Why Christian Education

I highly value Christian education. I have chosen it for my own children. I believe my primary responsibility as a parent is to point my children to the Lord. He is the author of all truth and knowledge; therefore, separating Him from academic studies goes against common sense. When my children leave the Christian school environment, I hope that their teachers, through the work of the Holy Spirit, will have helped my husband and me to instill in them the ability to discern truth, a firm understanding of why they believe what they believe, and the ability to defend their faith. How wonderful it has been for us to have other adults planting and watering seeds of faith in the hearts of our children along with us. How wonderful it has been to have teachers older than me to mentor me as a parent and speak truth into the life of my family. I am blessed to have the opportunity to do the same for others!

Why I Love Teaching

Preschool children come to school with wide-eyed wonder! They are eager to learn new things, and they constantly amaze me with their insights and understanding. Also, any time I am sighted by one of my students outside of school, I feel like a rock star! They are so excited to see their teachers in a place or at a time out of the ordinary, and the hugs are amazing.

A Favorite Bible Verse

Matthew 6:25-34; I especially like verse 27 which reads, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The Lord used these verses to draw me, as a teenager, to Himself.

On a Personal Note

I am married with two children and love to spend time with my family. The years with my children keep getting shorter and shorter. Most weekends, I can be found belaying for my son while he rock climbs or on the soccer field watching my daughter play. They did not get their athleticism from my side of the family. My grandmother once fell into a potted palm while trying to ride an exercise bike, and I must confess I take after her. She was an artist like me. I enjoy painting on the rare occasion I can find the time.

Why Christian Education & Why I Love Teaching

The Lord has blessed me with a passion for children, especially preschool children. These are the most formative years of their precious little lives. What a blessing for them to receive a Christ-centered education. I am so thankful to be able to work with these little ones and their families as we educate them for eternity.

A Favorite Bible Verse

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“—Philippians 4:13

On a Personal Note

My family consists of two children and three dear grandchildren. I am an active member of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. I am also a member of Riverridge Garden Club. My hobbies are golf and tennis, and I enjoy a second home in Florida. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are the team I cheer for.

Why Christian Education

Public schools are certainly equipped to teach strong academic skills. However, God expects parents to provide an education for their child that goes far beyond strong academic skills. In addition to teaching the necessary academic skills, a priority needs to be placed on teaching children to know and love God.

A great goal and prayer for parents and teachers is found in Philippians 1:9-11 (TLB)

“9 My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, 10 for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns. 11 May you always be doing those good, kind things that show you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.”

The values listed above can best be taught in an environment that promotes and supports Christian education.

Why I Love Teaching

I love teaching because this is the profession God has equipped me to pursue.

A Favorite Bible Verse

I have numerous “favorite” verses. Currently two key passages of scripture for me are Isaiah 40:8 and Matthew 22:37-40.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)

On a Personal Note

After leaving The Heiskell School, I started Seeking His Kingdom Ministries with a desire to encourage people to spend more time reading God’s Word and applying Biblical principles. I have been married to my wife Linda for 44 years. Linda and I enjoy biking, kayaking, and visiting new places in the US. I also enjoy photographing birds and working in my yard. Linda and I are members of The Church of The Apostles where we volunteer for various activities.

Why Christian Education

Why I Love Serving at RDS

A Favorite Bible Verse

Proverbs 3:5-6 has always been a favorite of mine. It brings me comfort and peace as I remember Who is in control.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

On a Personal Note

Why I Love Serving at RDS

My husband, Ryan, and I have been members of Church of the Apostles for many years and had been hoping and praying for a Christ-centered preschool to make its home here. My oldest child was 3 when RDS opened its doors, and we felt so blessed to join this amazing school. It was such an honor to join the staff last year as a volunteer while watching my 3 children attend RDS together. My oldest has now “graduated”,  but I was overjoyed to return this year as an assistant to serve this very special group of teachers and staff. As a former teacher myself, I know the commitment it takes to teach these precious children, and I love being able to offer any help I can to ensure their job is easier. It is truly a blessing to be a small part of RDS!

