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Amy Rush
Principal Read Bio
Amy Rush has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Emmaus Bible College and a Master’s in Education from Regent University. During her 21 years as an educator, she served as an elementary classroom teacher in Virginia for 11 years, an elementary music teacher in Virginia and Dickeyville, WI for a total of 3 years, and an Educational Therapist for 12 years. In 2018, Amy and her family returned to Dubuque where both she and her husband became professors at Emmaus Bible College: Amy as a faculty member in the Teacher Education Program, and her husband, Christopher, as English professor. In June of 2019, Amy was hired as the Principal of Tri-State Christian School and is entering her 3rd year in this position. Amy continues to demonstrate a passion for education and leadership and feels blessed to be part of Tri-Sate Christian School. Her two children have been attending TSCS for 3 years. |
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Kari Litscher
Bookkeeper Read Bio
Bio Coming Soon |
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Christy Leverentz
Admissions Director Read Bio
Christy is so grateful to have grown up in a Christian home where she was taught about the Lord Jesus at an early age. Both of her parents demonstrated a disciplined godly life, serving Him and others in ways that she still tries to emulate. She accepted Jesus as her Savior when she was seven years old, but rededicated her life to Him as a freshman in high school. When she chose Emmaus Bible College, she planned to only receive her one year Bible certificate. Thankfully, Emmaus had begun their Elementary Education Degree, which she graduated with three years later. Her first teaching job was in second grade at Tri-State Christian School, and she thoroughly enjoyed her teaching experience! She was grateful for the supportive families and close- knit faculty and staff. She married her best friend, KT Leverentz, after her first year of teaching and they both taught at Tri-State for four more years. In 2002, she stayed home with their first born and loved being a stay-at-home mom and a homeschool parent for 15 years. She has four wonderful children, who are all enrolled at Tri-State Christian School. Christy is excited to be back at Tri-State in a new capacity as the Admissions Director. Her family enthusiastically fellowships and serves at The Great Adventure Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Bible Certificate - Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, Iowa B.S. Biblical Studies - Emmaus Bible College B.S. Elementary Education - Emmaus Bible College |
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Stephanie Cunningham
College/Career Advisor Read Bio
Stephanie grew up as a pastor’s kid, mostly in Kansas and Southern California, but has moved 17 times since getting married in 1994. She asked Jesus into her heart as a very young child and has had many ups and downs as she learns to follow him daily. Stephanie studied Family Studies and Accounting in college and Financial Planning in grad school and has used what she learned working in higher education and various areas of finance since graduation. She is super excited to be serving at Tri-State as the College & Career Advisor, helping guide students toward using their God given gifts through the high school years and beyond. When not at Tri-State or working with clients at The Life Group or homeschooling her girls, she enjoys serving her church through helping lead worship and women’s ministry, collecting items for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, reading historical fiction and researching genealogy. |
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Mary Ellen Warren
Office Manager READ BIO
Mary Ellen was born and raised in the Midwest by kind-hearted parents who taught her how to love God and others well. She has a deep love for family and Godly legacy, which is one reason she adores her name that encompasses the names of her great-grandmother, grandmother and sweet mom. She not only met her husband, Scott, at Emmaus Bible College but also graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies and Elementary Education. She has put her education skills to good use in the unique roles God has placed her in. She is thrilled to fill the role of office manager and the opportunity it brings to share joy with the students, staff and families of Tri-State Christian School. Being a part of her three daughters daily education is another bonus she is immensely thankful for. |
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Jordan Roundhill
Secretary Read Bio
Jordan grew up in Dubuque and never left. She loves Dubuque. She was very thankful to attend TSCS during her elementary years. She trusted Christ as her Savior at a young age. She ended up going back to TSCS for high school and was a 2008 graduate. Jordan attended Emmaus Bible College and received a degree in Counseling/Psychology. She loves being in the office and getting to know the students. In her spare time she loves to hike, read and drink lots of coffee. |
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Sara McHugh
Nurse/Office Assistant Read Bio
