Faculty and Staff

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Alexus Allen

Director of Admissions, Director of Development, Events Coordinator, Registrar, Administrative Assistant

Alexus Allen

Director of Admissions, Director of Development, Events Coordinator, Registrar, Administrative Assistant

Alexus is an alumni of Mount Zion and graduated from University of New Hampshire at Manchester with a B.S. in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. She helped run MZCS’ open houses for many years before stepping in to the position of Director of Admissions. Her favorite thing about MZCS is the supportive community. Outside of school, you will find Alexus spending time with her family or her husband’s family, including her brother Jonathan (MZCS Class of 2021), or close friends.

Tim Allen

High School Math Teacher

Tim Allen

High School Math Teacher

Bio coming soon 🙂

Jill Argiro

Dean of Students, High School Team Leader

Jill Argiro

Dean of Students, High School Team Leader

Bio coming soon 🙂

Karla Biel

5th Grade Teacher, Middle School Team Leader

Karla Biel

5th Grade Teacher, Middle School Team Leader

Karla is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and a Masters of Science in Education for Hearing Impaired. She has been teaching in various grades from preschool through high school for over 20 years. One of her favorite parts of being at MZCS is seeing God work in and through the students, staff and commUNITY-”God is on the move!” In her free time you will find Karla running, relaxing by the water, or playing games with the family. Karla has been happily married to Kenneth since 1999 and they are proud parents of 2 sets of twins; Kaden & Kirsten (graduated high school in 2021) and Abigail & Allison (class of 2024).

Kenny Biel

Technology Coordinator

Kenny Biel

Technology Coordinator

Bio coming soon 🙂

Nate Carminito

Board Member, Boys' Basketball Coach

Nate Carminito

Board Member, Boys' Basketball Coach

Bio coming soon 🙂

Laura Casoni

Guidance Counselor

Laura Casoni

Guidance Counselor

Laura Casoni received her B.S. in Counseling at Clarks Summit University. In December 2024, she is expected to complete her M.A. in Counseling. She worked in many school systems through the Scranton Counseling Center in Pennsylvania. She is here to support our teachers in creating a workable classroom environment, advocating for our students and parents, and implementing tools to help our students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Although she was born in Pennsylvania, Laura grew up in Connecticut near the ocean. Her husband brought their family of 5 back to his childhood neighborhood in Manchester, where they currently reside. When Laura isn’t at school, she goes on adventures with her three children and husband. She enjoys kayaking, paddleboarding, snowboarding, and seeking adventures. It is a pure delight for her to walk the halls at Mount Zion and see all the smiling faces.

Cheryl Casoni

Kindergarten Teacher

Cheryl Casoni

Kindergarten Teacher

Cheryl has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from
Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to coming to Mount
Zion she was a reading teacher for kindergarten through fifth
grade for six years. Her favorite thing about Mount Zion is
being able to integrate her faith into her teaching. She enjoys
spending time with her husband, Bob, five adult children,
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Outside
of work she enjoys kayaking, hiking, and biking with her
husband.

Matt Daniels

High School Bible Teacher, Health Teacher, High School Chaplain, Flag Football Coach

Matt Daniels

High School Bible Teacher, Health Teacher, High School Chaplain, Flag Football Coach

Matt is currently the pastor of Outreach and Discipleship at Londonderry Christian Church and was a full time youth pastor for over 15 years. His favorite thing about MZCS is helping high school students form a lifelong love of God and his word, and helping students begin to make their faith their own. Outside of work, you’ll find Matt spending time with his wife Shannon, daughter Izzy (MZCS class of 2034), or golfing with friends.

Allison Davis

3rd Grade Teacher

Allison Davis

3rd Grade Teacher

Allison has been a part of the MZCS family since 2023. She graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development, and is going into her second year of teaching. She taught preschool for a year before coming to MZCS where she is making the transition to teaching third grade. Allison goes to Trinity Baptist Church in Nashua, NH. She has volunteered teaching Sunday School for 1st/2nd grade and Preschool/PreK, as well as been a group leader during Vacation Bible School, she recently joined the worship team and loves serving the Lord in this way. Allison enjoys being by the water, going on drives (especially during fall foliage), listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends. Allison loves how supportive MZCS is and the close-knit commUNITY it has.

Gloriana Demers

Art Teacher, Girls' Basketball Coach

Gloriana Demers

Art Teacher, Girls' Basketball Coach

Gloriana, an alumna of Mount Zion, is passionate about all things art. Helping students think creatively while developing new interests and skills is what she looks forward to most as the art teacher. Her studies were in early childhood education before her focus changed to the arts where she then worked as a photographer. She has taught art to children as well as adults. She has published a few works including her children’s book The Way We Play and song “My Little Dipper”. Outside of work, you could easily catch her with a pencil, embroidery needle, camera, or book in her hands.

Lisa Duffy

1st Grade Teacher, Title 1 Coordinator

Lisa Duffy

1st Grade Teacher, Title 1 Coordinator

Mrs. Duffy holds a BA in Psychology, a JD, and an M.Ed in Early Childhood Education. She has taught preschool through high school, and loves being part of the collaborative and supportive MZCS community. Spending time with her husband, family, and Jesus brings her joy outside of school.

