Ruah Woods Press Staff
The People Behind ROOTED:
Theology of the Body K-12 Curriculum
We are the team who created ROOTED: the world’s first Theology of the Body Curriculum for Kindergarten through 12th Grade. The story of how we came together is not coincidental. We were called to this work. Only God knows all of the connections that ultimately brought our multi-talented and passionate team together for this beautiful creation. But what we do know is that our story would not be complete without some mention of the John Paul II Institute for Studies of Marriage and Family.
On the day of his attempted assassination, May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was to announce the founding of his Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family to answer the needs of a culture in crisis. As you know, the Pope survived. And so did the JPII Institute, whose principal mission is to advance and develop the teaching of Theology of the Body. Nine of these JPII graduates are living this mission through the creation of ROOTED: Theology of the Body K-12 Curriculum.
Our Curriculum Development Team: All Graduates of the
PONTIFICAL JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE
For Studies on Marriage and Family
• Emily Macke, MTS —HS Curriculum Writer
• Meghan Schofield, MTS —Middle School Curriculum Writer
• Molly Meyer, MTS —Elementary School Curriculum Writer
• Katherine Quan, MTS —Curriculum Designer
• Dr. Joan Kingsland, Ph.D. —Curriculum Training Specialist
• Dr. Andrew Sodergren, Ph.D. —Quality Assurance
• Rachel Coleman, MTS —Editing and Quality Assurance
• Caitlin Dwyer, MTS —Editing and Quality Assurance
• Hannah Keegan, MTS —Editing and Curriculum Training

Emily Macke
9-12 ROOTED: Theology of the Body Author

Meghan Schofield
6-8 ROOTED: Theology of the Body Author

Molly Meyer
K-5 ROOTED: Theology of the Body Author

Dr. Joan Kingsland
Curriculum Advisor / Educator Training
Our People
Our support team is made up of professionals from the secular world who happen to be Theology of the Body enthusiasts. Steve Deiters left a successful career in advertising to become the Director of Curriculum Development. Laura Strietmann saw first-hand the self-destruction of our culture as the Associate Director at Cincinnati’s Pregnancy Center East she came to Ruah Woods Press as Curriculum Consultant to help save young lives before that damage is done. D.J. Hueneman, our Training and Development Coordinator, has been a paramedic, teacher, chastity and anti-porn educator. John David Kimes has served in Catholic ministry for many years as a youth minister and mission partner. He now serves as Ruah Woods Press’ High School Curriculum Consultant. Evie Estes, Curriculum Support, was formerly a pharmaceutical sales rep, parenting coach, website managing publisher, and parenting class educator at Pregnancy Center East. Fr. Tom Wray served as Director of the Office of Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati from 2015-2018 and is now our Chaplain and Curriculum Consultant. Leslie Kuhlman serves as Executive Director of Ruah Woods and oversees operations, adult education, Ruah Woods Press and Ruah Woods Psychological Services. She has been teaching Theology of the Body courses on-site for over 9 years.
Related Sites to Visit
Ruah Woods Psychological Services