Meet our Headmaster
Dr. Gerdts
Dr. Gerdts has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Chicago. He is the Director
of Innovation and Customer Solutions for Protein BioSolutions and has worked in Biotech for 10 years. He is also a small business owner in Clear Lake and is serving as Acting Headmaster at Clear Lake Classical.
Cory and his wife, Emily have two children and reside in Clear Lake and are passionate about supporting classical and Christian education in North Iowa.
Dr. Gerdts
Dr. Gerdts has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Chicago. He is the Director
of Innovation and Customer Solutions for Protein BioSolutions and has worked in Biotech for 10 years. He is also a small business owner in Clear Lake and is serving as Acting Headmaster at Clear Lake Classical.
Cory and his wife, Emily have two children and reside in Clear Lake and are passionate about supporting classical and Christian education in North Iowa.
Meet Our 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Sokol
Mrs. Sokol grew up in a suburb of Chicago and graduated from Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and is certified K-6 in Iowa. She has 13 years of successful teaching experience with all levels of education in the public and private schools and also home schooled her 5 children. Her two youngest children currently attend Clear Lake Classical.
She believes that each child is a unique individual created by God who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature spiritually, intellectually, and socially. It is her desire as an educator to help the students at Clear Lake Classical meet their fullest God-given potential in these areas by providing loving, yet firm discipline, an atmosphere of learning that is formal, yet fun, and fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
She and her husband of 23 years are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved with youth ministries. Her family has also been involved for the last 11 years in directing the Children’s Festival, which is a ministry to reach children and families in North Central Iowa with the love of Jesus.
As she enters her 4th year of teaching at CLC, she is excited to instill a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning in each student.
Mrs. Sokol
Mrs. Sokol grew up in a suburb of Chicago and graduated from Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and is certified K-6 in Iowa. She has 13 years of successful teaching experience with all levels of education in the public and private schools and also home schooled her 5 children. Her two youngest children currently attend Clear Lake Classical.
She believes that each child is a unique individual created by God who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature spiritually, intellectually, and socially. It is her desire as an educator to help the students at Clear Lake Classical meet their fullest God-given potential in these areas by providing loving, yet firm discipline, an atmosphere of learning that is formal, yet fun, and fostering critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.
She and her husband of 23 years are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved with youth ministries. Her family has also been involved for the last 11 years in directing the Children’s Festival, which is a ministry to reach children and families in North Central Iowa with the love of Jesus.
As she enters her 4th year of teaching at CLC, she is excited to instill a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning in each student.
Meet Our 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Burton
Mrs. Burton grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Greensboro College and University of North Carolina-Greensboro where she studied Nursing. A move to the Midwest brought her to Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from the Paralegal Program at Rockhurst College in 1995. During this time she met her husband and started a family.
Mrs. Burton has been married for 23 years and has 5 children. Her passion for Classical education began during the 15 years she homeschooled her children. She and her family attend Praise Community Church where Mrs. Burton teaches in the children's ministry on Wednesday nights. Her family has also been involved with Children's Festival, a city wide outreach in Mason City, for 8 years.
Mrs. Burton has been with Clear Lake Classical since September of 2015 and is very excited to help the children grow in knowledge and in Christ.
Mrs. Burton
Mrs. Burton grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Greensboro College and University of North Carolina-Greensboro where she studied Nursing. A move to the Midwest brought her to Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from the Paralegal Program at Rockhurst College in 1995. During this time she met her husband and started a family.
Mrs. Burton has been married for 23 years and has 5 children. Her passion for Classical education began during the 15 years she homeschooled her children. She and her family attend Praise Community Church where Mrs. Burton teaches in the children's ministry on Wednesday nights. Her family has also been involved with Children's Festival, a city wide outreach in Mason City, for 8 years.
Mrs. Burton has been with Clear Lake Classical since September of 2015 and is very excited to help the children grow in knowledge and in Christ.
Meet Our 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Eakins
Mrs. Eakins grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, with endorsements in math and reading. Mrs. Eakins has been with CLC since 2016.
Along with her husband and three children, the Eakins family are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved in children's ministry. She teaches Sunday School for pre-schoolers and is the director for VBS.
Since a young age, Mrs. Eakins has had a passion for working with children, and she is excited to bring that passion to Clear Lake Classical. She believes that God should be the center of all things, and education is no exception. It is her desire to actively and purposefully teach children the love, discipline, and understanding of God's Word. That way, when learning academic skills, children will begin to value all things from the perspective of their creator.