As the child of missionary parents, Sara was born and raised in Guatemala. Raised in a home of strong Christian faith, Sara committed her life to Jesus at a young age and has seen and can testify to His great love and faithfulness in all the seasons of life since then! After graduating high school in Guatemala, she came to the US for college, attending Nyack College, and later transferring to Olivet Nazarene University, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She is thrilled to join the Tri-State Christian School family as the school nurse and office assistant. Sara and her husband, Chris, are so thankful for Tri-State Christian School and the influence it is having on their two young daughters who attend the elementary school. Sara says of her work at TSCS, “I’m so blessed by Tri-State, and it brings me joy to be able to offer my skillsets to help out in the office. I’m especially glad to get to know the students better through my work as the school nurse and office aide.” You can even occasionally find her filling in as a substitute teacher when the need arises! When she’s not at Tri-State, you will likely find her treasure hunting at a thrift store, or enjoying a good book! |
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Josh Kinny
Building Maintenance/Custodian Read Bio
Bio Coming Soon |
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Heather Taylor
Kindergarten Read Bio
Heather came to know the Lord at an early age through the godly influence of her parents, Sunday school teachers and school teachers. They instructed her in God’s Word, but more importantly they set godly role models that she found consistent with the Scriptures. She is so excited to be part of that molding process as she partners with parents at Tri-State Christian School. Her family has been involved with Galena Bible Church for over 20 years where they enjoy going to church with many families from Tri-State Christian School. Heather began teaching full time at Tri-State in 2012 but has been associated with the school for many years, first by running the hot lunch program for the previous ten years and then by substitute teaching in all different grades for many years. When the oldest of her six children started his senior year in 2012, she felt the next natural step the Lord had for her was to join all of her children at Tri-State as a teacher. Heather graduated from Wheaton College, is ACSI certified, and is currently working on a master’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University, a Christian College. B.A. Business-Wheaton College |
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Elissa Osworth
1st Grade READ BIO
It wasn’t until Elissa was 26 years old that the Lord convicted her of sin and granted her the gift of faith in Christ and repentance towards God. Soon after she was saved, God granted her the blessing of marrying a godly man to whom she's been married to for 25 years. She has been teaching for 26 years, 13 of which have been in various Christian schools depending on where her family was living. It is her joy to once again be teaching in a Christian school and beholding all the wonderful things the Lord is doing through the ministry at Tri-State Christian School. |
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Becky Vannorsdel
2nd Grade READ BIO
Becky is originally from Dubuque and blessed to have been raised in a Christian home. While under the teaching of her grandmother’s Sunday School class, Becky came to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus. After attending Lake Geneva Youth Camp during her high school years, she re-dedicated her life to serving the Lord. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from UNI, Becky served 8 years in the Dubuque Community Schools as a substitute and second grade teacher. In 2003 she had the pleasure of becoming a stay-at-home mom when she and her husband Randy celebrated the arrival of their first son, Benjamin. They welcomed the arrival of their second son, Nicholas, a few short years later. As the boys grew, Becky worked part time as a receptionist at Emmaus Bible College. Becky is thrilled that God has answered the longing in her heart to return to the classroom and teach in a school where His Word and Truths can be shared freely and openly. She is overjoyed to be the second grade teacher at Tri-State Christian School. |
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Jamie Larsen
3rd Grade Read Bio
Jamie was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was six. She grew up being educated in the public school system, but knew she wanted to attend a small, private Christian College. When she graduated from high school, she went on to attend Emmaus Bible College where she studied the Bible for a year. After graduating with her one-year certificate, she returned home to attend a small community college. In the fall of 2006, she returned to Emmaus to finish her degree in Elementary Education. Upon finishing her degree, she took a job as a teacher’s aide in the autism program at Eisenhower Elementary School in Dubuque, Iowa. She worked as an aid for four years, but felt the Lord was calling her to serve somewhere else. In 2012, she accepted the Second Grade position at Tri-State Christian School. It is important to her that she be in an environment where academics and strong Biblical teaching are the foundations of a child's learning. Sharing the love of Christ with her students and their families is a gift she is truly thankful for. One year certificate Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA. A.A. Clinton Community College, Clinton IA. B.S. Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA. |
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Abby Sanner
4th Grade Read Bio
Bio Coming Soon |
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Tyler Jenkins
5th Grade READ BIO
