Faculty & Staff.

  • 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 D Teacher

    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.

  • Reading Specialist & Primary C Teacher

    A mother of five, Mrs. Hubers has instructed children for more than two decades in the community and at home. With a firm grasp on classical Christian education, she has a deep passion for fostering a life-long 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.

  • 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 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. Fuller teaches the Primary B cohort, which is typically second 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.

  • Math Teacher

    Mr. Zierhut teaches primary math at Knox. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ministry from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. His diverse experience includes roles as a youth mentor and Bible teacher, service in public special education classrooms, and work as an academic coach at a university. Additionally, he supports international university students as a homestay director in the Twin Cities. 

    Mr. Zierhut is passionate about nurturing each student’s God-given gifts and unique personality. He thrives on staying curious, tailoring his approach to individual needs, and exploring how true knowledge and design reflect the Creator, inspiring awe and wonder. 

    Mr. Zierhut and his wife, AnaLise, live in Saint Paul with their four children, two of whom attend Knox Classical Academy. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring cultures, cooking and eating international foods, sharing tea and engaging conversations with friends, staying active outdoors, reading, and singing. He is a member of Jubilee Community 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.

  • Business Manager

    Mrs. Herber serves as the Business Manager at Knox. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, and with 14 years of experience in administrative and financial roles at a previous church, she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work.

    Mrs. Herber has been happily married to Gary for 37 years. Together, they have two adult children and five wonderful grandchildren. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys playing the piano for musicals at St. Francis High School and staying active through hiking, biking, and spending time with her grandchildren. Mrs. Herber lives in Andover and attends and serves with Substance Church.

  • Administrative Assistant

    Mrs. Herber serves as a part-time Administrative Assistant 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.