P.E. & After School Program
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.

6th-10th P.E. & 7th History
Mrs. Grace Weniger graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. She then received a Master’s of Education from the University of Virginia in Sports Medicine. For six years, she worked as an athletic trainer at James Madison University while also teaching in the undergraduate program and serving on the eating disorders team on campus. After starting a family she continued to teach part-time at JMU for several years until their third child was born. She enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and reading a good book. Grace lives in Harrisonburg with her husband and three children, who attend Redeemer. She’s thankful to be part of the Redeemer community and to teach students a biblical perspective on how to care for their bodies and minds.

6th Study Skills & P.E.
Mrs. Sarah Hughes graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Art History. She worked as a paralegal for several years before staying at home with her first born. Her daughter began attending kindergarten at Redeemer in 2013. With the addition of another daughter attending Redeemer in 2016, there were more opportunities to help in the classroom and around the school. Her third daughter joined her sisters at Redeemer in 2019. Sarah is thankful for the opportunity to work alongside her children and to be a part of a loving school community.

2nd - 8th Grade Music
Mrs. Grace Swanson graduated in 2023 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Mrs. Swanson has a particular focus on music education for students with disabilities, and she loves learning more about accessible music-making every day. Outside of school, she enjoys working with students in private lessons, singing with friends, 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 - 1st Music
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.

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.

Scholars Studio & 8th Art
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.

Scholars Studio & Ag Program
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.