Category: Team

Jason grew up in the small rural town of Parry Sound located in northern Ontario.  After graduating from Parry Sound High School in 1992 he attended Andrews University, and graduated with honors in Psychology.

Jason has been a dean/teacher in the Adventist system for twelve years.  The last eleven of those years have been at Mount Ellis Academy.  He shows great interest in facilitating the growth of all dorm students in regards to the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of life.

He enjoys ice hockey, reading, and researching cars.  He is married to our music teacher and fellow dean Leisel and they have two children, Lucas and Ava.

A familiar and trusted member of the school community, James brings nearly three decades of experience in Christian education, including the past 22 years teaching science at MEA. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. He and his wife, Ingrid de Graaff Stuart, are grateful for their family. Their son is completing his final year at Montana State University, and their daughter will be a junior at Walla Walla University.

James is passionate about experiential learning and creating opportunities for students to grow through outdoor education. From hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, and fly fishing to week-long outdoor education trips, he enjoys helping students build confidence, character, and a deeper appreciation for God’s creation. He also has a heart for mentoring students as they lead meaningful worship experiences that strengthen their faith and school community.

James shared, “As principal, I look forward to partnering with students, staff, parents, and the entire Academy family to cultivate a Christ-centered environment where every student can discover the reality of their Creator, develop their God-given gifts, and serve in His kingdom.” 

Jana grew up in Bozeman with Mount Ellis Academy a regular presence in her life. She graduated from MEA in 2000. She went on to get her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2005 from Loma Linda University. After 20 years working in the dental field and years of volunteering her time at MEA, she followed God’s call to officially become part of the staff at Mount Ellis.

James Stuart grew up in Walla Walla and spent his high school years at Walla Walla Valley Academy. After graduating, he attended Walla Walla University where he got his degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish. Later on, he completed his Master of Science Education from Montana State University.

Prior to teaching here at Mount Ellis Academy, he taught at Tulsa Adventist Academy, and Spencerville Adventist Academy. He does his best to make sure that all of his students reach their potential in his classes and makes himself available to students if they feel the need for individual attention from him.

He has a passion for outdoor education. His hobbies are mountain biking and rock climbing. He’s married to Ingrid and has two children, Isaiah and Tavi.

He is also the Vice Principal for Academics, and Yearbook Advisor.

Seth was smitten by the wild west while working at Glacier View Ranch in Colorado. The leadership at camp was profound, focused and inspiring, the adventure sports thrilling, and the energy of the young people contagious. Seth saw God working more clearly than he had ever seen before because of the special bond of purpose they shared. He appeared in the wild untamed beauty of nature while remaining close and companionable in the company of God-seeking friends. This experience helped ignite his passion for working with young people and for spending time in nature.

Seth first met his wife, Angela, on a snowboarding trip in Colorado when they were attending Union College. It wasn’t until six years later that they reconnected on the coast of Oregon and started dating. They were married in 2008, and moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where they spent six years teaching at Highland View Academy. While there, they met Seth’s leadership mentor, Sergio Manente, who further kindled his passion for leadership and ministry. Maryland is also the birthplace of their two amazing kids.

Seth and Angela are so excited to be working at Mount Ellis Academy. God miraculously opened the door for them to be here and they are thankful every day for the grace He continues to show them. Seth loves his classes and teaching students math, computers, and leadership.

Seth and Angela believe God has granted this school and church His Spirit to accomplish a special purpose in the lives of the kids He sends the academy. Praise to Jesus and His glorious plan.

Angela is privileged enough to call MEA her first home, as her parents, Gary & Marirose Force, taught here in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. She’s lived all over the country, from Oregon to Massachusetts and several places in between. In 2014, she and her family were able to move back to Bozeman. She is grateful to be able to see the Montana mountains every day.

Angela earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Union College. While her primary field of study and work is elementary school, she has always had a love for learning and teaching languages. Angela has taught English as a Foreign Language overseas and English as a Second Language at several schools here in the States. She loves working with the international students and experiencing their different perspectives. Most recently, Angela has been thrilled to reignite the Fine Art and Home Art Departments. Both these areas have been long time passions for her. It is her belief that these departments can offer new ways for our students to experience the world around them.

In her free time, Angela can be found pursuing many different hobbies: reading, running, baking, art, children’s ministries, and language learning. Mostly though, she’s taking care of her family. She has two kids with Seth, our math teacher: Enoch and Gwendolen.

Briana (Jenkins) Starkebaum (’08) was born and raised in Montana. She graduated from Union College with her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 2013.

While attending Union College, she played for their basketball team, the Warriors, for four years, and was an assistant coach for two years. Upon graduating, she spent a year working in Lincoln, Nebraska before moving home to Bozeman in 2014.

She loves sports, especially basketball, and loves spending time at her family cabin in the Swan Valley. She has a dog named Addie, who is full of energy and keeps her on her toes.  She is an avid Broncos fan and despite living in Bozeman… GO GRIZ!!!