Tyler Jenkins grew up in a Christian home, partially in Rochester, NY and Dubuque, IA. His father has been a youth pastor for over 30 years and his mother works in a middle school lunch room. He accepted Christ into his heart at the age of 4 during a church service and has worked with his father in the youth group for the past eight years. Tyler has worked with students in countries such as Greece and Germany before God called him back to Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque. He attended Emmaus and graduated in May of 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in K-6 Education. He loves the community Tri-State has created and is eager to see the part God has planned for him here as he teaches 5th grade. He is excited to work with his students and partner with their parents with the intention to learn and grow together in the Lord. |
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Lindsey Temesvary
6th Grade Read Bio
Lindsey grew up most of her life in Warrenville, Illinois. She learned about the Lord at a young age from a church she attended in the area, and made a personal decision to trust Christ as her Savior with a friend a few years after. Years later, she studied at Emmaus Bible College and received her B.S. in Elementary Education and Bible, along with a K-8 Reading Endorsement. Lindsey thoroughly enjoys teaching 6th grade. She has loved building relationships with her students, and teaching them spiritual truths that the Lord has taught her through life. In her free time she can be found running or walking, spending time with people, journaling, or cooking. |
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Mike Eells
Secondary Bible/ Dean of Spiritual Life Read Bio
Mike and his wife Julie are both Iowa kids. To use Mike's words, he was raised in a home and church that preached "good advice", but not the "good news" of God's Grace. However, when he was 17, he trusted in Jesus as his personal savior, after a friend from high school invited him to youth group where he heard the gospel for the first time. He eventually made his decision for Christ at an annual youth conference in Des Moines, IA. After high school, he attended Emmaus Bible College where he and Julie met. They have been married 20 years and have been blessed with 7 children. After receiving his Bachelors degree in Bible and Theology from Emmaus, Mike attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity school where he received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology in Systematic Theology. For the last 12 years he has served full-time as a pastor and youth pastor at the Atlantic Gospel Chapel in Atlantic, IA. He and his family returned to Dubuque in 2019, where he warmly welcomed the position as Dean of Spiritual Life and secondary Bible education at Tri-State Christian School. Along with his teaching position at Tri-State, he has also been an adjunct professor for Emmaus Distance Learning for the past three years. |
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Jennifer Dombeck
Secondary English Read Bio
Jennifer came to understand how much God knew her and loved her because of the Godly example of her first grade teacher, Mrs. Currence. Her teacher impressed upon her how desperately she needed a Savior, and in that first grade classroom, she received Jesus as her personal Savior. After graduating from Toccoa Falls College in 2007, Jennifer began her teaching career in Georgia, where she taught for 2 years before she and her husband began their family in 2009. She returned to teaching in 2014 and became an adjunct English professor for Toccoa Falls College. She moved to Illinois with her family in 2014 and began teaching at Tri-State Christian School in 2018. Throughout her life, God has impressed upon Jennifer the importance of building Godly relationships and investing in others. One of the things she loves most about her role as the secondary English teacher at Tri-State Christian School is the opportunity it provides her to form lasting relationships with her co-workers, students and their families. Her goal is to glorify God in each conversation, in each class, and in each teachable moment she is provided. |
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Sarah Cone
Secondary Social Studies Read Bio
Sarah grew up in a Christian home and made a personal decision to follow Christ in middle school. She attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where she was active in a campus ministry and discipling younger ladies. She met her husband, Wesley, while working at a Christian camp during the summer. In 2010, she graduated with a B.S. in History Education and a minor in Art & Design, gaining certification to teach both social studies and art. She began teaching in public schools the fall after graduation; during this time, she earned a Master's of Education in Middle & Secondary Education with a concentration in Secondary Social Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Sarah worked for 8 years in public school settings, teaching both high school history and middle school art, before entering Christian education. She taught K-12 art and yearbook for 3 years at the Christian school where her daughter attended preschool. In the fall of 2020, she and her husband felt strongly that God was calling them to leave NC. Through prayer, they settled on moving to Iowa and found Tri-State Christian School. They are happy to be in Dubuque and excited to see what God has for their family. |
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Tracey Kosin
Secondary Math Read Bio
