Elementary School

When I started seriously thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, I knew it was either to become a psychologist or a teacher. I started down the psychology road and completed a psychology degree from OSU in 1996. During this same time my wife, Carolyn and I started our family and I felt I really needed to take a different direction that would earn a paycheck quicker to support a family, so I attended Corban University and earned a teaching certificate.

The summer after I earned my teaching certificate, I had several interviews in public schools but was beat out by teachers with experience. I had picked up an application from Albany Christian School, but didn’t really want to teach there because I had my mind set on being a missionary in a public school. So I did not fill out the Albany Christian application. By the end of summer I still didn’t have a public school job, so I filled out the application for Albany Christian and got an interview. The principal told me he was hoping I would come back. Two hours after the interview I got a phone call with a job offer to teach 4th grade. In my mind I thought I would teach a year and then apply for a public school job with a better chance of getting a job having some experience.  

But God had a different plan for me. After a year teaching at Albany Christian School, I was hooked. Teaching kids in a classroom and having the freedom to teach God’s word was what I wanted to do. I taught at Albany Christian School for 4 years and then applied for a 4th grade position at East Linn Christian and got that job. I loved being in the classroom teaching elementary students and soon realized that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

 After several years of teaching I was encouraged by a lawyer acquaintance to pursue classes to become a mediator which was very appealing because of my love for psychology. I took classes to become a mediator and did volunteer work as a mediator for juvenile victim/offender cases for Benton and Linn County Juvenile Courts for several years. I was wondering if God was leading me into another direction because of the satisfaction I got from helping children resolve their legal problems.

After about 15 years of teaching I decided I should start working on a Masters degree to learn more about being a Christian school teacher. I completed a Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Corban University in 2014. Also in 2019 I received a Professional Lifetime Education Certificate from ACSI.

Before I finished my degree, I was offered the job of elementary principal of Linn Christian Elementary School. Looking back I see how my love of psychology, becoming a mediator and earning a master’s degree was all planned out by God to prepare me as a principal in an elementary school. It has been a very rewarding job.

Alison is an East Linn graduate who is returning to her alma mater to minister to others through education. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from The Masters University in Santa Clarita California, so her Biblical training is impeccable. She returns to ELC with over 8 years of teaching from the perspective of Classical Conversations which will draw immediate respect from many of our families with a home schooling background. In addition to her experience in direct instruction she has proven success as a professional tutor over the past three years. Over the last near decade Alison has tutored and guided students in foundational skills including reading, writing, and mathematics. Her current position will largely focus on mathematics, but she has a strong background in multiple disciplines and has been trained to guide students through a wide range of highly rigorous curriculum. Alison reports that she is “Passionate and committed to shaping the hearts and minds of students so they might realize the fullness of God’s image and call in their lives.”

Alison’s personal testimony reveals that she understands personally the struggles our students face making her a good person to disciple them with humility. She described herself as an early “rule follower,” and a “people pleaser so it was easy for me to think I was a good person.” As she moved to adulthood, God revealed to her that she was “trying too hard to have all the answers” in life. She relates that God has been here for her through the doubts and struggles of life. Her final words in her testimony were “I’m so thankful He’s not waiting for me to be a ‘perfect Christian,’ but that He is patiently forming me into the likeness of Christ as I sit at His feet and invest in relationships that point me toward Jesus.” This is a great picture of the kind of discipleship we pray for in leaders at East Linn. We want people who regularly sit at the feet of The Master, humbly guiding our students. 
 

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Child Development, Sacramento State University

Other Experience: 
I have worked in Education for a long time in various roles. I have taught a first-grade summer bridge program in public schools. I worked as an elementary and primary school librarian. I worked for several years in a public school behavior classroom. I am so excited to be teaching First grade for the 2024/2025 school year.

Employed at East Linn Christian since 2023

My Deep Hope: is for you to know that you are who God created you to be!” “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 

Favorite part about working for East Linn Christian / Working in Education:
Teaching at a school that allows me to share my love of the Lord with my students is deeply important to me. East Linn Christian has allowed me to Freely speak with my students about their faith. I feel honored to be a part of each of my student's lives.

Hobbies & Other Interests: 
I love spending time with my husband and our adult children. I love animals. I crochet and love to try a new craft. I am a huge Disney fan and enjoy visiting the parks on school holidays. I love to read! I have a lot of hobbies and am always willing to try something new.

 

My own 3 children have been blessed by some very special teachers here at East Linn, and I hope to bless my students and their families while I teach here, too. 

Educational Background:
Bachelors of Science – Human Development and Family Studies / Minor in Elementary Education. – Oregon State University
Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) – Oregon State University
Oregon Teaching License from TSPC – From 2003.
 

Years in Education: 8

Employed at East Linn Christian since 2015
 

Favorite Scripture: The 23rd Psalm
All of Psalm 23 is a comfort to my soul. I was thankful to memorize it all last summer during a personal Bible Study. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...." 

My Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is that my students would know they are children of God and will follow their Heavenly Father.

