Faculty

Agnes and her husband have two daughters, both of whom attend NCA. Agnes has had numerous roles at Evangel Polish Church, which she helped plant, teaching Sunday school and serving as the Sunday school program coordinator. She currently serves as a children’s ministry aide and Polish women’s ministry coordinator. In her free time, Agnes loves to spend time in her garden and go on adventurous hiking trips with her family.

Mrs. Goon graduated from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  Gloria earned her Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.  She previously taught for 20 years and then directed children’s ministry for almost 15 years before coming to teach at NCA!  Gloria and her husband, Nate, have two children in college and they attend Compass Church in Naperville.  She enjoys singing, scrapbooking, and knitting.

Mrs. Planamenta graduated from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She previously taught English as a second language in the public school system. Ruthie and her husband Max attend Hope Fellowship Church in Lombard. Ruthie loves to read, complete jigsaw puzzles, visit family and friends, and run half marathons.

Bio coming soon!

Mrs. Reynolds is a graduate of Wheaton College, where she majored in Sociology. She holds a Masters degree in English Composition and Rhetoric. When not at school, you will most often find her with her nose in a book. She is also an open water swimmer and loves to hike and travel. Jennifer and her husband live in Wheaton with their two children.

Mr. Van Der Molen joined the NCA faculty in 2024. He completed his undergraduate degree in Engineering at Calvin University and his master’s degree in Mathematics at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. By God’s grace, Jack joyously receives the good gifts of Word, Sacrament, and fellowship at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Outside of school, he enjoys singing in his church choir, playing clarinet, and reading books in fantasy, science fiction, theology, and mathematics.

Mrs. Kotecki teaches Upper School Latin and works in our Bridges Program. Katharine holds a BS in English Language and Literature. She is in her third year of the Circe Institute Master Teacher Apprenticeship, a three year professional development program for educators in classical rhetoric and classical modes of instruction and is concurrently working on her Master of Arts in English. Prior to coming on staff, Katharine served on the NCA Board of Directors and as Fundraising Chair. She and her husband live in Naperville with their two children and are members of Saint Raphael Catholic Church.

Mrs. Ogulei She holds a Masters Degree in Teaching and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth Ministry/Sociology, and formerly worked as a Resource Room Teacher in a private Christian School. She also worked as an Elementary Coordinator at The Compass Church, and has written Children’s Ministry curriculum for two local churches. Lori is passionate about providing individualized and small group instruction to help students grow toward all that God has created them to be.

Mr. Melter is an Alumni of NCA. He studied at Wheaton College wehre he received a double major in Psychology and Bibical/ Theological studies. He previously served as minister of youth at Cornerstone Community Baptist Church. Outside of School, Michael enjoys chess, ancient literature, and card/ board games.

Mrs. Veague has a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Michigan University and worked for twelve years as a school Administrative Assistant. Outside of NCA she teaches ice skating and competes in an adult hockey league. Steff and her husband Mike have four children, two of whom graduated from NCA.

Ms. Ma comes to us from western Michigan where she earned a Master’s degree in Music History, taught music at a Christian school, and coordinated music programming for her church. Linssey‘s primary music giftings are in violin and voice. Since arriving in Chicago, she has been a violin instructor for private and group music lessons. She is excited about teaching students of all ages at NCA.