Meet Our Teachers
Mrs. Dawn Mitchell
Rising 3s
​Years at VCS: 16
Years teaching: 32
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Education: BS, Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Temple University, 1992
Certificate of Children’s Ministry Leadership, PBU Institute for Higher Learning, 2008
Certification: PA Instructional I, Elementary/ Early Childhood
ACSI
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Philosophy of Christian Education
Christian education is designed to reach the whole child. All subjects are taught from a Biblical perspective, as the Bible is our unfailing truth. The focus, while including strong academics, should be geared toward the knowledge that this is not our forever home. The Christian School is an extension of the home where parents are admonished to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4b)
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Testimony & Biography
In the past, I served as Children's Ministry Director for 3 years and Nursery School Director for 3 years at a local church. I was raised in a Christian home where church and worship were very important. I do not remember a time when I did not know Christ as my Savior. Through my teen years, our family life was in turmoil, but I was blessed with many people who prayed for me and mentored me as a Christian. I had the privilege of working at a Christian camp for 3 summers, and participating in a mission trip to Poland, during which my Christian faith was solidified. I am saved by grace, and though not worthy, call Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior.
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture:
Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
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Lilia (Lily) Strizheus
P3/ Lunch aide/ MS Connect
Years at VCS: 1
Years teaching:
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Information coming soon!
Rebekah Blanda
Preschool
Years at VCS: 11
Years teaching: 25
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11
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Betty Harpur
Kindergarten
Years at VCS: 18
Years teaching: 24
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Lisa MacIntyre
Grade One
Years at VCS: 27
Years teaching: 35
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Education
BA, Bible/Elementary Education, Philadelphia College of Bible, 1982
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Certification
ACSI, 2010; PA, 1984
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Philosophy 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.
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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.
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture: Philippians 4: 4-7
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Nancy Price
Grade Two
​Years at VCS: 5
Years teaching: 44
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Education
BA, Elementary Education, Cedarville University, 1981
MA, Elementary Education, Widener University, 1986
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Philosophy of Christian Education
Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." All creation was made to exalt God and to accomplish His purposes. We were made to work and be good stewards of His creation. God made the laws by which creation operates. A Christian education provides an opportunity for the transformation of a student's life through the Holy Spirit and to equip him/her to be agents of transformation to our world. The most important aspect of Christian education is that we can only know truth about God as revealed in His word. A Christian education needs to be like a three-legged stool that allows the parent, church and school to work together in the education of the child.
Testimony & Biography
As a young child of five at my grandmother's church, I realized that I was a sinner and asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior. I continued to grow spiritually through church attendance and in personal Bible study. As a teenager, my time spent at Word of Life camp was a time of rededication for me.
From the time I was a little girl, I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher, but that summer I dedicated my life to teaching in a Christian school. God has continued to grow and stretch me as I strive to become more like Him.
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3
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Kate Vera
Grade Three
Years at VCS: 1
Years teaching: 1
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Education
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Philosophy of Christian Education
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Testimony & Biography
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture:
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Deanna Rose
Grade Four
Years at VCS: 4
Years teaching: 6
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Education
BA, Elementary Education, Cairn University, 2019
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Philosophy of Christian Education
Christian education serves to teach and care for the whole child, recognizing that every individual is uniquely made in the image of God. I believe that the classroom should be a safe place to discover more about God’s world through hands-on learning experiences. Christian education develops the mind and character of an individual, helping to distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong, with God's Word as the source of absolute truth. We are only able to create and explore because God designed us in His image, with the ability to think and reason. In learning and growing the way He designed us to, we bring Him glory and honor His name.
Testimony & Biography
I was blessed to grow up in a loving and supportive Christian family. I was introduced to Christ at a young age and accepted Him as my Savior at the age of four. Throughout my education, I grew to learn more about God's love for me and how that influenced the way I should live and serve. As a senior in high school, I had the opportunity to spend 10 days working with English students in China. A few years later, I got to spend my summer working with primary school students and orphans in Uganda. Throughout these experiences, I was able to put my faith into action and learn to trust Christ in a whole new way. I am grateful that the Lord has now brought me to VCS to serve in this new season.
Josiah Gaskin
Grade Five
Years at VCS: 1
Years teaching: 1
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Education
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Philosophy of Christian Education
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Testimony & Biography
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture:
Robert Teufel
Grade Six/ MS Math/ Technology
Years at VCS: 1
Years teaching: 1
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Education
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Philosophy of Christian Education
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Testimony & Biography
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture:
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Raymond Rutherford
Grade 7, MS English, MS Science
Years at VCS: 1
Years teaching: 1
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Education
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Philosophy of Christian Education
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Testimony & Biography:
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture:
Jacob Kim, PhD
Grade 8, MS History, MS Bible, Health
Years at VCS: 2
Years teaching: 28
Education: BA, Religion, Dickinson College, 1987; M.Div, Westminster Theological Seminary, 1991; MA Religion, Seoul National University, 1994; PhD, Religion, Temple University, 2003.
