Returning to his Massachusetts and Cape Cod roots, Ben's journey in Christian schools first began as a teacher at Faith Christian Academy (Hyannis) in 1978 and later in 1984 as the founder/principal of Heritage Christian Academy, (North Falmouth).  During the past 18 of his 30 plus years in Christian schools Ben served as Superintendent/Principal of West Hills Christian School in Portland, Oregon.  The independent K-8 school in Portland grew from 265 to as high as 455 students, obtained dual accreditation, added academic and extra-curricular offerings, and underwent several capital campaigns to expand the campus during Ben’s tenure.

Ben also leaves his post as Chairman of the Northwest Regional Accreditation Commission for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).  During his three year tenure he was involved in leading and participating on more than 15 accreditation teams to evaluate schools within ACSI’s Northwest Region (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Montana).

Ben received his Masters of Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana and his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts.  The Haskells’ life service and commitment to Christian schools are reflected in their children.  Ben and his wife, Peg have been married for 35 years and have both been involved in Christian education.  All three of their daughters attended Christian schools from kindergarten through college.

Biography to come...

 Denise Wiegand has been at Trinity Christian Academy for 5 years.  Originally the Art and Computer teacher, Denise’s role at Trinity has evolved into the Administration and Public Relations area.  Denise’s work in Christian Education extends outside of Trinity as well, as she has been an active member of the youth ministry team at the Evangelical Free Church of East Dennis, and in association with Campus Crusade for Christ.

 Born in New York and a proud mother of two daughters, Rebekah, 16, and Rachel, 14, Denise moved to Cape Cod 15 years ago from Yosemite National Park, CA.  Denise was serving in the National Park Services as their Staff Photographer and Park Ranger after completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees of Fine Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology.  She has also served at the Truro Central School as assistant Pre-Kindergarten teacher, and at the Cape Cod Children’s Place as Birth-3 year Coordinator.

Peg received her BS in Business Administration from Stonehill College (North Easton, MA) with an emphasis in Marketing and secondary education.  Her first teaching position was at Southeastern Regional Vocational School in Easton, MA. Since 1978 she has either volunteered or worked for Christian schools on Cape Cod and Portland, Oregon while raising her three daughters.

She established a business department and taught business courses for nine years at Westside Christian High School, in Lake Oswego, Oregon.  During her tenure at Westside she introduced the first DECA program (an association for high school marketing students). Westside was the first Christian school to compete on the state and national levels.  Peg enjoyed challenging, encouraging and coaching her high school students who often received state and national awards.  Peg also served as State Chair for Oregon DECA..

During 2000 to 2009 Peg served as Director of Development at West Hills Christian School (WHCS) in Portland, OR.  During her time at WHCS she wrote and secured grants, planned fundraising events, and worked with the Board of Directors on successful campaigns to raise funds that establish a private foundation and added an educational wing and gym.

Peg is thrilled to be working at Trinity Christian Academy and excited about what God will do!

 It is very easy to see that Katie Currie loves what she does.  The joy she finds in her classroom and students is infectious and her creativity in the classroom keeps her students continually enthralled in discovery.  Katie has been at Trinity Christian Academy for 4 years, not only as an Elementary French teacher and Extended Day supervisor, but also as a parent of four TCA students.  Elizabeth, Scottie, Joshua and Hannah (her four “gorgeous children”, as she describes them) range from Pre-Kindergarten to 9th grade.
 Born and raised on Cape Cod, Katie graduated from Barnstable High School in 1990.  After a year of college, she married and started a family with her husband, Scott.  With the arrival of her first child, Katie decided to stay at home, raising her children.  For the past two and a half years, she has been masterfully working on getting her Associate’s degree at Cape Cod Community College, and she is very excited to graduate with her degree this May.

  Katie has a strong passion for teaching young children – particularly in Christian Education.  In her own words, “God tells us to train up our children in the ways of the Lord.  Therefore, it is my desire that every child hears the Truth about God’s love for them!  I believe it is absolutely essential for children to have home, church and school teaching the same principles and setting the same godly standards.  Ministering to these precious young hearts is a true ministry – one that I do not take lightly.  What a joy it is!”

 Creativity abounds in Marnie’s Kindergarten class.  Now in her sixth year as Trinity’s Kindergarten teacher, Marnie clearly has a heart for her young students as well as a great ability to engage them in the learning process.  Throughout their school year, Marnie’s Kindergarteners learn to add and subtract, read and write stories, perform science experiments and apply Bible Truths.
 Marnie was born in Taunton, Massachusetts and moved to Cape Cod after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Westfield State College in 2001.  She and her “wonderful husband, Nick” are excited to welcome their first child into their family in the spring.

