Meet Our Team
We love you. We love your kids.
Staff
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Wade Harris
Head of School • wadeharris@graceprep.com
A visionary leader by nature, Wade excels at seeing the big picture while effectively managing the details necessary to bring ideas to life. Wade's connection to Grace Prep extends far beyond his leadership role. As a Grace Prep parent, he has cherished the opportunity to be actively involved in the life of the school and invest in the next generation. Over the years, he has served in a variety of volunteer roles, including elective teacher, D-Group leader, and chapel speaker. These experiences have given him a deep appreciation for the unique culture, mission, and community that make Grace Prep special.
Known for his strategic thinking, servant leadership, and commitment to Christian education, Wade is passionate about helping students discover their God-given purpose and potential.
• Cedarville University, BA in Biblical Studies
• Southern Seminary, M. Div. in Theology
• He’s a Buckeye fan, but we’re praying for him. :-) -
Beth Shearer
Director of Operations • bethshearer@graceprep.com
Beth’s love for her own family directly translates into how she interacts with the students and staff at Grace Prep. As a parent of three Grace Prep alumni, she is thrilled to be a part of an educational program that supports the uniqueness of each student while preparing them for life all in the framework of an intelligent faith.
• Loyola Marymount University, BS in Psychology and Minor in Alcohol and Drug Studies California State University, Fullerton, MS in Clinical Psychology
• Foster care work in the social welfare system
• Research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in the SAFE passage trial
• Beth’s favorite work buddy is Hunter, her labradoodle, who is also the unofficial school greeter! -
Amy Harris
Principal • amyharris@graceprep.com
It seems as though Amy was born to work with teenagers and walk through life with them. With four kids of their own, she and her husband embrace the life and energy high schoolers bring. Amy worked with teens in youth ministry for over ten years at her previous church in Ohio. Amy’s gentle strength is complimented by her radiating personality. In her free time, Amy enjoys napping, reading, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends.
Her life verse is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Cedarville University, B.A. in Education and a Minor in Bible
• Over twenty years of teaching experience
• She’s a Buckeye fan, but we’re praying for her. ;-) -
Jarrod Sechler
Spiritual Life Director • jarrod@graceprep.com
Grab a dictionary and look up the word “adventure.” (We’ll wait.) Do you see the words “Jarrod Sechler” there? No? Well, that’s surprising because this guy does not shy away from exciting challenges! Let’s start with that time he ate a juicy grilled beetle grub in Ecuador. Then there’s that time he hiked around the rim of a live Nicaraguan volcano in the dark. And of course, he rode his bicycle all the way across the U.S. But when Jarrod’s not bungee jumping out of hot air balloons, he really loves watching sports, going hunting and fishing, and doing outside fun stuff with his family. Jarrod has a passion for challenging our students to walk in servant leadership.
•Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education from Penn State
•Parent of two Grace Prep alumni
•He will drive LONG distances for good buffalo wings. -
Joanna Haushalter
Office Manager • joanna@graceprep.com
When you walk through the doors of Grace Prep, Joanna’s shining eyes and warm smile will greet you. She keeps the administrative wheels turning around here and creates beautiful connections with students along the way. It’s not unusual to see a student leaning on Joanna’s desk talking about life. Outside activities such as hiking, kayaking, and playing sports with her family are her favorite things to do. Joanna is proud to have her motorcycle license and hopes to have a Harley Davidson someday!
•Grace Prep Parent two times over
•Born in Laramie, Wyoming but raised in State College
•Joanna’s husband, Kurt, is also on staff with Grace Prep as the Athletic Director.
•She loves a good chai latte so feel free to stop by the coffee shop on your way to the school. -
Nicole Min
Event Coordinator • nicolemin@graceprep.com
Nicole has a natural gift for bringing order, peace, and a bit of fun to busy environments—especially when it involves families and community. For the last 20 years, she has served in vocational ministry alongside her husband, Dan, supporting students, families, and church communities in various leadership roles.
At Grace Prep, Nicole wears a few different hats. As Event Coordinator, she keeps school-wide events running smoothly behind the scenes with a sharp eye for detail, and she serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors, contributing to governance and long-term school leadership. She also works as the Executive Assistant for the “Seated and Sent” ministry team, supporting their speaking, writing, and event initiatives.
• Nyack College, BA Social Sciences & Youth Ministry
• Nicole and Dan live in State College, PA, and have two sons, Jake and Luke, who both attend Grace Prep • She enjoys staying active, hanging out with family and friends, and cheering loudly at Grace Prep soccer games.
