Faculty

Jason Edwards, Headmaster

Was raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four and a half years. During that time God brought me to himself and changed the course of my life dramatically. I ended up working at Camp Bighorn in Plains, Montana, which is where I met Jessica Murphy, who was soon to become my wife. My education has been varied with a BA in English, a certificate in Biblical Counseling through Christian Counseling and Education Foundation, and State certification to teach 7th - 12th grade English. I am working toward an MS in Education.

Holly Lapka, Kindergarten

Was born in San Rafael, California, and raised in Libby Montana, where she accepted Christ as her personal Savior in 1992. Later that year, she and her husband were called into ministry. Holly, alongside her husband Lynn, currently resides and ministers at Cornerstone Faith Center in Saint Ignatius, where Lynn is Senior Pastor. She has had over ten years in education and is called to encourage youth to be filled with the knowledge of His will, and to live a life worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:9-10). She enjoys leading worship, skiing, playing guitar, hiking in the Mission Mountains, and teaching Kindergarten.

Angie Heilig, 1st & 2nd Grades

Grew up in Sheridan, Montana as a pastor's daughter. She has taught here at MVCA for seven years. Angie and Glenn, her husband, have six children: Jarad, Brent, Amber, Andrea, Kyle, and Kendra. She loves to read, especially a good mystery. She enjoys gardening, flowers being her specialty. She is passionate about giving, and serving others. Angie can make a mean mushroom steak.

Sally Brown, 3rd & 4th Grades

I was born and raised in Southern California and raised my own family there. When my children were in grade school, I decided that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I went back to school and finally graduated from Azusa Pacific University ten years ago and became a grandmother at the same time. After moving here to Montana I was hired to teach at MVCA and love integrating my faith with my love of children and teaching. I am married and have three married children and eight grandchildren.

 

George Hart, 5th & 6th Grades

I've lived in 14 states and two countries. I taught beginning and advanced Russian while serving in the United States Army. I worked on the cutting edge in telecommunications after getting out of the army and ended up as an instructor my last 3 years in that field. I love to tell stories and play jokes; and I have always wanted to be a school teacher.

 

Sue Dunn, 7th & 8th Grades, Pre-Algebra

Sue Dunn has been a teacher for 28 year, seven of them at MVCA, and we are very pleased to have her back. Sue and her husband, Jack, served as teachers and administrators at a Christian school in Spain for nine years. Mr. Dunn is also a registered nurse, and together they have three grown dauthers, two of whom are MVCA alumnae.

 

Robin Dursma, Upper School, Algebra and Science

My current position at MVCA is Upper School math and science teacher. I was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ as my Savior when I was six. I have been in education for over 12 years and have a passion to give students a good educational foundation to prepare them for whatever God may call them to do in the future. My life verses are Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 41:10.

 

Sheila Lake, Upper School, Humanities

Was born and raised in southwestern Montana. She attended colleges in South Dakota and Tennessee before graduating from Montana State University in 1991 with a bachelor of Arts in English. (Go Cats!) She married a local farm boy and has been raising kids and potatoes ever since. The Lakes have four children attending MVCA: Ace in the second grade, Abigail in eighth, Josh in ninth, and Jessamy in eleventh. Mrs. Lake is looking forward to a great year of reading, writing, and talking about reading and writing! She feels her only true qualification for working at MVCA is that she knows from whence cometh her help: “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Jessica DeMilo, Latin/Greek

Grew up in the western part of the country, where she tried all kinds of school as a kid and liked classical Christian home schooling best. By spring of 2010 she plans to have two Bachelor’s degrees, one in classical languages with an emphasis in Latin, and another in English with a creative writing option. Jessica hopes to continue on to a graduate program in her near future. She has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. (Her little sister is psyched that Jessica will have someone else to explain things to for a change.) Jessica loves Jesus as well as good stories, music, and family.

 

Jerry Roylance, P.E. and Chapel

He is currently the pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Ronan. Mr. Roylance has been with the school since it started in 1993 and has a deep love and compassion for children.