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Our Staff

Our teachers are devoted and passionate mentors, lovers of learning and of teaching young people.

Each member of our faculty and staff embraces the Classical methodology and works every day to inspire students to stand proudly in their love of Christ and themselves, to summit mountains, and to become who they are meant to be as the leaders of tomorrow.

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Teresa Fraser, M.Ed.

Head of School

Teresa attended the University of Oklahoma for two years before transferring to Milligan College where she earned both her B.S. in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education. She has been a part of the founding of four different schools: Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN; Rocky Mountain Christian Academy in Niwot, CO; Flatirons Academy in Lafayette, CO; and Summit Classical Academy currently in Broomfield, CO.
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Cindy Houghton

Director of Operations

Cindy studied at the University of New Mexico where she received her bachelor and master’s degrees in Elementary Education. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked in public and private schools, but her heart and passion fit with classical Christian education.
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Kristy Varela

Educational Support

Kristy has been in the early childhood field for over ten years, working in both private and public schools.  She is currently finishing her Preschool Directors Qualifications and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

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Martina Martinez

Kindergarten Teacher

Martina studied and received a Bachelor’s Degree at University of Northern Colorado, Center for Urban
Education for elementary education in 2009.  She has taught in private and public education and has grown to love the dynamics and personal connections of Christian private education.  The past two years she has been teaching kindergarten and prior was teaching pre-k/kinder.

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Sarah Pfannenstiel

1st Grade Teacher

Sarah holds her Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Secondary Education and Social Science from Benedictine College. Prior to joining SCA, Sarah taught middle school History and Theology at Frassati Catholic Academy.
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Abby Ratzlaff

2nd Grade Teacher

Abby attended the University of Central Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Phoenix where she earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education.  She has been in education for the past seven years.

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Kayla Trousdale

3rd Grade Teacher

Kayla studied at Concordia University Irvine and University of Arizona Global Campus receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science.

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Lashara Pasic

4th Grade Teacher

LaShara has been an educator for over 5 years after graduating from Metropolitan University with a Human Development degree and minor in Elementary Education.

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Hannah Pugh

5th Grade Teacher

Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wheaton College.

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Gina Booton

Middle School Teacher

Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an English minor from Wheaton College. Prior to coming to Summit Classical Academy, she spent four years teaching an intensive English writing and grammar class for a classical Christian homeschool co-op and served as the co-op’s Director for two years. 

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Danette Miller

Mathematics and Logic Specialist

Danette earned her BA degree in English Literature with a minor in Linguistics from MSU Denver. She has worked in education as a math tutor, a substitute teacher in Saint Vrain Valley School District, and a 4th grade teacher at Summit Classical Academy. She is one of the founders of SCA and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board.

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Mark Miller

Science and Mathematics Specialist

Mr. Miller holds BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in four states.
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Angela Young

Art Teacher

Angela graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor’s of Environmental Design in Architecture.  She worked for 11+ years as an Architectural Designer in the Boulder and Denver area.

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Carla Anderson

Music Teacher

Carla holds a Certificate in Bible from Capernwray Bible School in England, and a Bachelor of Music from Prairie College in Canada.

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Stephanie Fiechtner

Educational Support

Stephanie holds an American Farmer Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Central College in Pella, Iowa.
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Kelly Stewart

Teacher Assistant

Kelly studied at the University of North Texas and taught middle school English Language Arts both in Texas and Colorado.
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Jirah Leslie

Teacher Assistant

Coming soon…
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Lorene Wrapp

Athletics Coordinator

Lorene is a lifelong fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for Christian education and for growing in the love and knowledge of the Lord. She comes to SCA with 12 years of experience as a Physical Education teacher.
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Addison Fraser

Special Education Consultant

Addison studied at Lee University where he earned a bachelor of science in K-12 Comprehensive Special Education with additional endorsements in “mild and moderate” and “severe and profound” special education instruction, as well as “teaching elementary reading”.

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Teresa Fraser, M.Ed.

