Christian Life Academy staff

Mrs. Bachman, 2nd/3rd Grade

Mrs. Bowman, K/1st Grade, Primary Grades Coordinator

Mrs. Espenschied, Student Support

Mrs. Gibson, 3rd/4th Grade

Mrs. Gillis, Middle School

Mrs. Gillis graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2005. She have been teaching since then, including teaching experience in Bloomington for 2 years, Missouri for 9 years (8 of those years being a classical christian schools), and the rest of her teaching career has been spent here at CLA.

Mrs. Golden, PreK and after school care

Mrs. Hillrich, High School English

Miss Hopkins, Reading Intervention

Miss Hopkins has received two undergrad degrees in home economics education and elementary teaching in addition to a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from ISU. She also holds a reading certification through Olivet University.

After teaching in Ecuador for 10 years and then two years in Texas, Miss Hopkins returned home to Illinois and has been at CLA since 2010.

Mr. Horning, Principal, PE

Born in Pennsylvania, Mr. Horning holds a Bachelor’s degree in math education and is an avid Penn State football and Philadelphia sports fan. He enjoys the way that sports helps us to see God's truth (and our humanity).

Mr. Horning and his wife Lori live in Delavan and have three children, all of whom attended CLA for the majority of their grade school years.

His life scripture passage is from Titus 2:7-8 as he desires to be a Godly example to our CLA community. Although hopelessly disorganized, he is grateful that God has placed a wonderful staff around him at CLA - as we all cover for one another's weaknesses.

Mrs. Long, After School Care

Mrs. Pam Opperman, MS Spanish

Mrs. Stribling, High School Coordinator

Mrs. Stribling has a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Kentucky Christian University. She has been at CLA since 2010 and has over 20 years of teaching experience. She’s the chaos coordinator for the Stribling house, which involves the living the dream as a chef, taxi driver, technology manager, and emotional support human to the 3 cats and 1 dog that reside with her husband and children. #bringmeallthecoffee

Mr. Stribling, MS/HS Bible

Mrs. Travis, High School Math/STEM

Mrs. Travis has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Illinois State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University. She spent 5 years working for Caterpillar Inc as a test engineer before stepping back to raise her two boys. While home, Mrs. Travis enjoyed some geek time and excellent coffee in part-time roles as a lab technician for Precision Planting and as a barista for Eli's Coffee Shop. Mrs. Travis began teaching at CLA in 2021.

Mrs. Westley, Office Manager

Mrs. Young, Middle School Coordinator

Mrs.Young has been at CLA for 7 years and has 11 years of teaching experience. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from ISU with endorsements in Mathematics, Science and Social Science. A fun fact about Mrs.Young is that she spent 6 months in college with missionaries in Tanzania.