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Board of Trustees Meetings

2024 Meetings

2025 Meetings

Meet our Board of Directors

Lisa Becker

I was born and raised in Elko and attended public school, from Grammar #2 through Elko High School. After graduation, I went on to Hillsdale College in Michigan where I experienced what a classical education can be. My desire to bring a new option to Elko for my kids and other children, was born of my own educational journey and my passion for understanding the educational landscape of Elko. As a founding board member of Nevada Classical Academy Elko, I look forward to continuing my commitment to our vision to bring a classical perspective to Elko as a governing board member.

Credentials:

Bachelors in Fine Art from Hillsdale College, Masters in Communications and Leadership from Gonzaga University, 18 years of experience in Community Relations and Communications. After a 15-year career in mining, I started my own consulting business in 2020.

Expertise:

Community Relations, Communications, Corporate Philanthropy, Non-Profit Board Experience.

Personal Passion:

As a fifth generation Nevadan, I am passionate about our community, this amazing place where I grew up. As a mother, I am passionate about my children’s education, and I want to have this educational option available for them. I am passionate about creating opportunities and building a brighter future for our youth.

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Joe de Braga

As a member of the Founding Board I have invested a lot to the successful startup of this school, and I would like to assist where I can in the transition from the Founding Board to the Governing Board. I feel strongly that parents should have options for the education of their children, and the option of a classical education model in our community is needed. I have spent over 30 years as an educator at all levels and feel that my experiences will help guide this school.

Credentials:

Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Health, PE, and I hold a Nevada License in teaching and school administration. I have worked as a teacher in grades 7-12 and as a site administrator in grades K-12. I worked as a District Office Director with duties of Curriculum, Instruction, Testing, Professional Development and Technology.

Expertise:

Curriculum, Instruction, Technology, Teacher and Administrator Mentoring, Scheduling, School Law, and School Budgeting

Personal Passion:

Ranching, Roping, Flyfishing, Teaching and Grandchildren!

Additional information/experiences:

I am currently adjunct faculty at Great Basin College and a vendor for Nevada Gold Mines and Kinross Mining where I teach classes in Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point, and Project.

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Amy Nelson

When invited to attend a classical charter school in Idaho in early 2022, I fell in love with the classical model. Through the last 2.5 years dedicated to extensive research and completion of the charter application, I have been continuously inspired by the collaborative spirit of the founding board and the shared dedication we all have to the success of our school.

I am honored to serve on the NCAE Governing Board and deeply committed to its mission and vision. I believe that this approach cultivates the virtues, knowledge, and intellectual discipline necessary for students to become engaged and thoughtful citizens.

I see my role on the board as an opportunity to contribute to the success and sustainability of this unique institution. The governance of a charter school requires careful stewardship, ensuring that we balance our vision with financial responsibility, community engagement, and accountability to our students, parents, and educators.

Credentials:

I am eager to bring my 30+ years of K-12 public education experience to assist in this effort and to help maintain the standards of excellence that make NCAE a beacon of quality education in the community. Having graduated from Elko High School, then spending 10 years teaching in Washoe County, the next 17 years in Lander and Humboldt as a school principal at all levels and retiring as a district director, my passion and advocacy for quality education remains strong. I have two master’s degrees and have served on a plethora of local, regional and state boards.

Expertise:

I have experience in all facets of school administration, developing and executing strategic planning, mentoring school principals, distance, adult and correction education programming, and was the district MTSS Coordinator. My educational passion involves creating data-informed systems of support and engaging in continuous progress monitoring that address systematic barriers and improve conditions for both students and educators.

Personal Passion:

My personal passion seems to gravitate toward helping those who are less fortunate, a cause that has profoundly shaped my personal and professional life. From a young age, I have been moved by the struggles of individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Whether it is economic hardship, lack of access to basic necessities, or challenges in education, I have always believed that it is our responsibility as a society to extend a helping hand to those in need.

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Kim Paris

With a passion for innovative educational models and over two decades of classroom experience, Kim Paris is excited to help shape Nevada Classical Academy Elko (NCAE) as a member of its founding board. Having been instrumental in launching a successful local charter school, she understands the complexities of establishing a high-quality educational institution. Her background in diverse teaching environments and expertise in gifted education bring valuable insight to the board. Kim is committed to fostering an academically rigorous, character-focused school that will serve Elko’s families and inspire students to achieve their full potential.