Head of School

We believe that it matters greatly who teaches our children. For that reason, the founders of SCA have handpicked Teresa Fraser to serve as Head of School. She is a leader of principled character and gracious love. Her heart for families results in beautiful relationships and a profound impact on the students she disciples. Teresa attended the University of Oklahoma for two years before transferring to Milligan College where she earned both her B.S. in Elementary Education and her Masters of Education. She has been a part of the founding of four different schools: Providence Academy in Johnson City, TN; Rocky Mountain Christian Academy in Niwot, CO; Flatirons Academy in Lafayette, CO; and Summit Classical Academy currently in Broomfield, CO. As Head of School, Teresa has worked in planning, preparing, and producing an excellent classical Christian education for students and their families. She is fully committed to sharing the grace and truth of Jesus with children, supporting parents, training and equipping teachers, and building a strong community of families. The heart of her profession has been the relationships she has built through the years with students, parents, staff and colleagues. Teresa believes her role is to come alongside parents as a partner in their children’s education. She is especially devoted to building a strong network of support for single parents, and she has a unique passion for involving fathers as much as mothers in their children’s school, because she has seen evidence through the years that students enjoy even more success with the mom and dad team behind them. Teresa believes that academics are only one facet in the educating and raising of children and that children need time to play and pursue their passions, gifts, and interests outside of the classroom. For this reason, she strongly believes in minimal homework so as not to intrude on other important activities such as family time, music, sports, art, friendships, and freeplay. Teresa and her husband Jim have been married since 1992. They have raised two remarkable children, their daughter Sadie and son Addison. Though Colorado is their beloved home, Teresa still faithfully cheers for her football teams, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Buffalo Bills, proving that she is no fair weather fan but loyal to the core.

Cindy Houghton

Administration

Hello! My name is Cindy Houghton, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Summit Classical Academy. I have lived in Colorado for 26 years, but I grew up in Texas. I have been married to my college sweetheart, Richard, for 29 years, and we are blessed with four amazing children. We have entered the empty nesters phase of life, but enjoy having our children close by. Three live in Colorado, and one lives in Arizona. We also have a fur baby, Harley, who we spoil daily.

I studied at the University of New Mexico where I received my bachelor and master’s degrees in Elementary Education. Throughout my teaching career, I have worked in public and private schools, but my heart and passion fit with classical Christian education. It is my happy place. At Summit Classical Academy, we teach from a distinctly Christian worldview as faithful worshippers of the God who is at the center of every aspect of our lives. Children should be taught that there is no separation from God in any area of life. Deuteronomy 11: 18-20 reminds us to fix God’s Word in our hearts and minds and to talk of it with our children throughout the day. God is intertwined in all of work, school, home and play.

As a Christian educator, I can help students see that knowledge apart from scriptures is imperfect. I believe it is imperative to be a teacher who instructs with excellence; after all, we serve an excellent Creator. I trust that the parents of my students have given me permission to come alongside them in their role as their children’s primary educators. It is my goal to stimulate both a love of learning and good habit formation necessary for a student’s independent study.

Since God is the author of love, He gives me love for my students and a desire to be the best teacher I can be. The true goal of education is to love God in everything and in all ways. My deep desire is to elevate God in my classroom and to demonstrate how to love Him with heart, mind, body and strength.

Kristy Varela

Educational Support

I have been in the Early Childhood field for over ten years. I have worked in both private and public schools.  I am currently finishing my Preschool Directors Qualifications and pursuing my degree in Elementary Education. 

I love Jesus and teaching children.  I am so excited to be a part of the SCA team.  I look forward to building relationships and serving all the families and students at SCA.
 
I was born and raised in Southern California.  I moved to Colorado almost two years ago with my family.  I have been married for 15 years and have four children, all boys ages 16, 14, and 13, and my youngest in kindergarten will be attending SCA. Our older boys keep us busy with their competitive sports year around. I am thankful that God has placed us here in Colorado.  I look forward to growing where God has me planted.

Martina Martinez

Kindergarten Teacher

I studied and received a Bachelors Degree at University of Northern Colorado, Center for Urban
Education for elementary education in 2009. My teaching career has been in early childhood
education and primary years of elementary education. I have taught in private and public
education and have grown to love the dynamics and personal connections of Christian private
education because I am able to teach and learn through Christ with other believers. The past
two years I have been teaching kindergarten and prior was teaching pre-k/kinder. Kindergarten
is where my passion is because so many basic skills are being learned and children begin to
flourish in their reading and math skills. They are beginning to understand that they are capable
of learning so many new things and applying those skills to their everyday life.

I am a Colorado native. My husband Jeremiah and I married in January 2018. We are large
family of six children, a Dalmatian named Apollo, a cat named Scout and only ten backyard
hens! Our home is full of life that the Lord has blessed us with. My relationship with the Lord
has been transforming. I give all the glory to the Lord for His blessings in my marriage, raising
our children, and my career. Without God nothing is possible, but with God everything is
possible (Matthew 19:26). My husband and I stand firm in that promise and keep the Lord at
the center of our marriage and all things we do in our home and daily lives.

