Staff Listing

Ruth Allard

4th Grade Teacher

Ruth Allard is the 4th grade teacher at The Oaks. She is currently in her 11th year, having taught 1st-4th grades, as well as one semester of Junior High music. In addition, she taught in the public schools for six years and was a private tutor for four years. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught all grade levels, Kindergarten through High School. She has a BA in Music from Whitworth University with an emphasis in Classical Guitar. She has a K-9 teaching certificate with a Music Specialist endorsement. Ruth has also had experience in the business sector, managing and owning a few businesses of various types. She served as president of The Washington Specialty Foods Association when she was the owner of Auntie Ruth's Gourmet Brownie Mix. In addition, she has been involved in many sports, including swim team, figure skating, softball, and skiing. She served on the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol for two years. The sport she currently enjoys is biking along the Centennial Trail. Ruth is also pursuing some writing goals she has had since High School.

Terry Culberson

3rd Grade Teacher

While tutoring struggling primary students from a local elementary school, Terry and her husband quite accidentally, discovered The Oaks while the school was still in its infancy. They enrolled their son in Kindergarten and when her daughter was ready, they enrolled her in 1st grade. Terry started to work at the school during lunch and as an aid. Eventually, she was hired to teach 3rd grade – which she has determined is more fun than a theme park -- and she has been a full-time teacher now for four years. She obviously loves the Classical Christian approach as the entirety of her children’s education has been at The Oaks. Her son is now a Senior and her daughter is a Sophomore and they are thriving.

Charlie Dowers

Secondary Bible/Science Teacher

Athletic Director

Would you like the “History of Scars” version, or perhaps “Things I’ve Jumped Off Of?" Charlie mostly saves these stories for his students but suffice it to say, his wife is thankful that he’s settled down to a still-adventurous, but much calmer academic career. He earned his Mechanical Engineering degree while playing football (yes, simultaneously) at Montana Technical College. After working as an engineer in Iowa, he got a call from Bruce Williams and eagerly accepted a teaching job. Charlie enjoys delving into the intricacies of marbles (he recently smashed one with a hammer to see how it would break), searching out the depths of God’s Word (and learning to communicate it to 7th Graders), and working with numbers. He is very thankful for the opportunity to pursue all of these aspects of God's world at The Oaks.  

Matt Dykstra

Elementray &

Secondary Science

Through travels and biological research, Matt Dykstra has developed a passion for science and history.  Seeing God’s glory in creation is a central part to Matt’s life and teaching.  He delights in seeking what it means that God’s “eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen” in God’s spoken world. It is with great enthusiasm that he has been seeking to share this joy with his students since 1998.  Matt commutes to the school from the home he built on 14 acres south of downtown Spokane. He has a beautiful wife and four delightful children. He enjoys activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, star gazing, bird watching, reading, and playing his harmonica.   

Eric Fugitt

Secondary History Teacher

Eric is married to Debbie and has three sons, David, Aaron and Jordan. After obtaining his BA from Eastern Washington University, Eric worked one year as a substitute teacher for Northwest Christian. He got his job at The Oaks the year the school began. He taught 6th grade for 10 years. After taking a year off to pursue other ventures, he returned to teach in the Secondary. He now teaches Logic, 7th and 8th grade History and oversees the Senior Independent Study projects.

Allegra Miller

Latin &

Elementary Music

Teacher

New Teacher Bio...Coming Soon!

Kathy Gentili

Elementary

Music Teacher

Kathy grew up in an Air Force family that moved every 2-5 years between bases in the continental U.S., Hawaii and Guam. After two years of High School in northern Maine, she graduated from Bossier High School near Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1973. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Oral Roberts University in 1977. Continuing education has been through classes at local colleges,certification training, and workshops through the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Before coming to The Oaks, she taught music at Fairchild AFB, in the Liberty and West Valley School Districts, and for homeschoolers. Her greatest thrill in teaching is helping students find their singing voices and hearing classes at The Oaks sing beautifully to the glory of God. Kathy has been married to Don since 1981, and has four daughters, Anna, Laura, Christa, and Alaina, who have all attended The Oaks. She is also the proud grandma of the first Oaks' Alumni baby, Laura’s son, Toby.

