Teachers & Staff

Say Hello to the New Hope Christian School Team

Laurie Prewitt - School Administrator & Preschool Teacher

Laurie started serving New Hope Ministries in 1988. She and her husband Jeff have three children. Laurie loves working with all ages of children, young to older! She loves flowers and gardening, and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.

Lose not things eternal.

Angela Cartwright - Business Manager

Angie joined the New Hope staff in 2015. She is married to her husband Brett, and they have three children. Angie loves spending time with her family, watching movies, and playing games.

Thankful, grateful, and content.

Lyndsay Zuleger - Preschool Too Teacher

Lyndsay joined the NHCS staff in 2023. She and her husband, Mike, have three boys and a sweet puppy named Sophie. Together, they enjoy going up north to visit family, swimming and being on the water, doing puzzles, and watching birds and wildlife. They love cheering on their favorite sports teams, but most of all, Lyndsay enjoys the simple, quality time she has with her family.

"Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

Elizabeth Gossman - Preschool Too Teacher

Liz joined the NHCS staff in 2023. She and her husband Matt have four children. They enjoy spending time together, and being outdoors as a family.

"Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Lauren Machonga - Preschool Paraprofessional

Lauren joined the NHCS staff in 2023. Lauren and her husband Bryson have three daughters. She loves to be with her family and extended family, exploring new places, reading her Bible and trying delicious food.

Glorify God and further His Kingdom.

Emily Urban - Kindergarten Teacher

Emily joined the New Hope staff in 2003. She is married to her husband Chad, and they have three children. She enjoys reading and time with her family - being on the lake, going for walks, watching movies, and playing games!

God is for you!

Rissa Pierce - Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Rissa joined the NHCS staff in 2021. She and her husband Matt have three children. Rissa loves spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, and going on new adventures.

God is in control.

Marcie Kramer - 1st Grade Teacher

Marcie joined the NHCS staff in 2000. She and her husband Kurt have one daughter. Marcie enjoys spending time with her family - biking, being on the lake, and going to sporting events. She is honored each and every day to teach and learn with the first graders at New Hope!

What a blessing children are!

Krista Wise - 1st Grade Paraprofessional

Krista joined the NHCS staff in 2010. She and her husband Chris have four children, all alumni of NHCS. In her free time, Krista can be found gardening, reading, enjoying a great meal around the dinner table, or hanging out in her back yard.

Grit & Grace

Sarah Vogel - 2nd Grade Teacher

Sarah joined the New Hope staff in 2010. Sarah and her husband Ken have one son, Beau, and a labradoodle named Toby. She enjoys sending greeting cards and seeing Needtobreathe in concert.

Love wins!

Cam Bedroske - 2nd Grade Paraprofessional

Cam joined the NHCS staff in 2014. She and her husband love spending time with their adult children and two grandchildren. Cam enjoys making music, being outside, and going to live concerts!

Each day... a Gift!

Brittany Jonas - 3rd Grade Teacher

Brittany joined the NHCS staff in 2022. She and her husband Brad have two children and a mini Goldendoodle. Brittany enjoys going up north, running, paddleboarding, watching Wisconsin sports teams, and spending time with family.

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Valerie Guy - 3rd Grade Paraprofessional

Valerie joined the NHCS staff in 2023. Prior to this, she spent over 35 years providing instruction to children with hearing loss. Valerie is busy as a caregiver for her parents. She enjoys numerous volunteer activities, and spending time with her friends and her fur baby, Kiaya.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Nicole Prentice - 4th Grade Teacher

Nicole joined the NHCS staff in 2018. She and her husband Scott have three children. Nicole loves spending time with family and friends, cooking, playing games, being outside, and taking their lively golden retriever, Piper, for walks!

Cherish every moment!

Barb Bergner - 4th Grade Paraprofessional

Barb joined the NHCS staff in 1999. She and her husband Pat have four children. Barb enjoys hiking, baking, attending Christian concerts, reading, and watching a good movie. Barb also loves to travel and spend time with her children and grandchildren!

Christ wants to be your best friend!

Kteile Smith - Paraprofessional

Kteile joined the NHCS staff in 2022. She and her husband Jackson have four children. Kteile loves spending time with her family, which often includes several puppies as they enjoy breeding and caring for new litters from their goldendoodle, Joy.

"When one door closes another opens. But often we look so long so regretfully upon the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us." -Hellen Keller

Amanda Bergner - 5th Grade Homebase Teacher & K-8th Grade Spiritual Wellness, Guidance, and Spanish Teacher

Amanda joined the NHCS staff in 2017. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling and trying new things! Amanda has a growing passion for exploring, seeking God, and raising awareness of social justice both locally and internationally.

