Meet Our Staff & Faculty
Sprouts (Prep) Teachers
Mrs. Weitzel
2-Day Prep & 3-Day Kinderprep Teacher
Mrs. Weitzel has been in Christian education for 18 years, and is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College. She feels so blessed to have the opportunity to teach the "littles" at Strong Roots! Teaching is her passion and her ministry. She loves teaching children about shapes, colors, letters, and numbers....but most importantly...about Jesus! What a privilege it is to be called to plant faith seeds for the Lord each and every day. She and her husband Josh live in Indianola with their five children and four dogs! Her favorite past times include watching her kids participate in different sporting events, spending time with friends and family, playing games, and camping. She looks forward to serving the Lord, families, and students at Strong Roots Christian!
Mrs. Hoffman
2-Day Prep & 3-Day Kinderprep Associate
Mrs. Hoffman grew up in southwest Iowa as a farm girl and later graduated from Iowa State University, with degrees in art & design and advertising. She met her husband at ISU and they have four kids. Two will be at SRCS this year – Chloe is their youngest and will be in 9th grade and Mallory is their oldest and will be teaching third grade. Mrs. Hoffman has been Mrs. Weitzel’s associate for the last nine years, and still enjoys hearing the bible lessons that Mrs. Weitzel shares with her students. Mrs. Hoffman has also worked as an art associate, librarian and marketing/design support person. She loves being a part of the Strong Roots family and helping it grow while helping others grow their faith.
Mrs. Kaldenberg
5-Day Junior
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Kaldenberg has served the Lord through Christian education for over twenty years teaching a variety of grade levels, including pre-K and 2nd through 8th grade in multi-grade combinations. She loves teaching children the truth of God's Word and then seeing students apply it to different areas of their lives, no matter what age they are! Mrs. Kaldenberg and her husband reside south of Indianola in Medora and have one grown daughter. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time with family and friends. Her favorite part of life is to study the Bible where she gets to be the student and continue to grow and be rooted in God’s Word. Her desire is for her students to have "strong roots" in God’s word and its principles.
Mrs. Duckworth
5-Day Junior
Kindergarten Associate
Mrs. Duckworth grew up in the Indianola area, but has also lived in Arizona and Texas. Along with her husband and four kids, she lives south of town and has horses, cattle, and goats. Mrs. Duckworth loves to train and ride horses and has had experience in teaching equine assisted therapy for children with disabilities. She loves animals and enjoyed working as a vet tech for many years. Recently she has been the janitor at the school and has subbed as an associate when needed. She stays busy taking kids to softball, t-ball, 4-H, and the pool during the summer. She previously homeschooled her children and transitioned to Strong Roots in 2023. She is looking forward to helping the students grow and learn all about Jesus!
Primary Campus Teachers
Mrs. Veach
Kindergarten
Mrs. Veach just completed her 27th year of teaching, all in Kindergarten or 1st Grade. She earned her teaching degree at Faith Baptist Bible College and feels it has been the greatest blessing to be able to serve her students and families through Christian education. She resides on the south side of Des Moines with her husband, John, and their daughter, Zoe, where they attend Ankeny Baptist Church. Mrs. Veach enjoys her two rescue kittens (Thor & Loki), reading, thrift shopping, and organizing. She also loves spending time with her husband, grilling, watching Chiefs football, and playing board games. They would love to open up a board game cafe/coffee shop someday in the unspecified future. She is excited about the opportunity to teach at Strong Roots Christian School and looks forward to teaching Kinders not only the basics of reading, writing, and math, but also teaching them about Jesus and how the Bible is essential to everything else we learn in life.
Miss Kirkpatrick
Kindergarten
Miss Kirkpatrick graduated from Simpson College with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in early childhood and reading. She spent her first three years out of college subbing and then taught for eleven years here in Indianola. Some of her favorite things in life include her family, friends, crocheting, and reading. She lives in Indianola, and is the second oldest of 13 siblings. Being a part of such a large family paved the way for her love of teaching. She is excited to be a part of SRCS because she strongly values a Christian education and believes in teaching young children the simple truths of the Gospel. She loves working alongside the parents to help their kiddos grow in their relationship with Christ. Ms. Kirkpatrick is excited to be part of SRCS!
