Ms. Kinser retiring after 38 years at PHCS
Feb 1, 2020: We are proud to announce the bittersweet news that our beloved 4th-6th grade teacher, Ms. Mary Jo Kinser, will be retiring after the 2019-20 school year. She has not only served Pleasant Hill Christian School faithfully for 38 years, but she and her best friend, teacher Janlyn Heath (who retired in 2012), founded the school back in 1982! The School Board, staff, families, and alumni are forever grateful for the indelible fingerprint she has left on Pleasant Hill Christian School! She has carried the heart for this school and has taught generations with whole-hearted excellence!
As she steps into a new season of retirement, please keep her in your prayers. She is excited about her future and continues to be supportive of this school in multiple ways! Mrs. See and the Board are actively planning for the 2020-21 school year and how the different classrooms will be arranged. PHCS has seen several teachers retire in the last decade and God has been so faithful in bringing new energetic teachers into our community. We look forward to the ways God will touch our school again!
As she steps into a new season of retirement, please keep her in your prayers. She is excited about her future and continues to be supportive of this school in multiple ways! Mrs. See and the Board are actively planning for the 2020-21 school year and how the different classrooms will be arranged. PHCS has seen several teachers retire in the last decade and God has been so faithful in bringing new energetic teachers into our community. We look forward to the ways God will touch our school again!
4th-6th Grade: Ms. Kinser (Co-founder of school)
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The 4th-6th grade classroom is a hub of activity, with students working independently, in small groups, grade groups, or as a whole class, all in the same day. As students prepare for middle school and beyond, Ms. Kinser is mindful of helping them develop study habits, awareness of individual learning styles, and the development of character based on God's Word.
In the first trimester we get involved in National History Day with many of our students going on to compete at the county level, state level,and even a few have competed nationally! The history day project involves a multitude of learning strategies: research, writing, analysis, thesis statements, organization as well as oral presentation. The middle trimester the students get involved in “Caravans” which is a geography simulation game where they “travel” around the world learning about other countries, cultures, and geography. This complements our school's missions’ emphasis in January. The last trimester there is an emphasis on science projects, experiments, and inventions. Significant learning takes place out of the classroom. Each year students look forward to Outdoor Education at a nearby Christian camp (usually Alliance Redwoods in Occidental) or the environmental learning program at historic Fort Ross, overnight at the school, along with various field trips. In all of our studies, we delight in pondering the truth of the Bible whether it's the glory of order in mathematics, the consistency of physical laws, the creative mind of God to create Redwood trees and weather patterns, or the soul-satisfying melody of music. In addition to what is true, good and beautiful across the subjects, we specifically spend time in the Old and New Testament each day and memorize Scripture. Other academic pursuits include: Spelling bees, Math Olympics, English grammar, reading novels, literature circles, book reports, writing, math (problem-solving with 4 basic operations, fractions, decimals, percents, pre-algebra), history and geography, science, P.E., technology, art, music, and Spanish. We work hard, have fun and learn a lot!! Curriculum used
Click here for Ms. Kinser's handouts |
Mary Jo Kinser
Mary Jo has always loved missions work and traveling. During her college years, she spent several months living in West Berlin, Germany, and traveling in Europe. Recently, she has participated in several short-term missions trip into the Ukraine and Russia working with teachers from these countries. Besides teaching, Mary Jo enjoys reading, walking, and playing with her dog, Belle. Her life verse is from Psalm 84:11-12: "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." Mary Jo is an active member of the Occidental Community Church. |