Kindergarten - Mrs. Becky Calder
Mrs. Calder has been teaching Kindergarten since fall of 2003. Mrs. Calder says, "I love teaching at CKA because of the students! CKA is a Christian school and parents have already started giving their child a spiritual foundation. We have the honor of building on that through our daily activities and curriculum. Daily prayer time together is my favorite part of the day. To hear a five year old pray with such faith is inspiring!"
First Grade - Mrs. Alex Jacobson
Mrs. Jacobson has been teaching First Grade since fall of 2007. As a C.K.A. alumni, and now teacher, she has found her fit. She loves spending time with the first graders each day – growing together and learning more about God’s Word and His world. Alex has found that if you give children credit for what they are capable of, only the sky is their limit. Her philosophy centers on self-responsibility and she thrives on seeing kids take charge of their own learning. For her, praying with the staff and students each day is the best part about teaching at C.K.A. In her spare time Mrs. Jacobson spends time with her husband, Benjamin; their families; and their two dogs Ipa-Mae and Marley. She loves being a part of this family!
Second Grade - Mrs. Sandy Stockwell
Mrs. Stockwell has been teaching Second Grade since fall of 1986. Mrs. Stockwell says, "I was called to teach at CKA from Guam in 1986. It was a leap of faith that this was where God wanted me, both for the school and me! I have been here all these years serving my Lord with great joy as the students and the families are such great people to work with. Second grade is the best, and this is where God placed me!
Third Grade - Mrs. Camirin McCallen
Mrs. McCallen has been teaching Third Grade since fall of 2003. Mrs. McCallen says, " I like teaching at CKA because it is a warm and caring environment. Parents, staff and students partner together to help students achieve their best and deepen their relationship with Christ. Each teacher takes a personal interest in each child and everyone supports each other to achieve a common goal. This is a great place to work because everyone has a heart for Jesus and loves working with children."
Fourth Grade - Mrs. JoAnn Fitch
Mrs. Fitch has been teaching Fourth Grade since fall of 1989. Mrs. Fitch says, “Teaching in a Christian school is a special blessing to me because as the teacher, I can share God’s truth about every subject. I start each day with Bible class because I believe the most important aspect to helping children grow is developing their relationship with God. Everything else flows from that relationship. I enjoy teaching fourth graders because they have already developed reading and math skills and they are ready to move on to more complex learning activities.”
Fifth Grade - Mrs. Robin Breakey
Mrs. Breakey has been teaching Fifth Grade since fall of 2007. She taught junior high science the prior year. Mrs. Breakey says, “I love to teach because it is such a challenge to figure out each child’s learning style and vary my approach to accommodate everyone. It is rewarding to teach at CKA because the staff here is so supportive. They feel more like family or friends. Fifth graders are at a great time in their lives. It is the transition from elementary to junior high, and it is an honor to walk that path with them. I hope to be a part of the CKA family for many years to come.”
Sixth Grade - Mrs. Kristi Ladner
Kristi Ladner has been teaching Sixth Grade since the fall of 2007. Prior to that, she taught first grade for six years and the Powerline Reading Program for two. Mrs. Ladner has found that although she loves to work with students of all ages, sixth graders are particularly fun as they grow from elementary to junior high students. It is an important year for responsibility, accountability, and learning to look at issues from different perspectives. “Working with compassionate and dedicated students, from supportive, Christian homes is a daily blessing and a responsibility I take very seriously.”
Physical Education - Mr. Nick Gilman
Mr. Gilman has been teaching PE since fall of 1994.
Music - Mrs. Cynthia Rose
Mrs. Rose has been teaching music at CKA since the fall of 2007. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Although she never intended to be a teacher, she is very glad for those music education courses that have come in handy! Before teaching at CKA, Mrs. Rose taught a few choir and band classes at Renton Christian Schools. As Mrs. Rose is part-time at CKA, she spends the rest of her time teaching private violin and piano lessons, as well as working at Christ Memorial Church as the Music Associate – directing the children’s choir program as well as organizing and performing with the Liberty Bay Orchestra. She is also a violinist with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and enjoys playing gigs as she has time. Mrs. Rose is very enthusiastic about loving music and hopes that the CKA kids adapt that at some level throughout their life.
Computers - Mrs. Trish Tougas
Teaching computers at CKA since winter of 2003. Mrs. Tougas g graduated from Western Washington University in 1986 with a degree in Speech Communications. She has been married to her husband, Dave, for over 20 years. She has four children who have all attended CKA beginning in kindergarten. Mrs. Tougas was a stay at home Mom until 2001 when she started substitute teaching at CKA. This is her fifth year teaching computers for CKA. Prior to teaching here, she worked as a substitute elementary school teacher in Seward, Alaska. She loves her job as she has the opportunity to teach students of all grade levels (K-9) a wide variety of computer applications. "There is never a dull moment as technology is constantly changing. Being involved in such a family oriented school, Christ-centered school has been one of the greatest blessings!"