Why Christian Education

It has been incredible to see firsthand, as a parent, the impact of teaching the content children need to know through the lens of God’s Word.  Sometimes, we (parents) often deceive ourselves into thinking we need to be and do all for our children, but it truly does take many people to come alongside and help.  Watching these teachers bring Christ into ALL areas of a child’s education has been amazing to see, and I marvel at witnessing how the teachers do this with such wisdom and grace.

Why I Love Serving at RDS

I love serving at RDS for many reasons, but most of all I love serving the teachers and families with whom I come into contact.  As a Mama of five, I totally resonate with the feelings of RDS parents who are leading busy lives, dealing with those fun ‘teachable moments’, and trying to be the parents God intends us to be.  We can feel our failure often in this area, but also, God’s grace is made all the more  evident to us.  There is still such an empty slate in a child’s life waiting to be filled.  It brings me great joy to be able to help the teachers with their daily tasks so that they can focus their time filling those slates with truths about our Creator while teaching letters, numbers, reading, Bible time, singing, or playing.

A Favorite Bible Verse

..you whom I have upheld since your birth,

and have carried since you were born.

Even to your old age and gray hairs

I am he, I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46: 3-4

On a Personal Note

I met my husband, Jamie, in Big Sky, MT.  We have five children, one girl and four boys, ages 16, 14, 11, 7, and 3.  Jamie is a middle school Bible teacher and Varsity soccer coach at Whitefield Academy where our older three children attend. Jack just started 1st grade at Schenck, and Bo and I are at RDS.  We live whirlwind lives and are on the road (and the soccer/football fields) a lot during the school year.  In the summertime, we love heading for the hills or the family farm just over the southern Georgia border for a respite.   A favorite pastime for me: praying for family and friends while swimming laps.

Why Christian Education

I believe that Christian education is a “priceless” investment in your child! Especially in today’s counter culture, we need to equip our children to face the future. We need to teach them to know what they believe and why. We need to teach them to love Jesus or the world will teach them to hate Jesus. God commands us in His Word to go out and have dominion over the earth and we need to prepare our children to do just that. I believe it is important to start training them when they are very young to look at the world through the lenses of the Bible.

Why I Love Teaching

I love teaching two year olds and seeing the joy and wonder in their faces as they make new discoveries and learn new concepts. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to teach His little ones for the past 16 years. I love watching these little ones grow and develop right before my eyes. It is amazing to see their academic and character development from the beginning of the year all the way to the end of the school year. It is also a joy to partner with the parents and come along side of them and encourage them in their parenting issues.

A Favorite Bible Verse

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119: 105

How wonderful to be in His Word and walk in His will! I have had this scripture on the wall of my classroom for the last 16 years.

On a Personal Note

I am an Atlanta girl, I was born and raised right here. I have been married to my husband Randy for 26 years and we have a son Chandler. He is a student at UGA. When I have some free time I love to travel, especially to the beach!

Why Christian Education

I am a lover of truth! I believe it is our duty to pursue truth at all costs and preserve it for the next generation. Nothing saddens me more than knowing that so many of the next generation will sit in our schools and never hear real truth. The reality of how great this deficiency is in our nation’s education system today became even more evident to me when I read the following excerpt from Harvard University’s Rules and Precepts from 1646:

Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottome, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and Learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisedome, Let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seeke it of him (Prov. 2:3).

 Wow! There is nothing to add to that.

 Why I Love Teaching

It never ceases to amaze me how eager little ones are to learn. They pick up on things so quickly; if only I had the capacity to learn like a 3 year old! If you want to know just how much they have learned, just forget one thing out of your routine, and they will remind you! Nothing goes unnoticed around a 3 year old. This is something to consider, mom and dad, as your little one starts school. They love to share stories during circle time (smile).

