Administrative
Jana Bruhschwein- Executive Director
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Kellie Knodel- Assistant Director/Teacher
Jana Bruhschwein has over 30 years experience in education as a public school teacher, head start director, and preschool director. Jana saw the great need for quality early childhood care in the Fargo-Moorhead community. She is the visionary behind Peace Academy and believes all children deserve to be seen, heard, and loved.
Kellie Knodel- Assistant Director/Teacher
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Kellie Knodel- Assistant Director/Teacher
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 assistant director. She is passionate about parent education and is an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach®.
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
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 teaches part time and is the assistant director.
Jill Burgard- Admin Asst.
catherine mccullough- ambassador liaison
Elizabeth Strinden- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/TEACHER
Jill Burgard has two 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.
catherine mccullough- ambassador liaison
catherine mccullough- ambassador liaison
catherine mccullough- ambassador liaison
Catherine McCullough has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and is 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.
Preschool Teachers
Michele Wangen - Teacher
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
Michele Wangen - Teacher
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 a certified 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.
Sara King - Teacher
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
Michele Wangen - Teacher
Sara King has a bachelor's degree from Mayville State and a master's degree in early childhood education from American College of Education. Sara has 11 years experience in early childhood and loves being part of the most influential years of a child's development. Sara loves seeing how children's minds work and absorb information.
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
Elizabeth Ferguson has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in reading education. She taught for 8 years in elementary schools. Elizabeth loves music and hands on math and science activities.
Sheyenne Gunderson - Teacher
Sheyenne Gunderson - Teacher
ELIZABETH FERGUSON - Teacher
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.
Cheryl Dietz - Teacher
Sheyenne Gunderson - Teacher
Cheryl Dietz - Teacher
Cheryl Dietz has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and English and has 18 years of experience in early childhood education. Cheryl is passionate about children's literacy and loves story time. She enjoys finding fun ways to empower children's imaginations and help them discover a joy for reading and writing. Cheryl is a certifie
Cheryl Dietz has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and English and has 18 years of experience in early childhood education. Cheryl is passionate about children's literacy and loves story time. She enjoys finding fun ways to empower children's imaginations and help them discover a joy for reading and writing. Cheryl is a certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach® and loves teaching at Peace Academy where she can celebrate greatness in all preschoolers.
Katie Maple - Teacher
Sheyenne Gunderson - Teacher
Cheryl Dietz - Teacher
Katie Maple has a master's degree in education with a focus on literacy. She has 17 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! She leads the Extended Day Program at Peace Academy.
Katie Mare - escuela Teacher
Katie Mare - escuela Teacher
Katie Mare - escuela Teacher
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.
Childcare Staff
ALLI JENKINS - Childcare
Shannon Robertson - Childcare/Asst. Teacher
Katie Trottier - Childcare
Katie Trottier - Childcare
Shannon Robertson - Childcare/Asst. Teacher
Katie Trottier - Childcare
Shannon Robertson - Childcare/Asst. Teacher
Shannon Robertson - Childcare/Asst. Teacher
Sharonie Wellumson - CHILDCARE/ASST. TEACHER
Shannon Robertson has a degree in marketing, but her love for children has turned out to be her true passion and calling. Shannon first experienced the Nurtured Heart Approach as a parent and quickly saw how life transforming it is. Shannon is passionate about nurturing each child's heart, bringing them joy, making them smile, and building their self-esteem and confidence each day.
Sharonie Wellumson - CHILDCARE/ASST. TEACHER
Sharonie Wellumson - CHILDCARE/ASST. TEACHER
Sharonie Wellumson - CHILDCARE/ASST. TEACHER
Sharonie Wellumson has a bachelor's degree in University Studies from NDSU and is currently working towards her Child Development Associate credential. Sharonie remembers praying as a teenager for God to give her a heart for children. She is grateful to work among women trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach® to help children find their g
Sharonie Wellumson has a bachelor's degree in University Studies from NDSU and is currently working towards her Child Development Associate credential. Sharonie remembers praying as a teenager for God to give her a heart for children. She is grateful to work among women trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach® to help children find their greatness. Sharonie has volunteered with children most of her life and loves hearing and seeing the world through their eyes. Sharonie also loves being in the kitchen and helping children enjoy healthy, nourishing meals.
Gracie Lingle - Childcare
Sharonie Wellumson - CHILDCARE/ASST. TEACHER
Gracie Lingle - Childcare