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
B. S. Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Ph D, Chemical Engineering, MIT
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I have taught adult Sunday School for many years and have also done considerable professional teaching during my career with DuPont. For the last three years I have volunteered as a tutor for Middle School and High School students in ELANCO Schools through CrossNet Ministries prior to joining the Anchor faculty.
Something unique/interesting about you:
My wife, Lois, and I have been married for 48 years. We were in the same classes together from 1st grade through high school, but we didn’t date until we went to different colleges. I enjoy jogging and have completed two half-marathons at Garden Spot Village.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I look forward to helping young people really understand math principles and the importance of applying them in their lives.
Mrs. Anna Beers
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I have a variety of schooling experience. I personally attended a private school and then was homeschooled. My kids have attended private, public and homeschool. I have taught middle school Science, Bible, Health and Life Skills classes.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I am a Lancaster transplant. I grew up in Denver, CO. My husband and I have worked with teens and college-age kids in church and school ministries since we got married.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
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!
Mrs. Erica Dienner
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught grades 6-12 English and other subjects at SAM Academy, a school for missionary kids in Pucallpa, Peru for two years. When I returned home, I taught at Lancaster County Christian School for 3 years, beginning with 5-6th grade the first year, then teaching 7-12th English for 2 years.
Something interesting/unique:
My husband and I recently became bee keepers.
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor?
I enjoy teaching small classes so I can get to know the students and families well!
Mr. Bruce Hoover
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
Something unique/interesting:
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.
Closing thought:
I am honored and excited to be ministering at Anchor Christian Academy! I am blessed to be working again with former colleagues and school families, and I am excited to be part of a new school and doing what I love to do.
Mrs. Nancy Hoover
40 years of teaching experiences which include the following:
Something Interesting:
I love to travel, and I love to take people with me when I travel (want to come see Europe with me??) I also love the water and LOVE spending time in the mountains at our family’s cabin.
Closing Thought:
I am excited to be part of Anchor Christian Academy and am looking forward to working with the blended home/classroom setting!
Mrs. Linda Kerr
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught in private Christian schools for five years and have been home schooling for six. We are very involved in our co-op where I teach various humanities classes and serve as Second Level Coordinator. I’ve also worked in youth and college ministry. I truly enjoy teaching, improving students' writing skills, and helping students develop an interest in history and literature.
Something unique/interesting about you:
After college, I spent a year in Niger, West Africa, home schooling three missionary children. I still remember the sweat trickling down my back the moment I stepped off the plane onto the blacktop runway in Niamey!
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I am truly humbled and excited to be part of this new schooling adventure! I pray that the families are as blessed by the classes at Anchor as I will be in teaching there.
Mrs. Judi Mollenkof
B.S Social Studies/Secondary Education; Masters in Education
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught secondary social studies and served in administration at Christian Academy in Tokyo, Lancaster Mennonite School, and Houghton Academy in New York.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I had the privilege of growing up as an MK in Japan.
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor?
I am looking forward to joining the Anchor school community and serving families committed to a Christ centered education for their children, and teaching and working with students in the smaller class setting of the program at Anchor.
Mrs. Lauren Pierce
BA in Education from Eastern University
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught at Milton Hershey School and The Silver Academy in Harrisburg. Recently, I have spent a lot of time at Black Rock Retreat in the outdoor educational department.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I love to travel and have been to three continents and 10 countries!
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor? I am looking forward to getting to know the students and the families!
Mrs. Diane Ramer
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
After teaching Spanish for 44 years, I have just retired from full-time employment. My previous experience includes Mechanicsburg Area Junior/Senior High, Potomac High School in Virginia, HATS homeschool group, adjunct at Elizabethtown College, HACC, and LCS / LCCS for the last 13 years. I also taught Spanish for IU 13 and at many businesses in the area including High Industries, Turkey Hill, and area hospitals.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I love to draw, paint, and travel. To celebrate our 35th anniversary in July, my husband and I are taking a Danube River cruise.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I look forward to sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture in a new school with a new group of students on a part-time basis.
Mrs. Anne Marie Walny
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). I taught 3 years before moving to part-time after having my son, Asher. After a year as a teaching assistant for the Honors Bible courses, I began teaching secondary Bible in the LCCS University-Model school and continued to do so for 3 years. After I welcomed my second child, Anna, I continued teaching Bible part-time at LCCS until coming to Anchor.
Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself:
While it has happened quite unintentionally, all of the members of my immediate family have names that begin with the letter “A” (Husband – Aaron, Son – Asher, Daughter – Anna, Myself – Anne Marie). I was born and raised here in Lancaster County, but my husband is originally from Michigan. This, of course, makes for some interesting Saturdays in the fall when Big Ten Football is on!
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at 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. Also, I am thrilled to be returning to some familiar faces in the classroom!
Dr. Don Aldrich
B. S. Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Ph D, Chemical Engineering, MIT
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I have taught adult Sunday School for many years and have also done considerable professional teaching during my career with DuPont. For the last three years I have volunteered as a tutor for Middle School and High School students in ELANCO Schools through CrossNet Ministries prior to joining the Anchor faculty.
Something unique/interesting about you:
My wife, Lois, and I have been married for 48 years. We were in the same classes together from 1st grade through high school, but we didn’t date until we went to different colleges. I enjoy jogging and have completed two half-marathons at Garden Spot Village.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I look forward to helping young people really understand math principles and the importance of applying them in their lives.
Mrs. Anna Beers
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I have a variety of schooling experience. I personally attended a private school and then was homeschooled. My kids have attended private, public and homeschool. I have taught middle school Science, Bible, Health and Life Skills classes.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I am a Lancaster transplant. I grew up in Denver, CO. My husband and I have worked with teens and college-age kids in church and school ministries since we got married.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
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!
