English
Miss Carmen Dillon
7th-9th English/Christian Womanhood
Years of Experience: 7 | Years at HCS: 1
My mom began training me to teach Bible stories when I was nine years old, and I have been teaching ever since! The Lord has given me opportunities to teach every age group—from infants through adults, from classrooms to business training rooms. Regardless of the age or place I teach, my hope is that my classroom will be a place where students will love learning and be inspired to continue learning throughout their whole lives. As a Christian English teacher, I believe that knowing and understanding the Word of God is key to being an effective servant of God. Many times, Jesus refers to Himself as the Word. My desire is to point young people to God through His words to us and to teach them how to use the gift of language effectively for God’s glory.
Mrs. Pam Brown
10th-12th English/Library | Years of Experience: 23 | Years at HCS: 21
When we moved to Seneca, Pennsylvania, I was asked to teach English in the academy. I wasn’t trained to be a teacher, but I developed a love for it. I finished my teaching degree and can honestly say I could not see myself doing anything else. I teach various ages and various subjects, and I never fail to learn new things from my students. I love to read, and I love to instill that love for reading in my students. I have a husband who is also an educator and four children that God is using in various teaching ministries.
I Timothy 1:12 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.”
“If you don’t have time to do things right the first time, when will you find time to re-do them?”
History
Mr. Doug Hoffman
Athletic Director/7th-8th History/9th Bible/Boys PE
Years of Experience: 29.5 | Years at HCS: 29.5
I had the opportunity to attend Heritage from 1st through 12th grade. After graduation, I attended Tennessee Temple University where I received my Bachelors Degree in Health/Physical Education. Upon graduating from college, I married my wife Amy who also teaches here at HCS. We have four wonderful children. I have been teaching and coaching here for over twenty-five years. Having the opportunity to impact the next generation excites me every year.
I like to remind the players that I coach, “Don’t tell me what you want to do, show me what you are going to do.”
Mrs. Sarah Beck
9th-10th History/Speech/Computers | Years of Experience: 2.5 | Years at HCS: 2.5
When I felt the call to teach, I always knew that one day I wanted to teach at Heritage. I went to HCS from Kindergarten through 12th grade then graduated from West Coast Baptist College with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. Heritage Christian School played such a key role in my life as a child and teen, and I want to be able to impact the next generation like the teachers I had growing up. Teaching has always been my passion. Christian education is so important, and I could not imagine a better place than Heritage! Seeing a student light up once he understands a concept (whether it be in one of the computers classes or in math) has been a true joy to see!
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Mr. Rob Perkins
11th History/7th Math/Business Math/7th-8th Boys Bible/Yearbook
Years of Experience: 8 | Years at HCS: 4
I went to Heritage from kindergarten through twelfth grade. After graduating, I went to West Coast Baptist College, where I met my wife, Jessica, who is one of the first grade teachers here at HCS. The Lord used a principal in Texas to lead me into teaching, and I love it because of the student interaction and the impact I get to have on their lives.
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Math
Mr. Ron Vankirk
8th-9th Grade Math/Government/Economics | Years of Experience: 17 | Years at HCS: 17
Upon graduation from college with a business degree in hand, I planned on serving the Lord with my life in the business world. Never did I imagine that I would have the privilege of serving as a church business manager or of teaching the next generation. Since given the opportunity to teach, starting in 2005, teaching has turned into a passion. Being able to take what is happening in the news today and applying it to my government, economic, and financial classes provides a unique opportunity to make education both practical and interesting. The Lord has also blessed me with the privilege of serving as the Council President for the city of Brooklyn. This provides me with practical, first-hand knowledge to pass on to the students. Being able to use real-world experience, combined with Biblical principles, a passion to make a difference, and a solid curriculum provides for a tremendous learning environment for my students. God is certainly good, and it is an incredible privilege to teach the next generation of American Christians.
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Mrs. Abigail Wiltse
10th-11th Math | Years of Experience: ? | Years at HCS: 1
As a second grader, the ability to eat candy all day initiated my desire to become a teacher. Since that time, my reasons for wanting to teach have developed into a strong passion for Christian education and seeing God’s handiwork, even within mathematics. My love for math began early on when I started tutoring in the 5th grade. I enjoyed helping teenagers and watching their excitement as they understood the concepts. Through the years, God has cultivated my love for math, desire to teach, and heart for teenagers, which led to the opportunity of teaching secondary education math at Christian schools. My heart’s desire is that I will remain a usable vessel to make a difference both academically and for eternity in the lives of each student that crosses my path and to occasionally eat some candy while doing so.
