Eugene Christian School Staff 2007-2008

Susan Baurer
Principal

sbaurer@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Susan Baurer is the principal of Eugene Christian School. She came to ECS in 1972 as a teacher and became the principal in 1993. Teaching in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Oregon, Mrs. Baurer has devoted herself to educating children for over 35 years. During this time she has taught at all levels from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. A graduate of Portland State College, she also completed graduate courses at U of O, LaVerne College, Eugene Bible College, and Western Baptist Seminary. She is married to a pastor-turned-business-owner, and has two grown sons who are ECS alums, and one grandchild. Since childhood, Mrs. Baurer has always had a great desire to work with children. "I find it exciting and new every day, inspiring, encouraging, and a worthwhile way to spend my life," Sue says with a smile. "Children are our future! I believe we should be about the business of educating them for eternity."

Michelle Long
Kindergarten (Pre-K)

mlong@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Once a student at Eugene Christian School, Michelle Long now teaches our Pre-K class. She has nearly 15 years of teaching experience and has taught Pre-K through 8th grade. Mrs. Long earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in 1995 from Western Oregon University. She holds an Oregon basic teaching license, along with her ACSI certification. She believes she was "called to teach" and has enjoys her time at ECS tremendously.

Lori Erickson
Kindergarten (Pre-K) Aide

Lori Erickson feels that ECS is very special. She attended here through 5th grade, and her two children graduated from ECS. She began working in the library in 1999 as an aide to former Librarian, Loretta Birkey. This year she is our Prek-K aide for our growing class. Lori and her husband, Craig live in Eugene. Lori says, "This school was a very important part of our family's life and still is."

Karen Pierson
Kindergarten (K-5)

kpierson@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Karen Pierson has a deep love for educating children. She believes it was because her father was a principal and her mother was a teacher. She graduated from Southern Oregon College in Ashland. She taught 4th - 8th Grade in Summer Lake, preschool and 3rd Grade in John Day, 1st and 2nd Grade in Medford and preschool in Mapleton before coming to Eugene. She has been teaching at ECS since 1979. She taught K-4 for the first three years and has taught K-5 for the remainder. She has taught piano lessons since 1964 and enjoys having a piano in her classroom. Since retiring, her husband, Gene enjoys coming in to help teach science to the K-5 class.

Judy McMahon
1st Grade

jmcmahon@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Judy McMahon has taught first grade at Eugene Christian School for 37 years. She and her husband, Pat -- a retired teacher-- are parents of three ECS alums, Leesa, Leah and Lindsey. They also have 3 grandchildren, Joshua, who attends ECS, Lauren and Joey. Mrs. McMahon graduated from OSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969.

Judy Buck
2nd Grade

jbuck@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Judy Buck has been with ECS since 1994. She has taught K-4, K-5, and now 2nd Grade. Her grandmother was a one-room teacher on the Nebraska prairie and Judy shares her vocation with two sisters, many cousins and even a niece. She attended Boise College and Boise Bible College where she met her husband, Gary, then transferred to the University of Oregon where she received her degree. Mrs. Buck enjoys her family of three grown children and three grandchildren.

Helen Worcester
3th Grade

hworcester@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Our 3rd Grade teacher is Helen Worcester (pronounced “Wooster”). Mrs. Worcester attended Bible college in Los Angeles and graduated from the U of O in 1975. She taught several grades at ECS before moving to Alaska with her husband, Doug, in 1982. After enjoying many wonderful outdoor experiences in Alaska, they returned to Eugene in 1989. Mrs. Worcester home schooled her four children and taught as a substitute in public schools for several years. Helen especially enjoys Art, Literature, and hands-on activities. Her husband is the pastor of Eugene Community Church.

Pam Bennett
4th Grade

pbennett@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Pam Bennett is our new fourth grade teacher. She taught for many years at Lifegate School in Eugene. Prior to this, she taught four years as a substitute teacher int he local public schools., Mrs. Bennett graduated from Oregon State University, and received her Master at Teaching at Pacific University, at the Eugene campus. She has had training with Child Evangelism Fellowship. She has a passion for teaching the love of God to children. Mrs. Bennett and her husband have four adult children.

Patty Duncan
5th Grade

pduncan@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Patty Duncan teaches 5th Grade at ECS. Mrs. Duncan received her Bible college degree, then spent many years raising a family and helping run a family business. In the late 90’s she returned to school and obtained her teaching license from Northwest Christian College. Her experience includes two years of substitute teaching and one year of teaching Middle School. Mrs. Duncan’s children attended ECS back in the 80’s, so she is right at home here. Mrs. Duncan is a published author, and brings her freelance writing skills into the classroom which ensures many creative writing adventures for the lucky 5th Grade class. She currently has over 250 pieces in print. “Most of all,” Mrs. Duncan says, “I pray we’ll add ‘precept upon precept and line upon line’ as we fall more deeply in love with the Lord Jesus and His Word.”

Carolyn Hennen
6th Grade homeroom teacher

chennen@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Carolyn Hennen says she has always enjoyed working with children. After babysitting as a young teenager, teaching Sunday School classes in high school, and doing volunteer work in a class for academically challenged elementary age students during her senior year, she felt that Elementary Education was an obvious choice for her college major. Mrs. Hennen attended the University of Oregon, Southern Oregon University in Ashland, and Northwest Nazarene University, where she received her degree. With over 22 years of classroom experience, she has taught, in some capacity, at all Grade levels from K-4 through 8th Grade. Currently she is the 6th grade homeroom teacher and advisor for the yearbook. Mrs. Hennen finds it particularly gratifying and fulfilling to teach in a Christian school, working with parents to prepare children for the future through a Christ-centered, Bible-based teaching program.

