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Steve Farish, J.D.
Steve Farish has served since October 1993 as senior pastor of Crossroads Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Prior to that time he was for four years an associate pastor at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Farish earned his B.A. from Auburn University, his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, and his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He practiced law in Atlanta for four and one-half years in the area of construction-related litigation before obeying God’s call on his life to full-time vocational ministry.
Rev. Farish and his wife Robin’s children attend CHA, where Steve has served as a member of the school’s Board of Directors since 2006. He is particularly well qualified as a reference for the Upper School’s Bible department and its emphasis on Life Calling.
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Wayne Grudem, Ph.D.
Dr. Wayne Grudem became Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary in 2001 after teaching at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for 20 years. Dr. Grudem earned his B.A. from Harvard University, his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He has served as the President of the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, as President of the Evangelical Theological Society (1999), and as a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible. In addition to having written 15 books and more than 100 articles for both popular and academic journals, he recently served as the General Editor for the highly-praised ESV Study Bible.
Dr. Grudem and his wife Margaret were one of the five founding families of CHA, and Dr. Grudem served as CHA’s first President of the Board of Directors. His prolific and internationally recognized career as a Bible scholar and theologian will serve as a blessing to CHA’s Bible curriculum.
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Steven Horvath
Steven Horvath is President & Principal Consultant for Stesco Consulting, a management consulting firm. He has a B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana and has studied at the University of Nottingham in England, where he received an Engineering Scholarship. In his current role, Mr. Horvath provides strategic consulting for Fortune 1000, non-profit, small/mid-size, and start-up businesses with a focus on aligning technology and business. He concentrates on discovering innovative ways to integrate distance education and social media into an organization’s business structure.
Mr. Horvath has 20 years of working with eLearning and Internet technologies. Interestingly, it has been during these past 20 years that this market has seen its most intense growth into the American marketplace. Thus, Mr. Horvath has had the benefit of developing his knowledge of the industry while the industry itself has emerged and developed. With this unique perspective, he has become an expert in providing strategic assistance to a wide-range of businesses. This knowledge and insight into the evolving world of virtual learning is critical as CHA’s Upper School looks to be on the cutting-edge of 21st century technology and eLearning methods.
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Peggy Hoskin, Ed.D.
Peggy Hoskin is the current Middle School Principal at Christian Heritage Academy. She earned her B.A. from Northern Illinois University, her M.A. from Northeastern Illinois University, and her Ed.D. from National-Louis University. Prior to her service at CHA, Dr. Hoskin has served in a wide variety of educational settings, most significantly as Principal of three separate area middle schools - Northbrook Junior High School (Northbrook), Washburne School (Winnetka), and Springman Middle School (Glenview). In addition to her extensive experience as a school administrator, she has taught in each grade from 6-12. Additionally, she served at the university level as Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Programs in Education at North Park University.
Her current role as Principal of grades 5-8 at CHA sets her in a pivotal context for CHA’s Upper School, as she is the lead administrator for many of the students who will enroll in the Upper School. This, along with her comprehensive background in education, makes Dr. Hoskin a strategic referent for shaping effective structures and outcomes for the Upper School.
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Art Hyde, Ed.D.
Arthur Hyde is Professor of Mathematics Education at National-Louis University, where he received its Excellence in Teaching award. He earned a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, an M.A. from the University of California (San Diego), and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Pennsylvania, where he later directed its teacher-education programs. While teaching high school mathematics in Philadelphia, he developed a variety of creative methods for teaching math. He has worked frequently in classrooms, conducting thorough professional development programs on mathematics and problem solving in Chicago and its surrounding school districts. He is a prolific author of books, articles, and presentations on education, many of which focus on teaching mathematics.
Dr. Hyde has already been involved with CHA when he recently assisted in the redesign of the Middle School math program. Dr. Hyde’s familiarity with CHA, coupled with his vast knowledge of mathematics education and his commitment to Christ, make him a wonderful resource for the CHA Upper School’s math program.
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John Kilner, Ph.D.
