My Education: I graduated in 1962 from Houghton College, Houghton, New York with a BS Degree in Bible, Christian Ed, Elementary Ed and Music. I have attended dozens of workshops, conferences, in-services and additional college courses in reading, language arts and learning disabilities since 1962 to keep my career current.

My Background: I grew up with Christian parents, Ray & Lucille Cunningham and a sister, Linda in Mercersburg, PA.  My  teaching career started in the fourth grade at Cambridge Elementary, Cocoa.  I taught there for five years.   I married Tommy Aiken in 1964 and was blessed with Jeff in 1967 and Jarrett in 1970.  Now the delight of my days are four grandchildren- Trenton, Amanda, Ashley and Tommy ages 9-17. Jeff graduated from MICS in 1986 and is in law enforcement.  Jarrett graduated in 1989 and  is an excellent installer of carpet, laminate floors, and ceramic tile for his own sub-contract business.  My dear husband has been with the Lord since 2002. He is greatly missed as a supporter of my educational career and for daily living.

My Position At MIC: I'm entering my 34th year at MIC.  My educational journey started in teaching fourth grade, then second grade, short time in third, kindergarten while supervising satellite schools, supervised preschool and kindergarten, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal and principal. For the past 12 years I've been back to my first love of teaching students reading with learning challenges.I love helping students with learning disabilities and ADDHD challenges.

My Interests Away From School: I enjoy cooking (esp. baking), walking, sewing, crafts. making learning games, Bible studies, grandchildren, reading, piano, concerts, travel and collecting items like bells, tiny pitchers, salt and pepper shakers and writing poems about nature.

My Faith and Learning Statement: I accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior at age twelve and have been in a Bible believing church since an infant.  Growing in Biblical knowledge and a hunger for the Lord has been ongoing.  I've been a member of First Baptist since 1980 where I have taught children in Sunday School and been a choir member.

There is no doubt God called me to be a Christian school educator. The Lord Jesus called me to MICS using Ephesians 3:20,21 in my life.  "Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to (His) power working in us. To Him be the glory forever." Teaching is my passion.  Reading, all of the language arts and music (piano) are my expertise and especially for students who have struggles in those subjects. Without a good foundation in reading- phonics and comprehension how is anyone going to understand the Bible, math or any subject?  Most jobs require transferring thoughts to paper or to a computer. Thus, language art skills must be adequate.  It is so gratifying when a child learns to read, when a concept makes sense,  and when a child can transfer verbal  thoughts to print satisfactorily.  That's when I say many thank you prayers and rejoice with the student. Being an educator is the most exciting and rewarding career! MIC has been my second family for 34 years.

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