Zion Lutheran Christian School

Educational Excellence in a Christ-Centered Family

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The (K-8) School Office Hours:  Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

Early Learning Center Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am- 3:30pm

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You are here: Home / Why Zion? / Our Teachers & Staff

Our Teachers & Staff

 

Charlotte Bohlmann
Principal

Email: administrator@zioncorvallis.com

Charlotte Bohlmann has been serving on Zion’s staff since 2019 and was recently appointed as Principal. She graduated from Concordia University–Portland in 2005 with a B.A. in Christian Education. Before joining Zion, Charlotte spent many years working in higher education admissions, where she developed a passion for supporting students and families in their educational journeys.

Charlotte brings valuable experience in leadership and team development and is currently enrolled in a Leadership Development program through the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. She uses her training and experience to equip teachers, guide students, and foster a collaborative, Christ-centered school culture.

At Zion, Charlotte provides leadership for the school’s mission of Educational Excellence in a Christ-Centered Family. She partners closely with teachers, students, and families to create a thriving school community. In addition to her administrative role, she continues to enjoy mentoring students, coaching Zion’s Dance team, and staying involved in the life of the school.

Charlotte and her husband are the parents of three children. Two are currently enrolled at Zion, and one is in high school. Outside of school, she enjoys music, singing, and spending time with her family. She considers it a joy and privilege to step into this new role and to serve the Zion community.

 

Felicity Pittman
Early Learning Center Director

Email: elcoffice@zioncorvallis.com

 

 

Sabrina Fox
Adminsitrative Assistant

Email: schooloffice@zioncorvallis.com

Sabrina has been part of the Zion community since Fall of 2022, serving as our Administrative Assistant with a heart for service and a talent for keeping things organized and running smoothly. She holds two bachelor’s degrees—one in Liberal Studies and one in Sustainability—and brings a diverse background in administrative support, business management and working with both children and adults.

She has a genuine love for helping others and finds joy in being a steady, supportive presence for the Zion staff, students, and families. Whether solving problems behind the scenes or offering a friendly smile at the front desk, Sabrina is always happy to lend a hand.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, exploring the outdoors, trying new activities, and caring for her backyard chickens.

 

 

Jocelyn Eisenlohr
Librarian

Jocelyn has worked at Zion since Fall of 2024. Her son has been a student here since 2021 and has been thriving in his classes. She began by volunteering in the school library, never imagining that would lead her to this amazing opportunity to work here.
Jocelyn hails originally from the great state of Texas. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Texas at Austin, she continued on to the United Kingdom where she attended The London Academy of Performing Arts in London studying Classical Acting with Musical Theatre. While at LAPA, she immersed herself in the work of great writers from Shakespeare to Chekov to Brecht. She then moved to New York City and Los Angeles in pursuit of an acting career. Now, she occasionally performs in Corvallis and loves sharing her love of both literature and theatre with the students at Zion.
In addition to singing and acting, Jocelyn loves to sew, garden, and be a homebody with her husband, son, Doberman, and kitty. Many thanks to God for lighting this extremely rewarding path in order to share an excitement for reading and creative writing. Also, thanks to Mrs. Cheyne, the librarian at Purple Sage Elementary in Austin, for letting Jocelyn “work” in her library and review books for other students.

—

 

Casey Short
Preschool Teacher

Email: casey.short@zioncorvallis.com

Casey has been working at Zion ELC since 2020 and has worked with most ages, but primarily the preschool and pre-K students. She enjoys hiking, singing, camping, and playing guitar. She loves doing anything involving music and art and enjoys sharing that passion with her students.

“I love helping students discover new things about friendships, feelings, and the world around them. Seeing them become confident and kind individuals is the best reward as a teacher!”

 

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, being a mom to two adorable children, playing board games, watching all kinds of sports, and singing as often as possible.

 

Ericalyn Killip
Kindergarten

Email: ericalyn.killip@zioncorvallis.com

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, our new Kindergarten teacher has felt called to work with young children for as long as she can remember. She earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Outdoor Education Leadership from Salisbury University and taught Pre-K 4 in Maryland from 2022–2025.

Her love for Oregon began in childhood during family visits, and after years of spending summers here, she felt a strong spiritual calling to relocate permanently in 2025.

Following the passing of Zion’s beloved Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Moses, she prayerfully considered the needs of the community and felt led to step into this role. With deep respect for Mrs. Moses’s legacy, she is committed to supporting our students with stability, joy, and Christ-centered care.

