Faculty & Staff.

  • Lead Teacher and Secondary Prep Humanities

    Leslie Smith is a devoted Christ-follower, educator, and school administrator. She serves Knox faculty by leading and encouraging them in the classical approach, Knox families by providing paths to academic success, and most importantly the whole community by looking for ways to help us flourish and cherish the imago dei in every individual.

    Previous to Knox, Leslie worked as a Principal at Hope Academy's lower school for 10 years and at the Kathmandu International Study Centre in Nepal for 6 years. She has a lifetime of other relevant experience in spiritual and educational formation including a stint as a Preschool Director Elim Preschool, as a teacher in Minneapolis Public Schools and coach for girls volleyball and basketball. 

    Leslie is truly continuing to walk out her calling in her role at Knox, where we desire to "train the affections." She sees the Christian, classical approach as the best path towards developing students to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love what is good, true, and beautiful.

    She has been married to Christopher since 1988 and they attend Mill City Church; they have three children, Benjamin (26), Anna (24), and Daniel (22). Mrs. Smith enjoys problem solving, creativity, cooking, baking, gardening, hiking, kayaking, and playing piano.

  • Head of School

    Stacey Lape is a Christ-centered educator, school leader, and lifelong learner who is passionate about cultivating communities where students, teachers, and families can flourish.  As Head of School at Knox, she serves the community by fostering a culture rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty, equipping faculty to thrive in their vocation, and partnering closely with parents in the formation of their children.  She is deeply committed to the intersection of faith, intellectual growth, and character formation. 

    Before joining Knox, Stacey served as Lower Grammar School Director at Liberty Classical Academy.  Her experience also includes leadership roles as a teacher and director with the YMCA, Assistant Director at Peace of Mind Childcare, and several years homeschooling her own children. These diverse experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the unique strengths of schools, families, and churches as they work together to nurture the next generation.  Stacey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Purdue University.

    Stacey views her role at Knox as both a calling and a stewardship.  She believes that Christian classical education offers a rich and compelling vision of learning – one that cultivates wisdom, virtue, and wonder, while helping students see all of life through the lens of God’s truth.  She is especially passionate about creating a school culture where students are inspired to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty, and where teachers are empowered to lead with excellence, conviction, and joy.  

    Looking ahead, Stacey is excited to help Knox continue to grow as a vibrant community of learning where students are known, challenged, and encouraged to develop their God-given gifts.  Her vision is for Knox to be a place where Christian discipleship, academic excellence, and strong community come together to prepare young people to serve Christ and others faithfully.

    Stacey has been married to her husband Bill for thirty-four years.  Together, they have two adult children, and they attend First Evangelical Free Church in Maplewood, MN.  Outside of school, she enjoys reading, gardening, fishing, and kayaking.


  • Primary Prep

    Miss Waits teaches Primary Prep at Knox, which is typically Kindergarten.

    She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education and is an enthusiastic educator with a heart to partner with families in their child’s development, through educating the whole child: mentally, socially, emotionally, spiritual, and physically.

    With extensive training in literacy for young children as well as experience in progress monitoring and assessments in Early Childhood Family Education, she is highly suited to be shaping the youngest learners at Knox. In her classroom, lessons in literacy are the backdrop for exploring related learning of science, art, music, language, and mathematics.

    She has one son and loves to use God’s creation to teach him about the world. She has also enjoyed being involved in Classical Conversations, a Sunday school teacher and Reading Corps tutor. She attends First Calvary Baptist Church.

  • Primary Prep

    Mrs. K (Tonya Kronschnabel) is a devoted Christ-follower, experienced educator, and joyful teacher who is passionate about laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. As the Primary Prep teacher at Knox, she seeks to foster a sense of wonder, excitement, and belonging while helping each child recognize the unique gifts and responsibilities that come with being an important member of the classroom community.

    Tonya brings more than 27 years of teaching experience to Knox. She earned a Diploma of Education from Auckland College of Education and a Certificate of Teaching from the New Zealand Education Board. Her teaching journey has taken her from New Zealand, where she taught Second Grade in a public school, to Australia, where she taught Kindergarten for six years and served as a full-time Art teacher at Oxford Falls Grammar School. After moving to the United States, she taught Kindergarten at Heritage Christian Academy and spent the past 15 years teaching Kindergarten at Liberty Classical Academy. She also taught a four-year-old preschool class at the Shoreview Community Center for two years.

