My name is Melissa Brotherton. I have worked at Firm Foundation since 2006. I assisted in preschool for three years, and now I am currently teaching preschool. I really enjoy little children; they are so great! I have lived in the Battle Ground area most of my life. My home church is New Heights North, where I serve on the hospitality team. I am certified in early childhood through ASCI. Currently I am pursuing my bachelor's degree in human development at Warner Pacific College. I have been a child care provider for the Family Studies Program as Clark College and volunteered for Head Start and Maple Grove Christian Preschool. I had the privilege of staying home with my children in their younger years and am so thankful they can attend Firm Foundation. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. My hobbies include making cards, reading, gardening flowers, and walking.

My name is Cara Berg, and I am honored to be the music teacher and preschool teacher at Firm Foundation Christian School. I was born and raised Lutheran (Missouri Synod) and I am continually thankful for God’s blessings in my life. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but especially a music teacher. I attended Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, and graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in Education and minors in Professional Church Work and Music. I have been teaching at Firm Foundation Christian School since 2008. My husband is the Youth Minister at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Battle Ground, Washington. I direct the adult choir at our church, and I am part of the worship teams and hand bell choir at our church. I like to spend time with my husband, run, hike, bike, read, and play the piano.

I am Becky Walker and am very excited about teaching Kindergarten here at Firm Foundation Christian School. While I’ve worked at Firm Foundation since 2007, I have been teaching Kindergarten since 1995. I have also taught first grade and Reading Recovery. I graduated from The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California, with my Teaching Certification. I have taught in two public school districts and two private Christian schools.

My family and I moved to Clark County in 1998 from Alaska, where my husband and I grew up and were married. We now make our home in Brush Prairie, Washington.

We are actively involved in Glenwood Community Church. I have been involved in teaching Sunday school and working with Vacation Bible School and Women’s Bible Studies.

In my spare time I enjoy working on home improvement and landscaping projects with my husband.  I love spending time in my garden tending to my flowers and vegetables.  I also enjoy reading, walking, and cooking.

It is very exciting to see how God is working through the families and staff at Firm Foundation Christian School. I feel greatly blessed to serve the Lord in such an amazing place.

My name is Nicole Prince and I am blessed to be a member of the team at Firm Foundation. I have been teaching at FFCS since 2006 and I love seeing “my kids” from the previous years grow up. It is so rewarding! I look forward to each new year with a new batch of kids, personalities, interests, and abilities. Each year I try to incorporate new ideas into the classroom, not only to improve my teaching but also to enhance the learning experience. I am married to my wonderful husband, Seth, who is a Portland firefighter, and we are blessed to have two furry children (Mondo, our dog, and Winnie, our cat). I graduated from Linfield College in 2005 with a BA in Elementary Education, and I am working toward my Master’s degree in reading. I enjoy attending church (our home church is New Heights West), spending time with friends and family, playing games, gardening, outdoor activities, and traveling. I am looking forward to the year ahead of us and everything the Lord has planned.

My name is Tammy Warren and I have taught at Firm Foundation since 2002. I taught kindergarten my first year and have taught first grade ever since. I graduated in 1995 from Ohio University with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood. I have been married since 1996 and have two children who both attend Firm Foundation. We moved from Ohio to Washington in 2000 so my husband could attend seminary at Multnomah. Before coming to Firm Foundation, I subbed for two years in the public schools, during which time I also taught at Sylvan Learning Center for two and one half years. I love being a part of Firm Foundation. God has really blessed our school. I appreciate the family feel that we have, and I couldn't imagine teaching or sending my children anywhere else. We attend Brush Prairie Baptist Church where I am the nursery director. Please pray for our school, staff and students, that we will continue to seek God and serve Him.

