Valley Christian School

 

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Supervisors
Dawn Mitchell
Before School Supervisor
Karen Carter
After School Supervisor
Heidi Weldon
Recess Supervisor
Kathy Vera
Recess Supervisor

Aides

Linda Weldon
Preschool Aide
Kelli Barrulli
Kindergarten

Physical Fitness

Jen DePice
Physical Fitness Instructor

Hot Lunch

Joan Clover
Hot Lunch Cook
Kelli Barrulli
Lunch Room Supervisor

Preschool

Doris Rissinger

Doris RissingerPhilosophy of Christian Education: 

I want to teach children to have a thirst for knowledge, to know truth, and to think and act Biblically, in a classroom with developmentally appropriate expectations for those attending.

Education: BA, Behavioral Science, Messiah College, 1978

Child Development Training Program, Temple University, 1978

Certification: PA, Pre-school, PA, Kindergarten

Years at VCS: 23

Years Teaching: 27

Testimony & Biography:

Raised and loved unconditionally in a Christian home with committed, uncompromising parents. Married for 27 years until separation in 2004. Four children ranging in age from 29-12,all who attended VCS. Asked Jesus Christ into my heart when I was 4 years old. A decision that has ,and will continue to, determine how I choose to live. My mission statement: I live to please Christ.

Kindergarten

Patricia (Pat) Rich

Pat RichPhilosophy of Christian Education:

As a Christian Theist, I believe that God is the source of all knowledge and truth. I recognize that humans are flawed through the sin nature of natural birth, with the ability to be reconciled to God through a spiritual rebirth. I believe that God created humans with a rational mind and ability to understand His created world and communicate with Him in a personal way. Since God is also the source of values and beauty, I believe that the role of a teacher is to share His truth and value system with students so that they can incorporate the same into their lives and thereby have an influence on the world around them. I believe the role of the teacher is to present well chosen, appropriate content in ways that will reach a variety of learning styles and multiple intelligences of a diverse classroom population; most importantly, the teacher is a model and example of Godly behavior and speech in working with children.

Education: BA, Bible/Christian Education, Philadelphia Biblical Univ, 1972

Certification:

Years at VCS: 21 years

Years Teaching: 28 years

Testimony & Biography:

I became a Christian at the age of 12 through Child Evangelism Release Time classes in the public school system!! Growing up in Sunday School and vacation Bible school I have received additional training through the Gesell Institute of Human Development and am now a qualified examiner to administer the Gesell Developmental Observation Tool. I am trained in the Responsive Classroom Technique of managing the classroom environment. I am currently an Adjunct Professor at PBU, teaching an Early Childhood class.

Grade 1

Lisa MacIntyre

Lisa MacIntyrePhilosophy of Christian Education:

The Christian school should support the parent in the purpose of strengthening the child academically, emotionally, and spiritually to develop a well balanced child to glorify God. The goal is for the child to think biblically and to see God in all areas of academics.

Education: BA, Bible/Elementary Education, Philadelphia College of Bible, 1982

Certification: ACSI, 2010; PA, 1984

Years at VCS: 10

Years Teaching: 15

Testimony & Biography:

I was raised in a Christian family and thought "I was a pretty good kid". However, at age 6 I realized that all are sinners and in need of a savior. It was then that I believed that Jesus died to take the punishment for my sins and He was my Savior. The Lord has been teaching me through various circumstances to rely on Him for strength. As it says in Phil. 1:6, He is not finished working in me yet.

Grade 1

Lynn Wenger

Philosophy of Christian Education:Female Silhouettes

My goal as a teacher is to help students develop a Biblical world and life view. I want to challenge them to become Christ-like thinkers.

Education: BA, Bible/Elementary Education, Philadelphia College of Bible, 1983

Certification:ACSI, 2010PA, 1986

Years at VCS:14

Years Teaching:10

Testimony & Biography:

I attended a Christian High School where I first heard the gospel. I had attended church all my life but had never heard that I was a sinner (Rom 3:23), that there was a penalty for my sin (Rom.6:23), but Christ took that penalty in my place (Rom 5:8) and I needed to believe in the Lord and accept that gift of eternal life (Rom. 10:13).

Grade 2

Sharon Hager

Sharon Hager Philosophy of Christian Education:

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it." I am a firm believer in the necessity of teaching a child through the eyes of God, the Creator. Each child is "fearfully and wonderfully made" and because of this, every child is able to learn and succeed through all areas of life when they have their hearts and minds stayed upon Christ Jesus.

