Jordan Lindsay (Principal, Teacher Grades 6-8)
Jordan Lindsay graduated from Walla Walla University. He has a BS in Elementary Education and Physical Education, and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Development. He has taught in Palau, Guam, Idaho, and Washington and is going into his 15th year of teaching. Mr. Lindsay grew up in Washington and spent many summers in Walla Walla and on his family’s farm near Colfax. He has a wife, Brendy, and two sons, Levi and Luke. Mr. Lindsay enjoys working in his garden, hiking, spending time with his family, studying the Bible, traveling, woodworking, and rock hounding. He has a love for learning and tries very hard to help his students find that love too.
Shiela Burkhardt (Grades 3-5)
Shiela Burkhardt is the Grades 3-5 teacher. She comes with a broad teaching experience to the position, including teaching from college to preschool. She has taught in the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Mexico before teaching in the US. Shiela holds an MA in English Education from the Adventist University of the Philippines and a BS in Secondary English Education from Philippine Union College - Naga Campus. Shiela is married to Ben Burkhardt, a diligent student and preacher of the Word of God. Shiela and Ben are blessed with a precious little daughter named Bethany. Shiela loves God and upholds the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She is passionate about teaching and sees every student as a fellow child of God who needs to be trained not only for this world but also for the world to come.
Mary Lindsay (Grades K-2)
Mary Lindsay has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Elementary Education from Western Governors University, with an endorsement in music. She has taught full time for eight years and part time for 12 years. She was Children’s Ministries Director for Washington Conference and Guam Micronesia Mission. She enjoys music, hiking, snow skiing, jeeping, swimming, snorkeling, reading, traveling and kayaking with her husband Gerry, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sarah Byrd (Preschool)
Sarah Byrd graduated from Gem State Adventist Academy. while working student approved hours as a step-in manager for Raisin’ Angels Daycare. She continued to hone her skills, working as a governess for three families. From there, she became a teaching assistant at the Therapeutic Learning Center for Caldwell School District #132 for a total of 7 years. Her responisibilities included teaching her own core classes, building curriculum for the multi-grade summer program, and working with students of all skill levels to increase their academic potential. Sarah enjoys reading, swimming, being outdoors, and maintaining an active lifestyle with her family.
Kimberlee Moore (Preschool)
Kimberlee More graduated from Mile High Adventist Academy in Denver, Colorado with an emphasis in Fine Arts, Math and Science. While In school she assisted in a daycare for Infants to 2 years of age primarily focused on developmental needs and growth in premature infants. After graduating high school she attended Walla Walla University for child development psychology and special needs. She has a huge passion for children and worked as a Nanny for 4 little girls, one of whom was autistic. She believes that every child is beautiful. God has created them so uniquely and their minds are brilliant. Creatiivity is her thing, and she likes to make learning fun. She loves being a mom and spending time with family. She also enjoys museums, history, arts, music, running and staying healthy.
Silvia Estrada (Office Manager)
Silvia Estrada graduated from Walla Walla University with a Bachelors of Business Administration. She has worked for Hermiston Junior Academy since 2012. She is happily married to a gifted musician and blessed with two amazing children. She enjoys music, hiking, reading traveling and sharing Jesus with others
Paula Oltman (Strings Teacher)
Paula Oltman (Strings) graduated from Walla Walla College and Loma Linda University Graduate School, with a BS in Nursing and an MS in Community Health Nursing (emphasis in teaching). She began studying the violin in 3rd grade and continued lessons through college. She has played 1st violin with the Walla Walla Symphony, North Idaho Symphony Orchestra, Oregon East Symphony, and Inland Northwest Musicians. She volunteers her time at HJA because she loves music and desires to instill this same love for good music in young children.
Her group violin lessons and orchestra practices at HJA emphasize music as a ministry and encourage students to share their God-given talents and time as a means of blessing others.
Carleen Flaiz (Librarian)
Carleen is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in education, and minors in Political Science and Music. She became the librarian for Hermiston Junior Academy when her son entered Kindergarten , 37 years ago. At that time Hermiston Junior Academy had next to nothing in books, but over the years with hard work and dedication, we now have a real library. It has always been a blessing over the years for her to work with next teachers and principals, and more importantly, seeing the love that the children have for reading. She is looking forward to this year's adventures