Tracey came to know the Lord when she was 25 and is so thankful for the transforming work God continues to do in her life. When she is not in the classroom she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking walks and bike rides, or curling up with a good book. She has been married for 30 years and is mom to three amazing adult children and one son-in-law, who are spread across the nation. She is a graduate of Emmaus Bible College, with a double major in Secondary Education and Biblical Studies and an ACSI certification endoresement in mathematics. She has been teaching secondary math in Christian school settings for the past 12 years, and currently teaches 9th-12th grade Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry at Tri-State Christian school. |
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Sandy Benedict
Algebra 1 Read Bio
Sandy grew up as an Air Force kid in Guam and in several states of the United States of America. She made a personal decision to trust Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior her sophomore year of college, at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. After getting married, she finished her college degree at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas and received her BA in Mathematics. Mrs. Benedict really enjoys teaching math, but especially enjoys teaching children about the gospel of Jesus Christ! In her free time she also enjoys crocheting, knitting, various other arts & crafts, and playing games. Anyone want to challenge her in a game of Othello? |
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Jason Zelle
Secondary Science Read Bio
Jason grew up in Waverly, Iowa where he graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Jason then attended the University of Northern Iowa and earned a B.A. of Earth Science with a minor in Geology. It was at UNI where Jason started attending church regularly and accepted Christ as his Savior. At Northern Iowa he also met his wife Mandy. Jason spent 13 years managing restaurants around Iowa and Illinois. He then spent the last few years at the Dubuque Dream Center working with parents, the schools, and the students to improve math and reading skills all the while developing the student's basketball skills. This fall Jason was led to come to Tri-State and teach science for Jr. and Sr. High students. He thoroughly enjoys coaching basketball and challenging his players to be excellent examples of Christ, and take on the role of being leaders by example, both on and off the court. Jason also enjoys teaching and building mentor relationships, enabling the students to be the next generation of Christians leaders. |
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Crissa Lord
Family and Consumer Sciences Read Bio
Crissa grew up in Elizabeth, IL and graduated college at University of Dubuque. Later she went on to get her masters of secondary education from University Phoenix and a masters degree in Theology. She taught Family and Consumer Science in public school for 13 years and has been blessed to be able to teach many of the same classes at TSCS. She has been in the church all her life but didn't make the personal commitment to the Lord until adulthood. She enjoys sharing God's goodness in all aspects of life, but especially in the classroom with students. |
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Zeineb Keister
Spanish Read Bio
Zeineb grew up in a Muslim country, practicing Islam, but was always questioning things. She moved to the U.S. to attend University where she majored in Foreign Languages with a concentration in French and minors in education and theater. Upon her arrival God surrounded her with the most loving people which is something she hadn’t experienced before. She didn’t understand why these people would show so much kindness toward a stranger and especially someone so different from them. She became curious about their faith. She would read the Bible in different languages and translations, devour comparative religion books, talk to pastors and missionaries until one day, Jesus got hold of her heart. She converted to Christianity her sophomore year of University. Zeineb is excited to share her passion for languages with her students. She’s thankful to be surrounded and encouraged by other Christians daily and in turn use her gifts to bless them. Aside from her love of the Lord, and languages, Zeineb enjoys ballet, Farrell’s, spending time with her husband and three children, but her favorite of all is her alone time with her two dogs. |
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Chris Fransman
PE/Athletic Director/Math Read Bio
Chris grew up in a Christian home and attended a small Christian elementary school. He proceeded to attend a public high school where he made a commitment to serve Jesus Christ his junior year. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes played a crucial role in developing his Faith in Jesus Christ. He started attending while in high school, went on their mission’s trips during his college years, and is still active with them through a huddle he began here at Tri-State Christian School. He attended Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, where he studied Health/Physical Education/Recreation. He graduated in 2005 and took his first, full-time teaching job at Tri-State Christian School in 2008, where he teaches math, PE and serves as the athletic director. He and his wife, along with their 3 children, serve and worship at Galena Bible Church in Galena, Illinois. BA in Secondary Education-Dordt College Physical Education K-12 Minor in Health |
