The Christenson family is an integral part of our CCA community. They've juggled seven years of Hybrid school, teaching, coaching, and working in the community. Here's a little peek at why they call CCA home:
What was your previous school experience and what were you looking for in a school?
My husband and I both grew up having the privilege of a Christian education. As an adult, I have also had teaching experience in both the private and public education systems. We both had a strong conviction that our children would have a Christian education as well. Our first daughter attended a wonderful Christian preschool, but when it came time for kindergarten, I did not see any options near us that I was very pleased with. We decided to homeschool using the Abeka DVD curriculum, which she enjoyed and is a wonderful curriculum, but as a teacher I knew she was missing out on the dynamic of a real classroom environment.
How did you find CCA and get started?
I had heard of CCA at an event I was attending and did my research. By this time daughter number two had come along. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to have a hand in my children's education, while they still experienced the classroom environment and social interaction with other Christian kids. I enrolled my first grader and was asked to join the faculty as an Upper School teacher. The three-day-a-week schedule made it plausible for me to go back to teaching, while having a baby at home as well.
What do you appreciate and value about what CCA offers your family?
My daughter's teachers from day one have shown her Christ-like character qualities and have encouraged her in her Christian growth. They invested in her life both in the classroom as well as through clubs, sports, electives etc. She loves her classes, her teachers, and the wide range of options for other interests. I have never heard her complain once about going to school at CCA, and she is now going into the seventh grade. Her elementary school life has been greatly enriched by our choice to join the CCA family.
My second daughter has now begun her journey and as an upcoming second-grader she is thriving academically, athletically, and spiritually. She loves to read and enjoys her wide range of electives like gardening, creative science, PE, and more. I never doubt that she is loved and cared for by all of the staff and faculty at CCA. It is a family, and one that I am so happy to be a part of.
You also teach at the school. What is teaching like at CCA?
To complete our family’s calling to this school, I have been blessed to be able to do what I myself am called to do, which is minister to high school students as well as be a mom to my girls. My students are engaged, inquisitive, and full of potential. It is a humble honor to be able to have even a small part in molding the next generation of Christian youth. In no other place locally am I able to continue my ministry as a teacher, be as involved as I am in my own children’s education, and work with such wonderful colleagues hand in hand to help raise our children up right. All of this in one place!
We are truly blessed that God has led us to CCA.
BOILERPLATE
Classical Christian Academy is the premier hybrid school in Southwest Florida. CCA offers families an academically rigorous and Christ-centered K-12 education option that blends the best aspects of private and homeschooling. Classical Christian Academy is a registered 501c (3) organization. For more information, visit www.discovercca.org and follow CCA on www.facebook/com/DiscoverCCA.