A Favorite Bible Verse

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. – Psalm 86:11

On a Personal Note

I was born and raised in Atlanta; this was a mix-up as I am supposed to live at the beach! My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 16 years, and he is still my best friend. We have three wonderful girls, Cate, Sophie and Phoebe. They are all six years apart, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am enjoying all of their stages…at the same time! My older girls are home educated, and my youngest is in school at Redeemer Day School…of course! My idea of relaxation is to go for a run. It is the only time I can truly relax probably because it is the only time I am alone. I also run a website, uncommontothecore.org, with one of my closest friends, Gretchen Bagwell. Please check us out!

Why Christian Education

An education founded on the idea that God is the creator and sustainer of the world and that his glory is the purpose for this creation is really the only complete education that can exist. Many people can do many good things and have knowledge without this Biblical foundation, but they cannot have the true wisdom that comes from understanding the source and the purpose of creation. God is the source and His glory is the purpose! When we are free to incorporate Biblical truth with the learning that we glean from the world around us, this is true freedom!

 Why I Love Teaching

God has promised that his word will not return void.

“so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. “

Isaiah 55:11

Teaching our little ones about the Lord and his world is a sure investment! Not only does God allow us to participate in his “accomplishments” but as teachers we are eternally blessed as well as we serve through the teaching ministry.

A Favorite Bible Verse

I believe that I shall look upon the

goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!                      

                             Psalm 27:13

On a Personal Note

My husband, Aaron, and I celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We are blessed with 5 children: Nathan (15), Micah (13), Ilsa (11), Titus (8) and Soren (4). Since our college days in Wheaton, IL, we have lived in Phoenix, Princeton, Philadelphia, Lookout Mountain, and now Atlanta! Aaron is the Senior Minister at Westminster Presbyterian in North Druid Hills since January 2013. My previous professional background is in Clinical Psychology and Counseling and I am so delighted and humbled to be joining the RDS staff this year.

Why Christian Education

As a Christian parent, I believe that the Bible exhorts us to teach our children formally and informally God’s truths (Deut.  6:7 and 31:12). It is our responsibility to present the Gospel to our children through word and deed with the hope that our Savior will draw them into a relationship early in their lives. I believe a Christian education can assist parents in this awesome task. A Christian education should integrate God’s Word in all areas of learning: math, literature, science, art, music, sports, even play time. It should also provide a community of Christian administrators, teachers, and parents that reflect the love of God to our children allowing them to see God’s grace and develop thoughts, values, and attitudes that reflect Jesus.

Why I Love Teaching

I have been blessed with the opportunity to teach in various settings: middle school, a dyslexic school and preschool. The Lord has used each opportunity to allow me to come along side children and determine the best ways to teach them about His amazing creation – from scripture lessons to math lessons. I love teaching because it allows me to create fun, challenging and motivating lessons that inspire children to love to learn. It brings me such joy to see their eyes twinkle with excitement when they have grasped a new concept and show a willingness and eagerness to learn more! I love to learn with my class and my prayer is that God will continue to teach us both as we discover how to glorify and enjoy Him together each day.

A Favorite Bible Verse

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10

The verse has been a beautiful reminder to me in times of fear and anxiousness to trust and rest in Him.

On a Personal Note

The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband who has been my best friend since middle school and three beautiful children. One of my greatest joys is creating a loving and beautiful home for them. It may be through cooking a meal, planting flowers in the garden, or a decorating project. Although I receive great pleasure at the completion of each creative endeavor; my prayer is that ultimately the beauty that surrounds us will be a sign pointing to the glorious beauty of God.

Why Christian Education

God’s Word is clear, “These words, which I am commanding you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

God has given parents the responsibility of educating their children. That education is to be based on God’s Word and Christian principles. As Christian educators, we are given the privilege, by parents, to join them in this precious process. We are actively involved in praying for our children and their families, in sowing the seeds of God’s Word in their hearts, in training children in Christian values, and most importantly, in pointing them to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why I Love Teaching

Teaching has been my passion for over forty years because of my two loves. My first love is for Christ and His Kingdom, and my second love is for children. My desire has always been to train, introduce and nourish children in the knowledge of who our God is, who we are as His people and our great need for a personal relationship with Him. I do not feel that there is a higher calling! I praise God for the opportunity to share Christ and depend on the Holy Spirit to draw these little people to Himself. What a joy!

