Meet the Team

Mr. Kellen Clemens, Board Chair/Athletic Director

email: [email protected]

Mr. Kellen Clemens is humbled to serve as Board Chair and Athletic Director of Coeur du Christ Academy. 

Kellen’s Catholic Faith began at a young age when he was baptized at age two, and has remained an integral part of his life ever since.  He grew up on a cattle ranch in Burns OR where he was a three-sport athlete in High School and then continued his football career at the University of Oregon where he received his BA in Business Administration.  

During his college years, Kellen leaned on the sacraments, frequenting confession, and attending daily mass as often as his class schedule would allow. Following his time in Eugene, he was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft and began a 12-year career that included time with the NY Jets, St Louis Rams & San Diego Chargers. 

Kellen was involved in Catholic athletes for Christ, as well as speaking across the nation at multiple men’s and Catholic youth conferences. He is excited to help foster the growth of our student athletes at Coeur du Christ Academy and strives to follow the guidance of Saint John Paull II who said, “Sports contribute to the love of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to the full development of every human person”.  

Kellen, his wife, and four children are thrilled to be a part of the N. Idaho Catholic community and love spending time together as a family, particularly in the outdoors.  He also volunteers as Co-Athletic Director and coaches basketball at Holy Family Catholic School here in Coeur d’Alene.

Fun Fact: Kellen's oldest daughter was kissed and blessed by Pope Benedict XVI at the papal mass in Washington DC when she was just 4 weeks old!

Mrs. Genavive Edman, President of the School

email: [email protected]

“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. Mrs. Genavive Edman has relied upon this verse planted in her heart since receiving the sacrament of Confirmation in high school and well into her adult life and career. She is a Catholic daughter of God, wife, and mother, with five sons on earth and one son in heaven.

Upon receiving a classical, homeschool education K-12, Genavive graduated Gonzaga University’s School of Business, Magna Cum Laude, with a Business Administration degree focusing on Law & Public Policy and Entrepreneurship while earning a full-ride scholarship for Division I Golf. She fell into a deeper love with faith and reason by minoring in Philosophy and dialoguing with friends and professors throughout her time at GU. She also enjoyed serving in varying capacities at the Students for Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Catholic Studies groups on campus.

Since graduating, Genavive has successfully managed her own marketing company, founded multiple opportunities for fellowship and familial support in Catholic/Christian communities and worked for St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church as the Parish Secretary and Director of Communications. Given her own children’s needs, her awareness within the Catholic community and what felt to be a true calling from God, Genavive founded a university-style hybrid co-op called Cabrini Co-op, which has grown to successfully house approximately 90 children in need of a part-time, integrated, classical education in support of family life. 

Genavive's zeal for the faith and desire to accompany the youth in knowing, loving and serving Him in this life are one of the many inspirations behind the decision to hire her as President of Coeur du Christ Academy.

Fun Fact: Genavive is outnumbered in her household 8 males to 1 female (including a pet fish and lizard), and is prone to humiliatingly competitive outbursts whenever the opportunity arises, most especially at Strive Sports and on the golf course. 

Mr. Luke Heintschel, Headmaster

email: [email protected]

Mr. Luke Heintschel is one of five boys in his family. With bothers named for the four gospels and first pope (Matthew, John, Marc, and Peter), he grew up in a home where his parents emphasized and handed on the Catholic faith. He is married (to Gabriela) with three sons (Joseph, Dominic, and Jude).

Having received his early formation at a Catholic school (kindergarten to 8th grade), Luke went to a secular, public high school in which his faith blossomed through private study and apologetical discussions with his peers.

He took the martyrs Sts. Stephen and Tarcisius as his confirmation patrons. While a senior in high school, Luke spent his evenings teaching (other teenagers) in confirmation classes at his local parish.

After high school, Luke attended John Paul the Great Catholic University where he earned their “New Evangelization” degree—a bachelor of science in Communications Media with a triple emphasis in Business, Philosophy, and Theology. He also earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Theology. His masters thesis, The New Covenant Temple Cult and Its Priesthood, was awarded for demonstration of excellence in thesis research.

Professionally, Luke has volunteered and worked in parish youth and young adult ministry; he has taught Theology at the secondary and university levels; he was the Director of Communications for a diocesan teaching institute; and most recently, he served as Headmaster at a classical, independent TK-12 school (in the Catholic tradition).

