Faculty & Staff
John M. Engelbrecht
Serving as Calvary Lutheran High School’s first Executive Director has been a true joy for Mr. John Engelbrecht. His many years of experience as a Lutheran administrator, educator, and guidance counselor have prepared him to lead Calvary Lutheran High School into the future.Mr. Engelbrecht was blessed with the opportunity to start West Michigan Lutheran High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2003. He served four years as administrator and teacher. Prior to this experience, he served nineteen years in many capacities at Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri. His first nine years were in elementary education serving at First Lutheran School, Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Immanuel Lutheran School, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Mr. Engelbrecht earned his B.S. from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, and his M.Ed in Guidance and Counseling from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri. His leadership skills have been honed through a long affiliation with Association for Lutheran Secondary Schools where Lutheran administrators teach and guide upcoming Lutheran administrators.
Erich Ahlers
Mr. Erich Ahlers was Calvary’s first Called Principal and teacher. In addition to serving as principal, he currently teaches Keyboarding/Introduction to Computer Applications, Web Design/ Desktop Publishing, Physical Education, Yearbook Design, and Digital Photography. He received his B.A. in Math Education from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, in 1998. Mr. Ahlers accomplished his Masters in Educational Administration from Concordia University, Austin, TX in 2006. He taught seven years at Lutheran High North in Houston, TX before accepting the call to serve as Teacher and Principal here at Calvary Lutheran High School.
Melisa Ahlers
Mrs. Melisa Ahlers teaches Choir. She completed her B.A. in Music Education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, in 1999. She taught high school choir and elementary band for four years at Lutheran High North in Houston, TX.
Denise Crider
Denise Crider currently teaches Civics, American Government, World History, Psychology/Economics, Career Exploration/Personal Finance, and Leadership/Service. Mrs. Crider also serves the students by assisting them through applying for scholarships and colleges. After receiving a B.A. in History from Northeast Missouri State University, she completed a teacher certification program at Lincoln University. She is certified in the following areas: English, Social Studies, Elementary Education, and Adult Education and Literacy. She has been teaching for fourteen years in the central Missouri area.
Dan Deardoff
Mr. Dan Deardoff not only teaches English and Writing, but also coaches the drama team. He completed his B.S. in Education from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, in 2005. Previous to teaching at Calvary he served, for one year, as the Graduate Support Director at King of Glory Lutheran School in St. Louis, MO. He also taught English for two years at St. Luke Lutheran School in Montgomery, Illinois.
Kevin Golden
Pastor Kevin Golden teaches Old Testament, New Testament, World Religions, and a Relationships class. He earned a B.A. in Antiquities and Religious Studies from Missouri State University in 1995. In 1999, he received the Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary-St. Louis and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Ph.D. program at Concordia Seminary-St. Louis. Pastor Golden also serves as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Holts Summit, Missouri.
William Hawley
Mr. William Hawley teaches Algebra I, II, Geometry, and Trigonometry/Math Analysis. He received an Associates Degree in education at State Fair Community College in 1978; a BS in education, math and science in 1980; a M.Ed degree in 1983 at Lincoln University and M.DA. at Lincoln University in 1992. Mr. Hawley has served Calvary for three years and has 16 years of teaching experience as well as 14 years serving as Assistant Principal in the Jefferson City Public School system.
David Jungmeyer
David Jungmeyer received has A.A. from St. Paul's College, Concordia, Missouri in 1968, and his B.S. in Education, Biology major, from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska in 1970. After teaching in Lutheran schools in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Hastings, Nebraska, and San Francisco, California, he and his wife, Beth, also a Seward grad, moved back to his home state of Missouri where he taught at California R-1 High School, California, Missouri, until his retirement in 2008. He received his MA in Science Education from Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville. Mr. Jungmeyer has served on many state-wide committees, has conducted workshops throughout the state and has taught at the collegiate level several summers at McMurray University, Abilene, Texas. Mr. Jungmeyer teaches New Testament, Biology, Science in Science Fiction, Anatomy/Physiology, and Earth Science. After 38 years of teaching David is happy to have made full circle teaching once again in the Lutheran system. He enjoys his students and his classes at Calvary.
Jeanne McCahon
Mrs. Jeanne McCahon is the Art Instructor at Calvary Lutheran High School. Mrs. McCahon has been selling art (oil, acrylic, china, glass, wood paintings) in stores and at fairs since she was 14. She studied China painting under local artist Kathleen Strupe and impressionism under local artist Terry Martin. She also does stage backdrop painting for Trinity Lutheran School and Concord Baptist Church. The McCahons have lived in Jefferson City since 1995. Mrs. McCahon has a two year degree in Business Administration from Baptist Bible College, and was a home school teacher for 11 years. She belongs to Concord Baptist Church.
Maritza Navarro
Mrs. Maritza Navarro teaches Spanish I and II. She received her Ph.D. in 1970 from La Universidad Centro Americana, Nicaragua. In 2003, she obtained her MA at the University of Missouri. Mrs. Navarro taught in a variety of Spanish positions to high school students located in Nicaragua. Before coming to Calvary, she taught adult and college positions in Missouri. Mrs. Navarro is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Spanish from University of Missouri, Columbia. She also teaches Spanish classes at Lincoln University.
Becky Engelbrecht
Mrs. Becky Engelbrecht joined Calvary Lutheran High School as the Administrative Assistant in July, 2007. Although her duties are numerous, she loves the day-to-day activities of the school. Serving the needs of Calvary’s students and administration puts all of her education and past experiences to good use!
Brett Knipp
Mr. Brett Knipp is currently the head coach of the boys' basketball team, after volunteering as assistant coach during the 2007-2008 season. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1996. After high school, he was given the opportunity to coach 7th & 8th grade girls' basketball before moving to Mitchell, South Dakota to pursue a diploma in Powerline Construction. Brett and his wife, Brenda, reside in Jefferson City and attend Faith Lutheran Church.
David Kolzow
Mr. David Kolzow currently coaches Calvary’s baseball team and the girl’s basketball team as well as serving as the Athletic Director. Coach Kolzow has 22 years of coaching experience which includes baseball, boys and girls basketball, cross country, and softball. He has led many teams to district and regional championships and has received numerous coach of the year honors.
Deven McDonald
Mr. Deven McDonald coaches the girls’ volleyball. He graduated in 2000 from University of Central Missouri with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Sociology. He has since been working in the finance industry (for Boone County National Bank, Jefferson Bank and now MECE Credit Union). Coach McDonald has been employed by MECE Credit Union since May, 2003.
