Katie Abbring
B.A. Art Education, Calvin College
M.A. Education, Hamline University
House Veritas

Katie Abbring is the Photography Teacher at SWCHS. She went to Calvin College for her BA in Art Education and Hamline University for her MA in Education.

Katie has almost two decades of experience teaching art at Avail Academy. She helps students to look at God’s creation with an artist’s eye, develop their creative gifts in photography, and create art that glorifies God.

Katie grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a family of six. Her father is an avid photographer and took the family on trips to the National Parks to enjoy and photograph the wonderful world that God made. Katie remembers being spiritually moved by the beauty of a sunset on Jackson Lake in the Grand Tetons at age 12. After graduating from college, Katie moved to the Twin Cities to teach art and married her husband, Steve.

Steve and Katie live in Eden Prairie and have three children, Levi, Joel and Hazel. Katie enjoys being out in nature. She loves to garden and is part of the Master Gardener volunteer program. Katie likes hiking, biking, and running around the Twin Cities. Following in her father’s footsteps, Katie’s family also travels to National Parks and other beautiful places. She enjoys creative pursuits like photography and working with the worship team on visuals at her church. Katie’s favorite artist is Georgia O’Keeffe because of her vibrant paintings and shared love of nature.

B.A. Biblical and Theological Studies, Bethel University
5-12 Communication Arts/Literature Educator License, Augsburg College
First year at SWCHS: 2023

Timothy Allen began working in schools in 2005, serving in various roles: paraprofessional, substitute, and full-time teacher. His latest position was teaching at Prior Lake High School for nine years. He transitioned to Southwest Christian High School in 2023 because of a desire to be involved in Christian education. One of his greatest desires as a teacher is to support students in developing strong character—along with developing their skills and knowledge—and SWCHS encourages this to a depth and in a direction public school does not allow.

During the school year, Timothy devotes a lot of time to developing his curriculum and reflecting on his teaching, but he still makes time to relax and take time away from school—and he encourages his students to do the same. When taking those breaks, Timothy can most likely be found playing board games with friends, reading, or drumming.

Timothy grew up in the church and is still committed to involvement and leadership in the church. He has played drums for his church’s worship team since he was 13, and he occasionally teaches in various capacities at church.

Kit Avery
Business/Strength & Conditioning Faculty
B.A. Marketing, Ethics, Drake University Business School
ACSI Certified
First year at SWCHS: 2010
House Fide

Kit Avery is the chair of the Business Department and coaches strength and conditioning at Southwest Christian High School. He and his sister are proud alumni of SWCHS. Kit owned and operated a family business in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area prior to teaching at SWCHS. He graduated from Drake University where he attended their business school while playing Division 1 college basketball for the Bulldogs.

Kit and his wife Anna have two sons, who both attend Chapel Hill Academy. Kit and Anna are both active in Bible Study Fellowship where he has the privilege to teach in the children’s program

House: Fortitudo

Andrew Beach was a middle school teacher at Minnehaha Academy for seven years before coming to Southwest Christian. He teaches at SWCHS because he believes in the mission of Christian schools and loves discipling high school students in their relationship with Jesus.

He and his wife, Sara, have been married for over 15 years and have three children, Mackenzie, Olivia, and Kaden.

He enjoys being outside hiking, biking, and playing disc golf. Their family also loves to play board games.

Matt Berka
English Faculty
B.A. Communication Arts & Literature Education 5-12: Bethel University
M.A. English, Ohio University
ACSI Certified, State Teaching License
First year at SWCHS: 2016
House Fortitudo

Matt Berka joined the faculty at Southwest Christian in 2016 and teaches junior English. He’s originally from Wisconsin but moved to Minnesota to attend Bethel University. While Wisconsin still plays an important role in his life, he’s happy to call Minnesota home. After graduating with a degree in English education, Mr. Berka earned a master’s degree in English from Ohio University. Mr. Berka and his wife, Rachel have two young children (Lucy and Micah) and are members at Westwood Community Church. Outside of school responsibilities, Mr. Berka enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing sports, reading, and talking about The Beatles.

Dr. Thor Benson
Science Faculty
Ph.D. Science Education, University of Minnesota
M.A. Educational Leadership, Bethel University
B.S. Kinesiology, Wheaton College
ACSI Certified, State Teaching License
First year at SWCHS: 2015
House Sapientia

Dr. Thor Benson seeks to cultivate an engaging teaching and learning environment for our students and faculty. He also teaches a variety of science courses (biology, physics, and Earth & Space science) and has been the head coach for the boys lacrosse program since its inception. He also facilitates the Leadership Academy for students who feel called to serve and lead the SWCHS community.

Since starting his teaching career in 2002, Dr. Benson has held a variety of roles as a teacher in K-8 physical education, middle school and high school science, and as a college professor.

During his 10 years in higher education, he was a professor of science education and the director of the college’s honors program. Throughout his teaching experience, Dr. Benson has taught every grade from kindergarten to graduate students and has had the privilege of teaching a few students during their elementary, high school, and college careers.

Dr. Benson also serves as a Teaching for Transformation school designer with the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, helping schools engage in distinctively Christian learning.

Dr. Benson and his wife, Kettie, live in Chanhassen and have three children, Molly, Lily, and Soren. They attend Grace Church. As an extreme extrovert and mediocre athlete, Dr. Benson can be found playing a sport or lawn game if he is not mountain biking or hanging with family.

