Middle School Faculty - Peoples Christian Academy

Peoples Christian Academy (PCA) administration, faculty and staff are chosen for their ability to reflect the principles and values as outlined in our Philosophy of Education. These Christian faculty members are highly qualified and dedicated teachers who see their career choice as a ministry to impart Christian values to the next generation of leaders. Faculty and administrative staff participate in devotions and seek to be examples and mentors for the students. A code of conduct for staff is outlined in the appropriate manuals and handbooks. There is a strong partnership with parents to reinforce Christian and family values in the students’ lives. Some of our faculty members are even PCA alumni.

K. Lee

Middle School and Senior School Science / Yearbook-Journalism

B.Sc Honours – University of Toronto

B.Ed – OISE University of Toronto

(PCA Alumnus)

Mr. K. Lee: “As a former student of PCA, I’ve been so blessed to have been mentored by some of the most caring and God-loving people I know. I believe PCA teachers are called to not only prepare students for whatever challenges the world has for them but to help them thrive in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe we are all gifted in some way for the purpose of pointing others to Christ. As a teacher and mentor, my hope is for students to know God and to use whatever they have been blessed with to help others do the same.”

D. Lau

Technology, Civics/Careers, Biology

B. Sc. – University of Guelph

B. Ed. – Tyndale University College

Mr. D. Lau: “The world we live in is becoming increasingly complicated and complex. Students are constantly bombarded with various opinions of truth which can lead to confusion or further questions. I am thankful that PCA believes in educating the whole child, which allows teachers and students to freely discuss those challenging issues through the lens of the Gospel in a space that is safe and respectful. By taking a holistic approach to education, PCA helps to better prepare students to serve the Lord in various capacities in order to reach all nations for His glory. (Matthew 28:19)”

G. Li

Music (Vocal) / Band / Geography / Winds
B.Music, B.Ed. – Queens University
(PCA Alumna)

Miss G. Li: “Working at PCA has been a testament of God’s sovereign power. As a previous student of PCA, never in my wildest dreams, would I imagine teaching alongside my previous teachers. It has been such a blessing to serve alongside teachers that once taught me. PCA is a tight-knit community, where teachers strive to not only teach through Christian education, but also live it out. Students that come into PCA come from a variety of backgrounds. I have the privilege and honour to serve the youth of our school moulding and stretching them to be sent out as the men and women that God has created them to be.”

D. Westacott

Mathematics, Social Science
B.Sc., B.Ed. – University of Toronto
M.Div. – Tyndale University

Mr. D. Westacott: “It is true that I absolutely love Mathematics, but my life-long passion is sharing life together with teens! PCA is a wonderful place to encourage, equip and empower teens as they pursue their future and the call of God in their lives. There are countless opportunities to “tell the next generation the marvellous things God has done.” I am overwhelmed each day by God’s faithfulness in bringing me back to PCA after being away for 23 years.”

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V. Aspinall

Physical Education, Gr. 6 Homeroom
B.Sc., B.Ed. – University of Toronto
M. Arts – Providence University
(PCA Alumna)

Mrs. V. Aspinall: “Teaching at PCA is important to me because it’s my home. I graduated from PCA and returned as a teacher to continue to be a part of the PCA family. The students are eager to learn which makes my job very enjoyable! Because both teachers and students have the same faith, we share each other’s goals and challenges. I am grateful for the privilege of sharing life with the PCA family!”

E. Flach

Visual Arts
B.A., B.Ed. – University of Toronto

Ms. E. Flach: “Teaching at PCA is a joy to my heart. First of all because I find pleasure in inspiring students with creative ideas and teaching them artistic skills, which result in many beautiful pieces of art being produced. Most importantly, I love having the freedom to open their eyes to the wonders of the great Creator, whose marvelous works we celebrate through the arts. I further enjoy teaching the History of Western Art in order to give the students the ability to discern which direction society is going since “Art is the mirror of society”.”

