Faculty and Staff

Mr. Fisher has been leading in classical Christian education since 2006 and in Christian education since 1997. He is one of 25 heads of school who serves as an advisor to the Society for Classical Learning, helping to write accreditation standards for classical Christian schools. He consults startup Christian school boards and heads across the country and helps established schools in the challenging task of authentic, rigorous biblical worldview integration across all facets of schooling and the life of the school community.

Prior to serving as Headmaster of Capstone Classical Academy, Paul served at Coventry Christian Schools, a classical Christian school in Pottstown, PA, for 18 years, where he led as the founding Upper School Principal, Director of Development, and Head of School. As Academic Dean, he helped Harding Academy of Memphis, TN, develop a robust model for integrating faith and learning, partnering with the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education in the implementation of Teaching for Transformation. Mr. Fisher has taught middle and high school courses in English, Biology, Algebra, Theology, and Comparative Religions. He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Cairn University, formerly Philadelphia Biblical University and a bachelor’s degree in English literature and composition with a minor in Bible and Religion from Harding University. He is married to Sheri, who was worked alongside him in Christian school ministry since 1997, and is blessed with three adult children and one grandchild. 

Mr. Holder comes to Capstone directly from Liberty Middle School in West Fargo, where he has been serving as the Head Principal and where he once supported and directed our very own Mrs. Archer. He has dedicated over 23 years to education, beginning his career as a World History and Economics teacher at West Fargo High School.

Over the years, he has served in various administrative roles at both the high school and middle school levels, most recently as the Head Principal of Liberty Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a Master of Educational Leadership from North Dakota State University.

Mr. Holder has been married to his wife, Michelle, since 2001. Together, they have raised five children, whose ages span two decades. Dan and Michelle have faithfully served in churches and schools throughout the community. The Holder family worships with several Capstone community members at Harvest Plains Church in Mapleton.

Shannon Archer earned a B.S. in Special Education from Moorhead State University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Jamestown. Her teaching career spans 18 years. She spent several years in public schools and four years at a classical education charter school in Minnesota. Shannon was at Liberty Middle School in West Fargo before coming to Capstone.

As Dean, Shannon assists the headmaster with programming decisions, supporting teachers and providing support for students as needs arise. Shannon is very excited to be part of the first Christian classical education school in North Dakota. She considers it a privilege to provide a biblical worldview while educating students. She has seen firsthand how effective this model of education was for her own children.

Shannon has been married for 25 years to Jeremy and has two adult children, Josiah and Tyndale. Shannon and her family attend Harvest Plains Church.

Jonathan has spent most of his life in the deep South, attending college in Grand Rapids, MI before completing a B.A. in Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute and a Masters of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Clinton, MS. After working for many years in presbyterian churches, he entered classical education and now enjoys the Fargo-Moorhead community. He especially loves Detroit sports. Jonathan has taught high school and middle school for many years, and he teaches theology and a few electives at Capstone. 

Brittany Zinter has 18 years of teaching experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten at Christian schools in both North Dakota and Minnesota. She spent the past 12 years at Oak Grove Elementary as a pre-K teacher and kindergarten teacher. Brittany has a B.A. in Elementary Education and Bible with a minor in Early Childhood Education.

She is so excited to have had the privilege of pioneering the Pre-K program at Capstone. Brittany feels that the Lord will use her years of experience to develop a Christ-centered program that will help students grow spiritually, cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Teaching students about Jesus is her favorite thing!

Brittany and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Lydia and Max. They live in Moorhead and attend Bethel Church, where they are active in music ministry and are part of a wonderful small group. Brittany and Aaron have also served as VBS leaders together.

Brittany loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, craft, and decorate.

Marissa earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Olivet Nazarene University. She has experience working as an afterschool teacher and paraprofessional and is thrilled to be starting her teaching career at Capstone!

Marissa grew up attending Christian schools and is now honored to teach at one. She values the classical model’s emphasis on the formation of individuals as a whole and is so excited to live this out in her classroom. Her prayer is that her students come to know Jesus in a deeper way through learning, laughter, and play in the Pre-K room!

Marissa and her husband, Braden, got married in July of 2025 and moved to Fargo from Bourbonnais, IL only two weeks after their wedding! They attend Prairie Heights in West Fargo where her husband is on staff as the middle school youth pastor and a part of the connections team. Marissa loves serving alongside her husband in youth and worship ministry, and in her free time enjoys reading, music, thrifting, drinking matcha lattes, and playing board games with her friends.

Emily holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Inclusive Education and a minor in Special Education from MSUM. After teaching kindergarten for seven years in Moorhead, she joined the Capstone team in 2022. Emily looks forward to guiding in the development of virtuous and knowledgeable students that see the fullness of what is True, Good, and Beautiful in Jesus Christ. 

As a Capstone teacher, Mrs. Malingen strives to be patient, gentle, and humble with her students. She sees the biblical narrative as central to how teachers teach and how students learn and prays that the Capstone faculty will be examples in word and conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

Emily lives in Fargo with her husband and their son. In her free time, Emily enjoys being outside and spending time with family and friends.

Mandie Drege received her B.S. in Psychology and Theology from Grace University. She spent two years as a Kindergarten paraprofessional and continued on to earn her Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Elementary Education. 

Her love for education and passion for nurturing the hearts and minds of her students has brought Mandie back to the Kindergarten classroom. Her greatest joy is seeing the “lightbulb” come on throughout the year as students learn and begin to grow to love learning. 

Mandie lives in Fargo with her husband Nate. They have three children, Elayna, Becklyn, and Branson, who are all active in various sports and musical endeavors. Nate and Mandie serve in various ways at True North Church. They served together in full-time worship ministry for 14 years and continue to serve in worship and youth leadership—and even volunteer in the toddler room from time to time. Together, the Drege family enjoys camping, ice fishing, and all things “outdoors." 

Sheri Fisher lives in Fargo with her husband, Paul. Together they raised three children and have served in Christian and classical education together. Sheri loves walking with her dogs and her family. Her time with family is often spent following them over rocks, through the woods, on the trails, over mountains, and down rivers.

Sheri graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has had the blessing and privilege of teaching first grade for her entire teaching career. She particularly enjoys teaching young learners the fundamentals of reading and mathematics.

It is her prayer that the Capstone faculty and staff are the hands and feet of Jesus as they serve students and their families. She prays that Capstone students continuously pursue God’s purposes and take delight in all that He has made.

Karlie Deane graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She taught for two years at Riverside Christian School in East Grand Forks, MN, first teaching preschool and K-1 music and then 1st grade. 

Karlie is excited to join the Capstone team this year. She is looking forward to joining another Christian school community and gaining more experience within classical education. 

In her free time, Karlie loves to spend time at the lake, go on walks, and go to coffee shops and thrift stores. Karlie and her husband, Max, attend Harvest Plains Church.