B.S. Biology Teaching, MN State Mankato
Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Institute of MN
M.A. Teaching, Hamline University
M.A. Christian Studies, Grand Canyon University
MN Teaching Licensure/Certificates:
K-12 Reading Intervention, 7-12 Biology, 5-8 Science, 9-12 Earth Science, Gifted Talented

First Year at SWCHS: 2022
House: Veritas

Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we look at the natural world with curiosity and wonder and dig deep into finding God’s fingerprints through all of creation.

Julie Bowers Wegner teaches at SWCHS because she wanted to teach in an atmosphere that not only welcomed teachers to openly talk about their faith to students but encouraged and expected it. Julie also coaches volleyball at SWCHS and teaches at Bethel University. Prior to joining SWCHS she taught in the New Prague Schools and spent four years as the youth director in her church. Part of Julie’s science journey was also spent working in a medical reference laboratory where she tested patient samples for viruses and bacteria.

Julie grew up on a farm near Madelia, MN which taught her a great work ethic and a love of the outdoors. She was active in sports, theater, and music and still dabbles in them today. She and her husband, Brett, met while playing volleyball together after college and were married in 1998. They currently reside in Lakeville and have two adult children: Nick and Evie. Julie loves all things sports, reading, being outdoors, enjoying her multiple canine companions, spending quality time with family and friends, and putting on special events through her women’s ministry “Warrior Women.”

MBA, University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management
B.S., Accounting, University of Wisconsin-Superior
CFA Charterholder
First Year at SWCHS: 2023

Mr. Burkhart joined SWCHS economics faculty in 2023, while at the same time joining University of Northwestern-St. Paul as an adjunct professor. He has previously taught and lectured at the university level, as well as served as an advisor/mentor for university investment clubs. Mr. Burkhart serves as the CEO and CIO of Blue Rock Advisors, an institutional asset management company.

Mr. Burkhart has served on a variety of boards including a community foundation, a university foundation, a charter school, and youth athletics. He is currently the board treasurer for the nonprofit Christian ministry, Together for Good, and he and his family have been actively hosting children through that program.

Mr. Burkhart and his wife Ivy reside in Shorewood and have four children, Deven, Bryce (SWCHS Class of ‘21), Grady, (SWCHS Class of ‘22), and Aubrey (SWCHS Class of ‘25). Mr. Burkhart is passionate about youth sports and has coached many youth baseball and basketball teams over the years. The Burkharts attend Grace Church-Chaska.

Dr. Donald Carlson
Bible Faculty
Ph.D. Judaic, Hebraic, and Cognate Studies, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
M.Phil. Hebraic and Cognate Studies, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion
B.A. Biblical Studies, University of Northwestern-St. Paul
ACSI Certified
First year at SWCHS: 2015
House Fortitudo

In the summer after his junior year of high school, a younger Mr. Carlson cruised down County Rd 81 (near Osseo MN), going some 62 mph on a pair of rollerblades, holding to the back of the van (it was a cool old van, with one of those ‘ladder racks’ on the back, next to the spare tire. Remember those?). This went on for just a couple of miles before it had to end. He turned out feeling great, but the skates didn’t make it.

It was in college that he met his true love. Justine Noel said “yes!” and they got married in 1999, one week after graduation. They moved to Cincinnati for Donald to work on his doctorate. There they lived until 2015. During that time Mr. Carlson became Dr. Carlson. and the Lord would bless both he and Mrs. Carlson (that’s Justine, from above) with four lovely daughters. They now make their home together here in Chaska.

Dr. Carlson a committed follower-in-practice of King Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God. He and his family are members at the Church of the Cross in Hopkins.

He loves being physically active; he loves being in nature, but he also thrives on deep, contemplative study, reading old texts written in dead languages to extract their wisdom for living life to the fullest.

Adam is a professional musician, and this is his first year at SWCHS leading our worship team.

DeVries, Kimberly
Instrumental Director
M.A Choral Conducting, SUNY Stony Brook
B.A Music, Luther College
First year at SWCHS: 2019
House Sapientia

Kimberly DeVries and her husband, Brian, have been married for 28 years. They moved back to Chaska from Virginia, where she previously taught music, choir, orchestra, and worship at Fresta Valley Christian School. Prior to her move to Virginia, Mrs. DeVries was the music and choir teacher at Calvin Christian School (now Avail Academy) in Edina. She has over 20 years of experience teaching preschool through college, conducting orchestras, bands, choirs, vocal ensembles, operas, musicals, and leading worship.

Mrs. DeVries is not new to the SWCHS community, as both her daughters, Elyse and Anna, attended SWCHS. Besides her love of music and ability to play multiple instruments, you may also see her pick up a volleyball and/or basketball from time to time, which are two other favorite things she enjoys doing!

Vicki Dillon
Substitute Coordinator
First Year at SWCHS: Spring 2017
House Fortitudo

Vicki Dillon is a native of St. Louis, MO and worked in multiple areas in Upper Management with a large retailer for over 30 years. These positions moved her family from Missouri to Indianapolis, Michigan, Nebraska and Minnesota. Mrs. Dillon has a B.S. in Business Administration, and a MBA from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Mrs. Dillon also currently teaches in Adult Education for Eastern Carver County and Minnetonka School Districts.

Mrs. Dillon and her husband Todd reside in Excelsior and they have one son Brock who lives in St. Louis, MO. They are members of Westwood Community Church.

Mrs. Dillon enjoys traveling and exploring new locations, cooking, shopping, and being physically active, walking, biking, and other fun activities. Her favorite vacation spot is Hawaii.