GMS Teaching Staff

Mr. Lowell Bechtel

• Instrumental Music
• B.S., Music Education, Mansfield University; M.Ed., Music Education, Penn State University
•  Experience: 35 years; 13 at GMS
• Pastor of Tressler Mennonite Church
• Email: lowpegbechtel@juno.com 

Mr. Nathan Bechtel

• Twelth Grade Homeroom, Senior Class Advisor, Track Coach, 11 and 12 Bible, U.S. History, World History, Intro to Psychology, Yearbook
• B.A. History Education, University of Delaware; 1 year certificate in Biblical Studies, Philadelphia Biblical University
• Experience: 4 years at GMS
• Ministry involvement: Sunday School Teacher at Tressler Mennonite Church
• Interests: UD Football, Sports (in general)

Mr. Michael Chaffinch

• Assistant Principal, Middle School Math, NILD Certified Educational Therapist; Search and Teach;
• B.S., Elementary Education, University of Delaware, certified coach by American Sports Education Association
• Experience: 27 years teaching at GMS
• Varsity Softball Coach; Middle School Boys Basketball Coach
• Ministry involvement: Small group leader at Tressler Mennonite Church
• Interests: Solving math problems, bicyling (in moderation!), coaching various youth sports
• Verse: He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
  E-mail: mickeychaff@comcast.net

Mr. Richard Conner

• Algebra I and II, Geometry; HS Boys Physical Education; 9 and 10 Bible; Chapel Committee Sponser
• AA Catonsville Community College; BA Bob Jones University
• Experience: 29 years; 6 years at GMS
• Ministry involvement: Choir, Song Leader and Deacon at First Baptist Church of Lewes
• Interests: Sports, Cars, Cooking, Music
• Verse: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. I Peter 5:7 (KJV)

Mr. Larry Crossgrove

• Administrator, High School Principal
• B.S. Elementary Ed, Eastern Mennonite College; M.A. in Counseling Ministries, Denver Seminary
• Experience: 12 years School Administrator; 6 years at GMS; 5 years teaching
• Ministry involvement: Elder, Small Group Leader, Sunday School teacher at Cannon Mennonite Church
• Interests: Reading, Hiking, Biking
• Verse: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
  

Mrs. Kathy Embleton

• Physical Education, 9-12 girls; Assistant Athletic Director;
  Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach; Middle School Softball Coach
• Ministry Involvement: Cannon Mennonite Church
• Interests: Reading, Walking, Gardening
• Verse: For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:. it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)
  

Mr. Jerry L. Fike

• Seventh Grade Homeroom; 5 American History; 5 Science; 6 New World History; 7 Reading; 7, 8 Bible,
• B.S. in Elementary Education, Ashland University; M.A. in Religious Studies, Ashland Theological Seminary; Diploma in Pastoral Studies, Appalachian Bible Institute
• Experience: 15 years; 9 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Pastor at Mt. Olivet Brethren Church, Georgetown, DE
• Interests: Fishing, Biking, Vegetable Gardening, Animals, Automobiles
• Verse: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (KJV)
  

Mr. J. David Hertzler

• Eleventh Grade Homeroom, Junior Class Advisor, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, General Science
• B.A. in Biology and M.Ed in Natural Science Education, University of Delaware; Graduate Studies at Providence Seminary and Regent University; Delaware Naturalist Certificate, Delaware Nature Society; Delaware Nature Society Member
• Experience: 21 years; 12 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Elder at Laws Mennonite Church
• Interests: Gardening, Choral/Vocal Music, Nature Studies, Reading
• Verse: By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. . .Hebrews 11:3a (NKJV)
  

Mrs. Glena Isaacs

• First Grade
• B.S. Eastern Mennonite College; Summer Teacher's Clinic-ABEKA, Pensacola Christian College
• Experience: 21 years; 12 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Pastor's wife
• Interests: Gardening and flowers, reading
• Verse: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9 (NKJV)
  

Mr. Robert Koppenhaver

• Physics
• B.S., Physics and Math, Bloomsburg University; M.E.D., University of Delaware; Additional Graduate work (45 credits), University of Minnesota; Vanderbilt University; Wisconsin State University
• Experience: 42.5 years; 7 years at GMS
• Ministry involvement: Sunday School teacher and former board member at Milford Church of the Nazarene
• Interests: Reading, Hiking, Biking, Camping, Traveling
• Verse: But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:13 (NIV)
  

Mr. Roy Landis

• Tenth Grade Homeroom, Sophomore Class Advisor, High School English, Spanish I and II, Play Director, Senate Co-Sponsor
• B.S. Secondary Education and Communications, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
• Experience: 20 years; 17 years at GMS
• Attends Tressler Mennonite Church
• Interests: Reading, Drama, Hiking
• Verse: Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
  

