Secondary Teachers


 Educating. Inspiring.   
Impacting the World.   


Michael Allio
High School Biology, Chemistry
 
The fall of 2008 was my first year teaching at Judah. In December of 2007 I was married to my lovely wife Jenny who is currently a graduate student in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois. 
 
As an undergraduate I attended Anderson University, a Southern Baptist institution in Anderson, South Carolina. Just prior to moving to Champaign I completed work on a Master’s in the Art of Teaching in Biology.
 
While completing my undergraduate degree at Anderson I ran Cross Country and Track and Field. My first affiliation with Judah was as the Track and Field Coach (Spring 2008).  Currently, I am the assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Marlene Behrends
AP Calculus AB / Calculus / Precalculus / College Algebra / Algebra 2 / Intermediate Algebra
 
I grew up near Paxton, graduated from the University of Illinois (BS) and Moody Bible Institute’s Advanced Studies Program (Certificate). With a love for learning, I also have done graduate work at Pensacola Christian College, attended an AP Summer Institute for Calculus, taken technology classes at Parkland College, etc. I enjoy attending the annual conference of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I am always looking for ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.
 
With an interest in missions, I began my teaching career in a Christian school in Idaho, then Maine (as a newlywed), and then over ten years in Swaziland (African mission/national high school of 350 students). I also served as the math/science department head at our Swazi school in addition to leading a ladies staff Bible study. We returned to the States and I have been teaching at Judah Christian High School since 1993 primarily math from Algebra 1 through Calculus but also an apologetics Bible class and a cat anatomy elective. My desire for my students here at Judah is to see God’s creative hand in math and to honor God with their work. I also help with the junior class as one of the class sponsors and coordinate Judah’s participation in the ACSI Math League regional competitions in the spring.
My husband Paul and I attend Messiah Free Lutheran Church. I enjoy chatting with friends both in person and around the world with the internet, watching African wildlife streaming webcams, and reading mysteries, philosophy, theology, and math history.

Pat Clark
Jr. High Bible, Food Fundamintals, Sewing, and Life Curriculum
 
I have a B.S. and M.Ed. in Family and Consumer Sciences from The Ohio State University and Penn State University respectively. I have worked in education my entire professional life, including roles as a classroom teacher, Extension home economist, program administrator, and free-lance curriculum and textbook writer. A significant portion of my career has been spent teaching pregnant and parenting adolescents. At Judah Christian Schools, I teach junior high Bible, Food Fundamentals and Sewing. I also develop, coordinate, and teach the Life Curriculum to students in grades 4-11. The curriculum gives students the knowledge and skills to build positive relationships and develop a healthy sexuality that honors God.
 
I have been married to Richard for 25 years and we have three children—Brett, age 22; Joel, age 19, and Paige, age 17. We live in Mahomet and attend First Christian Church. It is a joy to work at Judah, helping students build their faith, skills, and understanding of themselves and their relationships.

Happy Davis
High School Bible, Choir
 
The Lord led me to Judah as a part-time teacher in the 2005 school year. I have since been teaching here fulltime. Prior to teaching here I have served a number of churches as a Minister of Music, Education, Youth, Administration, groundskeeper and janitor. The Lord has equipped me to work with and support those whom He has placed in positions of leadership.
 
I have bachelor’s degrees from Oklahoma State University and Southwest Baptist University. I also have received a Master’s Degree in Religious Education and Music Leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am pleased to say that I have recently received my teaching certification from ACSI.
 
I teach all the Bible classes for our underclassmen. For Freshman we deal with the Kingdom of God, our Sophomores work through Bible Doctrines, and then our Juniors have one semester of Apologetics followed by a new curriculum piece called Life Calling and Purpose. Besides our Bible classes I also work with both the junior high and senior high choirs. I am a junior class sponsor and in my spare time I coach both junior high and high school baseball.
 
My absolutely marvelous wife is currently our Judah Preschool director after moving from the preschool classroom a few years ago. My two sons are both proud Judah graduates. Caleb is currently serving on the Youth ministry staff of Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and is pursuing a Master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jordan is attending Parkland College (and working) as he seeks the Lord design for his vocation. He is looking at secondary education and writing as career options.
 
I love participating in and watching sports all the way from hunting and fishing to golf. I could easily be a beach bum because our favorite family vacation spot is the beach. I love to be out in the sun! One of the things that I am most passionate about is serving others through our World Changers mission trips. Being able to share the love of Christ with people by repairing their homes is not only rewarding but it also changes the lives of those working and those being worked for. Our family is currently working with a church plant in Mahomet called Church of the Cross.

