Robin Abegg

Student Leadership

 

Robin was one of Excel’s founding team members back in 2003. Her own grown children are Excel alumni. She has been happily married to her husband Mike for almost 41 years and together they share 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Her favorite bible verse is Psalm 19:14. She enjoys spending time with family, reading and crossword puzzles. Robin has always loved Excel because of the students, and how Excel invested into the lives of her own children. You’ll often see her at our sporting events cheering on our Warriors!

Linda Brannon

Christian Studies (7th Grade)

 

Certifications/Licenses

  • Ordained minister

 

Linda has been working at Excel for over 10 years now, and is happy that 2 of her 4 grandchildren attend school here. She is passionate about Jesus and worship, and she attends Reno Assembly of God. Her favorite Bible passage is Ephesians 1:3-8. She has been happily married to her husband Michael for 43 years, and together they have 3 grown children. Linda enjoys reading, hiking, and golfing in her free time. Being at Excel allows her to fulfill God’s calling on her life through worship and teaching, and she loves being able to teach His Word to the students. It’s a blessing to see them grow in their faith and step into the call that God has for them.

Ruben Calderas

US History

 

Education

  • Fire Science
  • B.A. in Education (in process)

 

Certificates/Licenses

  • Licensed Minister (Trinity Bible College)

 

Ruben, a father of three, has over 10 years of experience in youth ministry and served as a youth pastor through the Assembly of God. He is currently in his 5th year at Excel, and when he’s not teaching he enjoys the outdoors and coaching & playing baseball. His favorite bible verse is Philippians 1:6, and his favorite thing about Excel is the staff and the amazing students.

Taylor Cox

Christian Studies, Physical Science, and Life Science

 

Education

  • B.A. in Criminal Justice
  • B.A. in Psychology

 

Certificates/Licenses

  • Association of Christian School International Teacher Certification Qualified

 

This is Taylor’s second year with us at Excel! She has 6 years of substitute teaching experience in the school district and 3 years as a Teaching Assistant. She also worked in the Records Department at UNR’s Police Department for three years. Taylor enjoys singing on her church’s worship team, cooking, reading, outdoor activities and coaching cheerleading. She has coached for a total of 4 years and this is her second year coaching at Excel. She has a passion for young people and learning, but more importantly, she has a passion for sharing God with them!

Jackie Denson

English, Life Skills and Forensics

Education

  • A.A. English and Criminal Justice
  • B.A. Criminal Justice with a minor in English
  • M.A. in Secondary Education

Certificates/Licenses

  • Association of Christian Schools International Secondary Teacher Certification in English

 

Jackie first came to Excel in 2013 as a mom enrolling her four boys, but it wasn’t long before we talked her into joining our staff. She recently received her Masters in Secondary Education but loves ingraining a criminal justice theme to all of the classes she teaches. She loves teaching at Excel because we are like a family here, and it’s a place where she can bring God freely into any conversation in any class. Last year, she and her husband Jeff celebrated their 25th anniversary in Hawaii, and were later blessed with another grandson. Calvary Chapel in Reno is where she and her husband attend church. Favorite Bible verses: Romans 12: 6-13 and Matthew 5:16.

Juliana Fehr

Middle School Math, Pre-Algebra, & STEM Robotics

Education

  • B.S. Elementary and Special Education
  • Trained in Robotics by RAN, the Robotics Academy of Nevada

Certificates/Licenses

  • Nevada State Teacher License Qualified
  • Association of Christian Schools International Elementary Teacher Certification

 

Juliana Fehr is an Excel Christian School alumnus, and after graduating from UNR, she returned to teach for us. She has been teaching here since 2013. She has two cats that are named Gnome and Wade. Juliana attends Living Waters Christian Fellowship and her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 139:13-18. When asked what she loved about working at Excel, Juliana stated, “Friendly staff.”

