Staff

List of 3 items.

• Ms. Deb Bentlage

  Academy Chef and Kitchen Manager 
  
  

  Ms. Debora “Deb” Bentlage was born in Casper, Wyoming and lived her childhood in the Equality State. After graduating high school in Jackson, she studied for a year at Central Wyoming College and a year in Laramie before entering the U.S. Army and becoming a paratrooper, serving in Korea and Germany. Ms. Bentlage’s experience is varied and strong for her position at JHCA. She started as a cook at her grandmother’s café at the Teton Gables Hotel and has not looked back since! Ms. Bentlage lives in Jackson with her two beautiful children, Sarah and Jacob.
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  Ms. Debora Bentlage was born in Casper, Wyoming and moved around the state as a youth before her family settled in the Valley in 1978. Ms. Bentlage’s grandparents lived in Hoback and owned the Teton Gables Hotel. She now lives in her grandparents old home on the Snake river with her children, Jacob and Sarah.

   

  After graduating high school in Jackson, Deb studied for a year at Central Wyoming College and a year in Laramie. After that she entered the US Army. “I went to non-commission officer school and then became a paratrooper. I don’t think I’d ever have been jumping out of planes if it weren’t for the army.” Deb’s military duties took her to Korea and Germany.

   

  She also was recruited for security work, running background checks on soldiers applying for top security clearances. Deb enjoyed the challenge. “It’s a detective position, really. You dig up dirt on people to see if they’re eligible for clearance. I had to manage six of the Delta Group, as well as the battalion drug testing.”

   

  Being in Korea was a memorable experience for her, especially seeing the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the North and the South. “I got to jump out of a helicopter onto a golf course near the DMZ. From a bird’s-eye view I got to compare the two sides. There is an incredible change in the landscape across the DMZ.” She also appreciated the people she met in Korea. “They are so generous to American soldiers.”

   

  Deb’s experience is varied and strong for her position at JHCA. She had cooked for her grandmother’s café as well as for her own daycare. Deb likewise finds joy being able to serve the students at JHCA. She says, “I love working here. The positive attitude is the best thing about the school. Everything is done for the benefit of the kids, and I like that.”

• Mr. Dwayne Gulley

  Academy Chef
  

  Dwayne has a deep passion for food.  In addition to designing and delivering healthy meals to our students, Dwayne looks forward to leading our school’s educational programming in nutrition and cooking for students, families, and staff in the new building next year. He is eager to promote a healthy food culture at the academy, in accordance with the ideals of excellence in classical Christian education.

   
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  Dwayne has substantial experience in the food service industry, having served as Department Head and Executive Chef at Montana State University and Auburn University, as well as Executive Chef for the Wort Hotel and the White Buffalo Club here in Jackson. Dwayne and his wife currently own Marcella’s Italian & Pizzeria in Thayne.

• Mrs. Lisa Landis

  Admissions Manager
  
  Ithaca College of New York, B.Mus., Music Education; Piano
  
  

  Mrs. Lisa Landis served as the school's founding music teacher and choral director. She loves working alongside her husband, Mr. Ian Landis, and the admissions team to help grow the Academy. She attended Ithaca College of New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree, double majoring in Music Education and Piano. Mrs. Landis grew up in Quakertown, PA and appreciates the opportunity to live in and enjoy Jackson with her husband and two children.  
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  Since the age of four, Mrs. Lisa Landis has been playing piano. Her love of music continued and expanded, as she went on to study voice, and play alto saxophone in middle school and bassoon in ninth grade. She was also the drum major of her school’s marching band in senior high.

   

  With such an early love for music performance, and ability to play many instruments and sing, Mrs. Landis’ experience is both broad and deep. She brings incredible versatility and expertise to the music program at JH Classical Academy.

   

  Previously, Mrs. Landis was the Choir Director of Cactus Canyon Junior High School and Apache Junction High School, where she taught grades seven through twelve students both choir and piano. Prior to that, she taught pre-K through sixth grade general music at Four Peaks Elementary School in Arizona.

   

  Since she has worked with students that had extremely varied musical abilities and backgrounds, Mrs. Landis learned how to choose repertoire that fits every grade and skill level. She makes music both accessible and rigorous part of out classical curriculum. Mrs. Landis’ experience with K-12 music education has helped her with creating the K-12 curriculum map for JH Classical Academy. She has well-planned goals for the high school years, including chamber ensembles, choir, and AP music theory.

   

  Mrs. Landis loves the outdoor life of Jackson—especially the snow sports. She says her favorite things here are, “The wildlife and skiing, if I can pick two!” From the time Mrs. Landis could walk, she remembers snowmobiling on trails around and over frozen lakes with her family in upstate New York. Mrs. Landis is married to JHCA Assistant Head of School Ian Landis and together they have two young children.