Tacoma Baptist High School - Faculty
KEITH PLUNKET
Bible
keithplunket@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 165
Keith Plunket earned his bachelor's degree in Bible from Cedarville University in 1985, and his Master of Divinity from Northwest Baptist Seminary in 1991. Keith served on the pastoral staff at First Baptist of University Place for 3 years before coming to Tacoma Baptist Schools full time. Keith is now in his 20th year at Tacoma Baptist, the only school where he has taught. Keith states, "It is a privilege and a blessing to teach the Word of God to teenagers every day!" He enjoys spending time with his wife Maria of 17 years and their daughter Eliana who is in first grade at TBS. He also enjoys reading, board games, and college football. Go Buckeyes!
JEFF OLIVE
History/Bible
jeffolive@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 159
Jeff Olive has taught secondary mathematics for more than 25 years. He has also served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years. Jeff has earned 3 college degrees: a bachelors in vocal music performance; a bachelors in math education; and a masters in biblical studies. Jeff enjoys working with young adults, teaching them math to improve their thinking and problem solving skills and teaching them Bible so that they may learn to love and serve the Lord Jesus.
SHELLY AUSMUS
English
shellyausmus@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 172
Raised in the midst of the wheat fields of Eastern Washington, Shelly Ausmus transplanted to the Seattle area in 1980. She attended the University of Washington and experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus. After finishing a bachelor's degree in English, she found herself in full-time ministry until the 1990's, at which time she married her husband Mike and started a family. She has over 25 years of experience in Christian ministry, ten of which have been in the classroom teaching Language Arts and US History. She enjoyed a year as guest columnist in a Puget Sound Newspaper, and loves challenging her students to think of all the different ways they can use their own writing. Her hobbies include exploring trails in the Northwest, dabbling with her camera, family time, and writing.
LISA MCGOWAN
English
lisamcgowan@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 169
Lisa McGowan received her B.A. in Education from Whitworth College in 1984 and taught Special Education in Enumclaw before taking a break to be a full time mother. She continued tutoring and assisting in various homeschool co-ops, and returned to the classroom when in 2001, she moved from substituting at TBS to teaching high school English and ESL. She is fascinated with studying the Holocaust and incorporates it into many of her lessons. She is thankful to be working in a Christ-centered environment with people who have a desire to honor and serve the Lord. In her off time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and daughter.
GARY ANDERSEN
History/Bible
garyandersen@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 171
Gary Andersen began teaching at Berean Christian High School in Concord California in 1971. After five years at Berean he came to Tacoma Baptist and has been here since that time. Gary received his bachelors degree from Corban University and completed his education with a master's degree from Northwest Baptist Seminary. Mr. Andersen states that, "the joy of working with a wonderful group of young people at T.B.S. is what keeps me teaching". Gary has been involved in the sports program at Tacoma Baptist by coaching basketball and baseball in both the high school and middle school. One of Gary's greatest joys was watching his three children and oldest grandchild graduate from T.B.S.
TY NEWTON
Science
tynewton@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 167
Ty Newton grew up in Gig Harbor, went to a combination of public and Christian schools with his last two years of high school at Tacoma Baptist Schools. During those last two years of high school, he truly made his faith his own. His wife also graduated from Tacoma Baptist. They started dating during their sophomore year of college and now have four daughters. Ty graduated from Concordia Lutheran University in 2002 with a degree in Biology and secondary education and went on to teach in the Portland Public Schools. He then taught at Lighthouse Christian in Gig Harbor for several years where the Lord confirmed for Ty that God wanted him teaching in Christian schools. During that time teaching at Lighthouse Ty earned his master's degree in computers and education. In 2007 God opened up a door to teach at Tacoma Baptist. Ty states, "I have been so blessed in my time serving here."
DEBBIE GUY
Lab Science
debbieguy@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 182
Debbie Guy earned a BS in Medical Technology from the U of W. She has worked at several local clinical laboratories and in central Africa as a medical technologist. She has experience in teaching Lab medicine, elementary science and horseback riding. She enjoys introducing kids to the study of God's creation in the laboratory and encouraging the next generation of scientists. Outside of school she spends time doing outdoor activities with her son and husband. She also enjoys training horses, gardening and cooking.
