Head of School

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Ellen and her husband, Travis, live in Sioux Falls with their five children. She has homeschooled her children for the last 13 years, and she is passionate about classical Christian education. Her passion began when she was introduced to this approach in 2014 and dove in with her oldest. She continues to seek out opportunities to learn more through trainings, classes, and books. She is excited to be back at Covenant Classical. 

Ellen and her family are members at Emmaus Road Church and have been attending since 2014. In her free time, she loves being with her husband and children, baking gluten-free goodies, reading and researching, and drinking coffee.

Kelsey and her husband, Mitch, live in Sioux Falls and have three sons. She graduated from Augustana in 2017 with an elementary education degree. She has experience teaching in kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade. Most recently she has been home with her three boys Elijah, Liam, and Graham for the past five years. Kelsey is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of Covenant Classical School. She and her husband are members at Emmaus Road Church. In her free time she loves to be outside with her boys, baking, or gardening.

Isabel and her husband Nick live in Sioux Falls. They have three wonderful children. 

Isabel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught at a dual-language school in Omaha for several years, and then at a Classical Christian school for several years. She has also taught and subbed at Covenant Classical school on and off for about four years.

Isabel is honored to be a part of what God is doing at Covenant Classical School this first semester. She also enjoys being a part of her church community at Emmaus Road Church, having time with family and friends, walking or running, and reading.

 Kayla and her husband, Andrew, live in Sioux Falls, SD where they attend Faith Baptist Fellowship. They have three children, Vivian (who met the Lord in 2023), Calvin, and Vera. Kayla attended the University of Sioux Falls for Elementary Education (BA) and University of South Dakota for Special Education & Early Childhood (MA). She has taught a variety of classes including special education, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade. In her free time, Kayla enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time at her family cabin, and playing board games with friends and family. 

Sherry moved to Sioux Falls with her daughter and family in June of 2022 following the passing of her husband in October 2020.  Prior to that Sherry served alongside her Pastor husband, directing the children and women’s ministries.  During this time she continued to lead Chapel Services and Substitute Teach at Modesto Christian School, where for ten years she had served as Children’s Ministries Director.  During that ten year season, she taught Children’s Church, directed Sunday School teams, produced and directed Children’s Drama teams, Performing Arts Camps, Vacation Bible Adventures, Fall Family Fun Day, Children’s Christmas Productions, and Easter Family Fun Day; all of these with the purpose of pointing families to Jesus, through the Truth of God’s Word.  Currently, Sherry serves as Children’s Coordinator for her home church, Emmaus Road.  In her free time she loves hanging out with her grandchildren, reading, writing, walking, and keeping up with family and old friends.

Avery and her husband, Parker, live in Sioux Falls, SD where they attend Emmaus Road Church. They are eager to welcome their first child this February. 

Avery attended USD for three years, studying Biology, but felt the Lord pull her towards trying something new. She has a background in many years of childcare and a passion for guiding young minds towards all things good, true, and beautiful. She admires the joyful spirit that young learners bring!

In her spare time, you can find her baking a variety of things, finding a new sewing project, spending time with family, or getting stuck in a book. 

Esther received her BA in Spanish from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, an MA in Cultural Studies from Western Illinois University, & is working to complete her MA in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. She has a passion for culture, foreign languages, and developing language in children. Fluent in Spanish, Esther taught in a Dual Language Kindergarten program for many years before moving from Illinois to South Dakota. 

Esther & her husband, Stephen, attend Emmaus Road Church in Sioux Falls with their 10 children. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym with her husband and children, gardening, and breeding Australian Shepherds. 

Kaelynn recently moved to Sioux Falls, SD. She was classical homeschooled and is excited to have the opportunity to give others a classical schooling. She attends Emmaus Road Church, and has been there since moving in November of 2024. 

She has been with the school for two years. Kaelynn has helped out with childcare, and this year is teaching the preschool and music classes. She has had music lessons since she was 5, and was a part of an orchestra for seven years. In her free time she likes to be with the family, read good books, play her instruments, and be outdoors.

Meghan and her husband, Jonathan, live in Sioux Falls with their three boys. She holds a bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of South Dakota and a master’s in Social Work from the University of New England. Her background includes therapy with children and families, though she has treasured being home with her boys for the past nine years. Passionate about building community, Meghan is grateful to be part of the work God is doing at Covenant Classical. She enjoys reading, adventuring and playing games with her family, date nights with her husband and getting coffee with friends. Her family attends King of Glory Church.

Sam lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Mary, and their three children. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Education and a Master's in Athletic Administration from the University of South Dakota. 

Before joining as P.E. instructor, he homeschooled his children and has previously worked as an office manager in construction.

In his spare time, he enjoys water skiing, hiking, and spending time at the lake with his family.

Mariah and her husband Lance live in Sioux Falls and recently celebrated their 1 year wedding anniversary. Mariah graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls in social media/marketing and assists her husband with his marketing/photography business. Since she has 20+ nieces and nephews, one of her true loves is spending time with children of all ages and abilities. Mariah most recently has been working with children in an elementary special needs classroom. In her free time, you’ll find Mariah nurturing her green thumb, exploring new recipes in the kitchen, visiting family, and traveling.