STAFF

KAREN WILSON

is the Director of CGCA and the Kindergarten-1st Grade Teacher. Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a juris doctorate in law. She is licensed to teach PreK-12th grade in Oregon and has taught both kindergarten and first grade, as well as home-schooled her own children for several years. Karen has been active in children and youth ministry for decades. She has served as a Sunday School teacher for 3 year olds through fifth graders, taught children’s church, helped coordinate and teach in Vacation Bible Schools, served in the nursery, and co-led middle school and high school youth group.  She is married to Mike Wilson, a pastor at First Christian Church of The Dalles, and between them they have five children and six grandchildren. Karen enjoys coffee, reading, hiking, and what she calls “happy golf.” She is passionate about the Word of God and Christian education. The greatest desire of her heart is for her family, friends, and the children she works with and their families to know God loves them, and for each of them to choose to know, love, and follow Jesus.

TIA ANDERSON

is our Preschool 3’s Teacher at CGCA and she often proclaims, “I love my job!”  Tia was born and raised in The Dalles and has been working with children of all ages since high school.  She especially enjoys working with young children and has lovingly cared for infants through preschoolers as the nursery director for FCCTD since 2011. Tia has also been an in-home childcare provider for many years.  She is actively involved in children’s ministry at FCCTD and has co-directed Vacation Bible School for several years. Tia is married to Warren Anderson, and they have five children ranging in age from teens to young adults. In addition to teaching preschool, Tia enjoys baking, sewing, and spending time with her family.

is our newest teacher, bringing 25 years of effective early childhood education experience to our team. She is enthusiastic, responsible, and professional, and delights in working with young children and their families. Keri has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a minor in Early Childhood Education, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership. She taught Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten for 14 years in a Christian school and has served as a part-time college instructor in early childhood education. Most recently, Keri has worked as an early childhood elementary literacy specialist and art teacher. God has called Keri to Christian early childhood education and she has joyfully embraced that call. She understands the priority of Christ-like character development and how conforming a child’s inner heart to Christ’s own results in a positive impact on their behavior. Keri is also passionate about teaching creation to little ones from a Biblical worldview. In addition to teaching, Keri enjoys art and focusing on family and fitness. She has four children and one grandchild whom she adores.