Mrs. Eakins
Mrs. Eakins grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, with endorsements in math and reading. Mrs. Eakins has been with CLC since 2016.
Along with her husband and three children, the Eakins family are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved in children's ministry. She teaches Sunday School for pre-schoolers and is the director for VBS.
Since a young age, Mrs. Eakins has had a passion for working with children, and she is excited to bring that passion to Clear Lake Classical. She believes that God should be the center of all things, and education is no exception. It is her desire to actively and purposefully teach children the love, discipline, and understanding of God's Word. That way, when learning academic skills, children will begin to value all things from the perspective of their creator.
Meet Our 5th-6th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Gerdts
Mrs. Gerdts grew up in South Dakota as part of a large farm family. Since then, she has travelled, lived, and worked in an array of places. She holds degrees in Christian education and ministries from Dakota Bible College and Lincoln Christian University. A highly-creative person, she loves finding and using an array of methods and tools to teach age-old truths -- especially to children. Her experience includes nine years as a pre-school teacher and director in Lincoln, IL; five years as Project Coordinator and Director of Partnership Development for Academic Development Institute in Lincoln, IL; and six years as Coordinator of Partnership Development and Early Childhood for the Parent Information Resource Center in Concord, NH. Mrs. Gerdts has also been a presenter at many national, state, and local conferences. An eager volunteer, she has served as a middle school choir director, family and youth camp worker, and women's ministry leader. She is eager to help her students become life-long learners who will give themselves fully to the cause of God's Kingdom. She and her husband, Tom (Associate Pastor at Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church), live in Clear Lake, are parents of five grown children living in five different states, and have six grandchildren.
Mrs. Gerdts
Mrs. Gerdts grew up in South Dakota as part of a large farm family. Since then, she has travelled, lived, and worked in an array of places. She holds degrees in Christian education and ministries from Dakota Bible College and Lincoln Christian University. A highly-creative person, she loves finding and using an array of methods and tools to teach age-old truths -- especially to children. Her experience includes nine years as a pre-school teacher and director in Lincoln, IL; five years as Project Coordinator and Director of Partnership Development for Academic Development Institute in Lincoln, IL; and six years as Coordinator of Partnership Development and Early Childhood for the Parent Information Resource Center in Concord, NH. Mrs. Gerdts has also been a presenter at many national, state, and local conferences. An eager volunteer, she has served as a middle school choir director, family and youth camp worker, and women's ministry leader. She is eager to help her students become life-long learners who will give themselves fully to the cause of God's Kingdom. She and her husband, Tom (Associate Pastor at Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church), live in Clear Lake, are parents of five grown children living in five different states, and have six grandchildren.
Meet Our 7th-8th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Rietjens
Mrs. Rietjens was born in Indiana, but grew up in Uruguay, South America where her parents have been missionaries for 41 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's in Christian Theology. She has taught high school level Spanish for 5 years and homeschooled her two sons for two and a half years. She has been a substitute teacher for the last year. Mrs. Rietjens and her husband, Drew, also taught English in China for five months.
While working on her master's degree, Mrs. Rietjens realized that she truly loved to teach. Her goals have always been to teach Christ first and then information and skills that develop, challenge and transform her students. Classical education is exciting because it purposefully teaches in a way that gives students more than just information - it places the Triune God at the center of every subject and seeks to lead children to become learners , be disciplined, have useful skills, give reasoned defense, and bring glory to God.
Since 2015, Mrs. Rietjens and her family have been members of Clear Lake Christian Church where her husband gets to be the senior pastor. She teaches the youth group, participates in the worship team, and gets to teach the Bible lessons for VBS. She and her husband have been married for 16 years, in vocational ministry for 11 years, and have four children.
Mrs. Rietjens
Mrs. Rietjens was born in Indiana, but grew up in Uruguay, South America where her parents have been missionaries for 41 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Biology and a master's in Christian Theology. She has taught high school level Spanish for 5 years and homeschooled her two sons for two and a half years. She has been a substitute teacher for the last year. Mrs. Rietjens and her husband, Drew, also taught English in China for five months.
While working on her master's degree, Mrs. Rietjens realized that she truly loved to teach. Her goals have always been to teach Christ first and then information and skills that develop, challenge and transform her students. Classical education is exciting because it purposefully teaches in a way that gives students more than just information - it places the Triune God at the center of every subject and seeks to lead children to become learners , be disciplined, have useful skills, give reasoned defense, and bring glory to God.
