Here at Black Forest Academy, our staff are educators, teachers, athletic coaches, advisers, counselors, resident assistants, dorm parents, and mentors. We have a passion for bringing excellence into all areas of a student’s experience here at BFA. There are currently 165 staff members with over 1,000 years experience combined. They come from all over the world: the United States of America, Canada, Australia, UK, Europe, and more.
Our Staff
Judy Kastelein
(email)
Elementary Resource Room, TeacherJudy spent many years at home raising 6 children. She then went back to teaching and has taught Kindergarten, grade 2, elementary science, and grade 4. She had also taught S.S., children's church, women's Bible studies, and chaired the fellowship coordination committee.
Colleges/Universities Attended:
Taylor University, B.S. Elementary Education
Cathleen Schmidt
(email)
Elementary Principal, CSK Grade 1 Teacher, AdministrationCathleen taught in the public school system in the states for five years before coming to Black Forest Academy in 1984. She has taught grades 1 through 4 in the elementary school at BFA. Currently, Cathleen is teaching first grade and is also the English principal at BFA's bilingual elementary school. She has had the privilege of travelling to other parts of the world--India, Nepal, Romania, Vietnam and Indonesia—to help young teachers develop their teaching skills.
Degrees and Certificates
Associate of Arts, Music Education, Highland Community College
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, Northwestern College
Illinois State Teaching Certificate
Professional teaching certificate, Association of Christian Schools International
Carrie Beth (CB) Watson
(email)
Elementary, TeacherCarrie Beth graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri with a degree in elementary education. After graduation she moved to south Houston and taught fourth grade for eight years in the public school setting. In 2008, CB, moved to Germany to be a Resident Assistant at Sonnenhof dormitory for two years. Since 2011, she has been working at Black Forest Acadmey Elementary School (CSK) as an elementary school teacher.
Carrie Beth was born in California and has lived in the states of Washington, Missouri, New Jersey, and Texas. She grew up in the St. Louis area. Her home base is Houston, Texas."
