Bay City Christian School Teachers
A Team Committed to Your Child’s Education
A Christ-Centered Approach to Education
Our teachers are what makes us special. We all believe your children have eternal souls, so we take great responsibility to take care of their earthly education and their eternal education.
Meet Our Teaching Team
Amanda Moss
Sixth Grade
Amanda Moss graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational leadership. She has taught in the upper elementary level for 8 years. Amanda currently teaches the 6th grade class and 5th grade math. Amanda attends Bay City Baptist Church and serves at church by playing the piano. In her personal time, Amanda enjoys reading, playing the piano, and spending time with her husband Chris and her dog Oscar. Each year she teaches, Amanda loves to watch her students grow, both educationally and spiritually. She prays that her students grow to
Amy Hager
Fourth Grade
Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Maranatha Baptist Bible College. She has years of experience in both teaching at Christian schools as well as homeschooling her own three children. Amy takes a hands-on approach to education and goes the extra mile to make every one of her students feel welcome in her classroom. She values the importance of a Christ-centered education for her children as well as those in her classroom. Amy sings in the church choir, plays the piano in church, works in AWANA, and teaches a ladies Bible study. She and her husband Aaron
Dr. Michael Phillips
School Administrator and Math
As the administrator of Bay City Christian School, Dr. Michael Phillips is dedicated to using his expertise and experience to provide students a solid, balanced education that will push them to succeed educationally, socially, and spiritually. One of his greatest rewards in life and ministry has been the joy of watching students grow into young men and women that are seeking God’s will in their lives.
Jamie Gleason
First Grade
Jamie graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in International Studies. After being called into Christian education, she returned to BJU and earned a Master of Arts degree in teaching with a concentration in Elementary Education. The 2022-2023 school year will mark ten years of teaching 1st grade. In addition to her 1st grade classroom, Jamie tutors during the summer and works with English language learners throughout the year.
As the oldest of six children, Jamie grew up in Scotland where her parents were missionaries. She has continued to be involved in a local church as she serves in
Kathy Schmidt
5th Grade
Kathy is a Florida girl who was born and raised in Jacksonville, Fl. Her family has lived in Green Bay since 2002. After the birth of her third child, Kathy gave up her career in the health insurance industry to be a stay-at-home mom. As all six of her children became school-aged, she began to serve as a homeschool teacher. She had the opportunity to teach the ABEKA homeschool curriculum for 14 years before joining Bay City. Kathy serves as the upper elementary aide and is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree.
When she is not in the classroom, Kathy enjoys crocheting,
Katlyn Cashner
Kindergarten
Katlyn recently graduated from Maranatha Baptist University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. In college, Katlyn worked at an afterschool program through the YMCA looking after children aged 4 years old to 5th grade. She has also student taught at Twin Rivers Elementary. Katlyn has also been involved in many ministries in both her home church and her extension church in college. She has worked in both children’s and teen’s ministries, as well as several music ministries.
Katlyn loves music and books. She plays the cello and the piano and sings. Getting lost in a book is one of her
Kellie Luther
Music
Kellie Luther has been heavily involved in teaching music for over 20 years. With a degree in Sacred Music from Northland International University, Kellie teaches music classes from first grade through twelfth grade. In addition, she leads the choir, chimes and band programs, as well as coordinating music for school programs and fine arts programs. Kellie also uses her talents and love for music in ministry at Bay City Baptist Church, where she serves in choir and orchestra, special music, and childrens’ programs.
As mother to two young kids, Jaclyn and Tristan, Kellie has little free time, but in what
Kelly Hawkins
Science
Kelly graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in Science Education. She is the mastermind behind the layout of Bay City’s science lab, which was constructed in 2002. She returns to Bay City after working for several years as a chemistry professor at NWTC. Mrs. Hawkins is anxious to use her love for and knowledge of science in continuing the science curriculum in “her” lab. Kelly and her husband Mark jointly operate a photography business and Hands on Deck, a STEM program teaching boat building.
Lisa Weldy
History
Lisa has been teaching in Christian schools, internationally in Korea and in the United States, for over ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Practical Christian Training with a minor in history from Bob Jones University as well as a Master of Science in Counseling. She teaches middle school history, Spanish, and speech. Lisa has always been interested in education, partly because her mom was a teacher and an elementary school principal. Now as a teacher herself, Lisa finds great joy in communicating information to her students in a way that helps them understand it, retain it, and be
Manuel Morales
Spanish/English
Manuel has been in education for 34 years, both in high school and college. He has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and Spanish Literature and will be teaching Spanish I & II as well as English 11 & 12. Not only does Manuel bring a wealth of linguistic experience, but he also has a variety of interests ranging from reading Louis L’amour books to a black belt in Taekwondo. Students should beware. Mr. Morales says that his students enjoy doing push-ups and some will be able to do them with one hand and three fingers! In teaching discipline, his students
Merilee Strutz
Second Grade
Merilee has been teaching in Christian education since she graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bible. She taught a range of ages, from first grade to sixth grade in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Korea before joining the Bay City team.
