Staff and Board

Mrs. Rachel Johnson

1st Grade

Mrs. Sara Wylie

American Sign Language

Sara Wylie holds a Master of Science Degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences from SIU-Carbondale and an ASHA Board-Certified speech language pathologist.

Sara is a wife to the love of her life, Ben, since 2005 and a mom of 2, Ella and Jude. Her interests are vast and include reading, cooking, writing, fitness, nutrition, sign language, and Spanish. She is passionate about art, Jesus, and ministry, especially for the Deaf.

Ms. Brittany Kingston

PreK

Ms. Kingston was born and raised in Johnston City, Illinois. She was one of two students chosen in her high school to be able to go to Herrin High School everyday and attend their Tiger Paws class where she found her love for teaching. Brittany was the only student in her class to receive the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) award in her Senior year. She graduated Johnston City High School eleventh in her class and received two scholarships to attend John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois.

Brittany is the mother of one child, who has attended Ambleside School of Marion since the school began in 2018. She has always said that Ambleside School of Marion is an answer to her prayers. Brittany has always been involved in the school from volunteering, working with the students on early dismissal days, and substituting for all classes. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Ambleside School of Marion.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing outside with her son and family, exploring God’s beautiful creations, baseball games, traveling, listening to music, or doing crafts. Brittany is excited for this new opportunity and the plans God has for her life.

Ms. Judy Irvin

Pre-K Teacher Assistant

Judy is a southern Illinois native who has spent most of her life working with children in various settings. She has experience in both classroom teaching and home visiting and has been trained in the Parents As Teachers program, Baby Talk, and Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum. In her thirties, Judy returned to college and completed coursework to earn her Child Development Associate certification, allowing her to work in the classroom and mentor other teachers.

After many years in education, Judy became an independent sales representative for a children’s book company, providing books to schools and libraries across five states. While she enjoyed the adventure of traveling, becoming a grandmother led her to shift her focus to family. She chose to care for her grandchildren, a decision she cherishes deeply.

Once her grandchildren began school, Judy worked in the childcare room at the HUB Recreation Center. One day, a parent encouraged her to apply for a position at Ambleside. After learning more about the school and Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, Judy knew it was the right fit. Now, as the Pre-K assistant teacher, she finds great joy in being part of the Ambleside community and is thankful for the opportunity to grow alongside the staff, parents, and students.

Mr. Caleb Ingram

Sixth and Seventh Grades

Caleb Ingram was born and raised in Chester, Illinois. Though raised in the church for most of his childhood, he wandered through the wilderness before the Lord called him out and saved him around the age of 20. Living in Carbondale, he became involved in worship ministry and student leadership with Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. It was there that he met his wife Jennifer, with whom he has two sons: Everett and Gideon.

Caleb earned Bachelor degrees in English Literature and Philosophy from SIUC, and went on to earn a Master’s in Philosophy from the same institution in 2018. Since then, he has worked at Shawnee Community College and Rend Lake College teaching as an adjunct professor of philosophy. In 2021, he entered into formal ministry as a worship leader at Marion’s Third Baptist Church. Caleb also writes original hymns and is currently working on a collection of original poetry.

As one who has simultaneously worked in education and ministry, Caleb sees Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education as a breath of fresh air. He has found in it a vision of education that prioritizes the spiritual formation of the student without compromising on intellectual rigor. Our love of God is to pervade our love of learning as we seek to recognize His light in all branches of knowledge.

Mr. Thomas Costello

6th Math Instructor

Bachelors in Accounting, Western Governors University

Thomas first began learning about Charlotte Mason over 12 years ago, when his nephews attended Kindergarten at the Ambleside School of Ocala. Through interactions with his nephews, other students, and school events, he started to understand the beauty of a Charlotte Mason education. In 2019, Thomas joined his wife, Terri, at Ambleside School in McLean, Virginia, where he served as the Director of Administration. His role expanded in 2021 to include teaching 8th grade Algebra I.