Mrs. Gonzalez
1st Grade
Mrs. Gonzalez grew up in a small town in Kansas and moved to Iowa to get her Elementary Education degree. While in college she met her husband then graduated and had three kids. She has taught 2-year-old preschool, 3-5-year-old preschool, Development Kindergarten, and Kindergarten. Life changed suddenly when her husband passed away so she went into substitute teaching in public and private preschool through 6th grade and specials for 5 years. She was married again in 2020 to a man named Alvaro and gained a stepdaughter. They now have 4 kids(2 2024 graduates and 2 Juniors). God led her to join SRCS and return to full-time Christian teaching a year ago. She looks forward to continuing her call to SRCS in her second year teaching first grade and the great privilege of teaching students who God is.
Mrs. Dakins
1st Grade
Mrs Dakins. is the youngest of 6 kids and graduated from UNI in 2012 with a nonprofit administration degree. She has a daughter Bella (6) and a son Alex (8) and her husband Shane works for the street department in Winterset where they currently live. This will be her 3rd year teaching. She went to a Christian school all her life and feels it is so important to raise this next generation up in knowledge and love for the Lord. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family. They love to be outside hiking, fishing, biking, camping, and exploring. She loves to read and brings a book with me her everywhere she goes. She feels honored to be able to teach phonics and writing and share the love of reading to her students at SRC.
Mrs. Pederson
4th Grade
Mrs. Pedersen grew up in small-town Colorado near grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This is where she attended church with family, heard the gospel, and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. After high school, she attended Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Elementary Education and a middle school endorsement. She then taught for 12 years at a Christian school with a wide range of grade levels including: 7th and 8th grade, 4th grade, Physical Education, and 3- and 4-year-old preschool. She taught 4th and 5th grade locally before joining the Strong Roots team. She and her husband have two children, Charlie and Grace. As a family they enjoy living in the country where they raise a few chickens, ride four wheelers, and love to sit by the fire on a cool evening. Mrs. Pedersen is excited to help and watch God continue to grow Strong Roots!
Miss Mallory
3rd Grade
Mallory Hoffman is a recent graduate of Grand View University, and this will be her first year teaching. She received her degree in Elementary education with an endorsement in special education. Her family has lived in Indianola for 11 years. She has three younger siblings and a dog named Hershey. A fun fact about Mallory is that she will be working in the same building as her mother (Mrs. Hoffman) who works with Mrs. Weitzel in the preK room! Miss Mallory enjoys taking walks and spending time outside to appreciate God’s creation. She also loves spending time with her family, listening to worship music, and participating in Bible studies. She was a gymnast for most of her life and has enjoyed working at the Indianola tumbling center for about 6 years. Her past experience with children includes nannying, coaching gymnastics, and student teaching. It is important to Mallory that her students have fun while they are learning, try their best, and treat each other like a team. She is overjoyed to begin her journey as an educator at Strong Roots, and bring her passion for God into teaching.
Mrs. Muller
2nd Grade
Mrs. Muller was born and raised in central Iowa, growing up in Carlisle. She graduated from Simpson College with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, with endorsement areas of Reading, Early Childhood, and Social Studies, and a minor in Psychology. She has spent the last several years devoted to raising her four children and serving her family and community. From the title of mom, coach, doula, and now teacher, teaching has remained at the heart of her work. She is thankful to continue teaching at SRCS, in an environment where she can teach about Biblical truth and God's love, truly reaching the whole child. Mrs. Muller continues to call Warren County home and lives on an acreage with her husband and four children. You can find them riding bikes, at the ball fields, or at home learning about all things homesteading! Mrs. Muller and her family are excited to continue to grow with Strong Roots Christian School and know God has great things in store.
Second Campus Teachers
Mrs. Gay
5th Grade
Mrs. Gay was raised in southern Iowa in Wayne County. She attended Graceland University to receive her Bachelor's in teaching and then Morningside College to receive her Master's. She has been a teacher for 15 years and has enjoyed teaching many different grade levels. She gave her life to Christ 22 years ago and has served in many areas of the church including: worship team, teaching Sunday School and Wednesday nights, leading Youth Group, and attending summer camps with her students. She is married to Brad Gay and has two sons, Keaton and Zech. Mrs. Gay is excited to follow God's leading to teach at SRCS and move to the Indianola area.
