Dean of Students

Vanessa Jodock

(Content coming)

4th & 5th Grade

Shannon Johnson

(Content coming)

Jr. & Sr. High Math, STEM

Tim Hoyt

(Content coming soon)

3rd & 4th Grade

Wendy Nelson

Hello! I am Mrs. Nelson and I am so excited to be teaching your children this year! I am  a wife of 19+ yrs and a mother of five children-- Jackson (16), Cora (12), Charlie (10), Jefferson (9) & Annika (4). We live on a hobby farm in rural Bagley and we have horses, pigs, dogs, cats, a hedgehog and a guinea pig on our farm. Things I enjoy doing are taking photos, riding horse, sewing, and crafting. I was a homeschool teacher to my children for 7+ years before beginning at FHL. I began teaching at FHL Academy in January of 2019. I have an AAS in Graphic design and finished my B.A. in Elementary Education this spring. God has brought me on a journey that I has required me to rely fully on Him and I am eager to see how He works in me and in my students this year!

Jr. & Sr. High Language Arts

Sarah Bennett

Hello! I have served the students at FHL Academy off and on since 2017 when my children started attending, and this is my first year officially serving as a teacher! My children are Malachi (11), Mikayla (10), Nariah (8), and Isaiah (2). We live on Lake Bemidji and love spending our summer days with friends and family at the beach or having bonfires and curling up with popcorn and a movie by night! I am a few credits away from a Master’s degree in professional counseling, but the LORD is directing my steps and has ignited a passion to invest in our youth through teaching, and I am loving this season I am in! My experience working in the education field consists of working as a para at FHL in 2017/2018 and substitute teaching for 2 years in the public school system around Bemidji. I have been licensed through the MN Dept of Education, and I have served for several years in the Sunday school, AWANA, and VBS programs through church! I am very passionate about Jesus and sharing what He has done in me since He got ahold of my heart in 2009, and I love nothing more than to see other people encounter Him and grow in Him, and what an honor to come alongside these students as they learn academics and grow deeper in their walk with the LORD! I am excited to see what the year will bring! Thank you for entrusting me with your children!

1st & 2nd Grade

Madisen Strandlien

Hi, I’m Ms. Strandlien! I have recently graduated from Bemidji State University in May of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. I grew up in Shevlin, MN and went to both Bagley Elementary and High School! I am a first year teacher, and student taught in Kindergarten at Cass Lake-Bena Elementary.  I am so excited and feel so blessed to be part of FHL as the 1st and 2nd grade teacher. I truly believe God opened the doors to a job for me here. I love to be in the sunshine, go for walks, lake days, and to spend time with my family and friends.  I can’t wait to see what growth God will do for my class, students, and myself!

Jr. & Sr. High Music             Jr. & Sr. High History,                                              Drama, & Home Ec

Scott Paavola                  Cathy Paavola

We are Scott and Cathy Paavola and we have 3 daughters, Joy, Elisabeth (11 grade) and Iris (7th grade). We have been in the area since 2000 and have homeschooled from 2006 until 2017. We then made a move to begin working with FHL Academy, Scott with Music and Cathy with the 1st and 2nd grade language arts classes.  We currently teach in the middle to high school grades. 

Scott was trained in music at UWS and has many years of giving lessons and in using music in ministry.  He will continue to give music lessons, work with the worship teams and musical productions. The classes that Cathy will be teaching are History for 7-11 grades, as well as the Drama and Home Ec classes.

K4-Kindergarten Teacher

Amy Murray

Hi everyone!  I am so excited to be part of the family at FHL!  I’ve been asked to be the new preK and kindergarten teacher this year.  I am also super excited to be teaching art and doing some counseling as needed.  

A little about me - my husband Sean and I have lived in Bagley since the summer of 2020 along with our three children (Addie, Olivia and Emmerly).  We made the decision to enroll Addie and Olivia at FHL last year and it was a wonderful experience for all of us.  

I started my undergraduate work at Bemidji State and finished at the U of M in Crookston with a BS in Sports Management.  After coming to know the Lord I pursued and completed a graduate degree from Northland International University in central Wisconsin for Biblical Counseling.  

I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of children and see them grow in wisdom and know God in a deeper way.  

Every time I step into the school I’m more and more excited to get started and get to know all the kids God places at FHL!

Jr. & Sr. High Science

To be announced

(Content coming soon!)