While serving at Ambleside School in McLean, Thomas led the school’s transition to a new student information system, allowing all admissions, enrollment, and progress reports to be processed and stored online. Thomas also developed and supported the use of an information-sharing platform to maintain documents and historical school information. Thomas’s experience with school infrastructures will be invaluable as he serves Ambleside Schools International.

Mr. Jake True

Third Grade

B.A., Northpoint Bible College

MDiv., Assemblies of God Theological Seminary

Ed.D., Liberty University

Jake True was born and raised in the state of Maine where he met Christ as a child. Growing up in church, Jake was a student leader in his youth ministry and a member of a Bible Quiz ministry where he memorized significant portions of the Bible. After high school, Jake attended Bible College where he felt the call of God into ministry and he furthered his education through seminary training. While in seminary, he also began serving in pastoral ministry. Jake met his wife while finishing seminary, and they were married in August 2017.

While pastoring in rural Maine, Jake began working in a local elementary school as a paraprofessional in the special education department and pursuing a terminal degree in education. His studies focused learner-centered education and the role of the Holy Spirit in the learning process. After teaching at a Bible college in Maine for a year and a half, Jake and his wife desired to move to Marion, Illinois to be near family. Through the process, Jake found Ambleside School of Marion. As he researched the school and learned more about Charlotte Mason, he was astonished at the connections between his studies and the practices at Ambleside. He is very excited to be teaching at Ambleside, loves being in a place where the Holy Spirit is recognized as the Great Teacher, and looks forward to partnering with God in the transformation of young lives. Jake is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, and he and his wife attend Abundant Life Assembly of God in Marion.

Mr. Greg Hoffman

Fourth and Fifth Grades

Mr. Greg Hoffman joins Ambleside School of Marion having previously served as a classical Christian school administrator as well as a classroom teacher. He loves the Ambleside mission that proclaims that education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, and a Life.

Prior to teaching, Greg studied Finance and Accounting at The University of Memphis, completed a Masters of Accountancy at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, worked as a CPA, internal auditor, and tax accountant, and has served in various church leadership positions from media director to executive pastor.

Greg enjoys family dinners, watching the Tour de France, reading great books, and running. He is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion for lifelong learning with students and to see his own family benefit from being a part of the Ambleside community.

Mrs. Richelle Williams

Art and Instructional Leader

Associates in Art at John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

Bachelors in Business Management at Mid-Continent University, Mayfield, KY

Richelle is a Southern Illinois native. She shares three children with her husband Nick. They attend and serve The Journey Church in Marion. She finished her Associates in Art at John A. Logan and her Bachelors in Business Management at Mid-Continent University. She has many years of experience as an artist and was a substitute teacher for over 10 years in Williamson and Franklin Counties, where she gained many skills teaching children of all ages. She has also been able to teach art, several of those years, to a local Christian school and to independent students ranging in age from young to old.

From the time she was a small child, she strived to develop her talents artistically and to teach others what she had learned. Richelle felt the holy spirit nudging her to move her youngest child out of public school. After much research she fell upon the Charlotte Mason method and felt it was the best option for her and her daughter. At the same time, several people kept telling Richelle to apply to Ambleside. So, after a little research and a lot of prayer, Richelle and Nick made their decision. It was an answer to prayer for their family and they are very excited to be on this journey together. The richness in education that the Charlotte Mason method allows in the classroom and the value it places on each student really speaks to Richelle’s heart. Richelle really enjoys teaching Phonics and Spelling at Ambleside. The curriculum is not like any other and truly teaches children to confidently read and spell well. Richelle always felt there must be more to education and that enriching subjects like art and nature studies were undervalued in other education systems. Richelle feels it is a true honor to serve God as an Ambleside teacher since 2019.

