NCS Spotlight Teachers

NCS Spotlight Teachers
Selected by students. Interviewed by students. Written by students.

Brian Cross
Brian Cross, was born June 5, 1970, in the sunny state of Arizona. This is his first year of teaching science and computers but has coached basketball for 9 yrs. He is a husband of nine years and a father to Caleb (6), Parker (4), Jaden (2), and a fourth on the way in November. He enjoys playing with his children, having family time, and keeping up with sports.

Mr. Cross states that the most important lesson that every child should learn is "to take time to laugh at yourself and forgive people when they wrong you." Brian Cross' technique in teaching students is trying to involve his students in classroom discussions as much as possible and making learning fun and memorable. His special techniques and understandable learning environment allows kids to grasp and obtain the facts.

Mr. Cross' inspirational thought is "Life is given by God as a gift. Make your gift count for His kingdom." His favorite verse can be found in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

In April of 2004, Brian Cross received a Honeywell scholarship to the Space Academy for Educators located at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. For one week, these educators will participate in activities designed to be brought back to their classrooms. Our Junior High science classes will surely benefit from this opportunity. Congratulations!

We thank Brian Cross for his unique teaching strategies and commitment to his students at Northwest Christian School.

Carol Nielsen
Carol Nielsen, was born June 4, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Carol teaches Kindergarten at NCS. This is her 10th year of teaching at Northwest but has been teaching for a total of 20 years. She is a wife of 22 years and a mother of two sons: Ryan, a junior, and Cory, a sixth grader. She has a twin brother named Chuck and loves the lakes of northern Minnesota, what she calls a "little piece of Heaven." Carol enjoys gardening, crafts, and flowers. She has been awarded an honor from a former student as "Teacher Who Most Influenced My Life."

Mrs. Nielsen states that the most important lesson that every child should learn is that, "God is their salvation and best friend!" technique in teaching students is through fairness and respect. She teaches them to talk and interact with their classmates as they would want to be treated.

Carol Nielsen's inspirational thought is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Isaiah 40:8 was the first verse that she was taught in a Christian school in 1980 and has stuck with her ever since, "The grass withers the flowers fade, but the word of our God lasts forever."

We appreciate the hard work and outstanding role model that Mrs. Nielsen displays for her students at Northwest Christian School.