A Favorite Bible Verse

I have many favorite Bible verses, but the one that seems most appropriate at this stage of my life is from Psalm 78:4. “We will not hide (the glorious deeds of our Lord) from our children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.” The Great Commission is still in effect!

On a Personal Note

I have been married to the most wonderful husband for over 50 years. We have three grown children and six grandchildren. All of our children and grandchildren have had the privilege of a Christian education, and for the last four years, I have had the honor of teaching in the same Christian school with both my daughter and my granddaughter…God is so good!

Why Christian Education

What makes me say, “Every day in Kindergarten Class is a great day”? First, teaching young children is important. It has lasting value. It shapes young lives. Christian education is distinctive. Teaching academic subjects is not separate from training in the Christian faith.
In a Christian school, everything – all subjects and concepts and values – is taught from the perspective that God created the universe and all that is in it for His own glory. How wonderful to be able to teach little children these truths! Little children can grow up knowing that God loves them. They can know that God has established right and wrong, and that the way they live matters.I began teaching Kindergarten almost 25 years ago. Each fall I can hardly wait to meet my new children and their parents.

Why I Love Teaching

It is thrilling to see the wonder in little children’s faces when they see something—like butterflies emerging from cocoons—for the first time. They are delighted when they achieve new skills in reading and writing and I get to share in their joy.

Like my students, I enjoy learning. Throughout my life, gardening, touring gardens, traveling, and learning about history have been great sources of joy and education for me. Before I became a teacher, as a newlywed and newcomer to Philadelphia, I enrolled in a course so that I could become a guide in Independence Hall. Reading about the creation of great gardens by interesting people like Capability Brown in England and the green spaces of America created by Frank Law Olmsted is inspiring. Travel and reading feed my imagination and motivation for teaching, allowing me to both learn and share what I have learned with others.

A Favorite Bible Verse

Scripture teaches us about all of life but the following passage is particularly focused on how Jesus valued little children.
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

This passage reveals both Jesus’ tender invitation for children to come to Him as well as the value of being child-like. Being a teacher of little children is having the daily opportunity of tenderly showing them how Jesus loves them. There is a window of opportunity with little children that we do not want to miss. They are so eager to learn and will easily follow if we will tenderly lead them.

On a Personal Note

My husband, Jim, and I have seen our children become parents of their own children. We desire to support them in raising the next generation to know and love the Lord Jesus. Many of the families at RDS are like our children. It is a real joy to get to know them and be a support to them in rearing their children. These are the reasons that I say “Every day in Kindergarten is a great day!”

Why Christian Education

I believe in Christian Education because it allows children to learn from the youngest of ages that Christ is the center of everything – math, science, literature, music, art, and all other subjects. There is no truth apart from the truth found in the Creator, and Christian Education allows teachers to put the Lord in the heart of the classroom, as the source of all that is good, true, and beautiful.

Why I Love Teaching

I am entering my ninth year of teaching music at Heritage Preparatory School, and I was thrilled to join the Redeemer Day School team last year. Young children innately love music, and it is a joy to lead them in lifting their voices in praise to the Lord. I love to expose even the youngest students to the joys of classical music, teaching them about the great composers and allowing them an opportunity to relish in music that has enriched our culture for centuries. I also love to teach children the great hymns of the faith, taking time to discuss what the lyrics mean in age-appropriate ways. Nothing delights me more than when children sing with understanding, appreciating and celebrating great texts that teach us so much about the Lord.

A Favorite Bible Verse

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

What a delight to know that the Lord God Himself sings with delight over His people!

On a Personal Note

My husband and I have two children, Cooper and Vivian, who both attend Heritage Preparatory School. Greg is the Director of Music and Arts at ChristChurch Presbyterian, PCA in South Buckhead. I love to spend my free time traveling, trying new restaurants, reading, and generally trying to get a word in edgewise with my lively family. I am blessed beyond measure!