Lauren Forbus

Learning Lab

Education

  • B.A. Elementary Education
  • M.S. Special Education

Certificates/Licenses

  • Nevada State Teaching License
  • Association of Christian Schools International Teacher Certification Qualified

 

Lauren Forbus, Special Education Department Director, holds a Masters of Education with a specialization in Special Education. Raised in Reno/Sparks, she’s a devoted member of Summit Church. Beyond academia, Lauren cherishes moments with her two dogs, Daisy and Harley. Her passion lies in tailoring education to align with each student’s unique cognitive processes, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

David Hayes

Middle School Art & After School Band

 

Certificates/Licenses

  • Association of Christian Schools International Waiver to Teach in the Arts Department

 

David has been a part-time employee at Excel for over 15 years. He’s part-time because he’s a working entertainer with decades of stage experience. He is also an accomplished visual artist and local painting instructor. David has been happily married to his wife Karen for 34 years, and together they have two grown children. He attends Outlook Christian Church and his favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13. When David isn’t on a stage or at school, he enjoys busking (street entertaining) and bringing joy and happiness to people. He is a variety musician who plays the alto saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, trombone, piano, drums, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Why he is at Excel: “I love inspiring and motivating the young people to find their talents and develop them!”

Bobby Hunter

Middle School Basketball Skills

 

Education

  • A.A. Arts & Science
  • B.A. Communications & Sociology

Certificates/Licenses

  • Association of Christian Schools International Athletic Director Certification

 

This is Bobby’s second year at Excel. He was formerly a Personal trainer/JAG instructor for the Washoe County School District. He also started his own basketball program, More to the Game, and has run basketball skills camps in various parts of the west. Bobby played college basketball for Illinois State and was part of the NAIA D2 National Champion team. He has a giant ring to prove it! His favorite Bible verse is Matthew 19:26 and he and his family are currently looking for a church home. Bobby and his wife Allison have been happily married for 7 years. He enjoys spending time with their daughter Nye who is in the PreK program at Excel, and he also enjoys hiking. Why does he like Excel? He loves the family environment, and looks forward to building a strong athletic program.

Mark Humes

PE, Pickle Ball & Tennis

 

Education

  • B.S Education

Certificates/Licenses

  • Nevada State Teacher License
  • Association of Christian Schools International All-Levels Physical Education certified
  • U.S.P.T.A Tennis Teaching Certification

 

Mark has been a P.E. teacher at Excel since 2012, and has over 30 years of teaching experience.  Mark attends Grace Church and his favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. He enjoys exercising at the gym, hiking and playing drums for the Celebrate Recovery Worship team at Summit Christian Church. Why does Mark love working at Excel? “I love teaching the students about the Lord and praying with them. I love our staff and administration; they are always so helpful. Teaching physical education to our students and helping them to understand how to keep their bodies healthy is one of my passions.”

Harley Jameson

Philosophy

 

This is Harley’s first year teaching at Excel Christian School. Harley is coming from The Ambrose School in Boise, ID, and is excited to continue her career in Christian Education. She was born and raised in northern Idaho and graduated from Boise State University with two Bachelor’s Degrees in 2020. Harley recently married her husband, Evan, who moved to Reno two years ago to help plant Resonate Church. Harley’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:18 and her favorite book in the Bible is Proverbs. Harley enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Nette Yamada

Holy Yoga

 

Certificates/Licenses

  • 200hr yoga certification
  • Holy Yoga Global
  • 300hr Holy Yoga Masters Certification
  • Holy Yoga Therapy 300hr certification
  • Holy Yoga Yin 100hr certification

 

Nette is a Holy Yoga certified instructor who offers Holy Yoga as an expression of worship and embodied faith. Nette believes that through learning to steward our minds, deepening concentration and focus on the word, and strengthening our bodies through movement, we are better able to make the 12 inch journey from head knowledge to an integrated whole body faith. Nette’s desire at Excel is to offer students wellness tools and spiritual disciplines that can help them navigate the growing pressures teens encounter in their daily lives.