​Years at VCS:  13

Years teaching:  23

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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.

​Years at VCS:  15

Years teaching:  21

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Education 

BS, Civil Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1992 

 

Certification 

ACSI: Early Education teacher certificate

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Philosophy of Christian Education 

Teaching is an immense privilege for me, not only because I get to help children learn and grow in all areas, but as a Christian educator in a Christian school, I am able to impart that knowledge and all of those learning experiences through the lens of God and His love for each of us and the amazing world He has created. I pray that the students' hearts and minds will be filled with the knowledge of the God who created them, loves them and desires a relationship with them.

 

Testimony & Biography

While I was raised in a loving home and attended church each Sunday, I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. I thought that I was "good." It was not until my junior year in high school, through a new friendship with a Christian girl, that I realized I was not a believer and had no relationship with the Lord.  The scales fell from my eyes as I read through scripture. God's word was alive and revealed that I was a sinner saved only by His amazing gift of grace. What Love!  Many years down the road from that day, I find myself continually grateful for that gift, always growing in the Lord, and sharing His love with those around me.

​Years at VCS:  8

Years teaching:  23

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Education 

BA, Early Childhood Education and Spanish, University of Richmond, 1991

MEd, Multicultural Education, Eastern University, 2002

 

Certification 

Reading Specialist, Eastern University

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Philosophy of Christian Education 

As Christian educators we have the great privilege of helping build the foundation of Biblical truths upon which children will base their decisions for life. Teachers are a part of the students’ daily lives and routines and are blessed to have the opportunity to teach them through a Biblical worldview; to see God’s hand through history, His miracles in science, His order in math, His beauty in art and music. By studying His Word in the Bible our prayer is that children will come to know God as their Savior and seek to live their lives in a way pleasing to Him. Proverbs 22:6 and 2 Timothy 3:15 speak of the importance of teaching children according to God’s Word.

 

Testimony & Biography

I was blessed to grow up in a strong Christian family where the Lord was a central part of our lives. Understanding my need for the forgiveness of my sins, I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of four. In high school and college my faith was strengthened through fellowship with other believers and through various mission trips overseas and with local ministries. Throughout my life God has been teaching me to trust Him in His perfect timing and plans for me. I am thankful for the opportunities He has given me to serve - in my teaching career, at church, and as a wife and mother.

​​Years at VCS:  2

Years teaching:  4

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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. 

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​Years at VCS:  24

Years teaching:  32

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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.

​Years at VCS:  2

Years teaching:  41

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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.

​Years at VCS:  1

Years teaching:  4

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Education 

BS, Health Science, Liberty University, 2003 

MA, Teaching, Liberty University, 2015 

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Philosophy of Christian Education

God has appointed believers, particularly parents, to train a child in the way they should go. As a Christian educator, I am an extension of the parent in a united effort to point their children to Christ. My desire is to authentically model godliness and love and to see every child be nurtured in their Christian faith. I also have the privilege of providing a focus on the truths of God as they relate to all subject areas. Matthew 22:37 says, “Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, this is the first and greatest commandment.” My goal in demonstrating the truth of this verse in my life is to be an example to those around me, especially my students.  

 

Testimony & Biography

I grew up in the church, attending every time the doors were open with my family. Church was my second home. I was blessed to be presented with God’s love in my home life, and that led me to begin my relationship with Jesus at an early age. It wasn’t until I went to college, and was on my own for the first time, that I was really confronted with my sin. It became even clearer how God’s love for me on the cross was the only way I could be in a relationship with Him. I grew in my faith, sought his word, developed fruitful friendships, and really desired to have a personal relationship with God. I have realized I can never stop learning how awesome God is and how much he loves me.  

​​Years at VCS:  3

Years teaching:  8

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Education 

BA, Elementary Education, Covenant College, 2015

 

Certification 

ACSI

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Philosophy of Christian Education

As a Christian educator, my primary goal is to teach, love, and serve in such a way that

my students experience God’s presence and are given the chance to know Him, experience Him, and develop a personal relationship with Him by placing their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Because students are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27), I value my students, giving them the chance to be creative, imaginative and gifted human beings. In my classroom, God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth. The Bible leads students to Jesus, guides students as image bearers, and informs their learning. My job is to be committed to Biblical truth and to help students understand and memorize Scriptures that apply to their everyday life. 

