MEET OUR TEAM

The True Light Christian School staff have hearts for each individual student. Their love for God is expressed in every classroom and they model Christ to our students daily. It is a privilege to have such a great team at our school.
(See our Preschool staff here)

Elementary Team

AMBER HIVELY

Kindergarten

Amber graduated in 2012 from Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, with an Elementary Education degree. She taught 1st grade in Saipan from 2012-2016 before joining the True Light Staff in 2016. Amber has served in multiples roles at True Light, most recently as Preschool Director and Title 1 Teacher. 
ANGIE KESTELOOT

1st Grade

Angie graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2000 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Art. She taught music and art classes in the Canby school district from 2000 to 2004. She has taught first grade at True Light Christian School in since 2004 and enjoys art, camping, cooking, gardening, worshipping, and digging into God’s Word. Angie and her husband Brad were privileged to send both of their two sons to True Light.
​HANNAH MEIER

2nd Grade

Hannah is a True Light alumna who has completed three years of her education degree and will continue to work on her courses over the next few years to complete her degree while teaching. She has experience in the classroom as a substitute teacher, substitute paraprofessional, and a teacher's aide. Hannah feels called to step into this position and has a passion to see children grow in their faith. ​
    ODESSA KNOCHENMUS

3rd Grade

Ms. Knochenmus is a True Light alumnus who earned her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Specialist. She comes with experience in a range of capacities working with children in bible based settings. This includes a college internship completed under Mrs. Hively's supervision and working as a substitute teacher at True Light. 
MIRIAM KRAUSE

4th Grade

Miriam earned her Bachelor in Elementary Education from Southwest Minnesota State University in December 2021. She completed some of her field experience hours at True Light. 

Middle School Team

SHAWNA HOLT

Middle School & Admin Team

Shawna graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in December 2014 with a secondary education degree in Communication Arts & Literature. She is happy to be able to spend time with her husband Joe, and go on walks with their dog, Han Solo. In her free time, she likes to be lost in a book, sipping coffee, and loving life. Shawna joined the True Light staff in the fall of 2015. She continues to find joy and fulfillment in bringing Godly book knowledge and discernment to students.

CAEDYN MARTENS

Middle School

Caedyn graduated in May 2021 with a Biology degree and a Chemistry minor from Southwest Minnesota State University. Caedyn worked as Academic Support Staff at the Marshall Middle School prior to joining True Light. She primarily teaches science and math.
RUSS OGLESBY

Chaplain & Middle School Team

Russ graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1976 and began his first teaching job at Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Marshall where he taught from 1976-1988. He founded True Light and became its first teacher in 1988. He has served in many different teaching and administrative capacities within the school since that time. Currently, Russ as the school chaplain. He and his wife Joanne have been blessed with seven children and fourteen grandchildren. He will be teaching Bible and Social Studies for middle school for the 2022-2023 school year.
SHERI STERNKE

Music

Sheri graduated from Bryan College in Tennessee in 2000 with a degree in Elementary Education. Sheri taught kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and music at True Light from 2000-2004. She rejoined the staff in 2017 as the K-8 music teacher. Sheri lives in Marshall with her husband, Josh, and their five children.
ZACH SCHUBERT

Principal & Middle School

Zach graduated from Marshall High School in 2000. He received his B.S. from Minnesota State University, Mankato. After working in business, he went back to school in 2009 at Bethel University for his M.A. in Teaching. In 2019 he earned his Principal's License through the University of Minnesota. Zach enjoys dates with his wife, soccer, reading, a good Americano, working out, camping, and wrestling with his kids. His desire for True Light Christian School is to see young people prepared for the return of King Jesus, for the whole school community to burn with God’s love, and see enjoyable prayer grow in our midst. Zach teaches Bible, social studies, and math for middle school.
TRICIA FOSTER
GLORIA JOHNSON

Title 1 Reading & Admin Team

Tricia graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with a degree in Elementary Education and earned her Master's in Educational Strategies from Winona State University. She started teaching reading and language arts part-time in 2nd grade at True Light in 2012. She enjoys kids, reading, Bible study, music, sports, and outdoor activities. She is the mom of three True light students.

Teacher Assistant

Gloria has served as a teacher’s assistant since 2000 and Afternoon Kindergarten Program supervisor since 2014. She also coordinates the school yearbook. Gloria has a degree in Finance and worked in banking for eight years, then stayed at home with her children before joining the staff at True Light in 2000. She and her husband, Darren, were grateful to send their three children to True Light. Spending time with family, playing games, photography, walking, and being outdoors are her favorite pastimes.

Preschool Team

DEB PIESCHKE

Preschool Director

Debra graduated in 1992 from Southwest Minnesota State University (Formerly SSU) with a degree in Elementary Education. She then went on to get her Early Childhood Education degree. She had worked in Lynd for 8 years as a para and teaching ECFE. After that she worked in the Marshall Public School for 15 years teaching ECFE and Preschool. She enjoys reading, taking road trips, and spending time with her family and friends. Debra and her husband Jeff have two adult children Cassie and Kelsey.
RAHEL WING
Preschool Assistant Teacher

​PreK Class (Mon/Wed/Fri)

STAFF

JULIE BERNDT

Administrative Assistant

Julie has been True Light's administrative assistant since 2004. In addition to her office role, she provides support as needed in various areas of the school. Though her four children are now grown, she was blessed to have them attend True Light, during which time she volunteered in the classroom and served on the board. She now enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, reading, biking, and new adventures in the Lord!
MICHELLE BOERSMA

Bookkeeper

Michelle has served as bookkeeper since 2001. She graduated with a business degree from Central College. She and her husband, Brian, have had the joy of seeing their four children educated at and graduate from True Light Christian School. Michelle has also been a third and fourth grade teacher’s assistant and served on the school board as the treasurer.
COURTNEY SCHUBERT

Nurse

Courtney earned her bachelors of arts in nursing from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2006. After college she completed her nursing boards and then volunteered as an assistant school nurse at a school and orphanage in Ecuador. Later she ran health screens and trainings in China while doing short term
missions. After settling back in the Twin Cities,  she worked at a non-profit pediatric clinic, at a large elementary school, and most recently as a stay-at-home mom. In the summer of 2020 her family moved to Marshall. She enjoys time with her family, having people at her home, and being part of Christian community.
GWEN STURROCK

Librarian

​Gwen grew up in Minnetonka.  She graduated from Bemidji State University with an accounting degree, and has lived in Marshall since 2006.  She and her husband David have two sons who attend True Light.  Gwen has been part of many school activities, including the Daily Bread lunch program, yearbook editor, Knowledge Bowl coach, classroom volunteer and substitute teacher.  She has served as TLCS librarian for two years.  She enjoys reading, traveling, photography, scrapbooking and watching sports.
MARLA PAULEY

Lunch Program

Marla joined the True Light Staff in the spring of 2021 as the lunch program director. She previously volunteered with the lunch program at True Light. Prior to that, she worked in the lunch program at Marshall Public Schools.