John Kilner is professor of Bioethics and Contemporary Culture and director of Bioethics Programs at Trinity International University. He holds the Franklin and Dorothy Forman Chair of Christian Ethics and Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is also Senior Scholar for The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD). Dr. Kilner earned a B.A. from Yale University, a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and an A.M. and Ph.D. from Harvard University. Dr. Kilner has authored or edited seventeen books on challenges in bioethics and has also written many articles on this subject. Dr. Kilner has appeared in numerous interviews and debates in TV (NBC – Tom Brokaw, FOX News – Bill O'Reilly, CBS, CNN, and PAX), radio (NPR, Moody Broadcasting Network, and Salem Network), and newspaper (New York Times, Washington Times, and Chicago Tribune).
Dr. Kilner and his wife have lived in the northern suburbs of Chicago for over 17 years, where they have raised their two children. This familiarity with the culture of the North Shore of Chicago, coupled with his expertise in the area of bioethics, makes him an invaluable reference for the Upper School, particularly as we develop a God-honoring science & health curriculum that is relevant to the challenges posed by today’s culture.
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John Lewis
John Lewis is a Science teacher at Glenbrook South High School, where he has taught since 1983. He holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.S. from Eastern Illinois University. While at Glenbrook South, Mr. Lewis has taught a multitude of science courses, ranging from AP Physics to a Team Math/Science course. His teaching has won him the Golden Apple Award (1992), Outstanding Physics Teacher of the Year (1993), and RadioShack National Teacher Award (2003). During each year of his tenure at Glenbrook South, he has also been involved in various extracurricular activities – coaching both soccer and golf as well as sponsoring Science Olympiad, Bicycling Club, and Christian Fellowship Organization. In addition to his work at the high school level, he has taught courses at Roosevelt University.
Although Mr. Lewis has never been employed by Christian Heritage Academy, he is quite familiar with the school, having sent his children to CHA and having served as a member of the Board of Directors from 1998-2004. His background makes him a coveted reference for the science and athletic programs at the Upper School.
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Dan MacKinney
Dan MacKinney is the 3rd – 8th grade Spanish teacher at CHA. He has a B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a M.A. from Middlebury College, and is in the final stages of earning his Ed.D. from Loyola University. Mr. MacKinney is in his 36th year of teaching Spanish, having spent 34 years as a high school Spanish teacher at New Trier Township High School. While at New Trier, he taught every level of high school Spanish, attained the level of Leader Teacher, and for a time served as interim Foreign Language Department Head. He has also developed and implemented a wide-range of innovative approaches and methods to teaching Spanish. His breadth and depth of foreign language experience will be immensely profitable to the Upper School.
In addition to his extensive experience as a Spanish teacher, Mr. MacKinney has also been a champion of the advisory system, where a teacher serves as a combined homeroom teacher and guidance counselor for a handful of students from freshman to senior year. Having been a part of six advisories himself (for a total of almost 25 years), Mr. MacKinney provides great insight and passion when it comes to the CHA Upper School’s emphasis on helping students determine their life calling. |
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Dirk Pogue
Dirk Pogue is currently a CHA Middle School teacher and Pastor of Preaching & Worship at the Evangelical Church of Highland Park. He earned a B.A. from Western Illinois University, an M.S.Ed. from Western Illinois University, and an M.R.E. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. At Christian Heritage Academy, Mr. Pogue serves as both lead Social Studies teacher and 8th grade boy’s Bible teacher. He also has spent time as a baseball coach and continues to spend part of his summers as a Christian camp director and speaker.
Mr. Pogue has spent his entire professional career around students as either an educator or a pastor, which reflects his heart to be an educational and spiritual influence on the next generation of Christian leaders. This passion and commitment, as well as his experience at CHA, make him a key reference for the Upper School, particularly in the Social Studies and Bible departments.
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Leland Ryken, Ph.D.
Leland Ryken is Professor of English at Wheaton College, where he has taught since 1968. He received his B.A. from Central College and his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Dr. Ryken has published over 30 books on a wide range of subjects, including literature and the arts in Christian perspective, the Bible as literature, the writings of John Milton, work and leisure in Christian perspective, the Puritans, and English Bible translation. He recently served as the Literary Chairman of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible, as well as the Literary Features Editor of the popular ESV Study Bible.
Dr. Ryken’s long tenure at Wheaton College has seen him develop into one of the leading authorities on a wide range of biblical and literary issues, as well as the connections between these two areas of study. The CHA Upper School feels honored to have such a scholar serve on its Board of Reference, where he will lend great credibility to our school, particularly for the English and Bible curriculums.