Since 2015, Mrs. Rietjens and her family have been members of Clear Lake Christian Church where her husband gets to be the senior pastor. She teaches the youth group, participates in the worship team, and gets to teach the Bible lessons for VBS. She and her husband have been married for 16 years, in vocational ministry for 11 years, and have four children.
Meet Our Upper School Dean and Teacher
Mrs. Harting
After growing up in Frankenmuth, MI, Mrs. Harting graduated from Concordia College (now Concordia University) in Ann Arbor, MI, with a BA in Education, a Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma and now also an Evangelical Lutheran Synod Teacher Certification. For the past 38 years she has continued being a student herself while serving as a classroom teacher to students of all ages in church, private, public and home education. Private tutoring has also been a joy for her.
She and her husband Robert have been married for 38 years and have been blessed with five children, two daughter-in-laws, and three grandchildren. They are members of Richland Lutheran Church (ELS) in Thornton, IA, where he serves as the pastor along with his congregation in Mason City, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (WELS).
Dawn joined the staff in 2017. She has a passion for Christian classical education which began for her when her parents transferred her to a Lutheran school in fifth grade. Concordia College offered a Liberal Arts Education which enabled her to experience the full benefit of Christian classical education. During the 24 years she homeschooled, Mrs. Harting continued to study classical education and to implement it while teaching her own children and others in their homeschool cooperative. In the classroom at CLC, she is blessed to serve the parents and students by providing that feast of truth, goodness and beauty to the students, centering everything around God’s Word. Soli Deo Gloria!
Mrs. Harting
After growing up in Frankenmuth, MI, Mrs. Harting graduated from Concordia College (now Concordia University) in Ann Arbor, MI, with a BA in Education, a Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma and now also an Evangelical Lutheran Synod Teacher Certification. For the past 38 years she has continued being a student herself while serving as a classroom teacher to students of all ages in church, private, public and home education. Private tutoring has also been a joy for her.
She and her husband Robert have been married for 38 years and have been blessed with five children, two daughter-in-laws, and three grandchildren. They are members of Richland Lutheran Church (ELS) in Thornton, IA, where he serves as the pastor along with his congregation in Mason City, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (WELS).
Dawn joined the staff in 2017. She has a passion for Christian classical education which began for her when her parents transferred her to a Lutheran school in fifth grade. Concordia College offered a Liberal Arts Education which enabled her to experience the full benefit of Christian classical education. During the 24 years she homeschooled, Mrs. Harting continued to study classical education and to implement it while teaching her own children and others in their homeschool cooperative. In the classroom at CLC, she is blessed to serve the parents and students by providing that feast of truth, goodness and beauty to the students, centering everything around God’s Word. Soli Deo Gloria!
Meet Our Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Sauer
Mrs. Sauer was born and raised here in Clear Lake, IA. She attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL earning her Bachelor's Degree in Children's Ministry. After graduation she was hired at Calvary English Chapel in Wheeling, IL as the Director of their preschool ministry serving 50 children and their parents. After having their first child her husband Matt along with herself desired to get back to their small town roots making the move back to Clear Lake where Mrs. Sauer has served in every area of children's ministry for 10+ years at Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church including: teaching 2's and 3's Sunday school, leading children's church, leading the Cubbies program at AWANA and directing their Vacation Bible School. Mrs. Sauer has also had the priviledge of caring for her 3 girls and multiple other children by having a Christian in-home daycare for the last 7 years.
Mrs. Sauer believes that learning starts with our youngest students and desires to give them a foundation in Christ in which they can build their lives upon. Classical education could not be a more perfect tool for creating this all encompassing, Christ-honoring environment. We are excited to have Mrs. Sauer join us for the 2016-17 school year and beyond!
Mrs. Sauer
Mrs. Sauer was born and raised here in Clear Lake, IA. She attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL earning her Bachelor's Degree in Children's Ministry. After graduation she was hired at Calvary English Chapel in Wheeling, IL as the Director of their preschool ministry serving 50 children and their parents. After having their first child her husband Matt along with herself desired to get back to their small town roots making the move back to Clear Lake where Mrs. Sauer has served in every area of children's ministry for 10+ years at Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church including: teaching 2's and 3's Sunday school, leading children's church, leading the Cubbies program at AWANA and directing their Vacation Bible School. Mrs. Sauer has also had the priviledge of caring for her 3 girls and multiple other children by having a Christian in-home daycare for the last 7 years.