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Philosophy of Christian Education
I have come to believe that education should be practical as much as informative, so my instruction is always guided by two principles: Avoid Hypocrisy and Avoid Coercion. The Lord condemned hypocrisy (double standards) and never forced anyone to believe. People should have the freedom to make choices but should be aware that all choices have consequences; we all reap what we sow. Education should enable people to find and make better choices instead of teaching how to defend potentially bad choices. One way one may achieve this is by considering the consequences of choices. If the consequences are undesirable, then one should consider alternate choices. This has the benefit of empowering people with a way to solve problems which are, at the end of the day, the indication that we have reached the limit of our knowledge. If we have a problem, we know we must learn more truth, that is, the Word of God. Because the Word is infinite, there is always something new to learn.
Testimony & Biography
As a child the typical Kim family evening revolved around Family devotion time. This practice of singing and reading from scripture (in Korean) continued until I moved out at the age of 34. I cannot recall ever not believing in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior, but I can remember the many times I tried to forget Jesus. Life without the perceived restrictions of faith seemed so much more fun and easy. My father, who lived through harsh religious persecution, always told me that the life of faith meant sacrificing our sinful desires for the glory of God. This was often inconvenient for a Korean growing up in Philadelphia in the 1960s and 70s. So, every time someone planted the seed of doubt in my head, I embraced it and used it as the grounds for rebellion and irresponsibility. However, the truth of the cross never let me get far and instead gave me questions to answer. The journey to answer these questions enabled me to strengthen my convictions and see God’s protection and guidance through those times of doubt. My faith in Christ has “leveled up” significantly several times (grown) and the lessons learned continue to guide me with life’s new challenges and changes.
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture: John 8:32 - Know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Pastor Dan Morrison
Middle School Chaplain
Years at VCS: 6
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Years teaching: 29
Education:
BA in Philosophy from Marlboro College, 1984
MPhil in Philosophy from New School University, 1989
MDiv in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, 2005
Currently pursuing DMin at Reformed Theological Seminary
Certification: Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
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Philosophy of Christian Education
Christians should be the smartest, most creative, most productive people on the planet! For centuries, the church was the leader in education at all levels. I think the church needs to reclaim that powerful legacy. Jesus said the greatest commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Christian education is heart, soul and mind education. Students who receive a Christian education have a huge advantage because their understanding is deeper and their worldview is more integrated.
Testimony & Biography
​I am a sinner saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. My parents were missionaries, so I grew up hearing the Gospel constantly. But it wasn’t until the fourth grade that it dawned on me that the call of the gospel required a response for me. I remember going to my father and asking him, “How can I be saved?” Since 2005, I have worked as the pastor of Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church. In that role, I am constantly challenged by the Word of God – challenged to a deeper love of God, to a more robust understanding of God, and to a more faithful walk with him. My hope is in Christ alone. My own merits count for nothing.
Dr. Chelsea Foster
MS Spanish Teacher
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Jin Youn Lee
Music Teacher/ Band/ Orchestra
​Years at VCS: 3
Years teaching: 3
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Education
BM, Major in Voice (Church Music) and Minor in piano, Seoul JangShin University, 1994
MM, Major in Voice Performance, SungShin Women’s University, 2000
Certification
Korean School Teacher Certification
Music Together Certification
NAMC International Montessori Teaching Diploma for Preschool/Kindergarten ​
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Philosophy of Christian Education
I Believe that a Christian education should provide the children with the foundation of a biblical worldview. In other words, this type of education teaches children according to the biblical principles of education so that they may be able to think and act according to the Word. It also means that a Christian education does not seek to mold children into a type that would succeed materially in secular society; rather, it seeks to guide them so that they may make a profound impact on the world. For this purpose, it helps children find out God’s calling to serve His Kingdom with his or her talents.
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Testimony & Biography
I took my first step into the church during the VBS, and I met God personally in my middle school days. Then, I attended a Christian high school and joined the praise band. Especially, as I served the church’s band I came to be actively involved in street evangelism. These experiences led me to dream of a life of praising God professionally.
I have been involved in many music programs with youth groups and led me to apply to VCS. I believe that God has guided me to this path and plans something great for the students through my service. I am not someone, but I eagerly expect that God will do great things through me.
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Favorite, Key, or Life Scripture: God is with me all the time
Cindy Santee
Physical Education Teacher
Years at VCS: 3
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