Newsletter June 26, 2015a

THE WOODLANDS

THE C H WOODLANDS RISTIAN

A C A D E M ACADEMY Y CHRISTIAN JUNE 26, 2015

Commencement 2015 Commencement exercises for the Class of 2015 were held on Saturday, May 23rd at Crossroads Baptist Church. The ceremony was highlighted by speeches from valedictorian Blair Duroy, and salutatorian Samantha Thomas. The ceremony also featured the video presentation, Senior Reflections. This Woodlands Christian tradition includes photos of each graduate accompanied by brief personal reflections given by the students and faculty members.

The thirty-five member Class of 2015 received scholarship offers totaling $2,576,390.

Congratulations Class of 2015!

Blair Duroy, Valedictorian Samantha Thomas, Salutatorian

Class of 2015 The Woodlands Christian Academy

Lower School News Kindergarten Graduation The class of 2027 formally made the transition from pre-schoolers to elementary school students with a special graduation ceremony held on May 23, 2015.

Well done kindergarten students!

Class of 2027 The Woodlands Christian Academy

JUNE 26, 2015

All School News New Faculty & Staff Spotlight Ashley Barrett joins our lower school faculty as a second grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston. Most recently, she taught second grade in the Navasota ISD. “Nothing compares to knowing your students individually. I try to take my students’ outside interests and incorporate them into the classroom. This one simple tactic can be used for any subject matter and shows students that their teacher knows them beyond the grades that they earn in her classroom. There is nothing that can instill more interest in a classroom than a child’s current interests!”

Patty Bruha joins Woodlands Christian as our educational diagnostician. She will assist our enrollment office with entrance testing and evaluations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana, and a Masters degree in Special Education with certification as an educational diagnostician from Sam Houston State University. Most recently, she was an educational diagnostician at Mitchell Intermediate School in the Conroe ISD. “I look forward to working in a faith friendly environment where educators are interested in the spiritual formation and well-being of the students.”

Mike Crocker joins Woodlands Christian as head varsity football coach and physical education teacher. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama, and a Masters degree in Education Administration from Lamar University. He comes to Woodlands Christian from Logos Preparatory Academy in Sugarland where he was the Athletic Director and head baseball coach.

“I’m excited to develop godly men of character in our athletes both on and off the field. I feel that God has called me to help shape athletes according to His Word. Woodlands Christian is truly a special place and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Donna Danheim will join the lower school faculty as a first grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a minor in Geography from The University of Houston. She most recently taught at Christ Community School here in The Woodlands.

“I not only teach the curriculum but I also go beyond that with class discussions, research, technology, reading books, and playing academic games that are fun. All of these activities reinforce what I am teaching and what the students are learning.”

JUNE 26, 2015

All School News New Faculty & Staff Spotlight -- continued Tom Earle joins Woodlands Christian as head coach for track and field and cross country as well as Coordinator of Missions and Student Life. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in organizational behavior and management from the University of Houston. He also holds certification from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been with Woodlands Christian for the past seven years as our part-time track and field and cross country coach. He has also served on our Governance Board for twelve years. Most recently he was with AON Hewitt as a Senior Director of Defined Contribution Plan Leadership.

“Our family has been part of Woodlands Christian since 1999. We love it here and pour our hearts into serving the students and their families. I look forward to transferring my business and coaching experiences into the classroom to better equip our students for college life and God’s purpose for them.”

Lauren Holloway will teach third grade in our lower school. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (major in Elementary Education) from the University of Texas at Tyler. She also holds an Associate of Arts in Teaching from Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. She previously was a member of the faculty at Christian Heritage Academy in Palestine, Texas.

“God has gifted each student with unique interests, abilities, and learning styles. Learning their individual strengths, weaknesses, and styles of learning enables me to plan and create experiences that do not simply instruct the material, but that also engage the students’ minds and inspires them to think on a higher level. Hands-on learning is provided to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and to keep them engaged in the learning process.”

Pete Laugen joins our staff as Associate Principal for our Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also holds a Master of Education in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. He comes to Woodlands Christian from Washtenaw Christian Academy in Saline, Michigan where he was Head of School/Secondary Principal. His past experience also includes holding the position of Middle School Principal at Scottsdale Christian Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“The vast majority of my 22 years in education has been at the middle school level. I genuinely enjoy being around middle school students. I am a believer both in having high expectations of teachers and students, but finding a balance of joy and humor in the day.”

JUNE 26, 2015

All School News New Faculty & Staff Spotlight -- continued Mike Lewis joins Woodlands Christian as history teacher in our middle school.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Lamar University. He was a member of the faculty of Second Baptist School in Houston and most recently was with Katy High School in the Katy ISD. “The building of relationships upon the Word of God creates a bond that allows students, families and the school community to grow together. Students need to know about our Founding Fathers and why it is important to know how the past affects the future. Learning needs to be engaging and fun. There has to be a variety of instruction to meet the needs of different learning styles.”

Jessica McKenny will join our high school science department, teaching biology as well as anatomy and physiology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Maryland at College Park. Her previous experience includes teaching at the Kinkaid School in Houston.

“Nothing is more satisfying then giving a group of students a problem or a question and guiding them to discover the answer themselves. I regularly have students design and carry out their own laboratory investigations. I find that this is very engaging and is tremendously important in helping them to develop critical thinking, communication, and cooperative skills that are not only useful in science but have far reaching benefits across all academic areas and in other aspects of their lives.”

Lisa Murphy joins Woodlands Christian’s high school faculty, teaching algebra and geometry. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Education from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Most recently, she taught at the Woodlands Preparatory School.

“I believe in making every attempt at creating real life lessons in which students see how the material they are learning is relevant to their lives. I also believe in promoting rigorous academic standards as well as fostering an atmosphere that encourages children to love learning and become responsible individuals.”

Kevin Zubke will teach middle school science. He has been with Woodlands Christian for the past three years in a part-time capacity as our varsity girls basketball coach and will continue in that role. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from LeTourneau University. His previous experience includes being a member of the faculty at Carmichael Elementary in the Aldine ISD. “I look forward to showing my students the importance of rigorous academics but also staying strong in their faith in all areas of their educational pursuits and athletic endeavors, along with enjoying life and loving the Lord.”

JUNE 26, 2015

ALL SCHOOL NEWS Campus will be closed June 29-July3.

God Bless The USA!

Warrior Nation Night!

Get ready for back to school!

Monday, August 10 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Class lists and meet the teacher for lower school students.

Class schedules and locker assignments for upper school students.

Check out the new look in The Armory!

Campus will be closed August 4 & 5 for off campus professional development.

Classes resume

Wednesday, August 12

Thrive But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought and it never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

JUNE 26, 2015

ALL SCHOOL NEWS

Just in time for back to school!

Lands’ End is offering free logos July 6 - July 13 Woodlands Christian Uniform Code - 900054115

JUNE 26, 2015