Mrs. Sauer believes that learning starts with our youngest students and desires to give them a foundation in Christ in which they can build their lives upon. Classical education could not be a more perfect tool for creating this all encompassing, Christ-honoring environment. We are excited to have Mrs. Sauer join us for the 2016-17 school year and beyond!
Meet Our PreK Teacher and Curriculum Consultant
Mrs. Lund
Mrs. Lund brings ten years of teaching experience (including two at CLC) as well as a passion for classical education and a love for Jesus Christ to Clear Lake Classical.
Mrs. Lund graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a 5-8 science endorsement. She received her Master of Education in curriculum and teaching from the University of San Diego in 2010. Her experience is varied; she has taught PreK, sixth grade, middle school science, biology, and Talented & Gifted (7-8th grade). Mrs. Lund is a licensed teacher in the state of Iowa, certified K-6 in Iowa and K-8 in Minnesota.
Mrs. Lund is passionate about teaching children to reason as thoughtful Christians, cultivating their hearts and minds. A classical education allows her to do that not only because classical education is academically rigorous, language-based, historically integrated, and age-appropriate; but also because it has been proven to work over the past 1500 years. It also gives students the “tools of learning” – skills in knowledge, logical analysis, and oral & written communication in order to build a legacy of thoughtful and intelligent leaders. Lastly, as a lover of Jesus Christ, Mrs. Lund adores the fact that in a classical, Christian school she can demonstrate to students how God is the author and perfector of all knowledge in each and every subject. Soli Deo Gloria
It's her joy to serve CLC as its curriculum consultant. Mrs. Lund also teaches science and math to our logic students three mornings a week. She and her husband, senior pastor at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, have three young children, two of whom are blessed to attend CLC.
Mrs. Lund
Mrs. Lund brings ten years of teaching experience (including two at CLC) as well as a passion for classical education and a love for Jesus Christ to Clear Lake Classical.
Mrs. Lund graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a 5-8 science endorsement. She received her Master of Education in curriculum and teaching from the University of San Diego in 2010. Her experience is varied; she has taught PreK, sixth grade, middle school science, biology, and Talented & Gifted (7-8th grade). Mrs. Lund is a licensed teacher in the state of Iowa, certified K-6 in Iowa and K-8 in Minnesota.
Mrs. Lund is passionate about teaching children to reason as thoughtful Christians, cultivating their hearts and minds. A classical education allows her to do that not only because classical education is academically rigorous, language-based, historically integrated, and age-appropriate; but also because it has been proven to work over the past 1500 years. It also gives students the “tools of learning” – skills in knowledge, logical analysis, and oral & written communication in order to build a legacy of thoughtful and intelligent leaders. Lastly, as a lover of Jesus Christ, Mrs. Lund adores the fact that in a classical, Christian school she can demonstrate to students how God is the author and perfector of all knowledge in each and every subject. Soli Deo Gloria
It's her joy to serve CLC as its curriculum consultant. Mrs. Lund also teaches science and math to our logic students three mornings a week. She and her husband, senior pastor at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner, have three young children, two of whom are blessed to attend CLC.
Meet Our Art Teacher
Miss Nichols
Miss Nichols grew up on a farm by Klemme, IA. She was homeschooled through high school. After attending Bible classes for a year at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA, she earned a bachelor's degree in Studio Arts from Grand View University in Des Moines. Upon completion of formal schooling, she undertook an internship in Leadership in ministry at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Ventura. While at the camp, she developed a passion for young people and training them in their love for the Lord and to enjoy and excel at the work He has given them to do.
Miss Nichols desires to live life to the fullest, investing in her family, church, friends, students, and other ministries as she is able. Along with art and visual communication, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, listening to audiobooks, and finds great joy in being a lifelong learner.
Miss Nichols
Miss Nichols grew up on a farm by Klemme, IA. She was homeschooled through high school. After attending Bible classes for a year at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA, she earned a bachelor's degree in Studio Arts from Grand View University in Des Moines. Upon completion of formal schooling, she undertook an internship in Leadership in ministry at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Ventura. While at the camp, she developed a passion for young people and training them in their love for the Lord and to enjoy and excel at the work He has given them to do.
Miss Nichols desires to live life to the fullest, investing in her family, church, friends, students, and other ministries as she is able. Along with art and visual communication, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, listening to audiobooks, and finds great joy in being a lifelong learner.
