Jeff Andersen

Principal

Jeff grew up in Seattle, Washington. He earned his B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Walla Walla University. Jeff fell in love with the Inland Northwest in 2020 and decided to make the move to Lake City Academy in 2022 to be closer to family.

During his teaching career he has taught 1st - 8th grade. One of his favorite hobbies in the classroom is answering the question, “When are we ever going to use this?”

His goal as Principal of Lake City Academy is to make the school a beacon of Christian education in North Idaho fostering connection and growth for the students, families, staff and community.

When not at school, Jeff loves to be outdoors. His favorite outdoor activities are boating and camping. In his spare time he loves reading and tinkering with electronics.

Email: jandersen@lakecityacademy.org

Delci Whalen

ECE Director & Full Day Pre-K

Born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, Delci Whalen has seven years experience as a nanny and ran a private childcare group for five years. She believes that education is the key to success in life, and she makes it her mission to have a lasting positive impact on each and every child that comes through LCA.

Delci is a mother of three and her kids are students at LCA. Outside of school, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and doing crafts.

Email: dwhalen@lakecityacademy.org

Lizelle Simplicio

Pre-K

I am originally from South-Africa. I moved to the USA with my husband and son just over 11 years ago. My husband is a pastor and his work brought us to Hanford California for 10 years and just over a year ago to North Idaho. We have a 15 year old son, who graduated from LCA last year, and is currently a freshman at Upper Columbia Academy.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing but have always felt called to teaching. While the last 11 years I have spent mostly being a mom and homeschooling my own son for a few years I have always been involved at a school as an aide or a substitute teacher. I have been at LCA for over a year now working in multiple classrooms and in the office.
I hope to make learning fun and engaging for kids. Above all I hope that they will all grow in their love for Jesus and know that He has big plans for their lives.

Email: lsimplicio@lakecityacademy.org

Rachael Jones

Kindergarten

Rachael grew up in Bremerton, Washington. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Walla Walla University. Rachael began her career in McMinnville Oregon, teaching kindergarten for 6 years.

Feeling ready to start a new chapter somewhere else, but unable to find a good teaching position, Rachael decided to move to Spokane to be a nanny for some family friends. Thankfully God opened doors for her to join the Lake City Academy team. Rachael is looking forward to being back in the classroom helping kids fall in love with learning, build a growth mindset, and discover their unique gifts.

When Rachael is not in the classroom she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, running, and paddle boarding. Other hobbies include painting, drawing, playing the piano, knitting, and just spending time with people.

Email: rjones@lakecityacademy.org

Leah Scott

1st Grade

With 20 years of dedicated teaching experience—including 15 transformative years as a Seventh Day Adventist educator—my career is rooted in a deep spiritual calling. Having taught first, second, and third grade, as well as music and band, I view education as a sacred journey of the heart and mind.

With a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and an endorsement in Early Childhood Education, I strive to create spaces where Christ serves as our cornerstone. Above all, I am deeply committed to loving to learn and teaching through love, nurturing every child so they feel seen, valued, and anchored in His grace.

Email: lscott@lakecityacademy.org

Katia Amorim

2nd Grade

Mrs. Amorim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Instituto Superior Adventista Del Plata, Argentina. She taught elementary level for three years. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Music Education at Andrews University, Michigan. She believes that Education is a superpower and she believes teaching is a small way to save the world, and if not the world as a whole, at least one person's world. Her mission is wherever she is, she can show love and mercy in helping people. She believes that teachers are superheroes. Mrs. Amorim also loves playing her flute, singing in choirs, and playing her ukulele. She loves hiking, visiting mountains and lakes and being surrounded by her two adorable cats: Nino and Mambo. Mrs. Amorim loves trying all kinds of international cuisines, and a good cup of tea.

