Our Coaches
The coaches at The Center for Lifelong Learning are dedicated to nurturing broad, transferable skills that go beyond subject-specific expertise. They focus on developing both interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities, ensuring individuals are equipped for a lifetime of continuous learning and growth.
Alyssa Strzalka
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
B.S. in Education and Creative Writing Minor from Baylor University
Bio:
Alyssa is a Wheaton Academy graduate (2015). She completed her first year of teaching at Harvest Christian Academy before joining the Wheaton Academy English Department in 2020. She recently transitioned to a job in publishing at Crossway and is excited to continue working with students as a tutor.
Bob Ward
Subjects:
English Language Arts, Study Skills
Levels:
Adult, College, High School
Credentials:
Certified teacher endorsed to teach English/Language Arts
Bio:
Bob taught English in the public school system for over 30 years and has experience working with all ability levels. Bob enjoys working with international students on English proficiency, and he previously managed Wheaton Academy’s Study Labs.
Dick Clancy
Subjects:
AP Environmental Science, Math, Science
Levels:
High School, Middle School
Credentials:
Ed.M. in Continuing and Secondary Education from University of Illinois; B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Boston College.
Bio:
Dick has taught high school and junior high school students for twenty-five years and enjoys helping students reach their learning goals for the Lord.
Holly Taritas
Subjects:
Life Coaching, Student Success Coaching
Levels:
Adult, College, High School
Credentials:
Certified Executive Functioning Coach with Peg Dawson, author of Smart but Scattered; Certified Life Coach with the John Maxwell Team; M.S. in Education with sixty hours in Supervision and Curriculum; B.S. in Child Development.
Bio:
Holly works with clients on executive functioning and life coaching and teaches student teachers online at Grand Canyon University. She is a former Wheaton North High School teacher and administrator. Executive Functioning is her passion as she reminds her students that we are always learning, growing and improving.
Kristen Rusthoven
Subjects:
ACT Prep, College Essay, English Language Arts, History, SAT Prep, Study Skills
Levels:
Adult, High School, Middle School
Credentials:
M.A.E. in Reading Specialist from Olivet University; B.A. from Trinity College; Certified Reading Specialist; Certified Teacher with English Language Arts and History Endorsements.
Bio:
Kristen is a graduate of WCGS and Wheaton Academy, and she is currently teaching English at Wheaton Academy. She has experience working with all ability levels and has been teaching for 10 years. She has experience teaching study skills classes and literacy intervention classes.
Lindsey Mao
Subjects:
Accommodations, ACT Prep, AP Biology, AP Physics, Math, SAT Prep, Science
Levels:
Adult, College, High School
Credentials:
M.S. and Ph.D. in Developmental Biology from The University of Chicago. B.S. in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University
Bio:
Lindsey Mao has been a university professor for five years, most recently at Benedictine University. Before that, Lindsey was a tutor and supplemental instructor for various college-level science subjects. Her expertise is in molecular and cell biology. Lindsey’s deep vocational calling is to help adolescents and young adults achieve their goals incrementally.
Liz Reid
Levels:
Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Credentials:
M.N. and B.A. in Elementary Education; M.A. in Reading from Concordia College
Bio:
Liz is a graduate of St. Mary’s University. She has taught 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th grades for the last 25 years. More recently, her teaching experience has been with a local homeschool co-op and is currently teaching preschool in Wheaton. Liz creates a fun, positive learning experience to help meet personal goals and has enjoyed tutoring for the last 25 years.
Luke Bothun
Subjects:
ACT Prep, AP Biology, SAT Prep, Science
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
B.A. in Business Economics and Biology Minor from Wheaton College (Expected May 2025)
Bio:
Luke is a senior at Wheaton College, currently studying Business Economics and Biology. He is from Rochester, Minnesota and runs Cross Country and Track for Wheaton College.
Maddie Urban
Subjects:
Accommodations, AP Seminar, College Essay, English Language Arts, SAT Prep
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Wheaton College; Certified teacher with English Language Arts (6-12) and Science (6-8) endorsements.
