Elementary Administrative Staff
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.
I love Christian education because I get an opportunity to train godly leaders and enable them to fulfill their purpose in life. I have been able to pursue my passion while teaching in seven different states and at every level, from Elementary school all the way up to College subjects. Working with a broad range of education will help me serve East Linn in selecting and evaluating our curriculum. My husband, Jeremy, and I have been teaching in different capacities together, making our lives even more fun as we serve in ministry together.
Before East Linn, I served at Paideia Classical Christian School in Tampa, Florida, as the Academic Dean. I started my education at New Hope Christian College in Eugene (formerly Eugene Bible College), where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. After a short period at Lane Community College, taking prerequisites for nursing, we had a heart to move to Ohio and minister. While in Ohio, I completed my Teaching English as a Second Language certification at Wright State University. Then God called us to Texas. Jeremy got his Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary and his Masters in History from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. At that same time, I received my Masters in Intercultural Studies and Theology. I was lead Academic Advisor for North Lake Community College and Instructional Specialist for ESL teachers. Before we left Texas, God impressed upon my heart to pursue my doctorate. However, God also wanted us to move to North Dakota, but it all worked out, and I received my Doctor of Education from Southeastern University. I’m excited to be a part of the East Linn Christian community, and I know that with God’s help, my background, and experience, I will be able to assist students in reaching their goals of graduating from a Christian school and reaching the world for Him.
I have been a Christian for over thirty years and have been an ordained minister for over fifteen years. Jeremy and I have been married for over 15 years. One of my favorite verses reminds me of who I live for in life- not my family, not ministry, not work, but for Christ: Philippians 1:21 – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” I love God above all. I also enjoy theater (writing, directing, & acting), volleyball (playing & coaching), watching movies, reading books, and hanging out with family and friends. I have had many work areas, from maintenance, nannying, barista, reception, and even a telemarketing job. My husband and I are willing to go wherever God wants us. We seek Him, and He shows us the way every time. Each time He leads us differently, it is always exciting to be in His will and on the right track.
My Deep Hope is that we will learn to love and serve the Father with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and, in turn, love and serve others.
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.
Elementary Teachers
Debbie wants her students to get the kind of quality nurturing education she had as a child, and wants to be like the teachers she had for East Linn students: “I have a passion for reading and I know the importance of building the skills necessary to develop reading skills in lifelong learners. I love to be creative and think outside the box. I am eager to develop a calm learning space that allows my students to work as a school family to develop their individual skills. I can’t wait to celebrate all their achievements as we work together to gain their skills. I look forward to watching the Holy Spirit work in my classroom and in my students’ hearts. I will strive to be an example of God’s love through my words and actions in and out of the classroom. I am so excited to meet the East Linn Families and begin this next chapter in my life.”
When asked for her testimony, Debbie references the prevenient grace of God in her personal life that was clearly antecedent to her salvation experience. “I was not raised in a church and first heard the good news in the fifth grade. I grew up in southern California and my parents sent me to a Christ-centered elementary school in hopes of providing me with a stable, safe environment to grow and thrive. I remember feeling the work of the Holy Spirit during my first year. I will never forget the influence my teacher had on me. I believe God put me in that room with that teacher to witness to me the love Christ has for all of us given freely by his death on the cross. I am eager to be that for my students and watch the holy spirit move within them.” It was in fact this experience that she harkens back to when she thinks about teaching students at East Linn Christian Elementary.
Debbie is the mother of two grown boys. She loves spending spontaneous time her husband Dan, who is also an educator. They are fond of their “Date Day Saturdays” as they call them. They love to travel, are Disneyland and dog enthusiasts. Debbie is a voracious reader, which probably started long ago when she was in school. She hails originally from Southern California and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State Sacramento. When speaking of her teaching experience, Debbie shares: “I spent time right out of college subbing in the Sacramento School District. Upon the birth of my first child, I decided to stay home and raise my family. When I returned to education, I spent most of my teaching experience in public schools working in the behavior room; the last three years I was blessed to serve as a K-5 District Librarian in Philomath.” What Debbie didn’t include was that many years ago she and her husband Dan had their children at East Linn on the old Fairview campus, so she knows all about us and is a perfect fit for our ELC family.
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.
My travels have allowed me to see education in different corners of America and I can say without a doubt, ELCA is a truly special place and in my opinion, THE BEST school! I am very thankful God led my family and me here. Anyone who experiences being a part of this school is truly blessed!
Educational Background:
B.Ed. from University of Hawaii.
ACSI and TSPC-I received my teaching license in three states (Hawaii, Connecticut and Oregon).
Years in Education: 19
Years at East Linn Christian: 5
Favorite Scripture: Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I think of this verse when I am anxious or fearful. I "Grab Hold," and remember God is with me. This thought fills me with peace.
My Deep Hope: My deep hope for my students is that when they struggle, they don't give up, and instead "Grab Hold" to God's hand and let Him pull them through.
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.
Jessica comes to us from Pioneer School in Lebanon where she was a classroom teacher. Prior to her employment and student teaching she earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary and special education from Grand Canyon University in the Phoenix area. She is currently completing her Masters in Literacy from American College of Education in Indianapolis, Indiana and expects to graduate in September.
Jessica hails from Arcadia, California originally. When asked about her desire to pursue teaching in a Christian setting she replied “I believe God has called me to the Christian Education because I grew up in the church and when I was in my teens and as an early adult, I stopped going to church and even in my darkest hours, God was and is always with me.” God has been faithful in her life and she wants to respond to His calling. When speaking of her conversion and baptism she says “I was baptised around age 7 and in 2017 I was re-baptised in the Jordan River by my Pastor on our church trip to Israel.” She recommitted herself to God, believes God is actively working in her life today, and is thrilled to be at ELC. Jessica’s favorite Bible verse “in any translation” is the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 which reads "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
When asked if there was anything quirky or unusual about her that she would like people to know, the answer was easy: “I love to travel and have been to Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.” I think we have a number of staff who will want to hear her stories from the international experiences in ten different countries. Wow!
I graduated from East Linn. The teachers and experience here changed my life in a way I am not sure 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
Years in Education: 5
This is my 5th year teaching and my 3rd as a head classroom teacher.
Years at East Linn Christian: 5
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 that students would discover and embrace the identities God has been singing over them since before they were born.
Sara grew up in Lebanon, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Linfield University in 2002 and continued on with her educational pursuits, earning an ESOL endorsement from Willamette University in 2005 (English to Speakers of Other Languages) & is GLAD trained (Guided Language Acquisition & Design). Immediately after earning her degree and certification, Sara served in the role of English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher for McMinnville SD for four years, where she served as the head of the elementary English language department. She then made the leap to Christian Education, working as a middle school teacher in various roles at Western Mennonite in Salem (now Western Christian) over a seven-year period. While serving at Western, she held positions as a middle school teacher, Dormatory Director and International Program Director. In her two most recent educational settings, Sara has worked in one of the largest educational systems in the state, and in one smaller than East Linn Christian, so she has some perspective on differing educational environments that she can bring to the table when working in our community.
In her spare time, Sara breeds dogs (Labradoodles to be specific) and since returning to Lebanon two years ago she has enrolled her four children at ELC and has been serving as a substitute teacher. She knows what to expect on a day-to-day basis in the classroom and is very positive about what she expects. With regard to any Christian service in missions or Christian education, she reports “I love seeing how God moves on the hearts of His people and generously and graciously lavishes His love on us.” And “I am expectant to see what God does this year and looking forward to a year of adventure with this 5th grade class with lots of academic, spiritual and personal growth.”
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.