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 one child 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 one child and reside in Clear Lake and are passionate about supporting classical and Christian education in North Iowa.
Meet Our Kindergarten 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 1st and 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 3rd-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. She has taught 6th grade and been a substitute teacher for the past 7 years.
Mrs. Eakins and her family are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved in Children's Ministry. She is currently the chair of the Christian Education Board, teaches Sunday School for pre-schoolers, organizes and schedules volunteers for Children's Church, and directs 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. She has taught 6th grade and been a substitute teacher for the past 7 years.
Mrs. Eakins and her family are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she is actively involved in Children's Ministry. She is currently the chair of the Christian Education Board, teaches Sunday School for pre-schoolers, organizes and schedules volunteers for Children's Church, and directs 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 7th-8th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Harting
Mrs. Dawn Harting grew up in Frankenmuth, Michigan, then graduated from Concordia College (now Concordia University) in 1983 with a BA degree in Education and an emphasis in English and the Fine Arts, a Michigan Teacher's Certification, and a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. She also has an Iowa Substitute Teacher License and this year received an Evangelical Lutheran Synod Teacher Certification. God has blessed her with thirty-four years of marriage to Robert who is a Lutheran pastor, four grown children, two daughter-in-laws, two grandchildren, and one child in heaven. Over the years Mrs. Harting has taught in many capacities: private tutoring, preschool/kindergarten/director at a Lutheran school, combined grades 3/4 teacher at a Lutheran school, Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, Wednesday night Bible History teacher, substitute teacher, homeschool teacher, and now her second year of teaching in grades 5-8 at Clear Lake Classical School. Mrs. Harting is daily grateful for Christ's salvation, forgiveness, love, and aid. Growing in the knowledge of the truth, beauty and goodness God has created is the life-long goal for Mrs.Harting, and sharing that knowledge with children and adults is her joy. Soli Deo Gloria.
Mrs. Harting
Mrs. Dawn Harting grew up in Frankenmuth, Michigan, then graduated from Concordia College (now Concordia University) in 1983 with a BA degree in Education and an emphasis in English and the Fine Arts, a Michigan Teacher's Certification, and a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. She also has an Iowa Substitute Teacher License and this year received an Evangelical Lutheran Synod Teacher Certification. God has blessed her with thirty-four years of marriage to Robert who is a Lutheran pastor, four grown children, two daughter-in-laws, two grandchildren, and one child in heaven. Over the years Mrs. Harting has taught in many capacities: private tutoring, preschool/kindergarten/director at a Lutheran school, combined grades 3/4 teacher at a Lutheran school, Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, Wednesday night Bible History teacher, substitute teacher, homeschool teacher, and now her second year of teaching in grades 5-8 at Clear Lake Classical School. Mrs. Harting is daily grateful for Christ's salvation, forgiveness, love, and aid. Growing in the knowledge of the truth, beauty and goodness God has created is the life-long goal for Mrs.Harting, and sharing that knowledge with children and adults is her joy. Soli Deo Gloria.
Meet Our PreK Teacher & 3rd-4th Grade Aid
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 Music Teacher
Mrs. Nicholas
Mrs. Nicholas grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she attended and graduated from St Olaf College with a degree in Music Education. Mrs. Nicholas has always been passionate about music and has worked as a music teacher in local schools as well as adjunct flute instructor at NIACC. She has also enjoyed being an active member in the Clear Lake Municipal Band. She, along with her husband, are members of the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church where she works with AWANA, choir, praise team, children’s church, and leads a small group.
Mrs. Nicholas has been excitedly teaching our PreK-8th grade students using her talents in music to help them learn their material using chants, songs, and just plain fun. Over the course of the last 4 years Mrs. Nicholas has introduced them to various instruments, taught them songs, their recitations, and Bible verses and has been a great help to carry out the daily curriculum plan. She is committed to working with our school and has immensely enjoyed the work at CLC. Mrs. Nicholas’ prayer is for God to use her in our students' lives.
Mrs. Nicholas
Mrs. Nicholas grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she attended and graduated from St Olaf College with a degree in Music Education. Mrs. Nicholas has always been passionate about music and has worked as a music teacher in local schools as well as adjunct flute instructor at NIACC. She has also enjoyed being an active member in the Clear Lake Municipal Band. She, along with her husband, are members of the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church where she works with AWANA, choir, praise team, children’s church, and leads a small group.
Mrs. Nicholas has been excitedly teaching our PreK-8th grade students using her talents in music to help them learn their material using chants, songs, and just plain fun. Over the course of the last 4 years Mrs. Nicholas has introduced them to various instruments, taught them songs, their recitations, and Bible verses and has been a great help to carry out the daily curriculum plan. She is committed to working with our school and has immensely enjoyed the work at CLC. Mrs. Nicholas’ prayer is for God to use her in our students' lives.
Meet Our 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/Administrative Assistant!
Mrs. Quandt
Mrs. Quandt grew up in Garner, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Studio Arts, her emphasis on drawing and painting. During her time at Iowa State University, Mrs. Quandt fell in love with the art of teaching. She has moved back to Garner with her husband, Damon, and they are so excited to be back in the wonderful North Iowa area to raise their family.
Mrs. Quandt is passionate about teaching students to see and respond to the beauty of the world that God created. She loves to see students see the value of understanding art and the impact it has on the world around them. Mrs. Quandt desires to encourage students to understand as well as appreciate all forms of art.
She and her husband are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she serves on the Christian Education board, on the worship team, as well as in the Children’s Church room.
Mrs. Quandt considers it a great privilege to serve at Clear Lake Classical, seeing the students learn and love in the light of the Gospel.
Mrs. Quandt
Mrs. Quandt grew up in Garner, Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Studio Arts, her emphasis on drawing and painting. During her time at Iowa State University, Mrs. Quandt fell in love with the art of teaching. She has moved back to Garner with her husband, Damon, and they are so excited to be back in the wonderful North Iowa area to raise their family.
Mrs. Quandt is passionate about teaching students to see and respond to the beauty of the world that God created. She loves to see students see the value of understanding art and the impact it has on the world around them. Mrs. Quandt desires to encourage students to understand as well as appreciate all forms of art.
She and her husband are members of the Garner Evangelical Free Church where she serves on the Christian Education board, on the worship team, as well as in the Children’s Church room.
Mrs. Quandt considers it a great privilege to serve at Clear Lake Classical, seeing the students learn and love in the light of the Gospel.