Our faculty and staff are an integral part of creating a lifelong love of learning in our students. Each member of our Covenant team is uniquely gifted and equipped to enhance your child’s experience at Covenant.
Head of School
Dr. Stoner graduated from Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois) with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Hamilton, Massachusetts) and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Development from Boston University (Boston, Massachusetts). Dr. Stoner joined Covenant in 2017.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Dr. Stoner
I love being a part of the Covenant community because of the clarity of our mission and identity and our strategic vision to be the best expression of who we are in the years to come.
Grammar School Principal
Mrs. Burlingame graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching. Mrs. Burlingame first joined Covenant in 2010.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Burlingame...
I am delighted to be a part of the Covenant community. Covenant’s devoted faculty, inquisitive students, vibrant curriculum, and grace-filled atmosphere make it a truly exceptional place. It is an honor and joy to participate in Covenant’s mission to share Christ’s love and to celebrate His creation through joyful, humble study of His Word and world.
Upper School Dean
Mrs. Combs earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College with a double major in History and Philosophy. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Philosophy of History, a Great Books-style program within the Department of History and Political Science at Olivet Nazarene University. Mrs. Combs first joined Covenant in 2010.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Combs…
"I am privileged to do the best "work" in the world: I get to spend my days around a table reading widely and thinking deeply with the most passionate, inquisitive young minds. Training these young people to communicate their own responses to a text is a tremendous, but desperately important, task. To do this kind of work with like-minded colleagues, in a supportive community of grace, never ceases to excite me!"
Front Desk / After School Care Manager
Mrs. Phinney graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing. Mrs. Phinney joined Covenant in 2013.
A Word from Mrs. Phinney…
It is my pleasure to help make Covenant more convenient for families through caring for students before and after school. Investing in the children’s play, relationships, and homework time is very rewarding as I see them grow spiritually, physically and intellectually through their years in a classical Christian community.
Front Desk Manager
Mrs. Huang graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and from Long Island University with a Master’s in Education. She has been part of the Covenant family as a parent since 2020 and joined our staff in 2025.
A Word from Mrs. Huang…
It is a joy to be part of the Covenant team and to work alongside teachers and staff who are dedicated to helping students grow and thrive. At home, life is full with five wonderful children who remind me daily that investing in young lives is the most important work I can do. I am grateful for the opportunity to support students and families here at Covenant.
First Grade
Mrs. Herrera graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. She went on to earn a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in ESL/BIL (Spanish) Education. Mrs. Herrera joined Covenant in 2014.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Herrera…
The best part about working at Covenant is that I am a part of a caring, grace-filled community. I have come to feel that it is more like being part of a family. My fellow staff members, faculty, administrators, students, and parents have supported me and encouraged me through every aspect of life. Covenant is truly a place where one can experience the body of Christ. I feel extremely blessed to be a part of this community. Teaching in a classical and Christian environment is such a delight! In my classroom, it is my goal to help students see the big picture of how everything in God’s creation fits together. Our first graders learn about geography, history, and science, along with many other subject areas, and then we spend the whole year looking for ways they are all interconnected.
Kindergarten
Debra Soehren - Kindergarten
Mrs. Soehren graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management with a minor in Economics. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity International University. Mrs. Soehren joined Covenant in 2010.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Soehren...
Covenant has been an immeasurable blessing to me every day, from the enthusiasm and respect of the students to the encouragement from parents to the camaraderie and support of fellow staff. I am challenged and privileged to be able to inspire and witness the love, joy, and excitement for learning in our students. They demonstrate a wonder and an amazement for all our loving God has created!
Second Grade
Mrs. Sceggel graduated from Gordon College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and went on to earn a Master of Education in Integrated Curriculum and Instruction from Covenant College. Mrs. Sceggel joined Covenant in 2012.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Sceggel…
It's truly a delight to teach at Covenant where depth, integration, growth, and grace are valued. As my students gain knowledge and skills, our rich curriculum lends itself to discussing big ideas and making connections between prior knowledge and new ideas as well as between subjects. The second graders eagerly explore God’s creation and integrate biblical truths with their learning. I enjoy expanding my knowledge of botany, the Bible, ancient history, and teaching methods that increase student engagement and learning. Here at Covenant, learning takes place in an atmosphere of humility and grace which mirrors God’s grace and love toward us, and I am thankful to be a part of this special place.
Third Grade
Mrs. Stevenson graduated from Wheaton College in 2020 with an Elementary Education degree. For the past 3 years she’s been a missionary teacher in Bogota, Colombia teaching 4th grade. Mrs. Stevenson joined Covenant in 2023.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Stevenson…
As a child, I was classically homeschooled from K-12th grade, and I also attended a classical co-school in Wheaton. I’m excited for this new opportunity to teach classically. I love reading and learning about history, and I am looking forward to exploring amazing stories with my students. Third grade is an important year for students as they develop in maturity and are capable of handling more rigorous work. I look forward to working alongside them as they grow in their God-given abilities and use them to bring glory to God. I love the unique creativity that each student brings into our classroom community, and I hope they will grow in confidence as they use their gifts to serve others with grace and humility.