    Tonya was drawn to classical Christian education because of its thoughtful approach to nurturing children as they grow, learn, and develop a love for what is true, good, and beautiful. She especially loves the kindergarten years, often called the “wet cement” stage, when learning comes alive through stories, songs, poems, chants, hands-on activities, movement, and plenty of joy. She has enjoyed mentoring and encouraging younger teachers in recent years, and she says that her favorite place to be is still in the classroom with her students - it is her happy place.

    Tonya has been married to her husband, Robert, for 26 years, and together they have a daughter, Lily (22), and a son, Bobby (20). Their family attends Roseville Baptist Church. Outside of school, she enjoys sewing, crocheting, decorating her home, and making music. She sings and plays guitar, ukulele, and mandolin in a trio called Thirsty Souls, which performs at venues throughout the Twin Cities. A guiding verse in her life is Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight.” She is excited for this new opportunity and prays that she will be a blessing to Knox students and families.


  • Primary A

    Mrs. Martinson teaches the Primary A cohort, which is typically first grade. 

    With 28 years of teaching experience, including 16 years in Classical Christian schools, Mrs. Martinson brings extensive expertise and commitment to the classroom. Having taught grades from Pre-K to 5th, Mrs. Martinson has found a special calling in teaching first grade, where she loves helping young learners unlock the mystery of reading. 

    Mrs. Martinson feels privileged to share the love of Christ in the classroom and to serve both students and their parents. As a highly trained and experienced early literacy teacher, she is dedicated to providing effective literacy instruction. Additionally, she serves as a Minister of Religion through the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. 

    Five years ago, Mrs. Martinson and her husband moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to their two adult children. They now live in Maplewood and attend Woodbury Lutheran, Oak Hill Campus. This fall, they look forward to celebrating 40 years of marriage. In her free time, Mrs. Martinson enjoys boating, biking, hiking, kayaking, playing the piano, and reading.

  • Primary B

    Mrs. Kari Gravley is an experienced educator and musician who brings a love of learning, creativity, and wonder to her role as the Primary B teacher at Knox. She is passionate about sparking children’s curiosity and helping them discover connections between what they are learning, God’s creation, and the world around them.

    Kari earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, with preparation in K–12 instrumental and classroom music. Her extensive experience in Christian education includes teaching general music, drama, choir, band, and worship at Liberty Classical Academy and Heritage Christian Academy. She has also served as Head of the Performing Arts Department at Liberty Classical Academy, directed children’s choirs and worship at First Evangelical Free Church in Maplewood, and taught private instrumental lessons. Through these experiences, Kari has had the joy of teaching students from kindergarten through high school and helping them discover the beauty of music.

    Kari resonates with Christian classical education because of its intentional, purposeful, and restful approach to learning. As she begins her journey at Knox, she is especially excited to explore classical literature with her students and make connections together. She hopes to cultivate an environment of wonder, discovery, and excitement for learning, encouraging students to ask questions and become motivated to seek understanding for themselves.

    Kari and her husband, Stephen, have four children: Nina, Libby, Tate, and Flora. Their family attends First Evangelical Free Church in Maplewood. Outside of school, Kari enjoys quilting, needlework, reading, baking, and learning new crafts. She is also an accomplished musician who can play all of the band instruments, as well as piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, and viola. Kari’s life and work are shaped by Ephesians 2:10: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

  • Primary C

    Mrs. Priya Melander brings a unique blend of counseling experience, educational experience, and a deep love for the formation of children to her role as Primary C teacher at Knox. She is passionate about helping students grow in wisdom and virtue while learning to recognize and delight in what is truly beautiful, good, and worthy of their attention.

    Priya earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bethel University. Her professional experience includes working as a clinical therapist with college students at the University of Northwestern and providing trauma-informed therapy at North Woods Christian Counseling. She has also devoted many years to education, founding and teaching at Oriole Co-op, a STEM-focused homeschool cooperative, and educating her own four children from preschool through middle school. Her teaching experience includes Community Bible Study, Anchor Co-op, Oriole Co-op, and coaching a children’s pickleball club.