E. Philip

Bible
B.A. (Honours), B.Ed. – Queens University
Master of Theology – Tyndale University

Mrs. E. Philip: “Working at PCA is so important to me, because the lives of our young people are so precious and the task of raising Godly children in today’s society is increasingly daunting. Most children will spend more waking hours a day at school than at home. It is so critical that we are entrusting our children during this time to people who love the Lord and who will faithfully impart to them Biblical truths and values. It is such a privilege to be part of a ministry that seeks to do just that.

I personally see the fruit of PCA’s ministry as my own children come home from PCA with worship songs and Bible stories on their lips. I know that what they are learning at home is being daily reinforced in a loving, Christian environment that will provide a solid foundation for life.”

V. Peart

English/Social Studies, Gr. 6 Homeroom
B.A. (Honours) – McMaster University
B.Ed. – Strathclyde University, Scotland

Mrs. V. Peart: “I have been teaching at PCA for 19 years. It has become a second home for me. My PCA family continues to be there for me through the joys and the sorrows of life. It is a place where you feel loved, encouraged, challenged and safe. There is nothing greater than teaching a concept in class, with passion, and seeing your students’ eyes light up and the “light bulb” moments happen. It is truly a blessing to teach here and help our students academically, socially and most importantly spiritually. There have been many times when my students have taught me important lessons about life and our Lord, and for that I am truly grateful.”

G. Lee

Math, Science, Gr. 7 Homeroom
B.Sc. – University of Toronto
B. of Ch. Ed. – Redeemer University
M.Sc. – Canisus College

Mr. G. Lee: “Teaching at PCA gives me opportunities to encourage students to see the Lord as master of all areas of their lives, present and future. They need to be diligent in all they do, in all areas of their lives, not for pleasing parents or teachers (who are people), nor for preparing to live more comfortable lives (for self), but for honouring the Lord now, and for preparing to honour Him better in the future.”

J. Craig

Music (Instrumental)/ English/ Social Studies
B. Music – University of Toronto
M. Music – University of Southern California
B. Ed. – York University

Mr. J. Craig: “In 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach reminded his students at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, that “the final aim of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” As a music teacher at Peoples Christian Academy, I have the great pleasure to be able to pass on Mr. Bach’s inspired words to the young students who attend this school. In over two decades of teaching music, it is here at PCA where I find this truth is realized to its fullest. It is for this reason that I am blessed to be able to teach at PCA and share the joy of making music, giving glory and honor to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

M. Westacott

English / Media / Writers Craft / Literature / Social Studies
Middle School Chapel

B.A. – University of Toronto
B.Ed. – York University

Mr. M. Westacott: “As Christians, we need to go where God calls us; I feel truly blessed to have been called to teach at PCA. Teaching here allows me the opportunity to serve God by serving the next generation, to love the students as He first loved me. As a husband and a father of three (going on four), family means the world to me. That’s really what the PCA community is: a family.”

At Peoples Christian Academy, elementary students are involved in Bible class and/or morning devotions. Not only do students learn about God’s Word and Biblical principles, they also have a time of prayer. Prayer requests are brought forth before the throne of God. Weekly chapels are held, songs are learned, Christian videos are shown, guest speakers are invited, principal/teacher/class led chapels where Biblical foundations are established take place.

A community of spiritual caring takes place spontaneously where students may ask teachers to pray for their families, or teachers will pray for the needs of the students and families if these requests were known. I myself was a recipient of the prayer support provided by students and their families. I broke my wrist in January 2010. When the school learned about this incident, prayer support from the class devotions, family devotions, and individual student’s prayers all poured in. Parents/students would ask me how I was and it was not uncommon to hear parents tell me that they were praying for me during their family devotions. One parent told me her daughter prayed for me everyday.

When my father went home to be with the Lord in 2000, again it was the students’ self-made condolence cards and their messages, Bible verses that brought comfort.

A student once made a card for me and wrote “God loves you and may God bless you” He drew a picture of a big cross and smaller crosses. I followed up with this student because I knew he came from a non-Christian family. I asked if he knew Jesus and if he believed in Jesus. He answered affirmatively. He told me it was in grade one and he mentioned the teacher’s name, when he made the decision to believe in Jesus. Children are so receptive to God’s salvation. We have heard testimonies of students accepting the Lord in their elementary school years.

