Staff

The school staff consists entirely of Christians dedicated to working with young children. All participate in continuing education in the areas of early childhood development, developmentally appropriate practice, as well as training in first aid and CPR.

Mary Krongaard - Director
M.Ed.
Ext. 227
mkrongaard@npctucson.org

Mary Krongaard has over twenty five years of experience working in education with children and adults. She holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum Development from Colorado Christian University and Bachelors Degree in Child Development from San Diego State University. Mary worked as the Director of Children's Ministries for Northminster Presbyterian Church for fourteen years, where she founded Northminster Christian School in 1998.

Rachel Brinker - Lead Teacher, Kindergarten
B.A. Ed.
rbrinker@npctucson.org

Rachel Brinker has been actively involved in education for over twenty five years, the last twenty one of which have been teaching Kindergarten. Rachel holds a Bachelors of Art in Education from the University of Arizona. She holds a current Teaching Certificate with an Early Childhood Endorsement and Structured English Immersion (SEI) Full endorsement from the State of Arizona. Since 2002, Rachel has been teaching Kindergarten at Northminster Christian School. Prior to that, she taught Kindergarten at Lambs' Gate Preschool and Kindergarten for twelve years. Rachel has also taught Sunday school, Wednesday night programs, Good News Club, and VBS.

Barbara Burczynski - Administrative Assistant
bburczynski@npctucson.org

Information coming soon!

Becky Gonzalez - Lead Teacher, 2- & 3-year-olds
B.S. (Psychology)
bgonzalez@npctucson.org

Becky Gonzalez has fifteen years experience working in the academic libraries at both the University of Texas and at the U of A. Becky holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Biology from University of Texas. Becky joined our teaching staff in 2008. Becky brings to our school her experience with literacy. Her children have both attended our school. Her daughter is a Kindergarten graduate and her son is currently in our Kindergarten Class.

Anna Johnson - Lead Teacher, First Grade
M.Ed.
ajohnson@npctucson.org

Anna Johnson has been involved in education for over ten years. Anna holds Masters Degree in Integrated Curriculum Instruction from Covenant College. She holds Bachelors in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education from Missouri Baptist University. Anna completed an Administrative Internship through Christian School International. Since 2009 Anna has been on our teaching staff as a Kindergarten aide and is currently our First Grade Teacher. Prior to that, Anna has experience working as a First Grade teacher, a Junior Kindergarten aide, a Resource Teacher and a Tutor. Anna has also taught VBS, Sunday school and summer school enrichment programs.

Eva McClaughry - Teaching Assistant, Kindergarten

Information coming soon!

Michele Ross - Assistant Teacher, 3-year-olds
A.A.

Michele Ross has been involved in early childhood education at Northminster for over 9 years. She holds a A.A. degree from Palomar College. She is married to our Senior Pastor, Andrew Ross, and is also very active in the life of the church here at Northminster. Michele has many years of experience here working with all the children from age 2 to 5 years old.

Karen Steele - Lead Teacher, Second Grade
BS Ed.
ksteele@npctucson.org

Karen Steele has been involved in education for ten years. Karen holds a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She has postgraduate credits hours in Bilingual Education. Karen joined our staff in 2010 as an assistant teacher to both Kindergarten and First grade. Prior to that, Karen has taught second grade for six years, Art and P.E. for grades first through eighth, and has been a tutor. Karen has also taught staff development classes, Peer Mentor, Adults and Children in Park District, VBS, Sunday school and small group Bible studies.

Lori Storey - Teaching Assistant, Kindergarten

Information coming soon!

Ruthy Tellez - Lead Teacher, 4- & 5-year-olds
ECD Certificate
rtellez@npctucson.org

Ruthy Tellez has over ten years of experience working with preschool age children. She holds an Early Childhood Education Development certificate from SCCEEDS and a Teacher Training Course certificate from Christian Light Education. Ruthy joined our staff in 2010. Prior to that, she taught at Lamb's Gate Preschool as a Pre-K teacher. Ruthy has experience as a tutor and in home schooling.

Northminster Christian School
Located on the campus of Northminster Presbyterian Church
2450 East Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, AZ 85719-2417
School Office: (520) 327-7121, ext. 227
Mary Krongaard, Director
mkrongaard@npctucson.org
school@npctucson.org

Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International