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| Dr. Cary Stelmachowicz
Executive Director
cstelmac@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
I have been involved in Lutheran education for over 40 years. My experience is as an English teacher, basketball and golf coach for both men and women and an administrator of schools in Mich., Wis., and Missouri. I have taught at the university level and high school level. I am a teacher of literature and writing. I am a Concordia University Chicago graduate, An Oakland University graduate, and a Western Michigan graduate. (also a Johnnie)
I love to read authors like Lehane, DeMille, Coben, Grisham, and others. I am a film aficionado, especially enjoying film noir. I love to golf and enjoy watching movies and sports. My wife and I have four adult children and three grandchildren.
Favorite Bible verse John 10:10 where Jesus said "I came that you would have life, and live it to the full."
Years with OSCA ~ 2
My Favorite Color ~ Black/Silver
My Favorite Food ~
Steak (ribeye) and Potatoes
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| Lori Albright
Principal/Smithville PreK Teacher
lalbright@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Albright's Chalkboard
I've been blessed to use my Bachelor's degree in Ele. Ed. at OSCA. I was home with my children for ten years after working in public schools. Mrs. P asked me to serve as a Para in a PreK classroom then slowly added responsibility/training so I was able to serve as a classroom teacher and now Principal/Teacher. We have an incredible staff of dedicated professionals who want their students to know Christ. We know this is the foundation for students to face the challenges life brings.
Years with OSCA ~ 16
My Favorite Color ~ Yellow
My Favorite Food ~ Chocolate
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| Gayle Abbett
Student Services
gabbett@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
This will be my 17th year at Our Savior Christian Academy. I love that during my time at OSCA I have gotten to work with students from Preschool to High School. I’m originally from Nebraska and moved to the Kansas City area after college. I enjoy traveling, reading and crafting.
Years with OSCA ~ 17
My Favorite Color ~
Green
My Favorite Food ~
Popcorn
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| Megan Campbell
K-8 Reading Teacher
Mcampbell@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Campbell's Chalkboard
I graduated from Concordia University in Mequon, WI with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education. Upon graduating I worked in the public sector as a second grade teacher in Leavenworth for 5 years. Then I was blessed to stay home and be a stay at home mom for 6 years. I've taught at OSCA for 7 years. I am certified in Orton Gillingham and use it across the board to teach all children to read. I am passionate about creating an environment where children feel comfortable and willing to try when it comes to reading. My desire is to have all students build confidence in their ability to read and write.
Years with OSCA ~ 8
My Favorite Color is ~ Orange & Purple
My Favorite Food is ~ Chinese
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| Courtney Dame
K-5 Science and Math Teacher
cdame@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Dames Chalkboard
I am so excited to jump back into the classroom at OSCA! Before my youngest son was born, I spent 7 years working in special education and teaching 2nd grade. I have a bachelor’s degree in intercultural business and an associate’s degree in theology from Lincoln Christian University. I attended Indiana Wesleyan University to obtain my master’s degree and licensing in elementary education.
I have a heart for Platte City. Serving on the board for the Downtown Platte City Association, I spend a great deal of time encouraging business owners, planning events downtown, and creating partnerships to grow our small town.
I have 2 boys: Aiden is 16 and Liam is 5. Both of my boys play hockey so any free time is spent at the rink. We frequently attend Sporting KC and Chiefs games!
Years with OSCA ~ 2nd Year
My Favorite Color is ~ Yellow
My Favorite Food is ~ Tacos
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| Sarah Douglas
Ele. Social Studies, Art, P.E.
SDouglas@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s in English education and a minor in music. I used my degree to teach for 4 years before leaving to stay at home with my young kids. This is my first year in the classroom since 2015, and I am thrilled to be back! I had the opportunity to volunteer with Mrs. Cambell’s class last year, and I was so impressed by everything about OSCA. I look forward to working alongside the wonderful staff who have taught my oldest daughter for the last few years. I want my PE students to learn that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, and that physical fitness can be fun. I want my art students to notice and appreciate beauty all around them, remembering that every good and beautiful thing comes from God. Finally, I want my social studies students to become curious about history and to recognize how belief in the God of the Bible shaped the United States—the greatest country in the world.
Years at OSCA~ First year
Favorite Color~ Pink
Favorite Food~ Chocolate
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| Deb Hall
PreSchool Lead Instructor
DHall@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
This will be my 16th year teaching Preschool at Our Savior Christian Academy. I am a long time resident of Platte County. I graduated from Park Hill and graduated from University of Central Missouri. I am married with three kids and two grandchildren. I enjoy being with family and friends, summertime, traveling, and our lake house at Lake of the Ozarks.
Years with OSCA ~ 16
My Favorite Color ~ Green
My Favorite Food ~ Mexican
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| Maggie Johnson
Public Relations, Human Resources
mjohnson@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Before wokring at OSCA, I worked at St Luke's Hospital for 10 years as the ER Admitting Supervisor. I have two daughters that also attend OSCA. I love getting to know the kids and see them grow through out the year!
Years with OSCA ~ 2nd year
My Favorite Color ~ Pink
My Favorite Food ~ Pasta
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| Carol Layton
PreSchool Instructor
CLayton@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Layton's Chalkboard
I’ve been married for 39 years. My husband was in the military so we traveled the world, living in 2 different countries and 6 states. I have worked in schools for the past 17 years. I worked as a Science Lab assistant, Librarian assistant and a Para before starting at Our Savior. I love working with children and enjoy seeing the excitement in their faces when they learn new things.
