Rikki Van Pelt
Director/Teacher
(6th grade English Language Arts, 6th grade Science)
Rikki Van Pelt graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language. She received a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix and was later awarded her National Board Teacher Certification in Middle Childhood Generalist. She spent 12 years teaching in public schools and has experience with a variety of grade levels and subjects. Rikki holds a current Colorado State Teaching License and currently works for Colorado Christian University in the School of Education as a supervisor for student teachers. Rikki co-founded Spruce Mountain Christian Academy and is the current director. Rikki looks forward to partnering with families at Spruce Mountain Christian Academy to educate and grow students in their faith and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Rikki and her family moved to Colorado five years ago and enjoy all the outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. She enjoys skiing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and traveling with her family.
Audrey Rogers
Operations Manager/Teacher
(Pre-Algebra, Algebra)
Audrey Rogers comes to Spruce Mountain Christian Academy with a Bachelors of Mineral Engineering from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She studied abroad in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and enjoyed 7 years of mining experience both above and underground before choosing her family over her career to come home and raise four amazing children. Children have become her passion, and she has chosen to help co-found Spruce Mountain Christian Academy for both her own children and for this community because she loves seeing kids find joy in learning. She is inspired to be a part of something that helps and supports our community as a whole. Audrey plans to use her formal education, 15 year experience as a business owner and 5 years of homeschooling to bless Spruce Mountain Christian Academy both as office manager and as a classroom teacher. She loves the Lord, family, friends, hiking, gardening, sewing and reading.
Shannon Schossow
Lead Teacher/Chapel Program Director
(Worship Team, 7th/8th grade Science, Earth Science)
Shannon Schossow comes to Spruce Mountain Christian Academy with a desire to help kids learn with a Christ centered focus. She graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in Elementary Education and currently holds a Colorado State Teaching License. She taught special education before deciding to homeschool her own five children. Shannon has taught at different homeschool enrichment programs, is an Intensive Reading tutor, and is the director of the Children’s Ministry at her church. She is honored to teach at SMCA! In her free time, you’ll find her reading or at the barn with her farm animals.
Jacob Van Pelt
Recreational Director/Teacher
( Physical Education)
Jake VanPelt has felt God’s calling to youth ministries for most of his life. He has a Bachelor of Science as a commercial pilot with a minor in recreation management from Central Washington University. He currently flies for Southwest Airlines, but his passion for youth led him to intern in the past as a youth pastor and serve as a middle school camp counselor. He has also taught basketball at High Country Home Educators. He has been actively involved in homeschooling three of his own amazing kiddos. Jake enjoys adventure including hiking, camping, traveling and snowboarding. Jake’s love for the Lord and his commitment to seeing young people grow in their relationship with Jesus has been a big part of his life, and he looks forward to seeing how God will use him as a teacher and the recreational director of Spruce Mountain Christian Academy this year.
Melody DeFilippo
Teacher
(Art, 6th/7th/8th grade History)
Melody DeFilippo graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Art Education in 2002; her emphasis was in Art History. She has been teaching in a variety of Colorado settings since then, including public and private schools, co-ops, and clubs. She is excited to partner with Spruce Mountain Christian Academy to help educate her own children and others, while continuing to be part of the home school community. Creating art, being outdoors, enjoying music, reading, and supporting friends are some of her favorite things. Melody is not afraid to get messy and have fun with students of all ages.
Nancy Berg
Development Director/Teacher
(6th/7th grade Math, Yearbook, Photography)
Nancy Berg grew up in Ontario, Canada where she began her photography career over 25 years ago. She has specialized in wedding, senior, and family portraits as well as events, concerts, and band promos. She is looking forward to sharing her love for photography and design through the Photography/Yearbook class at Spruce Mountain.
In her spare time, Nancy loves to go on adventures with her husband and two children. She also enjoys inventing recipes (often including sourdough starter!) and creating endless amounts of crafty projects. Card-making, gardening, graphic design, home décor, painting, sewing, wearable art…you name it, she probably does it!
Nancy delights in using her God-given talents to bless others and is eager to serve alongside the staff, students, and families of SMCA.
Kris Parker
Teacher
(8th/9th grade Bible, World History, 8th/9th English)
Mr. Parker graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a passion for making the study of history engaging and enjoyable for students. He later earned a Master’s in Ministry from Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University) to pursue full-time ministry and his vision of leading a Christian camp for students and church leadership.
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He has over eight years of teaching experience—four years in public and private schools as an Alternative Education Coordinator, and four years in private Christian education. Before moving to Colorado, Mr. Parker served at Calvary Chapel Christian School in Costa Mesa, California, where he taught 11th-grade History and Bible, as well as 9th-grade Leadership.
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In the spring of 2023, Mr. Parker and his family relocated to Colorado, following God’s direction to serve and invest in the local community. He is passionate about Christ-centered education and looks forward to partnering with the SMCA staff and families to help students build a strong foundation of faith, preparing them for the next steps in their journey with Jesus and their engagement with the world.
Becky Loyd
Teacher
(6th/7th grade Bible)
Becky Loyd joins Spruce Mountain Christian Academy excited to be a part of a program rooted deeply in faith and community. She spent several years in medical management, transitioning to family life once children came along. She has enjoyed a decade homeschooling her own children and has been involved in several enrichment programs before coming to Spruce Mountain. She believes a classroom is a place where curiosity is valued, grace is abundant, and laughter is encouraged. She looks forward to watching students cultivate their God-given gifts and deepen their relationship with Him. She is truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful program! Outside of school she enjoys traveling to new places, gardening, camping, and diving into a good book.