Taylor Frances

Finance

Taylor Frances

Finance

Bio coming soon 🙂

Andrea Hamlin

Head of Schools

Andrea Hamlin

Head of Schools

Andrea has been with MZCS since 2017, educating since 2008, and is thrilled to be supporting students, parents, and staff through her current role as Head of Schools. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Special Education. A transplant to NH from PA, she loves being by the water and spending time with her husband and children (MZCS graduating Classes 2028 and 2030). Andrea finds joy in the close-knit community at MZCS and is thankful to have found a school where her children can be so lovingly challenged and nurtured.

Dave Harrison

Middle School Bible Teacher, Elementary and Middle School Chaplain

Dave Harrison

Middle School Bible Teacher, Elementary and Middle School Chaplain

Bio coming soon 🙂

Terri Johnson

2nd Grade Teacher

Terri Johnson

2nd Grade Teacher

Terri Johnson joined MZCS in fall of 2024! Terri is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and then later, from Oklahoma State University with a masters degree in Special Education, teaching pre-k through 5th graders. As an educator, she enjoys making teaching fun and connecting with her students-if they know we care, they want to learn. Terri attended a Christian school growing up and she knows first-hand the life-changing impact that teachers who love Jesus can have on young lives. This is one reason she is so excited and truly grateful to be able to teach at Mount Zion-She loves Jesus and wants to teach children about Him while educating them in other areas. Terri has been married for 30 years to her sweet husband, Jerry and they are parents to Matt and Megan (and son-in-law Josh). She attends Crossway Christian Church in Nashua and teaches K-2nd graders with Jerry during children’s church there. She enjoys sight-seeing beautiful New England with her family, kayaking with their son and taking pictures.

Kelsey LaBelle

Events Coordinator, CommUNITY Coordinator, Executive Assistant

Kelsey LaBelle

Events Coordinator, CommUNITY Coordinator, Executive Assistant

Joining Mount Zion during the 2024/2025 school year, Kelsey brings an extensive background in vocational ministry specifically in the areas of worship, creative arts, youth, and children’s ministries. Drawing from her experience as a student in private Christian education, Kelsey deeply values the mentorship and spiritual investment she received during her academic years, and she is excited to contribute to the community here at Mount Zion.

Kelsey is passionate about creating moments for people to connect with God and each other through events of all sizes within faith-based communities and the professional marketplace. She and her husband currently serve in worship and production ministries around New England and beyond.

In addition to her love for ministry, Kelsey is a licensed professional makeup artist with a joy for working with brides on their wedding days, helping them look and feel their best. She enjoys traveling with her husband, watching sunsets, attending concerts, and exploring new culinary experiences – likely with coffee in hand.

Becky Masterson

Middle School Math Teacher

Becky Masterson

Middle School Math Teacher

Becky graduated from Hofstra University with a MsEd in Secondary Math Education. She has experience teaching high school math and also has worked in church finances. Becky is excited to be working with middle schoolers and sharing her love of numbers, games, and Jesus with her students. A CT native, she enjoys trying new restaurants with her husband Mike, exploring NH through letterboxing, reading, and spending quality time with friends. She has 3 children who will graduate in 2034, 2036 and 2037.

Dave McDonald

Board Vice-Chair

Dave McDonald

Board Vice-Chair

Bio coming soon 🙂

Jim McKearin

High School Science Teacher

Jim McKearin

High School Science Teacher

Bio coming soon 🙂

Dale Niemi

P.E. Teacher

Dale Niemi

P.E. Teacher

Dale is returning to Mount Zion after a 2 year hiatus. Dale spent 9 years coaching students into a healthier lifestyle in our afterschool fitness program. Dale’s favorite Mount Zion memories are racing alongside students in their first 5k, obstacle course, and triathlons. When not training for his next race, Dale enjoys hanging with his wife of 30 years, Pam and daughter Allison.

Beth Papia

Middle School Humanities Teacher

Beth Papia

Middle School Humanities Teacher

Beth graduated from Gordon College with a B.S. in Elementary Education and has been a part of Christian Education for over 30 years. She loves the enthusiasm for learning and the Lord here at MZCS. Worshiping the Lord in song and on the piano is a favorite pastime as well as cheering for the Patriots. Married to Larrie for 40 years, they enjoy, most of all, spending time with their 2 children and their spouses and 8 grandchildren.

Lauren Picardi

4th Grade Teacher, Primary/Elementary Team Leader

Lauren Picardi

4th Grade Teacher, Primary/Elementary Team Leader

Bio coming soon!

Julia Sanders

High School Math Teacher

Julia Sanders

High School Math Teacher

Julia Sanders has been teaching high school mathematics since
2009 and has a Masters degree in Mathematics Education from
Rivier University. She loves the joy of seeing students at
MZCS connect with their peers, teachers, and God. Outside of
school, she loves to garden, hike, go to the lake or beach, and
spend time with her husband and two kids. Having grown up
living in different countries throughout her childhood, she also
enjoys traveling and learning about different cultures.

