Teachers

Heather Dowdy (Spanish)

Heather graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Geology and Middle Education. She taught in the public schools and did private tutoring before coming to teach at Redeemer Classical School in 2006. She teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science at Redeemer, but has also taught Spanish, Math, and Logic. Heather studied Spanish for seven years, and has enjoyed working with ESL programs as well as teaching Spanish. She is also the parent of a 5th grader at RCS.

Elizabeth Kramer (Guitar)

Elizabeth received a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from James Madison University. She taught third grade at Redeemer for one year. After traveling and camping through forty states with her husband, she is excited to be back at Redeemer teaching music. She has taught private and group instrument lessons on piano, guitar, and banjo. She studied classical guitar for six years, and has been playing for fifteen years.

Yvonne Owens (Drama)

Yvonne been teaching and directing since 1986. She is passionate about inspiring young people to learn and grow. During her career, she has taught middle and high school drama, speech and literature. She has also been a fourth and fifth grade classroom teacher instructing her students in all of the basic curriculum subjects.  In addition, she taught K-3 music for one year. As a drama teacher and lifelong devotee of the theater, she also loves being able to pass along what she's learned with young people! For years she's dreamed of starting a school for budding dramatists.  There is nothing she loves as much as working with children of all ages, sharing what she's learned and experienced, and seeing them succeed in all aspects of life!

Dia Russell (Fitness)

Dia has owned and operated Stretch-n-Grow for nearly 4 years locally. She has worked with Redeemer since the summer of 2010 via Stepping Stones, and is happy to join the teaching staff as the elementary PE teacher this year. Dia is married and has two girls who are both attending Redeemer this year.

Dorothy Scheel (Art)

Dorothy received her degree from Michigan State University majoring in art, history and education. She taught in the public school system while living in Michigan, has been teaching art to home school groups for 17 years, and part-time at Stepping Stones and Redeemer Classical School since their inception.

Esther Shank (Poetry)

Esther is a senior from Eastern Mennonite University. She will be graduating this spring with an English Education degree and a minor in writing. Esther loves poetry, literature and anything with words. The classical approach to learning parallels Esther's philosophy of education, and she believes that poetry is an integrative part. There is nothing she enjoys more than connecting words in new ways and hearing children express their thoughts and ideas in new ways through poetry.

Join in the Fun!

Stepping Stones at Redeemer Classical School is a program of enrichment classes taught from a classical Christian perspective — a program which seeks to cultivate a love of WISDOM, a passion for TRUTH and a delight in BEAUTY. Discipline, joy, respect, diligence and integrated thinking make their way into each lesson as experienced teachers guide students in their explorations of the exciting world around us.

These once-a-week classes are held on Tuesday afternoons from Tuesday January 17th through March 27th.  All classes are $120, which includes a T-shirt for new students. (materials fee may apply)

Register by January 10th at the early enrollment rate of only $100 per class!

New this year- Spanish classes are also open to adult enrollment.

All spring semester classes are open to new and returning students with all new material

3:15-4:00

1. Stretch N Grow Reads! (Prek-1st)
2. Spanish (4th and up)
3. Classical Guitar (3rd-5th)
4. Poetry Camp (1st-3rd)
5. Drama (2nd and up)
6. Art (3rd and up)

4:00-4:45

1. Girls R Us (2nd-5)
2. Classical Guitar (6th and up)
3. Poetry Camp (4th and up)
4. Art (Prek-3rd)
5. Drama (Prek-1st)

Classes

Poetry Camp (Grades 1-3 and 4th and up)

Esther Shank

In this class, we will read, write, memorize, sing and act out poetry. From reading Shel Silverstein to Robert Frost, this class will bring poetry to life. Students will also have a chance to write their own haikus and concrete poems, and by the end of the spring will have a bound collection of their own poems. Poetry is expressive and active, so let's have fun!

Intro to Guitar (Grades 3rd-5th and 6th and up)

Elizabeth Kramer

An introductory guitar class for budding musicians. From "Frère Jacques" to a Spanish Waltz by Fredrick Noad, learn to play chords (and sing along), discover some basic music theory and note reading, and learn a little classical (Spanish-style) guitar. Having your own guitar is preferable, but not mandatory.

Fun with Spanish (4th grade and up)

Heather Dowdy

An intro level Spanish class focusing on conversational skills. Learn basic Spanish words and phrases, as well as simple conversational questions and responses. If you take this class with a family member, you can practice with each other at home! 4th grade and up, please! (Parents and older siblings welcome!)    Also open to adults This is a continuation of the previous semester, but newcomers are also welcome.

The World's A Stage (Prek-1st and 2nd and up)

Yvonne Owens

We will participate in activities that will inspire and encourage your love of the stage and the spotlight! Special emphasis will be placed on theatre terminology, auditions and casting (things directors look for!), memorizing techniques, rehearsal regiment, acting skills (including voice and diction), costuming, makeup, and tech things: the support the actors depend on to put it all together. At the end of the course we will put on a performance!

Girls R Us  (2nd - 5th grade)

Dia Russell

In this “girls only” club, we teach topics such as wellness, friendship, & community service in a FUN, uplifting, and spiritual way. Each class will have a fitness, craft, and discussion section as we focus on the P-O-S-I-T-I-V-E…that’s Physical fitness, Our planet, Smiles and what it means to be a good friend, Inner Beauty, Taking care of ourselves, Instilling good nutrition, Virtues and serving others, & Etiquette!  This semester contains all new material so will be open for new and returning students.This class is specifically designed for the pre-teen years to encourage a positive and Godly view of our world and ourselves as young ladies.

Stretch-N-Grow Reads! (Prek-1st grade)

Dia Russell

What do you get when you put reading and exercise together? Stretch-n-Grow (SNG) Reads!! We start by reading great children’s story together and then we get up and put the story in motion! Excellent early reading skills are incorporated into each class like: recognizing the title, author, beginning and ending sounds, and beginning/middle/end of the story. Developed and tested by a Reading Specialist, SNG Reads! appeals to all kinds of learners and encourages physical activity too!  This semester will focus on all new books so is open to new and returning students.

Art Through Time  (Prek-2nd and 3rd and up)

Dorothy Scheel

We will be starting with the great oil painters of the Renaissance and Baroque as we move on to the first artists of the new world- America! Check out the differences between those who practiced under a tutor and those who taught themselves to paint.