Passionate Staff

Brenda Milam

Principal, Math 7

"I love working together with all of the staff, students and parents at FBCS! God has called me into this special ministry and I am so thankful. It’s the best place to be!"

Brenda Milam began teaching at FBCS in 1989. A few years later, Brenda served as the Assistant Administrator and has been serving as the Principal since August, 2000. Brenda graduated from Cedarville University with a BA Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She completed work on her Masters Degree from Buffalo State and Ashland University. She has served the Lord for 30 years in Christian Education. Brenda resides in Elyria with her husband, John, where they are active members at First Baptist Church of Elyria. She has one daughter, who is FBCS alumni. One of Brenda's favorite verses is Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not."

Helen Tripp

Guidance Counselor, Testing Coordinator

"I really enjoy working with teens, so being a guidance counselor at FBCS gives me an opportunity to do that. My passion is to help students understand how much God loves them and that His plan for them is best!"

Helen Tripp began employment at FBCS as a substitute, and is now serving as the Guidance Counselor/Testing Coordinator, Student Council Advisor, and Foods teacher. She graduated from Western Baptist College with a degree in elementary education. Helen and her husband Warren have three sons, two of whom are FBCS alumni.

Linda Schmidt

School Secretary

"After having children enrolled in this school since 1997, I found the dedication of the staff very inspiring and decided that this is where I wanted to be when I started back to work."

Linda has been at FBCS for over three years working in various areas. She currently serves as the school secretary. She and her husband and their 3 sons attend First Baptist Church of Elyria. All three of her children have attended FBCS.

Barbi Quick

Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator

"My husband and I both attended FBCS as children, and now send our children here. I have a passion for this school and for telling others about the benefits they can receive by sending their children to our school."

Barbi Quick is a former student of FBCS, and is involved in Choir, Babyland, and Senior High Youth Group, as well as other activities at First Baptist Church in Elyria. Barbi's career was in finance until she chose to stay home with her children beginning in 2001. Barbi has been married to her husband, Kevin, a graduate of FBCS, since 1997. Her two boys of school age, Bradley and Peter, both attend FBCS. Her daughter Olivia was born in 2006. Barbi has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashworth College. She started working at FBCS in 2008, and is thrilled to be a part of Education with a Higher Purpose at First Baptist Christian School.

Ruth Liptok

Financial Secretary

"It is a tremendous blessing to be able to combine my accounting background and passion for quality education by serving the Lord at a Christian school!"

Ruth Liptok began working at FBCS in the summer of 2010. Ruth is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace college earning a Bachelors of Administration degree with an emphasis on accounting. After passing her CPA exam, Ruth embarked on her professional career at a large regional bank. During her sixteen years at the bank, Ruth was employed as an internal auditor, financial accounting supervisor, treasurer of the bank's foundation, and ultimately as the vice president in charge of civic affairs. Ruth retired from the bank in 2007. Ruth had been praying about re-entering the workforce on a part-time basis, but had a desire to use her vocation to serve the Lord. Her prayers were answered when the position for financial secretary became available. Ruth not only enjoys serving with the faculty and staff at FBCS, but finds the departure from the corporate environmnet a blessed relief. Her life verse is John 3:30: "He must increase but I must decrease."

Christina Wolfli

K4 Teacher

"It has always been my desire to teach children and to be able to teach not only academics but God's Word every day in class is an absolute blessing!"

Christina Wolfli serves as a K4 teacher at FBCS. She is a 2010 Ashland University graduate of Early Childhood Education with a K-12 reading endorsement. She started at FBCS in 2010. Christian is a graduate of FBCS and is also engaged to marry a graduate of FBCS. In her spare time, she loves reading and spending time with her family, fiance, and friends.

Sally Webster

Kindergarten

"I have chosen to teach at First Baptist because I can partner with parents in helping their children to grow to be everything God wants them to be. I love teaching Kindergarten specifically because the children see everything with new eyes which inspires me to do the same!"

