VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - Key Persons
Mrs. Heck is a Kansas State graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She and her husband, Brian, have two children who attend Veritas. In 2017, she began teaching at VCS. Her family and her faith are her top priority in life. She spends her free time enjoying the outdoors, reading biographies and historical fiction, traveling, and cooking dinner most nights for her family and any spontaneous guests that join them! Apple pie is her favorite dessert to make and to share.
Annette holds a BA in Elementary Education from Ottawa University, a State Teaching Certificate from 1983-1988, and an ASCI Educator Certificate. She has been teaching at Veritas since 2004 and proudly homeschooled her children for 13 years. Mrs. Tiegreen is married to Roger and together they have three amazing children (two of whom are VCS graduates), and ten grandchildren. In addition to loving and serving her family, Mrs. Tiegreen's joy and passion is to serve and glorify God by teaching children to know and love God, His Word, and the lost. One of her favorite ways to do this is by putting scripture, biblical truths, grammar rules, and historical facts to music to help children memorize them. She is grateful God has called her to teach at Veritas where she has the opportunity to love, mentor, and disciple children toward His Kingdom purposes.
Job Titles:
- EFT, Junior High PE, Critical Thinking, and Microsoft Basic
Denise graduated with her AAS in Veterinary Technology and is a Colby Community College graduate. She has also studied biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry, and math. She taught Clinical Pathology for two years at Colby Community College in the Veterinary Technology Department and she proudly homeschooled her children for 18 years. Recently she taught P.E., Science and Literature at Genesis Christian Academy and is excited for the opportunity to join the teaching staff at Veritas for the 2019-2020 school year. She and her husband, Kirk, live in Tonganoxie where she spends her free time caring for her garden and flower beds.
Mrs. Defazio was a 1991 honors graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport, earning a Bachelors of Science degree. She grew up in New York but moved to Lawrence as a young adult with her husband and children. She and her husband have two children who attended Veritas. She has been teaching 4th grade at Veritas since 2001 where her students have learned that she leads the classroom with a love of learning and a love of laughter. She enjoys leading a women's small group at her church and leading a couple's small group alongside her husband.
Job Titles:
- Elementary and Secondary Art Teacher
Kristol has been teaching visual art at Veritas since 2016. She has a Masters degree in Visual Communication and Design from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She and her husband, John, have two sons who currently attend Veritas. Kristol is thankful to be saved by Jesus and covered by His grace daily. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, kayaking, drinking coffee and abstract painting. Mrs. Kumar is also the owner of Kristol Kumar Photography and a partner at Hello Sun Photography.
Linda is a graduate of Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison, KS. She has been serving at Veritas since 2001. Before joining staff at Veritas, she homeschooled her daughters for seven years. Mrs. Walton has more than 25 years of secretarial experience having worked for Benedictine College, Grandview Assembly of God Church, American Lung Association of WY, and currently at Veritas. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, two daughters, and granddaughter, Isla. When she isn't at work she can be found looking for treasures at garage/estate sales, walking, and plant-based cooking.
Job Titles:
- Secondary Math and Science
Melissa graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in chemistry. She previously spent two years teaching high school science, five years homeschooling her children, and two years teaching middle school science, math, Bible, drama, speech, leadership and literature at Genesis Christian Academy. She has taught secondary math and science at Veritas for two years. She and her husband, Paul, have two children, Noah and Mary Kate. Noah is a sophomore at K-State in the music education department. Mary Kate is a junior at Tonganoxie High School. Mrs. Dial loves to read, watch movies, and travel.
Michelle and her husband, Mark, live in Tonganoxie and together they enjoy family time, traveling, and having fun! They have three children, and are soon to be empty nesters! Through God's leading in her life, she was trained as a bookkeeper as a part of a promotion and has now been in her profession for more than twenty years. Michelle joined staff at Veritas in June of 2017 and keeps so many things at the school running smoothly.
Job Titles:
- Head of School & Elementary Principal
Mike Baker is so excited to work with such an amazing staff, students, parents, and community members. He graduated from Emporia State University with a BSE in Elementary Education. Mike received his masters degree in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University. He has spent 24 years in elementary education.
Mike has been married to his wife, Heather, for 24 years and has 4 amazing daughters. He loves playing guitar and worshiping The Lord.
Pastor McFarland holds a BS in Info Systems / Mgmt. Science (from Geneva College, Pennsylvania), a Masters of Divinity (from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, PA), and a Doctor of Ministry with emphasis in Biblical Counseling (from the same, RPTS). Father of two VCS students years ago, John served on the Board, then transitioned into teaching high school Bible classes (including worldview, apologetics, & church history), followed by courses in speech, history, government, and senior thesis. Having started teaching with VCS in 2009, John has also coordinated our Worldview Wednesday program for ten years. John and Lisa have 4 daughters and 5 grandkids (so far), enjoying large gatherings at their new ranch to the east. He pastors Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, a congregation with deep commitment to this school & its Biblical vision for whole-child Christian education.
Rebecca has a BA in English with a minor in Creative Writing from Southern Nazarene University. As the EFT Teacher, her role is to help students progress at a pace that challenges them, while also giving them opportunities for success. This applies to both ends of the spectrum: children who need a little extra help and those who need to be further challenged. She was a homeschooling mom for many years, covering all grades from kindergarten through junior high. She specializes in early literacy, English, and Grammar, but is also adept at ot her subjects. She is the mother to four boys and lives in Lawrence, KS.
Steve has a BA in mathematics and an MAT in mathematics education, both from the University of Chicago. Retiring after 26 years at Johnson County Community College, he moved overseas and taught mathematics at the Christian International School of Prague. He joined the staff at Veritas in 2020. He and his wife, Ellen, have three adult children. Steve also enjoys travelling, reading history, and playing the piano.
Job Titles:
- Computer Science Instructor
Timothy Gallagher has loved bossing computers around since 1986. He is a professional software engineer with decades of experience and is our volunteer secondary computer science instructor. He loves teaching kids how computers work and how to program them. He loves using computer science to teach creative problem-solving skills that are useful for more than just computer programming.