Faculty
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Don Jones
History & Rhetoric & Debate • donjones@graceprep.com
Not only does Don keep us on our toes with historical events, he could beat any of us in pop culture and music trivia. He has studied theology, child and adolescent psychology, education, literature, and cultural and social anthropology. Another strength Don brings to the Grace Prep table is his international perspective, born out of his family’s experience living in Berlin, Germany as missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Don is fascinated by the former Eastern Bloc countries, postmodern and post-Christian thought in Europe and North America, and how faith integrates into our everyday lives. He also loves running obstacle/mud races!
• Nyack College BA in Youth Ministries
• Alliance Theological Seminary, MA in Cultural Anthropology
• Served as Youth Pastor at State College Alliance
• He has a dog that actually smiles. (We’re not kidding.) -
Becca Lombardi
Math • beccalombardi@graceprep.com
There’s a newlywed in the Grace Prep house! Becca married her college sweetheart, Andrew, in the summer of 2025. The lovebirds have a blast decorating their new apartment, playing disc golf, and spending time with family. Becca gets goosebumps when she thinks about helping a room full of students grow closer to Christ as they study math together! Deeply inspired by her own math teacher, Becca hopes to bring her passion for math and her deep care for students into the classroom.
•Liberty University, B.S. in Mathematics and a Minor in Computer Science
•Liberty University drum major (We can’t wait to see Becca do a flip before each Grace Prep athletic event! That’s what all drum majors do, right?)
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Ainhoa Masvidal
Spanish • ainhoamasviroca@graceprep.com
Born and raised in Spain, Ainhoa got her first taste of living abroad while participating in a two-week exchange program in England. She later spent an academic year in the United States, where she decided to stay after meeting her future husband. Ainhoa has worked as a translator/editor and as a Spanish and English middle school and high school teacher. She loves sharing her love for language and foreign culture with her students and hopes it will help them build meaningful relationships with others and expand their sphere of influence for Jesus Christ.
• Liberty University, BA in Spanish
• She has been fascinated by language, especially grammar, from a young age.
• Want to know the three American things that Ainhoa has never adapted to? Here they are: porta-potties, root beer, and peanut butter! -
Tyler Spalsbury
Business & Entrepenuership and Alumni Relations • tylerspalsbury@graceprep.com
Tyler is a true State College, PA native. We love how he likes to get things done, as he’s often found building something or tearing something down around the school, always making things better. For over a decade, Tyler has pursued another passion by annually going to Southern Mexico to build schools and churches. In addition to his involvement in the 242 Youth Ministry, Tyler’s into reading, traveling, home gunsmithing and outdoor activities.
• Penn State, B.S. in Secondary Education and a Minor in History
• Helps with his family’s business Two GuyZ LLC
• He was a goodwill ambassador for the US State Department to Australia! -
Sam Strite
Science • samstrite@graceprep.com
Pull up a chair because anyone with a Master’s in Forensic Science must have some pretty great stories to tell! Samantha is married, and she most recently worked as a Forensic Scientist in the Toxicology Section at the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab in Harrisburg. No student will be able to pull the wool over THIS teacher’s eyes! Samantha’s heart is to teach Science in order to help students truly experience and appreciate God’s goodness in the world He created. She is looking to guide students toward becoming science super-fans!
•University of South Florida, B.S. in Biomedical Science, B.A. in Criminology
•Penn State, Master’s Degree in Forensic Science
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Kurt Haushalter
Athletic Director • kmh15kmh15@gmail.com
Kurt is a sports fan - through and through! And he’s great at organizing all the schedules for our soccer, basketball and track programs. We’re not sure where we’d be without him! Kurt truly loves the school environment because he also works for the SCASD as a health and physical education teacher at Mount Nittany Middle School. His favorite thing about working at Grace Prep is the opportunity to serve the students and families. In his free time Kurt enjoys playing a wide variety of sports, and engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing and kayaking.
• Kurt was in a rock band with his friends in high school. The band was called The Banana Heads.
Our Founders
Bob and Dannah Gresh
Pure Freedom • bob@purefreedom.org • dannah@purefreedom.org
As founders of both Grace Prep and Pure Freedom, Bob and Dannah invested not only in launching a school but also in building one focused on developing students with an intelligent faith grounded in the 40 Points of Grace, rooted in truth, grace, and intentional discipleship. That legacy continues to influence every classroom, conversation, and community experience at Grace Prep today.
While Bob and Dannah have stepped away from leadership at Grace Prep to focus their time and energy on Pure Freedom's work, they remain among our strongest supporters and most enthusiastic cheerleaders. Though no longer involved in day-to-day school leadership, they continue to support our community with their prayers, wisdom, and belief in Grace Prep's mission. As we move into the future, we do so with gratitude for the past and excitement for all that God continues to build upon that foundation at Grace Prep.
