One main distinguishing feature at Faith Lutheran is the faculty! Just over 200 individuals make up our faculty and staff and each year new teachers join in. This year we welcomed thirteen new members that first and foremost love Jesus, love teaching, and love helping students grow.
New Teachers 2021
Karyl Ann Davis, Ed.D
Karyl Davis, here. I am a pastor's wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 8 and owner of 1 moyen poodle named MillieBelle who will have golden doodle pups, soon! I am excited to teach English 8 this year--right back where I started my teaching career! I was born on Leap Year's Day, attended Cal Baptist University, and did my grad work at Grand Canyon University. I helped plant a church in New England while online college-level teaching for 7 years, mostly at Concordia Lutheran University, Portland; where I taught in their M.Ed program--and I taught online English this summer at Southern California Seminary. I have a LOT of favorite Bible verses, but most recently impactful is Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication make your requests known, with thanksgiving; and the peace that passes understanding will reign and rule in your hearts in Christ Jesus." I love people!
Nolan Kohorst
Hello my name is Nolan Kohorst. I am a sixth grade math, science and social studies teacher at Faith Lutheran. I am married and we had our first little boy just under 9 months ago. I am born and raised here in Southern Nevada, attending UNLV on a football scholarship. My verse for the year comes from Psalm 91:11, "For He shall give charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
Talley Hanson
Hi there! My name is Talley Hanson and I am brand new to Las Vegas, previously from the St. Louis, MO area. I came here with my husband, two adventure dogs, and baby on the way! I have been teaching for the past 5 years with my degree from Johnson University. I am ecstatic to teach 6th Science and Social Studies this year. I love traveling, the outdoors, and seeing the creation I get to teach about. National parks are my kind of vacation. Lastly, I'm encouraged daily about what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:9, "His grace is enough for me, therefore I will boast all the more of my weaknesses. For when I am weak I am strong." Excited to meet the families of Faith!
Jodi Snodgrass
My name is Jodi Snodgrass. My family and I recently moved to Las Vegas (Yes, we drove across the entire country and stopped at all of the tremendous national parks) and we are excited to be a part of Faith Lutheran MS and HS. Although I am new here I have been teaching for 12 years in many different subject matters. I graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with bachelor's degree in Business and Spanish. I later obtained my teaching certification through the University of West Florida and most recently obtained my Nevada licensure. I am thrilled to be the MS yearbook advisor and excited to share my passion for literature and writing with my English 8 classes. I strive daily to grow in my knowledge and understanding of who God is, surround myself with wise Biblical role models, devote myself to prayer, and love others well. I am encouraged daily by Phil 4:13, "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength."
Cayla Nikodemus
Hello my name is Cayla Nikodemus and I will be teaching Biology, Ecology, and Cheer P.E. this coming year. I am a Faith Lutheran alum who graduated in 2015 and am still with my boyfriend who I met at Faith our freshman year of high school. I received a track and field scholarship and attended Louisiana State University for one year before I transferred and finished out my athletic career at Auburn University. I am currently getting my master's degree through UNLV. I absolutely love scuba diving and have dove in Hawaii, the Bahamas, Florida, and the Shark Reef Aquarium inside of Mandalay Bay. My favorite bible verse is Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Let's have a fantastic year!
Denisse Greminger
Hello, my name is Denisse Greminger, I will be teaching French I this year. I went to the College of William and Mary in Virginia and I have a Degree in Business and a Minor in French. I am Swiss Bolivian and I moved to Las Vegas 6 years ago with my family. My favorite Bible Verse is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Katherine Heath
Hi my name is Katherine Heath, and I'm originally from Memphis, TN. My husband, Josh, and I moved here almost 2 years ago. I attended undergrad at Mississippi College, have been working on my Masters degree at Sierra Nevada University, and will teach Spanish 1 and 2 this year! A few fun facts are that I'm a triplet and have traveled to 4 continents. I'm looking forward to teaching your students this year and hope to make learning Spanish a fun and memorable experience for them!
