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ACADEMY

INSTRUCTORS

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ACADEMY DIRECTOR

JAMES STULL
 

PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTORS

Stephanie Graeler

Preschool

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Cynthia Barger

K, 1st and 2nd Grade

Cynthia Barger is looking forward to teaching our Discoverers and Explorers (K, 1st/2nd grades). Cynthia is a long-time teaching professional with more than twenty years of experience. During her career, Cynthia has taught various grade levels and disciplines from Pre-K through middle school mathematics. She also homeschooled her own five children. Cynthia comes to DaySpring with a strong desire and proficiency to teach our 1st and 2nd grade scholars. She enjoys developing curriculum and adapting lessons to meet each student's needs. Creative, lively, hands-on activities can be expected in Cynthia’s classroom.

Laura Gill

Preschool

Laura Gill received a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and a Master’s in Social Work with a Concentration in Children and Youth from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After receiving her Master’s Degree, Laura worked as a social worker primarily in the areas of school social work and adoption, before she began teaching in DaySpring's preschool program in 2008. She loves sharing her excitement for learning with the children that she teaches as well as supporting and encouraging their families. Laura and her husband served for twenty years as foster parents for children ages birth through five years old. She and her husband have four children, all of whom have participated in a variety of classes at DaySpring, including DaySpring's Academy, dance, and other enrichment classes.

Melissa Baum

3rd and 4th Grade

Melissa will fill the role as our classroom teacher with the Adventurers (3rd/4th grades). Melissa has over twenty years experience as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, educational coach, and small group facilitator. She has worked in public schools and private Christian schools, and Melissa has coached other teachers at a local charter school. Her experience and expertise as a master teacher will be a tremendous benefit to our Adventurers. Melissa writes, “Spending my days talking, reading, writing, solving problems, and laughing with children makes me feel like I have the best job in the world.”

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS

 
Allen Moore

Math & Science

Allen Moore was raised in Springfield, Missouri where he attended Evangel University graduating with a major in Speech/Theatre Education and a concentration in Mathematics. He tutored Math throughout college with students from middle school through college. Since college, Allen has taught 13 years in public schools and 7 years here in math, theatre, speech, and computer applications. Allen is married to Kristy and together they have three children and one grandson. Allen enjoys theatre, music, technology reading, and bicycling.

Kristen Cuneo

5th and 6th Grade

Kristen is joining us as the teacher in our Voyagers (Dawn Treaders) class. Kristen arrives at DaySpring with 12 years of experience in education in 3rd, 5th and middle school science and math. She has worked as a classroom teacher, a tutor, and a math and reading interventionist. Kristen has also taught chess classes, coding, cooperative learning, and Lego robotics classes. When meeting with Kristen, one can feel her passion for teaching. She loves everything about reading and learning.

Ginger Fulton

Language Arts

Ginger has taught a total of 12 years and has taught a wide range of subjects and grades. Ginger says: I have studied physics and music at The Colorado College, and received a BA in music. My instruments were piano and viola. After college I studied at the local center named MOMTEP to earn my Montessori certification. Then I earned my Master’s degree from Maryville University. I took breaks from teaching now and then to raise my 4 children. My favorite part of teaching is seeing my students get excited about a topic that matters to them. The energy and enthusiasm is contagious. Teaching at DaySpring has been a special treat as my students are so talented, creative, and passionate about their interests. I am blessed to be here!

Carissa Roller

Pre Algebra, Algebra I & II

Carissa Roller will be joining the DaySpring faculty as our PreAlgebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II teacher. She will also be teaching a semester of Personal Finance and a semester of health. Carissa has a wealth of teaching experience at the elementary and middle school levels in public and charter schools. She also has expertise in curriculum design and development. During the past five years Carissa has been a stay at home mom, but she is now ready to return to the classroom. She is excited to begin reviewing curriculum and planning lessons for our students. Welcome to DaySpring, Carissa.

Alissa Murray

Science

Alissa has 5 years experience in teaching. She has a BA in Biology, MAT in Middle School Science, and a Minor in Spanish. Her favorite part about teaching: When kids experience that ah ha moment of understanding how something works and seeing them get excited about how cool the world around us is and how everything works together. Alissa likes working at DaySpring because she likes the small class sizes and really getting the opportunity to know her students and their families.  I love seeing the students grow from year to year and our school community.

Matt Holmes

History

Matt is the history teacher at Dayspring. He received his degree from the University of Missouri-St Louis, a Bachelor of Arts in history in December of 2019. Matt says his primary field of interest are the with the Romans and Greeks. Although recently I’ve started to do some study into more contemporary, from a history perspective, topics such as the French Revolution. I’m a St. Louis native and have lived and worked in the St. Louis area all my life. I’m very grateful for this opportunity to work and teach with the Dayspring community.