    Priya was drawn to Christian classical education because of its timeless, evidence-informed approach to learning and its understanding of the natural development of children. She is especially passionate about shaping the hearts of students through ideas and stories, cultivating virtue and godly character, and helping children learn to think critically and express themselves persuasively. Her hope is that students will grow in wisdom and self-governance, develop the fortitude to stand for what is right, and learn to use their gifts for the glory of God.

    Priya has been married for more than 15 years and is the mother of four children, all of whom will attend Knox. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, canoeing, pickleball, baking artisan bread, reading, hosting gatherings, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is bilingual in Hindi and Urdu and has a particular love for neuroscience, tea and scones, mountain meadows, and early morning workouts. A passage that shapes her life and work is James 1:2–4, which reminds her to embrace trials as opportunities for God to produce steadfastness and maturity.


  • Primary D

    Miss Samantha Kimmet is an educator and lifelong learner who is passionate about helping students discover the joy and wonder of learning. As the Primary D teacher at Knox, she seeks to cultivate a classroom community where students grow in their relationship with their Creator, with one another, and with the world they are learning to understand.

    Samantha earned a B.S. in Law and Policy from Liberty University and has worked in Christian education with students at every level, from kindergartners to post-doctoral students. Her experience includes serving as a teacher’s aide at a Catholic middle and high school in her hometown of Tiffin, Ohio, as well as working at Anselm House, the Christian study center at the University of Minnesota. There, she helped students connect their faith with all of life through programs and intentional Christian community.

    Samantha was drawn to Christian classical education because it recognizes children as persons and seeks to educate them according to the way God has created them to learn and grow. She is especially passionate about learning from living books and encountering the wisdom of those who have gone before us. In the classroom, she hopes to meet each student where they are, helping them gain knowledge that becomes truly their own while cultivating a lasting love of learning.

    Samantha lives in Minneapolis and attends All Saints Presbyterian Church. She is also involved with St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Newman Center. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time in nature, discovering the ways God reveals Himself in ordinary life, and sharing meals with friends. She especially enjoys bird-watching and is always happy to point out a bird others might have missed. A passage that shapes her life and work is 1 Corinthians 13:4–7: “Love is patient. Love is kind…”


  • Primary E

    Mrs. Fuller teaches the Primary E cohort, which is typically fifth grade.

    Since graduating from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, with a degree in Elementary Education, she has taught both in the classroom for a few years and spent a couple of decades educating her two sons at home. Now that her children are studying independently at nearby colleges, Mrs. Fuller is eager to extend her nurturing care to the students of Knox as she has with her own. 

    Mrs. Fuller excels at recognizing and valuing the uniqueness of every child. By tailoring her approach to meet their current needs, she focuses on helping students take the next step in their learning journey while keeping the ultimate goal in mind. 

    Mrs. Fuller is passionate about theology as a means to understand the larger story we are a part of and the God who is the source of it all. Her current favorites include the Bible Project, N.T. Wright, and John Walton. She attends and serves with Substance Church.

  • Secondary Prep and Chorale Director

    Mr. Ruby teaches the Secondary Prep cohort, which is typically 6th-8th grades. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in music education, and has taught for 7 years at public and private schools. He has also organized ensembles and liturgical music settings.

    Mr. Ruby’s performing arts expertise and love of music help him build natural, cross-curricular connections for his students. His infectious curiosity and creativity help children reflect on and understand their relationship to God as their Creator, and explore their uniqueness and gifts as sub-creators.

    Mr. Ruby lives in an intentional Christian community in Northeast Minneapolis, where he enjoys bonding with his housemates and practicing hospitality to his neighbors. He attends Restoration Anglican in South Minneapolis.

  • Secondary Prep Math & Science

    Mrs. Garnett leads our upper school math and science cohorts. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in genetics from Iowa State where she attended as a National Merit Scholar, among other honors. She has worked as a lab assistant and a teaching assistant for a lab, experiences that bring legitimacy to the courses she teaches at Knox.