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Testimony & Biography

I was raised in a fun-loving Christian home. The gospel was preached to us daily by my parents. When I was 8 years old my Sunday school teacher taught a lesson on the bridge and chasm between us and Jesus. I went home that afternoon with a lot of questions. In the course of the conversation my Dad led me to the Lord, and I was baptized later that year. Since then life has been full of joys, sorrows, and much growth. God is continually teaching me that I can trust him with all aspects of my life including my calling as a teacher. 

​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

Years teaching:  

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Education 

Certification 

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Philosophy of Christian Education

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Testimony & Biography

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​Years at VCS:  2

Years teaching:  24

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Education 

BChE, Chemical Engineering, Villanova University, 1997

MS, Science and Exercise/Sport Science, University of South Carolina, 2003

 

Certification 

Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, American Council on Exercise

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Philosophy of Christian Education 

I believe that a Christian education will prepare students to live meaningful and influential lives in the present and beyond. Equipped with an awareness of truth and a solid Biblical worldview, students develop the confidence and humility to lead. By cultivating empathy, service, cooperation and forgiveness, they become effective team members and citizens. Because they learn to trust in God's promises and obey His commands, they become bold in the face of challenge and resilient in time of disappointment. A Christian education goes beyond just the books, the brains, the activities and the achievements. A Christian education nurtures the heart and puts Jesus Christ right at the center.

 

Testimony & Biography

I grew up knowing who Jesus was and with an awareness of the "rules" of God. Looking back, beginning in my teen years, I developed a thirst for God and His truth. The seeds that were planted in childhood grew with me into adulthood. Yet it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Having a relationship with Jesus has changed my life in ways I never thought possible. Knowing Him doesn't mean life is without problems, but walking alongside Him makes the challenges more bearable and the joys sweeter. When I remember that I am living and acting to glorify God, my perspective changes, and I find the peace and truth for which I had always searched. 

​Years at VCS:  4

Years teaching:  27

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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

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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.

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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.

​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

Years teaching:  21

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Education 

BA in Secondary Education and Philosophy degrees from West Chester University 

Masters in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University

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Testimony & Biography

Christian has been serving God through teaching and evangelism for more than half of his life. After 21 years of pastoring and church planting he retired to lead Influencers International, a Christian Activist movement that encourages, trains and releases Christian leaders to use their gifts to strengthen the church around the world. This journey has taken Christian throughout South America, Africa, India, Australia, Israel, United Kingdom and Brazil.

He has authored six books designed to help people translate Biblical principles into applicable skills for everyday life. Christian is determined to be a conduit for God wherever he is sent and he is honored to serve Valley Christian School.  

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​Years at VCS:  2

Years teaching:  3

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Education 

BA, Integrative Arts, Penn State University, 2018

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Philosophy of Christian Education

In the book of Genesis we find the story of God’s cosmic art project. He made everything and it was good. We see God as creator, as artist, and He made us. So we know that because we are made in His image, each one of us has in us a desire to make and to create. Even if sin has tainted everything, He has redeemed and is working to redeem. God can and does use art and artists to benefit his people and bring glory to Him. In English class, we offer our creativity as a meaningful expression of our love for God and His infinite power and love.

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Testimony & Biography

I grew up in a loving, Christ-following, creative family where I was encouraged through homeschool to pursue different avenues I was passionate about. I realized my need for a savior at an early age, making a public profession of faith in elementary school. Through my first few years of college, I was refined as the Lord burned away what I thought would sustain and brought me closer to Him in the process. Today, I regularly lead worship at my home church and daily apprentice under Jesus, fascinated by the intersection of the arts and faith. In addition to VCS, I have taught for a number of years with an arts organization, which I helped to found, called Scattered Seeds Creative Arts.

