Mrs. Holly Michael
PreK
Mrs. Holly Michael graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood education. Moving to Harrisonburg, she began working at a Montessori School. She went on to receive her teaching degree in Montessori education. She taught at her original school for six years building the foundation of their primary education. She is very excited to be teaching about the love of Christ here at Redeemer.
Mrs. April Cosner
PreK Aide
Mrs. April Cosner earned a Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater College in Liberal Studies, minoring in Education and Psychology. After teaching in Virginia and Florida public schools for six years, she homeschooled her own children and worked as a private tutor for an additional seven years. She also serves as her church's Children's Ministry Director. Mrs. Cosner enjoys all things healthy (and yet all things chocolate), spending time with her husband and three children, reading, the outdoors, hiking, camping, and traveling. She counts it a gift to cultivate a love for the Lord and a love for learning in the children of Redeemer.
Mrs. Kate Zopp
PreK
Mrs. Kate Zopp received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. She taught for eight years in various settings before moving to Harrisonburg with her husband and staying at home with their three boys. When not drinking coffee and chasing her boys, she enjoys reading and being outside. Kate is excited to teach the youngest Redeemer students about the love of Christ and lay a solid foundation for their coming years of learning.
Mrs. Janelle Garman
PreK & 7th Logic
Mrs. Janelle Garman graduated from Grove City College with degrees in History and Christian Thought. After graduating, she spent eight years working in the mental health field before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She first studied logic when attending a classical high school in West Virginia and continued studying formal logic in college. She’s excited to share her love of truth and critical thinking with her students. Janelle and her husband, Tyler, have four children (who all attend Redeemer). Outside of teaching, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and serving in her church and the local Bible Study Fellowship.
Mrs. Shernae Storella
Kindergarten
Mrs. Shernae Storella received her bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Recreation Parks and Tourism. After graduating, she returned to VCU taking educational courses for the lower elementary level. She home-schooled her two children for seven years, served as an Awana Leader, chaired a K-5 Children's Ministry, worked in a Daycare Facility and a parochial school. Shernae has served as Redeemer's Kindergarten teacher since 2005 and she loves teaching children how big and fun learning is. Shernae counts it an honor and a privilege to teach the children of our future.
Mrs. Robin Wallace
Kindergarten
Mrs. Wallace brought an abundance of experience with her to Redeemer, having taught the early grammar school grades for 30 years with Rockingham County Public Schools after her graduation from James Madison University. While at RCPS she was also a coach to new teachers through the Virginia New Teacher Support Program at JMU.
Mrs. Sarah Plonsky
First Grade
Mrs. Sarah Plonsky received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. She has taught in public and private school classrooms, as well as homeschooling four of her children. She has lived in many places in her life, but has decided that the Shenandoah Valley is by far her favorite, and hopes she never has to leave. Sarah and her husband James are, by God’s grace, successfully blending two families together, making their home of nine a busy (and often loud!) place! When she’s not occupied being a mom and teacher, Sarah enjoys keeping busy with activities at church, renovating their old Civil War-era home, gardening, and sewing. An ideal weekend would be one with NOTHING on the calendar!
Ms. Alyssa Breeden
Second Grade
Ms. Breeden earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Bridgewater College in 2020. She is currently working towards earning a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University. In her free time, Ms. Breeden enjoys coaching competitive and sideline cheerleading at Spotswood High School. She is a member of the Church of Solsburg and is eager to grow closer in her relationship with the Lord with her second grade students.
Ms. Erica Winfrey
Second Grade
Ms. Winfrey was most recently a long-term substitute at South River Elementary School in Grottoes. She is certified to teach Pre-K-6th, and has a master’s degree in teaching from James Madison University. She is an active member of Crosslink Community Church.
Mrs. Karen Barlow
Third Grade
Mrs. Karen Barlow earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Calvary University in Kansas City, MO. She has spent over 20 years as a classroom teacher, substitute teacher, tutor, and educational therapist. Karen also worked eight years at a Sentara RMH medical office. A Midwesterner by birth, Karen and her husband, John, moved to Weyers Cave in 2005. They enjoy being outside, taking day trips, and taking in God’s beautiful artistry in the Shenandoah Valley. John and Karen have two adult sons. Zachary and his wife, Ally, live in Arizona while Corey makes his home in Harrisonburg. Karen is committed to teach her students the love of Christ and the truth of His Word.
Mrs. Julie Landes
Third Grade
Mrs. Julie Landes graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in elementary education and with a Master of Arts in teaching in 2010. She has taught 1st and 2nd grade at Redeemer since graduating from JMU. She enjoys teaching children that all things are created by and for the glory of God.
Mrs. Holly King
Fourth Grade
Mrs. Holly King received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Waterloo in Liberal Studies with a Peace and Conflict Studies minor. Growing up in Canada, Holly spent four years working for a church agency in Switzerland, the UK, and Germany before embarking on family life and settling in the Shenandoah Valley with her American husband. After homeschooling some combination of her five children for 13 years using Classical methods, Mrs. King is glad to be continuing the task of educating with Redeemer students. She is blessed to witness numerous 'aha!' moments each school day as the light of understanding is lit in her students as she shares her excitement about God's wonderful world – past, present, and future – with the next generation.
Mrs. Jane Fowler
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Jane Fowler received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Virginia in Middle School Education and has been teaching in public, private and home-schooling environments for over 30 years. Jane is one of the founding teachers of Redeemer and has enjoyed watching Redeemer grow over the years. She is the chairperson for the history department at Redeemer and loves to hear the students recite the history timeline together. Jane has three grown children and four grandchildren who she enjoys visiting as often as she can.
Ms. Lois Friesen
Fifth Grade
Originally from central Pennsylvania, Ms. Lois Friesen has lived in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley for approximately eight years. She loves history, gardening, flowers, reading, and spending time with people. She graduated from Sattler College in Boston, MA, with a Bachelor's degree in History and a minor in Human Biology. She also has a certificate in TESOL, and has taught ESL for several years both in the U.S. and abroad.