As the founding Headmaster of Coeur du Christ Academy, Luke is excited to have a hand in forming young souls intellectually, socially, practically, aesthetically, morally, and spiritually, that they may be well-rounded Scholars, Servants, and Saints! His favorite bible verse changes, but he always comes back to Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Fun Fact: Luke has a black-belt in an (as yet unnamed) blend of different martial arts and several national and world tournament titles!

Mrs. Grace Drinkwater, Teacher

email: [email protected]

Mrs. Drinkwater is a faithful Catholic and newlywed.

She's an experienced instructor, leader and classroom manager with a passion for interacting with students and designing engaging lessons. She is a convert to the Catholic faith and has found a true home and community in North Idaho.

Mrs. Drinkwater is getting her Masters of Arts in American History and Government. She received a full ride through the ROTC program at Marquette University where she graduated with a BS in Secondary Education and History (Cum Laude). After serving the Navy for 5 years in active duty and moving up the ranks to Lieutenant, she began her teaching career and has taught at 3 Catholic high schools. She loves road biking and swimming and plays the clarinet, piano, saxophone and french horn. 

Fun fact: Mrs. Drinkwater's ancestors invaded both Mr. Patti and Mr. DuFrain's homelands and she's not afraid to ask a student to do push-ups if it helps their learning experience!

Mr. Kieran DuFrain, Teacher

email: [email protected]

Beginning with his elementary years at Holy Family Academy in Manassas, VA, Mr. DuFrain’s entire education has taken place at traditional Catholic institutions, and his love for classical education has only grown with time and experience. He attended Seton School for 7^th-12^th grades where he earned varsity letters in Cross Country, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Soccer, and captained Seton’s soccer team to their first VISSA State Championship. He earned his B.A. in English Language and Literature from Christendom College in Front Royal, VA, where he also participated in the drama programs and served two years as the captain of the Sacre Coeur Rugby Club.

Mr. DuFrain has taught multiple courses for 9^th-12^th grade, including Grammar, Logic, American Literature, History of Western Civilization, and Religion 9-11, as well as tutoring in Latin, Algebra, Geometry, and SAT preparation. He is certified by the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence in both high school Literature and Mathematics.

Mr. DuFrain is currently a Captain in the Idaho Army National Guard serving as the Commander of the Headquarters Company for 145^th Brigade Support Battalion. He spent the last two years working for the National Guard full-time and is overjoyed that God has given him the opportunity to return to his true passion by accepting a position at Coeur du Christ Academy teaching Math, Latin, and Logic in the inaugural year.

Fun fact: Mr. DuFrain spent 15 years as a student and junior instructor in the Boyle School of Irish Dance and twice qualified at the Southern Region Oireachteas for the An Comisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha World Championship—check in with him for the pronunciation and translation. That experience coupled with his mother’s bed-time songs have led him to a deep, passionate, life-long love of Irish music and folk songs.
 

Ms. Anna Fluharty, Teacher

email: [email protected]

Miss Fluharty is a dedicated and devoted Catholic who is very excited and blessed to be a part of the Coeur du Christ community!

She is 24 years old and is ending her one year of service as a Catholic missionary in Washington, D.C at the end of this July. As a missionary, she served at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School as a teacher, coach, youth minister, mentor and as the Corporate Work Study Program Assistant. Some highlights of the service year include accompanying students on the D.C metro as they go to work through the work study program, coaching the entire softball season with 13 girls as the head and only coach, and leading the youth group to a Steubenville Conference this July!

Miss Fluharty is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH. She majored in Anthropology, with a focus in Biological Anthropology and minors in Biology and Philosophy. When earning her Bachelor of Science degree, she graduated with the “Anthropology Award,” with a GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale in her major classes. In the near future, she hopes to obtain her Master’s degree in Bioethics, focusing primarily on the field of Embryology. If you ever want to talk with her about bioethical dilemmas, she is always up for the conversation!  

At Franciscan University, she was a 4-year NCAA athlete and was a member of the Handmaids of the Lord household. She has a special devotion to Our Lady and is always up for talking about Mary! She also participated in music ministry and soup kitchen ministry. Miss Fluharty loves playing guitar and is always down for a jam session! She has been playing for almost six years and enjoys leading praise and worship!

Fun fact: She studied abroad in Gaming, Austria, where she lived and attended classes in a 15th century Carthusian monastery. She participated in music ministry during her time abroad, and served as a musician during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at several locations, including the Vatican!