Mr. Flickinger
Religion, Spanish, &
Language Arts
Mr Flickinger grew up in Saint Charles, IA in the countryside. He was raised in the church and had the desire to continue his Christian education so that he could use it in some sort of ministry. He graduated from Clarks Summit University with a Bachelor of Science in Bible and Theology and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity through Baptist Bible Seminary. He has been an active teacher in children's ministries within his local church and is excited to continue in Christian education as the Biblical foundations set children up for success in whatever they do as they serve the Lord. He is currently engaged and looking forward to starting his own family this fall. He is grateful and excited to teach at Strong Roots because it is essential for Biblical principles to be incorporated into our daily lives, and Strong Roots is equipping its students to do this.
Mr. Levien
Science & Math
Matthew Levien graduated from St. Augustine high School in San Diego, CA. He has a Bachelor of Science: Zoology with a minor in Ecology and has worked in Animal Welfare for 20 years. God has called him to a new career in teaching including working on a Master of Art: Teaching through Liberty University. He is married to Sara and they are blessed with two boys in high school. Matthew lives for Jesus, teaching Sunday school and has been a guest teacher at a local church. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking and fishing.
Mrs. Saal
Math & P.E.
Mrs. Saal is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a degree in Kinesiology. She earned her Masters in Sports Management from Northern Illinois University. Her first job was as an assistant volleyball coach and assistant strength coach at Simpson College in 2007. She met her husband, Preston Saal, at this time. She has coached collegiate volleyball and strength and conditioning for the past 15 years, the majority of it at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Ms. Becca and her family recently moved back to Indianola from Wisconsin. Her three daughters, Ruby, Ezra, and Willa, will be attending Strong Roots. Ms. Becca enjoys sports and exercising, being outdoors and spending time wiht her family. Ms. Becca is most excited to help teach hands-on activities at Strong Roots and show the students how we can use our God given talents and abilities to serve him.
Specials Teachers
Mrs. Williams
Mrs. Caskey
Mr. Foust
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Miss Moreland
Art Teacher
Mrs. Williams always enjoyed playing school as a child with an old piece of wood as a chalkboard to instruct her imagined students. Fast forward through many years, and she attended Iowa State to pursue her desire to study interior design. However, the Lord had a more perfect way for her and had been preparing her with events in her life. She soon understood that although she loved art, her future lay in teaching, loving, and telling little ones of Christ's amazing love. After being a substitute teacher for a few years, her teaching path began with teaching at a church preschool. Her teaching days continued with teaching 1st and 2nd grade at a Christian school, doing what He wanted her to do, teaching, loving and telling little ones about Him and His perfect love. Now at this chapter in her life and becoming "Oma," or as her grandson calls hers "Owi," her path has changed again as she now wants to be a teacher for her grandsons and be an example of Christ's love to them. She loves teaching just a couple days a week so she can be Oma. Through the years after she stopped teaching full-time, events led her to begin teaching art .. and she loves it! Her other favorite activities are reading, animals, and her family .. but, her grandsons are hands-down her unsurpassed, quintessential, paramount favorite! She looks forward to serving Strong Roots Christian as an art teacher.
Music Teacher
Mary Caskey, an Indianola local, has only recently returned to her hometown after six years serving in France with Greater Europe Mission. Her greatest enjoyment comes from creating, whether it is art, music, baking bread, making delicious food, or gardening. Mary regularly serves at Indianola Community Church on the worship team with drums, guitar, and singing. Her interactions with students in the classroom are not only influenced by her experience raising her own two children, but also through many years working in Christian camps and volunteering as a youth group leader. She is currently pursuing higher education in the area of childhood trauma and counseling as well. She looks forward to sharing her unique experiences and love for music with the students at Strong Roots.
Band Teacher
Heather Moreland has returned to her hometown to teach band at Strong Roots Christian School! She has a music degree from Simpson College, where she majored in flute. She also earned a Masters in Arts in Teaching from Kaplan University. She became a Christian after attending church with her grandfather in the early 2000s. Soon after, she felt called by the Lord to quit her work in accounting and pursue music education. She founded her homeschool band in 2003 and accepted a position teaching instrumental music and worship team at Ankeny Christian Academy from 2005 to 2014. In addition to running her own music studio, she performs with the Greater Des Moines Community Band (flute and piccolo), and with the Greater Des Moines Adult Flute Choir. She is excited to bring her love of God and music to the students of Strong Roots!
Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Foust teaches Physical Education and has worked with students at Thrive Church in Indianola for nearly 20 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vennard College and Master of Arts from Trinity Theological Seminary. He also worked in the public-school setting for 10 years at Wilder, Whittier, and Emerson. When he is not working with students, you can find him coaching one of his two sons’ sports teams, spending time with his wife of 20 years, catching a run on the trail, or volunteering at several different non-profits. He loves to travel, and truly loves the ocean. He loves the Hawkeyes and sometimes the Cubs and being outside in the summer.
Support Staff
Mrs. Miller
Classroom Associate
BIO COMING SOON.
Mrs. Wilke
Classroom Associate
BIO COMING SOON.
Mrs. Skellenger
Mrs. Johnston
Before & Aftercare Associate
Melissa Johnston grew up around southern Iowa and has been a resident to the Indianola area for 21 years! She has five children, a son-in-law to be and one granddaughter! Of course, like any other mom her kids keep her busy with their sports activities. When she gets some free time, she likes to spend it with friends and family, watching movies, listening to music, going for walks, and being able to look at the moon and the stars. As she’s been in the Indianola Community, she has worked at the Indianola Schools as a sub, as a one on one associate , helping with handicap and behavioral children or helping teachers in their classrooms with whatever task that is needed. She is super excited to start this new journey that she feels God pulled her to! She is overly grateful to be a part of the Strong Roots family!
Aftercare Associate
Mrs. Skellenger has been a resident of Indianola for 23 years. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Buena Vista University. Mrs. Skellenger currently works full time at Wells Fargo as a lead fraud rep and will be joining the Strong Roots after school care as part time. She has a passion for kids as she will be rejoining Thrive church on Wednesday nights this school year as a 3-5th grade helper with Pastor Ed Grant and currently also serves as Assistant Director for Iowa Kids’ camp. When she is not working you can find her spending time with her husband, watching football- go Pack go, or hanging out with her niece and nephew. She is super excited to be a part of the Strong Roots Community!
Office
Mrs. Woolverton
Business Manager
Mrs. Woolverton grew up south of Indianola and moved to Texas after she was married. She worked at Wells Fargo in Texas as a supervisor, and a quality assurance liaison for over ten years. She moved back to Iowa in 2012 and began serving as the Administrative Assistant for Redeemer Church in Winterset. She has two children that homeschooled for four years. Both children now attend Strong Roots Christian School. Her family lives in the New Virginia area in the country. Kristin loves to spend time on the land God created. She enjoys growing vegetables and flowers, and taking care of her many chickens. She loves to cook, bake, and has decorated cakes professionally for 20+ years. She is excited to meet all the students and see how they grow in Christ throughout the school year.
Miss Christy
Office Assistant, Second Campus
Miss Alvarez, known to students as "Miss Christy", was raised in a Christian home in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. She graduated from Cathedral City High School in 1998. Shortly thereafter she attended her local community college to obtain her early childhood education credits. During this time, she had her first child and was actively involved in church functions. She began work at a local resort where she was able to put her talents to use as the resort's activities development coordinator, creating a stimulating and creative atmosphere for each child who attended their kid's camp program. Miss Christy ran the kid's camp program for several years until changing positions, working for a local preschool where her daughter was attending classes. It was approximately 10-years ago when Miss Christy decided to move to Iowa for a better way of life for herself, and her now 3 children. She has continued her passion of working with children by taking a position in childcare at the Indianola Wellness Campus, she then branched into a kid's camp and youth sports coordinator. She enrolled her children in a local Christian school, where she soon began to work at their before and after school program. Christy loves the Christian school environment and promoting Christian values. She has dedicated most of her adult life working with children and their families, she is extremely excited and feels blessed to be part of development a caring community where students and staff encourage one another with a Godly focus. She looks forward to what God has planned for the students and families of Strong Roots Christian School as well as herself.
Administration
Mrs. Erin Shearer