Samantha is a local Linn County girl who graduated from Sweet Home High  School.  She recently completed her education degree with a Bachelor of  Science from Western Oregon University which has long been known among  the 8 state university system schools in Oregon as the premier education  school teaching candidates on the cutting edge of teaching and learning at the  K-12 level. A number of our teachers come to us following a stint of teaching  in the public sector, but it is always a thrill for us when we get someone who  feels called directly into Christian education from day one.  

When asked about her reasons for coming to ELC Samantha responds with: “I am really excited to be  working at East Linn Christian Academy for my first year teaching! I have both God and my family to  thank in guiding me towards this goal, along with many of my teachers in Sweet Home that inspired  me to pursue teaching as a career.” One of her guiding scripture verses comes from the prophets. “So  do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help  you: I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10). We are overjoyed that Godly people  poured their best into Samantha in her formative years and helped her discover her dream to be a  Christian educator. 

I graduated from East Linn Christian. The teachers and experience here changed my life in a way I am not sure if I will ever be able to express the exact value of, and it definitely got me started on the journey to deepening my faith into something whole-life consuming. My goal as a teacher here is to do my best to deliver that experience to every student that walks through my doors. I love seeing "aha!" moments, hearing students ask great questions, watching students discover the joy of exploring the Bible, and walking alongside students as they discover who God says they are through the sacrifice His son made on their behalf. 
 

Educational Background:
Bachelor of Science – History, Corban University: Salem, Oregon
ACSI certified teacher

Employed at East Linn Christian Since: 2019
 

Favorite Scripture: Ephesians 2:10
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  I think understanding our identity in Christ is foundational to being able to walk in an upright way in this world and at this time. If we know God has created us by hand and loves us the same even with the mistakes we make every day, then what can shake us? From my understanding, the Greek word for "workmanship" here is "poiema", which is very similar to "poem". I love the image that we are God's poems. I have made my fair share of poetry and I am proud of it even when it doesn't come out exactly like I had envisioned or hoped. While God doesn't have the same problems with authorship that I do, I know I make a mess of His poem sometimes and it is comforting to know He is more proud of me than I am of any poem I've ever created.

My Deep Hope: My Deep Hope is for students to be vigilant in seeking God's story and glory in the past, present, and future and respond to His invitation to play a special part in the epic tale of history. Ephesians 2:10.

Favorite part about working for East Linn Christian / Working in Education: 
My favorite part of working in education here at East Linn Christian is the opportunity to partner with Christ in effecting eternal souls for His kingdom. 

Hobbies & Other Interests: 
My favorite activities are being a husband and a father! For hobbies I enjoy golf, reading, writing, and producing a podcast with a good friend of mine.

Education: 
BA in Elementary Ed. from Linfield

ESOL endorsement from Willamette University 

GLAD endorsement

ACSI certified

Other Experience: 
K-5 ELL teacher at Grandhaven Elementary School, MS teacher at Western Christian, ESL summer school, Dorm Director at Western Christian, Substitute teacher, Youth Group leader, after-school program coordinator and summer camp coordinator for Parks and Rec in McMinnville, Mexico Mission team leader

Employed at East Linn Christian Since 2020

My Deep Hope: My deep hope is that we recognize and celebrate that we are uniquely created by God to serve and impact the world with curiosity and a spirit of adventure.  #purposefully created  Ps. 139:13-14, Matt 28:19-20 and Eph 2:10

Favorite part about working for East Linn Christian / Working in Education: 
My passion is to see young people grow and develop into all that God has made them to be and it is my joy to partner in helping to teach and equip them for what God has called them to do.  

Hobbies & Other Interests: 
I enjoy sports, puzzles, baking and outdoor activities with my family when not at school.  I love the beach and getting outdoors any chance I can.  We breed labradoodles, so I also enjoy puppy snuggles and lots of dog activities!

Education:
East Linn Christian graduate!
Bachelors of Art from Western Oregon University
Oregon Teaching license 

Other Experience: 
Mexico missions trips, Sunday school teacher, Youth development professional, Preschool teacher, Self-contained dual immersion teacher (Spanish & English)

Employed at East Linn Christian Since 2021

My Deep Hope: 
My deep hope is that we would see our diversity as something to celebrate and not separate. 
Romans 12:4-6
4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

Favorite part about working for East Linn Christian / Working in Education:
My favorite part about working in education is the continued challenge of finding new ways to meet children where they are at in order to help them grow. 

Hobbies & Other Interests: 
Outside of school I enjoy skiing, paddleboarding & painting
 

Educational Background:
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (1983). University of South Dakota – Vermillion, South Dakota
Teaching Certificate with music endorsement, Corban University – Salem Oregon
Nationally Certified teacher of piano through Music Teachers National Association,

Years in Education: 4

Years at East Linn Christian: 1

Favorite Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in His time.”
 

My Deep Hope: My deep hope for my students is that together, we can become His shining stars by reflecting His Light through joyful praise.