Teachers and Staff

Doris Rissinger

Patricia (Pat) Rich

As a Christian Theist, I believe that God is the source of all knowledge and truth. I recognize that humans are flawed through the sin nature of natural birth, with the ability to be reconciled to God through a spiritual rebirth. I believe that God created humans with a rational mind and ability to understand His created world and communicate with Him in a personal way. Since God is also the source of values and beauty, I believe that the role of a teacher is to share His truth and value system with students so that they can incorporate the same into their lives and thereby have an influence on the world around them. I

believe the role of the teacher is to present well chosen, appropriate content in ways that will reach a variety of learning styles and multiple intelligences of a diverse classroom population; most importantly, the teacher is a model and example of Godly behavior and speech in working with children.

I became a Christian at the age of 12 through Child Evangelism Release Time classes in the public school system!! Growing up in Sunday School and vacation Bible school I have received additional training through the Gesell Institute of Human Development and am now a qualified examiner to administer the Gesell Developmental Observation Tool. I am trained in the Responsive Classroom Technique of managing the classroom environment. I am currently an Adjunct Professor at PBU, teaching an Early Childhood class.

Lisa MacIntyre

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.

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.

Lynn Wenger

My goal as a teacher is to help students develop a Biblical world and life view. I want to challenge them to become Christ-like thinkers.

I attended a Christian High School where I first heard the gospel. I had attended church all my life but had never heard that I was a sinner (Rom 3:23), that there was a penalty for my sin (Rom.6:23), but Christ took that penalty in my place (Rom 5:8) and I needed to believe in the Lord and accept that gift of eternal life (Rom. 10:13).

Suzanne Dougherty

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.
 

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.

Chryss Mench

Christian education is an education based on the eternal truth of God and His Word. This will influence curriculum as well as teaching methods. The teacher will seek to integrate God's truth into the subject matter. The teacher, with Jesus, the Master Teacher, as an example, will strive to present the curriculum in ways which will encourage students to internalize concepts, build on what they already know, think on their own, and apply what is learned to life evaluating all from the perspective of God's Word.

From a young child, my parents taught me about the love of Jesus and how the only way to heaven was through faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. I believed this whole heartedly. During high school, a friend brought me into the youth group of a Bible preaching church. There, I realized what a more active relationship with my Savior meant. I have been growing in my love for the Lord and my relationship with him, ever since.

Elissa Marino

As a teacher, I want to partner with the parents of my students in helping their children grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. I want to promote a love of learning that has a truth base in God’s Word.
 

The Lord saved me at the age of 5 during the chapel service of the Christian school I attended. By His grace, I have continued to grow in the faith. My husband and I serve in the youth group at Fellowship Bible Church, Philadelphia.

Daniel Hagerty