Meet The Newest Additions to our MS/HS Faculty & Staff
We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals to our faculty & staff this year, each bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for Christian education. These talented educators will join us in equipping students not only with knowledge and skills to excel academically, but also with the firm foundation in understanding who God created them to be.
Middle School Science and Math, Makenzie Plaisance
Makenzie is new to Utah and will also be new to the ICS community for the 25-26 school year! When she started her job search, she asked God to direct her steps, and that her placement would fill a purpose to which God had called her. The Lord gently opened the door for her to apply at ICS, and after having the opportunity to share her testimony and learn more about ICS’ biblical foundation and values, she was confident ICS was the right fit for her!
Makenzie will bring her faith into work by leading through a biblical example. She understands that teaching students the Lord’s character and heart is very important, but perhaps more so is modeling that personally. Makenzie aims to interact with students, parents and coworkers by speaking with life, love, understanding and truth. Every interaction is an opportunity to be a reflection of the Lord’s work in her life!
Makenzie joins ICS as the middle school science and 7th grade math teacher. She also teaches 6th grade Bible. She looks forward to getting to know her students and hearing from them about their lives! Makenzie loves spending time with her nieces and her family. She enjoys hiking, camping, running and never forgets to bring a book with her on her adventures!
Middle School Math and History, Hadley Anderson
Hadley Anderson joins the Middle School faculty teaching 6th and 8th grade math, as well as 6th and 7th grade social studies. She is also the 7th grade Bible teacher. When looking for a teaching position, it was the genuine nature of the ICS staff, and the attitude of wanting what’s best for the students that ultimately drew her in.
When considering how she will bring her faith into the classroom, Hadley hopes that every interaction with a student would stem from a love for God and his people. She strives to live and work in a way that recognizes and respects the dignity of each and every student as one of God’s beloved children. Her faithful approach will set the tone for her classroom.
What excites Hadley about coming to work everyday is the opportunity to cultivate meaningful experiences for her students. She knows that middle school is a very formative time and counts it both a challenge and a blessing to have influence in helping them become who God calls them to be.
Hadley loves spending time with friends outside of work. She enjoys gardening, finding new coffee shops, as well as spending time outdoors hiking, skiing, swimming and biking.
8th Grade Bible Teacher, Andrew Strang
Andrew Strang is the youth and worship minister at EVFree Church in Salt Lake City. This year, he will take on the role of 8th grade Bible teacher at ICS. He started this role during the 2024-2025 school year, and looks forward to starting the new school year in this position.
Andrew prays before and during each class for opportunities to see what God has done and for truth to be revealed to his students. He welcomes questions, and anticipates students grasping gospel truths each day. Being able to teach the Bible to these young minds excites Andrew and motivates him to bring his best efforts to work everyday.
Andrew celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary this summer, and looks forward to welcoming his 4th child soon!
Elementary and Middle School Music Teacher, Anna Brewer
Anna Brewer has a love for music and looks forward to bringing her expertise and interest in the subject to ICS as the elementary and middle school music teacher. Christ is the focal point of all of her decisions and actions.
Anna was working for former ICS music teacher Nathan Hope in Montana, who is now head of school at Manhattan Christian School. We were confident Anna would be a strong fit upon hearing Nathan’s strong recommendation.
Deciding to work at ICS and bring her love for the Lord and love for music together was seen as a God given opportunity. Anna says that the design and creativity of music is a beautiful testimony of God’s power and love.
Anna looks forward to teaching her students to explore God’s creation through the gift of song. She finds nothing more joyous than working together through music to praise the Lord.
When she’s not teaching students the fundamentals of music, Anna can be found with her husband and son. She enjoys trying new recipes, completing puzzles, or making music.
Middle and High School STEM, Joseph Dunbar
Joe Dunbar was looking to return to teaching in Christian education, after holding a job in the tech industry as a data scientist. The opportunity at ICS was a natural fit, and he looks forward to teaching middle and high school STEM classes.
Joe acknowledges his reliance on God for everything, and is grateful for the everyday sustenance he receives from Him. Joe plans on integrating his faith into this classroom through journal activities, Bible discussions, and showing that God is the giver of all things. His teaching style will look for bridges between theology and science, and show students that there’s more in common than what they might originally expect.
