Faculty & Staff - Introduction

Our faculty and staff consider education to be their mission field, and they actively participate in training First Baptist School students for a life of service in God's will. Their goals also include instilling a Biblical worldview and an uncompromising stand for God and country.

Faculty facts: 24 faculty and staff members Average faculty tenure exceeds 9 years Average student:teacher ratio is 14:1

Staff: Superintendent, Dr. David Clear Secondary Administrator, Mr. Charlie Graves Elementary Administrator, Mr. Gary Ohlemacher School Secretary, Mrs. Sherry Fruetel School Financial Secretary, Mrs. Nancy Foster

Elementary School Teachers: K3, Mrs. Leanna Cain K4, Mrs. Barb Kuykendall, Mrs. Jennifer Mele K5, Mrs. Julie McKay First Grade, Mrs. Lois Murphy Second Grade, Mrs. Valerie Clear Third Grade, Mrs. Kim Ohlemacher Fourth Grade, Mrs. Vikki Pierson Fifth, Mr. Gary Ohlemacher Elementary Assistant, Miss Bethany Bacon Librarian, Mrs. Joyce Bacon Choir, Mrs. Roxanne Tidrick

Secondary School Teachers: Mr. Scott Cain Miss Cyndi Clear Pastor Dave Clear Mr. Charlie Graves Mr. Stephen Helder Mr. Erik McKay Mr. Shawn McKinney Mr. Abel Miranda Mr. Austen Taylor Mrs. Sara Tidrick Mrs. Roxanne Tidrick

BETHANY BACON Classes:  After School Care Years at FBS:  3 College degree(s):  A.A.S. in Secretarial at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Miss Bethany Bacon grew up at First Baptist Church and is a 2003 graduate of First Baptist School. She is the coordinator for Box Tops, Soup Labels, and Milk Caps. She also assists in many areas within the elementary. She also serves at First Baptist Church as Saturday Bus Secretary and Master Club Secretary, as well as teaching the Sonshine Sunday School class.

JOYCE BACON Classes:  Teacher Assistant, Librarian Years at FBS:  31 College degree(s):  B.A.. Major: Bible, Minor: Education, Missions at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Mrs. Joyce Bacon has been a teacher at First Baptist School for twenty years teaching kindergarten and first grade. In addition, she was K4 aid for two years, and lunchroom coordinator for one year. For the last nine years she has served as teacher assistant and librarian. Also, she coordinates fundraising efforts such as box tops, soup labels and milk caps. Mrs. Bacon has worked in the Sunday school ministry at First Baptist Church for thirty years.

LEANNA CAIN Classes:  K3 Years at FBS:  3 College degree(s):  Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Hyles-AndersonCollege Mrs. Cain has taught 5th grade in the past and most recently has been part of the Mom's Day Away Program. She also serves in the church as one of the nursery directors.

SCOTT CAIN Classes:  Algebra 2, Advanced Math, Life Science, Biology, Physics Years at FBS:  9 College degree(s):  B.S., Secondary Education - Math and Science from Hyles-Anderson College and a master's degree from Baptist College of America Mr. Scott Cain helps out at youth activities and at the juvenile center church services in Hastings. Mr. Cain serves as an assistant to Mr. Graves and he is in charge of the awards program and merit program.

CYNDI CLEAR Classes:  Band, 6th History, Government, Spanish, Girls Physical Education Years at FBS:  1/2 College degree(s):  B.S., Secondary Education - Music and History from Golden State Baptist College, Santa Clara, CA Miss Clear grew up at First Baptist Church. She graduated from First Baptist School in 2007. After graduating from Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, CA with a degree in secondary education, she returned back to Rosemount to teach in the school. She serves every Sunday in the Spanish ministry, playing for the services, playing for the choir, and helping with the special music and orchestra.

PASTOR DAVE CLEAR Classes:  Bible 11-12 Years at FBS:  24 College degree(s):  B.S., Bible and Pastoral Theology from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College; M.S., Pastoral Theology from Hyles-Anderson; Doctor of Divinity, Honorary Doctorate from Hyles-Anderson College Dr. Dave Clear is the Superintendent of First Baptist School and has taught Bible classes at FBS for 20 years. He has held a pastoral position at First Baptist Church over the past twenty years and has served as senior pastor for the past nine years.

