Teaching Style

At FAITH we believe it is important to blend the best of all styles of education, and happily allow our teachers to bring to class their own teaching philosophies and styles.  That being said, the structure of FAITH is best described as a combination of Classical Education and Unit Studies.

Classical

Students are divided into introductory, exposure and analysis levels.  This allows for appropriate challenges based on the natural abilities and interests of the child.  We cover history in a logical order, starting with creation and going chronologically to the present time.  Students memorize and recite a timeline and refer to it often, further solidifying the context of the material that they are being taught.

Unit Studies

By covering the same time period simultaneously from the angles of history, art, drama, and music, we are able to increase student retention, giving them a comprehensive view of the period from multiple perspectives.  Lessons are hands-on, and are designed to ignite the student's curiosity.

Our second semester allows for even more specialized unit study, while again working from the selected time period.  During this semester students delve into the period by choosing classes that best resonate with them.  Teachers provide a unit of in-depth study in an area of interest.  This may be a study of the biography of one person, a survey of the works of a group of artists, or the study of boundary changes during a war.

The combination of these two styles provides our students with the opportunity for repetition, analysis, and internalization.  We believe these elements allow for not only a thorough education, but one that is thoroughly enjoyable.

A Typical Day

12:30 on Tuesday mornings is a busy time for FAITH teachers.  We arrive laden with trunks full of supplies, heads full of ideas, and wiggly kids excited for their own classes.  It is a happy sprint to get everything set-up quickly.

By 12:45 there is a influx of students pouring through the doors.  Parents busily remind their littlest children that jackets go downstairs on the coat rack just outside the common room (and not on the floor), to go potty before class, and to do all of this quickly.  Older kids cheerfully greet one another and gather in their classrooms boisterously discussing the past week while they wait for classes to begin.

At 1:00 all is quiet in the hallways again.  Period 1 classes start promptly, and we jump right into the fun.

1:45 is the beginning of Period 2.  This doesn't affect anyone in the nursery, pre-school, or introductory level classes, but all other students pour into the halls and (with a bit of supervision for the younger students) find their way to their next classes.  Period 2 begins immediately and the learning continues.

2:30 Between Periods 2 and 3 we all gather in the common room downstairs.  This is time for corporate prayer, announcements, and learning/rehearsing our timeline.  Each year the timeline is built upon from the year before.  We begin with Creation and recite the major events of the world up to the date that we are studying on this particular week.  It is not mandatory that newer students go back and memorize all of the previous years' materials, but they certainly benefit from hearing the context of events.

After timeline students move quickly to their Period 3 classes and have a few minutes for (non-messy) snacks, drinks, bathroom breaks, and informal chatter. Lessons resume at 2:40 with casual discussions over the last remaining snacks.

3:25 is the beginning of Period 4, the last class of the day.

4:10 is the official end of the FAITH day.  Teacher aides and clean-up volunteers help to put the classrooms back in order while students busily chatter with friends in the common-room and parking lot.

It is always a busy day, as is evident by the amount of materials that moms try to juggle as they usher their families back to the car.  Costumes, crafts, bags, and papers are tossed into the trunk as final good-byes are waved to friends.  Most of our preschoolers sleep on the drive home, and a few of the moms wish they could join in.

So, in short, it looks like this:

PERIOD 1

1:00-1:45

PERIOD 2

1:45-2:30

Break

2:30-2:40

PERIOD 3

2:40-3:25

PERIOD 4

3:25-4:10

Where your child is in the building for each period is determined by their level, and will be explained in detail on Orientation day.  Check this year's schedule for more information.

Assistant Director Biography - Winnie L.

Winnie Lowne lives and homeschools with her five children and husband in Bow, NH. She completed her teacher training at Houghton College and before kiddos taught Title I, K-5 science, grades 3 and 5. She enjoys running, swimming, snowshoeing, handwork, gardening, and cooking. She is passionate about hands-on, experiential learning.

Instructor Biography - Richard H.

Richard teaches for four reasons. First, Truth exists. Second, ideas matter. Third, people matter. Fourth, God designed him with a passion to communicate the Truth.

Since the ideas people believe shape their lives and the communities in which they live - family, church, town, nation, and world, Richard endeavors to shape the lives of students by exposing them to the Truth through inductive and deductive strategies. By tapping into the God-given desire to learn, Richard takes the lessons of history and applies them to the lives of the students. He earned his MBA from Plymouth State University in 2009. He enjoys chess and woodworking.

Instructor Biography - Janelle K.

Janelle Kamerman is the mom of two girls and one sweet baby boy. She and her husband moved to New Hampshire from Arizona. Both she and her husband were raised in the southwest and have enjoyed learning about life (and snow!) in New England.

 As a child Janelle was always found coloring, drawing or learning a new craft. After high school she went to a small liberal arts college in Michigan where she studied Art and Art History. She earned her BFA degree with a professional studies concentration in teaching. During her college years she had the privilege of spending a semester on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico studying Native American art and culture and student teaching. She also spent a month studying art history in Peru. These experiences brought on a new appreciation for art and culture.

After college she moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she taught art to grades one through eight. She enjoyed the daily interaction with the students, encouraging their creativity and artistic abilities. She is excited to teach in the classroom setting again and is looking forward to another exciting year of learning about the historic art of the world.

Director Biography - Kristina M.

Kristina M. is passionate about people, learning, living life, and FAITH!  She is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be a part of FAITH.  As a Pastor's kid and the first born child she excelled in roles of leadership from an early age and could often be found in a Sunday School classroom teaching or on stage singing.

After graduating from American International College she found herself in the most challenging role of all, motherhood.  For the last 14 + years many of the experiences and gifts she has have been focused on creating opportunities for her children.  From co-cordinating a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group to embarking of the third year of FAITH, Kristina is grateful for the ability to serve in this capacity and along side of so many gifted friends.

Kristina often shares that this program is an amazing answer to prayer.  As the mother of five children ages 2-15, she found it challenging to find a place with the ability to meet all of her children's needs.  At FAITH they have found their perfect fit.

Class Cancellation Policy

Winter Weather Closure Policy

In case of inclement weather, FAITH will follow the Manchester school system closings. We will announce closings by email by 10:00am of the class day in question.

Morning delays will generally not affect us, however, if the weather clears and afternoon classes can be held, you will be notified by e-mail. 

Class Cancellations

Classes may be cancelled at any time at the leadership team’s discretion. If class is cancelled due to teacher's absence, children will be directed to an alternate appropriate activity.  In the event of class cancellation/teacher absence, reasonable effort will be made to notify parents prior to class time. Teachers work many hours outside the classroom; therefore, if classes are cancelled, tuition will not be refunded but every effort to schedule a make-up class will be made.