Education: B.S, Elementary/Special Education, Temple University, 2009; A.S.Liberal Arts, Montgomery County Community College, 2005

Certification: PA, 2009

Years at VCS: 2

Years Teaching: 3

Testimony & Biography:

I was raised in a God-fearing, loving Christian home with both parents dedicated to teaching me God's Word and modeling a life of Christ. I chose to dedicate my life to Christ during my Sophmore year of high school and continue to grow every day in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Grade 3

Suzanne Dougherty

Suzanne DoughertyPhilosophy of Christian Education:

My philosophy of education stems from my philosophy of life. I believe in a personal, transcendent God that created mankind in His image. I believe God made humans with the capacity to learn. Teachers are one avenue in providing information about His creation. I believe humans are created with the ability to value beauty and have a sense of morality based upon God’s character. I also believe that mankind needs to be taught based upon a standard that reflects God’s attributes.
 

Education: BA, Bible/Elementary Education, Philadelphia Biblical Univ, 2003

BA, Early Childhood Education, Philadelphia Biblical Univ, 2003

Certification: ACSI, 2010; PA, 2003

Years at VCS: 9

Years Teaching: 9

Testimony & Biography:

I feel very blessed to be raised in a Christian home. I accepted the Lord as my personal Savior at the age of four, but my faith became firm during high school. I attended public school until college, which increased my appreciation for Christian schooling. The Lord impacted my heart to teach in a Christian school during my student teaching at VCS. The Lord is continuing to mold me into His image as I grow as an educator.

Grade 4

Chryss Mench

Chryss MenchPhilosophy of Christian Education:

Christian education is an education based on the eternal truth of God and His Word. This will influence curriculum as well as teaching methods. The teacher will seek to integrate God's truth into the subject matter. The teacher, with Jesus, the Master Teacher, as an example, will strive to present the curriculum in ways which will encourage students to internalize concepts, build on what they already know, think on their own, and apply what is learned to life evaluating all from the perspective of God's Word.

Education: BA, Elementary Education, Houghton College , 1982

BA, Psychology , Houghton College, 1982

Certification: ACSI, 2010; PA, 1982

Years at VCS: 16

Years Teaching: 23

Testimony & Biography:

From a young child, my parents taught me about the love of Jesus and how the only way to heaven was through faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. I believed this whole heartedly. During high school, a friend brought me into the youth group of a Bible preaching church. There, I realized what a more active relationship with my Savior meant. I have been growing in my love for the Lord and my relationship with him, ever since.

Grade 5

Rachel Klinger

Female SilhouettesPhilosophy of Christian Education:

Our goal in a Christian school is to teach the students all of their subjects biblically so that they are ready to deal with the adversities of the world according to God's way. I want my students to explore and immerse themselves in the learning process so they can appreciate and experience all of God's creation.

Education: B.S., Elementary Education,  West Chester University, 2010

Certification: PA, 2010

Years at VCS: 1

Years Teaching: 2

Testimony & Biography

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home where I developed a relationship with the Lord at a young age. I began working at Carson Simpson Farm Christian Center in college where I began to strengthen my faith more than ever before. It was during my time at CSF where I realized that I wanted to teach in a Christian school where I could help strengthen children's faith each day by doing what I loved - teaching.

Grade 6

Daniel Hagerty

Daniel HagertyPhilosophy of Christian Education:

I believe that as we send our children to a private Christian school, our goal is to show them the body and love of Christ through our words, actions, and teaching. I think that we need to prepare them for the world that they live in by teaching them the Truth of God and how He wants us to look and react to the people around us by loving them.

Education: BA, Elementary and Early Childhood Education. 2004

Certification: PA, 2004

Years at VCS: 4

Years Teaching: 4

Testimony & Biography:

I grew up in a Christian home where my mother was our spiritual leader and my father came to church on holidays. I accepted the Lord when I was about 8 years old and have rededicated my life to Him over the years. When I was lost in sin, I always felt God nearby ready to listen and would connect with Him to talk or pray. I truly felt His tug on my heart after college and was for the first time, baptized in 'O5. I am involved with a small group Bible study and attend Chelten Baptist Church.

Grade 7

Maggie Ely

Maggie FrickPhilosophy of Christian Education:

During college as I thought about my calling to be a teacher, I realized I could not really educate the whole child without incorporating God's Truth into my teaching. Believing that all truth comes from God and is ours to search out has shaped my philosophy of education and it is my prayer that it will continue to shape my teaching. One of my favorite verses, Psalm 34:10, reads "The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." As I teach Kindergarten at VCS it is my prayer to encourage my students not only to seek more knowledge, but more importantly to always be seeking the Lord in their lives.

