Coram Deo Academy teachers
are dedicated to the spiritual and
academic growth of their students.
Faculty
We are deeply thankful for all of our teachers, dedicated to the Mission and of Coram Deo Academy.
Katie Christenson - Kindergarten
Mrs. Christenson taught preschool at Jesus Loves Me Preschool in Richland prior to beginning her teaching role at Coram Deo Academy. She has earned her Associate of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies from Gather4Him Christian College in Kennewick, Washington.
Mrs. Christenson and her husband Conrad have two children. Mrs. Christenson enjoys spending time with her family, going on adventures at the park, and thrift shopping. She is actively involved in her church’s children’s ministry.
Mrs. Christenson loves being able to engage with her students through music and finds great joy in guiding them on their walk with the Lord.
Wendy Dammarell - First Grade
Before becoming a teacher for Coram Deo Academy, Mrs. Dammarell previously was a school counselor for several years. She has earned her National Boards in Teaching and Counseling, along with a Masters Degree in K-12 School Counseling.
Wendy and her husband have one daughter who attends Coram Deo Academy. She serves as a Sunday School teacher and Nursery Director for her local church, along with other volunteer opportunities.
Mrs. Dammarell and her family enjoy spending time outdoors, playing games, and hosting family and friends. She loves arts and crafts, silly jokes, Mexican food, and catching up over a great-tasting iced coffee.
Her desire is to help young children understand God’s faithfulness and come alongside them for support as they learn to honor God in all that they say and do.
Julie Billow - Second Grade
After years of teaching at Kids Express Preschool in Richland, Mrs. Billow is excited to join the Coram Deo Academy. She is a graduate of Whitworth College and holds a degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Philosophy.
Julie and her husband, Todd, have three children who also attend CDA. As a family, the Billows love playing games together and solving puzzles of any kind. Julie has always been very involved in her church’s Children’s ministries with VBS being the highlight of every summer.
Mrs. Billow is very grateful that God has led her to CDA. She is truly inspired to invest her talents in the worthy calling of teaching children. Nothing is more important than knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord and it is an honor to help children discover the beauty of loving Him with all their heart, soul, and mind.
Kainoa “Miss Kai” Ynigues - 5th Grade
Kainoa Ynigues has worked for many after-school nonprofit organizations in Seattle and Portland. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in education from Western Governors University and attended the Portland Art Institute for her B.A. in graphic design.
Ms. Kai was born on the Big Island of Hawaii and now lives in Pasco, Washington with her son and daughter. Ms. Kai enjoys serving her church by helping with children’s Sunday school and the middle school youth group.
Kainoa enjoys swimming and kayaking, as long as the water is warm. Kainoa also loves to be creative in any way, shape, or form. This includes painting, drawing, and sculpting.
Ms. Kai loves to share her love of Jesus and his creation with those around her.
Brandie White - 4th Grade
Graduating from Heartland Baptist Bible College with a degree in education, Brandie has previously served as a substitute teacher at CDA in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 6th grade. She also teaches at Columbia Basin College.
Brandie has two children who attend Coram Deo Academy. She enjoys reading, baking, and going on adventures with her children. She loves serving in her church and is currently the nursery director and K5 teacher on Wednesday nights.
Mrs. White is excited the Lord has led her to CDA. Her heart’s desire is that her students would come to know Jesus and have a deep and abiding relationship with Him.
Shanie Lewison - 3rd Grade
Shanie Lewison teaches 3rd grade at Coram Deo Academy. Shanie came to Coram Deo with previous elementary and youth ministry experiences as well as years of teaching preschool at Christian Worship Center in Zillah, WA. She graduated from Yakima Valley Community College and then continued her studies at Northwest University pursuing Youth Ministry and Creative Writing.
Shanie was born and raised in Zillah, WA. She lived in Western Washington for some time before returning to Central Washington. She and her husband, Mr. Lewison, have three boys, two whom attend Coram Deo Academy. She serves in Youth and Children’s Ministry alongside her husband and coordinates the Preschool/Nursery program at her church.
Mrs. Lewison loves adventures. She enjoys outdoor activities, going to concerts, dancing, and catching the sunrise with a good cup of coffee. She’s a photographer for the Church of God PNW Region.
Mrs. Lewison enjoys coming to Coram Deo Academy and sharing her love for Jesus.
Angela Fickel - 6th Grade
Angela Fickel teaches 6th grade at Coram Deo Academy. Angie came to CDA with 10 years of previous teaching experience including elementary through high school grades. Angie also had the opportunity to home school her children for a short amount of time. She is currently finishing her Elementary Education Bachelors Degree at Western Governors University.