  “As a disciple of Jesus, I believe that I am called to teach His Truths in a Christian school setting.  I love seeing the students’ enthusiasm as they act out Bible stories or sing songs together about the Lord.  Every child in this world is special and God loves each one.  I am grateful that I work at a school where I can teach them that.”  Certainly Trinity’s Kindergarteners and families are grateful that Marnie is here as well!

Biography to come...

 Dawn Gage is bringing years of academic and life experience to our first grade class here in her first year at Trinity.  Dawn grew up in a Navy family, the daughter of a test pilot.  After her father’s death in a flying accident in 1968, she and her family moved to Barnstable, where her mother and brothers still reside.
 After attending The Stony Brook School, a Christian Boarding School in New York, she attended Texas Christian University, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development with a minor in Education.  She has also received a Master’s degree in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  She has taught missionary children in Paraguay, English in several Chinese Universities, and served as principal for an Orphanage School in China.  She has served not only as a teacher but also as a missionary in Paraguay and in China through this past year.  While working in China, she also studied Chinese and Chinese Block printing.  Her educational background, as well as her experience of travel in Europe, Asia, Israel and South America, is enriching our first graders’ learning, and if you walk by their classroom, you just might hear them reciting Chinese phrases in unison!

  It is clear from Dawn’s extensive resume that her regard for Christian Education is very strong, a philosophy she makes clear when she says, “Small classes combined with Christian values and a dedicated teacher add up to success in my opinion.  Going away to a Christian boarding school in 8th grade was a lifesaver for me!  I know that God used that experience to mold my life, to give me time to grow and mature, and to preserve my life.  I was not a good student, but I know that, had I stayed in public school, I would have ended up on a very different road.  Those 5 years were so formative and foundational!”

 Trinity’s second graders love having Becky as their teacher.  She provides a loving atmosphere, and has a gift of teaching at just the right level for them to grasp their learning.
 With a father in the Navy during her younger years, Becky and her family lived in Maine, Virginia and Massachusetts.  When her father retired, they settled on Cape Cod where she and her parents still reside.  After receiving an associate’s degree in Education at Cape Cod Community College, Becky continued her study of Education with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s degree from Lesley University.  With 5 years of experience teaching first and third grades elsewhere, Becky is celebrating her third year as Trinity’s second grade teacher.

  Becky attended Christian schools from first through eighth grade.  She attributes her ability to thrive in public high school and college atmospheres to her early years of Christian Education, during which time she learned to rely on and be guided by her faith and go to God’s Word in all areas of her life.

 Trinity Christian Academy has been privileged enough to have Joy Wordell as third grade teacher for 38 years.  Her love for teaching is as clear as her great ability to engage and grow her students through the learning process.  Her American Colonial studies and creative class projects are famous school wide, and years later, her students regard third grade as one of the most memorable years of elementary school.
 Joy was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Florida.  After receiving her associate’s degree from Luther College of the Bible and Liberal Arts, she went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Barrington College.  She taught Kindergarten in Rhode Island before moving to Cape Cod with her husband, Nathaniel, a retired music teacher and drama coach.  Their son, Joshua, is pursuing a career in the culinary arts.  Joy’s dream is to travel throughout the United States and abroad, especially to Italy, during her retirement… Trinity hopes that time doesn’t come too soon!

  Joy’s devotion to Christian Education over the course of her career is obvious.  “I count it a privilege and an honor to be teaching in a Christian school because my faith is so important to me.  My love for Jesus is at the very center and core of my life.  So it is of the upmost importance for me to be able to share that precious love whenever and wherever possible throughout the school day.  An academic education is not complete without God at its center.  I praise God that over the years I’ve had the awesome privilege to plant many seeds in the lives of my students and watch them grow and flourish in their love for our Lord!”

 Trinity is very pleased to have Kelly Byrnes back teaching fourth grade.  After graduating from Bridgewater State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, Kelly joined Trinity’s staff for a year in 2005.  During her time away from Trinity, she began working on her Master’s degree in Elementary Education. 

 Kelly, who now lives with her husband, Matt, and their three pets, was born in South Dakota and moved often while her father was in the air force.  At the age of 10, Kelly settled on Cape Cod with her family.  It was here, while attending the Harwich Public Schools that her teachers instilled in her a passion for learning and a desire to teach.  Through Trinity, she is able to use that passion to raise up strong Christian students.  “I feel very blessed to be able to go to work everyday not only to teach children about math and science, reading and writing, but to teach them about God’s Word and encourage them in their faith and walk with Jesus.  It is my hope as a Christian educator that my students will have academic success, but will also have foundations in their faith that give them confidence to make a difference in the world.”