Connie Kempf
7th Grade homeroom teacher

ckempf@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Since Connie Kempf's grandmother and great grandmother were both country school teachers, she believes she was destined to become a teacher, too. She says it has been a dream come true to be one at Eugene Christian School. After receiving her Bachelor's of Science degree in Rhetoric (Speech & Drama) from the University of Oregon in 1972, Mrs. Kempf taught at Springfield High School while working on an Interdisciplinary Master's degree in Speech, English and Counseling. In 1976 she received her Master's from the University of Oregon. For several years during the summer months, Mrs. Kempf worked as a teacher and supervisor in the Talented and Gifted program at the University of Oregon. She has over 35 years of teaching experience and has been been at ECS since 1988.

In Mrs. Kempf's words, "Of all the places I have ever taught or attended, Eugene Christian School stands out as the best place at which I have ever had the privilege of working and is, I think, the best kept secret in Eugene for high quality education with a Christian emphasis throughout its curriculum. The staff is the best I've ever worked with, especially with regard to their level of commitment to Christ and the way they care for their students and for each other."

Bill Altmiller
8th Grade homeroom teacher, Science, Bible & Math

baltmiller@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Bill Altmiller grew up in the south. His parents were both in education. He is married with three children. Two children are current students. Mr. Altmiller began teaching at Eugene Christian School in the spring of 2003, while completing his degree in mathematics from the University of Oregon. He is certified with ACSI and is teaching math, science and Bible. He says, "Education for our children is my passion and where the Lord has called me.

Christina Hammond
Middle School History, Computer & Drama

Chammond@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Chris Hammond teaches computer classes, drama and middle school history. Prior to teaching at ECS, Mrs. Hammond worked in the construction industry for 18 years as an I.T. manager, database manager and accountant. She is currently working towards her masters degree from Seattle Pacific University. Her son, Zachary, graduated from ECS. After serving 3 years on the Board, and assisting with drama productions, she was hired to teach computers and drama in 2000. Mrs. Hammond holds a B.A. degree from the University of Oregon.

Danelle Smith
Library Aide

dsmith@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Danelle is new to ECS this year. She has been a substitute teacher at ECS since 2006, and enjoys working with children of all ages. Mrs. Smith received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Oregon. She and her husband live in Eugene.

Alisa Kincade
Music

tzmaemail@aol.com

Alisa Kincade is our elementary and middle school music teacher. Mrs. Kincade holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oregon. Her oldest daughter graduated from ECS and her youngest daughter is a current student. Mrs. Kincade is excited that there is new music curriculum this year. All students have new music textbooks that are interactive and fun. She is married to Rick, and their family lives in Eugene. Mrs. Kincade says, "The children are a gift to me everyday,and the staff and teachers are wonderful. I feel privileged to teach music at ECS."

Christine Ryan
Spanish

Christine Ryan is our new Spanish teacher. She was born in Argentina and lived for a year in Guatemala. She graduated with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Romance Languages from the University of Oregon. She and her husband, Kevin, and son, Ryan who attends ECS, live near the school so you can often see her commute by bicycle.

Marilee Warkentin
Physical Education

mwarkentin@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Marilee has been a substitute teacher at E.C.S. since 2003. She has a B.S. Degree from the University of Oregon in Elementary Education and also a degree in recreation and park management. Mrs. Warkentin taught for 6 years in public school before her children were born. She lives in Springfield with her husband, Rick, daughter Joanna and son Aaron -- both graduates of ECS. "I love working at ECS, and am open to wherever God puts me for today."

Laura Purkey
Development and Community Relations Director

lpurkey@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Laura Purkey was hired in July 2005 to start the Development Department at ECS. She has worked in the field of fund raising for many years. She was the Development Director for Pearl Buck Center for 9 years. Mrs. Purkey's two sons attended Christian schools so she is a passionate advocate for the benefits of quality Christian education. She was a founding member of Emerald Valley Development Professionals and received the EVDP Emerald Award for Professional Development in 2006. She and her husband, Dan, enjoy serving God, ministering to the poor and encouraging others in their faith.

Meladie Kallien
Bookkeeper/Health Coordinator

mkallien@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Meladie Kallien has worked at ECS for over 30 years – 3 years as part-time nurse, and 27 years full time as a bookkeeper and front office employee. She is a licensed practical nurse from 1967-1999. Meladie’s children attended ECS, beginning in 1974 through 1987. Her husband, Fred, served as Board President for 6 years, and Education Committee Chair. She served as PTF officer for 3 years. She says, “We love ECS as a family and value its work in our community.”

Shauna Wirth
Admissions Coordinator & Playground Aide

swirth@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Shauna Wirth has been our playground aide for several years. She enjoys managing the recess time. This year, Shauna is taking on the added responsibilities of overseeing the recruitment and retention of families into ECS. As Admissions Coordinator, she oversees the preview tours, connections with prospective families, enrollment and re-enrollment process.

Wanda Randall
Parent Participation Coordinator

wrandall@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Wanda Randall has been the Family Participation Coordinator at ECS since 1999. She came to ECS with over 25 years of retail and customer service experience. Mrs. Randall has been involved with kids in Sunday School or Youth For Christ since the late 1970s. She and her husband, Phil, have two daughters. Whitney is an ECS alum attending Willamette High School, and Haley is a current student.

Jacquie Strickland
Secretary

jstrickland@EugeneChristianSchool.com

Jacquie has three children attending ECS. She volunteered as office assistant for several years and was the substitute bookkeeper. Jacquie became ECS secretary in 2006. Jacquie is married to Rob, and their family lives in Eugene.