Debra Duderstadt
Secondary Speech & Drama 

I am incredibly excited to be teaching Speech and Drama at Judah Christian School this year!  I grew up in Urbana and am thankful to be back home, after acting professionally in Houston, TX for the past 4 years.  I received my Bachelors degree in Photography from Southern Illinois University and my Masters in Theatre Studies from Illinois State University.  For the past 15 years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to act professionally,in acadamia and the community! 

I have been teaching theatre for the past 6 years and feel strongly called to share my love of theatre with young people.  I thank God for my loving and supportive family and amazing friends for making me laugh and bringing me joy! 


Greg Dykstra
AP Physics / Physics / Introduction to Chemistry and Physics / Health / Computer Applications
 
I married my lovely wife Joan in 1971 and am the father of Philip, 31 and Elizabeth, 29.
I received a B.S. in Physical Education in 1970 and a M.S. in Kinesiology in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology in 1999 with a concentration in Pediatric Exercise Physiology. 
 
I was Head Track and Cross-Country Coach at Champaign Centennial High School from 1972-1976, and served as Vice Principal of Christian Life Center High School in Rockford, Illinois during the 1976-1977 school year. In the fall of 1977, I became the Principal of Community Christian School in Savoy, Illinois and in 1983; I served as the Administrator of the newly formed Judah Christian High School. 
I am a part of a house church and have participated in 53 short-term missionary trips to Mexico, Canada, Central America and Europe. I currently organize outreaches to small villages in the mountains of Spain providing Spanish New Testaments to herdsmen and shepherds.

Sheila Kirby
7th and 8th Grade Science and Bible
 
I graduated from Illinois State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I worked in the business world for nine years and then attended the University of Illinois where I earned a second undergraduate degree in education in 1984. I am an Illinois State certified teacher. Prior to joining Judah in 2004, I taught at Leal Elementary School in Urbana for 14 years and at Living Word Christian School in Roberts, Illinois for five years. I currently teach 7th and 8th grade Bible, science, study skills and oversee a study hall. Working at Judah allows me to pursue two things I am passionate about: serving the Lord and teaching.
 
My husband’s name is Rick. We have two wonderful daughters, Nicole and Rachel and a loving son-in-law, Austin. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and boating. We are members of Kankakee Valley Family Church and serve on the sound and video ministry team. Teaching at Judah is a blessing because of its’ faith-centered principles and high academic standards.

Emily Lucas
Secondary Guidance/International Student Advisor

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  So here I am in East Central Illinois after having grown up in San Diego, California!  As the JCHS Guidance Counselor, I enjoy encouraging students to think about where their paths may go during and after high school, and how to prepare for those journeys.

I completed a bachelor’s degree as a non-traditional student and then a master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Illinois University.  Since then I have been a public high school counselor, and I am now enjoying the tremendous opportunity of continuing in guidance at Judah Christian High School.

My husband and I were married in 1983, and we are very close to becoming empty-nesters as our two children are entering adulthood.  We attend Stratford Park Bible Chapel, and my hobbies include gardening, baking, and being walked by our dog.


Kathleen Rice
Jr. High Math, Pre Algera and Algebra I
 
 I completed my teaching degree at the University of Illinois and am certified both by the state of Illinois and ACSI.  I spent most of 1984-2002 teaching a variety of middle school classes at Okinawa Christian School International.  In 2004, I began teaching junior high Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1 at Judah Christian School. 
 
I attend Stratford Park Bible Chapel and am active in their children's program and in various Bible studies.  I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and music.  It is a privilege to work with my students at Judah and to see them develop their gifts and abilities as they mature spiritually, academically, and socially.
 

Cherie Roberson
7th - 9th Grade English
 
I earned an undergraduate degree in teaching from St. Louis University in 1988 and obtained a Masters of Education in 1995 from Maryville University in St. Louis. I am also certified with the Association of Christian Schools International.
 
I began teaching in 1988 in St. Louis County for the Parkway School District. Later, I taught in Terre Haute, Indiana before moving to Mahomet, Illinois. It has been my pleasure teaching English to seventh through ninth grade students at Judah Christian School since 2007. Throughout my teaching career, I have taught a range of grades from first through ninth.
 
My husband, Rick and I, have three children. We attend Sangamon Valley Christian Center in Mahomet, Illinois, where we are involved in a small group and the children’s ministry.   I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids, visiting my family in St. Louis, gardening, and reading.
 
I find it an awesome challenge and responsibility to partner with other faculty and staff at Judah Christian School in equipping young minds with the message of hope in Christ while teaching them the academic English skills of literary analysis, writing, and grammar.

