Meet Our Team.
Our Leadership
With several decades of combined experience in education, our leadership team is guided by a passion to see students thrive in academics and in life, a commitment to Christ-centered excellence, and a deep appreciation for the role of grace in fostering accountability and growth.
Rick Clinard
Head of School
Sam Smejkal
Upper School
Principal
Maegan Hemphill
Lower School
Principal
Susie Cole
Discovery Center
Director
Faculty and Staff
Lower School (PreK-5th Grade)
Salem Christian's Lower School faculty is committed to nurturing young learners through engaging instruction,
Christ-centered values and discipleship. Our teachers bring a passion for education and a heart for grace-filled guidance, fostering academic growth, character development, and a lifelong love of learning in partnership with families.
Cathy Shoffner
Preschool / SalemKids Director
cathyshoffner@salemdefenders.org
Lisa Cason
LS Administrative Assistant
lisacason@salemdefenders.org
Marianne Vannoy
Preschool Teacher's Assistant
mariannevannoy@salemdefenders.org
Michelle Kyles
Preschool Teacher
michellekyles@salemdefenders.org
Becca Dehart
Kindergarten Teacher
beccadehart@salemdefenders.org
Penny Steciw
Kindergarten Teacher
pennysteciw@salemdefenders.org
Melissa Bangco
1st Grade Teacher
Melanie Potts
1st Grade Teacher
melaniepotts@salemdefenders.org
Katelynn Heath
Teacher's Assistant (K-1st)
katelynheath@salemdefenders.org
Christie Gower
2nd Grade Teacher
christiegower@salemdefenders.org
Jenna Powell
2nd Grade Teacher
jennapowell@salemdefenders.org
Ashley Maulden
Teacher's Assistant (2nd-3rd)
Carolyn Jacobowski
3rd Grade Co-Teacher
carolynjacobowski@salemdefenders.org
Madalynn McKinney
3rd Grade Co-Teacher
madalynnmckinney@salemdefenders.org
Stephanie Polnak
3rd Grade Teacher
stephaniepolnak@salemdefenders.org
Rachael Myers
4th Grade Teacher
achaelmyers@salemdefenders.org
Lori Smejkal
4th Grade Teacher
lorismejkal@salemdefenders.org
Jaimie Reavis
Teacher's Assistant (4th-5th)
jaimiereavis@salemdefenders.org
Nikki Asbury
5th Grade Teacher
nikkiasbury@salemdefenders.org
Krystal Baker
5th Grade Teacher
krystalbaker@salemdefenders.org
Bill Brown
Music Teacher
billbrown@salemdefenders.org
Jill Clinard
Art Teacher
jillclinard@salemdefenders.org
Amber Garcia
Spanish and Enrichment Teacher
ambergarcia@salemdefenders.org
Morgan Clodfelter
Lead Substitute Teacher/ Substitute Coordinator
morganclodfelter@salemdefenders.org