Sally Webster teaches K4 and Kindergarten at FBCS. She is a graduate of Cedarville College and has a Master's Degree in special education from Bob Jones University. She has taught in Florida, New York, and Michigan, as well as writing curriculum for Bob Jones University Press in South Carolina. She enjoys reading, writing, and refurbishing her home in Elyria. Sally heads the Local Professional Development Committee for our teachers.

Margie Howard

First and Second Grade

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Margie Howard has been teaching at FBCS since 1997. She received a Bachelor's of Religious Education through Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania and Ohio State certification through Ashland University. Mrs. Howard and her husband have been married since 1981 and have two daughters, both of whom graduated from FBCS.

Jennifer Kime

Third and Fourth Grade

"I love teaching at FBCS because I can let my passion for Jesus Christ overflow into every subject that I teach my students. Since all knowledge comes from God, the students need to learn to filter everything through His Word. This is exciting to see!"

Jennifer graduated from Cedarville College where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in Bible. She has had previous teaching experiences in Christian and public schools in North Carolina and Ohio. She and her husband, Russell, have three children, Brandon, Devin, and Katelyn, all of whom attend FBCS. They are active members of First Baptist Church of LaGrange and reside in LaGrange.

Joyce Kincaid

Fifth and Sixth Grade, Elementary Music

"I love giving information to students and watching them grow in knowledge and understanding. But it is a greater privilege to teach them the content from the world view that all information and understanding comes from God. FBCS gives me that opportunity."

Joyce Kincaid graduated from Cedarville College where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in Bible and Music. Joyce, her husband Ken, and their two daughters, Dana and Mandy, reside in Elyria and are active members of First Baptist Church. Dana graduated from FBCS, and Mandy currently attends FBCS. Mrs. Kincaid also serves on the Local Professional Development Committee at FBCS.

Paul Schotz

Athletics Director, Physical Education, Elementary Computers, Mastering Life Skills, 8th Grade Health

“I like working at FBCS because of the opportunity I have to prepare students physically and spiritually for the future, both through classes and athletics.”

Paul Schotz graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin in 2010, and began his first teaching job at FBCS in the Fall of 2010. He loves working with young people and is the game time leader in AWANA at First Baptist Church of Elyria. He also coaches the Varsity Basketball team.

Physical education is defined as 'education of and through movement.' Mr. Schotz believes this is how a physical education program should be run. It is not a glorified recess, but rather a time to teach students how to accomplish simple locomotor skills such as throwing, jumping, and running at younger ages, and to advance to more complex skills such as dribbling a soccer ball, and shooting a basketball. He also believes that a wide range of sports should be taught, so that when a student is no longer in school, they are able to choose a sport they enjoy, and continue to stay healthy by doing it either recreationally or professionally.

Rachel Haney

Junior High Science Teacher, First and Second Grade Assistant Teacher

Bonnie Parker

JH Reading, JH English, JH Girls PE, Drama

"I teach at FBCS because I believe there is a blessing promised to students who are taught by teachers who delight in the “law of the Lord.' I feel it is a special privilege to be used by God to fulfill this promise."

Bonnie Parker, a graduate of Baptist Bible College, PA, has taught in Christian schools in New York and Indiana. After a long period of home schooling her seven children, she and her husband moved from Michigan to Ohio in 2002. Her husband, Dan, serves as minister of music and worship here at First Baptist Church. The Parkers' two oldest children are Marines in active duty, and one child is studying missions at Piedmont Baptist Bible College, while their other four children are students here at FBCS. Two of their children have graduated from FBCS. Mrs. Parker serves as advisor for the Class of 2012.

Jeff Carter

Math 8, Pre-Algebra, General Math, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, RenWeb Administrator

"I thank the Lord for allowing me to come to First Baptist Christian School. I’m so glad to be able to work with this staff and to help the children get a good Christian education."