Angie was fortunate enough to be the daughter of an evangelist. She was able to see and explore much of the Pacific Northwest during her childhood travels. She and her husband, Daren Fickel, have been blessed with 4 children. They both actively serve in their church in any way they can be of use.
Mrs. Fickel enjoys listening to audiobooks of all genres. Some of her favorite books are The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson and Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. She also enjoys drawing, painting, and telling jokes. Mrs. Fickel loves to laugh, give hugs and to serve others.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
Carolyn Johnson Head Teacher of Logic & Rhetoric School (7th-12th)
Intermediate Logic, Algebra
In the fall of 2017, after nine years of homeschooling, Mrs. Johnson began teaching at Coram Deo Academy. She has a Bachelor's Degree from Bethany College of Missions in Cross-Cultural Communication and Bible.
After growing up in rural north Georgia, Carolyn lived overseas in various countries, doing mission work with teens. She and her husband, Wes, have called the Tri-Cities home since 2013, where she also serves in women and children’s ministries in her church family.
In her free time, Carolyn may be seen running, improving her home, cooking and baking from scratch, in the Roaster’s drive thru, sitting in the sunshine, and frequently eating chocolate.
Mrs. Johnson loves spending her days at CDA striving to share her joy in Christ by pointing young minds and hearts to the glory of God.
She can be reached by email here.
Allison Hubbard - Classical Languages & Public Speaking
Allison Hubbard teaches Latin, Koine Greek and Public Speaking at Coram Deo Academy at nearly every level of both the Lower and Upper School. Many students consider her their favorite teacher She has been teaching classical languages since 2013. She has a B.S. in Psychology.
Allison was born in Virginia and now makes her home in the Tri-Cities with her husband Nicholas. As a graduate of classical education, Mrs. Fink is invested in the school’s teaching methods. She also serves in her church’s mentorship ministries.
Allison enjoys reading good books and exploring new ideas. She and her husband share two beautiful chameleons who love to go on short road trips and walks in the park.
Allison loves serving CDA students by inspiring them to love learning and showing them how much God loves them every day.
Lean why Latin Language is a valued subject in classical education here.
Neisha Kilkenny - Algebra, Health/Nutrition, 7th Grade Literature, Introductory Logic , 7th & 9th Grade Writing
Mrs. Kilkenny has 10 years of experience in early childhood education and was the owner/director of Rooted in Christ Childcare and Preschool. She also has experience and training working with children with special needs and disabilities and enjoys partnering with parents to meet the needs of each individual child. Although Neisha frequently moved around as a child, the Tri-Cities has been her home for more than 20 years. Neisha and her husband, Tyler, have three children, all of whom attend Coram Deo Academy.
Throughout the years, Mrs.Kilkenny has served in children’s ministries at various churches, most recently as the lead teacher for a Kindergarten Sunday school class. Neisha’s favorite place to be is at home spending time with her family. She enjoys camping, gardening, and working on home improvement projects. The Kilkenny’s also love animals and have several pets, including a dog, cat, turtles, and sugar gliders. Mrs. Kilkenny enjoys serving the families at CDA by sharing her love for Jesus with her students and encouraging them to pursue and develop a deeper relationship with Christ.
Adjunct Faculty
Jim Mailloux - Music
Jim Mailloux (pronounced MAY-loo) is our General Music and Choir teacher for grades K-12. This is Jim’s second year teaching at CDA. His prior teaching experience includes schools in Greenville, South Carolina, Tacoma, and the Tri-Cities, as well as 25 years of homeschooling. Jim graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education.
Jim was born in North Andover, MA, and became a Christian in 1973. He married Jill, a Northwest native, and together they have 3 biological children and 7 adopted children. They have lived in the Tri-Cities since 2000. Prior to teaching at CDA, Jim served the school as a Board Member. Seven of their children have attended CDA. Jim is also the Pastor of Hope Fellowship in Pasco.
Jim is a member of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. He has also been an actor for several training videos for the nuclear industry. He enjoys camping with his family. Since 2004, Jim has been the Camp Pastor and helped provide Staff Training at Camp Gilead in Carnation, WA.
Jim enjoys teaching and using music to help students understand the gift of music in giving glory to God.
Bob Hoffmann - History
Bob Hoffmann teaches History at Coram Deo Academy. He came to CDA with 19 years of teaching experience at Columbia Basin College as well as teaching Sunday School to 4th-6th graders. Bob graduated from John Brown University with a degree in Building Construction and Design and earned his MBA from Portland State University.
Born in New York City, he has spent most of his life in the Tri-Cities. Bob and his wife Sharon have five children who were homeschooled until Running Start at CBC. He served his church in prison ministry and his community on the Pasco City Council and as a weekly chapel speaker at the Union Gospel Mission.
