Our Teachers

Dan Hegelund, principal at River Tech, holds a B.S. and M.S in Political Science. Dan is a professional vocal coach, choir director, music director, etc. He has thirty years of experience teaching and producing music and heads the River Tech Arts department. Expect concerts, musicals, studio recordings, music videos, choir trips, talent shows, music festivals, etc.

Dan’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Mary Hegelund holds a B.S. and M.S. in Education and is currently pursuing a degree in Theology. She leads River Tech Elementary and is passionate about educating the whole student—nurturing academic growth, creativity, character, relationships, and the God-given potential of every learner.

Prior to founding River Tech, Mary worked in education in Sweden and later homeschooled her three children.

School-wide, Mary helps shape educational programs, staff development, family engagement, and school culture, with a focus on cultivating a relational and supportive learning community. She also coordinates River Tech’s field trips and school events.

Mary’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Caitlin Relvas has a B.A. in English and Classical Civilizations. She has a minor in Dance and has been studying and teaching dance for most of her life. Caitlin loves to teach K-1 students problem-solving skills and responsibility and teach middle and high school English students the art of writing and an appreciation for story.

Caitlin’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Jordan Ezell holds a B.S. in Game Development from Full Sail University and a degree from Master’s Commission in Biblical Counseling. He loves creating board games and video games, and can’t wait to teach our students how to create their own games. Jordan is heading the Tech Department at River Tech. Expect your kids to learn programming, robotics, 3D animation, videography, sound engineering, game development, etc. River Tech has an outstanding tech program.

Jordan’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Luke Hegelund is the media director at River Tech, with four years of teaching experience. Luke is a proficient multi-instrumentalist, having offered private piano, guitar, and drum lessons outside of his work at River Tech. Additionally, he is a professional videographer, having produced wedding films, short films, and commercials. While working at River Tech, Luke is finishing his degree in Theology and pursuing a degree in education. Students can look forward to learning filmmaking, music, and 3D design from Luke.

Luke’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Tiffany’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Charlotte’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Kirsten Decker is in her first year teaching at River Tech. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communication, and is working on an associate’s degree in Theology at Sun City College. For almost three years she has served as a youth leader, working with students across a wide range of ages, and that experience shaped her love for teaching.

What she loves most about River Tech is combining biblical truth with subjects like geography for the homeschoolers, and helping students learn to dig into and understand their Bibles for themselves in Bible class. There is nothing quite like watching a student make those connections firsthand.

Outside of River Tech, Kirsten serves at Sun City Post Falls as a worship leader on the worship team and as part of the youth ministry team. She is looking forward to a great year getting to know the River Tech families.

Kirsten’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Emily’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Phil Munts teaches Python Programming and Robotics part time at River Tech School. He is retired twice: first after 33 years of software and computing engineering, including 12 years in Sweden at Securitas Direct/Verisure and Sigma Connectivity Engineering, and then after three years of pastoring full time at Grand Coulee Church of the Nazarene. Most of his career involved embedded systems ranging from single-chip microcontrollers to a NASA ground station.

Fun fact: Phil was a rogue missionary and professional pancake flipper for the Church of the Nazarene at Fill My Cup Cafe in the village of Arrie, Sweden.

His hobbies include photography, shooting, and metallic cartridge reloading. You can find him most of the week at a mountainside cabin near St. Maries. He returns reluctantly to civilization Thursday through Sunday and whenever winter snow closes the road.

Phil’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Cristina Maness teaches Spanish at River Tech. Spanish is her first language: she was born in Puerto Rico, where she graduated from the Interamerican University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is also a retired Army veteran, and she has taught Spanish and History in previous co-ops. This is her second year teaching at River Tech, and she is excited for the new year. Cristina is both a part-time teacher and the parent of two children in the homeschool Friday program.

Cristina’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Penny’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Angie’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Kara’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.

Ryan’s week — Quarter 1, as of 2026-09-17. The same source as the Schedule & Calendar page, so the two can never disagree.