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 Eric Bartel, High School Mathematics and High School Bible
Mr. Bartel received a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Northern Michigan University and a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA. His is currently working toward completing a TH.M in preaching from Gordon-Conwell. He has 13 years of experience working in the Information Technology field as well as two years experience teaching homeschool students at New Hope Tutorials in Massachusetts. Mr. Bartel and his wife, Amy, have four children, three of which attend GCS. |
 Bob Bajema, High School Social Studies
Mr. Bajema received both his B.A. in business, and MBA from the University of Washington in Seattle. Prior to joining the staff at GCS, he spent two years teaching at a private girls junior and senior high school in Japan. He spent 30 years as a marketing executive in the computer industry, mostly with IBM. He is in his fifth year at GCS, and is Social Studies Department Head. |
 Jim Cunningham, High School English
Mr. Cunningham holds a B.A. in English from Arizona State University and has 21 graduate hours in English from ASU. He taught 4th to 6th grade at GCS from 2002 to 2005. Mr. Cunningham has been married 18 years to his wife, Michele Cunningham (1st-3rd at GCS). They have three teenage sons. Mr. Cunningham enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family. |
 Chris Dorais, High School Advanced Sciences
Mr. Dorais has both his BA and MS from the University of Michigan, and an ED.S from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing his doctorate from Liberty University. He has over five years teaching experience at both the high school and college level Mr. Dorais and his wife Shelley have two young children, who both attend GCS. |
 Anna Field, Middle School and High School Science
Mrs. Field has a B.S. in Physics and 25 graduate hours from San Diego State University as a McNair scholar. She previously taught 2 1/2 years at college level. She worked as research scientist for two years. For the past nine years, she stayed at home with her children. Mrs. Field and her husband David have four children and is looking forward to her second year of teaching at GCS. |
 Bartlett (Bart) Fleming, Speech and DebateMr. Fleming is a graduate of the University of Arizona, with a BA in Political Science and Speech Communications. He did post Graduate work in Communications at ASU. Mr. Fleming has spent 40 years working in public policy at state and federal levels, in the private and public sectors. He was elected Arizona State Treasurer in 1974 and later served as a senior official in President Reagan's administration, leading the agency responsible for Medicare and Medicaid. Mr. Fleming is an accomplished platform speaker, having addressed local, national and international audiences on topics dealing with healthcare reform as well as tax and fiscal policy. He has lectured at colleges and universities on American politics, economics and federal health policy. Mr. Fleming has been a guest lecturer at the Federal Executive Institute and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He served on the faculty of the U.S. Army Reserve School, teaching classroom instruction. |
 Dawn Gregory, High School Math
Mrs. Gregory earned her Masters of Science degree from the University of Missouri-Rolla in Aerospace Engineering with minors in Applied Mathematics and History. Before coming to GCS she worked for 13 years in the aerospace industry as an engineer on government satellites. She has two children who attend GCS where she has been an active volunteer in their classrooms. |
 Mireille Helm, High School Art, Student Council and College Prep Advisor
Mrs. Helm has a degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and minor in Spanish from Arizona State University. Before teaching at GCS, Mrs. Helm was the Public Relations Director at Banner Baywood Medical Center and Heart Hospital. She worked for Banner Health System for 16 years. Mrs. Helm began teaching art (1st - 12th grade) at GCS in 2004 and added the College Prep Advisor role in 2006. This year, Mrs. Helm will teach High School Art, Life Skills and Student Council as well as continue her role as the college prep advisor. |
 Deborah Hightower, Junior High and High School Physical Education
Mrs. Hightower holds a BA in sociology and Spanish, American Council on Exercise Fitness Instructor Certification 1992-2004, and AZ Community College Special Teaching Certificate Dance/Aerobics 1992-2001. |
 Miriam Mendoza, High School and Elementary Spanish
Mrs. Mendoza has a degree in Computer Science from Universidad de Guadalajara, a teacher's certificate and a Masters in Education from Tecnologico de Monterrey in Guadalajara, Mexico. Before coming to GCS she worked at Deloitte and Touche in the IT Department and has prior work experience in teaching Spanish to high school students at "Tec de Monterrey." She and her husband Fernando served as missionaries in Mexico and now serve in Phoenix and Rocky Point. |
 Shawn Patterson, Junior High and High School Physical Education Mr. Patterson graduated from Arizona State University in 1989 receiving a bachelors of science degree in Bio Mechanics. While at ASU, Mr. Patterson played as a defensive lineman for ASU Sun Devil Football. After college, Mr. Patterson played as a defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers Football Team for six years. He then worked as a custom home builder. Mr. Patterson and his wife, Jackie, have four children who attend GCS. |
 Minde Pierce, Junior High and High School Social Studies
Mrs. Pierce attended Cal State Fullerton and is currently completing certification through Liberty College. She has taught kindergarden and first grade students at Orangewood Christian School in Tustin, California. She and her husband, Ned, moved to Arizona where they ran her own printing business for 15 years. Mrs. Pierce and her husband have four boys who attend GCS. Mrs. Pierce is excited to begin her second year in GCS Social Studies. |
 Jerome Redding, Junior High and High School Bible
Mr. Redding has a bachelor's degree in Pulpit Communications from Tennessee Temple University and a M.Div. in Christian Education from Temple Baptist Seminary in Chattanooga, TN. Before coming to GCS, Mr. Redding served as a youth pastor in student ministries and has worked in sales for a Christian home and education publishing company. Mr. Redding has also worked in painting and interior design with his wife Lynda for three years. Mr. Redding and his wife, Lynda, of 25 years have two grown daughters. |
 Mary Ann Roberson, Junior High and High School Choir
Miss Roberson received her Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Besides the daily classes for junior high and senior high choirs, she has established an upper elementary choir that meets one afternoon a week after school. Prior to coming to Arizona, Miss Roberson has spent 34 years teaching vocal music in Texas and Kansas primarily to junior and senior high students. |
 Erin Rukes, High School Drama, Freshman and International English, Reading Comprehension
Miss Rukes received her associate's degree from Clearwater Christian College in Florida and bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Psychology, from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She is certified through ACSI. Miss Rukes taught high school English and Drama for two years at a Christian school in Fairfax, VA. She then moved to Anchorage, Alaska where she taught 9th grade English, Drama and ESL for seven years. Miss Rukes is excited to teach at GCS and looking forward to warm weather, lots of sunshine and no more shoveling snow! She enjoys reading, teater and scrapbooking. |
 Bonnie Teplik, High School Strings
Miss Teplik received her Bachelor of Music Performance Degree in Violin from Arizona State University. She teaches private violin lessons in Mesa. |
 Paul Thorpe, Science
Mr. Thorpe received his bachelor's degree in General Bible Ministries at Southwestern Assembly of God University in 1992. His life experience includes being married for three years, raising two children and being an owner and operator of two businesses; Circuit Specialists Inc., and Thorpe Properties, LLC. Mr. Thorpe also served as a vice principal of Destiny Community School, a charter school, and on the governing board. He also served on the governing board of Sunway PAPAS charter school. Mr. Thorpe received his master's in Education (cirriculum and instruction) from the University of Phoenix in 2002. He has an interest in science and technology; especially as it relates to the human body. |
 Bruce Wilkison, Strings
Mr. Wilkison holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Michigan School of Music. He joined the first violin section of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra in 1984, and after eighteen seasons with the orchestra, he came to GCS as the strings teacher. He is also the coach of the GCS cross country teams. He and his wife have three children. |
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