Faculty and Staff

Whitney Friesen graduated with a degree in University Studies and a minor in Art History from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She taught art in a nursing home setting for the past year and has additional experience teaching as part of various VBS programs.

Whitney knows that the Lord uses us to shape others, and she believes she is being called to do that here at Capstone as she leads the art program. She is excited to encourage young learners in their faith journey as well as their love for art. 

The youngest of four children, Whitney is also a twin. She grew up being encouraged in her faith and her curiosity with all things associated with art. Her grandpa was a talented watercolor painter who taught her many things about art and looking through the eyes of the beholder. Whitney is a regular attender at Harvest Plains Church and is active within her life group. In addition to art, Whitney enjoys the outdoors, music, and anything related to winter!

Taia Rude recently graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Human Dec and Family Science and a minor in art. She also attended Valley City State University and earned a degree in Elementary Education. Taia is honored to spend her first year teaching as the new upper school art teacher. She is a member at River City Church, and in her free time she loves to create, read, and spend time with family and friends.

Becca Wunderlich graduated from the Free Lutheran Bible College, where she received a diploma in Biblical Studies. Becca is incredibly thankful to be apart of the Capstone community and loves seeing how the Lord is working in the hearts and minds of the learners. She considers working with the littlest learners one of her greatest joys and feels blessed to have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them. 

Becca is drawn to the classical model because it is a thoughtful and intentional way of educating students. Her hope is that through this model of education, students would find excitement and joy in learning. Her prayer is that the students and staff at Capstone would continuously seek what is good, true and beautiful, in all that God has created. 

Becca and her husband, Peter, live in Fargo and attend Ignite Church, where they are involved in a life group. In her free time, Becca enjoys reading, baking, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

Kayla Gannaio is coming to education after four years as a stay-at-home-mom. During this time she ran a small at-home daycare and volunteered weekly in her church’s preschool in her home state of Florida.

Kayla is excited to be working for Capstone for its emphasis on training the whole person. She eagerly wants to help students not find learning to be a chore, but rather a lifelong joy. Kayla is eager to embody the Christian virtues for her students to emulate, and is grateful for the opportunity to do so.

In her free time Kayla enjoys baking, reading, being outside, and watching sports with her husband. Her family has been attending River City Church since moving to Fargo two months ago, and are excited to get more connected and plugged in to the community there.

Hayley Hansen earned a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Bible from The Master’s University in California. She has four years of teaching experience in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades.

She is excited to join the Capstone community and share her love of learning with students. Mrs. Hansen desires for students to grow in their spiritual wisdom and Biblical worldview through their education. 

In her spare time, Hayley loves reading, singing, playing games, and spending time with family. Some of her passions are musical theatre and learning about American history. Hayley and her husband attend Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo, where they can be found serving in children's ministry and hospitality team.

Emelie graduated from Colorado Christian University studying business administration, afterwards transitioning into full time ministry at Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, helping women and men make life-affirming decisions about pregnancy, parenting, and sexuality. She also volunteered in her church’s nursery on Sunday mornings.

Emelie and her husband, Rob (our new 5th grade teacher, Mr. Brandau) have been married for just over a year and are thrilled to be in Fargo on the Capstone team. Emelie says, "I am drawn to Capstone because of my belief in the Christian classical education model. Getting to share Christ with students while helping them grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially is such a blessing."

In her free time, Emelie enjoys embroidery and cross-stitch, journaling, and cooking. She and her husband also enjoy reading to one another, playing board games, visiting museums, and hiking. Together they attend Grace Lutheran Church.

Sophia Tucker is a pre-nursing student at North Dakota State University and serves as a part-time aide at Capstone Classical Academy. She has always loved learning, which is one of the reasons she enjoys being part of the Capstone community.

Having attended public school throughout her education, Sophia has developed a deep appreciation for the vision of classical Christian education and Capstone’s commitment to pursuing the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. She especially values the school’s emphasis on teaching students how to think rather than what to think.

Sophia lives in Fargo with her family. Her father, Tom, serves as Capstone’s Director of Advancement, her mother, Patti, works as an administrative assistant, and her younger brother, Levi, is a student at the school. The family attends Ignite Church in Moorhead, and Sophia is grateful that they are all able to serve together in support of Capstone’s mission.

In her free time, Sophia enjoys getting coffee with friends, traveling, shopping, cheering on Levi at his baseball games, and learning more about the medical field as she prepares for a career in nursing.

Grace is coming to education after several years of volunteering in different kid's ministries at her church and helping teach English overseas. She loves being with children and truly enjoys working in the classroom.

As an Instructional Aide at Capstone, Grace is excited to see how God will use her to work in the lives of her students. She is thankful to be a part of a school that not only encourages the development of character and virtue in children, but also places God and His Word at the center of every aspect of education. 

Growing up as a missionary kid in Southeast Asia has given Grace a love for travel. She also enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and piano. Grace attends Fargo Baptist Church with her family, where she is involved in the music ministry and kids' ministries.

Cathy Cox is coming to Capstone after several years of working within the West Fargo school district. Prior to that, Cathy spent the first part of her career working as a nurse. 

As a classroom aide, Cathy is excited to be a part of a school that embraces the Christian faith.  She feels blessed to have the opportunity to serve the students and their families. 

Cathy and her family are members of Horace Lutheran Church.  In her spare time, Cathy enjoys being outdoors as much as possible, horse riding, and spending time with family and friends.

Becca Vastag earned her bachelor's degree in Music Therapy from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. For the past 20 years, she has held positions as a music therapist, behavior therapist, and program consultant in center-based and home programs. She has also worked as an online English teacher, a music teacher at Children's Music Academy, and a freelance writer. 

After seven years of homeschooling her children, Becca is excited to join the Capstone community in pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness. She looks forward to encouraging learners to see their value and worth in who they are as humans created in God's image. Becca strives to live out Micah 6:8 in her time spent with learners, families, and colleagues in the Capstone community. 

Becca, her husband, Tyler, and their two children live in West Fargo with their adorable goldendoodle. In her free time, Mrs. Vastag enjoys singing, taking walks outside, attending symphony performances, and spending time with family and friends.