Bruce Gore

Secondary

Philosophy/Logic

Bruce Gore has served on the faculty of The Oaks Classical Christian Academy for nine years teaching Philosophy, Civics, History, Economics, Context of the Bible, Greek, and Debate. Bruce graduated from Whitworth College in 1972 and after a couple of years in Christian broadcasting, took a position on the faculty of the Inland Empire School of the Bible (now, Moody Northwest) in Spokane. Bruce obtained an M.A. in history from Eastern Washington University in 1979, and a few years later enrolled at Gonzaga University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 1986. Bruce maintained a private trial practice until 2002, when he accepted a full time position on the faculty at The Oaks. Bruce has also served for many years on the adjunct faculties of Whitworth College and Gonzaga University. Bruce maintains a website of resources for students of the Christian faith at http://www.brucegore.com, and is presently in the process of publishing a textbook with the working title, Historical Context of the Bible. Bruce is married to Kandy, and they have four children and ten grandchildren.

Beccy Holland

1st Grade

Teacher

After teaching 10 years in the public schools in Orlando, Florida, and raising her own 4 children at home for another 15 years, Beccy Holland had been happily volunteering in the Reading Literacy Program in Spokane.  With a Master’s in Reading Education she  found this a perfect fit and was interviewing to teach in a nearby public school when The Oaks appeared on her radar screen.  Fascinated by the stages of the Trivium and how it aligned with the growth she had seen in her own children, she investigated further and was soon hired as the 1st grade teacher at The Oaks.  Beccy is in her 10th year of teaching at The Oaks, has watched her “baby” graduate from the school, and thanks God everyday for the blessing it is to teach the eager little 1st graders at The Oaks!

Eric Indgjerd

Elementary &

Secondary

Latin Teacher

Eric Indgjerd first fell in love with the languages while training and racing for an amateur cycling team in France, in his late teens.  Some years later, while attending  lectures on The Song of Roland and Sanctus Thomas Aquinas, under the unforgettable and life-changing tutelage of a former Benedictine monk, he was inspired to Latin studies.  Since 2007, his aim has been to teach Latin to his beloved Oaks' students as Eddy Merckx once plunged down mountain passes after the yellow jersey in Tours de France of old according to these words:  ‘’As long as I can breathe, I attack.”          

Amy Kim

7th & 8th Grade English

Teacher

After meeting her husband, Michael, while they were both students, Amy received her bachelor's degree (magna cum laude) in 1992 from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, with a double major in English and Music.  Amy then completed her Master's in Teaching at Whitworth University and taught at Lewis and Clark High School before having her three children, Noah, Naomi, and Jacob.  She returned to teaching in 2006 when she began assisting Mr. Palpant with grammar instruction and essay evaluation.  In 2008 she assumed her own classes of 7th and 8th grade Language Arts.  Amy loves the opportunity to encourage students to appreciate literature and to love language--and use it well, as it is one of God's great gifts to us.  "In the beginning was the Word."

Kevin Kimball

Secondary Logic, Debate, Math & Rhetoric Teacher

In 2007 Kevin graduated from Hillsdale College, where he studied History, Math, and Classical Studies. In the spring of that year, he taught Latin part time; in the summer he graduated from Marine Officer Candidate School; and in the fall he taught English for four months in Pakistan. After evaluating each of these experiences, he decided the best choice was to teach for a few years before pursuing vocational ministry. A few visits to different Spokane schools led him to want to teach only at The Oaks, where he loves presenting the whole of God's truth.  When asked what his favorite subject was, he said, "Learning."  He sees all truth as culminating in Christ and at His service, and therefore all subjects, as they shape the mind to worship Christ, cause him to wonder and rejoice. Therefore, his goal is always to display the glory of the cross and equip students to grow in their knowledge of Christ and in their walk with Him. In pursuit of this goal, he enjoys training students how to think, how to probe curiously into the world around them, and how to question even their own presuppositions in order to see Christ more clearly and love Him more fully.

Julie Korver

Kindergarten

Teacher

Julie came to Spokane from the greater Seattle area. She met

her husband Ryan, at Multnomah University in Portland Oregon. Julie and Ryan have two sons, Caleb, a recent graduate of The Oaks and Joshua, who attends High School here.  When Caleb started Kindergarten, Julie went back to school as well, teaching pre-school at his school for three years at East Side Christian School in Bellevue.  Julie is in her 11th of year teaching Kindergarten at The Oaks and considers teaching a privilege and a joy. She also delights in each unique little person God brings into the classroom. Julie loves being a wife and a mom and in her free time, enjoys sailing, snow skiing, fishing, long walks, trying new recipes and warm Maui beaches.

Sarah Lee

Elementary

Physical Education Teacher

Upon graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Recreation Programming, Sarah worked at the State Department in Washington D.C. assisting in the Foreign Affairs Recreation Program, primarily running softball leagues. Following that, she was a stay at home Mom and homeschooling parent raising 6 children with her husband, Lewis.  Four of their children are students at the Oaks, and their oldest daughter, Jordan and son, Brendan, have graduated from the Oaks. Sarah is delighted to be teaching PE and combining her love of elementary aged children with  fitness and sport education.

