Staff

List of 8 items.

• Mrs. Schwabacher

  Front Desk
  
  Mrs. Schwabacher takes care of the front desk at JHCA, creating a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere for faculty, students, and staff. 
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  Ms. Deb Bentlage

  Kitchen & Maintenance Manager 
  
  

  Ms. Debora “Deb” Bentlage was born in Casper, Wyoming and lived her childhood in the Equality State. After graduating high school in Jackson, she studied for a year at Central Wyoming College and a year in Laramie before entering the U.S. Army and becoming a paratrooper, serving in Korea and Germany. Ms. Bentlage’s experience is varied and strong for her position at JHCA. She started as a cook at her grandmother’s café at the Teton Gables Hotel and has not looked back since! Ms. Bentlage lives in Jackson with her two beautiful children, Sarah and Jacob.
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  Ms. Debora Bentlage was born in Casper, Wyoming and moved around the state as a youth before her family settled in the Valley in 1978. Ms. Bentlage’s grandparents lived in Hoback and owned the Teton Gables Hotel. She now lives in her grandparents old home on the Snake river with her children, Jacob and Sarah.

   

  After graduating high school in Jackson, Deb studied for a year at Central Wyoming College and a year in Laramie. After that she entered the US Army. “I went to non-commission officer school and then became a paratrooper. I don’t think I’d ever have been jumping out of planes if it weren’t for the army.” Deb’s military duties took her to Korea and Germany.

   

  She also was recruited for security work, running background checks on soldiers applying for top security clearances. Deb enjoyed the challenge. “It’s a detective position, really. You dig up dirt on people to see if they’re eligible for clearance. I had to manage six of the Delta Group, as well as the battalion drug testing.”

   

  Being in Korea was a memorable experience for her, especially seeing the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the North and the South. “I got to jump out of a helicopter onto a golf course near the DMZ. From a bird’s-eye view I got to compare the two sides. There is an incredible change in the landscape across the DMZ.” She also appreciated the people she met in Korea. “They are so generous to American soldiers.”

   

  Deb’s experience is varied and strong for her position at JHCA. She had cooked for her grandmother’s café as well as for her own daycare. Deb likewise finds joy being able to serve the students at JHCA. She says, “I love working here. The positive attitude is the best thing about the school. Everything is done for the benefit of the kids, and I like that.”
• 

  Mrs. Lisa Landis

  Admissions Manager
  
  Ithaca College of New York, B.Mus., Music Education; Piano
  
  

  Mrs. Lisa Landis served as the school's founding music teacher and choral director. She loves working alongside her husband, Mr. Ian Landis, and the admissions team to help grow the Academy. She attended Ithaca College of New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree, double majoring in Music Education and Piano. Mrs. Landis grew up in Quakertown, PA and appreciates the opportunity to live in and enjoy Jackson with her husband and two children.  
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  Since the age of four, Mrs. Lisa Landis has been playing piano. Her love of music continued and expanded, as she went on to study voice, and play alto saxophone in middle school and bassoon in ninth grade. She was also the drum major of her school’s marching band in senior high.

   

  With such an early love for music performance, and ability to play many instruments and sing, Mrs. Landis’ experience is both broad and deep. She brings incredible versatility and expertise to the music program at JH Classical Academy.

   

  Previously, Mrs. Landis was the Choir Director of Cactus Canyon Junior High School and Apache Junction High School, where she taught grades seven through twelve students both choir and piano. Prior to that, she taught pre-K through sixth grade general music at Four Peaks Elementary School in Arizona.

   

  Since she has worked with students that had extremely varied musical abilities and backgrounds, Mrs. Landis learned how to choose repertoire that fits every grade and skill level. She makes music both accessible and rigorous part of out classical curriculum. Mrs. Landis’ experience with K-12 music education has helped her with creating the K-12 curriculum map for JH Classical Academy. She has well-planned goals for the high school years, including chamber ensembles, choir, and AP music theory.

   

  Mrs. Landis loves the outdoor life of Jackson—especially the snow sports. She says her favorite things here are, “The wildlife and skiing, if I can pick two!” From the time Mrs. Landis could walk, she remembers snowmobiling on trails around and over frozen lakes with her family in upstate New York. Mrs. Landis is married to JHCA Assistant Head of School Ian Landis and together they have two young children.
• 

  Mr. Jack Ledden

  Facilities & Grounds Manager; High School Practical Arts
  
  Savannah College of Art and Design, M.Arch, Architecture
  Savannah College of Art and Design, BFA, Architecture
  
  Mr. John "Jack" Ledden graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a bachelor of fine arts degree in Architecture and a master’s of Architecture degree. Mr. Ledden has years of experience in facilities management, engineering, and carpentry.
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  Prior to moving to Jackson, Mr. Ledden worked as a facilities management specialist at Prince WIlliam County Schools in Virginia.
  
  Mr. Ledden says “For the past four years I have had the pleasure of working with the Prince William County Schools in the Plans, Permits, and Records department as an engineer.” There he was able to support the faculty and staff with “knowledge of construction, materials, as well as facilities services and systems design.”

   

  Acknowledging that his work goes beyond the practical day-to-day running of a school building, Mr. Ledden says “I work to enrich the lives of those around me. It brings me great joy to know that my work and knowledge may enhance those I interact with.” Mr. Ledden says that his work at JH Classical Academy will “enhance the environment for both students and staff.”