 

Education: B.S. Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Grove City College, 2010

Certification: Pennsylvania, 2010

Years at VCS: 2

Years Teaching: 2

Testimony & Biography:

I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with parents who raised me to love the Lord in all that I do. I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I was 4 years old, but rededicated my life to Him on an 8th grade missions trip with my private Christian school. The Lord has blessed my family with many wonderful opportunities, the biggest of which was leaving our home in Pittsburgh to live abroad in Germany for three years (1997-2000). Grove City College enriched me not only with a great education but also many opportunities for Christian fellowship and growth. I'm excited now to be out in Eastern PA and serving the Lord at Valley Christian school! 

Physical Education  & Technology

Mrs. Stephanie Rossi

Stephanie RossiPhilosophy of Christian Education:

My philosophy of Christian Education is based on the belief that when children are secure, emotionally and spiritually, learning can occur. I use biblical values to encourage students to work hard and love each other the way Christ asks in the word. The foundation of Christian Education is a Biblical World view that informs who God is, who we are, and God's plan for each of us.

Education: BA, Elementary Education, Bloomsburg University, 1991

Certification: PA, 1991

Years at VCS: 4

Years Teaching: 14

Testimony & Biography:

I became a Born Again Christian at 22, a year after graduating from college. I started to attend a Bible believing Church. Never hearing the Salvation message in my previous church, I wanted to find out exactly what it was. My Pastor read John 3:4-16. How man is born twice; once of flesh and once of the Spirit. He then read Matthew 16:24-26. To deny myself, take up the cross and follow Jesus. I prayed the prayer of salvation and have been in the Lord's grace since.

Music Teacher

Mrs Suzy Steininger

Suzy LauzusPhilosophy of Christian Education:

My role as a Christian music educator is to inspire children to love, enjoy, and worship Jesus by exposing them to a variety of repertoire that will allow them to express their hearts and emotions. I strive to provide quality teaching that will contribute to the students whole education, making them better equipped for what life will bring.

Education: BA, Music Education K-12, Piano, Millersville University, 2009

Certification: PA, 2009

Years at VCS: 3

Years Teaching: 3

Testimony & Biography:

I grew up in a loving and Christ-centered environment, where I was encouraged to experience and enjoy the abundant love and beauty of my Heavenly Father. At age seven I made my decision to accept Christ’s free gift and begin the journey of having a personal and intimate relationship with Him. I find that when I worship the Lord through music I can genuinely express and reveal my feelings and acceptance for what has been sacrificed for me. It is when I worship the Lord through song that I learn to love Him more and more.

Spanish Teacher

Mrs Betty Harpur

Betty HarpurPhilosophy of Christian Education:

Christian education is important as it provides students an opportunity to learn academically in a Christ centered environment.

Education: B.S.C.E., Civil Engineering, NJ Institute of Technology, 1992

Certification: PA, 2009

Years at VCS: 5

Years Teaching: 5

Testimony & Biography:

I was raised in nominal Christian home where we attended church every Sunday. I thought that I was "pretty good" and believed in God and Jesus so that was all that I needed. My junior year in High School I became friends with a Christian girl and through her example knew that I did not have a relationship with Christ and that He was not the Lord of my life. I began to read through the new testament and invited Jesus into my heart that summer!

Art Teacher

Ms Anne Macha

Anne MachaPhilosophy of Christian Education:

God created us to be creative. This plays out in many different ways. My job is to guide students, and help them to be successful and enjoy creative endeavors.

Education: BFA,  Illustration / Art Education, Arcadia University, 2003

Certification: PA, 2004

Years at VCS: 3

Years Teaching: 4

Testimony & Biography:

I grew up in a Christian family that has been blessed by God's faithfulness through a lot of ups and downs. My own personal relationship with Jesus began at a young age when I realized I could not forgive my father on my own. (My dad left my mom, my older brother and I when I was three) God has kept me close to himself ever since, and lead me to many ministry opportunities abroad and in the urban setting, (including serving in the children's home ran by my dad and stepmom in Guatemala). My husband Josh is in fulltime ministry running The Ark, an after school program for the children of The Fairhill Housing Project in North Philly. Our two children are a blessing and keep me in prayer. We attend Bridge Community Church.