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Wild graduated from Spring Arbor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Education. Mrs. Wild joined Covenant in 2024.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Wild…
It is such a privilege to be a teacher and join with parents to help their children grow spiritually and academically. It is a joy to be with the teachers and staff at Covenant Classical because they genuinely care for every student and work to inspire each one to marvel at God’s goodness, beauty, and truth. My passion is to share the love of Christ with each student and point them to Jesus. I love interacting with them and building relationships that they will remember for a long time. I aim to provide a safe, caring, Christ-centered learning environment where students can flourish and further understand the world around them and how God made them unique and with purpose.
Third & Fourth Grade Latin
Mrs. Karsner is a graduate of Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Intercultural Studies and TESOL. Mrs. Karsner joined Covenant in 2018.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Karsner…
I am thrilled to be a member of a team whose common goal is to take part in the process of opening students’ eyes to the wonder of God's love and His creation. Throughout our days, we think critically about the materials we are covering. Our class is constantly finding connections between our topics of study. Ultimately, we seek to apply our faith to the work and learning we do. We work hard for the glory of God and reflect in amazement at all He's done and at His love for us.
5th/6th-Grade Humanities
Mrs. Burlingame graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a Master of Arts in Teaching. Mrs. Burlingame first joined Covenant in 2010.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Burlingame...
I am delighted to be a part of the Covenant community. Covenant’s devoted faculty, inquisitive students, vibrant curriculum, and grace-filled atmosphere make it a truly exceptional place. It is an honor and joy to participate in Covenant’s mission to share Christ’s love and to celebrate His creation through joyful, humble study of His Word and world.
Lower Logic History
Mrs. Santhiraj earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin with a major in History and a minor in Geography. Mrs. Santhiraj first joined Covenant in 2025.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Santhiraj…
"It is a privilege to be a part of the Covenant community! It is a sincere honor to partner with the wonderful faculty and parents as we work to equip our students with God’s truth, love, and the academic skills they will need to flourish throughout their lives. It is my joy to help cultivate inquisitive and insightful students in an atmosphere of grace."
Logic & Rhetoric School Bible & Humanities
Mr. Friestad graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a Bachelor or Arts in Pastoral Ministries with a major in Evangelism and Discipleship. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in History from Liberty University. He first joined Covenant in 2025.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mr. Friestad…
I am so thankful to be a part of the Covenant community. The curiosity of our students, the joy of the subject material of our staff, and the godly leadership and vision of our leaders make Covenant a special learning environment for everyone involved.
Logic & Rhetoric School Humanities
Mrs. Combs earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College with a double major in History and Philosophy. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Philosophy of History, a Great Books-style program within the Department of History and Political Science at Olivet Nazarene University. Mrs. Combs first joined Covenant in 2010.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Combs…
"I am privileged to do the best "work" in the world: I get to spend my days around a table reading widely and thinking deeply with the most passionate, inquisitive young minds. Training these young people to communicate their own responses to a text is a tremendous, but desperately important, task. To do this kind of work with like-minded colleagues, in a supportive community of grace, never ceases to excite me!"
Logic & Rhetoric School Math / Director of Student Life
Mrs. Reyes graduated with an undergraduate degree from North Central College in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Mathematics Teacher Leadership from Aurora University. Mrs. Reyes joined Covenant in 2019.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Reyes...
I'm someone who was already a classically minded math teacher; I just didn't know it. Math was always the subject that I wrestled with the most as a student, because I am a deep, conceptual thinker and procedures without meaning simply don't stick in my mind. Coming to understand that about myself shaped me into a math teacher who loves to explain how and why things work, which is exactly what classical mathematics education does. I have a deep passion for working with middle-grade students; it's such an important and challenging developmental stage, when high-quality teachers and mentors are critically important to shaping the emerging young adult self. Teaching Logic School math at Covenant allows me to express my passion for both conceptual mathematics and teaching young adolescents, while openly expressing my faith and engaging in the spiritual direction and mentoring that I wish I'd had access to when I was that age.
Logic & Rhetoric School Science
Mrs. Meisenheimer earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Secondary Education from Wheaton College. She joined Covenant in 2024.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Meisenheimer…
"Did you know that God created protists? These tiny organisms went undetected by humans until microscopes were invented in the late 1600s! These are the types of discoveries that I get to share with students, and help them learn about the majesty, wisdom, and wonder of our Creator and also the kindness and grace that He would continue to reveal the complexity and creativity of His creation with us! I teach the Life Sciences here at Covenant and since that includes things all around us, the fun never ends! It truly is a delight to be at Covenant, surrounded by amazing colleagues and curious students learning more about our Creator and His Creation together!"
Logic School Latin & Logic
Dr. Andrews attended a classical school in Chicago and graduated with high honors from Loyola University in Chicago with a B.A. in Latin and Philosophy. He went on to receive a Master of Arts in the History of Philosophy from Marquette University (Wisconsin), and a Master of Philosophy in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium), and a Ph.D. in Medieval Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago. Dr. Andrews joined Covenant in 2020.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Dr. Andrews...
