Cyprus Classical Academy Faculty & Staff
Cyprus Classical Academy Administration
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Michelle Wallick
Founder, Director, Teacher
M.Ed. Educational Leadership, Concordia University Post Graduate Certification: Talent Development and Gifted Education, University of MN B.A. English; Math/Computer Science Minor, St. Catherine University Montessori (AMI) Diploma, Marion Montessori and Education Center Michelle Wallick has devoted her career to advancing education and designing exceptional, specialized learning environments. In 2005, when she sought a preschool that could meet the unique needs of her young gifted daughter, Michelle decided to create one herself, founding a distinctive Montessori-inspired preschool program that introduced advanced concepts at an early age.
By 2009, seeing a growing need for an elementary education model that allowed gifted children to progress well beyond the constraints of traditional schooling, she established Cyprus Classical Academy. The school is built to serve gifted elementary and middle school students through individualized, subject-by-subject acceleration while addressing the unique needs and asynchronous development common among gifted learners. Under Michelle’s leadership, Cyprus Classical Academy has grown into an award-winning program, offering premium in-person and online education to students nationwide. Michelle treasures time with her husband, three children, and grandson. |
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Ms. Julie Shipway
Executive Assistant
Julie became the Administrative Assistant for Cyprus Classical Academy in the summer of 2012. She organized and systematized our administration and was integral to the success of the accreditation of our Montessori preschool program during her first two-year tenure.
After working for five years as a legal assistant in downtown St. Paul, she returned to Cyprus from 2019-2021 as our Admissions Specialist, assisting families through the process of enrollment as well as supporting our school through marketing, recruitment and retention efforts. In the summer of 2021 she had to leave us again temporarily to give birth to her second daughter and spend more time with her growing family. She is so excited to be back for what we affectionaly refer to as her 'third stint," coming home once again to Cyprus as our Executive Assistant. Julie’s favorite hobby is singing and she is currently a cantor at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. She is also loving raising her two daughters, Isabella and Lily with her husband Patrick. |
Ms. Michelle Henkelman
Administrative Assistant
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Cyprus Classical Academy Faculty
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Ms. Samantha Stoll
Advanced Mathematics Specialist, Language Arts, Lit/Comp/Pres,
B.A. Math Education, St. Catherine University, Summa Cum Laude Teaching Licensure Grades 5-12 Math Ms. Samantha Stoll has been a part of the Cyprus Classical Academy faculty since 2018 specializing in teaching advanced (high school and college level) math. She also teaches Language Arts and Literature Composition classes at all levels and has taught beginning Spanish. Her background includes teaching a broad range of students from kindergarten through college ages.
Ms. Stoll grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and attended a K-12 school with limited opportunities for gifted students. She was inspired by Cyprus Classical Academy’s mission to challenge students every day in order to help them grow to their full potential and wishes she had the opportunity to learn as much as Cyprus students do. She loves sharing her love of learning with her students! She is currently a member of Phi Beta Kappa (National Academic Honor Society), Pi Mu Epsilon (National Math Honor Society), and Pi Lambda Theta (National Education Honor Society). |
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Mr. Jesse Williams
Science Specialist, Mathematics, Physical Education
B.S. Bioengineering; Hispanic Studies Minor, Montana State University Mr. Jesse Williams grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he participated in accelerated programs such as PACE and completed multiple Advanced Placement courses. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering, a subset of Chemical Engineering, with a minor in Hispanic Studies from Montana State University.