Mr. Allen Lester

• Eighth Grade Homeroom; 6,7,8 Science; 7 Georgraphy; 8 Health; 7,8 and HS Boys Physical Education
• B.A. Washington College; M.A. in Education, Eastern University
• Experience: 11 years; 3 years at GMS
• Attends First Baptist Church in Lewes, DE
• Interests: Wife Bobbi and daughter Maddy; Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Sixers; Colvine Bison Farm; Golf
• Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

Mrs. Vivian Lowe

• Second Grade
• B.S. in Elementary Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education, Salisbury University
• Experience: 27 years; 2 years at GMS
• Attends Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, Salisbury, MD
• Interests: Spending time with family, Reading, Cooking, Needlework, Flower gardening (when there's time)
• Verse: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6 (KJV)

Miss Rachael Miller

• Third Grade
• B.S. in Elementary Ed, Grace College, Winona Lake, IN
• Experience: 2 years at GMS
• Attends Hickory Ridge Community Church
• Interests: Drawing, Reading
• Verse: . . ."Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:14b-16 (ESV)

Miss Shirley Miller

• 6, 7 Math; 8, 9 History, Bible Quiz Team Coach
• Christian Education, Rosedale Bible College; B.A. Elementary Educaton, Cedarville University; Russian Language (2 semesters) Columbia University
• Experience: 11 years; 5 years at GMS; 9 years as Missionary/ESL Teacher in Ukraine
• Attends Laws Mennonite Church
• Interests: Reading, Travel
• Verse: But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 (NIV)
   

Miss Victoria Rachel

• Sixth Grade Homeroom, 6, 7, 8 English, 5, 6 Reading
• Graduate of Shortwood Teacher's College, Kingston Jamacia
• Experience: 81/2 years, 3 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Worship Leader
• Interests: Reading, Playing the piano, Travelling
• Verse: God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
   

Mrs.Grace Scott

• 7-12 Home Economics , 5 & 6 Physical Education, 7 & 8 girls Physical Education, 8 girls Health, Senate Advisor
• Graduate of GMS, Certified CNA
• Experience: 13 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Hospitality Committee at Greenwood Mennonite Church
• Interests: Running, Tennis, Reading, Gardening
• Verse: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17b, 18 (NIV)
• Email: scott5scott@aol.com

Mrs. Dawn Sterling

• Fifth Grade Homeroom, 5 Math, 5 English, 5 & 6 Bible
• B.A., Elementary Education, Eastern Mennonite College
• Experience: 22 years; 18 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Hickory Ridge Community Church
• Interests: Reading, Hiking, Watching my sons play basketball, volleyball and softball
• Verse:  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

Mrs. Carel Tennefoss

• Fourth Grade
• B.S. Elementary Education (K-8) with English & Math emphasis, Southwest Texas State University
• Experience: 7 years at GMS
• Interests: Working with children; card games
• Verse: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
   

Mr. Lewis Van Kampen

• Pre Calculus, Auto Shop
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Newark College of Engineering (New Jersey Institute of Technology); Advanced Management Training Program, Diploma, Oakland University, Continuing Education Program
• Experience: 6 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Pioneer Club Worker, Usher, Serves on Trustee Board at Atlanta Road Alliance Church
• Interests: Automobiles, Classic and Special Interest Cars, Home Projects, Traveling, The Beach
• Verse: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

Mrs. Marlene Warfel

• Kindergarten, Librarian
• B.S.W., Eastern Mennonite College; M.E.E., Wilmington College
• Experience: 16 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Small group leader at Greenwood Mennonite Church
• Interests: Reading, Walking for exercise, Foster Parenting
• Verse: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiates 3:1 (NIV)

Mrs. Sharon Workman

• Ninth Grade Homeroom, Freshmen Advisor; Accounting, Careers, Consumer Math, 3, 4, and 9 Computer; Bank at School, GMS Coordinator
• Educational Technology Certification, Delaware Technical and Community College
• Experience: 9 years at GMS
• Ministry Involvement: Vacation Bible School Committee, Son Seekers Summer Program Volunteer
• Attends Tressler Mennonite Church
• Interests: Traveling, Antiquing, Photography, the beach
• Verse: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13:4,5 (NIV)

Mr. Kevin Yoder

• General Music: grades 1- 5; Vocal Music: grades 6-12; Ensemble Director, Music Theory
• BME (Bachelor of Music Education) Ohio State University; 4 terms RBC
• Experience: 1 year at Bexley School for Girls (OH), 1 year at Rosedale Bible College, 13 years at Greenwood Mennonite School
• Ministry Involvement: Associate Pastor at Greenwood Mennonite Church
• Interests: Carpentry, Watching college basketball
• Verse: . . .He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6b (NIV)
   

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