Show God's love and kindness every day.

Jeremy Hanson - 5th-8th Grade Social Studies & K-8th Grade PE Teacher

Jeremy joined the NHCS staff in 2021. He is married to his wife Leah, and they have two sons. Jeremy enjoys reading, camping, fishing, hiking, and anything else outside.

Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours.

Sam Diemel - 5th-8th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Sam is a New Hope Christian School alumnus, who started teaching at the school in 2021. She likes to hang out with her family, spend time outside, and read.

"I try all things, I achieve what I can." -Herman Melville

Kami Kersten - 5th-8th Grade Science & Math Teacher

Kami joined the NHCS staff in 2009. She and her husband have two daughters, and as a family they love to play games, watch movies, and cheer on their favorite sports teams!

We are each unique image-bearers of Christ.

Katie Vechart - Middle School Math Assistant

Katie joined the NHCS staff in 2016. She and her husband Josh have one busy toddler, Henry, and a loving lapdog, Lucy. Katie enjoys spending time with family, going on adventures, relaxing up North, taking pictures, and playing musical instruments and board games.

Bloom where you are planted.

Nichole Arnoldussen - Art Teacher & Middle School Paraprofessional

Nichole joined the NHCS staff in 2008. She and her husband Josh have two sons. Nichole enjoys spending time with her friends and going on adventures with her family in God's beautiful world!

Live life to the fullest!

Julie Handwerker - Music Teacher

Julie has been teaching music at NHCS since 2021. She enjoys family time with her husband and three children, camping, running, knitting, reading, and making music.

Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong.

Amy Pankow - Computer Lab & Library Teacher

Amy joined the NHCS staff in 2022. She and her husband Andrew have three young children at New Hope, with a baby on the way! Amy enjoys her quiet time with the Lord and spending time in God's creation with her family, especially hiking and tent camping. She also loves reading, knitting, gardening, baking, and sending 'snail mail' to dear friends.

Trust and Obey.

Nicole Claffey - Occupational Therapist

Nicole joined the NHCS staff in 2021. She and her husband Mike have two children. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and cooking.

Don't just count your blessings. Be the blessing people count on.

Caitlin Ryan - Speech-Language Pathologist

Caitlin joined the NHCS staff in 2022. She and her husband Andrew have three children. Caitlin enjoys spending time and creating memories with family, running, playing volleyball and soccer, watching movies, and traveling.

"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

Liz Besset - Barton Reading Specialist & Paraprofessional

Liz joined the NHCS staff in 2021. She and her husband Ryan have three children and two mischievous cats. Liz enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, and taking road trip adventures to explore new places!

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." -Frederick Douglas

Amber Creamer - Barton Reading Specialist & Paraprofessional

Amber joined the NHCS staff in 2022. She and her husband Aaron have two daughters and two cats. They love spending time as a family, whether it is playing a game, hiking, watching movies, reading, or enjoying time with other family and friends.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Chad Urban - Athletic Director

Chad joined the NHCS staff in 2004. He and his wife Emily have three children. Chad enjoys hanging out with his family and playing sports. Their favorite family getaway is at the zoo!

Every child is a child of God.

Emily Runnoe - Extended Care Coordinator

Emily joined the NHCS staff in 2019. She and her husband Blake have a dog named Tabbers. Emily loves to spend time with her family, and enjoys watching a good movie!

God isn't a religion, it's a relationship.

Deb Bernhardt - Staff Child Care

Deb, lovingly called Oma by the children, joined the NHCS staff in 2008. She and her husband Ken have four children and nine grandchildren. Deb enjoys taking pictures of NHCS events, and spending time with her grandchildren!

God's blessings to you and yours.

Jen Charles - Staff Child Care

Jen joined the NHCS staff in 2013. She and her husband Faulkner have four boys who have attended NHCS since preschool. Jen loves spending time with her family, watching and playing sports, and attending various sporting events.

Trust God.

James Bernhardt - Extended Care & Staff Child Care

James joined the NHCS staff in 2022. He enjoys making plants grow, and spends his free time creating beauty with his hands and voice to glorify God. James' mission is to edify, encourage, and inspire as many people as he can.

Do your best and let God do the rest.

Ken Bernhardt - Custodian

Ken joined the NHCS staff in 2014. He and his wife Deb have four children and nine grandchildren. Ken and Deb worship at New Hope Church, and enjoy watching their grandchildren as they are involved in many activities. He also loves fixing things around the house!

God's not done with me yet!



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