    She loves to see students inspired by wonder and awe as they personally connect with the material. Having taught in the community and in her home for 15 years, Mrs. Garnett has learned how to help students discover more than just science facts or math figures. She recognizes that a firm grasp on the facts sets the course for students to love and engage with the STEM community — of the past and in our world today — for years to come.

    She and her husband, Andrew, have five children, two of whom attend Knox. She is a member of Church of the Redeemer where she serves on the vestry. She is a gifted researcher and loves to read, study Charlotte Mason, serve the community, and garden.

  • Primary Music

    Mrs. Olson teaches music to all Primary students. She is an experienced and beloved piano and violin teacher, having taught private lessons for 14 years. Her weekly lesson schedule has grown to more than 45 students, ranging from preschoolers to retired folks!

    She loves getting to know each student individually—their strengths, learning styles, and personalities. She enjoys challenging students to grow in their musical gifts, and celebrating their successes. Above all, Mrs. Olson longs to see students find their security in the Lord Jesus, and as precious image bearers of God. She is blessed to share her love of music with so many, especially with the students of Knox.

    Mrs. Olson lives in Shoreview with her husband, Eric, where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. They attend Grace Church of Roseville.

  • Art Teacher

  • Reading Specialist & Curriculum

    A mother of five, Mrs. Hubers has instructed children for more than two decades in the community and at home. With a firm grasp of classical Christian education, she has a deep passion for fostering a lifelong love of learning. She is also a gifted teacher with a keen awareness of the child who is struggling, whether emotionally or academically.

    She prioritizes a learning environment in which children can experience the Lord’s goodness through the knowledge they discover, the skills they learn, and the relationships they build. That means challenging children to work hard and inviting them to also take moments of reflection; a composition that results in growth and joy.

    With a proven understanding of reading instruction and learning challenges, Mrs. Hubers has been instrumental in building the Knox language arts program. The heart and methods of Charlotte Mason, as well as the desire for holistic and integrated learning, inspire Mrs. Hubers to embrace the classical framework.

    Start-ups invigorate her as opportunities to witness the faithfulness of God and the fruitfulness of His people. In her free time she loves to enjoy creation, dive deep into God’s word, and cultivate quality time with her husband and children.

  • Business Manager

    Mrs. Herber serves as a part-time Business Manager whose passion for meticulous precision is matched only by her warmth and compassion. With a degree in Interior Design from the University of Minnesota, she merges creativity with organizational skills.

    She served in a variety of roles at a large global missions organization for eight years. The majority of her time there she served as the Executive Assistant to the President. Her attention to detail, strong desire to connect with and care for others, and joyful personality make her a great fit in the admin office.

    Mrs. Herber lives in Mounds View with her husband, Kory, and their two children, one of whom attends Knox Classical. They attend Hope Community Church, Columbia Heights. A few of Kayla’s favorite things include savoring a cup of coffee, hiking in the Rocky mountains, slow days at home with her family, and gathering friends around her table.

  • Administrative Assistant

    Mrs. Michelle Sjobeck is a devoted Christ-follower, school administrator, and servant-hearted supporter of Christian education. As Administrative Assistant at Knox, she serves students, families, and faculty with grace, patience, and kindness, helping to create an environment where teachers can flourish and students can grow in wisdom and character.

    Prior to joining Knox, Michelle served as Executive Assistant to the Grammar School Director at Liberty Classical Academy. Her experience also includes ten years as a Special Education Paraprofessional, where she worked closely with students and teachers in the classroom. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the many ways schools can nurture both learning and relationships.

    Michelle was drawn to Christian classical education because of its commitment to the foundational principles of learning and its integration of faith into every aspect of education. She especially values helping children see Christ throughout their studies and hopes to cultivate a love of learning, strong relationships, and kind hearts within the Knox community. She views her role as an opportunity to serve others with the love and grace that Christ has shown to us.

    Michelle has been married to her husband, Daniel, for 26 years, and together they have two daughters. Their family attends Cities Church and enjoys camping and four-wheeling together. Outside of school, Michelle loves spending time with her family, reading, and baking. She is also a twin - a fun fact that often surprises students and families. A guiding verse in her life is Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”