God brought Mrs. Briggs to Arizona in January of 2010 as a result of her husband’s position at Central Christian Church. She has earned two degrees in Spanish, one from Hanover College (B.A.) and the other from Illinois State University (M.A.). Mrs. Briggs has taught Spanish in both public and Christian schools and came to us with seven years of recent experience as Dean of Faculty in a Christian school near Chicago, overseeing teacher development and evaluation. She and her husband, Dave, have two sons in full-time ministry and four grandchildren. Mrs. Briggs loves to motivate both students and teachers and is blessed to be a faculty member of Gilbert Christian Schools.

e-mail: dbriggs@gilbertchristianschools.org

Mrs. Hales holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Alma College. She is a certified teacher with 13 years of experience teaching mathematics at the college, high school, and middle school levels. She is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and has done coursework at Fuller Theological Seminary in theology. She challenges and encourages her students with an engaging presentation style that keeps the class on their toes.

email: ehales@gilbertchristianschools.org

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.

email: dhightower@gilbertchristianschools.org

Mr. Kinslow served in the US Air Force for 11 years before being medically discharged. After leaving the military, his family moved to Chandler, Arizona. Mr. Kinslow received his bachelor's and master's degree in Education from Ottawa University. He taught in the Mesa School District for five years before coming to GCS. Mr. Kinslow and his wife, Antonette, have one daughter, two sons and two grandchildren. Mr. Kinslow and his family attend East Valley Bible Church, and he enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle whenever he can. He considers teaching at GCS a great blessing and opportunity.

email: mkinslow@gilbertchristianschools.org

Rula Kassisieh, 6th Grade

e-mail: rkassisieh@gilbertchristianschools.org

Mrs. McLaughlin earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English from Edinboro University, graduating Cum Laude. Her master’s degree in English is from Northern Arizona University. Mrs. McLaughlin began teaching in 1991 and has taught at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels. She leads her students to be better communicators and critical thinkers through a variety of creative means. Mrs. McLaughlin is a committed believer with a strong Christian testimony.

email: dmclaughlin@gilbertchristianschools.org

A native of Arizona, Mrs. Neiman attended Christian schools while growing up. She earned both her BA and Master’s degree (in Elementary Education) from A.S.U. She taught for 23 years in Mesa Public Schools before coming to Gilbert Christian Schools.

email: snieman@gilbertchristianschools.org

Jackie Patterson, 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies 

Mrs. Patterson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1990 receiving a BS in communication and business. For the past 16 years she has been at home raising her four children. Upon her last child entering GCS she began substituting during the 2006-2007 school year. This is her third year teaching junior high History. Mrs. Patterson and her husband, Shawn, have four children who attend GCS. 

email: jpatterson@gilbertchristianschools.org

Ms. Perry is an accompanist with over 30 years experience. She studied piano performance at Western Oregon State University. She taught music at Eastside Christian School for fourteen years and was the accompanist at Central Christian Church (Mesa) for twenty three years. She currently performs with various groups around the valley and teaches private piano lessons. She has accompanied all of the Gilbert Christian Schools choirs since 2007.

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.

e-mail: jredding@gilbertchristianschools.org

Ms. Roman earned her bachelor’s degree in choral/general music education from Arizona State University where she studied with Ciao Pagano, Janice Thompson, and Sandra Stauffer. She holds an Arizona K-12 certification and is working toward her national certification with the Music Teachers National Association. Ms. Roman has eleven years of experience as a private piano instructor and a music theory tutor. She is also an active member of the East Valley Music Teachers Association.

e-mail: jroman@gilbertchristianschools.org

Mr. Thorpe obtained his undergraduate degree at Southwestern Assembly of God University in 1992. After completing his Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2002, he worked in the field of education as a Vice Principal of a K-8 charter school in Gilbert. Mr. Thorpe joined the science department of Gilbert Christian Schools in 2009.

email: pthorpe@gilbertchristianschools.org

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.

e-mail: bwilkison@gilbertchristianschools.org