4th Grade Teacher: Maren Judisch Hello Eagles! My name is Maren Judisch and I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade at Heritage Christian School! I graduated high school from Des Moines Christian and I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa in Sports and Recreation Management. I graduate in May with a Masters of Education. I played softball at both Baylor University and the University of Iowa where I was a 4-year letter winner. I was even an Assistant Varsity softball coach at Des Moines Christian for two seasons. I am extremely thankful and excited to be able to pursue Jesus alongside the students and families and for the opportunity to foster an environment that fears the Lord, seeks to glorify Him in all we do, and rests in His promises.
4th Grade Teacher: Megan Abel My name is Megan Abel, and I am thrilled to join the Heritage Christian family as a fourth-grade teacher. I recently relocated to Iowa from Arizona at the end of May for my husband’s job. Although Iowa is new to me, I was born and raised in Illinois, so being back in the Midwest feels like coming home. God has truly blessed our family through this transition, and I am grateful for the opportunity to begin this new chapter.
I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. My teaching career began in Phoenix, Arizona, where I taught fourth grade in a public school setting. I loved teaching fourth grade and feel incredibly blessed to return to this wonderful age group. Afterward, I spent four years at a charter school in Surprise, Arizona, providing reading intervention services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. For my final year there, I taught first grade.
Throughout my life, I have seen God’s faithfulness and guidance in countless ways. Each season has brought opportunities to learn, grow, and trust in His plan. I firmly believe that God has led me to Heritage Christian, and I am excited to see how He will work through this new opportunity. It is a blessing to be part of a school community where faith and learning go hand in hand, and I look forward to partnering with students and families in the year ahead.
5th Grade Teacher: Kara Wehmeyer Kara Wehmeyer is excited to join Heritage Christian School as the 5th grade teacher. Currently, her daughters Hadlee (4th grade) and Juliet (K) attend Heritage. She also has a 3 year old son, Jens. She is married to Keefer and enjoys spending time with her family and their dog, Ranger. She received her Bachelor’s from Mt. Mercy University and her Master’s in Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership from Buena Vista University. She has been a classroom teacher for eleven years but spent the past three years at home with her children. She is excited to be back in the classroom and share God’s goodness with her students.
BASP Coordinator/Classroom Aide: Allie Spann Many of you already know Allie or one or more of her 4 kids at Heritage, (Benjamin 8th, Landon 6th, Aiden 3rd, Aubri 2nd) She served as a substitute this past school year, serving in classes from Pre-K all the way through 8th grade. She has run the Iowa Cupcakery business for the past several years. She and her family are members of Veritas Church in Tiffin where they are part of a Connection Group. She is very much looking forward to serving at Heritage Christian School as the Before-and-After-School Coordinator and Classroom Aide for the 26-27 school year.
TK Aide: My name is Rachel Hunter, and I am so excited to be joining the Transitional Kindergarten class this year as an aide! I recently graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I attend Veritas Church and was actively involved in the Salt Company during college. I am originally from Wilton, and am the youngest in my family, with two older brothers. This fall, I also started an online program through the University of Northern Iowa to earn my teaching license.
Kindergarten Aide: Amy Christen I am excited to joining the Heritage Family! I have been working with Special Education students and cheering on Gen Ed students for 8 years (1 year in Illinois & 7 in the ICCSD). I have been married for almost 30 years to my wonderful husband Kent. We have two fantastic sons; Phelan and Gabriel. All of us attend Grace Community Church in North Liberty and Kent and I lead a small community group. I am looking forward to new challenges, growth and most importantly, helping all Kindergartners grow in their learning and in their faith.
Band Director: Shawn Sandersfeld Mr. Sandersfeld retired from the Linn-Mar Community School District in 2021 after sixteen years of directing bands at Excelsior Middle School. Prior to that, Shawn taught at John Adams Middle School in Mason City. Shawn has also taught at Hillcrest Academy and most recently, Mid-Prairie Community Schools where he directed the homeschool band program as well as the 5th Grade Band at the middle school.
Bands under his direction have been selected to perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Conference and the Iowa Music Educators Conference. He has been a frequent guest director for honor bands throughout the State of Iowa as well as a judge for many area music festivals.
Shawn graduated from the University of Iowa and later completed a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree from Morningside College. He is very active in his church and enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and their children: Erich and wife Kari, Hannah and husband Kaleb, Gunther, Berend, Jürgen, Anton, Reiner, Otto, grandson Dax and granddaughter Rory.
Health & Human Development Teacher: Alyssa Richardson Hi! My name is Alyssa Richardson. I’ve served as a youth pastor at LIFEchurch Coralville for the past four years after spending eight years in college ministry. I’m passionate about helping the next generation fall in love with Jesus, discover who they are made to be, and grow their gifts. Outside of ministry, I love being a mom to our energetic toddler and newborn, being married to an incredible husband, and doing anything outside (running, snowboarding, hiking…). I am really looking forward to being part of the Human Health and Development course, as it is a pivotal area in discovering our God-given identity. I look forward to navigating these important conversations through a Biblical lens.
Health & Human Development Teacher: Mike DeWaard I graduated from Central College in Pella Iowa and currently work for Parkview Church as a Youth Director. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 17 years this year and have 6 children. I coach football and track at CCA Middle School and love working with FCA as well. I am excited to help out this next school year at HCS.