Grammar School Art
Born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, Mrs. Bontz studied design at James Madison University, earning a Bachelor of Science with a focus on art and graphic design. Since graduating, she’s built a career around creativity — bringing design thinking and visual storytelling into every role she’s taken on over the years. She met her husband in her senior year at college, and they’ve since made a life together on his family’s land, where they’re raising two kids alongside a happy crew of pets. When she’s not working or with family, you’ll probably find her making jewelry, hiking, or digging in the garden.

6th-12th Art
Mrs. West has been an art teacher for the past 28 years, most of them spent at Elkton Middle School before she transitioned into the homeschool community four years ago. In addition to creating and teaching art, she is an avid runner who loves coaching cross country. She and her husband have two adult sons and one daughter in high school, and the family are members of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where they enjoy serving as Sunday School teachers. Mrs. West is looking forward to teaching and coaching at Redeemer this school year, and is excited to see what the Lord has in store.

1st - 12th Grade Music
Mrs. Grace Swanson graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She is especially passionate about group singing and choral music, and she loves to share this passion with her students. Outside of school, she enjoys taking long walks with her dog, singing in community choirs, and hiking in Shenandoah National Park. Mrs. Swanson is thrilled to be teaching in the Redeemer community and making a joyful noise unto the Lord with her students.

PreK & K Music and Band
Mrs. Melissa Borden received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a Master of Public Administration degree from James Madison University. She has worked previously as a music teacher and also in different capacities in nonprofit organizations for several years. Most recently, she has been a stay at home mom to her two children. She is excited to share her love of music with students and thankful to be a part of the Redeemer community.

Kindergarten - 4th P.E.
Mrs. Hensley graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and brings six years of teaching experience to Redeemer’s Grammar School PE program. She is passionate about helping students develop healthy habits and a love for physical activity and looks forward to serving in a Christian school setting. She lives with her husband, son, and daughter, who will attend Pre-K at Redeemer in the fall. Mrs. Hensley enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, and friendly competition.

5th-8th P.E.
Mrs. Corder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education from UNC Greensboro. She has worked in the Loudoun County public school system, and as a behavioral therapist for children with autism in Northern Virginia. She has most recently been a stay-at-home mom to her four daughters, and homeschooled them for a few of those years. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, traveling, cooking, playing pickleball, and having dance parties in the kitchen. She is thrilled to be teaching at Redeemer and hopes to instill in her students a deeper understanding of how to use their bodies to glorify God.

9th-10th P.E.
Mrs. Stephanie Walker earned her Bachelor's degree in English and Education at James Madison University in 2003 and spent 10 years teaching English before finding a passion in the fitness world. Stephanie has worked as a fitness and recreation specialist for the City of Harrisonburg and has been an owner of both Stongfigure Bootcamp and CrossFit Harrisonburg. After spending over 15 years coaching adults, teens, and children; she is bringing her passion for health, fitness, and nutrition to the Physical Education department at Redeemer. Outside of Redeemer, you can find her at the gym, and spending time with her husband and two children.

3rd-4th P.E.
Mr. Michael was born and raised in Port Republic, Va. He earned his Finance degree from Fairmont State University where he played baseball. While in college he met his wife, Holly, who teaches PreK at Redeemer. While he works full-time as a Project Manager for his family's construction and property management company, Mr. Michael has long enjoyed coaching his three children (all at RCS) for many years. At Redeemer, Mr. Michael has helped coach the MS Boys Basketball team and has been an Assistant Coach for the Varsity team. He’s been teaching P.E. at Redeemer since 2025. In addition, Mr. Michael is a deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church. As a teacher, he loves passing on his passion for sports, teamwork, and good sportsmanship to all of his students in ways that point to Christ for His glory!

Scholar Studio, Common Arts & Ag/Trade
Mrs. Greta Houff graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Agricultural Education. After graduation, she taught Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences for four years at Elkton Middle School. After starting her family, she has worked part-time at Augusta Cooperative and stayed connected with the agricultural industry. Greta and her husband have five children and live on a small farm outside Weyers Cave. Outside of school she enjoys being outside with her family, watching her kids participate in extracurricular activities and spending time with friends. She is excited to help Redeemer students explore agriculture as it relates to our Creator and the world in which we live.

Scholar Studio
Mrs. Kendra Matter first discovered a passion for history, literature, and culture through studying art in high school and college. She went on to graduate from James Madison University with a degree in Art and a minor in Art History. Kendra has been involved in classical and Christian education for 20 years, in capacities from teaching fourth grade at Redeemer, to homeschooling her three children. Outside the classroom you might find her talking with friends on the front porch, listening to music in New Orleans, or rediscovering the joys of oil painting in her studio.