Staff

Our Savior Christian Academy

Dr. Cary Stelmachowicz

Executive Director

cstelmac@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

I have been involved in Lutheran education for over 40 years. My experience includes serving as an English teacher, basketball and golf coach for both men and women, and a school administrator in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri. I have taught at both the university and high school levels. I am a teacher of literature and writing. I am a graduate of Concordia University Chicago, Oakland University, and Western Michigan University (also a Johnnie).

I love to read authors like Lehane, DeMille, Coben, Grisham, and others. I am a film aficionado, especially enjoying film noir. I love to golf and enjoy watching movies and sports. My wife and I have four adult children and three grandchildren.

Favorite Bible verse: John 10:10, where Jesus said, “I came that you would have life, and live it to the full.”

Years with OSCA: 2

My favorite color: Black/Silver

My favorite food: Steak (ribeye) and potatoes

Lori Albright

Principal / PreK Teacher, Smithville

lalbright@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

I’ve been blessed to use my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at OSCA. I stayed home with my children for ten years after working in public schools. Mrs. P asked me to serve as a para in a PreK classroom and then gradually added responsibility and training, allowing me to serve as a classroom teacher and now as Principal/Teacher. We have an incredible staff of dedicated professionals who want their students to know Christ. We know this is the foundation for students to face the challenges life brings.

Years with OSCA: 16

My favorite color: Yellow

My favorite food: Chocolate

Jo Walitalo

Smithville PreK Teacher

lalbright@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

JWalitalo@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Mrs. Walitalo’s Chalkboard

I am a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, where I serve on the Church Action Board. It is my pleasure and privilege to teach Religion at Our Savior Christian Academy. I want my students to:

• Love and trust their Bibles as God’s Word
• Know God and His attributes
• Rely on the Holy Spirit
• Understand Christian doctrine (Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed)
• Memorize and understand key Scripture (one verse each week)

I teach using the Lutheran Study Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.

Years at OSCA: 5

My favorite color: Blue

My favorite food: Shrimp

Deb Hall

PreSchool Lead Instructor

DHall@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Mrs. Hall’s Chalkboard

This will be my 16th year teaching Preschool at Our Savior Christian Academy. I am a long-time resident of Platte County. I graduated from Park Hill and the University of Central Missouri. I am married with three children and two grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, summertime, traveling, and our lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Years with OSCA: 16

My favorite color: Green

My favorite food: Mexican

Carol Layton

PreSchool Instructor

CLayton@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Mrs. Layton’s Chalkboard

I’ve been married for 39 years. My husband was in the military, so we traveled the world, living in two different countries and six states. I have worked in schools for the past 17 years, serving as a science lab assistant, librarian assistant, and para before starting at Our Savior. I love working with children and enjoy seeing the excitement on their faces when they learn new things.

Years with OSCA: 8

My favorite color: Red

My favorite food: Spaghetti Carbonara

Megan Campbell

K-8th Reading Teacher

I graduated from Concordia University in Mequon, WI with a degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education. Upon graduating, I worked in the public sector as a second grade teacher in Leavenworth KS for five (5) years. Then I was blessed to be a stay at home mom for six (6) years. I've taught at OSCA for seven (7) years. I am certified in Orton-Gillingham Approach and use it across the board to teach all children to read. I am passionate about creating an environment where children feel comfortable and willing to try when it comes to reading. My desire is to have all students build confidence in their ability to read and write.

Years with OSCA ~ 8

My Favorite Color is ~ Orange & Purple

My Favorite Food is ~ Chinese

Mcampbell@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Sarah Douglas

Elementary Social Studies, Art, P.E.

SDouglas@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English education and a minor in music. I used my degree to teach for four years before leaving to stay at home with my young children. This is my first year back in the classroom since 2015, and I am thrilled to be here! I had the opportunity to volunteer with Mrs. Campbell’s class last year and was so impressed by everything about OSCA. I look forward to working alongside the wonderful staff who have taught my oldest daughter for the past few years.

I want my PE students to learn that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and that physical fitness can be fun. I want my art students to notice and appreciate the beauty all around them, remembering that every good and beautiful thing comes from God. Finally, I want my social studies students to become curious about history and recognize how belief in the God of the Bible shaped the United States—the greatest country in the world.

Years at OSCA: First year

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite food: Chocolate

Courtney Dame

K-5th Science and Math Teacher

I am so excited to jump back into the classroom at OSCA! Before my youngest son was born, I spent seven (7) years working in special education and teaching 2nd grade. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Business and an Associate’s degree in Theology from Lincoln Christian University in Lincoln, IL. I attended Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion IN to obtain my Master’s degree and licensing in Elementary Education.

I have a heart for Platte City. Serving on the board for the Downtown Platte City Association, I spend a great deal of time encouraging business owners, planning events downtown, and creating partnerships to grow our small town.

I have 2 boys: Aiden is 16 and Liam is 5. Both of my boys play hockey so any free time is spent at the rink. We frequently attend Sporting KC and Chiefs games!