   

  Mr. Ledden and his wife have three children. He enjoys woodworking, welding, and spending time outdoors with his family. His wife, Mrs. Kristyn Ledden, is the Accounting and Procurement Coordinator at JHCA.
• 

  Mrs. Becky Lunz

  Front Office Manager & Registrar
  
  Texas State University, B.S., Psychology & Biology
  
  Mrs. Becky Lunz is the first warm, smiling face you see when you walk through our doors. Becky earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Prior to moving to Jackson with her family in July of 2016, she worked in Texas and Colorado as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for 14 years, primarily in surgery but also in family practice and office settings. She is married to Dean of Students Sam Lunz and they have two young children who both attend JHCA.
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  Becky is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to serve where her kids go to school and work with her husband every day. She deeply appreciates the families, leadership, and culture at JHCA for their warmth, joyfulness, and kindness. She says she is thankful to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty for her children with a like-minded school community.

   

  Classical education has a special place in Becky’s heart because of the focus on educating and nurturing the whole child. She says, “teaching children virtues while providing them with a very rich academic curriculum in a healthy environment is invaluable.”

   

  In her free time, Becky loves to kayak, hike, fish, and ride horses with her family. She also enjoys photography and love to take pictures of nature as well as capture special moments for families.  Becky loves that the people in Jackson make a priority of spending time outdoors and regular adventures with their families. “It is a very beautiful and peaceful place to live, and I thank God daily for the blessing to raise our family here,” she says.
• 

  Mrs. Ana Marlow

  Executive Assistant to the Head of School
  
  West Virginia University, B.A., Elementary Education
  
  Mrs. Ana Marlow was born and raised in West Virginia and attended West Virginia University for a degree in elementary education. From 2010 to 2020, she has served in a number of roles, including as associate director of admissions in a pre-K–12 independent school in Las Vegas.
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  Mrs. Marlow says that what drew her to education administration was being able to serve behind the scenes. She says, “I like organizing and laying the groundwork for others to do what they need to do.”

   

  Mrs. Marlow’s husband works in forestry and wildlife management. Jackson Hole was on their radar of places to live. She says, “It seems that God was leading us to Jackson, as I discovered this wonderful school.” She loves the rich, Christian education that students receive at the Academy and “was blown away by what it has accomplished with students” when she visited. Mrs. Marlow especially noticed the lively interaction between teachers and students in class. She says, “The natural beauty surrounding the school highlights the beauty of the curriculum.”

   

  Having lived in the desert for ten years, cold and snow was a bit of a tough sell for Mrs. Marlow, but she and her husband are both outdoor enthusiasts eager to adapt. Besides hiking and biking, she will pick up skiing or snowboarding!

   

  Mrs. Marlow says, “I am excited to be a part of a new school and looking forward to helping in any way I can.”
• 

  Ms. Emily Nutter

  Advancement Manager
  
  Franciscan University of Steubenville, B.A., History
  
  Ms. Emily Nutter joins JHCA as our Advancement Manager. A native of Ohio, Ms. Nutter recently graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a B.A. in History.
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  She admires students of classical education, noting that, in her experience, they tend to be grounded and possess strong problem solving skills. As such, she is thrilled to help students at JHCA in any way she can. In her spare time, Ms. Nutter enjoys reading, painting, and watching & playing sports.
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  Chef John "JB" Park

  Academy Chef
  
  Masters College, Santa Clarita, Liberal Arts Degree, Business, Music, and Bible
  
  Mr. John "JB" Park was born in Korea, moved to the United States when he was three, and became a citizen at nineteen. JB attended the Masters College in Santa Clarita, where he received a liberal arts degree in business, music, and Bible. Since moving to Jackson from California, JB has worked as a special events caterer for Jackson Hole High School and as a school bus driver. He also was a chef for JHCA from 2017 to 2019. His outgoing, humble demeanor and delicious food brightens the days of colleagues and students alike. He is very excited to be working at JHCA.
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  Mr. John "JB" Park is the JH Classical Academy school chef. He was born in Korea, moved to the United States when he was three, and became a citizen at nineteen. Since moving to Jackson from California, JB has worked as a special events caterer for Jackson Hole High School and as a school bus driver. He also was a chef for JHCA from 2017 to 2019. His outgoing, humble demeanor and delicious food brightens the days of colleagues and students alike.

   

  When JB works in the kitchen he bustles with enthusiasm and passion for his food. The topic quickly switches to food in a conversation with JB. He says that cooking and eating was a strong part of his childhood. “When I was a kid, I loved to work with my mother in the kitchen,” he remembers. Another inspiration for cooking comes from his early desire to make food that he liked to eat. He also has a more sensitive palate than most people. “My tongue can taste more flavors than the usual set of taste buds,” JB explains. “I was tested with a supertaster strip, which has a bitter flavor very few can detect.”

   

  JB attended the Masters College in Santa Clarita, where he received a liberal arts degree in business, music, and Bible. While in college he worked as the college cafeteria manager. Once he graduated, JB started out his cooking career by working at a Korean barbeque restaurant in California. He visited Jackson in 2009 and fell in love with his church and the beautiful environment. Someday, he dreams of starting the first Korean barbeque place in Jackson. “Is that a surprise?” He chuckles. “It’s my favorite food.”

   

  JB’s favorite part about cooking is providing a service to others. He says, “I love when a serve a dish and it makes people smile. I enjoy it when someone enjoys my food.” Food is also a way to make friends. JB says, “I like to get to know people through food. By eating with someone, you can learn so much about what they’re like and where they’re from.” He also appreciates the social dynamic to food. He continues, “I like the social aspect to food as well—especially small groups where you can really engage in conversation.”

   

  “I am so excited to make delicious dishes for the students and teachers, hear feedback, and tailor the food to the school,” he says.