Credentials:

Nevada Department of Education Teaching Certificate (1984 - 2024)

Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education

Master of Arts: Educational Psychology, Gifted Education

Expertise:    

Elko County Classroom teacher - 20 years, Elko County Gifted & Talented Coordinator - 5 years, Master of Arts - Educational Psychology/ Gifted & Talented, Founding member of Elko Institute for Academic Achievement (EIAA) Charter School, Paris Academy (Preschool/Homeschool for Gifted Students)

Personal Passion:

Within the field of education, I am passionate about the social, emotional and academic achievement of those students who exhibit above average abilities.  I believe, also, that exposing all students to high quality curriculum and teaching methods enables every child a way to access untapped strengths and abilities.

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Dorothy Steninger

I think the public education system is failing our children. As part of the Nevada Lands Council (NLC) team, we decided to launch an effort to bring a Hillsdale affiliated school to Elko. We recruited a like-minded group of local citizens and began the process in the Spring of 2022. All the other members of the NLC have dropped off from the Founding effort and I would like to continue to see that school to fruition. I want to offer our children a curriculum that encourages academic excellence, civic responsibility and virtuous personal development.

Credentials:

I have a B.S. Degree in Nursing from the University of Nevada – Reno. I began my career at Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and after a year worked in the out-patient medical clinic at New York Hospital. I returned to Reno and began a new path in neurosurgical nursing. I earned my CNRN, presented at the American Neurosurgical Nursing convention in Boston and was published in the Journal of Neurosurgical Nursing in February of 1983. I moved to Elko in 1981 and decided to try something different. I founded and operated Machi’s Cafe until 1999, when I sold the business to the current owner. I also bought and operated O’Carroll’s restaurant in Lamoille until selling it to the current owner. I currently own Steninger Ranching with my husband.

Expertise:

Founding, owning and operating restaurants with full bars takes a tremendous amount of leadership and organizational skills. Especially O’Carroll’s, which I operated under the name Bitter End Tavern, that served three meals a day, seven days a week – all with an open bar. At the ranch, which we purchased in 2001, I pioneered a new business model of selling beef directly from the ranch to the individual customer: Hoof to Home and Beef for the Freezer. A model that is much more common today.

Personal Passion:

The NLC Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to “Save the West.” Although our main focus is to transfer public lands to local control, we decided in 2022 that the political climate did not support that goal. We concluded that we would expand our vision and what better way to “Save the West” than to properly educate our children.

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Hank Thurston

I've seen the benefits of a classical education, and the failing of primary and secondary education manifested at the collegiate level. I believe bringing more educational opportunities to the marketplace is a benefit in general, and of particular value to the Elko County community which currently lacks many educational options for students and parents.

Credentials:

BSCE, BS Physics, MS Physics, PhD Computational Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, PhD Physics. Two years as Lecturer in Physics at Hillsdale College. Chief Investment Officer of Trinary Capital, Chief Executive Officer of Thurston Laboratories, LLC, Founder and CEO of Anthracene Softworks, LLC.

Expertise:

Quantitative risk management and mitigation, project planning and management

Firearms, Classic Cars, Physical Fitness

4 years in USMC infantry; Conducted research at Los Alamos National Laboratory; currently conducts research in collaboration with US Army Research Lab and US Air Force Research Lab.

Additional Information & Experiences:

Dr. Hank Thurston is a decorated Marine Corps Veteran who served multiple deployments in the Global War on Terror. He fulfilled a number of roles, including company intelligence chief, company training NCO, and machine gunner attached to a scout sniper team. Following his service, he attended Gonzaga University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning degrees in Civil Engineering and Physics. He continued his education at Michigan State University earning two PhDs in physics and computational mathematics, science and engineering.

Dr. Thurston was hired as a lecturer at Hillsdale College, a position he held for two years before deciding to return to Elko. He owns and operates several business including Thurston Laboratories, Anthracene Softworks, and Trinary Capital. He is involved in several community and service organizations. He is excited to bring a classical educational alternative to Elko County and looks forward to watching NCAE grow in its service to the community.

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Fernando Vargas

With over 35 years of leadership experience in youth development, Fernando Vargas brings a wealth of expertise to the founding board of Nevada Classical Academy Elko.

Credentials:

Bachelor of Science from the University of Louisiana - Lafayette and studies at both Louisiana State University and UC Berkeley

Expertise:    

Fernando has served in key roles across multiple Boys & Girls Club branches, including as Chief Professional Officer for Elko, Cache Valley, and Lake Tahoe, and as Director in San Antonio, Oakland, and Maryland. His extensive background in managing and expanding youth programs highlights his commitment to community impact and his understanding of the needs of children and families.

Personal Passion:

He is a proud father and grandfather, describing his family as his driving force. Fernando is dedicated to bringing his lifelong commitment to youth and education to Nevada Classical Academy Elko, where he aims to foster a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for students.

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