Students in Benton County are in the process of settling into new classes for the 2024-25 school year. In addition to the three public schools in Benton County there are two private schools which offer students the opportunity for education.
At Cole Camp there is the Lutheran Elementary School located at 204 E. Butterfield Trail in Cole Camp. New teachers for the coming school year include: Sherry Melby, who is teaching first and second grade.
“My family moved from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Sedalia, Missouri in 1998,” said Melby. “My husband, Pete, is retired from the Air Force and continues to work at Whiteman AFB. My son, who is also in the military, and his family live in Reno, Nevada and my daughter lives in Iowa. We try to get together as much as we can throughout the year, but use facetime often.”
“I began my career with an Early Childhood Special Education degree and taught for 12 years. Then, in 2015 I furthered my education with a Master’s degree in Administration and transferred to kindergarten for my remaining eight years in the public school system,” said Melby.
“My husband and I own horses and were looking for something to do together when we found Cowboy Mounted Shooting. The people were great and families were all doing it together, so it got us hooked! Now we travel throughout the year to various events where we continually meet new and wonderful people and enjoy the camping atmosphere as well.
“Taking this call to LSA happened quickly after retiring. My goal is to learn more in my Christian Walk and see young children grow and learn together as I step into this new setting,” said Melby
Kalee Jobson will be teaching kindergarten at LSA. “I have an 8 year old daughter, 3 nieces, and 2 nephews. These kids are my whole world,” said Jobson.
Jobson lives in Sedalia. Her degrees and past work experience includes CNA, CMA, paraprofessional, and a BAS in education. This is her first year solo teaching.
In her free time she enjoys cooking, making flower arrangements, and caring for animals
She came to teach at LSA in the spring of 2024 since her sister, Amanda Ehlers, needed a long term substitute during her maternity leave. As a new teacher, it was an easy choice to make. Jobson said she enjoyed student teaching in the public schools, but it felt like there was something missing. Since coming to LSA, she has found the missing piece- having religion in the classroom and school.
“I genuinely love caring for other people- big and small- old and young. I feel like my experience in nursing has helped me become a better teacher,” said Jobson.
“I have a knack for being able to read people and know what they might need. I am looking forward to learning more about Jesus along with my students and growing as a person, side by side with them.”
Morgan May will be teaching physical education for all students at LSA. “My family consists of my husband and one year old son. I currently live in Cole Camp,” said May.
“I've had various jobs since graduating high school and look forward to earning my teaching degree in the near future. My current hobby is baking, and I have recently gotten into decorating baked goods!” said May.
“I accepted the calling to ministry at LSA as a way to serve and teach. Although I am not in a typical classroom setting, there are more opportunities to include Christ than I could have ever imagined. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of shaping the way for our next generations,” said May.
“My philosophy of Christian education is to guide all children to have an understanding that God is the center of everything. The goal is to teach all children to not only learn about Christianity in school, but also to explore the ways and opportunities that they may look to Him in every aspect of life,” said May.
Crystal Brummet is working as a cafeteria assistant at LSA this year. “My husband John and I have been married for thirty-one years. We live in Cole Camp. I worked at Crest Ridge Elementary in Crest Ridge, Missouri for ten years. I also worked at UCM for ten years,” said Brummet.
“I enjoy spending time with my family. I wanted to become a part of the Lutheran School Association to help support the school my granddaughter, Cricket, attends. As an added bonus, I get to see her more! God makes me unique. I'm nothing without him.”
For more information about LSA call (660) 668-4614.
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Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks located at 16155 Waggoner Road in Warsaw is gearing up for its thirteenth year of school serving students in preschool through twelfth grades. The first day of school is set for Wednesday, August 28. This hybrid model school offers an authentic learning experience as students engage in critical and creative thinking and develop a love for learning.
Meeting on campus at the Warsaw Bible Church on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks combines the best attributes of traditional schooling with the best attributes of homeschooling and integrates them into one model. The result is quality, cost-effective, college-preparatory education that gives parents more time for imparting their own faith and values to their children. In partnership with one another, parents and the school work together toward a mutual goal: to produce wholesome, competent, and virtuous followers of Christ who will change the world in their generation.
According to school administrator Rebecca Spencer, the accredited school offers a highly regarded Christian program and is a member of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and AACS (American Association of Christian Schools).
Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks offers dual credit classes for high school students as well as other partnerships with local colleges for college credit.
Students participate in National Honor Society, golf, Trap Shooting, and oratorical competitions, national essay competitions, and the academy seeks to add more extracurricular activities each year.
Believing children are here for a divine purpose, with a blessing tied to purpose, Cornerstone Academy understands God has divinely ordained a destiny for these children that includes their passions, personalities, skills, dreams, and experiences. All of these merge to enable children to live out all they are created to be. God is a God of both purpose and plans, about His Kingdom and His agenda and we GET to help these precious children navigate the waters to help them determine what His plan is for their lives; thank you for trusting us and sharing your precious youngsters.
As parents, faculty, staff, and administrators at CAO, we are united around our mission to, “Equip students to be messengers of Jesus Christ, living a lifestyle of love, truth and service.”
The Cornerstone faculty desire to help prepare students spiritually, morally, socially, and academically so that when students graduate from CAO they will be able to impact the world for Christ.
Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks reserves the right to select students on the basis of academic performance, religious commitment, lifestyle choices, and personal qualifications including a willingness to cooperate with Cornerstone Academy of the Ozarks administration and to abide by its policies.
For more information about Cornerstone Academy contact cornerstoneacademyoftheozarks@gmail.com or call (660) 723-3313.