Mr. Dylan Hull-Nye, Advanced Mathematics

email: [email protected]

Mr. Hull-Nye grew up in San Leandro, California, as the youngest of three children. He attended the Jesuit University of San Francisco, majored in Mathematics, studied the Great Books in the Saint Ignatius Institute, and minored in Catholic Studies. He spent a year learning from the Oxford Dominican friars and formed a love of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. In Oxford, he also participated in 8-man rowing and came to appreciate the Latin Mass and sacred polyphony.

At USF, several Society of Jesus priests had a profound effect on him in their teaching, spiritual direction, and silent retreats. The priests led him to visit Loyola, Spain to St. Ignatius' castle and Madrid for World Youth Day. He was also able to attend Pope Francis' first Mass in St. Peter's Square two years later. A very memorable experience was walking a 120-mile pilgrimage from Oxford to Our Lady of Walsingham with a group of students carrying a large wooden cross. Mr. Hull-Nye admires notable figures such as Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Br. Guy Consolmagno.

After college, Mr. Hull-Nye taught at St. John Bosco Academy in Cottonwood for three years and since then has been working on his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, so he can do part-time consulting alongside teaching. At St. John Bosco Mr. Hull-Nye furthered his passion for teaching and inspiring students in their pursuit of truth. His own teachers throughout life have played an essential role in his growth in the Faith and in his desire and love of the truth.

His two favorite prayers are the Suscipe and the Francis Xavier Hymn of Love. For fun, Mr. Hull-Nye enjoys playing guitar or drums, listening to classical music or old school country music, playing chess, basketball or tennis, and long philosophical discussions.

Mr. George Watson, Teacher

email: [email protected]

Born into an U.S.A.F. family in London, Mr. Watson spent most of his youth growing up around the world. Having attended 8 different high schools, he constantly wondered what made for a good teacher and an excellent school. During high school he played football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball and wrestled. He attended the University of California, the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Notre Dame, Gonzaga and the University of Idaho, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science and graduate degrees in Philosophy, Education and the Teaching of Mathematics.

He played soccer, basketball and baseball in college. He has taught Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English, Latin, Religion, History, Robotics, Computer Science and Drama at various Catholic secondary schools. Mr. Watson has also taught Philosophy at Gonzaga, Seattle University, the University of San Francisco, the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology and the University of California. He has coached at the Secondary and College level. Currently Mr. Watson teaches Philosophy at Gonzaga University. He plays on-line chess, reads up on various topics in philosophy and theology. He explains and the defends the Catholic Faith on several on-line discussion sites.

Mr. Watson's great grandmother was born in France near Nevers and once met Saint
Bernadette. When she heard Saint Bernadette pray the rosary, she felt very close to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When Mr. Watson would visit his grandmother during the summers, she would take him to Holy Mass every day and they would pray a rosary after mass. This handing down of the faith has remained with him since childhood and Mr. Watson retains a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Immaculate Conception - and asks Saint Bernadette to pray for all of us each morning, after he prays the rosary. Teaching and witnessing to the Catholic Faith has been and is Mr. Watson's primary vocation.

Fun fact: Mr. Watson in the bottom of the 9th inning, in his last high school baseball game, made an un-assisted triple play. 

Mrs. Leanne Conaty, Art Teacher

email: [email protected]

Mrs. Leanne Conaty has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in Fine Art from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  Leanne and her husband Garrett have been married 25 years and have 10 children ranging in age from 23 to 4.

She opened Art To You in 2012 to provide art lessons and individual instruction to clients in the Seattle area including Catholic schools,community centers, and private events. Operating Art To You has allowed Leanne to enrich her vocation as a wife, mother, and art teacher.  She has classically homeschooled her children over the years and is also a lead tutor at the Cabrini Homeschool Co-op.  

Leanne is trained in drawing, watercolor, acrylic, sculpture, papercraft, and charcoal.  She has received awards for her abstract art from the Edmonds Arts Festival and has had her art displayed at the Seattle Art Center. Creating
collaborative art projects and encouraging individual expression are some of her specialties.  Leanne incorporates sacred art into her lessons, teaching artistic processes, works, and methods with authentic materials of the masters.

Fun Fact:
She loves to downhill ski, garden (even weeding), has hiked Half Dome twice, knows how to use power tools, makes a top-notch falafel, and is not going to hesitate one bit when she teaches the 10 th  graders how to paint frescos! “Give success to the work of our hands. (Psalm 90)"