Staff Biographies – Elementary
To contact a teacher, please click on their name below:
Cynthia Maki
Debbie Behnke
Hello. My name is Debbie Behnke. I was born in Orange County, California, on September 17, 1964. When I was ten years old, my family and I moved to Redding. When I began high school, I attended Liberty Christian and was active in Liberty Singers, volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball. I graduated in 1982.
I stayed home for one year while working and taking a couple of classes at Shasta Bible College. Then I went away to Liberty University in Virginia for one year before my husband and I decided to get married. I came back to Redding to plan the wedding. My husband, Dave, and I got married on July 19, 1985. We have three boys. Michael was born in 1988, Curtis was born in 1990, and Steven was born in 1993. When our oldest was born, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom until he started Kindergarten. At that time I started volunteering in the classroom and working the parking lot duty here at Liberty Christian. Eventually when all of our boys were in school, I worked as an aide in the third through sixth grade classrooms. While doing this, I found out how much I enjoyed working withchildren and helping them learn. That was when I decided to finish my college education. So, I went back to Shasta College and Shasta Bible College to take classes while working. I finally earned my Bachelor’s degree in Christian Professional Studies with an emphasis in Christian Teacher Education! I did it the hard way, but I finally completed my college education.
My desire to teach at a Christian school was and is very strong, as I cannot imagine teaching children all day without talking about how important God is in our lives. I enjoy teaching at this particular Christian school because of the way the staff interacts with each other in a loving, supportive manner. I started teaching First Grade in the fall of 2004. In First Grade, the students learn to read well and write complete sentences. They also get to enjoy the experience of watching caterpillars become butterflies and tadpoles become frogs. It is enjoyable to watch them grow in independence and stature. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, reading, playing golf with my family, and, of course, eating chocolate!
__________________________________________________________
Sandy Sprague
My name is Sandy Sprague, and I am the third grade teacher here at Liberty Christian School. This is my third year here, and I am enjoying my class and their families very much.
As a child, I had attended public school until I was to enter seventh grade. It was then that our church started a private Christian school which I was able to attend through my eighth grade year. I had the privilege of growing up in a home that put personal relationship with Christ first in every part of daily life. I asked Him to be my Savior at an early age kneeling at my bedside. With God’s continued involvement and guidance, I’ve found Him a close friend all these years.
As a result of my personal experiences in education, I have come to appreciate Christian education as the best for the family who regards the study of creation, God’s design, Biblical character, and Godly personal relationships as priorities in their children’s daily living.
My husband and I met at Western Baptist Bible College. We have had these educational priorities with our three sons. We worked together as parents and supported each other with their training. Our goals were to train them in the ways of God and His Word.
I have worked for and taught in both public and Christian schools for the last 25 years. I also taught my boys at home for 11 years. All three of our sons love the Lord, are serving Him, and are committed to their families.
It is very motivating to me to work in the Christian school setting, to be free to teach the Biblical Truth in each subject. I love helping a child make achievable goals, making them feel successful without overloading them with homework, so families can have time together. I believe Liberty Christian School has proven itself to be one of the finest schools in preparing young people for excellent choices in their future. The capable leadership, under the direction of Steve Roberts, has proven itself over the years.
One of my greatest delights now is to be called “Grammy” by my grandchildren, Ellie and Raiden!
Nathan Tucker
I started teaching in Christian schools in San Jose in 1983. I am a member of Grace Baptist Church. I enjoy and appreciate the ministry and messages of Pastor Franklin. I am married to my wife, Stacy, who taught Kindergarten in Christian schools for years including Liberty until she had to step down due to her back injury. I have a 23 year old daughter, Chandra, and a son, Ryan, a 17 year old senior here at Liberty.
I believe God has led me into the ministry of teaching in Christian Schools. I attended Tacoma Baptist High School in Tacoma Washington I grew up and observed that my teachers cared not only about their subject matter, but even more about our lives. They genuinely wanted us to find purpose, meaning and fulfillment in life. This would be found by having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and serving Him. I graduated from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma with a degree in history in 1981 and graduated from Christian Heritage College in El Cajon, CA. with a degree in social science/education in 1983. I presently hold a Calif. multiple subject teaching credential and a Calif. secondary credential in history.
I want to help students excel in different subjects in school, but more importantly, to understand and appreciate their Creator God who has made them in His image. God had provided salvation for all of us, and has given us inner peace, joy and fulfillment in life. One of my favorite verses is John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” At Liberty Christian, we can teach students about God and His Word which is one of the most thrilling and satisfying things a teacher can do. We do have the answers here at Liberty Christian for students on how to have a “more abundant life” based on the Word of God.
