"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
(208) 871-9721
Now Accepting Applications for 2025-2026
***PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER JUNE 1st!***
Meet the Team
Our Teachers.
This is Our Team of Teachers. Each unique in the way they engage students in their work, but with the same passion to serve Jesus by teaching the children in our community. Please welcome our NEWEST teacher Linda King she is a long time educator and is an expert in the grammar school age groups. She loves teaching! We are so thankful the Lord has brought her to our school. Our music teacher, Joani Baker also known as Gmama, is an expert in all things music, she is passionate about her field of expertise and the students love her. Celeste Mays is the visionary of the school and has experience in teaching children of multiple grades while bringing a classroom to life. To learn more about each teacher and their specific background please read their bio's below.
About Celeste Mays.
She was born in Santa Barbara, California. Her and her husband Michael met in high school and were married at 19 and 20! They love the Caldwell community and hope to grow with other families whose desire is to know the Lord.
Qualifications
​She is a mama of two children, but her love of teaching originally stemmed from being the oldest of 9 children. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from The College of Idaho. Celeste holds a current certification in Idaho to teach K-8 and Literacy Education K-12. She has been working towards earning a Masters in Special Education. She is also a native Spanish speaker.
Experience
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Opened CCS 2023-present.
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Homeschooling her children 2022-2023.
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Kindergarten teacher at Greenleaf Elementary in Greenleaf, ID 2021-2022.
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Early Learning Advisory Committee Member of the Notus-Parma Preschool Development Grant (PDG) collaborative for Notus Elementary School in Notus, ID 2020-2021.
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Pre-K teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in Caldwell, ID during the 2019-2020​ school year.
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1st grade teacher at Notus Elementary in Notus, ID from 2015-2017.
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Special Education Assistant for Riverview Academy in Caldwell, ID 2014-2015.
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Assistant cheerleading coach for Optimist Youth Program in Caldwell, ID from 2012-2014.
Interests & Hobbies
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Family
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Camping
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Music
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Art
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Dance
About Linda King.
Linda King is a longtime educator with a proven trach record from Greenleaf Friends Academy. She is adept in classroom management and lesson planning. Mrs. King has leverage a variety of teaching methods to enhance student engagement, and improved assessment outcomes. She is also skilled in motivating students while meeting diverse needs, committed to helping students reach their God given potential to become successful citizens and kingdom builders. She is equipped in imbedding different learning strategies into her teaching and has a heart for various student needs.
​Qualifications
Linda King has a current Idaho Education Credential and is certified to teach students K-8. She has been a 3rd grade teacher for 9 years while working at Greenleaf Friends Academy, where she developed meaningful relationships and still maintains communication with parents. There she used Socratic discussion and question techniques to engage students, collaborative learning, hands on or multisensory instruction to enhance student learning as well as encourage students to work to the best of their abilities. She is well seasoned and ready for the next chapter in her life and the new school year.
Experience
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3rd Grade teacher at GFA from 2015-2024.
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2nd-5th Grade teacher at GFA from 2008-2013.
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She was a Kindergarten teacher and 3rd grade teacher at Palm Springs Unified School District in Thousand Palms, CA from 1988-1995.
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Linda King received a Bachelor's of Liberal Arts degree from Cal State University in 1988.
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In 1979 she received a Associate of Arts: Liberal Studies from the College of the Desert.
Hobbies and Interests
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Linda's hobbies include her family first and foremost. They are her happiness. She has three grown and beautiful daughters, three wonderful sons-in-law, two amazing grandchildren, on grandchild due this fall! She also has one great grandson. God has blessed her with children who know and love the Lord.
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Linda enjoys reading! Welcome Linda King!
About Joani Baker.
Joani was born and raised in Jamestown N.Y.. She started performing at the age of 5 on WBEN TV in Buffalo N.Y.. God placed a love for Music and Dance in her heart at a young age and she has been a performer/teacher ever since. She has one son and one daughter and two grandchildren who are the loves of her life. Joani's performing life took her from upstate N.Y. to Kansas City Mo., and to San Diego, CA.
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Qualifications
Joani has a current license to teach Music, K-12 in the State of Idaho. Joani's career of teaching has spanned over 50 years, including teaching, performing, and directing while running her own dance & piano studio. She has worked with many celebrities and directed many shows, including ones at Disney. Her reputation is astronomical. She has won numerous awards such as, "Teacher of the Year and Choreographer of the Year". God has truly blessed us with this gifted and talented teacher. Her passion has become the heart of our school.
Experience
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BFA from the University of Missouri Conservatory of Arts in Kansas City, MO.
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MFA Degree in Dance, Music, and Musical Theatre from the highly acclaimed United States International University.
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Studied dance with Hanya Holm at Colorado College.
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Studied music at Fredonia State Teachers College in N.Y.
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Studied music at Chautauqua Institute in N.Y.
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Graduate work at San Diego State, Fresno Pacific Uni., Chapman College, Uni., of San Diego, University of the Pacific.
Hobbies & Interests
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Knitting & Crocheting
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Playing instruments; her current passion is the banjo
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Playing & Educating her grandkids about all things Music
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Watching her daughter raise her family
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Talking with her beloved son over the phone