Merilee enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as reading or participating in the arts, such as plays and symphonies. She stays active in her local church in music ministry and leading children’s church or women’s Bible studies. Merilee desires to be a Christ-like example for her students
Molly Offord
Music
Molly Offord graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in Piano Pedagogy and an MA in Biblical Counseling. Molly heads up the resource program for Bay City. Molly also helps in the music classes by accompanying the choirs. She loves playing the piano and reading, and would love to travel more. Molly wants her students to understand that being a Christian affects how they work, how they play, and how they interact with others.
Pam Morales
3rd Grade
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian education, Pam taught with Child Evangelism Fellowship as a missionary in Spain. Since then she has directed Spanish immersion trips while on staff at Maranatha Baptist University and has taught English to Chinese children.
In her free time, Mrs. Morales enjoys reading, knitting, and crocheting. Her desire is to encourage her class to love reading, but more importantly, to have joy in serving the Lord. Pam and her husband, Manuel have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Pastor Aaron Lichtenwalner
Bible
Aaron Lichtenwalner has served as the Youth and Assistant Pastor at Bay City since 2016. He received his Biblical Studies degree from Northland International University and Boyce College. As the 9th and 10th grade Bible Class teacher, Aaron enjoys investing in the lives of students to encourage their walk with the Lord, their knowledge of Scripture, and their love for the church. Outside of class, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife Meagan and their son Asa, playing ultimate frisbee, and continuing his education as he pursues his Master of Divinity.
Pastor Dave Bender
Bible
Dave Bender has completed two master’s degrees: a master’s in Biblical Counseling and a Master of Ministry. He teaches the senior high Bible class at Bay City. He also oversees family ministries and the counseling center at Bay City Baptist Church while being a part of the Three Desires Seminar. Before serving at Bay City Baptist Church, Dave worked at Faith Baptist Church in California. In his free time, Dave enjoys spending time with his family and playing sports. Dave desires to see his students know the Lord and to serve Him with all their hearts.
Sarah Ray
Art Teacher/Elementary Aide
Sarah Ray is the art teacher for all our students at Bay City. Mrs. Ray earned a degree in Fine Arts from St. Norbert College, and we are thrilled to have our first art teacher in both the elementary and high school. She also helps out in our first grade classroom as an aide. She is especially suited for her new responsibilities. Sarah’s compassion was also evident when she worked with special needs children when employed by the City of DePere.
Shellee Phillips
English
Shellee has a bachelor’s degree in Interpretative Speech and Psychology from Bob Jones University. She has over twenty years of experience teaching in Christian schools, and her heart for ministry began at a young age. As far back as she can remember, she has been actively teaching Sunday School, AWANA, and women’s groups. Shellee is passionate about helping each of her students better understand their Creator while teaching them the complexity of the English language. She tries to follow the philosophy that God lays out for the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:12-13: “Israel, What doth the Lord thy God require of
Tara Hinze
History
Tara Hinze, a graduate of Bay City, has taught within Christian schools for over 13 years. Since graduating from Maranatha Baptist University with a degree in History Education, Tara has sought to instill high educational standards and a deep love and understanding of God’s Word. She taught at Bay City from 2001-2005 and 2006-2007 as well at Ozaukee Christian School from 2012-2016. Tara lives with her husband and three children and is heavily involved within Bay City Baptist Church.
Teddy Kincaid
Athletic Director
Teddy is a graduate of Maranatha Baptist University, where he majored in Physical Education and Health and minored in Coaching. Teddy has worked as a teen counselor at Camp CoBeAc in Michigan and as a youth sports instructor at the YMCA in the past. He has also been involved in music ministry for much of his life. In high school, Teddy led the congregational Spanish music for the Spanish ministry at his home church. As he began college, Teddy desired to follow his parents’ footsteps and joined a choir at Maranatha. In Maranatha’s Chambers choir, he continued his parents’ tradition,
Tiffany Anderson
Kindergarten
Tiffany is a graduate of Bay City Christian School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English from Maranatha Baptist Bible College. Mrs. Anderson began teaching at Bay City Christian School soon after graduating from college and has taught middle and high school English classes as well as 3rd and 4th grade. She now teaches the K5 class.
Tiffany has been happily married to her husband Ray for nearly 20 years. He pastors Lakeshore Baptist Church in Kewaunee. They have four amazing children, which of course doesn’t provide much time for hobbies. Mrs. Anderson enjoys date
Vanesa Pritchard
Math
Vanessa Pritchard graduated from Northland Baptist Bible College and has taught in Christian schools in Saipan and Puerto Rico. Vanessa was also a Mathcounts coach for several years, and brings a wealth of experience in teaching math. She fully embraces her nerdiness and enjoys helping students accept that in their own lives. Students in her classes use a \"calculator\" in class even though she encourages them to not be OCD (overly calculator dependent). In addition to teaching math, Vanessa is involved in the yearbook committee and coaches girl’s basketball. Her favorite initials for herself these days are MVP (Miss