Following graduation, Mr. Williams served two and a half years in the Peace Corps as a Community Health Volunteer in Itapé, Paraguay, teaching health and English classes at local schools—an experience that sparked his passion for teaching. Upon returning to the U.S., he worked as a substitute teacher in Idaho, a Junior Environmentalist with Hennepin County in the Twin Cities, and a Data Analyst/Administrative Assistant in the Mercedes and SMP plants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Since joining Cyprus Classical Academy in 2020, Mr. Williams has led Morning Meeting and headed the P.E. curriculum both on-site and online. He brings to his students a lifelong love of learning and a commitment to helping them develop the same enthusiasm for education. Veve the Bearded Dragon
Enrollment Specialist, Expert Lounger, Dragon Ambassador
Honorary Masters Degree in Education with a Minor in Distance Jumping Veve began his tenure at Cyprus Classical Academy when Mr. Williams brought him for a visit day in 2021. He quickly discovered that school life suited him perfectly. At Cyprus, he can usually be found in the Exploratorium, basking in the warm glow of his heat lamp or, during "approved dragon times," emerging to greet and play with students. Gentle by nature, he enjoys being handled and never turns down the chance to perch on a shoulder for a chat.
A calm presence and conversation starter for all ages, Veve inspires curiosity about reptiles, helps new students feel at ease, and adds a little extra joy to each day that he comes to school. When asked about his professional goals, Veve offered a slow blink, understood to mean: “More crickets. More friends. Maybe a bigger rock.” |
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Mr. Shane Wallick (Mr. W.)
Advanced Language, Lit/Comp, Creative Writing, History, Logic
B.A. Creative Writing, Minnesota State University, Mankato Mr. W. earned a B.A. in Creative Writing and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Writing with a specification in Fiction from Johns Hopkins University, with an expected graduation in 2026. Shane has studied under numerous successful, published authors including Chris McCormick and Sam Apple, and is currently working on his first novel.
Mr. W has spent many hours immersing himself in history books since he was a young child. His love and extensive knowledge of the subject have persisted to the present day, making him an excellent teacher and resource for our precocious history buffs. Mr. W. has a passion for movies demonstrated by his extensive Blu-ray collection with over 1400 titles. In addition to watching movies, he has written, directed, and edited numerous short films and is currently working on a script for a feature film to be produced in 2023. Mr. W. has many years of experience working in education and has always wanted to be a teacher. He has a passion for writing and literature and is excited to share his accumulated experience and knowledge with Cyprus students this year teaching Logic at the college level, Advanced and Honors Language Arts, Creative Writing, and History. Mr. W. joined the Cyprus Classical Academy faculty in 2021, and has offered Cyprus students the benefit of not only his knowledge, but has also brought in Johns Hopkins University faculty to meet with his students about creative writing and being an author. |
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Ms. Nicole SchuetteOnline Elementary Specialist
M.S. Elementary Education: Reading, Minnesota State University, Mankato B.S. Elementary Education Winona State University, Winona Ms. Schuette began teaching elementary students online at Cyprus Classical Academy in the fall of 2023. Ms. Schuette's teaching journey began during her high school years at an after school program. Over the years, she gained valuable experience through clinical practices and held a position as an elementary teacher for several years.
Ms. Schuette grew up in Owatonna, MN where she resides to this day. In her free time, Ms. Schuette enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outside, helping on her boyfriend’s family farm, crafting, shopping, reading books, and watching movies. |
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Ms. Karen Gainor
Language Arts, Literature, Composition, & Presentation, Drama
PhD ABD Rehtoric & Technical Communications, University of MN M.A English Literature, Universtiy of Minnesota B.A. English & Journalism, Marquette Universtiy Mrs. Karen Gainor found Cyprus when looking for a preschool for her gifted sons in 2008. She spent one year as a Cyprus parent and daily volunteer in the classroom. Beginning in the Fall of 2009, she became a lead teacher in our elementary program and has been dedicated to Cyprus ever since. Both of her sons have graduated from Cyprus.
Mrs. Gainor has many years of experience teaching writing, public speaking, group communication, technical communication and visual design at the college level, but finds some her most gratifying work to be teaching young children. Karen loves geography and learning about our country and the myriad of places in this world. She has several years of experience reporting for and editing a bi-weekly newspaper, loves journalism in all forms and believes that the type of questions good reporters ask can be wonderful guidelines for the type of questions all inquisitive minds should hopefully be asking. |