Meet Our Music Teacher
Miss Guth
Miss Lilly Guth grew up on a farm outside of Klemme, IA. She was homeschooled through high school and attended band at Garner, IA. While at Garner, she enjoyed participating in Honor Bands, All-State auditions, Solo and Ensemble competitions, as well as Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble. She took 15 years of piano lessons and 4 years of voice lessons. After high school, she attended the University of Northwestern-St. Paul where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bible with a minor in Literature.
While at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, Miss Guth was an accompanist for voice students as well as choirs and a freelance musician for weddings. She also participated in the Northwestern Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale and Northwestern’s Concerto/Aria competition. She participated in 3 different piano tours to various Midwestern states and took part in the NW Choir tour to Prague, Czech Republic and Budapest, Hungary. After college, Miss Guth continued teaching piano through the Academy of Music and was an active member of the Two Rivers Chorale for 4 years in the Twin Cities. She also enjoyed singing and acting in Bunce Backyard Productions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Christmas Carol.
In her free time, Miss Guth loves spending time with family and friends, reading, and staying active walking and running in the great outdoors.
Miss Guth
Miss Lilly Guth grew up on a farm outside of Klemme, IA. She was homeschooled through high school and attended band at Garner, IA. While at Garner, she enjoyed participating in Honor Bands, All-State auditions, Solo and Ensemble competitions, as well as Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble. She took 15 years of piano lessons and 4 years of voice lessons. After high school, she attended the University of Northwestern-St. Paul where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bible with a minor in Literature.
While at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, Miss Guth was an accompanist for voice students as well as choirs and a freelance musician for weddings. She also participated in the Northwestern Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale and Northwestern’s Concerto/Aria competition. She participated in 3 different piano tours to various Midwestern states and took part in the NW Choir tour to Prague, Czech Republic and Budapest, Hungary. After college, Miss Guth continued teaching piano through the Academy of Music and was an active member of the Two Rivers Chorale for 4 years in the Twin Cities. She also enjoyed singing and acting in Bunce Backyard Productions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and A Christmas Carol.
In her free time, Miss Guth loves spending time with family and friends, reading, and staying active walking and running in the great outdoors.
Meet our Band Director
Mr. Jackson
Growing up in Brandon, South Dakota, Drew Jackson was blessed with opportunities to explore music on the piano, clarinet, guitar, and finally on bassoon, which quickly became his primary instrument. In high school, he was honored to have been selected for All-State Band every year. He also enjoyed playing in All-State Orchestra, symphonic band, the pit orchestra for spring musicals, and as a member of the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra on the weekends. After high school, he studied at Waldorf College (now Waldorf University), where he received his bachelor's degree in music. At Waldorf, he traveled nationally and internationally as a member of the Waldorf Wind Symphony, the Waldorf Wind Quintet, and the Waldorf Choir. In 2017, he began developing and directing the band program at Clear Lake Classical and was soon a member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. Since 2019, he has also taught high school math at CLC. Today, Mr. Jackson delights in teaching and sharing God's beautiful gift of music (and math!) with all his students at Clear Lake Classical!
Mr. Jackson and his wife, Emily, attend Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church, where they enjoy serving on the worship and media teams. He also enjoys photography, especially while exploring God's creation on road trips and occasionally by canoe. Since 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have lived near Northwood, IA in their self-built, off-grid strawbale cottage.
Mr. Jackson
Growing up in Brandon, South Dakota, Drew Jackson was blessed with opportunities to explore music on the piano, clarinet, guitar, and finally on bassoon, which quickly became his primary instrument. In high school, he was honored to have been selected for All-State Band every year. He also enjoyed playing in All-State Orchestra, symphonic band, the pit orchestra for spring musicals, and as a member of the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra on the weekends. After high school, he studied at Waldorf College (now Waldorf University), where he received his bachelor's degree in music. At Waldorf, he traveled nationally and internationally as a member of the Waldorf Wind Symphony, the Waldorf Wind Quintet, and the Waldorf Choir. In 2017, he began developing and directing the band program at Clear Lake Classical and was soon a member of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. Since 2019, he has also taught high school math at CLC. Today, Mr. Jackson delights in teaching and sharing God's beautiful gift of music (and math!) with all his students at Clear Lake Classical!
Mr. Jackson and his wife, Emily, attend Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church, where they enjoy serving on the worship and media teams. He also enjoys photography, especially while exploring God's creation on road trips and occasionally by canoe. Since 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have lived near Northwood, IA in their self-built, off-grid strawbale cottage.