Ultimately, bringing up a child is still the responsibility of parents. In a Christian school environment, teachers continue to work with parents in bringing up children who will revere and honour the Lord.

– Mrs. Siu (Elementary School Teacher)

One parent told me her daughter prayed for me everyday.

For four years of my life I had the privilege of being part of an academic institution that unashamedly instills the message of Christ and His principles in every student that enters through its doors. This school is called Peoples Christian Academy and these four years of high school were undoubtedly four crucial years in the grand scheme of my life. Having been raised in a Christian home and a frequent church attendee, I was saturated in the ways of Christ throughout my childhood. From kindergarten to Grade 8, I was enrolled in a local public school that although academically prepared me for the next stage of life, did not create a positive atmosphere for my faith to flourish and it slowly began to diminish. I can whole heartedly declare to you that I if I was not enrolled into Peoples Christian Academy in my grade 9 year, I would not be serving God today. Throughout my four years at PCA I was motivated to rediscover my true identity in Christ. Godly principles were woven into each course and I found myself not only challenged academically but spiritually as well. Each teacher relentlessly invested in my academic and spiritual well-being and I found myself thriving in more ways than one. PCA prepared me for the next stage of life: My foundation in Christ was strengthened and my relationship with Him built-on and nourished. There are not too many Christian institutions out there that have not watered down the gospel for the sake of increased enrollment and political correctness. PCA has unapologetically stood firm on its Christian convictions since 1971 and continues to in 2011. I was honoured to be a part of this wonderful academy and hope and pray that it will be around for many more years to come.

-Curtis Legiehn PCA Grad 04′

unapologetically

If 4 years of high school is only preparation for 4+ years of university, it has very little lasting value.

PCA helped establish the foundations of my faith. The knowledge I learned in elementary/middle school was great, but I learned how to apply it on an in-depth scale in high school. Church is great, but what’s 4 hours of church a week + 2 hours of fellowship a week when compared to year round Bible studies, discussions on issues of faith and learning to defend one’s faith we received at PCA? PCA is combining school with seminary schooling for your children. PCA taught me to take my faith and make it my own.

Joanne L.

I certainly did benefit from my years at PCA. The opportunity to be involved with student council, sports teams, musicals, and a singing ensemble that ministered in various Toronto churches combined with weekly chapel services and great courses taught by dedicated teachers all combined for a great high school experience.

I serve as the Pastor of Church Networking at Peoples Church where I work with church planters and pastors to support their churches with training and volunteers to advance their outreach in Toronto. I’m also a regional mobilizer with C2C network (www.c2cnetwork.ca) which is a national church planting network. Our family’s most recent adventure is that we’re starting a new charity called Love a Village to facilitate mission work that God has been opening up for us in northern Malawi over the past few years.

Trevor Seath, Pastor of Church Networking at the Peoples Church

We travel over an hour in each direction

Why does my family travel over an hour in each direction just to drive our kids to Peoples Christian Academy?

Last year, my son was in a disastrous situation at a public school. On a regular basis, he either had gotten off the school bus and was left alone looking for an unlocked door to get to his kindergarten classroom, or in the evenings, he would be left helpless at the playground unable to find his correct school bus. This had continued for 6 months, until an old bus driver alerted me of her observation–that it was the school’s (not my son’s) fault that he was repeatedly left unattended – nobody cares!

Furthermore, my son frequently returned home from his old school with art work celebrating Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Bahá’í’s faith days or themes. He countered my teachings on heaven with the curriculum-enforced concept of reincarnation, yet Christianity was never presented. Christmas was only about Frosty the Snowman or Santa and his reindeer.

In the past half year at PCA, however, the tide has changed. Now, he comes home with Bible verses and interesting materials that have helped him to learn about spiritual truths. His reading has improved tremendously; he enjoys music instruction, and he feels safe on the school grounds. Everyone from the office to the after-school program staff show true Christian care.

Lily K. (PCA parent)