My name is Larry Peterson, and I have taught second grade at Firm Foundation Christian School since 2001. I have been married to my wonderful wife, Jessica, for fourteen years, and we are blessed with four amazing children, Cameron, our twins Adi and Ana, and Ricky. We attend and serve as the Children's Pastors at Church on the Rock here in Battle Ground. I enjoy spending time with my family, sports, music, and laughing a lot. Jesus has blessed us tremendously over the years, and one of the major blessings has been my position here at FFCS. To have the opportunity on a daily basis to help students see things from a Biblical perspective is something truly amazing and gratifying. This school was founded by people who possess an unshakable faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Many of them are school board members who daily, prayerfully "put their action and resources where their faith is." If the Lord leads you to enroll your children at Firm Foundation, I know from experience that you will be blessed, and that we, in turn, will be blessed by your family. That's the way it goes around here.

Bless you in Jesus' Name!

Hi! My name is LeAnn Nelson.

I have been teaching at Firm Foundation Christian School since 2004. It is my hope and prayer that the second graders will have an exciting learning experience. I want to share my excitement about life and help the students explore the world God created through literature, science experiments, crafts, and other hands-on projects.  This will be an exciting year full of learning and fun.

I live in Battle Ground and attend Church on the Rock. I have two children; one daughter who graduated eighth grade from FFCS in 2007 and our youngest daughter who currently attends FFCS.

Hi, my name is Lynne Hyde and I have been teaching third grade at Firm Foundation since 2007. I graduated in 1991 from Biola University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Bible. I taught fifth grade for two years and sixth for a year. I took a break from full time teaching to be a mom for several years. I did substitute teaching for several years, including two long-term substitute positions in the fourth and fifth grades. I have been married for seventeen years and have three great kids and an adorable chocolate lab named Mocha. We attend Grace Foursquare Church in Camas, where my husband is one of the pastors. When I finished college many years ago, the Lord made it clear to me that I was to be using my gifts within Christian education. It is where my passion and heart are today! I look forward to a great year! God Bless.

Third grade has been my home here at FFCS since the fall of 2006. Spending the day with children is truly a blessing. Imagine starting every day with bright eyes and smiles. Ahhhh! It has been a joy to be a part of Christian education for the last eighteen years. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, I taught elementary P.E. in Vancouver. Within a year, I married Mr. Wright in my hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin, and have been married for 30 years. Together we raised four unique individuals (Adam, Abraham, JoBeth and Angela). God also blessed me with two sweet daughters-in-law (Catherine and Amy). When I am not teaching school, I am teaching swimming lessons and enjoying life with Mr. Wright and my kids.

Hi, my name is Lesli Collum, and I am excited to be teaching fourth grade again this year. I am excited about what God has in store for my students and me this year. I love teaching fourth grade! It is so much fun to facilitate the learning, thinking, and discussions that fourth graders can have as they are developing their Christian worldview here at FFCS.

I have lived in the Battle Ground area since 2000. My husband, Chuck, and I have two children who have both enjoyed being students at FFCS. We are active members at Yacolt Evangelical Free Church. I graduated with degrees in both Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Idaho. I am thrilled to be returning to fourth grade and abundantly blessed to be a part of the fabulous teaching team here at FFCS. What a true blessing it is to be able to share my faith every day with the students and families at FFCS.

Hello! My name is Heather Johnston, and I have taught fourth grade at Firm Foundation since 2006. It has been a joy to work at such a wonderful school these past few years. I look forward to the years ahead.

I graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, in May 2006 with a BA in Elementary Education and middle school endorsements in Science, Language Arts, and Art. I am also certified in both Illinois and Washington. I love to spend my free time in the beautiful outdoors. Hiking, camping, running, playing tennis, long bike treks, swimming in the ocean, skiing, and snowboarding are some of my favorite activities. On a rainy winter day I might also make time for painting (oil and watercolors), knitting, making cards or other crafts. I attend New Heights Church and enjoy the great teaching that is offered.

I am currently working on my masters at WSU. I am just at the beginning, but I anticipate learning a lot along the journey. We are all life-long learners, aren’t we? Blessings to you all, and here we are-ready for another great year at FFCS!

I have been blessed to be teaching at FFCS since 2004. I began my teaching career in kindergarten, moved up to second grade, and have found my home in fifth grade. God has really given me a heart for fifth graders and I have loved spending every minute with them. The staff here has also been such a blessing in my life, and I have made some lifelong friends. I truly believe we have the best teachers.

