About Us

Faculty

Jackson Hole Classical Academy is fortunate to have a dedicated and talented faculty. Academy teachers – with a rigorous, content-rich curriculum as their road-map – guide and mentor students with care and intentionality. Both in and outside the classroom, our faculty strives to fulfill our school mission: to cultivate within students the wisdom and virtue necessary to discover their God-given potential and contribute to a flourishing and free society.

List of 19 items.

  • Mrs. Kimberly Nichols

    1st Grade Teacher
    Acadience Coordinator

    Regis University, M.Ed., Special Education
    Grand Valley State University, B.S., Film and Video Production
    State of WY Professional Teaching Certificate, Standard, Endorsements: Exceptional Generalist K–12

    Mrs. Kimie Nichols brings more than two decades of experience to JH Classical Academy; she has taught K–8 students in Colorado, Wyoming, and South Korea at public, private, and Christian schools. Her undergraduate years concentrated heavily in psychology with a degree in film and video production. She received her master’s degree in education from Regis University in Colorado, giving her insight into K–12 generalist and special education. 
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  • Mrs. Tracy Court

    2nd Grade Teacher

    University of Dallas, B.A., Theology


    Mrs. Tracy Court grew up in Houston and earned her bachelor of arts degree in Theology from the University of Dallas. She has five years of experience teaching in public, charter, and private education. Most recently she taught 3rd grade at Founders Classical Academy near Dallas.
     
    She says, "I love how children of this age are becoming independent thinkers. I get to help them form ideas by teaching them how to think. They are so excited to learn!"
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  • Ms. Jamie Cure

    3rd Grade Teacher
     
    Oral Roberts University, Bachelor of Education, Elementary Education
    Concentration: Teaching English Language Learners
     
    Ms. Jamie Cure joins JHCA as our third-grade teacher. Originally from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, she taught for nine years in the public school system. She was first introduced to classical education through a friend over two years ago. As her friend described classical literature’s relevance for today, Ms. Cure felt like she was starting to come alive as a teacher again. This discussion brought a sense of meaning, purpose, and hope to Ms. Cure. She realized we don’t just have “grin and bear it” to get through life, but that God has provided good, true, and beautiful things in this world and through literature that we can explore as a way of drawing closer to Him. She is excited to be teaching in an environment that is good for the soul of the teacher and good for the soul of the student. 
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  • Ms. Catherine Stypa

    4th Grade Homeroom
    4th Grade Math; 6th Grade Literature & Composition; 9th Grade Rhetoric; High School Practical Arts; Senior Thesis

    Wyoming Catholic College, B.A., Liberal Arts


    Ms. Catherine Stypa joins JHCA after receiving her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Wyoming Catholic College—the perfect confluence, in her opinion, of a Great Books curriculum and an epic location. As WCC is set against the Wind River Mountains with sprawling backcountry access, Ms. Stypa was a Field Instructor with COR Expeditions during college. After graduating, she taught high school math and science at a private, Catholic school in California while attaining the prerequisite education to pursue a career in medicine. However, her profound love of teaching and passion for classical education, along with a strong desire to serve, led her to Jackson Hole Classical Academy.
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  • Ms. Alice Lyons

    4th Grade Language Arts, History, & Geography; 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grade Latin

    University of Cambridge, M.Phil., Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic
    Claremont McKenna, B.A., Classical and Religious Studies

    Ms. Alice Lyons attended Claremont McKenna for a bachelor’s degree in classics and the University of Cambridge for a master's degree in Anglo-Saxon. She has since taught at classical and private schools. Ms. Lyons says her favorite thing about teaching is, "how quickly you can witness change."

    She says, "Students begin a class not knowing a concept, and by the end of the class they know and apply it freely. Seeing students daily develop their minds and souls is rewarding."
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  • Mrs. Kate Rudolph

    5th Grade Homeroom
    5th Grade Literature & Composition, European History, & Geography; 6th Grade Informal Logic; 7th Grade Ancient History

    Oxford University, M.St., Study of Religion
    Providence College, B.A., Theology, Minor in Dance


    Mrs. Kate Rudolph grew up in Trumbull, Connecticut, and attended St Joseph's high school. Her liberal arts studies gave her an early taste for the value of classical education. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Providence College in Rhode Island, where she studied theology with a minor in dance. Upon graduation, she matriculated into Oxford University for a master’s in theology.

