Home | Elementary | Teachers

Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten

Mrs. Ames holds a B.A. in education from Arizona State University. Before coming to GCS she taught for 10 years in Mesa Public Schools and three years in Kyrene Public Schools.

e-mail: rames@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Martin, A.M. Kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten

Mrs. Martin has been married to her husband Fran for 22 years. They have three children, Amanda (2008 graduate), Nick (10th) and Mike (9th). Mrs. Martin graduated from Arizona College of the Bible with a degree in Elementary Education and Bible and from Northern Arizona University with an M.Ed in Elementary Education. She spent six years teaching in Tempe and Chandler public schools and begins her nihth year at GCS. She and her family attend San Tan Bible Church.

e-mail: kmartin@GilbertChristianSchools.org.

Mrs. Sundt, P.M. Kindergarten

Mrs. Sundt has been married to Mr. Sundt for sixteen years. They have three children who attend GCS, Riann (9th grade), Cade (7th grade) and Cole (2nd grade). Mrs. Sundt graduated from Montana State University with a degree in finance and a minor in accounting. She previously homeschooled her children who now attend GCS. Mrs. Sundt has been a member of Word of Grace Church for 12 years where she and her husband enjoy shepherding the 5th grade boys and girls.

e-mail: nsundt@GilbertChristianSchools.org.

1st through 3rd Grades

Mrs. Cantrell has a BS in elementary education and a MA in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University.  She homeschooled her three children for nine years and served as the Children's Ministries Director at the Church of the Redeemer for six years.   

email: mcantrell@GilbertChristianSchools.org

  Mrs. Cunningham, Primary 1-3

Mrs. Cunningham taught primary at GCS for three years from 2000-2003. Many of her former students still attend Gilbert Christian Schools and are heading into high school now. Since then, she has earned her Arizona real estate license and was a full-time real estate professional for five years before returning to GCS in 2008. Mrs. Cunningham attended ASU as an English major, where she met and married GCS high school English teacher, Jim Cunningham. They have been married for 19 years and have three sons Jameson (18), Matthew (16), and Jordan (15) attend ASU and CGCC.

email: mcunningham@GilbertChristianSchools.org

  Mrs. Kountz, Primary 1-3

Mrs. Kountz has been teaching at Gilbert Christian Schools for 11 years. Before coming to GCS she taught for six years at Hope Christian School. Mrs. Kountz is a graduate of Arkansas College with a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology.

e-mail: ckountz@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Lindberg, Primary 1-3

Mrs. Lindberg earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Arizona State University.  She taught in the Kyrene School District in Phoenix for five and a half years.  Mrs. Lindberg and her husband home schooled their two sons for five years.  She began her teaching career at Gilbert Christian Schools as a substitute teacher and part-time home school teacher in 2005.  Mrs. Lindberg considers being a teacher at GCS a great privilege and a blessing.

e-mail: rlindberg@GilbertChristianSchools.org.

Mrs. Poweleit, Primary 1-3

Mrs. Poweleit has extensive experience in teaching foreign languages including French, German, Spanish and Japanese. She is married to Christian and has two sons, Christian and Drew, who attend GCS. Her hobbies are spending time with her family and doing a Beth Moore Bible study.

e-mail: npoweleit@GilbertChristianSchools.org.

Mrs. Swain, Primary 1-3

Mrs. Swain holds a BS in business management from the University of Phoenix, an AA from National University and a Certificate of Completion for Spanish from the Official School of Idioms in Madrid, Spain. She has prior work experience in special education, financial aid, marketing and Spanish translation. She is also president and co-owner of a family-owned finish carpentry business.

e-mail: cswain@GilbertChristianSchools.org.

4th through 6th Grades

Mr. Kinslow, 6th Grade

Mr. Kinslow served in the US Air Force for 11 years before being medically discharged. After leaving the military, his family moved to Chandler, Arizona. Mr. Kinslow received his bachelor's and master's degree in Education from Ottawa University. He taught in the Mesa School District for five years before coming to GCS. Mr. Kinslow and his wife, Antonette, have one daughter, two sons and two grandchildren. Mr. Kinslow and his family attend East Valley Bible Church, and he enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle whenever he can. He considers teaching at GCS a great blessing and opportunity.