VALERIE CLEAR Classes:  Second grade, piano lessons Years at FBS:  14 College degree(s):  B.S., Secondary Education - Music/Home Economics at Hyles-Anderson College Mrs. Valerie Clear has over fourteen years classroom experience teaching K4, 2nd grade, and various middle school courses. During her fourteen years at FBS, she has also taught elementary band and music, provided piano lessons and coordinated student participation in the Minnesota Association of Christian Schools (MACS) Fine Arts Festival. Mrs. Clear was named among Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and was involved with the National Federation Music Club. She has been involved in many ministries at First Baptist Church including the youth, bus and music ministries and has taught Sunday School. Mrs. Clear has been the church pianist for twenty-four years.

NANCY FOSTER Years at FBS:  15 College degree(s):  Associate Degree in Accounting from Ridgewater College, Willmar, MN Nancy Foster serves as First Baptist Church & School Financial Secretary. In addition to the financial records she has volunteered to manage the school's PTF SCRIP fundraising program.

Sherry Fruetel Years at FBS:  0 College degree(s):  Associate Degree in Medical Secretary from Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, FL Mrs. Sherry Fruetel starts her first year as First Baptist School Secretary. Previously, Sherry worked at Gillette Children's Hospital as an Administrative Assistant until 1995 when she left the work force to focus on being a stay-at-home mom. Sherry now returns to her alma mater to work in the position that her mom used to hold while she attended school. Sherry is active at First Baptist Church's music ministries and Sunday School. She and her husband, Troy, have four boys.

CHARLIE GRAVES Classes:  Algebra I, Consumer Math, Yearbook Years at FBS:  18 College degree(s):  B.S., Math and PE Education; M.Ed., School Administration from Hyles-Anderson College; Ph.D., Communications from Louisiana Baptist University Dr. Graves has served as an administrator at FBS for the past fourteen years. In addition to overseeing our secondary, Dr. Graves serves as Youth Director at FBC. He teaches Sunday School, leads junior church, drives for our bus ministry, preaches in our jail and nursing home ministries, interprets for our Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals, and coordinates skits for our VBT. Mr. Graves is in his nineteenth year teaching young people, and he and his wife, Julia, have six children.

STEPHEN HELDER Classes:  Choral Group, High School Choir, Speech Years at FBS:  11 College degree(s):  A.A., Automotive and Diesel Mechanics from Bob Jones University Mr. Stephen Helder serves as Athletic Director at First Baptist School in addition to his teaching responsibilities. He is the coach for varsity and junior varsity boys' basketball. Mr Helder also extends his musical and mechanical talents into the ministry of First Baptist Church serving as the adult choir director and as the Facilities Manager.

BARB KUYKENDALL Classes:  K4 Years at FBS:  8 College degree(s):  A.A., Heart of America Bible College in Independence, Missouri Mrs. Barb Kuykendall is an active member of the church orchestra. Her husband is in charge of the Reformer's Unanimous ministry, and Mrs. Kuykendall helps in this ministry also.

TAMMIE MCCANNON Position:  Lunchroom coordinator Years at FBS:  3 College degree(s):  Certified Kitchen Manager Mrs. McCannon coordinates the lunch program, and to the kids she is known as the "lunch lady." She has three children that attend First Baptist School. She is a member of Hope Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where she is involved in the children's church, is in charge of the kitchen, and helps in the nursery.

ERIK MCKAY Classes:  Math 6 and Bible 7-8 Years at FBS:  1 College degree(s):  Bachelors of Religious Education and Masters of Christian Education from West Coast Baptist College. Mr. Erik McKay grew up at First Baptist Church and went off to college in CA. He played college basketball for four years and worked on staff for three years as a college recruiter. He loves working with teenagers and kids. His ministries at First Baptist Church are Bus Director, Master Club Preacher, Sound ministry, Bus class teacher, Bus captain, Bus program leader, ministry assistant, and is in charge of insurance.

JULIE MCKAY Classes:  K5 Years at FBS:  11 College degree(s):  B.S., Bible and Elementary Education from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Mrs. Julie McKay has been a kindergarten teacher at FBS for eleven years. She is responsible for the Kindergarten Grandparents' Day and Kindergarten Graduation Day. Mrs. McKay serves in the nursery and junior church ministries of First Baptist Church as well as Master Club, Vacation Bible Time, Saturday children's church, and Teen Soulwinning.

SHAWN MCKINNEY Classes:  MS Choir, Boys' PE, Algebra 1/2, Christian Manhood, Physical Science, Science 6 Years at FBS:  3 College degree(s):  B.S., Music and Coaching from Hyles-Anderson College As a senior in college, Mr. Shawn McKinney was hired by Hyles-Anderson College to teach piano on their music faculty. Upon graduation, he received Christian Character awards from Hyles-Anderson College and was named among Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Mr. McKinney is also the Varsity Soccer Coach.

