The administration and faculty members of Bethel Christian School are all born-again believers who have been called to a ministry in Christian education. They each have a genuine love and concern for the students and a desire to help them grow in their understanding of God's truth in all areas of their lives. The teaching faculty is carefully selected to provide both a high degree of professionalism as well as a spiritual role model for their students. Teachers at BCS have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university and are certified, or working on certification by the Association of Christian Schools International and/or state of Pennsylvania. Some hold a graduate degree in their areas of specialization. Smaller class sizes enable our teachers to spend more time with each student, encouraging them in their areas of special interest and ability.
Please Get to Know Our Teachers . . .
Elementary
Mrs. Natalie Miller teaches Kindergarten and high school Spanish. She graduated from Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI) with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with endorsements in Spanish, ESL, and Language Arts in 2006. In 2008, she graduated with a Master’s Degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Cornerstone University. She has been teaching at BCS for two years. Prior to teaching at BCS, she taught middle school dual immersion (Spanish/English) and English as a Second Language in Michigan and North Carolina. She and her husband moved to Erie when he was called to be the pastor of West Erie Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) in 2010. They have two young sons. Mrs. Miller enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and learning new things. She enjoys BCS because of the Christian influence in all areas of the school. Christian education is of utmost importance especially in light of the current hyper-modern worldview that is encroaching in many aspects of popular thought and opinion. It is of vital importance to have a school that faithfully teaches the unchanging truth found in God’s Word, which is the only absolute truth.
Mrs. Karen Foor is the first and second grade teacher at Bethel Christian School. She currently teaches Bible, science, and social studies to both grades. Karen teaches first grade reading, spelling, handwriting, and English, and second grade reading, spelling, English, handwriting, and math. The 2011-2012 school year is her seventh year at Bethel. Karen received a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Mansfield University. She taught for four years in Pennsylvania public schools before working towards a master's degree in child development and family studies at Ohio University. Karen has been married to her husband, Danny, for thirty-one years. She has two children, Jeffrey and Kimberly, who attended and graduated from BCS. As a Christian and an educator, Karen believes that a Christ centered education is essential in "training up a child in the way he should go". God brought her to BCS to use her gifts and talents for His glory and to impact young lives for Christ.
Mrs. Darlene Pavkov graduated from Edinboro University with a B. S. in Elementary Education. She teaches Bible, reading, math, English, spelling, social studies, science, and handwriting at the third and fourth grade level. She has been teaching at Bethel for 16 years. Darlene has been married to Tom for 37 years. They have five children all who are graduates of Bethel Christian School. She believes strongly in Christian education and is thankful to be a part of the ministry here at Bethel, because she believes it prepares students for life both spiritually and academically.
Miss Jean Burns started teaching at Bethel Christian School in August, 1986 as a third grade teacher. The next year she was asked to teach sixth grade, and since then it has expanded to fifth and sixth with one year of fourth thrown in for good measure. A graduate with a degree in elementary education from Liberty University, she cannot imagine doing anything but teaching. While in high school and college she often tutored other kids who needed help. She enjoys “seeing the light come on” when a student understands something for the first time. Jean enjoys playing the piano and singing with her class. She longs for all her students to not only know but also understand how God created each of them with a plan and a purpose.
High School
Mrs. Jan Mock teaches English and Literature for grades seven through twelve, Speech, Music Appreciation, and assists with Choir and Drama. Mrs. Mock graduated in 1979 from Bob Jones University with a BA in Bible and a minor in English . She then returned to her home in Kansas City, Kansas to teach music. .......