Science
Mrs. Breanna Hartman
7th-8th Science/Girls PE | Years of Experience: 3 | Years at HCS: 3
I consider it a privilege to be able to return to the school I graduated from to teach science and P.E. I want to use my training to show students how the Bible can be integrated into every aspect of their lives. I specifically enjoy working with kids in P.E. because I like showing them what they are capable of, helping them develop their abilities, pushing them to do more, and teaching them to do everything for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Mrs. Brooke Borke
9th-12th Science | Years of Experience: 7 | Years at HCS: 7
After graduating from college with a degree in business/computers, I married my husband and traveled the world with his Air Force career. It was during our move to Germany (12 moves during 20 years) that I began homeschooling my children. For the next six years, I would homeschool grades 2-9. I have always valued a strong academic curriculum along with a Christ centered view. When my husband retired from the USAF, we were called to full-time Christian service (church planting). During this time the Lord opened a door for me to begin teaching science at HCS. Science has always been my passion. I enjoy seeing my students light-up when they understand new concepts and bring textbook science to life in the real world. My desire, with the Lord's help, is to help nurture the education of these students who someday may be great scientists, doctors, nurses, or engineers who will be able to effectively witnesses for Christ and reach the lost in their career fields.
James 4:14, "Wheras, ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
Bible
Mr. Luke Brown
10th Bible | Years of Experience: 31 | Years at HCS: 28
I had the privilege of graduating from HCS in 1983. In March of 1986, I surrendered my life to serve the Lord full time. After I graduated from Bible College in 1990, my wife and I served in Wester, PA for three years and then moved to Cleveland to teach at HCS. I have worked with the children of CBC for 20 years and now serve as the principal of HCS. I enjoy working with each family as they raise their children for the glory of God. Each child is unique and special in their own way.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
“God gave His best for me, I should give my best for Him.”
Mr. Wesam Elrabadi
11th-12th Bible | Years of Experience: 12 | Years at HCS: 8
After graduating from Cleveland State University in 2007, I completed my biblical education at Heritage Baptist Institute in 2012. In June of 2015, I joined the staff of Cleveland Baptist Church as the youth pastor.
I never had the privilege of experiencing Christian Education in my younger years, so I count it an honor to teach at Heritage Christian School. I am married to Megan and have two children. I thank God for a wonderful wife and lovely children, who thankfully look more like their mother. It is a privilege to serve in the gospel ministry of Jesus Christ.
wesam.elrabadi@clevelandbaptist.org
Mr. Tom Goodman
Leadership | Years of Experience: 4 | Years at HCS: 4
I was fortunate to have been brought up in a Pastor's home. My father has been faithfully pastoring for over 36 years. Both of my siblings are faithfully serving in their local churches as well. I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was eight years old, and I yielded to the call to preach in August of 2003. I served as my dad's associate pastor from June of 2008 until January of 2016 when the Lord moved our family to the Cleveland area.
My wife, Amanda, and I have been blessed with four children: Calvin, Seth, Savannah, and Calli. We felt at home from the first moment our family came through the doors at CBC, and we count it a great privilege to serve the Lord here with the faithful staff and members of the Cleveland Baptist Church and Heritage Christian School.
tom.goodman@clevelandbaptist.org
Electives
Miss Melinda Szerencsy
Art/Study Skills | Years of Experience: 4 | Years at HCS: 4
My favorite part of teaching is seeing the kids enjoy the project and the materials used to create it. The end results are “Amazing!” I enjoy creating my own art and seeing people react to something I have done. God gave me the most wonderful gift of all, a home in Heaven.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Mr. Roger Hoffman
Woodshop | Years of Experience: 47 | Years at HCS: 47
"Professor" Hoffman has been teaching woodshop at HCS for over four decades. Most of the physical updates to the church and school over the years have been completed with his help and expertise. HCS regularly performs well in the woodworking category at the annual BCSO fine arts competition thanks to his leadership and teaching.
Mr. Al Varwig
Life Skills | Years of Experience: 5 | Years at HCS: 5