20 minute read
PTF News
for Intermediate and Middle School Principal/Middle School Algebra I Teacher
Suza nne Bechma n
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How long have you been at GCA? My family and I have been at GCA for 11 years.
Tell us about your family. My husband Daniel and I began dating in high school and have been married for almost 24 years! We have a daughter who is 20 years old and graduated from Grace in 2019. She now attends Maryville College in Maryville, TN where she plays soccer. I have identical twin boys, Dean and Dawson, who are 17 and in 11th grade at GCA. They love all things sports and play basketball and baseball for GCA. Lastly, we have a 2nd grade daughter, Ginny Grace, who came to us through the grace of adoption in 2014. She brings so much joy to our family and keeps us all on our toes!
What makes GCA different from any other school and what do you love most about your role here? Jesus brought us to GCA and He has always been what makes this place special! From the first time we spoke to Robbie Mason about the mission and vision for this school, we knew that we had found a place that would come alongside us to help disciple and train our children in the grace and knowledge of Christ. My favorite part of my role here is that in all that I do I can point students and families back to Jesus.
What is something you know now that you wish you knew during your first year here? What would you go back and tell your former self? I have learned through the years not to jump to conclusions about anything. Until you have walked a mile in someone's shoes, you really don't know what they are going through whether that is my students, families, or staff. I have learned to put myself in other's shoes and not to assume anything about someone's situation!
What has been your most memorable moment at GCA? I have so many, but I would say seeing my boys baptized when they were in 2nd grade here is my favorite memory.
What does a typical day look like for you? Take us through a day in the life of Suzanne, managing a large family, serving as principal, and fulfilling your teaching role with students. My day starts at 5:00 AM with time for coffee and Jesus:-). My day starts here at school at 7:15 AM greeting our IS/MS students at entrance 3 with a smile and sanitizer. After the bell rings, I go to a class and facilitate our students leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. My work day is full of meetings, observations, emails and phone calls. The highlight of my day is teaching my Algebra 1 class and getting to interact and have relationships with my students! The school day ends with carpool and goodbyes. Our family nights normally involve dinner at home (I love to cook, most of the time:-)), loving on my puppy, and some sort of ball game. Currently, my boys are in basketball season and we are soaking up every minute of this fleeting time with them. I am blessed everyday that I am able to serve this GCA community and feel called here in every way!
Why do you love math? What makes math fun? Math is amazing!! I have always loved math, even as a young student. Math is always the same, you can count on it! Haha! As I have gotten older, I made the connection that math really just reflects to us the character of God. He is the same today, yesterday and forever...He is a faithful, covenant keeping God. I love helping students feel confident in a very difficult subject and hopefully build a solid foundation for HS math to come!
What do you like to do when you’re not at school? I love being with my family! I love to cook yummy meals, watch movies, and just be together. I also love being with friends that are like family, such as our small group from church.
What is one thing you are really good at? Any hidden talents? I enjoy sewing and used to own a children’s clothing line, “Rosie Posie”. I look forward to picking this back up for my grandchildren one day.
Do you have any embarrassing moments at GCA you would be willing to share? I have had too many to count in the classroom making mistakes, but I do remember falling up the stairs in front of the kids one time!
Each year we have many families who are new to GCA. Brad and Brittany Jenkins and their children are one of those families. If you haven’t gotten to know them already, you can by reading below.
How many children do you have at GCA? We have three children attending GCA
What are your children’s names and ages and what do they like to do when they’re not at school? Faith: Junior, age 16 Enjoys working out and running. She loves spending quality time with friends and family.
Ava: Freshman, age 14 Enjoys training, jumping and riding horses. She loves a good laugh and movies.
Jake: 3rd grade, age 9 Enjoys football and basketball, riding his go-cart and playing outside. Jake loves telling jokes, and he loves just about everything life has to offer.
How did the Lord work to move you across the country to Franklin? How did He lead you to this area? God is good and always has a perfect plan for our lives! We first visited Franklin in 2014, and fell in love with it. We knew that at some point we would have an opportunity to move here. Over the last six years, the Lord opened several doors that we couldn’t help but be faithful and walk through. One of the aspects we love so much about Franklin is GCA and Grace Chapel. Finding a school and church that puts Christ at the center of everything is rare in this world, and we are blessed to be a part of it. God is good all the time!
How did you first hear about our school and what was your first impression? Our realtor shared about GCA and we had seen kids wearing GCA shirts when we vacation at 30a. With having our daughters already in high school, we wanted to make sure the school would be a good fit for our family. We visited several Christian schools in the area. When we toured GCA, our entire family instantly felt that it was a perfect fit and a true answer to prayer. From the very first moment we set foot on the campus, we felt at home. We knew we just found the place where God wants us to be.