SARAH PFANNENSTIEL

1st Grade Teacher

Sarah holds her Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Secondary Education and Social Science from Benedictine College. Prior to joining SCA, Sarah taught middle school History and Theology at Frassati Catholic Academy. Her passion for classical education, methodology, and curriculum began in high school when she attended Ridgeview Classical School in Fort Collins. Studying in Florence, Italy, in college further deepened her love for history, culture, and the Western Judeo-Christian tradition.

Sarah and her husband were married in January of 2020. They enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring new places together. Their faith, family, and friends are most important to them.

Sarah shares her love for Christ naturally with her students. Her joy of learning is contagious as she teaches.

Sarah’s Philosophy of Education

Solid education combines classicalism, constructivism, and the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas. Classicalism incorporates Great Books curricula and the root beliefs of Western Civilization. This is taught in the Trivium of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric at appropriate ages of development in a pupil’s life. Constructivism postulates that all learning spirals back on previous learning, so that one’s education builds on itself naturally. Lastly, following Thomas Aquinas, humans ought to study what is good, true, and beautiful to reach their end goal of knowing intimacy with God.

Although differing in cultural expression, all humans are ultimately created by God to know, love and serve Him. In school, students and teachers might know God in part by seeking what is true, noble, and beautiful in their studies. For this, curriculum should be truthful and worthwhile, be that practical or appreciative, and balance the humanities, hard sciences, reason, faith, art, creative expression, and physical exertion. Teachers might incorporate images of great art, beautiful poetry, or the wonders of nature to inspire their students to seek beauty and truth in their lives. By constructing new knowledge on past learning, lessons might be deeply experienced and integrated. Curriculum and assignments should follow the order of the Trivium so the level of difficulty is appropriate to the student’s development.

Learning also comes from example. Teachers should model Christlike behavior and teach moral lessons with love and logic to demonstrate the dignity, love, and respect given to each person and exemplified by Christ to his contemporaries. This must be done consistently, both within and without the classroom; positive relationship building with students and the community is key. Implicit curriculum should promote Christian philosophy and virtues, such as sharing and respect. Lastly, opportunities for service and social interaction will foster cooperation and conscientiousness so students and faculty can love God by loving each other. Combined, these practices will help students and teachers cultivate a relationship with God, an undying love of learning, virtue, and respect for others.

Abby Ratzlaff

2nd Grade Teacher

Abby has been in education for the past seven years, beginning her journey in Oklahoma, where she was born and raised. She and her husband, two daughters, and their dog moved from North Carolina this summer, where she taught at Bethesda Christian Academy in Durham, NC. Abby attended the University of Central Oklahoma before transferring to the University of Phoenix where she earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education.

Kayla Trousdale

3rd Grade Teacher

Kayla studied at Concordia University Irvine and University of Arizona Global Campus receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Her motto in life has been “I don’t care what you learn about, just keep learning”.  She is an avid traveler and adventurer and has traveled to 49 of the 50 states in America and is coming up on her 40th country visited.  She loves experiencing God’s glory through building relationships with people all over the world and taking in God’s creation in her time spent in nature.  Her love for the world was sparked by a missions trip to Guatemala when she was in her first year in college.  The next year she took on the leadership role and led the missions team to the same location to serve the people, teach them English and teach them about Jesus’ love for us.  With her compassionate servant’s heart and zest for life and learning, she believes teaching is the perfect job for her. 
 
“I want children to know they are cherished and loved. God gave us the ability to learn and we should always strive to develop and use our gifts and talents that He gave us. Through teaching I will be able to help children grow into their full potential and help them along their faith journey in life.” 
 
Kayla has another title, “Coach” which came about when she started coaching high school volleyball in 2007.  She has had many teams since then from club to middle school to varsity.  She has also spent time as a substitute teacher and is very excited to continue her teaching with her third grade class.  Colorado has been her home for four and a half years after being born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where she attended private Christian schools her whole life from preschool through college.  Kayla is also a Birth Doula where she supports women during their labor and birth of their babies.  She is an enthusiastic sports lover following the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Golden Knights and will be happy to help the Summit Classical Academy Athletic programs reach a competitive level!  When she isn’t teaching she can be found reading, cooking, baking, or out adventuring in nature or planning her next trip.

