8th Grade

I am excited to begin my third year as the 8th grade English language arts teacher at Lincoln Academy! There is a wonderful community here, and I am glad to be a part of it.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have a deep love and appreciation for literature and writing, which I hope to enthusiastically instill in my students as well.

I spent most of my life in Michigan but have now lived in Colorado for the past three years, during which time I have enjoyed all the hiking, sunshine, and dogs! In my free time, I can usually be found reading fantasy novels, overanalyzing movies, attending concerts, spending time with my wife and friends, or playing some type of game (board, video, card, yard, or sport). Perhaps most importantly, I am proud to hold the official title of “Pickleball King” at Lincoln!

Hello, Lincoln Academy community! I am Heidi Rienstra and I am so excited to be back for my third-year teaching 8th grade science. With 16 years in education, I can confidently say that 8th grade is where curiosity really takes off. I earned a double Bachelor's degree in Biology and Secondary Education, along with a Master's in Integrative Biology from the University of Colorado Denver but more importantly, I love science because it is something we get to do. In our classroom you will see students actively exploring ideas, working collaboratively, asking big questions and figuring things out together. 

Outside of school, I am also a Lincoln parent of two, so this community means a lot to me. When I am not teaching, you are likely to find me spending time with my family, enjoying the outdoors, or cheering my kids on at their activities. 

I am looking forward to a year full of curiosity, teamwork and discovery!

I am very excited about teaching middle school math again at this wonderful Lincoln Academy. This is my 6th year to be a math teacher at Lincoln. I love how supportive and kind the community is at Lincoln. 

I was born and grew up in Japan. I moved to the United States to go to college.  I graduated from Western Wyoming Community College with AA and AS in 1999, and from University of Utah with BS in Secondary Math Education Major and Psychology minor in 2002.  I taught high school math in Wyoming for 4 years till I had my son.  Since my son started Lincoln Academy as a first grader, I have been volunteering in classrooms, and I fell in love with Lincoln Academy.  I have also been teaching Japanese language as a heritage language for the last 12 years on Saturdays.

I love doing puzzles, sewing, crocheting, knitting, baking, and gardening (but I do not like bugs). I enjoy spending time with my family and pet, such as camping and visiting new places.  One of these days I would love to go to Australia to hug a koala!

I cannot wait to have a lot of math talks with students this year!

Mr. Nishida is entering his 21th year at Lincoln Academy, and he is once again excited to be teaching technology to 7th and 8th graders and developing their communication skills through media. Mr. Nishida received his bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Colorado State University way back in 1987 and has over 13 years of experience in the IT industry. Mr. Nishida also holds a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University.

Mr. Nishida loves to play and watch sports, enjoys a delicious buffet and hot table up at hills, hiking, a quick 9 holes, a competitive pickleball game, but his passion is organizing fun events with his family and friends!

Emily Hall graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2003, and graduated in May 2008 from Colorado Christian University with a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design. This is Mrs. Hall’s 22nd year at Lincoln Academy and she is very excited to continue teaching History in the 7^th and 8^th grades. Mrs. Hall delights in traveling around the USA and the world. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two children. Mrs. Hall loves to read, attend musical theater, cook, and study history. She looks forward to sharing these passions with middle school this year.