
jbarret@calvarystcloud.org
Miss. Annika Anderson
First and Second Grades
I am so excited to be working with the CCA family this year! I love that CCA has a strong Christian environment and small class sizes. This allows for friendships and mentorships to occur across grade levels. I delight in the students at CCA and especially love watching them make discoveries in the classroom. It often reminds me of the need for wonder in our own lives. And while I love so many books, my favorite children's series is The Mysterious Benedict Society!
Mrs. Steph Theis
Third & Fourth Grades
I am excited to be a part of the CCA family. I look forward to getting to know each of the students, especially those in my classroom. It has already been a blessing to join the staff and see the gifts that God has given each person being used to bring Him glory. One of my favorite books is Death by Living by N.D. Wilson. I tried to read it out loud to my husband Mitch and I laughed so hard I cried in Chapter 4.
stheis@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Shannon Trunk
Fifth & Sixth Grades
What I love about classical education is its thoroughly methodical, holistic interconnectedness, subject to subject. As a former private music teacher, the classical model speaks to me on many levels. It is a beautifully intuitive model for effectively imparting information to children! I have a long-time love of teaching elementary children especially; I delight in their curiosity and questions (even the seemingly random ones)! My favorite book, as well as one of my great inspirations as a teacher, is Anne of Green Gables. “Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world.”
strunk@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Christy Freeman
Music & Chapel Worship
A fresh new year! I love the energy that comes at the start of each year, new faces, and the excitement of the returning students. Also, seeing and hearing the students learn and grow in their love for music.
cfreeman@calvarystcloud.org
Secondary School
Mrs. Petra Borchert
Secondary School
Omnibus, Algebra, Earth Science, and Latin
I love the collaboration, dedication, and devotion between the parents, students, and staff here at CCA cultivating strong faith in young people. Having worked in the corporate world and taught in a public school, coming to teach at CCA is a breath of fresh air with God's Word studied openly in all classes, songs filling the halls during transitions, and prayers offered up before each session. I count it an honor and blessing to be serving as a teacher to secondary students in Omnibus, Math, Science, and Latin. My favorite word-sentence is "WHY?" and my favorite books include "Here's Looking at Euclid: A Surprising Excursion through the Astonishing World of Math" by Alex Bellos, and "Ella Minnow Pea : A Novel in Letters" by Mark Dunn. May curiosity drive you to always seek the greatness of God.
Miss. Cassandra Raff
Secondary School
Grammar and Omnibus
I’m teaching Grammar and Omnibus to secondary students this year. One of my favorite things about CCA is that God’s word is at the center of all that we do. Whether it’s digging into a Greek tragedy or discovering why verbs are important, it’s such a blessing to see the students be able to make the connection of doing it all for God’s glory. Seeing the students start to understand a concept is one of my favorite things about teaching. It’s so fun to see their growth and be able to celebrate that with them! My absolute favorite book is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I must read it at least once a year, and by now, could probably recite it from memory!
Mrs. Grace Kvanvig
Math, Science, Rhetoric & Logic
My favorite thing about CCA is the pervasiveness of God's Word throughout the day. I love encouraging my students to dig into Scripture in science, logic, and math classes, and I see how it grounds them (and me!) to encounter truth in a variety of ways. It's been a blessing to teach with and learn from the staff at CCA; it's truly a family. My favorite book is The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton, and I reread it every year!
gkvanvig@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Olivia Langley
Writing, Latin, Language Arts & Grammar
It is very hard to choose just one thing I like about CCA, but I love the "light-bulb" moments in the classroom when students "get it" and want to explore more and ask more questions. I love being a lead learner. My favorite part of my day is standing in front of my Latin class and seeing the effects of training another generation of young minds to see the world through a language that shaped Western culture. My favorite book is "Emma" by Jane Austen. Emma Woodhouse is a witty, inquisitive, refreshingly-imperfect heroine, and I see much of myself in her.
olangley@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Abby Vollmer
Omnibus
I love the students and staff of CCA. I especially like how we encourage each other to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! My favorite part of the day is when I get to work one on one with students or when students are collaborating with each other. I love to see students encourage and support one another. Two of my favorite books are "This Side of Paradise" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck.
avollmer@calvarystcloud.org
Mr. Mark Pelham
Math & Logic I
I’m passionate about helping students appreciate the wonders of God’s creation and understand His character through it. With a background as a retired fisheries biologist at the Minnesota DNR and degrees in Biology and Ecology from Iowa State, I’m dedicated to fostering both intellectual and spiritual growth. My goal is to guide students into becoming mature disciples of Jesus, and as I begin my fourth year of teaching here, I can’t help but wish my own kids had such a fantastic educational option. My wife and I live in Sartell and are active members of Calvary
mpelham@calvarystcloud.org
Mrs. Julie Mertz
Home Economics
From the first day that I walked into CCA, I could tell it was a special place. After spending time there interacting with the teachers and the students, I saw what makes it so special--it is a work of God, His school. Every year He faithfully provides all that is necessary for the school: the facility, the finances, the staff and the students. He does this so CCA can be a light to the St. Cloud area. As a teacher, it is exciting to be part of this work that God has begun, where He is taught, honored and glorified every day. My "favorite" book tends to be the one I am reading at the moment, which is True Spirituality by Francis Schaeffer.
jmertz@calvarystcloud.org
Pastor Blake Burton
Secondary School
Bible
Blake serves as the Adult Pastor at Calvary Community Church. He first came to Calvary in 2006 while attending St. Cloud State University and began volunteering with the Student Ministry, where he felt called into pastoral ministry. After earning his degree, he worked as a financial analyst while pursuing his M.Div. in Biblical Counseling through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in 2019. He joined Calvary’s pastoral staff in 2023. Blake and his wife, Kayleen, have been married since 2011 and enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, and CrossFit. Blake is a food enthusiast on a quest for Minnesota’s best cheeseburger.
blake@calvarystcloud.org
