our staff

Elizabeth Strinden has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Special Education. Elizabeth has 12 years experience teaching in public schools. She loves fostering development of children through play. At Peace Academy, Elizabeth is the director at Living Waters.  

Kellie Knodel has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Child Development Associate credential. Kellie has 15 years experience as a preschool teacher. At Peace Academy, Kellie teaches part time and is the  director of parent ed. She is passionate about parent education, music, nutrition, and is an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach®. 

Jill Burgard has three years administrative assistant experience within an early childhood education setting and many years volunteering with children. Jill cherishes the family-like environment where all students, parents, and staff can feel comfortable knowing they are being cared for and welcomed.

Brianna Nagel has a bachelor's degree from the University of Jamestown in Elementary Education and a masters degree in Educational Leadership from NDSU. She loves being able to collaborate, learn from, and work with the amazing staff, families, and students at Peace Academy. Brianna is the mom to busy twin boys.

Catherine McCullough has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish; she is a preschool teacher and the ambassador liaison at Peace Academy. 

Catherine finds joy in making cultural connections and broadening horizons. 

She is a Virginia Tech alumnus who embraces the Hokie motto - Ut Proism: “That I may serve” - which means helping fellow humans and bettering the communities in which we live.

Marilyn McMurray has a degree in elementary and special education from the University of Mary, Bismarck. She has spent over 25 years working with people with disabilities. While Marilyn values her education, her most influential teachers have been her two children who have inspired, nudged, and pushed her to think outside the box and embrace non-traditional ways of thriving. Marilyn finds a great sense of enjoyment supporting the students and staff at Peace Academy.

Katie Maple has a master's degree in education with a focus on literacy. She has 18 years teaching experience in first grade, kindergarten, and preschool. Katie is the author of Jump Start to Literacy and has a passion for helping kids develop as readers and writers from an early age! 

Michele Wangen has an associate's degree in early childhood development. Michele has 9 years experience working as a preschool para and teacher. Michele is an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach® and is passionate about supporting children in developing strong social and emotional skills. Michele loves being part of children's curiosity and joy in learning something new. 

Sarah Hendrickson has a degree in Speech-Language/Hearing Sciences. Sarah has worked in public schools, Head Start, and preschool. She loves to truly listen to others and understand, empathize, and respect their perspectives.  

Sheyenne Gunderson has her bachelor's degree in child development. Sheyenne started working in her hometown daycare at the age of 16 and knew she found what she was meant to do. Sheyenne worked at Head Start prior to Peace Academy. Seeing the growth and transformation in children from the beginning of the year to the end of the year is the reason she fell in love with early childhood education.  

Simone Gomes is from Brazil and speaks Brazilian Portuguese. Simone taught Portuguese and literature in Brazil before coming to the US in 2017. She loves working in early childhood because young children are always living in the moment. Simone loves the joy of being fully present and watching students learn new things.

Siri Danielson recently graduated from UND with a degree in early childhood education and special education. She enjoys math and doing hands-on learning activities with students. Siri loves seeing children learn and grow through play. 

Katie Mare has degrees in Spanish and international studies and a minor in child development and family science. She has over 10 years experience in early childhood. Katie loves seeing the enthusiasm and excitement in children's eyes as they explore the world around them and discover things for the first time. 

Alli Jenkins has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a Child Development Associate credential. She was a former au pair in Italy and enjoys the outdoors, running and spending time with family. Alli loves the creativity, curiosity and light all children bring to the world.

Caitlin Mataic has a degree in psychology with a minor in human development. Caitlin has taught preschool and worked in childcare, lab schools, and a toddler language lab. 

Caitlin feels the world is filled with so much to enrich the lives of children, and if we pour into them, they naturally radiate their light back to the world.

Chelsey Arneson has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. She has worked in early childhood for over 20 years.  

Jenna Woidyla is attending MSUM for Elementary Inclusive Education. Jenna 

loves spending time with children and watching them grow. She enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling. In her free time, Jenna enjoys both playing and watching sports.

Kelli Hahnert has a bachelor’s degree in communications and twenty years of experience working with children.

She enjoys spending time at the lake with her husband and two daughters. Kelli loves coming to Peace and seeing all the smiles and giggles.

Maren Jystad-Spar has a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts & Communication and a minor in Women’s Studies. Maren is an adoptive, biological, and foster mom and forever mom to five kids. Maren is an ensemble member at Theatre B and is an advanced trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach®.