Joe enjoys helping people and making a difference in his work. He looks forward to sharing the skills and innate abilities that he has, and sees his job as a teacher as a way of passing the torch to the next generation.
When Joe is not teaching, he enjoys his role as father. His kids keep him busy with different activities including swimming and piano lessons.
High School Music Teacher, Shanna Hafemann
Shanna Hafemann is returning to ICS after taking some time away to adjust to life as a new mom. This will be her 4th year on staff at ICS. She looks forward to reentering her role as the High School Music Teacher.
When considering a return to ICS, Shanna looked forward to ICS' commitment to community. She states that Christians of all walks and denominations are “better when we’re together.” Coming together can refine one’s faith, and she is excited to be a part of intentional community building based on Christian faith.
Shanna will bring her faith into the classroom by helping her students slow down, be present in the moment, and not miss what God is doing right here, right now. Shanna sees God in the details, the everyday moments of life where He proves his love and faithfulness over and over again. She hopes to teach students to recognize the same, as she teaches music.
Shanna appreciates the relationships she gets to build both with her coworkers and students. This is what motivates her to come to work everyday!
In addition to music, Shanna enjoys camping, reading, organizing, and relaxing with friends and family.
Shanna is a part of Formation Church.
Guidance Counselor, Anna Johnson
Anna Johnson will be joining the ICS team as the guidance counselor. She merges her collegiate expertise with her faith and looks forward to directing students through academic and spiritual aspects of their becoming young adults. Anna has lived in the Salt Lake Valley for 20 years, and has always had proximity to ICS, relationally and geographically.
Anna considers it a huge blessing to be able to work at the same school where her daughters attend. She looks forward to working with like minded Christ following educators who genuinely care about the growth of each student. In her role, Anna reflects on 2 Thessalonians 3:5, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the perseverance of Christ.” She hopes to encourage the students to see God’s guidance in their lives, throughout every decision whether perceived as small or large. Through daily, consistent steps of faithfulness and obedience, Anna desires that students bind their lives in Christ and come to trust his faithfulness.
Anna anticipates seeing the spark of joy and enthusiasm from the students when she’s helping them discover their God given gifts and talents and how they will utilize them throughout their lives.
Anna enjoys reading, baking with sourdough, swimming and spending time with her husband and 2 daughters when not at work. Anna is a part of Risen Life Church.
PE Teacher, Greg Townsend
Greg joined ICS faculty halfway through the 2024-2025 school year as the PE teacher. He looks forward to returning to this role for the full 2025-2026 school year. Prior to joining the staff at ICS, Greg was working at West Jordan High School, and he continues to coach football there. He recently finished his master’s in sports administration, and was hopeful to find work as a full time teacher. The opportunity at ICS is a blessing from God as Greg enjoys the relationships that are developed everyday.
Greg brings his faith into the gym by reciting a Bible verse at the start of each class, as well as playing Christian music during PE. He frames exercise as a way to care for our bodies and reminds his student’s that they are temples of the Holy Spirit.
He enjoys spending time with his family when he’s not at work, is an anime fan and also plays video games.
High School Film Elective Teacher, Will Schumacher
ICS alum William Schumacher will join the faculty for the 2025-2026 school year as the high school film elective teacher as well as the assistant speech and debate coach. Will is looking forward to these roles and brings passion and expertise to both!
Will was a star on ICS’ own speech and debate team during his tenure as a student. In addition, appreciates bringing his knowledge of the film world to students who have a similar passion for the art form, especially in a Christ-centered environment.
Will believes it’s important for believers to be in tune with their spiritual gifts that God gives to each individual. He finds joy in his artistry and the unique opportunity it presents for Christians interested in film. He hopes to instill the next generation with a love for film and a love for He who has blessed them with the medium. Understanding how to appreciate various art forms while maintaining a fixation on the cross is something that has been a big part of Will’s journey as a Christian, and it is something that will greatly influence the way he teaches his class.
He looks forward to being able to talk about cool movies with his students. And not surprisingly, when he’s not at work or taking classes at the University of Utah, he’s watching and making films of his own!