Bio:
Maddie Urban is a former Wheaton Academy English teacher. During her five years at Wheaton Academy, Maddie taught all levels of English and loves working with students on their reading and writing. As a former AP Seminar teacher, she particularly enjoys working with upper-level students on research-style writing. Maddie is passionate about supporting each student’s growth as a reader, writer, and thinker.
Paul Frederick
Levels:
Adult, College, High School, Middle School
Credentials:
M. Div. from Covenant Seminary; B.A. in Biology from University of Iowa.
Bio:
Paul Frederick is a Ph.D. student in theology at Wheaton College. During his last few years of graduate school, he has grown to love working with students in all kinds of subjects, especially ACT prep, in which he has over 2 years of experience. Paul is passionate about helping students to grow in academic competence and confidence as they prepare for their future.
Robert S. Dieter
Subjects:
Math, Science, Study Skills
Levels:
Adult, College, High School, Middle School
Credentials:
M.D. from University of Illinois; A.L.M in Management from Harvard University; B.S. in Biology and Mathematics
Bio:
Robert is a father of four Wheaton Academy students, both current and graduated. Currently, he is a Professor of Medicine at Loyola. It is his goal to help students better understand their subjects to enrich their passion for learning.
Ryan Chaney
Subjects:
Math
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Cincinnati; B.A. from Cedarville University; Professional Educators License, National Louis University.
Bio:
Ryan taught high school and middle school math for three years at a private school in Maryland and taught four years in the math department at Wheaton Academy. He enjoys helping students develop an appreciation for math and helping them see how math provides a framework for us to model and understand the world around us.
Sean McCallum
Subjects:
Art
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
B.A. in Studio Art from Wheaton College; MFA in Illustration from Academy of Art University
Bio:
Sean has been at WA since 2011. He transitioned to traditional education from many experiences in the creative world. Most recently, he has worked as an independent consultant and has held a variety of design roles. He brings a love for painting and drawing, and desires that art tells a story.
Stacey Krohn
Subjects:
Spanish Language and Literature
Levels:
High School
Credentials:
B.A. in Spanish from Linfield University; M.S. in Education from Cairn University
Bio:
Stacey currently teaches Spanish at Wheaton Academy, and she has experience working with international students and all ability levels in Spanish and/or English. She was a classroom teacher for 13 years, 8 of those years in International Schools in Peru and Ethiopia. She is currently teaching Spanish at Wheaton Academy.
Stephen Zawicki
Subjects:
AP Physics, Science
Levels:
High School, Middle School
Credentials:
Masters in Teaching Science from Northern Arizona University; B.S. in Physics from Wheaton College
Bio:
Stephen Zawicki is a Wheaton Academy science teacher who has been teaching for 7 years. He has taught various science courses including AP Physics. He enjoys helping students discover the glorious and surprising ways that God has designed the universe to function.
Terry Huttenlock
Subjects:
Accommodations, English Language Arts, ESL
Levels:
Adult, College, High School
Credentials:
B.S. in Biology from Moravian College, M.L.S. in Library Science from Rutgers University, EdD in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University, TESOL Certification from Wheaton College, Master Online Teacher (MOT) certification from ION.
Bio:
Terry has taught in her areas of expertise at the college and adult levels for over 25 years. Her areas of expertise include academic research, reading and writing, research methods, instructional technology, ESL, and supporting students with dyslexia, ADHD, low-vision, and blindness by helping them develop study skills and utilize assistive technology. Terry is passionate about supporting students to be successful in their academic pursuits.
Valerie Gregersen
Levels:
Adult, College, High School, Middle School
Credentials:
B.A. in Secondary Education and Mathematics from Northwestern College (IA).
Bio:
Valerie is a Wheaton Academy teacher who has taught high school and middle school math for over 27 years. Her first 11 years were in Houston, TX and the last 16 years have been at Wheaton Academy. Valerie truly believes that all students can learn math and reach their full God-given potential.