Years with OSCA ~ 2nd Year

My Favorite Color is ~ Yellow

My Favorite Food is ~ Tacos

cdame@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Kathy Schlimm

Religion Instructor

I was raised in Alexandria, VA, a suburb of Washington D.C. My father was a career U.S. Army officer, and I followed in his footsteps to the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY where I graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and All-American honors in Division II swimming. I met my husband while serving in Germany, and we have three (3) daughters. After getting out of the Army in 1999, I have worked as a financial advisor, a swim coach, an upholsterer, but mostly a stay at home mother. 

I am a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church where I serve on the Church Action Board. It is my pleasure and privilege to teach Religion at Our Savior Christian Academy. I want my students to:

1. Love and trust their Bibles as God’s word.
2. Know God and His attributes.
3. Use the Holy Spirit.   
4. Understand Christian doctrine (Lord’s Prayer, Apostles Creed).
5. Memorize and understand key scripture (one verse a week).   

I teach from the Lutheran Study Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.

Years at OSCA ~ 2

My Favorite Color ~ Blue

My Favorite Food ~ Eggs

kschlimm@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Sheri Reineke

Music Instructor K-8

I am excited to be starting my 3rd year teaching music at OSCA. I am retired from the Platte County R-III School District after teaching 13 years of vocal music at both the middle school and high school level. I also taught 2 years of music K-12 both instrumental and vocal at a small school in the state of Missouri.

I am a graduate of Platte County R-III school district. I hold a Bachelor’s of Education (Vocal/Instrumental) Music degree from Missouri Western State University . I also hold 2 Masters Degrees from Webster University; a Masters of Arts in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration.

I am an active member of the following affiliations: National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, National Educator Association, Sigma Alpha Iota Alumni, Missouri Music Educators Association, and Missouri Choral Directors Association.

My last 2 years of teaching at Platte County R-III district, it was my honor to be the Assistant Director of Choirs at Platte County High School co-teaching with Mr. Brian von Glahn (Director of Choirs). While teaching at the high school the Concert Choir had the honor of singing at the Missouri Music Educators Conference. Teaching duties while at the high school have included Director of the Women’s Choir, co-teaching Men’s Choir, Concert Choir, Freshman Honor Choir and Sound Express Chamber/Show Choir. Other High School teaching assignments in teaching online classes. Platte City Middle School teaching responsibilities included: Prelude Choir (Select 6th grade choir), PCMS Honor Choir (Select 7th/8th grade choir), 6th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Choir, 8th Grade Choir and Music Appreciation classes at the middle school level. I also teach private music lessons in voice, flute and saxophone.

I have received awards from the American Red Cross for volunteer hours, I have been recognized in Who’s Who in Music in 1982, and the award of Senior First Class in Girl Scouts (the highest award for a Girl Scouts), with a letter of congratulations for receiving the award from President Jimmy Carter. I was honored to receive an American flag flown at the White House presented to me by the Honorable Judge Jack Hansel. The flag was presented to me for the service of singing the National Anthem at many Platte City/County events.

I spent many years singing and playing flute for the First Baptist Church of Platte City. I sang in a worship service the first time in high school, and sang solo’s and participated in Cantatas at church throughout my life in Platte City. I have led Children’s Choirs for Christmas programs and additional songs during service times for several years while at the First Baptist Church in Platte City. I also led the children’s music for vacation bible school for 2 years.

I spent 12 years singing and performing with The Black Label Band, out of Northwestern Missouri. My duties with The Black Label Band included: Lead Singing, Backup Singing, Keyboardist, Playing Flute, and Saxophone as well as setting up and tearing down equipment. I traveled with the group all over the 4 State Area of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, while always maintaining full time employment, with fortune 500 companies. These years of dedication to practicing and performing taught me great self-discipline and expanded my musicianship.

I currently sing in the Canto Chorale of Platte County. Canto Chorale is a community choir dedicated to bringing special Christmas and Easter cantatas to small and local churches. I also play an Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) to cover the Oboe part, in the Platte City Community Band. I get many questions about the instrument that I play. The instrument looks like a toy, but It is not. It is an instrument made by Roland, a company that has been making keyboards for many years. The EWI uses saxophone fingerings, which I also play, and a mouthpiece to blow through to produce sounds. It produces sounds of up to 128 different instruments.

I reside in Platte City sharing a home with my mother Peggy Reineke.

Favorite Quote:

Those who wish to Sing will always find a Song. - Proverb

Years with OSCA ~ 3

My Favorite Color ~ Purple

My Favorite Food ~ Mexican Food

SReineke@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Maggie Johnson

Public Relations, Human Resources

mjohnson@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Before working with OSCA, I worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for 10 years as the ER Admitting Supervisor. I also have two daughters who attend OSCA. I love getting to know the kids and watching them grow throughout the year!

Years with OSCA: 2nd year

My favorite color: Pink

My favorite food: Pasta

Katharine Fairchild

Student Services

kfairchild@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

Mary Beth Sharpe

Comptroller

msharpe@oursavioracademy.eduk12.net

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Administration/Office Staff