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

HS Math

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

MS Math, Science & Health

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
Growing up in Denver, CO, I had a variety of schooling experience including private and homeschool. My husband and I have worked with teens and college-age kids in ministries since we got married, but I also taught middle school Science, Bible, Health and Life Skills classes. God has clearly directed the opening of this school, and I am excited to see how He continues to direct each student and family involved in it!

Mr. Keith Beiler

Geometry

Mrs. Erica Dienner

MS English

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught grades 6-12 English and other subjects at a school for missionary kids in Pucallpa, Peru for two years. When I returned home, I taught 5-6th grade and then 7-12th English at a UM Christian school before teaching at Anchor. I enjoy teaching small classes so I can get to know the students and families well!

Mrs. Tina Harnish

HS Spanish, Algebra

What is your overall goal for teaching?
I desire to create a safe environment for students to learn, share and make mistakes.

What is your favorite thing about Anchor?
My favorite thing about Anchor is the amazing students and staff and that we are able to talk freely about Jesus.

Mr. Bruce Hoover

U.S. History

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
My 40+ years of teaching experience has included Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School history & shop. I am totally into history! I reenact in the Civil War time period, interpret PA German history as a Landis Valley Museum Belsnickel, and belong to the Honorable Company of Horner’s, which is dedicated to the preservation of the art of horn making. Along with my wife, I give living history demonstrations on various topics, and I am known to come into class in character.

Mrs. Nancy Hoover

Math & Science

My 40+ years of teaching experiences include 17 years of classroom instruction, 25 years of home school teaching our 5 children, 30 years of individual educational therapy for learning differences, and 6 years of homeschool co-op high school classes. I am excited to be part of Anchor Christian Academy with the blended home/classroom setting!

Mr. John Hostetter

MS/HS Social Studies & Logic

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
The more I see how the cultural narratives are defining today's young people, I'm so grateful that I'm a part of a ministry that is so committed to helping students choose biblical truth as the influence that will shape their lives.

Mrs. Linda Kerr

HS English

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
My first goal is for students to learn how to read or hear information for the purpose of understanding and then evaluating everything from a Christian worldview. My second hope is that they would find knowledge and learning fun, using their full God-given potential.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
My favorite part of teaching is vital, lively discussions with our students, and Anchor’s program provides space to think deeply. I also appreciate the caring support and wisdom from fellow teachers and the administration.

Mr. Drew Martin

Science & Math

What is your overall goal for teaching your classes at Anchor?
I wish to provide cultural literacy in science and lay a foundation for students who want to study the natural sciences or related disciplines later in life. While doing this, we also glorify God by learning of His works and provide a practical venue for practicing useful skills such as mathematics or logical reasoning.

What is your favorite part of Anchor?
My favorite part of Anchor is all the wonderful students. Interacting with them several times a week is a joy in my life.

Mrs. Anne Marie Walny

HS/MS Bible & Christian Worldview

Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
Months after graduating with my M.Div. from Regent, I began teaching high school Bible at Lancaster County Christian School (LCCS) and taught there until coming to Anchor. My years teaching in the University Model have given me a tremendous appreciation for the value of education that is truly shared between parents and teachers. As my oldest child also attends a UM elementary school, I am excited to have the opportunity to be on both sides of this joint effort.

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.