    As a teacher, Mrs. Rudolph nurtures students' natural desire to learn. She says, "What I love most about teaching is to see students ask the right questions. My job is to encourage their curiosity and to guide their inquiry."
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  • Mr. Benjamin Corcoran

    Assistant Dean of Students
    6th Grade Homeroom
    2nd, 4th, & 6th Grade Latin; 6th Grade Science; 9th Grade Conceptual Physics
     
    Wyoming Catholic College, B.A. Liberal Arts
    Olympic College, A.S., Biology
     
    Mr. Benjamin Corcoran holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Wyoming Catholic College and an associate's in Biology from Olympic College in Washington. Previously, Mr. Corcoran taught and worked as an administrator, launched an intramural athletics program, and was a dean of students in a classical charter school network in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. He has taught 4th grade, 9th grade Literature and History, Euclidean Geometry, and physical education.
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  • Mr. Ian McRae

    6th Grade American History & Geography; 7th Grade Literature & Composition; 9th Grade Humane Letters; Latin I

    University of St. Andrews in Scotland, MLitt., Intellectual History
    Hillsdale College, B.A., History & Politics

    Mr. Ian McRae hails from the Pacific Northwest, having grown up in Oregon near Seattle. He holds a bachelor of arts in history and politics from Hillsdale College, where he also studied Latin, and a master of letters in intellectual history from University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he also studied seventeenth century natural law.

    “My favorite part about teaching is sharing the best stories from history and getting students interested in the past, and its significance in the present. The look in their eyes when they have their ‘a-ha’ moments is the best.”
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  • Mr. Steve Spence

    7th Grade Pre-Algebra & Computer Skills; 10th Grade Algebra II; 11th Grade Pre-Calculus; High School Computer Science
     
    Notre Dame De Namur University, M.A. in Education
    Chico State University, B.S. in Computer Science
     
    JHCA welcomes Mr. Steve Spence, joining us this year as an Upper School Math, Computer Skills, and Computer Science teacher Most recently, Mr. Spence taught at the Mountain Academy in Jackson.
     
    Mr. Spence is originally from the Bay Area of California, near San Jose. During his undergraduate studies at Chico State University in California, he majored in Computer Science and minored in Math. He then earned an M.A. in education from Notre Dame De Namur University, also in California. Mr. Spence began college hoping to become a math teacher, but after taking a few computer science classes, he realized that "computers were about to explode in popularity.” Consequently, he changed his plans and worked in the tech industry for many years. His love for teaching persisted, however, as he homeschooled his children while working. He eventually retired from the tech industry to teach full-time.
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  • Ms. Britney Poland

    8th Grade Homeroom
    4th Grade Science; 5th Grade Math & Science; 8th Grade Earth Science; High School Practical Arts
     
    Clemson University, B.S., Animal and Veterinary Science
     
    Ms. Britney Poland grew up in rural South Carolina town, where her love for science blossomed on her family’s small cattle farm. She participated in all things equine, from 4H to showing horses nationally. Her love for horses led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Science from Clemson University, where she also competed on their Equestrian Team. Originally, Ms. Poland intended to become a large animal veterinarian, but God had other plans. He placed teaching in her heart instead and she has never looked back.
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  • Mrs. Abigail McRae

    8th Grade Medieval History

    University of St. Andrews in Scotland, MLitt., Intellectual History
    Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, B.A. Liberal Arts


    Mrs. Abigail McRae hails from New York, where she taught skiing for over ten years, and most recently taught at a K–12 classical school in Connecticut. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in New Hampshire and a master’s degree in intellectual history through the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

    "I’m most excited to be working with faculty and students I admire towards the common goal of forming minds in truth and virtue."
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  • Ms. Evyn McGraw

    8th Grade Literature and Composition; 8th Grade Art; 12th Grade Great Books; High School Art History, Studio Art, & History of Christianity

    University of St. Andrews, M.Litt, Theology and the Arts
    John Brown University, B.A., English

    Ms. Evyn McGraw is from Greenville, Texas, outside of Dallas. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from John Brown University in Arkansas, with a double minor in Religion & Philosophy and Art & Illustration. “I took on all of these disciplines,” she says, “because I wanted to learn 'all the things'—my parents homeschooled me with a classical curriculum where there’s no hard distinction between disciplines, and I appreciate this approach to education as a valuable means of understanding the world and ultimately as a means of worship.” She also holds a master’s degree in Theology and the Arts from the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
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  • Mrs. Tanya McDaniel

    K–7th Grade Art Teacher

    Mrs. Tanya McDaniel has lived in Jackson for over ten years. She teaches private art lessons to adults and children, and has previously taught at children’s art camps. Mrs. McDaniel attended Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia as a pre-med student with a minor in art, and studied abroad in Cortona, Italy through her college's art program. She has spent many years in international mission work, including when she taught at a K–8 Christian school in Kenya.

