Middle School Program
Our Middle School program provides students with meaningful, rigorous, and supportive preparation for a full liberal arts education. With the apostle Paul, we believe that all things were created through Christ and for Christ, in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17). Therefore, students are invited to learn as an act of worship of our Creator. With theological study as the keystone of a meaningful education, students learn, not only the knowledge and skills required for high school, but the tools of learning for a lifetime.
To learn more about the values informing our program, visit our Salt, Light, Family, Community page. For a deeper sense of what is different about our program, visit the Distinctives page.
Middle School Faculty
Kyle Bendorf - English
Mr. Bendorf graduated magna cum laude from the University of Northwestern Saint Paul with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministries. He received his Master of Arts degree in Christian Thought from Bethel Seminary Saint Paul. He has served in church ministry for over 25 years as a youth pastor and senior pastor. Mr. Bendorf also has experience as a substitute teacher in the public school setting. Mr. Bendorf joined the Flatirons Academy staff in 2022.
Troy Boyer - Fitness
Mr. Boyer graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver and holds a degree in K-12 Education, with an emphasis in Physical Education. Mr. Boyer has over ten years of experience in K-12 education. He joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2007.
Hannah Elstad - History & English
Mrs. Elstad graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in History with a concentration in Social Studies Licensure Program. She holds an English Learner Professional Development certification. She has been teaching and training new teachers in middle school for over 6 years in the Christian Education System. Mrs. Elstad joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2022.
Jacque Hanscom - Math
Mrs. Hanscom graduated from Marymount College, a small Liberal Arts college in Salina, Kansas. She has a degree in Math Education. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience, with 12 years of teaching in a Christian-based school. Most of these years were spent teaching in Kansas. Mrs. Hanscom joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2022.
Kristopher Jones - History
Mr. Jones graduated from Coe College with a Bachelor's in History. Mr. Jones received his teaching certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington and also earned his English Language Arts Teaching Certificate. He has also completed coursework in both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. He has over seventeen years of experience as a teacher and educational leader in Plano ISD (Texas) and Adams 12 School District. Mr. Jones has taught all levels of high school and most social studies courses. He joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2022.
Cathleen Kellerman - Band
Mrs. Kellerman graduated magna cum laude wtih a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Nyack College in New York. She has received an Excellence in Teaching Award and is a trained Kindermusik instructor. Prior to joining the faculty at Flatirons, she managed the Fortissimo Music Studio teaching Kindermusik, summer camps, lessons and worskshops, taught high school band, choir and music appreciation at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey, and served on staff as the worship leader at Neighborhood Alliance Chuch in New York. Mrs. Kellerman also has over 15 years of experience teaching private instrumental lessons. She joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2012.
Pat McGuin - Theology & English
Mr. McGuin completed his Bachelor of Science in History at Central Michigan University and received his secondary Teaching Certificate in Michigan. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in Leadership at Denver Seminary. Mr. McGuin has over seven years of experience, and prior to Flatirons, taught Religious Studies and Ethics at Wuhan Yangtze International School in China. He joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2015.
Mandee Pontasch - Science
Mrs. Pontasch graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Master of Science in Applied Chemistry. She studied the effects of metal contamination in freshwater organisms and her research was published in the scientific journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. After working as an Environmental Compliance and Safety Engineer in the solar industry for 5 years, Mandee changed careers. She entered the world of education when she joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2020.
Jennifer Rieger - Art
Mrs. Rieger graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Colorado at Boulder with an emphasis in oil painting. She is familiar with a variety of mediums and is especially interested in the fine art of portraiture. Mrs. Rieger has been teaching for over 20 years and joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2023.
Monica Romig - Theology
Mrs. Romig received her B.A. in Political Science from Boston University, her Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a graduate certificate in Parent Education from Wheelock College. She has taught theology and biblical studies at the middle and high school levels for 7 years. She has joyfully volunteered in youth ministry for over a decade. Mrs. Romig joined the Flatirons Academy staff in 2022.
Kirsten Wallen - Librarian
Mrs. Wallen graduated from University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. After working at FirstBank in a variety of roles, she discovered a passion for serving communities through public library service. She completed a Master’s in Library and Information Science at Valdosta State University in Georgia and has over seven years experience working in public libraries. She joined the Flatirons staff in 2021.
Teri Willmarth - Choir
Mrs. Willmarth holds an undergraduate degree from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, with a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Education, and a master's degree from The University of Northern Colorado in Choral Conducting. She spent 22 years at Lakewood Senior High School, teaching choir and vocal pedagogy. She is International Baccalaureate Music History Certified, AP Music Theory Certified., and served two terms on the Jefferson County Music Curriculum Board. She has also served two terms as the regional women's vocal chair for the American Choral Directors Association. Mrs. Willmarth joined the faculty at Flatirons Academy in 2022.
Amanda Fox - Assistant Principal
Amanda Fox graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Policy Studies, and Administration. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in K-12th Grade Music Education, Biblical Worldviews, and Philosophy from Dana College and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Amanda has over 12 years of experience in Education Administration and experience as a teacher of K-12th grades in various subjects. Amanda joined the Flatirons Academy staff in 2023.
Jared Wallen - Principal
Mr. Wallen graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Master’s of Social Psychology, a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts, and minors in Exercise Science and English. He has also completed graduate coursework in Educational Leadership. Jared has over ten years of experience as a teacher and educational leader in Greeley School District 6 and Jeffco Public Schools. Jared joined the Flatirons Academy faculty in 2018.