Peterson takes reins at academy

Cheryl Peterson has worked in public-school education and has been extremely active in Christian ministry from the U.S. to East Africa. Now she is bringing those two worlds together as the new interim principal at Sisters Christian Academy (SCA).

She brings a high-energy, effusive nature to the job - along with a full list of education credentials.

"I have a teaching certificate and I'm a reading specialist, and I also have my administrative certificate," she said.

Cheryl and her husband, Stan, moved here from Monmouth when Stan took a position as a pastor in a start-up church in Sisters. She's been volunteering at SCA and when the principal's position opened up, she jumped at the opportunity to take on her first administrative job.

Being that SCA is a small, private Christian school, her work will not be entirely administrative.

"I'm going to be teaching Latin - and P.E.," she said with her trademark laughter.

She's very excited to be integrating elements that have been an important part of her life but which are often kept separate.

"I was always in public school," she said. "This was the first time I've been able to blend both of my worlds. It's been fun for me. It's been really fun for me."

SCA currently has 11 staff and 75 students. There is a certified pre-school, and the school runs through the eighth grade.

Peterson said she was most impressed by the level of dedication and passion of the teachers and the quality of the learning that is going on in SCA's classrooms.

While this will be her first administrative gig, Peterson has taken on many leadership roles in church circles. And, she says with a twinkle in her eye, "I'm not bossy. But I do like to lead."

Peterson wants the community to learn more about Sisters Christian Academy. She particularly hopes to dispel a commonly held belief that SCA is affiliated strictly with Sisters Community Church. The school is open and interdenominational.

Sisters Christian Academy describes its educational philosophy thus: "Sisters Christian Academy teaches all subjects from a Biblical point of view, while following a classical model in the development of its program. A classical model teaches a core of knowledge in a way that challenges the student's thinking. It goes beyond the assimilation of facts to teach values, truth, decision-making, critical-thinking skills, and to impart wisdom."

For more information on Sisters Christian Academy, visit www.sisterschristianacademy.com.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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