Mary Penny
My name is Mary Penny and I'm very excited to be joining the Faith Lutheran team this year. I have spent the last eight years overseas in China and Qatar teaching math, science, and robotics. After being in China for almost two years I decided to head back to the U.S. with my cat Cali the Calico to be near family. I graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology; I also have a Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix. I love to travel and have been able to visit five of the seven continents. One of my favorite Bible verses comes from Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do and He will establish your plans."
Austin Beckman
Hi, my name is Austin Beckman! I am happy to be back at Faith after beginning my teaching career here back in 2011. I have spent the past six years teaching in elementary school and in middle school, primarily in CCSD. I am teaching 6th Grade English and Theology, and I also am coaching football as well. My wife, Nichole, and I have two boys. My step-son, Travis, is a high school student here at Faith, and my son Bradley is seven-months old and getting bigger by the minute! I went to Concordia Nebraska for my undergraduate degree in Secondary Education, and I studied at UNLV for my masters degree in Educational Psychology. I love spending time with my family, watching sports, staying active, reading books, and music. I love working with kids for a living and am thankful for the opportunity that I have to share my faith with them on a daily basis. My favorite Bible verse is John 16:33, "I have said these things to you that in me, you may have peace...In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world."
Cameron Pullmann
Hello my name is Cameron Pullmann. I am married to a wonderful woman, Terra, and we have the most beautiful daughter, Arwyn. I graduated from Concordia University Irvine, spent the last ten years as a Director of Christian Education in Rogers Arkansas, and will be teaching 7th & 8th grade Theology here at Faith Lutheran. I love to spend time in my home state of Montana fly fishing and exploring. One of my favorite verses is my confirmation verse, Psalm 23:4, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Shawn Paquette
Hello my name is Shawn Paquette, I have recently retired as a Principal with CCSD. I have two wonderful children. Conner is a Faith Faithful and graduated this year and will attend the University of Arizona to study Business and Entrepreneurship. Taylor is beginning eighth grade and participates in cheerleading. We have three dogs, Ally, Bruin, and Rebel, two cats; Zach and Cody, and a Butterscotch our rabbit. I earned a Bachelors of Science and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from UNLV. I worked in CCSD for 28 years and have taught multiple grades/subjects in elementary and middle school and served as a school administrator for 20 years. I am excited to get back in the classroom to teach 6th grade. One of my favorite quotes is, "Make it a great day, or not, the choice is yours!"
Krista Mollak
Hello, my name is Krista Mollak. My husband Tommy, aussie doodle Wesley, and I moved from Omaha, Nebraska. I went to college at Concordia University, Nebraska. This year I will be teaching in the Mark 10:14 program as a high school teacher. I love to travel and experience new places and cultures. I have traveled all over the world: Mexico, Haiti, China, Israel, and Palestine. I love to hike and go kayaking. I hope to visit every national park.
September Wilson
Aloha! My name is September Wilson and I will be teaching 6th grade Life Science and Social Studies and coaching high school volleyball. I grew up along the coast of southern & Baja California. I was a student athlete in college and played volleyball at Weber State & Cal State Bakersfield. My husband and two daughters enjoy boating on Lake Mead. I have been a teaching & coaching in Las Vegas for 20 years. During Covid we raised 13 chickens and planted a giant vegetable garden. My favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." "HARMONY"
Herbie Walker
Hi, my name is Herbie Walker, and I am originally from the Maryland/DC area, where my parents immigrated after moving to America from Haiti. I am a first-generation American and was the first in my family to attend and graduate college. I attended the University of Maryland College Park for my undergrad and later received graduate degrees from UNLV & UCLA. I am joining the Faith Lutheran family as the Director of School Climate and College Counseling. I love cycling, mountain biking, and watching movies of all genres. Fun Fact about me is that I unintentionally completed a half-marathon after finishing a Tough Mudder race, and I don't particularly appreciate running. This was over 6 years ago, and I haven't run since. I look forward to working with the Faith community this upcoming school year and getting to know your seniors, especially in their college application journey.