 Kelly’s passion for teaching also extends out of the classroom and onto the basketball court.  She coached the Trinity girls’ basketball team for two years, and looks forward to coaching again this year.

 With 12 years of teaching experience, Alice Campbell is a welcome new addition to Trinity Christian Academy.  Pioneering our new fifth and sixth grade teaching team, Alice is teaching in the areas of her gifting, English, Science and fifth grade Bible.
 After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and taking courses toward her Master’s degree in Elementary Reading, Alice began teaching second and third graders in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  When she and her husband, Craig, started a family, she decided to stay at home to raise her three daughters, Jennifer, Sarah and Kristen.  She recently returned to her family home of Cape Cod and is enjoying Cape Cod life, as well as life here at Trinity.

  Alice’s varied teaching experiences give her a unique appreciation of Christian education.  “After participating as parent and teacher in both public and Christian schools, I have come to appreciate the deep value of Christian education in nurturing a child academically, socially and spiritually.  Christian education gives children a solid moral foundation on which to build all dimensions of their lives.”

 Joining Alice Campbell in the fifth and sixth grade teaching team, Sheldon has taken over the duties of Math, History, Latin and sixth grade Bible.  His academic and life experience, teaching and travelling world-wide, make him a unique and valuable addition to Trinity Christian Academy.
 After years spent teaching in China, Sheldon Clarkson has returned to his home of Cape Cod.  Sheldon graduated from Barnstable High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Utah, as well as his Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from the Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL.  With an ESL teaching certificate from Wheaton College, Sheldon began teaching English at the university level in China.  Along with his wife, Carol, and 4 children, Sheldon most recently lived in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province and Changchun, Jilin Province in the People’s Republic of China.  His three eldest children, Emily, Victoria and Caleb, have also joined the Trinity Christian Academy student body this year.

 Whether in the global arena or closer to home, Sheldon believes strongly in the value of Christian Education.  “As Christians, we are called to be salt and light where God has placed us.  To be productive citizens for our nation and for the Kingdom of God, we need to develop a Christian worldview, to be able to see that all truth is God’s Truth, and that all education must acknowledge God’s supremacy in the created order.”

Biography to come...

 Bruce Mushet has 10 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools, three of which have been spent at Trinity Christian Academy.  In those years he has developed a strategy of approaching math that teaches students the value of understanding the “why” as well as the “how” of mathematics, and the importance of mastering, through revision and correction, the mathematical facts and processes that are presented to them.
 Bruce was born in Annapolis, MD, and raised in New Jersey.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and became an engineer on ocean ships before settling into teaching.  According to Bruce, “I sailed for two years after college, then I stopped because I married a wonderful woman and decided to stay on land and become a teacher.”  He and his wife, Rebecca, are now awaiting the arrival of their first child in the spring.

  For Bruce, Christian Education is not only a place for Spiritual growth, but also a necessary environment for academic truth.  “Math is not true because it works, it works because it’s true.  We may not know how to do something in life, or where we are going.  If we believe in the Truth, then our lives in Him must ultimately work.  Students must have an environment of faith, trust, confidence in their work, and they will see that their work works.”

Rick Porter is excited to be living and teaching on Cape Cod after vacationing here almost every summer since 1977, the year he and his wife, Cindy, were married.  Although Rick hails originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he has lived in Massachusetts for 36 years.  The Porters have one grown child, Maggie, who lives in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Porter's educational background suits him well to serve Trinity as a Bible teacher.  He was a Religion major at Amherst College and has an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  A Presbyterian minister, Rick was the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Mass. for 21 years.  From 2004-2009 he taught at Pioneer Valley Christian School, also in Springfield.  

The Porters are blessed to worship with the Evangelical Free Church of East Dennis.  An avid golfer, Rick still hopes to break 90 some day.  He is also a car buff, an art lover, and likes to think of himself as a gadget guy.

Biography to come...

 With 10 years of teaching as well as over 20 years in the field of Science and Occupational Therapy, Lisa Williamson adds a great deal of experience to the Upper Level Science department.  Lisa graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy.  She also has a certificate in the study of Neuroscience and is a certified Early Intervention Specialist, a Registered Occupational Therapist, and Hippotherapist (Therapeutic Horseback Riding).  Lisa brings her background and knowledge to the spectrum of science classes, ranging from Life Science in the seventh grade to the high school elective Anatomy and Physiology.  She also values the ability to encourage field trips and learning experiences which connect her students to individuals utilizing applied science in various fields, the most notable being her yearly seventh grade trip to the Cape Cod National Seashore.
 Lisa began her work at Trinity by aiding in the development and teaching of a school-wide developmentally-based French program, before moving on to Science.  Her role extends beyond the classroom as well.  During her time at Trinity, she has served as Student Council and Student Newspaper Advisor, Drama Club Director, ACSI Leadership Seminar and Regional Science Fair Organizer, and Upper Level Lead Teacher.  Lisa is not only a Trinity Teacher, but a Trinity Parent.  Her children, Evan and Ryan, are both Trinity Alumni.