Outside of school, she enjoys local coffee shops, biking, hiking, and spending time with loved ones. She is grateful to join the Zion community and looks forward to a wonderful year of learning and growth.

 

Nancy Schaefer
1st/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.

 

Miss Tori
1st/2nd Grade

 

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.

 

Shauna Kahn
3rd/4th Teacher Aide

 

Bridgette Payne
5th grade

Email: bridgette.payne@zioncorvallis.com

Bridgette started at Zion in August of 2023.  She has a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Louisiana Baptist University.  She has taught 3rd/4th grade, substituted in the Corvallis School District, and homeschooled her oldest child K-4th grade. She has a senior in high school at Crescent Valley and has three children attending Zion. She enjoys being outside, walking, hiking, gardening, cooking, reading and hanging out with her family and friends. Coffee and chocolate are a few of her favorite things!

 

Julie Castillo
6th Grade

Email: julie.castillo@zioncorvallis.com

Mrs. Julie Castillo is our teacher for 6th grade homeroom.  She teaches Language Arts, History/Geography, and is our Student Academic Support teacher.  She has a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Oregon State University and a Legacy K-12 Oregon Teaching Credential.
She has worked with and taught students from preschool age to older adults and has also managed grants and community education programs.  She has a special interest in experiential learning, service learning, cross-disciplinary curriculum and theatre arts.  Julie and her husband have one daughter who is a graduate of Zion. Julie created/taught electives at Zion and served as a substitute teacher.  In her spare time, she enjoys family time, sewing, reading about history, visiting new towns and museums, camping, and volunteering at her church.  Her family has two cats and welcomed two new bunnies this summer!  Her favorite thing about Zion is the warm Christian family atmosphere.  She looks forward to discovering the God-given gifts and talents of each student and being a part of the Zion School ministry.
 

Jonathan Schultz
7th & 8th Grade

Email: jonathan.schultz@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.

 

Lisa Forkner
Middle School Science

Email: lisa.forkner@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 three children who have graduated from Zion and one child 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.

 

Chris Buchfink
Middle School Math

Email: chris.buchfink@zioncorvallis.com

Chris Buchfink (pronounced boo-fink) is originally from North Dakota. He was born and raised in Fargo, ND, and graduated from high school in Glyndon, MN. Following graduation, he attended a Lutheran Bible school in Plymouth, MN, and then served six years in the United States Air Force, stationed in Minot, ND, where he worked on B-52 bombers. Chris has lived in Oregon for the past 11 years, including six years in Corvallis. He and his wife have been married for eight years and have five children, ranging in age from 6 to 21. Professionally, he has spent much of his career in maintenance fields and is currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University, where his wife is also studying as an Anthropology major.

Chris is eager to begin this school year and looks forward to the opportunity to serve as a math teacher.

Upcoming Events

March 9, 2026
  • Drama-Auditions for Anne of Green Gables

    Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

March 11, 2026
  • Callbacks-Anne of Green Gables

    Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

March 13, 2026
  • FESST Lock-In

    Time: 6:30 pm - 12:00 am

March 14, 2026
  • FESST Lock-In

    Time: 6:30 pm - 12:00 am

Make a Donation

We appreciate our families and our alumni. Every dollar you contribute strengthens our school and enhances our resources for teaching. Giving large or small is appreciated in the biggest way. Donating is simple using our online form.

Click here to learn more »

📣 Now Accepting Applications for the 2026–2027 Sch 📣 Now Accepting Applications for the 2026–2027 School Year! 📣

At Zion Lutheran Christian School, educational excellence means more than strong test scores — it means developing the whole child.

✨ Academic Excellence – Rigorous, engaging instruction that challenges students to think critically, solve problems, and grow confidently in every subject.
✨ Individual Attention – Small class sizes where students are known, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
✨ Christ-Centered Learning – Faith woven throughout the school day, shaping character, integrity, compassion, and purpose.
✨ A Supportive Community – A family atmosphere where students feel safe, valued, and inspired to lead and serve.

We partner with parents to prepare students not only for the next grade — but for a lifetime of faith, learning, and leadership. 

🌐 www.zioncorvallis.com

#ZionLutheran #ZionCorvallis #ChristianEducation #NowEnrolling #FaithBasedEducation ChristCentered SchoolCommunity 2026Enrollment
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Zion Lutheran Christian School
2800 NW Tyler Avenue
Corvallis, Oregon 97330

541-753-7503

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