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Suzi Sulzer
JH/HS Art Read Bio
Suzi grew up knowing who Jesus was, but never understood what it meant to give her life to Christ. At the end of her third year of college, she was at a personal low. Her best friend and a classmate invited her to go to The Salt Company, a Christian group. It was during her time attending this group that she came to fully understand God's mercy and blessings in her life. Suzi graduated from ISU in 2001 with a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. Her degree tied perfectly with her deep love of art, science, biology and computer programing and drafting. She married her husband Bryan in 2002 and began teaching at Tri-State Christian School as the JH/HS art teacher in 2004. She has enjoyed her years of teaching and the opportunity it has provided her to instill a love and new-found knowledge of art to her students. She and her husband have a darling little girl and will welcome a son in 2021. They attend Christ Church in Dubuque, Iowa. |
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Tonya Stevenson
Elementary Art Read Bio
Tonya first came to faith in Christ when she was seventeen and hasn’t looked back. She loves reading her Bible, communing with Christ and sharing her faith in Christ with others. Tonya attended Emmaus Bible College as well as graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Teaching English as a Second Language. She has enjoyed art throughout her entire life and has taught art and used her gifts to bless others throughout the years, including her own four children. In the fall of 2019, Tonya joined the Tri-State Christian School community as the K-3rd grade Art teacher and has since graduated to teaching K-6th grade. She is thankful for the Lord’s direction in leading her to such a wonderful school where she can put her love of art into practice. |
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Jill Scheirer
Music Read Bio
Jill Scheirer grew up in a small town in North Dakota, where she was baptized and confirmed in the Reformed Church of America (RCA). Through the spiritual direction of this faith community, Jill developed a love for the church and God's work in the world. Her love for music was developed through piano lessons, singing in church, and later through school band and choir. Music soon became integral to her prayer and faith life. Jill studied at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she received a B.A. in Music Education - Instrumental. She is currently working toward an online masters degree in Music Education - Music Studies, from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her focus is on music teachers' mental health. She also gives piano and clarinet lessons at Northeast Iowa School of Music. Jill most enjoys sharing her love of music and faith with students, whether through singing, games, playing instruments, or sharing about music history and culture. She is especially excited to be starting a band program at the school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, writing, hiking, and - always - listening to music. |
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Tracey Rush
Orchestra Read Bio
“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” Ps. 108:1 Music is a gift from God, and Tracey has been so blessed to share her love of music with others her whole life. Tracey graduated with a degree in Music Education from Bob Jones University, where she worked in the music library for several years until her husband became the librarian at Emmaus Bible College. Tracey was principal violist with the Dubuque Symphony for almost 20 years and served as their Education Coordinator and librarian for many years. When her children were older, she earned her masters in music education from UNI and taught music at several area colleges. In 2001, the Lord paved the way for her to found the Northeast Iowa School of Music, the same year she began teaching instrumental music in the Dubuque Community School District. As a published composer, she is thankful to have had the opportunity to conduct one of her own compositions at Carnegie Hall. She is thrilled to be a part of the Tri-State Christian School and takes great joy in teaching orchestra in a Christian atmosphere. Helping students (including her own grandchildren!) make a joyful noise unto the Lord is her true delight. |
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Kayla Test
Academic Support/Library READ BIO
Kayla is grateful to have grown up in a family who loved the Lord. She has fond memories of attending church with her family and feeling the love of God draw her to Jesus as a child. Kayla was born in Peoria, Illinois and lived in central Illinois until 2019 when she moved to Dubuque with her husband, Jeremy, and two children, Avery and Milo. Kayla received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Western Governors University and is passionate about encouraging students to reach their full learning potential as well as instilling a love of learning and reading in every student! In her free time Kayla enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, reading, and being outdoors. |
We partner with parents to educate students from a biblical worldview for excellence in lifelong learning and Christ-like character.
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5025 Saratoga Rd ▪ Asbury, IA ▪ 52002
Tel: 563-231-3701 Fax: 563-231-3702 office@tscs.org (TSCS is located in Asbury, IA) TSCS All Rights Reserved © 2022 |