Our Staff
Kindergarten - 1st Grade Teacher
Carol Schurter is a graduate of Portland State University. She and her firefighter husband share four children, ages 10 to 16 years old. Carol was blessed with the opportunity to be a full-time stay at home mother for about ten years. When her youngest child turned four, she became a substitute teacher. This allowed her to be a part of her childrens’ school district in a unique capacity. Throughout her years of substituting, she was able to grow as an educator but was left feeling that her impact was lacking in one very crucial way. As a Christian, she recognizes that children need to have the teachings of Christ intertwined in all aspects of their education.
Teaching at Coram Deo Academy is an answered prayer. She is so excited to teach students’ hearts and minds, with the goal of equipping them with the foundations that will prepare them to confidently navigate this ever-changing world by grounding them with the enduring Word of God.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
4th-5th Grade Teacher
Emily Johnston graduated from George Fox University with a degree in Education. She is married to Steve, and they have three children ages 6 to 18. She enjoys reading, discussing books and gardening. Emily was a classroom teacher for six years, but was blessed to become a stay-at-home mom after the birth of her first child. After homeschooling for the past 15 years, she is excited to jump back into the classroom. She is beyond grateful for God’s provision of CDA for her family and can’t wait to see the way He is going to work in the lives of the students, families and the community.
Emily is a passionate advocate of a Christian classical education. She has spent the last several years learning about and embracing the classical model with her children, while at the same time being challenged to reclaim her own education. As a result, she has become convinced that the classical model is one that best endeavors to form for the whole human person in virtue, seeking ultimately to transform the soul more into the likeness of Christ.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
2nd - 3rd Grade Teacher
Karen Sinn graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with a degree in elementary education. After teaching in Michigan for two years she moved to Salem to teach. Here she met her husband, Scott. After a few more years teaching, Karen became a stay-at-home mom to her four children. Now that her children are all in school (ages 5-10), she is excited to join the CDA staff. Karen has a passion for Christian education and all of her experience has been in Christian schools. After discovering classical education through CDA she realized that this is the best way to teach children. She is looking forward to getting back into the classroom to put this model into practice and help her students discover God's truth, goodness, and beauty in the world around them.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold."
Psalm 19:7a, 8a, 10a
