8th Grade

I am excited to begin my second year as the 8th grade English language arts teacher at Lincoln Academy! I loved getting to know the Lincoln students, staff, and community last year and look forward to returning.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a younger person myself, I hope to enthusiastically instill the love and appreciation of literature and writing into my students.

I spent most of my life in Michigan but have now lived in Colorado for the past two 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, spending time with my wife (as of this summer!) and friends, or playing some type of game (board, video, card, yard, or sport). As of now, I am proud to hold the official title of “Pickleball King” at Lincoln!

I'm Heidi Rienstra and I’ve been teaching science for 15 years, primarily at the high school level. This is my second year teaching 8th-grade science at Lincoln Academy, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community—not only as a teacher but also as a parent of two Lincoln students.

I earned a double Bachelor's degree in Biology and Secondary Education and later completed my Master’s degree in Integrative Biology from the University of Colorado, Denver. I have a deep passion for teaching science and love helping students discover the excitement and wonder it has to offer. I look forward to another great year of learning and exploration with our 8th graders!

I am very excited about teaching middle school math again at this wonderful Lincoln Academy. This is my 5th year to be a math teacher at Lincon. I love how supportive and kind the community 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 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 11 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 20th 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, but his passion is spending time with his family and "close" friends, and will never pass up a game of Pickleball!

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.