Jeff Carter is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science. He lives in Norwalk and attends Calvary Baptist Church.

Tim Tanner

World Studies, American Republic, World History, American History, Government, Economics, Geography, JH PE, JH Health

"I enjoy teaching at FBCS because of the emphasis that is placed on God’s Word. It is a privilege to provide the students with a quality education that is centered on God."

Tim Tanner, a graduate of Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin, has taught in Christian schools since 2005. He moved from Wisconsin to teach 7th-12th grade Social Studies at FBCS. Tim is married to Beth and has two children, Timmy and Olivia. Tim enjoys athletics and the outdoors. Mr. Tanner also coaches our JH Girls Volleyball team. Mr. Tanner hosts a website for his classes at www.mrtannerspage@yolasite.com.

David Wright

Systematic Theology, New Testament Survey, Old Testament Survey, The Life of Christ, Old Testament Characters, Current Events, Christian Literature, Computers I & 2, Intro to Photography

"I love working at FBCS. It is such a joy to be part of a school whose focus is on the Word of God and whose environment feels like one big family!"

Dave graduated from Cedarville University in December, 2002, where he majored in Christian Education of Youth. Dave is an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Wadsworth where he has taught many Sunday school classes and led youth activities in the youth group and in AWANA. He has also had the opportunity to work and counsel with young people at Scioto Hills Camp during the summer months.

Tom Greenwood

Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Physics

After graduating from Cedarville College in 1969, Tom was employed by the college in the maintenance department for one year before re-enrolling to become a teacher. His first postiion was in North Carolina, then Indiana, followed by Ohio. He has taught 39 years - all in Christian schools. He retired in 2010 from Open Door Christian School in anticipation of doing something different, but the Lord had other plans. Mrs. Milam contacted Tom, they met, and prayed about a decision--that decision led to a position at FBCS. He has a state license, ACSI lifetime certificate, and a Masters Degree in Supervision from Ashland University. Mr. Greenwood is married to Kim. They have one son, Zachary, who recently got married. He is a member of Beth-el Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon and adult Sunday School teacher.

Joy Luedeman

HS English, Movies as Literature, HS Reading

Judy Fulks

Spanish I, II, & III

"After having served as a missionary in Peru for ten years, I am really glad to be able to continue to use and teach Spanish at First Baptist. I'm committed to not only teaching vocabulary and grammar, but to instill in my students a desire to use the language they are learning to serve the Lord and reach Spanish-speaking people for Him."

Judy Fulks grew up on the mission field of Peru and later served as a missionary there along with her husband, Rev. Steve Fulks. The Fulks have four children: Sherri, Kimberly, Scott, and Paul, three of whom graduated from FBCS. Judy holds a B.S. Degree in Education from Tennessee Temple College.

Gina Clark

Speech, Drawing

"I consider teaching at First Baptist Christian School a privilege. One of the many reasons I enjoy teaching here at FBCS is the opportunity I have to work with an outstanding staff whose goal is to provide excellence in education. The classes at FBCS are small and that allows for one on one communication with individual instruction time."

Gina Clark is a graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelors of Science in communications. She is a member of Camden Baptist Church and resides in Wellington. Gina has been married to Stacy Alan Clark for more than 25 years. They have two children, David and Joshua who are both graduates of FBCS.

Melissa Schnur

Aftercare

"It has been a privilege to work at First Baptist Christian School the last 8 years. The staff at this school is truly family. I am blessed to watch the students grow academically, as well as spiritually. That is the reason my own children attend FBCS."

Melissa Schnur is a graduate of Midview High School.  She also graduated from Fairview Beauty Academy.  She has completed many childcare courses, and is currently working on her Early Childhood Education degree.  She & her husband Ron  have 3 daughters, Elizabeth, Madalyn, & Caralyn, two of whom attend FBCS.  They are active members of First Baptist Church of Elyria. Melissa is also an officer in the FBCS Parent Teacher Fellowship.