Mrs. Kelly Todd

Board Member

Kelly has been a part of the Ambleside community since 2020, when her children started attending the school. With a Master’s degree in Counseling and over eight years of experience as an adoption consultant, she has had the privilege of helping many families through the adoption process. Born and raised in Marion, IL, Kelly serves alongside her husband in ministry, deeply committed to her faith and community. She is passionate about sharing God’s word with others and His faithfulness in her life.

As a fan of Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, Kelly embraces the concept of “feasting on ideas” to nurture a love of learning and help children store God’s word in their hearts. She is dedicated to supporting the school and its staff, working together to provide a well-rounded Christian education. In her free time, Kelly enjoys hiking and traveling with her family, appreciating the beauty of God’s creation, and making wonderful memories together.

Mr. Joe Zdankiewicz

Board Chair

Joe is a lifelong resident of the Marion area and currently lives in rural Williamson County with his wife Valerie. They have been married for 39 years and have two sons, Shane, and Cody and two grandchildren. Joe and Valerie attend Whiteash Freewill Baptist Church along with their son Shane, daughter-in-law Heather and grandsons, Carson and Caden who both attend Ambleside
of Marion. Joe and his son Shane currently lead a Wednesday night boys’ class at Whiteash Church.

Joe grew up in Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1979. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering. Joe was employed as an engineer by the Illinois Department of Transportation for 30 years and now works for Horner & Shifrin Engineering in Marion as a Civil Engineer.

Joe’s initial connection with Ambleside began through his daughter-in-law Heather who teaches here and through attending the various school programs that his grandsons were involved in. In recent years Joe has worked as a volunteer for various school functions and first began serving on the board in 2022. He was appointed as Board Chair in May of 2024. He and his wife Valerie
recognize the importance and need for Christian education and are committed to supporting the work at Ambleside of Marion in any that they can.

Mrs. Terri Costello

Principal

Mrs. Terri Costello joined Ambleside Marion as Principal in 2022. She has been a part of the greater Ambleside community since 2014, teaching at Ambleside Ocala and in administration at Ambleside School in McLean. Mrs. Costello received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida. She has completed her Master Teacher Training Program with Ambleside Schools International. When not at school, Mrs. Costello enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, playing board games, and spending time with her husband.

She enjoys all aspects of the Charlotte Mason philosophy, but is especially drawn to the cultivation of a lifelong love of learning, the growth-oriented mindset, the hearty approach to work, and partnering with parents for healthy, joy-filled families. It holds a special place in her heart to watch six of her nephews and nieces thrive with an Ambleside education.

Mrs. Heather Zdankiewicz

Kindergarten

AS Elementary Education
John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

Heather has always had an interest in teaching. One could say that her teaching career started in high school, where she taught Kiddie City her junior and senior years. Her love for teaching children only grew from there. She went on to get her AS in Science for Elementary Education. Heather then started teaching at the Creative Schools in North Carolina, where her husband was stationed while serving in the United States Army. She later became a nanny to three children. She was able to build personal relationships with all three children. She enjoyed watching them learn and grow. At both of these jobs, Heather was blessed to meet wonderful people and share the love of God with them. After having her oldest child, she and her husband decided she would be a stay-at-home mother. After living In North Carolina for 3 years, Heather and her family returned to Marion, IL, their hometown.

Even though staying home, teaching and taking care of her two children was all she has ever wanted, Heather feels God has now called her to teach at Ambleside School of Marion. She has enjoyed her first years very much, learning new things everyday, right along with her students. She is very excited to interact with some of her previous students along with new students. Heather is praying for another great year here at Ambleside! She believes that God is doing a mighty work at this school and that it’s only the beginning!

Ms. Jasmine Thompson

Young Fives

Jasmine Thompson has lived in Marion, Illinois her whole life. She has one daughter who attends Ambleside. Before she was out of middle school, she had a passion for fashion design. During high school, Jasmine joined the FCCLA club and competed in a clothing competition in Springfield, Illinois. She won first place for a dress she had made for church. Jasmine thought that was her purpose and began to pursue her dream at John A Logan, where she received her Associate of Arts degree. However, after facing obstacles to proceed with a career in fashion, Jasmine began working odd jobs that she had no passion for. Following Covid’s shutdown of the world, she felt lost and had no idea what she wanted to do. As a result of Covid, her job closed and Jasmine was led to Ambleside. God placed her and her daughter here, and it didn’t take long for Jasmine to see her passion for teaching.

