Delmarva Christian Schools welcome new staff members

The 2018-19 school year marked Delmarva Christian Schools’ 15th year with students. It closed strong with the completion of comprehensive math, science and language arts curricula for the Milton campus; the successful team advancement to the Odyssey of the Mind world finals; second- and third-place wins in the first appearance at the DelDOT Bridge competition; conference championship wins of five high school athletic teams; international and local mission service provided by 78 high school students; and enrollment of 80 children in the DCS summer camp program.

Delmarva Christian announced 12 new faculty and staff members, including three administrative leaders, who have joined the Royals family for the 2019-20 school year.

Currently working on a doctoral degree in education, new Director of Instruction Jessica Baugh brings a wealth of experience to Delmarva Christian Milton Campus. With a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and natural resources, and a master of education degree in exceptional children and youth, Baugh has held multiple positions in education before joining DCMC.

“I’m looking forward to serving and empowering the teachers to create and teach rigorous, exciting lessons that integrate technology and innovative design, and engage and inspire the students,” said Baugh.

Early Learning Center Director Jenn Donihue was already part of the DCS family when she took this new position this summer. The mother of two Delmarva Christian students and the wife of a DCHS teacher, Donihue has a bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership and is closing in on a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education. With six years of experience in the Christian school environment, she also has 11 years of leadership experience and five years of teaching experience.

“I am looking forward to taking my passion for working with students and joining it with my love for Christ to create a Christ-centered, encouraging environment that will facilitate growth in the students’ academic lives,” said Donihue.

Recently relocated from Oklahoma to Delaware, Ashley Vanaman has assumed the position of assistant business manager. Her work experience includes military service and being a staff associate at a CPA firm. Vanaman holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting economics and business administration.

“Children are facing ever-increasing challenges in today’s society and especially in the school systems,” said Vanaman. “It gives me great satisfaction to be part of an organization that is willing to stand up to the changing norms in support of our students.”

Christopher Countryman is the new middle school Bible teacher. With a bachelor’s degree in religion from Liberty University, Countryman held positions as a youth pastor, Christian education and young adult director, and site supervisor, a position that served him well as he led mission teams in Florida, Haiti, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York and Mexico.

Entrusted with maintenance of the Milton campus is newly hired custodian Blake Hardy. A graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, Hardy also serves as a youth leader at his church.

Both campuses have new art teachers – Ashley Houtz teaches preschool through eighth-grade students, and Stacy Hennigan teaches art and and yearbook at the high school. Houtz holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and has been in the education setting for 10 years. With a passion for quilting, Hennigan is the owner of a mobile fabric shop but has spent many years also developing her painting and charcoal skills. Hennigan has a bachelor of arts degree in communications, and in addition to her fine art skills, is proficient in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.

The early learning center has also added four teachers to its  staff: Sarah Clendening, Crystal Hickman, Katelyn Mitchell and Charlotte Wilson.

A graduate of Liberty University, Clendening holds a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language and Interpreting, and has nine years of teaching experience. Clendening is the assistant to the ELC director, serving as the ELC lead.

Prior to joining the ELC and teaching the younger 1-year-olds, Hickman was lead educator for seven years at an early childcare center and a teacher for 14 years at a Christian school. Hickman holds a bachelor of science degree.

Currently taking online courses at Liberty University, Mitchell has been a summer school counselor, after-care helper, preschool substitute teacher, and extended care teacher. Mitchell teaches the 3-year-old ELC students.

Walton has more than 25 years of childcare and children’s ministry experience. From 1985 to 2011, Walton was the owner and operator of a home daycare center in Baltimore. She has also served as a teacher and volunteer. Certified in CPR, AED, first aid, and as a level 1 daycare provider, Walton teaches the ELC 2-year-old students.

Ben Wilcox is currently working part time as the high school performing arts teacher. He is also the youth and worship pastor at a local church, and a Clarks Summit University RiSE Outreach Team member. With practical theater experience and group leadership skills, Wilcox is also a vocalist and proficient at playing the guitar, piano and violin. Wilcox holds a master of science degree in accelerated counseling and a bachelor of science degree in counseling psychology.

The mission of Delmarva Christian Schools is to proclaim the gospel by preparing students spiritually, academically and physically to know and do God’s will in their lives.

For more information, call the DCS Early Learning Center at 302-684-2886, Delmarva Christian Milton Campus at 302-684-4983, Delmarva Christian High School at 302-856-4040 or go to www.delmarvachristian.org.