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Gregg Swackhamer
Gregg Swackhamer is Lead Physics Teacher at Glenbrook North High School, where he has worked since 1980. He earned both a B.S. and an M.A.T. from Indiana University. Mr. Swackhamer has broad experience in physics education. He designed and implemented the honors-level physics program at his current school, wrote interactive physics software, and taught all levels of high school physics. He has even taught a student who was selected to the U.S. Physics Olympiad Team by the U.S. Department of Education. Lately, he has been heavily involved in science education research in conjunction with various high schools and universities across the country.
One of his projects most relevant to CHA’s Upper School was his recent development of freshman-level physics in 2006. The most current research indicates that high schoolers could benefit from beginning their study of science with physics and end with biology, not the reverse. This order provides a much more coherent science base for high schoolers. As Mr. Swackhamer continues to teach this freshman physics course, his insights will certainly guide the Upper School’s decision to follow a “PCB” sequence (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) for our science curriculum.
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George Sweeting, D.Div.
George Sweeting is Chancellor Emeritus and Trustee of Moody Bible Institute, where he previously served for over 29 years, first as President and then as Chancellor. Before that, he served as the Senior Pastor of the historic Moody Memorial Church in Chicago. Dr. Sweeting earned his B.A. from Gordon College and has received four honorary doctorates from various colleges across the United States. A renowned author of more than 30 books, he has traveled worldwide as a teacher and evangelist for over 50 years, speaking to over 100,000 people each year in rallies and churches.
Dr. Sweeting holds a unique place in Moody’s history: he is the only person to serve as both Senior Pastor of Moody Church and as President and Chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute. This distinction testifies to the powerful influence he has had on Evangelicalism in Chicago and thus makes him a powerful name to have supporting this new high school in Chicagoland.
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Bill Thrasher, Th.D.
Bill Thrasher is Professor of Bible & Theology at Moody Graduate School, where he also serves as the Program Head for the M.A. Program in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship. He earned a B.S. from Auburn University and both a Th.M. & Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has authored five books and over 300 articles, many of which focus on the areas of Christian living, spiritual growth, and prayer. He is a frequent speaker at churches, retreats, and radio stations across the country.
Dr. Thrasher is a long-time Chicago native, as well as a close friend of Upper School Principal, Dr. David Roth. Dr. Thrasher’s wisdom and knowledge in the area of spiritual development will make him a critical reference for the Bible department and overall spiritual life of the Upper School.
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Brenda Vishanoff
Brenda Vishanoff is Director of Admissions, Boarding, and Artist Series at Wheaton Academy, where she has taught since 1996. She received two B.M. degrees, in Music Education and French Horn, and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Music Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Vishanoff holds two additional graduate degrees, a Masters in Horn from Northwestern University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. Prior to her current position, Mrs. Vishanoff served as the Fine Arts Department Head and Principal of the Pre-High School partnership at Wheaton Academy. In coordination with her current roles at Wheaton Academy, Mrs. Vishanoff is leading Wheaton Academy in the study of diversity and global education.
Mrs. Vishanoff has worked extensively with CHA’s Upper School Principal, Dr. David Roth, during his time as headmaster of Wheaton Academy. Her familiarity with Dr. Roth, as well as her vast experience in working in a Christian high school setting as both teacher and adminstrator, will help strengthen the vision of CHA Upper School’s admissions, recruitment, and fine arts.
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James Warfield
James Warfield is a recently retired math teacher, counselor, and administrator, having spent over 30 years in these various roles at Lake Forest High School. He holds a B.S. from North Central College and an M.A. from the University of Northern Colorado. His time at Lake Forest High School afforded him the ability to work in almost every educational venue. He began his time as a mathematics teacher of algebra and geometry. Then he became a counselor, where he did academic advising, college guidance, and personal counseling. During this time, he was Supervisor of the following programs: Guidance and Counseling, Health Services, Special Education, Student Assistance, and College Counseling. Finally, he served as a District Administrator for Pupil Personnel Services where he interviewed, hired, oriented, and evaluated staff as well as provided continuing staff development.
This range of experience has provided Mr. Warfield with a skill-set and knowledge base concerning secondary education that is second-to-none. Since he has seen almost every area of high school education, he is a vast resource for establishing a lasting and competitive Christian high school in the northern suburbs of Chicago. |