I believe that the Latin language offers an educator the perfect opportunity to instill the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. First, learning a classical language allows students to learn the structure of human language and thought in general. Second, the discipline involved in learning Latin develops moral and intellectual virtue. Third, the Latin language is simply beautiful, from Virgil’s webs of grammatical agreement to Augustine’s wide-eyed wonder to Aquinas’ crystal clarity; I love to share that beauty with anyone who is willing to go on the journey with me. Finally, the Latin language, in its evolution from the language of high pagan culture to the premier vehicle of theology and devotion in the West, exemplified the Apostle’s injunction to take every thought captive to Christ.
Rhetoric & Spanish
Mrs. Oleniczak received a Bachelor of Arts in History at Wheaton College and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University. She joined Covenant in 2025.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Oleniczak…
"I am blessed to work in an environment where I can share my passion for Christian classical education with my colleagues and students. Covenant fosters an environment where even the teachers learn together in our common academic pursuits. In the classroom, that translates into Rhetoric students finding fulfillment in making connections among their studies. The resulting joy as a teacher is seeing them able to discover truth, beauty, and goodness through their writing and speaking."
Art
Mr. Edwards earned his Bachelor or Fine Arts in Studio Art from Judson University. In addition to many years as a commercial artist and illustrator, Mr. Edwards has taught art professionally for nearly a decade.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mr. Edwards…
"I am thrilled to join the faculty at Covenant Classical School, where I am dedicated to helping students discover their unique voices and excel in their artistic endeavors. In addition to my work as a professional artist, I truly enjoy focusing on mentorship and cultivating the talents of my students!"
Music
Mrs. Eickholt teaches all general music classes K-4 and electives classes grades 5-9, including marimba ensemble and choir. Stephanie received a B.S. with a major in Music Education and a minor in voice from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Her professional experience includes teaching general music classes for grades K-6 for 7 years in Indiana and she has also taught music classes for pre-school children and their parents for 4 additional years through an organization called Music Together. Her professional credentials include certification in Orff Schulwerk and Music Together. Mrs. Eickholt joined Covenant in 2024.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mrs. Eickholt...
I am thrilled to be a part of this school community and help our students become confident music makers. It is a joy for me to watch students grow in their musical abilities and take ownership of their learning. We have a lot of fun in the music room together!
Drama
Mr. Stevenson graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Comedy Writing and Performance. He is a second year teacher and has a passion for using drama to teach practical skills for life and teaching how to use your gifts and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God. Mr. Stevenson joined Covenant in 2023.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mr. Stevenson...
"I am very excited and a little nervous (nerves aren't a bad thing, we'll learn more about that in class) to be your drama teacher this year! We will look at God's original intentions for the world of acting and drama. We will also cultivate a safe, challenging space to grow in trust and take risks. Come ready to have fun!"
House System & Rhetoric School Math
Mr. Friday graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, and Communications. He worked for many years both as an engineer and also as a pastor. Mr. Friday joined Covenant in 2025.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Mr. Friday…
Being a retired pastor of 35 years, but starting my career as a Chemical Engineer, I have the joy of doing two of my favorite things by helping out this year at CC. First, I love to encourage young people in God's Word, and I get to do that in my time with the Logic and Rhetoric students on Thursday afternoons in 'House' time. I've taught and interacted with all ages of kids in my career, but this age group is one of the most rewarding to work with, as I get to see 'light bulbs' going off in students' heads and hearts on a regular basis when they connect an abstract principle from Scripture with their life. Second, I love Math (and Science) and trying to make it understandable to all - especially to those who don't consider themselves particularly adept at these subjects. I get such a kick out of seeing my students in Algebra and Trigonometry struggling with a concept and then finally 'getting it'. I also love that they are close to becoming adults and being able to talk thru complicated God-sized subjects and encouraging each other in our walk with Him.
Member
Josh Fogarty is a Nurse Anesthetist at Loretto Hospital in Chicago IL. He received his Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Pennsylvania. Josh lives in Aurora, IL, with his wife, Yetunde, and their four children, Elijah, Jonah, Elianna, and Selah-Rose.
Email:
[email protected]
A Word from Joshua Fogarty
Our family is very thankful for Covenant and its community. We couldn’t have found a school that does a better job trying to mesh academics with theology, spiritual growth, and character formation. It’s a great place and we love being a part of it!
Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
Vice Chairperson
Angela Castaldo is an educator and pastor's wife at New Covenant Church in Naperville. She earned her BA from Moody Bible Institute in Bible and Theology. She lives in Naperville, IL with her husband Chris and their five children, Luke, Philip, Simeon, Aliza, and Malachi.
Email:
[email protected]
Chairperson
Dr. David Yang, an interventional cardiologist, serves as Board Chairperson. He is a father of two young children, Yuna (7) and Judah (5), and attends New Covenant Church in Naperville. In his spare time, David enjoys playing basketball and watching superhero movies.
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