    Kimberli Mewes
        Head of          Grammar School

In 1985, Kim earned a B.A. in Education with a Literature Major and a Math Minor from Eastern Washington University. Kim has been with The Oaks since 1997 and spent her first 11 years teaching 5th grade. She is currently serving as The Oaks' Director of Elementary Instruction. Prior to teaching at The Oaks, Kim held a teaching position at Northwest Christian Schools from 1988 until the spring of 1997. Working alongside other believers, and serving the parents and children at The Oaks, continues to be a tremendous blessing and constant source of delight for Miss Mewes. In addition to her teaching vocation, Kim also enjoys quilting, reading, gardening and scrapbooking.

Thomas Kolarsky

5th Grade Teacher

Lucy Nolan

Secondary

Math Teacher

After receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and enjoying a brief stint in the engineering world, Lucy was directed towards The Oaks to teach secondary math. Eleven years later, she is still saying, "I love my job!" She is thankful (and amazed) that she continues to think it's fun to solve equations, write proofs, explain linear pairs, graph quadratic functions, etc. Lucy would not admit to any hobbies, but she does enjoy spending time with friends, running when she can, and doing home projects.  She would much rather fix something and make a few trips to Home Depot than go shopping for clothes or shoes.

Ben Palpant

Secondary

English Teacher

Ben Palpant and his wife, Kristen, have four wild and wonderful children who thankfully take after their mother most of the time. He has taught Literature and Writing for the past 11 years to Secondary students at The Oaks and holds a B.A. from Whitworth College. His goal is to express the relationship of Christians and Christianity to the world of stories and he can imagine no better place to work; after all, he works with wonderful people and has the rare privilege of investing himself in many generations. Ben spends most of his time as a human Mt. Everest, and enjoys reading and writing after the children are too exhausted to climb anymore.

Liza Parmely

Elementary &

Secondary Art

Teacher

Liza taught in the Dallas and Denver Public schools for 7 years before moving to Spokane. Liza and her husband, Lon, have been at the Oaks from the beginning where their three children, Michelle (06), David (08) and Scott (09) graduated. Liza taught Kindergarten the initial year of The Oaks and has now taught Art at the Oaks for 7 years. She delights in teaching children how to see and reflect back to God His awesome creation through art. Outside of school, Liza enjoys watercolor painting, working in her small custom framing business, biking, skiing, participating in triathlons, hiking, canoeing and spending time with her family.

Gary Purkett

Secondary Math

Teacher

Gary attended Eastern Washington University where he graduated with a B.S. and a M.S. degree in Mathematics. After teaching at EWU for four years, God gave him the desire to pursue a better way to educate students and directed him towards The Oaks in 2008. Teaching at The Oaks has been a wonderful opportunity for Gary’s love of mathematics and God’s Word to come together.  Gary and his wife Kristy have been married for 2 years.

Josh Reidt

6th Grade Teacher

After pursuing a history degree for several years, Josh Reidt discovered a fascination and gift for teaching. He spent time studying and living in Seattle and Cheney, when he eventually returned to Spokane and met his wife,Traci. Teaching at The Oaks has been the perfect marriage of his love of words and The Word. Mr. Reidt is beginning his fourth year teaching 6th Grade at The Oaks. He has one daughter, Margaret, who will be one this year.

Teri Woodroof

2nd Grade

Teri is a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University. It was there that she met her wonderful husband, Gary, who is the Worship Pastor at Spokane First Church of the Nazarene. Gary and Teri homeschooled  their three daughters, Emily, Sarah and Jessica for 8 years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!  For Teri, teaching at The Oaks has been a delightful adventure, as well and a blessing beyond words. The Oaks has become a central part of the Woodroof family and they look forward to what God has for the future of this amazing school!

Kent Young

Elementary & Secondary

Music Teacher

Kent grew up singing hill-billy songs in three-part harmony in the family vehicle (car, truck, van, boat, whatever they were driving that week). Kent attended Bethany College where he pursued a B.A. in vocal performance, and found his true love (his wife that is).  After failing miserably as a business owner, Kent taught at Longmont Christian School where he finally found success as a music teacher (his other true love). He then attended Colorado State University and recieved an M.M. in Choral Conducting before moving to Spokane to teach at The Oaks. Kent has a son who attends The Oaks, a daughter who will attend The Oaks in the fall, and a cat who probably scorns The Oaks, as she scorns everything else.