What attributes of GCA influenced your decision to apply? GCA’s commitment to the Bible and its living word is very hard to find in other schools. We are so impressed with the conviction and boldness of faith that both staff and families have at GCA.
What has been the most challenging and rewarding part of your family’s transition to a new place to live and a new school? We assumed the biggest challenge would be the ability to plug into the community and establish friendships. That was nothing more than a brief thought, as the GCA family has been unbelievably accepting and loving. In a very short period of time, the whole family has been able to establish great relationships. We absolutely LOVE Tennessee, our school and church! The Lord has truly blessed our transition abundantly. Everyday we feel beyond blessed to be here!
5th Grade All A Honor Roll
Jax Barton Cruz Baum Lillian Brooks Jason Capicik Joseph Capicik Tate Carver Graison Centers Andrew Clarke Benjamin Collins Peyton Collins Maddox DeLeon Christian DuBois Summer Foster Hayden Goodman Gabe Graham Carson Green Bennett LaRocca Haven Lindman Mae Little Ryder Murphy Macie Murton Audrey Musser Brown Nielsen Joy Patrick James Payne Graydon Reed Addie Sears Rachel Shipman Ellie Sipkovsky Brooklyn Spann Colton Stock Wyatt Thompson Lawson Tucker Emma Umerlik Sara Logan Verner
6th Grade All A Honor Roll
Elena Abart Sam Andrews Maddie Barnett Maclayne Barton Hutch Blank Sam Brewer Grace Caroline Steih Grayson DeGraff Josh Dunn Nadia Erwin David Hauk Jackson Holwerda Brooklyn Hutcheson Zoe Jones Noah Maxson Greyson McKown Ethan Musser Sophia Rakhuba Toby Sarnacke Grey Scott Elizabeth Shipman Luke Skelton Ava Stamper Lola Tanley Jade Thrasher John Tillman Audrey Volbeda Lily Yates
7th Grade All A Honor Roll
Rowan Baum Hope Brooks Tiger DeShong Jackson Dishon Chloe’ DuBois Fin Elder Ella Grace Fua Hudson Gregg Wyatt Hall Ruby Harty Maddie Herrera Griffey Jakes
7th Grade All A Honor Roll— con’t
Knox Lambert McKenna Grace McConnell Alexa Medina Tori Mullaney Brooke Myers London Norris Isabella LaRocca Luke Pedicini Ty Peterson Colton Reed Heidi Ring Shea Phillips Parker Sloas Cutler Stephens Madi Tolliver Audrey Underwood Anna Yarbrough
8th Grade All A Honor Roll
Whit Birch Eva Brooks Sofia Carman Fischer Harris JulieAnne Hart Isaiah Jones Audrey Kerr Nolan Maloney Ellis Mason Nathan Maxson Madelyn Miller Kade Nord Eisley Pankratz Lilly Patrick Olivia Pierce Sydney Ryan Mike Smith Slade Spencer Wesley Stewart Sydney Whitehead Nicole Wright
9th Grade Honor Roll 4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale)
Claire Barnett Hudson Barton Jake Breland William Brown Thomas Camacho Addison Church Gigi Clements Mackenzie Curle Brynn DeGraff Jacob Dunn Savannah Griswold Stellie Higby McKenzie Kaye Jack Summers Luke Williamson
9th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale)
Sophie Clarke Ella Kate Gill Madelyn Gregg Manna Lindman Evan Nelson Georgie Tillman Parker Vanden Oever Rebekah Windland
10th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale)
Charlie Black Rylan Blank Camden Goddard Jonathan Hammett Brendan Koreiba Aubrey Lane Marxie Myers Mae Pirtle Brooke Stephens Aimee Vogt Parker Wright
10th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale)
Anna Claire Boster Zaine Hutchison Jeremy Walling Jonathan Walling
11th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale)
Connor Armstrong Jude Cox Hubbard Galloway Blythe Hutchison Tanner Nelson Mark Parker Sean Walker Nate Westmoreland Erin Wojcik
11th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale)
Levi Allen Dawson Bechman Dean Bechman Caroline Briley Raybecca Calvert Sammy Camacho Elizabeth Clements Christian Collins Maddie Cowan Katie Dial Malachi Jones Gracyn LaRocca Paige Lewis Carter Murphy Mary Bradley Myers Ruthie Pirtle Anna Claire Riggs Bella Scott Bryce Sipkovsky Madison Smith Caleb Varner Elizabeth Vogt
12th Grade Honor Roll (4.0-4.249 on a weighted scale)
Davis Beasley Josh Breland Victoria Buzek Cassie Chapman Anna Kate Hiett Callan Jones Ashley Moore Mason Potter Julia Rayburn Haley Ring Holly Seeley Ryan Spychalski Jack Steih Averi Thorne Ashley Woodrick
12th Grade Principal’s List (4.25+ on a weighted scale)
Blake Barton Sydney Blankenship Anna Cella Nicholas Dial Luke Gill Joe Hauk Josh Hilner Meg Karner Michael Koellein
Q & A with “RBA” Richard Anderson
Our team loves hearing stories from High School Principal Richard Anderson. We thought you would like to hear about them too and get to know him a little better!