Maurice Simard

Board Member

Maurice Simard

Board Member

Bio coming soon 🙂

Briana Simoneau

Librarian, Social Media Coordinator, Teaching for Transformation Mentor

Briana Simoneau

Librarian, Social Media Coordinator, Teaching for Transformation Mentor

Mrs. Simoneau has a bachelor’s degree in child development with a focus in education from the University of New Hampshire. Her favorite thing about MZCS is watching her students worship, pray, and grow closer to Christ. She loves spending time with her family at the beach and taking trips to Disney.

Bethany Specht

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Bethany Specht

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Bio coming soon 🙂

Olivia Stedman

Middle School Science and Technology Teacher

Olivia Stedman

Middle School Science and Technology Teacher

Bio coming soon 🙂

Kristen Stuart

Board Secretary

Kristen Stuart

Board Secretary

Kristen has a BA in Hebrew and English and an M.ed in Secondary Education. She has been working in education for almost 30 years–first in the classroom, then in administration, and finally on the board. Her heart is for students, growth, and Jesus, and Mount Zion is a special place where those three things come together. She loves to read and spend time with family and friends, especially near the ocean.

Jess Therrien

Office Co-Manager

Jess Therrien

Office Co-Manager

Jess is a graduate of Lincoln Christian University. She graduated with a degree in Bi-vocational Missions and a TESOL Certification. She works alongside her husband, Marc, and in-laws for workcampNE. Jess started working in the MZCS office in 2019. There are many things she loves about MZCS, but one that really stands out is the teaching staff. Her three children, Judah, Ava, and Lydia, attend MZCS, and she is constantly amazed by how well the teachers love and care for them. She also loves how they challenge them academically while helping them grow in their love for God and people. Outside of school, you’ll find Jess being an all sports mom, and hanging with family and friends. She also enjoys playing volleyball, going to shows, and watching funny TV shows with her husband.

Marc Therrien

High School Worship Arts and Digital Media Teacher, Board Chair, Soccer Coach

Marc Therrien

High School Worship Arts and Digital Media Teacher, Board Chair, Soccer Coach

Marc works full time in ministry with the missions organization workcampNE. He’s also the Creative Arts Pastor at Londonderry Christian Church. Marc has been a worship leader for over 10 years and directs all of the media of wcNE; and he uses the skills and knowledge from making many mistakes in both to help guide the MZCS students in Worship Arts and Digital Media. Marc loves to play sports, music, be out in nature, go to concert date-nights with his wife, and coach his kids. His favorite thing about Mount Zion is the amazing groups of students he gets to interact with each year. Marc served nine years on the board at Mount Zion, his wife works in the office, and he also has three children in the school, Judah (class of 2029), Ava (class of 2032), and Lydia (class of 2034).

Ken Therrien

Facilities Manager, Athletic Director

Ken Therrien

Facilities Manager, Athletic Director

Ken continually looks forward
to his role as Facilities Manager. He has a B.S. in
Business and a M.Ed. in Education/Human Resource
Development, spending the better part of his career training
and developing leaders in the corporate setting. A native
Granite stater, he loves serving servants, serving Jesus! Ken is
married to Marcia with 2 adult/married children. His son, Marc
and daughter-in-law Jess are both MZCS staff and their 3
children attend MZCS (Graduating Classes 2028, 2031, 2033).
Ken serves as a director of workcampNE, a non-profit Christian
organization that seeks to grow students’ faith by connecting
service to families in the form of home repairs with the Gospel message.

Marcia Therrien

Office Co-Manager

Marcia Therrien

Office Co-Manager

Bio coming soon 🙂

Josh Trowsdale

High School Humanities Teacher

Josh Trowsdale

High School Humanities Teacher

Josh currently serves as Lead Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Hooksett in addition to his role here at Mount Zion. With a passion for teaching and discipleship, he is excited about impacting high schoolers by helping them see the hand of God in the world all around us.

After receiving a degree in Bible with an emphasis in Christian Education from Cedarville University, Josh returned to his New England roots and served for almost two decades on the Connecticut coast. There, he met and married his wife, Jenn, in 2001. She teaches 8th-12th grade science and math at a charter school here in Manchester and they are blessed with two wonderful teenage daughters, Emma and Evelyn. In his down time, Josh enjoys reading, movies, hiking, and his beloved Red Sox.

Sarah Truman

Music Teacher

Sarah Truman

Music Teacher

Sarah has an associates in communications, alongside over 15 years experience with music and worship teams! Music has always been her passion, but to connect with the next generations to come was the missing link in it all. Coming here to Mount Zion is a new, exciting step in her life. She looks forward to bringing the fire and excitement of musicalities expression to all that she teaches. Sarah and her husband Josiah have been married for 8 years, and have two daughters Elizabeth (Class of 2036) and Delilah (Class of 2038), whom will be beginning their Mount Zion journey this year!