Jonathan Schultz
Principal
Email: administrator@zioncorvallis.com
Jon has been at Zion since 2007. He has served as a teacher, coach and administrator since 1982, working in Indiana, Missouri and Arizona before arriving at Zion. Jon graduated from Concordia University in Nebraska with a BS in Education and received his MS in Education from Indiana University. He enjoys getting to know the students and families at Zion each year and appreciates the high standards that make Zion an awesome school. Jon enjoys most sports, but his favorites are basketball and football. He also loves to spend time with his family and friends.
Jacque Ruth
Early Learning Center Director
Email: handinhandelc@gmail.com
Jacque has been at Zion since 2016. She graduated from Portland State University with a double major in Human Resources Management and Business Management. Jacque has a passion to work with children and has been a substitute teacher at the ELC. She enjoys running a company with her husband and traveling. She is also involved in the India Evangelic Mission and has traveled to India to spend time with Bible college students and abandoned children at their children’s home.
Kelsey McElfresh
Pre-K Teacher
Email: kelsey.mcelfresh@zioncorvallis.com
Kelsey has been at Zion since 2009, working with infants and toddlers as well as in the after school program before joining Pre-K in 2014. She has a BS in Human Development and Family Science: Child Development, as well as a BS in History and a minor in Music Education from Oregon State University. Kelsey loves working at Zion because she gets to know her students and their families. Kelsey’s goal is for her Pre-K students’ first school experience to be positive and exciting! She enjoys hiking with her husband and their rescue dog, playing board games, watching all kinds of sports, and singing as often as possible.
Deborah Kontra
Kindergarten
Email: deborah.kontra@zioncorvallis.com
Deborah has been at Zion since 2017. She has more than 20 years of experience working with children. She holds a Masters of Public Health from Loma Linda University. Deborah likes working with our fun and inquisitive kindergartners and getting to know all of Zion’s families. Her goal is for students to enjoy learning, become confident readers and to get to know Jesus as both their friend and their Savior. Deborah enjoys water activities, swimming, traveling and watching her sons’ sporting events.
Nancy Schaefer
1st and 2nd Grade
Email: nancy.schaefer@zioncorvallis.com
Nancy has been teaching at Zion since 2011. She graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Sociology and went on to Concordia University Irvine to earn her teaching credential and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Nancy has two children who graduated from Zion. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, attending baseball games and crafting. She loves teaching and being able to share God’s love with her students.
Robert Walz
3rd and 4th Grade
Email: robert.walz@zioncorvallis.com
Robert has been teaching since 1992 and has been at Zion since 2002. He has a BS in Education and a MA in Education from Concordia University Nebraska. Robert loves the family atmosphere at the school and is excited to tell students about Jesus every day. Highlights from third and fourth grade at Zion are a class trip to Salem to study Oregon history, making egg protectors for the Egg Drop and Magic Scrap. Robert enjoys spending time with his extended family, going on walks, playing pinochle, and watching the Oregon State Beavers compete in sporting events.
Jonathan Schultz
5th and 6th Grade
Email: administrator@zioncorvallis.com
Jon has been at Zion since 2007. He has served as a teacher, coach and administrator since 1982, working in Indiana, Missouri and Arizona before arriving at Zion. Jon graduated from Concordia University in Nebraska with a BS in Education and received his MS in Education from Indiana University. He enjoys getting to know the students and families at Zion each year and appreciates the high standards that make Zion an awesome school. Jon enjoys most sports, but his favorites are basketball and football. He also loves to spend time with his family and friends.
Adam Reed
7th and 8th Grade
Email: adam.reed@zioncorvallis.com
Adam has been teaching since 1995 and began his ministry at Zion in 1996. He has a BA in History and a BS in Political Science from Arizona State. He also holds a teaching certificate from Concordia University Portland. His teaching emphasis in the middle school is history and physical education. He is also the drama coach. Adam likes being at Zion because he likes to help serve others. He enjoys learning new things.
Kelly Peterson
Middle School Math
Email: kelly.peterson@zioncorvallis.com
Kelly has been teaching at Zion since 2015. She graduated from Concordia University Nebraska with a BS in Secondary Education and Mathematics. She previously taught full time in Houston, Texas. Kelly loves math and shares her excitement about math with her students. Her hobbies include cooking, playing family games, and reading.
Lisa Forkner
Middle School Science
Email: robin.rybarczyk@zioncorvallis.com
Lisa has been teaching at Zion since 2019. She graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Biochemistry and loves leading our middle schoolers in their exploration of our natural world. Lisa has two children who have graduated from Zion and two children currently attending. She is grateful for the amazing education and supportive environment that Zion has provided for her family. In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling, and camping with her family. She is slightly obsessed with her pet snails.
Shane Denning
PE teacher
Coach Shane is the PE teacher for K-4th grade. He comes every Tuesday and Thursday to teach our students. He has engaging activities to get students moving and having fun. Coach Shane has been here for four years and we are grateful to have him!