email: mkinslow@GilbertChristianSchools.org

  Mrs. Pearson, Elementary 4-6

Mrs. Pearson is a co-founder of GCS with ten years of teaching experience.  She has a bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders and Psychology, and an M.S. in  Communication Disorders. Mrs. Pearson worked in the Kyrene School District for three years as a speech therapist.  She was then able to stay home with her son Kyle who is now 20 and daughter Jenna who is now 17 and a Senior at GCS.  Mrs. Pearson feels so blessed to be teaching at GCS.

email: lpearson@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Posner, 6th Grade

Mrs. Posner grew up on the east coast of the United States and moved to Phoenix in 1999.  She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina and a Master's in Education Degree from the University of Phoenix.  She has taught at GCS since 2004.  Mrs. Posner is married and has two children (1st Grade and 9th Grade).

e-mail: cposner@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Redding, Elementary 4-6

Mrs. Redding received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Tenessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN.  She has taught second and fifth grades, as well as homeschooled for 11 years.  Mrs. Redding and her husband, Jerome, of 25 years have two grown daughters.

email: lredding@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Schumacher received her bachelor's degree in business administration at University of Tennessee and worked as an area administrator for Q Clubs Inc. for nine years. In 2004 God brought Mrs. Schumacher, Craig, her husband of 17 years, her son Jack and her daughter Jordan to Gilbert, Arizona. At that time she joined the Gilbert Christian Schools staff as an elementary teacher. She feels extremely blessed to be a part of this incredible school.

e-mail: mschumacher@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Steiner, Elementary 4-6

Mrs. Steiner received her bachelor's degree in Education from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. She began teaching second grade in 1979. Since moving to Arizona in 1981, she has taught second grade through high school in both public and Christian schools. She believes the Lord has clearly created her to teach. She especially loves teaching fourth and fifth grades. Mrs. Steiner has been married to her husband, Howard, for 42 years, has three children and eight grandchildren, three of which attend GCS. Mrs. Steiner and her husband attend East Valley Bible Church.

e-mail: lsteiner@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Specials, Grades 1-6

Mrs. Day, Elementary Spanish (4th - 6th Grade)

Mrs. Day earned her bachelor's degree in Biology and Spanish at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. She is currently finishing her master's in Secondary Education at Grand Canyon University and will graduate in December 2009. Mrs. Day's parents, Francisco and Isabel Alberty, were born and raised in Puerto Rico, which is how she acquired her Spanaish language at a young age. Mrs. Day has a strong support system from her wonderful husband, Nathan, and three dogs, Samson, Stussy, and Kima.

email: aday@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Desmarchais is certified in Arizona to teach physcial education for kindergarten to 12th grade. She has taught all levels of physical education, including elementary, junior high and high school in Mesa for 12 years. Mrs. Desmarchais and her husband, Jim, have been married 22 years and have two sons, both of which attend GCS. Mrs. Desmarchais is passionate about teaching and training students to instill in them a love of physical activity and a desire to be active throught their lifetime. She loves the Lord, her husband, family and friends. She also loves watching sports, hiking or playing games, going to the movies and reading books.

Mrs. Mendoza has a degree in Computer Science from Universidad de Guadalajara, a teacher's certificate and a Masters in Education from Tecnologico de Monterrey in Guadalajara, Mexico. Before coming to GCS she worked at Deloitte and Touche in the IT Department and has prior work experience in teaching Spanish to high school students at "Tec de Monterrey." She and her husband Fernando served as missionaries in Mexico and now serve in Phoenix and Rocky Point.

email: mmendoza@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mrs. Weinhausen holds a bachelor's degree in Telecommunications with an emphasis in journalism and a minor in religious education from Oral Roberts University. Before coming to GCS, she spent more than four years as an online elementary teacher at Alpha Omega Academy. She was also an extended kindergarten teacher and a preschool teacher. Mrs. Weinhausen and her husband of 26 years have three grown children who are all in the creative arts field. Her passion is to glorify the Lord in the gifts He has given her and to encourage others to enjoy and excel in whatever work the Lord is calling them to do.

email: kweinhausen@GilbertChristianSchools.org

Mr. Wilkison, Strings 1-6

Mr. Wilkison holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Michigan School of Music. He joined the first violin section of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra in 1984, and after eighteen seasons with the orchestra, he came to GCS as the strings teacher. He is also the coach of the GCS cross country teams. He and his wife have three children.

email: bwilkison@GilbertChristianSchools.org