Mr. Hoffmann enjoys reading historical biographies and collecting Barber coins. He manages and maintains apartments in Pasco and often takes Spanish classes at CBC.
Bob thrives on the interaction with students examining why we should be grateful to God for the special country we live in at this time in history.
Tim Karr - Geometry
Tim is passionate about enjoying every endeavor in God’s spectacular creation: First in knowing God through his Word and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and extending all the way to the beauty of shapes and measures which resound to his glory.
Tim is married to Teresa, and dad to Sam, Eliana, Charlotte, and Marilla. He has served as Senior Pastor at Crossroads Bible Church since 2014. Tim has a BS in Mathematics from the University of Idaho, an MA in Pastoral Studies from Liberty Seminary, and is currently pursuing an Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Tim enjoys gardening with his wife, playing with his kids, reading good books, and drinking great coffee.
Wes Johnson - Bible, Church History, Worship in Song
Wes has previous experience as a full-time youth pastor and serves vocationally at a local church leading music and small group ministries. Wes has a B.A. in cross-cultural church planting from Bethany College of Missions, and an M.A. in Christian Ministry from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Originally from the Midwest, he and his wife, Carolyn came to the Tri-Cities in 2013. They have six children, a number of whom attend Coram Deo Academy.
Wes loves the opportunity to help students understand how the Bible tells one, beautiful, grand story. The gospel is its central message, Jesus its central character, and the Bible unfolds the most glorious news imaginable.
Karen Nyman - Literature & Writing
Karen’s previous experience includes teaching English to middle and high schoolers, tutoring ESL students, as well as homeschooling her own children for over four years. Karen earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Northwest Nazarene University and an M.A. in Literacy from Washington State University.
Mrs. Nyman grew up in the Lower Valley (Prosser, WA), lived overseas after college, and has spent most of her adult life in the Tri-Cities. She and her husband, Scott, have three girls, all of whom attend Coram Deo Academy. She has served in her church’s nursery and has also led small groups for teen girls.
The enjoyment of reading, baking alongside her husband, exploring national parks, and running a small business keeps her busy. She and her family volunteer at Soul Soup and pray often with 40 Days for Life.
Karen aims for her students to develop not only a love for literature but a vision to love and serve others with the hope of Christ.
Charisa Cornellison - Science (Chemistry, Biology, and Physics)
Charisa earned a Biochemistry and Biotechnology degree from Eastern Washington University. Before becoming a mother she worked eleven years in the lab as a research protein chemist in Seattle, Washington and Christchurch, New Zealand. When at university, she found that math tutor was the highest paid job on campus and has stuck with it over the years.
Mrs. Cornellison was born in Benton City and, with God’s great sense of humor, now lives there again in a multi-generational home with her husband (Mark), their two sons, two dogs, two neighbor cats (that have adopted them), her father, and his dog. She sings and plays djembe on the worship team at her church.
Charisa can often be found in her garden, reading a book, watercolor painting and sewing in her craft room, cooking and baking gluten free food, participating in her book group, drinking tea— never coffee—and learning her “new thing” for the year.
She is looking forward to sharing her love of Jesus and science with the students at CDA.
Laura Kuperstein - Science
Mrs Kuperstein leads the 8th graders through Science classes in the upper school at Coram Deo. Her family roots go back for six generations to a ranch near Enterprise, Oregon, where she has happy childhood memories of vacations, and where she returns each year to hunt elk. Born and raised in Spokane, Seattle and Port Orchard, Laura also has the distinction of having traveled to all 50 states throughout her life.
Laura prepared for an education degree at Eastern Washington University, together with interdisciplinary studies. She especially enjoys math, science and history. She has been a strong foster care advocate over the years and she and her husband have been foster parents.
She and her husband Chris live on acreage with a horse, cow and small flock of goats together with their three children. Laura loves to see her students get excited about learning new things about the world that God created.
Paul Scharold - Science
Mr. Scharold desires to apply his interests and background in the sciences to assist students growing up to make wise career decisions that begin with God as the creator of all things.
Before coming to the Tri-Cities in 1978, Paul grew up in Cincinnati, earned a BA in chemistry at Spring Arbor College in Michigan, and earned an MS in Chemical Engineering at the University of North Dakota. He worked to support the cleanup mission for 40 years and continues to be an Information and Operational Technology Consultant for contractors at Hanford and in South Carolina.
His teaching career began in high school where he became a tutor in English. Before rejoining CDA a few years ago in the science department, he taught logic at the time that some of his children attended classes. He is working to build the upper school science program at Coram Deo.
His interests include bicycling, sailboarding, and choral singing. His involvement with the Historic Downtown Kennewick association includes renovation of his 1909 home as well as other projects over the years. Paul is married to Joyce, with 5 children and 9 grandchildren and serves his church as an elder.