I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with my Masters in Elementary Education. It is there that I met my wonderful husband, Jeremy. I have one son named Caleb who reminds me every day how wonderful God is to me. I am a huge football fan and enjoy spending time playing video games with my brother and husband. As you can tell I am still a kid at heart. Other interests of mine include reading, listening to music, and spending as much time with my family as possible.

Salutations! I’m Marci Day. I acquired my California teaching credential in 1995. Presently, I hold a Washington State residency teacher certificate. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching in the following areas: subbing (all grade levels), first grade, fifth grade, science for upper elementary home schooled students, and manners/ballroom dance for home schooled students and Homelink (grades 2-12) in Battle Ground. God has given me a passion for Creation science.

I have had the privilege of teaching at Firm Foundation since 2008. Each year, I eagerly pray the Lord will grant a successful, Christ-filled year for these fine fifth graders! My desire for our classroom is found in Micah 6:8. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Thank you for the honor of teaching your children.

The Lord blessed me with a charming, godly, and patient man. We’ve been married since 1992 and have two sweet daughters. After transplanting from southern California in 2005, we have absolutely come to love the people and the beauty of the Northwest! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, hiking and biking with my family. Yacolt Evangelical Free is our home church.

I have been teaching here at this amazing school since 2009. I have been teaching since 1999 and all of that time has been in private Christian education. The first two years of my ministry were spent teaching at the fourth grade level and the rest has been at the middle school level. I attended Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon, for my undergraduate studies and received a BS in Human Development and minored in Elementary Education. I most recently received my MEd. from City University in Vancouver, WA.

I married my prodigious wife in 1994 and moved to Clark County, where she grew up, in 1997. We have two wonderful, beautiful, bright daughters who enjoy ballet and fishing. I appreciate outdoor activities, especially fishing, hiking, biking, and camping as well as working outdoors--be it landscaping, construction or the like.

I am honored and humbled to have the privilege to minister along side such a fine staff in educating your children. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you and teaming with you in the growth and development of your child.

Greetings! I am Paula Boehm, and I am looking forward to teaching seventh grade at Firm Foundation Christian School again this year. I teach Bible, math, spelling, and history.

I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Office Administration Education. After many years of subbing in middle schools, I realized I enjoy working with middle school students. Consequently, I went back to school and earned an endorsement in elementary education. I have been involved in education for the past eighteen years, substituting when my children were at home and teaching after they moved out on their own.

It's time to brag! My husband and I have been married for thirty-nine years, and we have five grandchildren. Of course, they are perfect in our eyes. We get all the fun as grandparents, and I make it my goal to send them home spoiled with lots of playing time with Grandma.

Middle School and High School

I've lived in Washington all my life, and I have a wonderful wife who I married in June of 2004, a daughter who was born in January of 2007, and a second daughter, Carolyn Rose, who was born in September of 2009.

In April of 2009 I completed my Masters in Education at Washington State University Vancouver; this adds to my credentials of a BA in English, a BA in Humanities, with a major in Electronic Media and Culture, a certificate in professional writing, and an endorsement in math and science for the middle school level.

At FFCS I teach eighth grade Bible, eighth grade language arts, Algebra II, Advanced Topics (pre-calculus), computer technology, Lego robotics, Themes in Literature, World Literature, American Literature, and British Literature. In the past I have also taught US history for eighth grade, seventh grade health, Washington State history, and calculus. www.yhtomit.com.

Greetings! God has been busy working in my life. Teaching at Firm Foundation has been a dream come true! Thank you for sharing your children with me! They are a pleasure and a treasure to teach! I have been in education for nearly twenty years with experience teaching on both coasts. In 1996, we moved here from New England. I have my Bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and my Master’s degree from Washington State University. In Washington, I’ve taught at New Generation Christian School and at Hockinson Middle School. My passion is teaching. I try to create exciting and active classes that entice my students to ask questions so they can stretch their minds and learn more about God’s magnificent world.