Email: kamorim@lakecityacademy.org

Anne Blech

3rd Grade

Anne Blech received her Bachelor of Arts and State Credentials from California Lutheran University. She taught for 26 years in Southern California and has been a part of the LCA team since 2021. In 2014, she received the Teaching Excellence Award from Alumni Awards Foundation. Mrs. Blech enjoys working with robotics and drama. Her goal is to help children draw closer to Jesus. She is the mother of 3 children. Her hobbies include sewing, baking, hiking, paddle boarding, and spending time with her family.

Email: ablech@lakecityacademy.org

Anita Roberts

4th Grade

Anita Roberts graduated from Southwestern University in Keene, Texas, with a B.S. in Education and a minor in Music. She has taught in many diverse learning environments, throughout a range of grades, and in combination classrooms. She has also previously served as principal at two schools. Anita began teaching at LCA in 1997 and received the “Excellence of Teaching Award” in 2012.

Raised on a farm in Allegan, MI, Anita loved school. As an adult, she feels a great calling to be an educator, and desires to create positive school experiences where kids feel loved and accepted. She is committed to giving her best alongside her teammates at LCA. When she is not teaching, Anita enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, as well as gardening, kayaking, hiking, and motorcycle riding with her husband.

Email: aroberts@lakecityacademy.org

Website: www.teacheranita.com

Robin Brown

5th Grade

Robin grew up loving school and decided to become a teacher while teaching as a student-missionary in Micronesia for a year. Since then, she has taught every grade from 3rd – 10th grade. She especially enjoys teaching reading and writing.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Walla Walla University, with minors in English and Bible. Robin went on to get her master’s degree in reading education from Andrews University and an endorsement in administration from Walla Walla.

Robin still loves learning, but when she is not at school, she loves spending time with her family or curled up with a good book. Her husband is a pastor and she loves traveling with him when he preaches. Robin and her husband have raised two children: their son is an engineer and daughter is working on her masters in social work. Robin’s happy place is camping and kayaking with her husband.

Email: rbrown@lakecityacademy.org

Amanda Macumber

6th grade

Amanda Macumber teaches sixth grade at Lake City Academy, where she can usually be found trying to convince children that research writing is fun, or searching for a marker she was definitely holding thirty seconds ago.

She has spent nearly a decade in education, teaching everything from third-grade to high school math and science. Somewhere along the way, she earned a B.A. in History/Pre-law from Eastern Washington University and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Union College.

Outside of school, Amanda loves gardening, adventure travel, and reading aloud to anyone who will listen. She has strong opinions about school supplies, particularly wood casing Ticonderoga number 2 pencils.

amacumber@lakecityacademy.org

Kelli Freed

7th & 8th Grade

Kelli Freed is a graduate of Andrews University and has lived in Michigan for the majority of her life. During her time at Andrews University, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with minors in Math Education and Language Arts. While completing her degree, Kelli cultivated her love for math and discovered a passion for helping students experience those “aha” moments when concepts finally click.

Throughout her teaching career, she has had experience teaching students from first through eighth grade. One of her most meaningful teaching experiences was during her student missions year when she taught math and English in Puerto Rico.

Kelli realized her passion for teaching through working at summer camp and witnessing the joy that comes from showing young people the love their Creator has for them. She looks forward to helping her students gain a clearer picture of who Jesus is, find success academically, and thrive socially and emotionally.

In her free time, Kelli tries to get outside as much as possible, whether going on walks with her husband or trying to find the best location to watch the sunset. She also enjoys reading, drawing, and watercolor painting.

Katie Henneberg

Music Education

Katie Henneberg grew up in the Pacific Northwest and earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion in 2005. After moving back to the area with her husband in 2009, she has spent much of the past 17 years raising her family, serving in church ministry, and being involved in the LCA community.

Katie has helped for many years as a teacher’s aide in various LCA classrooms. She has also been the Music Coordinator and various children’s divisions leaders at the CDA Adventist Church for the past 15 years. She loves encouraging students to find joy in music, grow in confidence, and discover the unique talents God has given them.

Outside of school and church, Katie enjoys playing music with her family, searching for thrifting treasures, family game nights, gardening and reading.

Email: khenneberg@lakecityacademy.org