Bob Dowers

Assistant

Headmaster

Bob has been the Assistant Headmaster at The Oaks for 7 years. Bob along with Jackie, his lovely wife of soon to be 30 years, have 5 children and two grandchildren. Two of their children have graduated from The Oaks, Joel (’03) is pursuing a career as a physical therapist and Emily (’07) is studying to be an ultrasound tech. Their eldest son Charlie, is a teacher at The Oaks while another daughter, Rebecca, studies radiography. The youngest Dowers, Peter is an 8th grader at The Oaks and patiently commutes each day with dad from their home in Idaho. Bob counts it a huge privilege to work with the staff, students and families that make up The Oaks and believes this work of Christ- centered, classical education is integral to the building up of God’s Kingdom. Bob is an elder of Trinity Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Dale DuPree

Director of

Development

Born and raised in Spokane, Dale graduated from Lewis & Clark High School, and then received a B.A. in Business Administration from Washington State University Honors College. Go Cougs! Dale spent 24 years learning sales and entrepreneurship in his father's footsteps in the construction materials industry, and also in the pharmaceutical industry. Dale joined The Oaks in 2009 to bring that experience to bear on the best "product" one could ever hope to sell: Classical Christian Education for society's next generation. Go Oaks!  Dale and his wife Sherry are members of Christ the Redeemer Church. They have four children, all soon to be Oaks Alumni.

Lynn Gibson

Director of College Counseling

After 20 years as a freelance journalist, published author, and retreat speaker, Lynn Gibson joined the staff of The Oaks in 2007 to create the school's College Counseling Department. As the Director of College Counseling, Lynn has found this position to be a perfect fit, blending her love of advising students with her passions for writing and teaching. As part of her job, she writes many letters of recommendation, teaches college seminars and workshops, and advises families on the college search and application process. Lynn received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Business from UC Davis, married her husband Jeff in 1986, and moved to Spokane in 1993. She has three children who have been educated at The Oaks beginning the year after it was founded. Her goal is to bring a biblical perspective to the college admissions process within the framework of The Oaks' mission statement.

Bruce Williams

Headmaster

Bruce has been with The Oaks since its founding in 1996, serving as a Board Member and it's first Headmaster. He has been married for 29 years to Susan, and they have two children who have both graduated from The Oaks: Leah, who has now graduated from New St. Andrews College and is married to Nate Douglas; and Tal, enrolled in the Honors College at Washington State University. Bruce has a B.A. in History and Education from Washington State University and has done graduate work at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Prior to coming to The Oaks, Bruce served as Vice-President of a corporation that runs Christian sports camps – directing camps in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Canada, as well as running overseas tours.  He is thankful for the opportunity to work in the Classical Christian education arena and for the Lord’s promise in Ezekiel 36:36 which states, “Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate.  I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” Bruce has served on the national board of the Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS) for 8 years, one of those years as Secretary and another as President.  He and his family are members of Christ Church in Spokane.

Jeff Gibson

President of

The Oaks Board

 Board Member since 1998.Jeff and his wife Lynn have been involved at The Oaks since they enrolled their daughter Anna ('08) into Fourth Grade back in 1997.  Since then son Peter ('10) and Kate ('13) will have received their entire primary and secondary educations from The Oaks. After graduating with BSME from Cal Poly SLO in 1982, Jeff has served in a number of positions for the past 25 years with global engineering and manufacturing firms and is currently an executive with locally-based Pyrotek. His greatest joy is his marriage and family and opportunity to serve at the school. When he is not doing email in some remote airport lounge he prefers to be riding his mountain bike, rowing on the river, or his greatest pastime passion; snowskiing.  That and reading a good book by a nice fire with a decent chianti.

 Jim has been on the Board approximately 10 years.  He is a partner with the law firm of Foster Pepper PLLC and concentrates his practice on public finance, with a special emphasis on serving as bond counsel to Washington school districts.  He received his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law (1985) and his B.A. from Washington State University (1982).  Jim has been married to his wife, Cary, for 26 years.  They first enrolled their children in The Oaks in 1997.  They have four children: Son, Jamie, 21 (2007 Oaks graduate and Junior at Hillsdale College); Daughter, Kelly, 19 (2009 Oaks graduate and Freshman at Biola University); Son, David, 17 (Oaks Senior); and Son, Alex, 12 (Oaks 7th Grade).

Tim Ansett

Treasurer of

The Oaks Board

Jerry Cimijotti

Sectretary of

The Oaks Board

Jack Couch

Member of

The Oaks Board