Arlen Mekelburg Joins the Faculty in Math and Sciences

Arlen Mekelburg, husband of our head girls’ dean, Melissa Mekelburg, will be officially joining the faculty at Campion this year and will be teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Anatomy & Physiology.  Mekelburg brings both passion and experience to the classroom, as he has taught math and sciences for over 27 years in four boarding academies.  He holds both Colorado State and Denominational teaching certificates in science and math.
 
Mekelburg recognizes the importance of the student-teacher relationship in creating a positive learning environment. “My classroom goals include working at connecting with each student, as in knowing their interests, background, and learning style so we can connect as teacher and learner,” he said.  “The main goal is to make it possible for each student to be successful at every step in the classroom and in life.”
 
Since moving with his wife to Campion Academy, Mekelburg has been teaching seventh and eighth grade science at HMS Richards Elementary and at Greely Option Schools.  Campion students have gotten to know him on the basketball court as he has been helping to coach the girls’ team.  He also teaches Driver’s Education and works with many students at Campion. 
 
He was born and raised on a family farm near Yuma, Colorado with five brothers and sisters. He attended Platte Valley Academy, then Union College, later graduating from the University of Nebraska in Agriculture in 1980.  In 1985, He returned to Colorado State University for a second B.S. in Agricultural Education and in 1986 began his teaching career in public high school. In 1990, he returned to the University of Northern Colorado for a secondary science endorsement and has worked at four boarding academies for over twenty-seven years in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and now his home state of Colorado. Two of his sisters, Teresa Johansen and Sue Helm, both live and work at Campion.
 
“My personal interests include reading, woodworking and shop projects, photography, and keeping track of the four grandsons,” he commented. 
 
Campion is pleased to have such a qualified and dedicated teacher join the faculty, and we are looking forward to a great school year! 
 
Article by Jill Harlow

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