Magaly Rogers
High School Spanish
 
I graduated from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Secondary Education. I was a high school History teacher from 1972 to 1974. In 1977 I was called to the mission field and began working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I was with YWAM for almost 10 years in South America. I returned back to the United States in 1985.
 
I began working at Judah Christian School in 1988 as the Spanish teacher for the High School. For the last 15 years I have also been the senior class sponsor. As the senior sponsor it is my responsibility to coordinate fundraiser for the senior trip, I also plan, coordinate and lead the senior class trip and also assist in coordinating Senior graduation. I truly enjoy my work here at Judah Christian School. I feel the Lord has called me here and this in now my mission field. The students here are great and I feel Judah Christian School has become a second family to me.
 
I got married in 1978 and have three wonderful daughters. All three of my daughters graduated from Judah Christian School between 2000 and 2003. I also have two grandchildren who attend Judah Christian School one in kindergarten and the other in 1st grade. I attend Stone Creek Church in Urbana, IL. I have been a member there since 1996.

Cathy Rosema
HS English and Journalism

I was born and grew up in a Christian home in Grand Rapids, MI, where from early on a love for Jesus and a knowledge of the Bible was inculcated. After having received a Christian K-12 education, I attended a local college, Grand Valley State University, where I earned my B.A. degree in 2000. Following that, I taught middle and high school in New Hampshire for six years, during which time I was introduced to mission work in the country of Haiti through my local church. In the fall of 2009, I went down to Haiti to teach high school English at a Christian mission school, Quisqueya Christian School, and remained there through the devastating earthquake of January 2010, after which I evacuated the country. Following my evacuation, I was able to enroll again at GVSU for graduate courses, attending school full time through the next year. Lord willing, I will wrap up my Master’s courses this summer.

I enjoy reading, writing, acting, cooking, watching Michigan football, and spending quality time with my family, especially my niece and nephews. I am passionate about my faith, English, and teaching and consider it an honor to be serving at Judah Christian School this year.  


Robin Thomas
Band, Music Appriciation, and Jazz
 
I began as a new teacher at Judah in January of 2009. I earned a Bachelors of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
I teach 5th Grade Band, 6th Grade Band, Junior High Band, High School Band, Music Appreciation, and Jazz Combo. I also teach pull-out (individual) lessons to 5th and 6th grade students.
 
I grew up in Champaign and am thus a “townie,” with a lot of family still around. My hobbies are playing trumpet (I am still a very active performer in the community), running, and cooking (but NOT baking. I am a terrible baker.) I am a member of First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy.

Robert Wilson
U.S. History, World History and Illinois History

Though my family moved a few times in my early years, I primarily grew up in Medina, Ohio. From 5th grade through graduating high school, I attended First Baptist Christian School. I went on to graduate from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/History in 1998 and completed my Master’s degree in History from The University of Akron in 2004.

I have taught in both public and private schools. I am very thankful to be here at Judah Christian where I can help the students see God's divine hand throughout all of history.

Soccer has been a big part of my life since the age of 4. I played for both my school and Club teams throughout high school. I have been coaching soccer for more than 15 years. As Judah's Boys and Girls Varsity Soccer coach I look forward to seeing the program grow and to get kids excited about the game.

My wife, Melanie, and I have 2 sons. Connor is 5 and is in Kindergarten here at Judah. Christopher is 3 and will hopefully be joining the Preschool program at Judah soon.


Joe Yoon
Algebra I, Geometry, Buiness Math, and Statistics
 
I began my first year teaching right here at Judah in 2009. I graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education. I completed my student teaching at Jefferson Middle School and Danville High School. Here at Judah I currently teach Algebra I, Geometry, Business Math, and Statistics.

I grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois, with my parents and my older brother. Some of my hobbies are playing guitar, volleyball, basketball, and following the NBA (Go Bulls!). I have been a member of Covenant Fellowship Church here on campus since my freshman year of college, and I am thankfully serving in whatever I can to build up His church there. I am equally thankful to be serving here at Judah. I hope to grow more and more as an educator, so that I can teach our students with excellence and faithfulness.

Tom Zielke
Jr. High Bible, 7th Grade geography, 8th Grade US History and HS Boys PE
 
I began teaching at Judah Christian School in 1996.  I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Social Studies Education in 1995.  I have a Illinois State Teachers license and I am also certified by ACSI.  I teach Junior High Bible, 7th Grade Geography, 8th Grade US History, Senior High Boys PE, supervise a study hall, and I am also the Junior High Student Council Sponsor.
 
My wife Susan is a lawyer at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation in Champaign.  We have two children at Judah.  Ruth is in 5th grade and Josiah is in 2nd grade.  I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sports (Illini, Steelers, and Pirates), and walking.  My family attends Twin City Bible Church in Urbana.