Mr. Scharold has never been content to accept ideas without careful consideration and critical inquiry. This includes the upper school mission of Coram Deo - believing that CDA provides a solid academic and spiritual foundation for high school students.
Anita Hall - Bible Study
Anita Hall is teaching 10th grade Bible Study at Coram Deo Academy. Anita comes to Coram Deo with several years of Bible leading/teaching through Bible Study Fellowship, Tricities Women's Shelter and church studies. She graduated from Coeur d' Alene Highschool.
Anita Hall has been an active Christian for 45 years. She and her husband have raised 3 children and have to joy of being grandparents to 14 grandchildren.
She has substituted for several schools in various states and various ages. She is an active member of her church.
Anita enjoys studying, history, sports and interaction with people.
She loves studying the Bible and sharing what she has learned over the years with others.
Amy Pirozok - Art
Amy Pirozok teaches elementary art at Coram Deo Academy. Amy came to Coram as an accomplished self-taught artist with over 12 years of teaching art to youth. When Amy is not at Coram, she is in her home art studio running in-person and Zoom art classes.
Amy was raised in Michigan but has lived all over the United States. Amy’s husband, Eric, was raised in the Tri-Cities. Thirteen years ago, Amy and her husband moved back to the Tri-Cities. They have one daughter who is a senior at the University of Washington in the Marine Biology program. Amy and her husband, Eric attend Hope Tri-Cities, and are actively involved in starting Simple Churches.
Amy enjoys volunteering at the Hanford High School Drama Department, where she does mural and scene painting for theater. She also loves animals, and spends time training and walking her German Shepherd Dog, Eli. In the warmer months, she enjoys growing vegetables and flowers in her garden.
Amy’s God-given mission in life is to raise up child artists to show God’s glory to the world.
Holly Mehling - Geography
Mrs. Mehling teaches Cultural Geography to the seventh graders. She is teaching at Coram Deo because she has come to believe that, “ He uses us for His glory and we should be willing and able to do just that.” Previously, Holly served with Hope Outfitters. She has a heart for counseling and bringing the love of Jesus into the classroom among lively interactions with her students.
Holly was born and raised in the Tri-Cities and graduated from CBC with an AA. Together with her husband Leroy, they have four children, one attending CDA. When taking a break from homeschooling, she enjoys crocheting and embroidery, and enjoying reading another good biographical memoir.
Mrs. Mehling has come to experience that Jesus “…is safe and has proven time and time again that he is worthy of all praise for being the very definition of love.” Her classroom models this love.
Vicki Parramore - Art
Vicki Parramore was born and raised in the Tri Cities. She was homeschooled until she attended Running Start at sixteen. At eighteen she transferred to Pensacola Christian College where she studied commercial art.
Vicki met her husband Bill at PCC and they have three children. Making their home a reflection of Christ and His blessings is Vicki’s greatest passion. You will find their family celebrating Sabbath dinners together every Saturday night.
In between the laundry folding, dish-washing, and homeschooling, Vicki enjoys designing embroidery patterns, quilting, trying to keep up with a yearly Bible reading challenge, taking online art classes and sharing what she’s learned. If a podcast isn’t on in the evening, Vicki’s husband is usually reading a history book to her while she crafts.
Allie Palm - Music
Allie Palm teaches music in both the upper and lower schools at Coram Deo Academy. Mrs. Palm has been teaching in private and homeschool settings for over 20 years.
Mrs. Palm is a Tri-Cities native and she and her husband Steve have four children and many pets. As a family, the Palms enjoy exploring the Pacific Northwest in their travel trailer. Allie loves to read, cook, garden, and play the piano.
The Palm family attends Grace United Reformed Church, where Mrs. Palm teaches the preschool Sunday School class, hosts a weekly small group in their home, and plays piano for Sunday worship.
Music is a special gift from the Lord. I look forward to instilling an appreciation for many kinds of music in my students’ hearts.
Liz Dunn - Reading Specialist
Liz Dunn is the Reading Specialist at Coram Deo Academy. For the past three years she has organized and led small reading groups at CDA. She also organizes and administers the Dibels reading tests for all students 1st - 6th grade.
Liz and her husband Randy live in Richland where they both actively serve in various ministries at their local church. She has two grandchildren that attend Coram Deo Academy, and her daughter Brandie teaches 4th grade.
In her free time Mrs. Dunn enjoys hand crafting cards and various other paper crafting.
She is grateful for the opportunity to serve at CDA and loves seeing young children develop their reading skills and acquire a love for reading.
Others
These individuals have invested efforts at CDA in significant ways.