Faculty & Administration

Faculty

The faculty of Anchor Christian Academy are carefully selected, dedicated, born-again Christians from evangelical Christian backgrounds. All teachers whole-heartedly endorse the academy’s Statement of Faith and the academy’s focus on the teacher-mentor role. All faculty members hold at least bachelor’s degrees and/or state teaching certification in the subject areas and grade levels they are teaching. Over 50% of our teachers also hold at least master's level degrees in their subject areas. Anchor Christian Academy prioritizes training and professional development of our teachers recognizing that they are vital to each student’s success.

Dr. Don Aldrich

Tell us about your educational background:
I have a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Business Leadership.

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
As a high school math teacher, I look to make the basic principles of math understandable and applicable to all students. Students are often surprised at what they can do when we lovingly encourage them to do their best.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
Being a Christian school, we can engage students in spiritual matters. I open each class with prayer, look for opportunities to encourage students to see God in the math principles we are discussing, and as appropriate, engage in spiritual conversations.

Mrs. Anna Beers

Tell us about your educational background:
I have a Bachelor's degree in Education with a Minor in Bible.

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
To help students recognize their worth and potential as a child of God while providing a Biblically sound education.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The community between both staff and families.

Mrs. Renita Gerlach

Tell us about your educational background:
BS, English Education with a Minor in Teaching English as a Second Language
MA, Cultural & Linguistic Diversity

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
My goal is to inspire students to grow in skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. I desire to lead them in their love for the Lord by being a joyful example!

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
Anchor is such a supportive, loving community of Christ-followers who are working together to effectively educate our students!

Mrs. Tina Harnish

Tell us about your educational background:
I have a BA in Spanish and a Secondary Education Certification

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
I desire for my class to be a safe place for students to learn and grow both academically and spiritually.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
I love interacting with the students, parents and staff.

Mrs. Christine Henderson

Tell us about your educational background:
Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (Early learning through Adult)

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
For students to connect the history of ancient civilizations with the Biblical narrative, reinforcing their faith with historical evidence.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The emphasis on developing a Biblical worldview throughout the curriculum.

Mr. Bruce Hoover

Tell us about your educational experience:
BA in Education, K-8, Minor in Social Studies and Industrial Arts
MA in Education, Early Childhood

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
My goal is to teach the truth about our country's history in the time allotted, comparing it with the truth of Scripture, and analyze it with the students so that they can learn from both our accomplishments and failings. I want them to be amazed at both the large and small incidents that colored our country's story, and I want them to appreciate the fact that they, too, have a role and purpose in America and the Kingdom of God.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
My favorite part of teaching at Anchor is the life and fellowship that I receive interacting with the students - my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Mrs. Nancy Hoover

Tell us your educational background:
BS in Education; Dual certification in Elementary (through 8th grade) and Special Education

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
Mastery of the subject matter and an understanding of how math and science fit into God's plan.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The community that has been created - parents, students, teachers, staff, and administration.

Mr. John Hostetter

Tell us your educational background:
BA from Washington Bible College, Minor in Pastoral Ministry
ThM from Capital Bible Seminary in New Testament Greek

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
Through the teaching process and the building of healthy relationships with students, I want to strengthen students' ability to think critically and to process subject content and cultural dynamics from a biblical worldview perspective.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
Working with and getting to know the students, as well as having the opportunity to be a supportive partner to parents, other teachers and staff in shaping these student for Christlike living.

Mr. Drew Martin

Tell us about your educational background:
BS in Physics, Minor in Philosophy

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
To make difficult concepts clear and encourage students along their educational journey.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
Interacting with the students and watching them grow and learn.

Mrs. Kate Walker

Tell us about your educational background:
B. A. in English
M. Ed in Multicultural Education

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
Having a great time while learning all the amazing things about books!

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The joy and laughter from the students that fills the classroom.

Mrs. Anne Marie Walny

Tell us about your educational background:
Bachelor's degree in Sociology/Criminology
Master of Divinity

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
As a Bible teacher, I hope to help grow in students a passion for studying Scripture, equipping them with tools to rightly and humbly handle the Word of God. I share openly and frequently from my own faith journey with the hopes of life-on-life discipleship. I want my classroom to always be a place where students can ask questions, wrestle with answers, strengthen their own faith, and come to know the character and nature of God in a deeper way.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The students at Anchor are amazing. It is rare to find such a grateful group of young people. Building relationships with them year after year is definitely a highlight for me. Specifically, our discussions during Bible classes are always thought-provoking and usually a little entertaining too!

Mr. Josiah Willis

Tell us about your educational background:
BA in Biblical Studies with a Minor in Koine Greek

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
My desire is for my students to grow in their knowledge of and love for our Lord through studying God's Word, and to glorify Him in their studies.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
I love watching things "click" for students as they learn more about God and how He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. I also enjoy engaging with students during our breaks each class day with some healthy competition in sports, etc.

Administration

Mrs. Rachel Mohler

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I have over 25 years of experience in education, in both teaching and administration. In addition to two bachelor degrees, in Education and Bible, I have a Masters in Educational Leadership from Cairn University. Looking back, it is clear that the Lord specifically prepared me for this role, equipping and training me through many different experiences. I love to help students embrace the joy of learning and develop a Biblical Worldview, while collaborating with parents in their calling to raise their children to love God and His Word. It is exciting to watch our students grow in wisdom and stature, and develop the skills they'll use to serve the Lord in the area He has called them.

Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself:
I love to travel and have been to 40 states and 21 countries.

A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
One of my favorite aspects of our school is watching the students grow and thrive. During the family interviews we hear the parents and students describe their goals and dreams, and it is exciting to see those goals achieved and the students thrive in our warm community. A collaboration between loving, engaged parents and skilled, caring educators is amazing to be a part of, and a testimony to the Lord's grace!

Mrs. Julie Phipps

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
Everything from my Bible and business degree, homeschooling my own children, teaching myself digital design skills through scrapbooking as a young mom, my learning as a commissioned Colson Fellow, my work through the Association of Christian Schools Int'l and the challenges and struggles that come from parenting adopted children from hard places all combined to prepare me for this current role. My calling is to equip image bearers to become agents of restoration in light of God's larger story, and I find that Anchor gives me plenty of opportunity to do this!

Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself:
I graduated from the Christian school that was located in the same building where Anchor is now housed.

A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
My favorite thing about Anchor is watching God work. Whether it is overall in knitting together a community of parents and students who love each other or in the specific growth and maturity of a student, I love having a front row seat to God's goodness and power.