School Welcomes 20 New Teachers

Change is not just a word at Lakeland Christian School, it's a reality.

As Lakeland Christian's student body continues to grow and its campus expands, LCS responds to its need for a larger staff. Corresponding to the school's record breaking enrollment of 1,036 students along with the 17 teachers who resigned last year, LCS has added 20 members to its staff.

This is not only the most new teachers LCS has hired in one year but the most teachers the school has ever had on campus.

The 17 teachers who resigned at the end of the last school year left due to retirement, pregnancy, spouse's job transfer or marriage.

"All faculty members left on positive terms," said Mike Sligh, headmaster.

Sligh noted that each of the resigning staff members contributed a vital part to the school and would be greatly missed.

Lakeland Christian School has a distinctive hiring process. As well as being professionally qualified, applicants also must share a similar spiritual commitment. Administration then matches teachers with the specific courses for which they are qualified to teach.

LCS is unique in that all teachers are teaching in their certification field. Most schools are unable to fill every teaching position with someone from the appropriate field because of the lack of teachers.

"We are very fortunate," Sligh said.

Of the 20 teachers hired, four of them are LCS alumni, including Todd Radford, new P.E. teacher.

Radford stated that he felt strongly called to come back to LCS.

"I have always been interested in returning to Lakeland Christian. When I was a student at LCS Dr. Sligh was my basketball coach...It was my dream to someday come back and teach and coach like him."

Sonia Steckhert, new Spanish teacher, also expressed a personal calling to LCS.

When Enid Ortiz, previous Spanish teacher, had to move because of her husband's job transfer, several LCS parents contacted Steckhert in hopes that she would look into accepting the position.

"God used them to bring me to LCS. I feel like this is where I should be," said Steckhert.

Steckhert brings a considerable amount of experience after teaching at Haines City High School for 22 years.

Along with Steckhert, several other new teachers hold impressive credentials including Cathy Asbridge, who took the title of Rookie Teacher of the Year in 1993 while teaching at George Jenkins High School, and Deborah Sullivan, who won Teacher of the Year in 2005 while at Griffin Elementary.

The new teachers have had a strong impact on LCS, greatly benefiting the school in numerous ways, Sligh said.

First and second grades have been divided into four class sections, reducing class sizes. Secondary class sizes also have been reduced, particularly in the English, science and math departments.

The hiring of Trishia Koretchko has allowed for more sections of math classes, resulting in smaller class sizes.

"We hope this will raise test scores," said Steven Livesay, head of the math department.

The additional teachers also have allowed more students to take honors level courses in upper level math, such as AP calculus, honors statistics, and honors algebra II.

With Koretchko now teaching geometry, a course Livesay previously taught, Livesay was able to replace Geoff Stabler in teaching physics. Livesay has a degree in electrical engineering which is heavily applied in physics.

"This has allowed Stabler to focus on running the Bible department," said Livesay.

Stabler, head of the Bible department is currently pursuing his maters degree in Religion.

"God has really blessed us with people who have professional credentials as well as a spiritual commitment for serving the Lord in the classroom," said Sligh.