JENNIFER MELE Classes:  K4 Years at FBS:  1 College degree(s):  B.S., Elementary Education from Hyles-Anderson College Mrs. Jennifer Mele has 6 1/2 years classroom experience teaching K3/4 - 12th Grade. She is involved in the ministries of Hope Baptist Church in Minneapolis including choir, nursery, teen girls Sunday School and many other things.

ABEL MIRANDA Classes:  History 7-8, U.S. History, World History, Worldview Philosophy, Bible 6 Years at FBS:  11 College degree(s):  B.S. and M.S., History Education with major in history from Pensacola Christian College Mr. Miranda serves as puppetmaster in children's church ministries at First Baptist Church and has participated in Vacation Bible Time for the past six years. Mr. Miranda is also involved with the Juvenile Center ministry.

LOIS MURPHY Classes:  First grade Years at FBS:  6 College degree(s):  B.S., Elementary Education from Oklahoma Baptist College Mrs. Lois Murphy has over twenty years teaching experience including four and five year old kindergarten, elementary and secondary tutoring as well as college level education classes. She home-schooled her son until sixth grade, while traveling with her husband Darrell Murphy. Darrell is a full time evangelist out of First Baptist Church. Mrs. Murphy has also served as a travel group sponsor for five years representing Oklahoma Baptist College and has coached cheerleading. Mrs. Murphy is a helper in the 4 and 5-year-olds Sunday school class at First Baptist Church.

GARY OHLEMACHER Classes:  Fifth Grade Years at FBS:  18 College degree(s):  B.S., Christian Education from Hyles-Anderson College Mr. Gary Ohlemacher serves as the Elementary Administrator and fifth grade teacher. During his twenty years at FBS, additional responsibilities have included teaching fourth grade, elementary physical education and elementary computers as well as directing both secondary choirs. He coached soccer for fifteen years. Mr. Ohlemacher participates in the ministries of First Baptist Church serving as a deacon, adult Sunday school teacher and song director.

KIM OHLEMACHER Classes:  Third grade Years at FBS:  20 College degree(s):  B.S., Christian Education at Hyles-Anderson College Mrs. Kim Ohlemacher has thirty years teaching experience in third through eighth grade. Mrs. Ohlemacher serves at First Baptist Church as the 1st through 3rd grade girls teacher in the Saturday bus program.

VIKKI PIERSON Classes:  4th Grade Years at FBS:  8 College degree(s):  B.S., History and Home Economic majors from Hyles-Anderson College Mrs. Vikki Pierson received three Christian character awards upon graduation at Hyles-Anderson College. Mrs. Pierson assists with the Gracious Ladies Mentoring Group at First Baptist Church and also decorates for many of the special events in the church. She also serves in the nursery ministry.

AUSTEN TAYLOR Classes:  Bible 9-10, Health and Fitness Years at FBS:  2 College degree(s):  Pastoral Theology and Masters of Ecclesiology from Golden State Baptist College Mr. Austen Taylor has grown up at FBC and after attending Golden State Baptist College for five years during which he traveled in the men's tour group for three years, served on staff during his Masters year as a campus host, and completed his Pastoral and Masters degrees, he has returned to teach the Health and Fitness class and Bible at FBS. Mr. Taylor also serves on the church staff as the Visitation and Soul Winning Director, Saturday Bus Teen Church preacher, and Church custodian as well as serving in the choir ministry. Mr. Taylor is also the Reformers Institutional Program director.

SARA TIDRICK Classes:  English 6, English 7, English 8, English 9, English 10, English 11, English 12, PSEO Years at FBS:  10 College degree(s):  A.A., Business/Secretarial at Tennessee Temple University; B.S., Secondary Education at Hyles-Anderson College Miss Sara Tidrick has taught at every grade level throughout her twenty year teaching career. She was a member of the first graduating class of FBS and all her degrees, both high school and college, were awarded with honors. She has been listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Miss Tidrick has served in various areas of music ministry at First Baptist Church for thirty years.

ROXANNE TIDRICK Classes:  Elementary music and piano, Home Economics I Years at FBS:  8 College degree(s):  Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Mrs. Roxanne Tidrick has seventeen years teaching experience. Mrs. Tidrick has worked with childrens' church at First Baptist Church for twenty-one years, serves as hostess coordinator for the Ladies' Extravaganza and is a member of the church choir.