    "Everyone has the ability to be an artist; they just need to break down that initial barrier.”
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  • Dr. Evan Campbell

    K–12th Grade Music Teacher
    Choir Director

    McGill University, M.A.,  Ph.D., Music Theory
    McMaster University, B.Mus. with Honors; Performance Diploma, Classical Guitar


    Dr. Evan Campbell holds a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Music Theory from McGill University in Montreal, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Music and a Performance Diploma in Classical Guitar from McMaster University in Ontario. Most recently, Dr. Campbell was a Visiting Professor of Music Theory at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam in New York.  His Ph.D. research explored Renaissance psalm and canticle settings, a reflection of his Christian faith.
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  • Mr. Jozef Benko

    K–7th Grade Chess; 12th Grade Physics; High School Chess

    University of the Slovak Republic at Nitra, M.S., Environmental Ecology

    University of the Slovak Republic at Nitra, B.S. Environmental Science

    Mr. Jozef Benko hails from Czechoslovakia, where he studied environmental science and environmental ecology. He is our K–8th grade chess instructor and assists with grounds and facilities maintenance. Mr. Benko has always been interested in the game of chess and has been playing seriously for nine years.
     
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  • Mr. Jeff Eckart

    Clubs, Programs, & Camps Manager
    K–8th Grade P.E. Teacher

    Concordia University, M.A., Teaching, Health and Physical Education Emphasis
    Portland State University, B.S., School of Community Health
     
    Born and raised in small-town Oregon, Mr. Jeff Eckart earned a Bachelor of Science in the School of Community Health at Portland State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in health and physical education from Concordia University. He joins JHCA as the K–6 physical education teacher, having previously taught and coached in both Oregon and Arizona. He also manages our athletic clubs, programs, and camps.
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  • Mr. Andrew Vitale

    Athletics & Community Relations Coordinator
    5th–12th Grade P.E. Teacher

    Concordia University Irvine, M.A., Coaching and Athletics Administration
    Eastern Connecticut State University, B.S., Mathematics

    Mr. Andrew Vitale was born and raised in Connecticut, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Eastern Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletics Administration from Concordia University Irvine. He spent the last sixteen years at Marianapolis Preparatory School in teaching and advisory roles, and as the director of athletics.
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  • Dr. Kayla Eckart

    High School Health Teacher
     
    National University of Natural Medicine, Ph.D., Naturopathic Medicine 
    Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, M.A., Acupuncture
    Portland State University, B.S, in Community Health and Health Sciences 
     
     Dr. Kayla Eckart received her Doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. To further her studies, she then received her Master of Arts in Acupuncture while teaching anatomy/physiology and medical terminology to graduate students. She established a medical practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, which she continues to maintain part-time and is happy to now call Wyoming home. 
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  • Mr. Chase Court

    Learning Support Coordinator
    Substitute Coordinator

    Texas A&M University, M.A., Psychology
    Texas A&M University, B.S., Psychology and Sociology

    Licensed Specialist in School Psychology


    Mr. Chase Court earned his bachelor of science in psychology and sociology in addition to a master's degree in psychology from Texas A&M University. He also has a specialized degree to work in schools as a psychologist and previously worked for six school districts near Dallas providing student psychology and support services.

    He says, "The rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to build relationships with students and work with them to help them develop the social and emotional skill sets to become successful."
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Mountain Range

Contact

Physical Address:
2500 S. Park Loop Rd.
Jackson, WY 83001

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 7466
Jackson, WY 83002
 
Enrollment Inquiries:
Lisa Landis, Admissions 
(307) 201-5040 
 
All Other Inquiries:
School Office
(307) 201-5040
 








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Nondiscrimination Policy: Jackson Hole Classical Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Jackson Hole Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, tuition assistance, athletic, arts and other school administrated programs.