Why Christian Education

Second only to a godly family upbringing in the home, Christian education is the best way to “train a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Scriptural truth, honorable values, and righteous living are being instilled in these remarkably receptive children all throughout the day in a Christ-centered classroom. I consider teaching preschool Spanish at Redeemer Day School and middle/high school Spanish at Metro Academic Studies (with both top-notch schools housed out of my home church) as an extension of my ministry work in and through The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, GA.

Why I Love Teaching

The most fulfilling aspect of teaching is that it provides an avenue for me to pour into these precious children the truth of how much God loves them. Each child is a unique and treasured gift to our Heavenly Father, and I want these kids to develop an increasing awareness of His all-embracing and all-sufficient presence. It is my aspiration to nurture in my students the sense of God Almighty’s perfect, infinite, and unconditional love for them. As we learn Spanish vocabulary, memorize Bible verses in Spanish, study Spanish-speaking countries, and look at authentic articles from Central & South America, I want God’s presence and power wrapped around every bit of our time! Furthermore, I earnestly believe that our Lord and Savior has put every beloved child in my path so I can intentionally pray for each one of them by name on a regular basis. Our signature Bible verse in Redeemer Spanish is: “Dios es amor.” Juan 14:6 (“God is love.” John 14:6)

A Favorite Bible Verse

One of my favorite Bible verses is the life verse I use for my own son, my Miracle Micah, who brings me a wealth of joy! Given my son’s name, Micah, my husband Lee’s inclination toward justice, my own spiritual gift of mercy, and the underlying application of walking humbly with our God, I feel this verse beautifully captures my family’s desired walk with the Lord as well as our overall duty as Christians within the body of Christ as a whole.

 “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

On a Personal Note

Having grown up in Huntington Beach, California and graduated from Long Beach State University (business major, Spanish minor), I was blessed with the unique opportunity to play volleyball both for my college and professionally in Europe and later to operate my own Human Resources consulting business. These athletic and occupational endeavors have instilled in me the zeal to motivate and encourage my students and colleagues alike to reach their highest potential while pursuing their own goals and dreams. My husband Lee and I have been actively involved members of The Church of the Apostles since 1992 where Lee teaches adult Sunday School and I am a weekly sanctuary greeter. Our son Micah is a home schooled high school student. He attends Metro Academic Studies, is an active member of our church youth group, and he is very involved in Boy Scouts (with 115 merit badges so far). I am very blessed to be a part of the Redeemer Day School family!

Why Christian Education

As a believer I always teach from the place of my salvation. Jesus is the source and the subject of all that I am and know. I grew up in public education with many strong believers as my teachers.  I graduated from William Jennings Bryan College where a Biblical worldview is foundational to everything that is taught.  Through both experiences I have cherished the relationships I shared with my teachers grounded in our mutual love for Jesus.

Why I Love Teaching

A small child walked up to me with her mother one day and introduced me as the teacher who taught her how to hula hoop.  That was a proud moment for me.  Hula hooping may not be a big deal, but learning to work hard at something difficult until you master it is a very big deal. Teaching is serving and sharing–two things I love to do. I hope through Christ that I can make a lasting difference in the lives of young people.

A Favorite Bible Verse

I don’t have a favorite verse, because the Bible is loaded with countless awe-inspiring verses. One phrase that constantly jumps out from the pages is, “But God…”.  Just when all seems hopeless, “But God.”  When the enemy seems to have won, “But God.”  When God’s children are buried in pain, loss, and suffering “But God”.  HE is the Omega, the end of the story, the Hero, rich in mercy, who sets everything right in the end.

“But God.” 

On a Personal Note

I am the proud mother of three beautiful boys that keep me on my toes every waking and sleeping moment of life. I have been at The Church of the Apostles for 16 years, where I am currently employed in the children’s ministry as a recreation organizer for Running Church.  I play the fiddle for the Paces Mountain Band. For about seven years, I taught elementary PE in Cobb County, where I also coached soccer and cross country for Walton High School.  Whenever I get the chance, I like to be outside camping, hiking, biking, running, exploring, and just being. I am very excited to be teaching P.E. this year at Redeemer Day School.