Mrs. Erica Dienner
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught grades 6-12 English and other subjects at SAM Academy, a school for missionary kids in Pucallpa, Peru for two years. When I returned home, I taught at Lancaster County Christian School for 3 years, beginning with 5-6th grade the first year, then teaching 7-12th English for 2 years.
Something interesting/unique:
My husband and I recently became bee keepers.
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor?
I enjoy teaching small classes so I can get to know the students and families well!
Mr. Bruce Hoover
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
- 40 years of teaching experience: including Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School history & shop, and preschool
- Taught 9 years of summers with PA Governor’s Institute for Social Studies Teachers
Something unique/interesting:
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.
Closing thought:
I am honored and excited to be ministering at Anchor Christian Academy! I am blessed to be working again with former colleagues and school families, and I am excited to be part of a new school and doing what I love to do.
Mrs. Nancy Hoover
40 years of teaching experiences which include the following:
- 17 years classroom experience including Kindergarten, Resource Room, Discovery Center, Middle School English, Science, and Math, French, American Sign Language, and General Math.
- 25+ years home school teaching our five children
- 30 years’ experience with individual educational therapy for learning differences
- 6 years’ experience teaching home-school co-op classes at the high school level, including French, Maths, History, and Sciences.
- Outdoor education through Black Rock Retreat
- Living history presentations
Something Interesting:
I love to travel, and I love to take people with me when I travel (want to come see Europe with me??) I also love the water and LOVE spending time in the mountains at our family’s cabin.
Closing Thought:
I am excited to be part of Anchor Christian Academy and am looking forward to working with the blended home/classroom setting!
Mrs. Linda Kerr
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught in private Christian schools for five years and have been home schooling for six. We are very involved in our co-op where I teach various humanities classes and serve as Second Level Coordinator. I’ve also worked in youth and college ministry. I truly enjoy teaching, improving students' writing skills, and helping students develop an interest in history and literature.
Something unique/interesting about you:
After college, I spent a year in Niger, West Africa, home schooling three missionary children. I still remember the sweat trickling down my back the moment I stepped off the plane onto the blacktop runway in Niamey!
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I am truly humbled and excited to be part of this new schooling adventure! I pray that the families are as blessed by the classes at Anchor as I will be in teaching there.
Mrs. Judi Mollenkof
B.S Social Studies/Secondary Education; Masters in Education
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught secondary social studies and served in administration at Christian Academy in Tokyo, Lancaster Mennonite School, and Houghton Academy in New York.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I had the privilege of growing up as an MK in Japan.
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor?
I am looking forward to joining the Anchor school community and serving families committed to a Christ centered education for their children, and teaching and working with students in the smaller class setting of the program at Anchor.
Mrs. Lauren Pierce
BA in Education from Eastern University
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
I taught at Milton Hershey School and The Silver Academy in Harrisburg. Recently, I have spent a lot of time at Black Rock Retreat in the outdoor educational department.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I love to travel and have been to three continents and 10 countries!
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at Anchor? I am looking forward to getting to know the students and the families!
Mrs. Diane Ramer
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
After teaching Spanish for 44 years, I have just retired from full-time employment. My previous experience includes Mechanicsburg Area Junior/Senior High, Potomac High School in Virginia, HATS homeschool group, adjunct at Elizabethtown College, HACC, and LCS / LCCS for the last 13 years. I also taught Spanish for IU 13 and at many businesses in the area including High Industries, Turkey Hill, and area hospitals.
Something unique/interesting about you:
I love to draw, paint, and travel. To celebrate our 35th anniversary in July, my husband and I are taking a Danube River cruise.
A closing thought about Anchor Christian Academy:
I look forward to sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture in a new school with a new group of students on a part-time basis.
Mrs. Anne Marie Walny
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). I taught 3 years before moving to part-time after having my son, Asher. After a year as a teaching assistant for the Honors Bible courses, I began teaching secondary Bible in the LCCS University-Model school and continued to do so for 3 years. After I welcomed my second child, Anna, I continued teaching Bible part-time at LCCS until coming to Anchor.
Tell us something interesting or unique about yourself:
While it has happened quite unintentionally, all of the members of my immediate family have names that begin with the letter “A” (Husband – Aaron, Son – Asher, Daughter – Anna, Myself – Anne Marie). I was born and raised here in Lancaster County, but my husband is originally from Michigan. This, of course, makes for some interesting Saturdays in the fall when Big Ten Football is on!
What do you think you will enjoy most about teaching at 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. Also, I am thrilled to be returning to some familiar faces in the classroom!
Administration
Mrs. Rachel Mohler
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
In addition to over 20 years of teaching in various positions, including 4th grade, middle school writing classes, high school composition, 5th/6th grade math and science, and secondary history, I am also a Homeschool Evaluator, evaluating hundreds of homeschool students at the end of the school year. I served as the Director of CHASE Academy, a homeschool co-op, for 4 years after serving for 2 years as a Co-Director.
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:
It's fun to be able to pop in and out of all of the classes at Anchor and get to observe many of their fun activities. I love working with the students and families, and especially enjoy watching students thrive as the year progresses.
Tell us about your teaching/education experience:
In addition to over 20 years of teaching in various positions, including 4th grade, middle school writing classes, high school composition, 5th/6th grade math and science, and secondary history, I am also a Homeschool Evaluator, evaluating hundreds of homeschool students at the end of the school year. I served as the Director of CHASE Academy, a homeschool co-op, for 4 years after serving for 2 years as a Co-Director.
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:
It's fun to be able to pop in and out of all of the classes at Anchor and get to observe many of their fun activities. I love working with the students and families, and especially enjoy watching students thrive as the year progresses.