LaShara Pasic

4th Grade Teacher

LaShara has been an educator for over 5 years after graduating from Metropolitan University with a Human Development degree and minor in Elementary Education. She has taught in a charter school until she came to Summit and is so glad to make the transition to a classical approach to learning. LaShara loves Jesus with all of heart and is thrilled to be able to share her love for Him with her students. 

Hannah Pugh

5th Grade Teacher

Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wheaton College. Prior to SCA, Hannah worked as a private tutor and an editor. Hannah is passionate about equipping the next generation with critical thinking skills so that they may best engage the world with hopefulness and faith.

Gina Booton

Middle School Teacher

Gina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an English minor from Wheaton College. During her time at Wheaton she worked as a radio news broadcaster, assistant debate coach, and public speaking coach. She was involved in Wheaton’s audition-based theatre group, Workout, as both an actor and crew member. She spent a summer working as an intern for the Office of the Majority Whip in the United States Capitol Building, and then two summers studying English literature and theatre in England. Gina has experience as an English tutor, copy editor, writer, and Bible teacher. She spent the last four years teaching an intensive English grammar and composition class for a classical Christian homeschool co-op and served as the co-op’s Director for two years.  

Gina is fascinated by story. She believes that each of us is unique and valuable, and that we all have a story to tell. She believes that God communicates to us through his Story, the Bible, and that by studying literature and the stories in history we can learn about God’s truth, goodness, and beauty, observing the ways he works in the world around us. She believes that God loves us with (as Sally Lloyd-Jones says) “a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love,” and he showed us that love by sending his son Jesus to rescue us. Gina is delighted that working at SCA gives her the opportunity to share his love and his truth with her students every day. 

Gina has been married to her high school sweetheart, Anton, since 2005. They have four wonderful children, three of whom are blessed to attend Summit Classical Academy. Gina and her family spend as much time as they possibly can in the Colorado mountains. She also enjoys reading, writing, all things theatre, trail running with her friends and her dog, and boxing with her sister and sparring partner, Janna. 

Gina is incredibly grateful that God has called her family to Summit Classical Academy, and cannot wait to see what he accomplishes through this amazing school. 

Danette Miller

Mathematics and Logic Specialist

Danette earned her BA degree in English Literature with a minor in Linguistics from MSU Denver. She has worked in education as a math tutor, a substitute teacher in Saint Vrain Valley School District, and a 4th grade teacher at Summit Classical Academy. She is one of the founders of SCA and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board. 

Danette is a 7th generation native to Boulder, Colorado.  She comes from a family of ranchers, horseshoers, and extremely hard workers.  She and Micah married in 2008.  Together, in their love of learning, through the privilege of parenting a son and a daughter, and in their effort to teach their children Truth, they were drawn to classical Christian education.  She believes that the goal of studying any subject is to expose truth about God and that education is empty unless it helps to answer how and why we came into existence.  She has always loved studying and teaching math because of its revelation and reflection of the orderliness of God and its proof of absolute truth.  She believes wholeheartedly that the study of literature is the most powerful means of attaining wisdom and growing in understanding of human relationships with one another and with the Divine.  The classical model of education, with its study of the most excellent curriculum, has helped Danette in answering the hard life-questions for herself and for her children.  Most importantly, she has found that the aim of classical Christian education is to help parents as they intentionally seek to train up children according to the charge in Deuteronomy 6, where God tells his people to love the Lord with all their hearts, all their souls, and all their strength, to keep his commandments in their hearts, and to impress them on their children.

Mark Miller

Science and Mathematics Specialist

Mark Miller is an engineer by training, and has a passion for figuring out how something works, or how to fix it when it doesn’t. Mr. Miller started his engineering career with AT&T and Bell Telephone Laboratories, but left after 10 years to start his own consulting engineering firm. During his 25 years in private practice, he wrote and taught continuing education seminars on computer communication topics to working engineers and computer scientists all over the world, basing his seminars on the 20 books that he had published on those subjects (his writing skills being a credit to his late mother, who taught high school English and Latin). When he retired from the engineering business, he missed teaching, and obtained a substitute teaching license, assisting the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont. In SVVSD, he has taught every math and science class from 6th grade through Advanced Placement levels, and also has a very active tutoring business, with students that have ranged from elementary grades through AP Calculus. Mr. Miller holds BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Wichita State University, and is a Registered Professional Engineer in four states.

