1. Personal Christian Philosophy
Nicholas Heltzel
1. Why doyou wantto teach at a Christianschool?
Answer:Iam ChristianandI believethatThe Faithisthe source andsummitof everythingwe doand
whowe are. Asan educatorit ismoral responsibilityandgoal to educate the "whole child"notonly by
usingacademicstrategiessuchasBloom'sTaxonomy,integratedlessonsbutalsoResourcesof the Faith
such as the Bible andScripture.
Beingable tomake the Faithandthe Bible relevanttochildren isthe bestway forthemto st ay active
and engagedina Christ-like life.Also,usinginterestinglessons,andhighyieldinstructional strategiesare
the bestway forstudentstolearnthe skillsthatwill make themindependentthinkersandsuccessful
21st Centuryworldcitizens.
2. What are the maincharacteristicsof a Christianschool?
Answer: The keydifferencesbetweena Christianschool andthe publicsystemare asfollows:
a. Purpose of Education: In the publicschool systempolitical correctnessrulesandit'svalueschange on
a whim.Ina school of the Lord everythingthatistaughtand learnedistohelpprepare studentsforthe
Kingdomof Heavenandto helpthemspreadthe Gospel.
b. Contentof Education:The publicschool will teachwhatevervaluesare relevantorpopularatthe
time. InChristianschoolsall contentistaughtwiththe goal of preparingstudentstoacceptand live by
The Word of the Lord.
3. If a studentasksyouhowone becomesChristian,whatwouldyoutellthem?
Answer: Realizinghowone becomesaChristianisthe single mostimportantdiscoveryof yourlife.It's
more important than decidingonwhatchurch tojoin.I wouldtell mystudentthata personhasto do
three thingstohonestlybecome Christian. First, theyhave torealize thatall of humanityhassinnedand
livesinsin.Humanitywillneverbe able to achieve orcomprehendGodor hisholiness. Second,
understandthatthe penaltyforour sinagainstGod inthe Garden isdeathand that humanitywill end
up inone of twoplace:Heavenor Hell.The third and final thingapersonmustdo to become Christian
and be savedfrom eternal damnationisacceptGod'sgift.That meansrealizingthat Godsent hisson
Jesusto Earth to die in our place so we could be spared from Hell.
Those are the most important stepsfor a personto become Christian.
4. What isyour philosophyof discipline?
Answer:

2. Discipline Philosophy
Before Iset forthmydiscipline planletme brieflyexplainwhatmyview onthe role of disciplineis.I
believethatdiscipline,bothnegative andpositive ismeanttraineachstudentinthe correct behavioral
and academichabits.My goal isto be firm, butfair,lovingbutnotoverlysentimental.Iamtheir
instructor,nottheirfriend. If implementedcorrectly,consistentlyandfairlythendisciplineshouldactas
trainingthatcorrects, strengthens,andcompletesthe student.The firstgoal of mydisciplineplanisto
helpstudentsdevelopaBiblical worldview. Secondly,Iwanttocreate a classroomclimate thatmakesit
easyfor mystudentstolearn.Finally,I'dlike toformtheminsuch a way that theywill learnakeepa
love fortheirfellow manandJesusChrist.
Discipline Chart
I will use acolor chart systemandhang it inthe classroomso that I andthe studentscansee how their
behaviorisbeingmeasured.Discipline will be handledbyme asmuch as possible.Bothnegative and
positive reinforcementstrategieswill be usedtokeeporder.If the studentsfail tofollow classroom
proceduresandrulesthenthese are some of the methodsIwill use tobringthemback intothe fold.
a. Restrictingormissingrecess/special events
b. Statementsof AffirmationorContractsof Improvement
c. Parentphone call/letterhome orParent-TeacherConference
d. Lunch Detention
e.Alternate Classroom
For the complete DisciplinePlanplease see the attached plan.
5. What is yourattitude towardsworkingwithotherswhocome froma differentbackground,tradition,
denominationorrace than you?
Answer:Ilookworkingwitheveryone,despitetheirbelief system, culture,orbackground.However,I
will venture anassumption,andthatisif the studentisattendingSuffolkChristianAcademythenthey
are eitherabrotherinChristor theirparentsare comfortable withtheirchildbeingeducatedinthe
traditionof the Gospel andChrist.
6. I believe withall of myheartand soul that God createdmankind,the Earthand all of the universe.
He has made usin hisimage andwe live tothe bestof our abilitiesaccordingtoHisWord. It isby his
Grace and our demonstrationthatwe make itintoHeavenandavoidthe firesof Hell.