Years with OSCA ~ 8 years
My Favorite Color ~ Red
My Favorite Food ~
Spaghetti Carbonara
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| Sheri Reineke
Music Instructor K-8
SReineke@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Reineke's Chalkboard
I am excited to be starting my 3rd year teaching music at OSCA. I am retired from the Platte County R-III School District after teaching 13 years of vocal music at both the middle school and high school level. I also taught 2 years of music K-12 both instrumental and vocal at a small school in the state of Missouri.
I am a graduate of Platte County R-III school district. I hold a Bachelor’s of Education (Vocal/Instrumental) Music degree from Missouri Western State University. I also hold 2 Masters Degrees from Webster University; a Masters of Arts in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration.
I am an active member of the following affiliations: National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, National Educator Association, Sigma Alpha Iota Alumni, Missouri Music Educators Association, and Missouri Choral Directors Association.
My last 2 years of teaching at Platte County R-III district, it was my honor to be the Assistant Director of Choirs at Platte County High School co-teaching with Mr. Brian von Glahn (Director of Choirs). While teaching at the high school the Concert Choir had the honor of singing at the Missouri Music Educators Conference. Teaching duties while at the high school have included Director of the Women’s Choir, co-teaching Men’s Choir, Concert Choir, Freshman Honor Choir and Sound Express Chamber/Show Choir. Other High School teaching assignments in teaching online classes. Platte City Middle School teaching responsibilities included: Prelude Choir (Select 6th grade choir), PCMS Honor Choir (Select 7th/8th grade choir), 6th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Choir, 8th Grade Choir and Music Appreciation classes at the middle school level. I also teach private music lessons in voice, flute and saxophone.
I have received awards from the American Red Cross for volunteer hours, I have been recognized in Who’s Who in Music in 1982, and the award of Senior First Class in Girl Scouts (the highest award for a Girl Scouts), with a letter of congratulations for receiving the award from President Jimmy Carter. I was honored to receive an American flag flown at the White House presented to me by the Honorable Judge Jack Hansel. The flag was presented to me for the service of singing the National Anthem at many Platte City/County events.
I spent many years singing and playing flute for the First Baptist Church of Platte City. I sang in a worship service the first time in high school, and sang solo’s and participated in Cantatas at church throughout my life in Platte City. I have led Children’s Choirs for Christmas programs and additional songs during service times for several years while at the First Baptist Church in Platte City. I also led the children’s music for vacation bible school for 2 years.
I spent 12 years singing and performing with The Black Label Band, out of Northwestern Missouri. My duties with The Black Label Band included: Lead Singing, Backup Singing, Keyboardist, Playing Flute, and Saxophone as well as setting up and tearing down equipment. I traveled with the group all over the 4 State Area of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, while always maintaining full time employment, with fortune 500 companies. These years of dedication to practicing and performing taught me great self-discipline and expanded my musicianship.
I currently sing in the Canto Chorale of Platte County. Canto Chorale is a community choir dedicated to bringing special Christmas and Easter cantatas to small and local churches. I also play an Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) to cover the Oboe part, in the Platte City Community Band. I get many questions about the instrument that I play. The instrument looks like a toy, but It is not. It is an instrument made by Roland, a company that has been making keyboards for many years. The EWI uses saxophone fingerings, which I also play, and a mouthpiece to blow through to produce sounds. It produces sounds of up to 128 different instruments.
I reside in Platte City sharing a home with my mother Peggy Reineke.
Favorite Quote:
Those who wish to Sing will always find a Song. - Proverb
Years with OSCA ~ 3
My Favorite Color ~ Purple
My Favorite Food ~ Mexican Food
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Kathy Schlimm
Religion Instructor
kschlimm@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Schlimm's Chalkboard
I was raised in Alexandria Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C. My father was a career army officer, and I followed in his footsteps to the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY where I graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and All-American honors in Division II swimming. I met my husband while serving in Germany and we have three daughters. After getting out of the Army in 1999, I have worked as a financial advisor, a swim coach, an upholsterer, but mostly a stay at home mother.
I am a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church where I serve on the Church Action Board. It is my pleasure and privilege to teach Religion at Our Savior Christian Academy. I want my students to:
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Love and trust their Bibles as God’s word.
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Know God and His attributes.
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Use the Holy Spirit.
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Understand Christian doctrine (Lord’s Prayer, Apostles Creed).
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Memorize and understand key scripture (one verse a week).
I teach from the Lutheran Study Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Years at OSCA ~ 2
My Favorite Color ~ Blue
My Favorite Food ~ Eggs
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| Jo Walitalo
K/1 Associate Teacher, Student Worship
JWalitalo@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
Mrs. Walitalo's Chalkboard
I am a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church where I serve on the Church Action Board. It is my pleasure and privilege to teach Religion at Our Savior Christian Academy. I want my students to:
Love and trust their Bibles as God’s word.
Know God and His attributes.
Use the Holy Spirit.
Understand Christian doctrine (Lord’s Prayer, Apostles Creed).
Memorize and understand key scripture (one verse a week).
I teach from the Lutheran Study Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Years at OSCA ~ 4
My Favorite Color ~ Blue
My Favorite Food ~ Shrimp
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| Maddie Wolford
PreSchool Instructor
MWolford@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net
I graduated from K-State with a degree in History and Political Science. Previously, I worked at the K-State Career Center and K-State First where I assisted students integrating into campus life and plan for their next steps. I'm a member of the church congregation and have previously played sports with OSCA. My hobbies include spending time with my family, running, and playing with my dogs.
Years with OSCA ~ 1 years
My Favorite Color ~ Blue
My Favorite Food ~
Apples with Cheese
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