Mark and his wife, Holly have two sons and five grandchildren, and enjoy life in the Boulder County foothills. Mark is also a trumpet player that performed for 15 seasons with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and since 2000 has been a member of the Denver Municipal Band, the oldest fully professional band in the United States. In addition, he is a member of several nationwide amateur (ham) radio organizations, including SATERN, the Salvation Army organization that supports emergency radio communication during times of natural disasters.

Angela Young

Art Teacher

Angela is honored to be a part of Summit Classical Academy.  She moved to Colorado in 1996 from Michigan, where she grew up.  She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor’s of Environmental Design in Architecture. She worked for 11+ years as an Architectural Designer in and around the Boulder/Denver Area. 

Through years of experience volunteering and guest speaking in a wide range of classrooms, she has developed a love for teaching. As her kids have grown and come into the world of education, she has discovered a passion for excellent education focused on truth, goodness and beauty. Now she is aiding in that process through the subject of Art at Summit Classical Academy.

She is passionate about following Jesus and pointing others toward him. She is driven to foster excellent education for her students through God-given creative avenues. She feels privileged to illuminate to students the truth of God as The Creator and worship by exercising the abilities he has given us in art.

Angela and her Husband met in Boulder and were later married there in 2007. They have the privilege of raising three wonderful daughters.

Angela enjoys spending time with friends, family and faith community. She loves going out into God’s creation to explore in many fun and active ways. Always up for an adventure. While she no longer has any pets, she finds much joy in animals of all kinds. Although she is on the go a lot, she enjoys the quiet of reading, playing a board game or just hanging out on the porch in peace and good company.

Carla Anderson

Music Teacher

Carla holds a Certificate in Bible from Capernwray Bible School in England, and a Bachelor of Music from Prairie College in Canada where she focused on piano performance, choir directing and performance, songwriting and recording, and worship in the church.  While earning her degree she also spent two years in the music program at Metropolitan State College.  Along with teaching music, she serves as a Pastor’s wife and Worship Director for her church in Westminster.  

Stephanie Fiechtner

Educational Support

Stephanie taught kindergarten for four years. She then helped to found SCA, teaching a combination of 1st and 2nd graders in the initial homeschool co-op. Originally from a farm in Iowa, Stephanie moved to Colorado for her first teaching position. Along with her excellent work ethic, she has a gift for showing her love for her students, which, in turn, helps her to draw out their highest potential as daughters and sons, friends, and most importantly, children of God. Stephanie holds an American Farmer Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Central College in Pella, Iowa. She also owns and operates a small business, Wilderness Paper Products. She and her husband love to be home, play board games, hike, and go on road trips.

Kelly Stewart

Teacher Assistant

I am overjoyed to return to my teaching roots after 9 years of being a stay at home mom for my two kids.  Prior to my title as mom, I studied at the University of North Texas and taught middle school English Language Arts both in Texas and then here in Colorado.  To say that I’m excited to be a part of the staff at Summit Classical Academy is an understatement.  I can’t wait to be an instrumental part of these students’ growth in Christ and in their classical education.
    
Daily I am humbled that God has placed me in this position, and I continue to be awed by the depths of His goodness.  God’s hand has been in every step of our story to get to this school.  Both of my children are attending SCA this year as a 3rd grader and a 1st grader.  I am so happy to join the SCA family as a part of the staff and also as a parent and am looking forward to serving wherever needed.

Lorene Wrapp

Athletics Coordinator

Lorene is a lifelong fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for Christian education and for growing in the love and knowledge of the Lord. She comes to SCA with 12 years of experience as a Physical Education teacher.

Lorene and her husband Mark raised their two sons in Boulder, where they still live. They enjoy the outdoors, hiking, biking, walking, running, all sports, gardening and raising chickens.

Addison Fraser

Special Education Consultant

Addison Fraser studied at Lee University where he earned a bachelor of science in K-12 Comprehensive Special Education with additional endorsements in “mild and moderate” and “severe and profound” special education instruction, as well as “teaching elementary reading”. He currently lives with his wife in Tennessee where he is a middle school special education teacher. Some of his favorite hobbies are rock climbing, fly fishing, and reading.
 
Addison believes that all students can learn and do well, it is the job of teachers and parents to help the student figure out how they learn the best, and how they can reach their goals in life. All education begins with forming a relationship with the students. Not all that a child learns in school will be used when they are adults, but they will learn how to work hard, face obstacles, speak to peers and authority figures and so much more that is necessary for the world after school. Educators can be a guide and a catalyst for student’s success in their future.