CAROLYN KOSYLO
Math
carolynkosylo@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 170
Carolyn Kosylo joined TBS for the fall of 2010. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a B.ED. After teaching for 6 years in both public and Christian schools, Carolyn and her husband felt the Lord calling them to mission work in Russia. After serving in Russia for 2 years, Carolyn was busy being a full time mother and Army wife. She moved (for the last time!!) to WA in January and is excited for the opportunity to teach in the classroom again. Carolyn has been married for almost 16 years and has two sons, Nathan, age 12 and Graham, who is eight.
ANN VAN GILDER
History/Home and Family/Yearbook
annvangilder@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 112
After graduating with a BA in Education from Seattle Pacific College (now University), Ann Van Gilder taught for one year in Oklahoma City Public Schools. After marrying, she taught for 4 years at Valley Christian School in San Jose, California, and then retired to stay at home with a young son and daughter. When they were enrolled at Tacoma Baptist, Ann became active as a room mom in the elementary school. When an opportunity arose to teach junior high and high school home economics, Ann accepted the challenge, and since 1985, she has taught many subjects from elementary music to senior Home and Family Living classes. "It has been a privilege to invest my life in the students of Tacoma Baptist!"
KAREN EDWARDS
Technology
karenedwards@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 173
Karen Edwards joined TBS in 2008 and is thrilled to have spent 18 years working in public and private schools. She received her BA and K-8 certification from UW Bothell in 2002-2003 and is currently taking classes through SPU. Karen feels blessed to work in a Christian school and loves how technology allows students to work more efficiently and gives them a chance to express who they are as part of God's creation. Karen moved to Orting three years ago with her husband and their two adult children and adorable grandson.
MARK SMITH
Athletic Director
marksmith@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 113
Mark Smith graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1975, with a degree in Education, and went on to teach and coach for 32 years in the public school system. He earned his Master's Degree in Athletic Administration at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, in 1982. Mark has been the head football coach at Tacoma Baptist since its inception in 1991. He took over as Athletic Director on a part-time basis in 2005 and after retiring from Washington HS he became the full-time Athletic Director in 2007. Mark and his secretary (his wife, Susan) have been involved at Tacoma Baptist for over 25 years! When Mark isn't coaching football or track & field, working on athletic schedules or interacting with his athletes, he is out on the golf course. Go Crusaders!
AMANDA HINZ
Band
amandahinz@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 119
Amanda Hinz is the instrumental and general music teacher at Tacoma Baptist Schools and New Hope Christian School. This is her third year teaching in South Sound Christian Schools. Amanda received her degree in music education at Pacific Lutheran University in 2004, and is currently working toward a master's degree in education at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, CA. Miss Hinz loves to show her students the enjoyment of participative music making. In her spare time, Miss Hinz enjoys camping, hiking, and reading.
BILL JACKSON
Art
billjackson@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 185
Bill Jackson came to SSCS after serving 18 years as a missionary/church planter with mission to the world. Many of those years were spent serving in Japan. He earned his bachelorʼs degree in education from eastern Washington University in 1979 and his masterʼs degree in Missions from Reformed Theological Seminary in 1988. Bill states, “It is a great privilege to guide young people to see that all truth, goodness and beauty is found in Christ and His Creation.” Bill enjoys playing games with his family of eight boys, one girl, and one wife of 29 years.
CHRISTY LUTTERLOH
Choir
christylutterloh@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 146
Christine Lutterloh is a 1986 graduate of TBS. Music education, whether being educated or educating, has played an important part of most of her life. She has been a piano teacher for more than 16 years and is in her ninth year teaching choir at TBS. Her choirs and music students have won many top awards and her 2009 choir traveled to New York to sing at Lincoln Center with Vanguard University. Christy states "I know I am doing what God has designed me to do; I rely on Him and give Him all the glory for my success." Christy enjoys spending time with her husband John and five sons and loves vacations to sunny destinations.
KIRSTEN HERDLE
Office Assistant
kirstenherdle@southsoundchristian.org
(253) 475-7226 Ext. 115
Kirsten (Norman) Herdle is a TBS alumnus and has had connections to the school since 1985. Presently she works in the JH/HS office where she has been for four years. Prior to 2009, Kirsten was an Aide in the Instructional Support Center. She and husband Michael (of 21 years), have five children. TBS has been extremely instrumental in her family's life and she is grateful for the privilege of being a part of this ministry. She loves young people and enjoys how each one is, and has been, woven into her journey of life right here on this campus by our God. Believing that each student has a perfect purpose, her mission is to inspire each great TBS student that she comes in contact with to follow hard after the Lord in the specific way He has created them. Some of her favorite things are: people, family, hiking photography and reading. Top