Q. How long have you been at GCA? A.This is my fourth school year to be at GCA. I came to work here on January 5, 2018 (the first day we had classes in the “new” High School building.)
Q. What is your previous professional experience? A. This is my 48th year in Education, having taught in public, private, and Christian schools. I have worked in three public school systems in Tennessee. After coming back to Nashville (my hometown) in 1979, I have worked at Brentwood Academy (Spiritual Life Director), Christ Presbyterian Academy (Founding Headmaster), and Grace Christian Academy (High School Principal). I have taught English, Psychology, and Bible and am a licensed Guidance Counselor. Q. Can you tell us a little about your family? A. My wife Cindy and I have been married for 43 years. We have three grown daughters—one in Nashville, one in Franklin, and one in St. Louis. We have eight grandchildren, ranging in age from fifteen years old down to three years old.
Q. What is your favorite thing about our school ? A. My favorite thing about GCA is both the students and my great co-workers. I got into Education to impact the lives of kids and we have some of the greatest kids I have encountered. A Kingdom “mindset” is what makes GCA so special. . .that and the fact that people here are supportive, they are “for” one another.
Q. What do you love most about your role at GCA? A. What I love most about my role at GCA is just the interaction with the people on a daily basis. Over 48 years in the profession, I have pretty much “seen it all.” Therefore, I bring some
experience (and I hope wisdom!) to most any circumstance which presents itself.
Q. What is something you know now that you wish you knew during your first year as Principal? A. What I wish I knew in my first year as Principal is: don’t be afraid! That sounds odd, but I had been out of Education for 3.5 years when I came to GCA. The people here were so welcoming to me from Day One. I would tell my former self what a bumper sticker says: “I G B O K.” (“It’s Gonna Be OK”). That is true for all of us. . .EVERY day! It’s gonna be OK because God is with us.
Q. What has been your most memorable moment at GCA? A. January 9, 2018. We had only been in the new High School building a few days. There was a malfunction of some sort with the fire alarm system. The Fire Marshal came and made us evacuate the building. We walked the entire student body over to the Grace Chapel campus and gathered in the Sanctuary. There we had an “impromptu” Chapel—some students led worship, a teacher gave a testimony, as did some students. . .nothing planned. I knew then that I had “landed” in a very unique school!
Q. What do you like doing when you’re not at school? A. I enjoy “hanging out” with Mrs. A! She is a retired teacher who is loving retirement (she has no intention of going back to work). We like to walk/hike, fish, read, watch old movies (I like the old black-and-white movies from the 1940’s), or find a “show” (TV series we can watch together on an ongoing basis). I not only enjoy most all sports...my wife is a “football junkie!” In the spring, Cindy will have me out in the yard digging for her numerous flower beds.
Q. Do you have any hidden talents? A. Back in the day, I was a pretty good tennis player. . .softball, too. But time has caught up with me and I don’t move quite as fast as I used to. I like to play cards. . .and I enjoy Trivia games.
Q. Some people may not know about your love of Elvis. What are your favorite Elvis songs? A. True confession: I have been to Graceland THREE (3) times. My favorite Elvis song is “If I Can Dream.” He closed out his “comeback” TV special with that song in December 1968. I watched it in my college dormitory. I have actually sung that song (karaoke) in public on three occasions.
Q. If you had to choose a movie title to describe your life, what would it be? A. Movie title of my life? That’s an easy one. . .”It’s A Wonderful Life.” Q. What is a top baseball moment you have witnessed in person? A. Getting to attend the 1995 World Series in Atlanta (Cleveland Indians vs. Atlanta Braves). All my life I had dreamed of going to a World Series. . .I finally made it.
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Q. We have seen a lot of changes in the Nashville area through the years. What is the one thing you miss the most from the Nashville of years ago? A. Nashville used to have much more of a “small town” feel to it. It seemed like, somehow, “everybody knew everybody.” The public school system was incredibly strong. (I went to public schools all my life. . .got a great education. . .strong foundation for college.) I miss some of the old houses which really had “character.” Now those houses are being torn down. . .two “tall skinnies” pop up in their place, almost overnight it seems. Still, Nashville is a great hometown. . .was a great place to grow up and be “from!”
The Britt family is new to GCA this year. Parents Eric and Katie have three children who all attend GCA. We asked the Britts the following questions...