My husband and I were high school sweethearts. We married after college. We were blessed with three daughters. Our eldest graduated from Colorado State University. She is now married and living in Colorado. Our other two daughters are finishing college in Arizona. One is taking music composition and is working toward becoming a classical composer. The other is majoring in psychology at Northern Arizona University. I am blessed to work with middle and high school students at Firm Foundation Christian School. I encourage parents to contact me any time they have questions. I’m looking forward to getting to know the families that make up this fine school.

My name is Marie Hotaling I started teaching at Firm Foundation Christian School in 2009. I am teaching Pre Algebra, eighth grade science, ninth/tenth physical science and health for the ninth and tenth graders. I have truly been blessed to have the opportunity to teach here with these wonderful, bright students and encouraging and uplifting staff. I believe that God has led me here to do his work and I am looking forward to a wonderful year.

I went to North Carolina State University and received my degree in Education with a major in Chemistry. I am very happy to be teaching science again.

God has blessed me with a wonderful family. My husband's name is Jim. He is in the Oregon Air National Guard. We have two children, our son James, and our daughter Lauren who attends school here at Firm Foundation. We have a new black lab puppy whose name is Leo. We also have a cat named Belle and a fish named Goldie.

Howdy! History is God’s story. The theme is God’s redeeming love. Each one of us plays a small yet important role in God’s sovereign, gracious plan. I’ve been at Firm Foundation Christian High School since 2007. I graduated from Boise State University with a degree in history and secondary education. A month later my wife and I headed west to Washington. We moved here to join a church plant. By God’s kind providence, I quickly found a job teaching at FFCHS. My wife is a faithful, beautiful woman. She left her family farm in Tennessee to follow me wherever God leads us. We have a beautiful little girl, Anaya Grace, who is an absolute delight. By God’s grace, we love Jesus, love people, and love to enjoy His creation. We love to be a part of His story as He works all things for His glory and our good. Thanks for the opportunity to share life in Christ with you.

¡Hola! It is a tremendous privilege to be a part of FFCS. It is amazing how God gently guided me to this job. I began teaching at Firm Foundation in the 2008/2009 school year. What a joy it is to teach Spanish for the high school and team teach with the middle school teachers. I have worked in education since 1984, teaching at various grade levels as well as substitute teaching. I received my Bachelor's degree from Andrews University in Michigan and my Master's degree from Grand Canyon University. Our Heavenly Father has blessed my husband, David, and me with three amazing young adult children, Brian, Megan, and Matthew.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1John 3:1

!Que Dios de le bendiga ricamente!

Since 2006, I have been working in a unique and charming upstairs classroom known as The Learning Center (TLC). In a program called ARISE (Actively Reaching Individuals for Success and Excellence), I patiently and enthusiastically guide students as they increase their listening, reading, writing, spelling, and language skills. It is a wonderful blessing to be given the opportunity to work with these students who need additional, individualized one-on-one and small group learning time during the school day. I continue after school with the FFCS tutoring program, which is designed to meet the needs of students who need an "extra boost" in any subject area. I am thankful to be able to pursue these exciting challenges.

Hello! My name is Jodie Workman and I teach physical education classes here at Firm Foundation Christian School. I have been here at FFCS since 2005 and have loved every year. The staff and student's here make this school a wonderful and loving place to work.

I have been married to my high school sweetheart since 1995, and we have three beautiful children who are my life. Our family loves the outdoors. When we are not at a softball or baseball game, we spend our summers camping at different beaches and state parks throughout Washington and Oregon. We love hiking, bike riding, swimming, and taking long walks.

I graduated from Warner Pacific College in 1996 with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology. I love Warner, and plan to go back to get my master’s when I have a spare moment. I’m hoping to have that moment before my all my kids are in college. I am looking forward to meeting you and working with your children.

Jodie Workman

Greetings from the library and computer lab! I have been blessed to be the librarian and computer teacher at FFCS since 2003. My background prior to joining FFCS was in developing operational software for banks and savings and loan associations. I traveled a great deal as a contractor and worked in more than a dozen different states.

My husband of twenty years and I are blessed to have a son (college student) and a daughter who is a student here at FFCS. My education was taken at Oregon State University with many continuing education courses over the years. At home I enjoy our animals, gardening, painting, and always love to read a good book.