In Jasmine’s mind, being a teacher has never been in her plans, but it was God’s plan for her. She began as an assistant in Pre-K, then Jasmine was promoted to a classroom teacher. Jasmine began teaching Young Fives as a first year teacher, then PreK, and now is back to Young Fives, where she truly discovered her love for teaching. Her favorite thing to teach is Recitation. “It brings joy to my heart when the students learn and recite God’s Word that was written for them. I truly believe this is my purpose. I am praying for growth and to be the best teacher I can be for our little followers of Christ.”

Mr. Mark Fisher

Music

Mark Fisher, a Marion, IL native, is a longtime musician. After starting piano lessons in grade school, Mark decided in high school that he wanted to play guitar. He quickly decided that he loved it and immersed himself in learning how to play. He continued to progress on guitar through his pre-med studies at SIU-C. Shortly after his marriage to Sheila Swaim and immediately after starting medical school at SIU in 1984, Mark surrendered to the call to professional ministry, leaving medical school and making preparations to move to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in 1985 to attend Mid-America Bible College (now Mid-America Christian University). He received a bachelors degree in Professional Staff Ministries with a specialty in music. He has served in several churches in southern Illinois, mostly in the position of worship leader. He is a great fan and friend of well-known Christian recording artist and guitarist, Phil Keaggy, and considers Phil a musical mentor. Mark is currently retired from his family’s business and keeps a busy post-retirement schedule with his private guitar lessons, serving as worship director at First Church of God in Marion, and teaching music at Ambleside School of Marion. He and Sheila will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in June of 2024. They have two children: Ryan, of Marion, IL, and Sara, of Chattanooga, TN.

Mr. Andrew Hayes

Principal

Mr. Andrew Hayes re-joined Ambleside Colorado as Principal in 2016 after serving for two years as Principal at Ambleside Boerne (Texas). Previously he spent three years as a Junior High teacher at Ambleside Colorado. Andrew received his Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of Notre Dame and met his wife, Joanna, in French class during his senior year. They have three young children.

Prior to his work at Ambleside, Andrew was the College Pastor for three years at River Valley Church in Mishawaka, Indiana, while also learning the construction trade (just enough to make him dangerous), and spent formative college summers as a counselor and director at Spring Hill Camps in Evart, Michigan. Through these experiences, a passion for academic and spiritual growth emerged in Andrew. The longer he spends at Ambleside schools, the more convinced Andrew is that this is the best way to educate children.

He enjoys all aspects of the philosophy, but is especially drawn to the cultivation of a lifelong love of learning, the growth-oriented mindset for the whole community, the healthy approach to work, and the ways that the ideas in the rich texts are life-giving and formative. He most loves the opportunity to serve Christ, children, and parents on a daily basis. Andrew grew up in Okemos, Michigan, a little town near Michigan State University. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys watching Notre Dame football and the Detroit Tigers, playing baseball in a local men’s league, reading (Russian novelists, history, and science fiction are three favorites), hiking with his family, woodworking, and playing board games.

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They realize that education is not merely an interest, but a passion.

— CHARLOTTE M. MASON —

They realize that education is not merely an interest, but a passion.

CHARLOTTE M. MASON

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Mrs. Sharon Lehner

Mr. Jake True

Mr. Greg Hoffman

Mr. Caleb Ingram

Ms. Judy Irvin

Mrs. Richelle Williams

Mr. Mark Fisher

Mrs. Sara Wylie

Mr. Thomas Costello

Ms. Caleigh Hill

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Joe Zdankiewicz

Tara Tanner

Joe McCurdy

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Kelly Todd

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