Q. What are your children’s names and ages? What do they like to do when they’re not at school? A. Luke, age 10 - loves ALL things sports: football and baseball are two of his favorites! He's our righthand man at Sweethaven - he enjoys helping with all the operations of the business! Ben, age 8 - our outdoorsman! Hunting and fishing are his favorites! He can usually be found riding his bike and playing with his neighborhood friends. Anna, age 6 - dancing and gymnastics are her world! She has the best little imagination!
Q. Where did you live before moving to Tennessee? A. We lived in Woodinville, WA
Q. How did the Lord work to move you across the country to Franklin? How did He lead you to this area? A. The Lord moving us to Franklin will be a story we tell to our children's children. It was a three year process, beginning with us discovering the area on a trip to Nashville. Eric got offered a job in the area shortly after and though we were thrilled, we were also unsure about leaving our entire family out west. We turned down the initial opportunity, but couldn't get this dreamy place out of our minds, so we continued to pray for guidance. The following summer, a woman offered to buy our home that wasn't even for sale and we knew it was the Lord saying GO! We felt complete peace that time around and decided to do an extended road trip to explore His creation in our incredible country before heading to TN!
Q. How did you first hear about our school? What was your first impression of GCA? A. When we started our search for the right Christian school for our family, it consistently came highly recommended. Our first impression: it felt like home to us.
Q. What attributes of GCA influenced your decision to apply? A. The genuine community and the heart for service. We instantly felt connected and constantly talk about what a special place it is! Being part of this school is one of our greatest blessings!
Q. What has been the most challenging part of your family’s transition to a new place to live and a new school? The most rewarding? A. We had longed to be in Franklin for so long, that it was such a relief to finally be here! GCA has been so welcoming, our kids acclimated quickly and have made so many wonderful friends! The most rewarding part was leaning on God to guide us, and seeing His faithfulness.
Q. Tell us about your family Airstream trip last summer! A. It was the most incredible adventure! We were in awe of God's unique creation throughout the country - it's hard to pick a favorite! We will never forget fly fishing in Yellowstone, hiking under the waterfalls in Zion, standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon and driving the incredibly beautiful mountain roads in Colorado (towing a trailer on Million Dollar Highway was one of the scariest moments of our lives!) We would do it again in a heartbeat and highly recommend it to everyone!
Q. Would you tell us about Sweethaven and how it came to be!? A. We moved into Westhaven and quickly realized the only thing missing was an ice cream shop! The Lord's hand was very clearly in the details, and we were able to open the shop on 4th of July weekend last summer!
Like many of you, I have a stack of half-read or unread books next to my bed and a phone full of saved podcasts and sermons to listen to. I get overwhelmed with resources and books that I want to share with you as parents of high school students. The speed of information coming at us and at our kids is astounding, so while I do not want to flood you with more things on your “to do” list of parenting, I do want to direct your attention to just a few resources that I have found incredibly helpful and informative in teaching your students and parenting my own and in growing in my faith and discipleship.
There are two caveats with this information. First, I have listened, read and used these resources myself. That does not mean they are perfect. It just means I have found most of what has been provided in them as useful. And second, just because I recommend them does not mean that I agree with absolutely every single part or with everything the writer/speaker has ever said. Use your discernment, but hopefully this will be a place to start in a few areas!
1. The Bible Recap - if you want to read through the Bible, this is an amazing resource. Tara Leigh Cobble is the creator, and it is first a daily podcast where she spends 5-10 minutes recapping the assigned reading for the day, which you can find at thebiblerecap.com. She has turned the transcript of that podcast into a book, which I use and love. It allows me to write in it and read it at my pace. You may not have a goal of finishing the Bible in a year - that’s fine! But we should all read through the entire Word of God, and this resource will help you and your student do that. 2. A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World - this is an excellent book by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle. It is easy to read but so helpful in breaking down the issues our students are facing today and how we can help them navigate those issues. 3. “Becoming Something” Podcast - this podcast is actually meant for 20-somethings, but it is still incredibly useful for parents as we think about how we can best direct our teen before he/ she gets into his/her twenties. I especially recommend the episodes on dating and relationships. Pastor Jonathan Pokluda and his two co-hosts will challenge your thinking on the current dating culture. I have recommended various episodes to our seniors, but I hope you will find the series to be a tool in your own intentional parenting decisions before your student’s senior year of high school.
We want to partner with you, but we must acknowledge that you are the primary discipler and primary influence in your student’s life. Our goal is never legalism, but instead we desire to first give them a love for the Gospel and the Word of God and then help them navigate culture and practical decisions as they walk in this world. If you find these things helpful in that, please drop me a line! If you have another fabulous resource, please share it. We are actively praying for you as parents and for our students daily.
