Administration & Staff | Valley Christian School

2022-2023 ADMINISTRATION & STAFF

Dr. Chelsea Foster

Head of School

Years at VCS: 1

Years teaching: 27

Education

BS Ed, Spanish, West Chester University, 1996

MA, Bilingual/Bicultural Studies, LaSalle University, 1998

PhD, Organizational Leadership, Eastern University, 2019

Certification

PA certified: Spanish, English as a Second Language (ESL), History, Supervisory in Administration

Human Resources (SHRM-CP)

Philosophy of Christian Education

I am called to be an educator so that the generations to come might know that they have a great purpose and can put their hope in the Lord. I fully believe that all children have the capacity to grow and that scripture instructs us to teach them about the Lord and his precepts and that this is foundational to whatever specialties, gifts, or talents they may possess because we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Testimony & Biography

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at Vacation Bible School when I was 14. The theme “fishers of men” taught me that God loves us, wants a relationship with us, and has a purpose for our lives. I am a wife, a mother of four, a life-long learner, and preacher (a praying teacher) who loves to work with young people and the young at heart. I understand the unique dynamics of education in the traditional public school, charter school, and private school sectors, and I deeply value the Christ-centered mission and legacy that VCS brings to the world. I am honored to serve the school and to walk alongside the VCS community as we grow daily in loving the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving our neighbors as our own.

Read more about Dr. Foster at https://www.vcskids.com/head-of-school-news

Ms. Suzanne Dougherty

Assistant Head of School

Years at VCS: 19

Years teaching: 19

Education

BA, Bible/Elementary Education, Philadelphia Biblical University, 2003

BA, Early Childhood Education, Philadelphia Biblical University, 2003

Certification

ACSI, 2010; PA, 2003

Philosophy 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.

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.

Mrs. Tonya M. Bridges

Director of Advancement and Communications

Years at VCS: 1 year

Education

BS, Accounting, Thomas Jefferson University

Principles of Fundraising Certificate, Villanova University

Intro to Digital Marketing Certificate, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Testimony & Biography

At the age of 12 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. As a young adult, my faith was further strengthened at a new fellowship. I grew spiritually and served on several outreach ministries. After a few years, I joined the church staff. These opportunities to serve prepared me for ministry with my husband when he was called to pastor a church. I am humbled and grateful for God’s continued grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love. For several years I served as the business administrator in a Christian school and then transitioned to the field of Advancement in the higher education sector. It is a privilege to serve at VCS. My life’s verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.”