Each week we are introducing one of our hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff departments. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talented people God has brought to our school, and to give readers a little insight into each department, its members, and the calling the Lord has placed on their lives. We hope these articles give you an even greater appreciation for our staff and the ways they enrich our students’ lives and help make Maranatha High School a Christ-centered and welcoming community.

Kerry has been teaching at Maranatha for five years and head of the English Department for the last four. “The department’s goals and mission are to prepare our students for college level reading and writing, to be critical thinkers, and to be Christ-centered in all they do,” says Kerry. “I enjoy that my department is full of extremely intelligent individuals who have a great sense of humor and always support one another. I feel blessed to have a team that is so passionate about teaching, and who truly love our students.”

Carrie started teaching at Maranatha this school year and she has really been enjoying the staff, students, and sound of rushing water from the waterfall. “I love how everyone is approachable. It really is a total team. It’s also great to be a part of a department that laughs easily,” says Carrie.

The thing that brought Kristen to Maranatha High School is the exact same thing that keeps her here, and that is: community. “This is my eighth year teaching at Maranatha. Both my relationships with my students and my colleagues bless me beyond measure, and continues to assure me that this is exactly where God wants me to be,” says Kristen, who loves that she works with a collaborative department. “We constantly seek guidance from one another, and we push each other to be excellent in our field. Beyond that, we are actually friends who care and pray for one another. They are truly a gift to me!”

David has entered his seventh year of teaching at Maranatha, but as a 2005 alumnus and former coach of Cross Country and Track, he has been involved with MHS a lot longer. “I came back to Maranatha because I wanted to reinvest in the same community that invested in me. I had teachers and coaches who took the time to shape and mold me into who I am today. I enjoy having the opportunity to do the same for the next generation of Minutemen,” says David.

David feels very blessed to be working for such a collaborative and supportive department, and when he started working at Maranatha, there were wonderful mentors who challenged and encouraged him to grow both as an educator and person. “Together, we were better able to empower our students to think critically, communicate effectively, and live biblically. This same philosophy has continued to foster within our department today as I work with colleagues whose insights, strategies, and strengths help make me a more effective educator, both inside and outside the classroom.”

“I was called to Maranatha because I am able to talk about faith and a love for Christ that traverses literature at nearly every level,” says Erika, who has been teaching at Maranatha for four years. “I enjoy teaching poetry and literature the most with students who are like-minded in their faith.” The relationships Erika has forged in the English department are without a doubt some of the strongest she has ever experienced. “We have a good bond that goes beyond the classroom and we support one another fully. We laugh a lot and enjoy our time together planning and sharing what we love about teaching English. Our collaboration efforts have served us all well.”

This is Tim’s second year at Maranatha High School, but he first started by teaching summer school in 2016. “My favorite part about working here is that I can teach literature through the lens of the greatest piece of literature ever written: the Bible. I can’t imagine teaching stories without being able to reference the Ultimate Story,” says Tim, who also loves working with his fellow teachers in the English department. “My coworkers make coming into work more enjoyable than it otherwise would be, and I know I am supported by them, not only in teaching, but also personally, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Tim worked as an intern for two semesters at Maranatha and as a student teacher for a semester under the guidance of Daniel Baker. “It was natural for me to continue on as an employee after being here for a year and a half. God opened all the doors so easily that it was obvious that all I had to do was walk through them. The English department faculty are some of the most knowledgeable, and capable teachers I have ever met. If I ever need advice on lessons, assessments, or classroom management, they are not only willing to help, they want to help. We want to see each other succeed, and we lend a hand whenever possible.”