Teaching Staff
Janet Fortney
AIM Plan Coordinator
Ms. Janet Fortney is our AIM plan coordinator and Remedial Reading Specialist. Ms. Janet earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Communications, along with a Masters degree in Special Education from Drury University. Ms. Janet brings 16 years of experience working in education/special education in Springfield and Willard Public schools. She loves to teach reading/writing and to lead small group reading clubs. "My favorite part of teaching is the relationship building with students and parents; they are the heart of what we do!"
Ashlie Henry
AIM Assistant
Ashlie holds a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a master's in communication sciences and disorders. She works alongside Ms. Janet to support our students with AIM plans who thrive with additional support. She contributes vast knowledge from her time as a school Speech Language Pathologist in the public-school setting. She has served elementary through high school students and finds great joy in watching students overcome obstacles. Ms. Ashlie’s greatest loves are spending time with her family and working with children. She enthusiastically serves our students while encouraging them in relentless optimism.
Katie Grant
Kindergarten Teacher
Katie teaches some of our littlest friends at KB Academy! Ms. Katie describes teaching as one of her greatest passions! She loves to watch and be an integral part of students' growth and development. She holds a bachelor's in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Southwest Baptist University. With over 5 years of teaching experience, Ms. Katie is thrilled to collaborate with a team of dedicated staff who are driven to teach students selflessly.
Kyra Twibell
1st / 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Kyra graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education and a Minor in Special Education from Bethany College. She brings a passion for teaching unique thinkers, and a love for problem solving to our program. Ms. Kyra also holds Dyslexia and Remedial Reading Certifications. She comes to KB having previously taught Special Education at Logan-Rogersville Elementary. Ms. Kyra loves making connections with students and watching them grow throughout the year!
Wendy Kerns
3rd / 4th Grade Teacher
Wendy brings years of teaching experience to her classroom. Her students benefit from her genuine loving care and over 25 years of expertise. She has worked in the Hollister school district, and taught summer courses with the Explore program in the Springfield school district. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from College of the Ozarks and a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. She brings the love of Jesus to her students each and every day. She inspires many creative thought processes and encourages students to push the boundaries of what they think they can do.
Lynsey Letterman
5th / 6th Grade Teacher
Lynsey graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from MSU. She loves teaching children to read and write while utilizing hands on approaches to make learning come alive. In her classroom you will see peer collaboration and real-world application as students begin to own their knowledge! Lynsey holds a certification in Special Education and has a deep understanding of Autism in young children. She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential, while overcoming any academic challenges they may have.
Dallion Rhem
7th–12th English Teacher
Ms. Dallion, our Secondary English teacher, holds a degree in Linguistics from Ethnos360. Her journey at KB began as a mom looking for a different educational approach. She found a passion for KB's academic approach that education is not one-size-fits-all. She believes every child needs unique consideration and a whole person approach. Ms. Dallion is a pastor’s wife, mom to three sons and enthusiastic teacher for ELA. She brings her talent with language and love of teaching to KB with the hope of inspiring her teen students to "wield words well."
Jacob George
K-12th Bible Teacher
& 7th-8th History Teacher
Mr. Jacob George has a true servant's heart to passionately reach our students and encourage them to seek Jesus. He tirelessly establishes deep relationships with our students and allows them to ask and wrestle with hard questions. Mr. Jacob holds a bachelor's degree in biblical studies with a minor in Writing from Southwest Baptist University and a master's in divinity with a concentration in Theology. He has a heart for teaching and building up the next generation.
Jaime Benson
7th–12th Science Teacher
Ms. Jaime Benson is our Secondary Science teacher. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and is a retired audiologist. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Audiology from Missouri State University and a Doctorate from Salus University. Ms. Jamie has experience teaching elementary, secondary and college students. Outside of church, she acts and volunteers at Stained Glass Theater and is a Vice Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. "Being part of the KB teaching staff brings me joy because I love to see students inspired and succeed with their learning."
Ms. Jessica Rensch
7th–12th Math Teacher
Ms. Jessica, our upper grade Math teacher, graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from James Madison University and received her Montessori teacher certificate in Elementary Education in Maitland, FL. She has a wealth of experience from teaching grades 1st-6th in school and tutoring students in secondary math. She is excited to teach at KB Academy where she can use her psychology background to bring peace and encouragement to students as they do the difficult work of learning math. She enjoys spending time with her husband and children, caring for her pet donkeys, writing and publishing books, and figure skating in her free time.
Amy Dascher
10th-11th Civics & Economics Teacher
n addition to serving as our principal, Ms. Amy teaches our Upper Grade students US Civics and Economics. She passionately teaches students from a Biblical worldview, all while challenging them to stretch and grow into their new knowledge