​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

Years teaching:  6 years in the classroom, 17 years elementary school librarian

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Education 

BS in Education from Bryan College, Dayton, TN

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Certification 

ACSI 

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Philosophy of Christian Education

My philosophy of Christian Education involves many areas of the student's life.  It is not just core subjects taught from a Biblical view, but also modeling godly character, and guidance through life's issue.  It is the importance of instilling in the students how to search the scripture for answers, seek the Lord in prayer, and have the opportunity to see their faith grow. 

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Testimony & Biography

I am the youngest of four children, with parents who modeled a conservative godly life.  Every night we ended our day with devotions and prayer together as a family.  I vaguely remember, at age 4, the desire to be a believer in Jesus. My parents walked me through the steps of acknowledging and confessing my sin, and accepting Jesus as my savior.  I loved learning about Jesus and worshipping God through those old hymns.  As I grew up, I knew I was different from kids I went to school with because my joy was coming from Jesus.  During my middle school years, I was blessed to have youth leaders at church who instilled the practice of a daily quiet time with our Lord.  As an adult, I can't imagine any other way to live, then with Jesus. I have been a part of women's Bible studies and served in children's ministry through the years. In the last few years the Lord has encouraged and strengthened me to put more of His Word to memory.  So, most summer mornings I walk around the neighborhood with 3x5 verse cards in hand expecting the Lord to speak through His Word. I was born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan. Both of my parents were school teachers, so our summers often included long trips throughout the United States. I followed my sister to Bryan College in Dayton, TN. There I met my best friend, Rick Swift.  We were married the year after we graduated, and began our lives together in Fort Wayne, IN.  There I  taught 3rd grade at Blackhawk Christian School for four years.  We moved to Columbia, SC so my husband could finish seminary.  After a year, he started working in the Student Life department at Columbia International Univ, and continued in various roles in that department for 31 years.  I taught 5th grade at Covenant Christian School for 2 years.  The Lord blessed us with three children.  When our children were school age, I subbed for a few years at their school, Ben Lippen.  In 2005, up through this last year, I was the librarian for the Lower School.  I just smile when I think about how the Lord moves.  As a kid, I was a very slow reader with poor comprehension.  As an adult,  I'm still a slow reader, but I love to read.  As librarian, I took great delight in finding the book that gets kids like me to love the stories and read!!  In 2022, we moved to PA so my husband could become the Dean of Students at Cairn University. When we tell people we are from South Carolina, most asks, "Why did you move here?" Simply put, the Lord moved us here.  

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​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

Years teaching:  

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Education 

Certification 

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Philosophy of Christian Education

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Testimony & Biography

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​Years at VCS:  3

Years teaching:  5

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Education 

BS, Music Education with Vocal Concentration, Messiah College

 

Certification 

PA Music PK-12

Google Level 1&2 Teacher Certification

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Philosophy of Christian Education

As an educator, I strive to teach children to be upstanding members of society through my content areas. As Christians, we can do this by emulating Christ in all aspects of the classroom. Whether it be playing ukulele, dancing, singing, or anything, it can all be used to glorify God. This mentality is at the center of my teaching. The arts are such a gift to our fallen world that we need to encourage children to express themselves and inspire others through these platforms. 

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Testimony & Biography

I have always had the teacher gene inside of me, passed down by my mother and grandmother. In addition, I have always been singing, and I do not think I will ever stop. So when it came time to choose a career path, music education seemed to be the perfect choice for me. Currently I sing and perform locally, in addition to giving private voice and piano lessons.  I grew up in a Christian home but attended public schools for all my years of schooling. This can prove difficult to continue to choose Christ over and over when the world so desperately tries to pull you away from Him. This experience deepened my desire to keep following hard after Him while growing up. I also regularly attended church and youth group. A few summers ago, I spent time on the music staff at Camp-of-the-Woods in New York. This opportunity really ignited my love of worship leading. 

​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

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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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​Years at VCS:  New to VCS in 2022-23 school year

Years teaching:  

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Education 

Certification 

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Philosophy of Christian Education

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Testimony & Biography

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