  Along with her husband, Scott, Lisa has been involved in youth ministry for many years.  She values Christian Education as “an equally crucial and important ministry.  Christ-centered, Bible-based Christian Education is education at its best.  Integrating a biblical world view and firm grounding in Scripture with academically challenging coursework provides a foundation for life-long learning and continued personal and Spiritual growth.  I have had the privilege of seeing testimony of this for the past 12 years, not only in my students, but in my own children.”

To learn about Erik Eskelund and the church that he pastors, visit http://livinghopefamilychurch.com/html_pages/meet_leaders_pastors.php

Jenna was born and raised on beautiful Cape Cod but also has another home to call her own- the Dominican Republic! She served in missions for a good three years while teaching English as a second language (ESL) there. Through living in the D.R. her faith grew as she expanded her horizons, and the Lord gently pushed her to go outside of her comfort zone. She learned very quickly that her weaknesses were made into strengths through Jesus Christ.  Jenna once quoted, “The only difference, for me, between teaching here in the U.S. and teaching in the D.R. is here the students speak my lingo and I get to teach in my native tongue! Either way it’s great!”

Jenna has been happily married since October of 2008. She loves everything about being a wife and knows that her highest calling in life is to be a wife of noble character and a good help mate for her husband; glorifying the Lord in all things.

Jenna is an accomplished artist and her artwork has blossomed throughout the years from ‘My Little Pony’ coloring books to sketching, to watercolors, acrylics and everything in between! If you are interested in seeing some of her artwork please visit http://jennas-paintbrush.webs.com/. To this day her artwork portfolio continues to expand with different styles and variety.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
(1 Peter 4: 10-11)

Andrew was born and raised in the Central Valley of California. 
Attending Modesto Junior College for four years, he focused his studies on  Computer Science, Psychology, and Music.  He studied Music Theory and Aural Skills under Dr. Alejandro Sabre, and Guitar under David Chapman.
Andrew continued his musical -- and began formal theological -- education at Biola University in La Mirada, California.  He attended for three years and will attain a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Composition and a minor in Biblical Studies by the end of the year, graduating with a GPA just barely failing to warrant a Summa Cum Laude.

Andrew didn't consider teaching as a career until fairly recently, but feels his love of knowledge combined with his sincere love for people has the potential to make him an especially good teacher.  He hopes to instill in his students the same fondness he bears for his two favorite subjects, music and computers.

Andrew has found that most college students develop a disdain for Music Theory, and feels that the reasons for this are that the approach is usually dry, and the teachers are so far beyond their students in musical development that they fail to relate to them well.  Andrew only began pursuing music as a major in his second year at MJC, following the realization that he loved and excelled in Music Theory, and only began any formal music education in 7th grade with band and choir.  As a result, he feels he has the ability to relate to struggling students, and has been surprised at numerous musical accomplishments he previously thought impossible.

One of Andrew's foremost desires is to cultivate in himself and others a life of integrity, marked by a thoroughly Biblical and well-thought-out worldview.  He is convinced that with every piece of truth learned about the the world, we learn about God through the way He has worked in it.

Biography to come...

Biography to come...

 “I firmly believe in Christian Education.  A three-prong effect with a Christian home, church, and school helps give a child a firm foundation in our Lord.”

  With 22 years of teaching at Trinity, Pat Bogert brings great experience to Trinity’s Extended Day program.  Her passion for teaching began early.  “Most girls grew up playing with dolls,” she says, “I grew up playing school.”  Pat eventually took that passion and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Gordon College, and began her teaching career, which has lasted 30 years and spanned three states as she followed her husband, Rich, along his career in the Navy.  Now in her retirement, and with two grown children of her own, Becky and Tim, Pat is delighted to be involved once again with Trinity and Christian Education.

 Now retired from 20 years in the Navy, Rich is enjoying his role as Extended Day supervisor along with his wife, Pat.  Always equipped with a smile, Rich welcomes Trinity’s students for after school study and play.

  Rich recognizes the importance of continuing Trinity’s principles in the after-school hours.  “Christian Education is our first priority.  Christian values start at home.  As children grow older, their walk with the Lord increases; they have to have a good foundation in Christ to build upon.  Christian Education reinforces these values.”