MEET OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED EDUCATORS

At Grants Pass Adventist School, we strive to provide the best team of trained, certificated, Christian educators for your children. Our team of teachers are dedicated Seventh-day Adventist Christians and they make it a priority to stay current in each of their content areas. Every year our teachers attend conferences and events that keep them on the cutting edge of educational theory and execution. Bottom line, our teachers want your kids to succeed in their goals, feel confident in their gifts, and learn and grow in a safe, healthy environment.

RICHARD RASMUSSEN

Mr. Richard Rasmussen

Principal, 5th – 8th grade teacher

Mr. Rasmussen has a degree in History/Political Science and is a recipient of the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award, the Don Keele Excellence in Education Award, and the Alma McKibbin Sabbatical Award. He brings many years of educational experience in Adventist schools, and is passionate about Christian education and loves to incorporate hands-on projects and technology-based learning into the classroom.

Mr. Rasmussen is an avid reader, and in his off-time likes to go on long walks and learn about local history. He has enjoyed going on educator tours to the Holy Lands, Italy, and Adventist Heritage Sites to enhance student learning as well as for personal interests. He has participated in the Colonial Williamsburg, VA Teacher Institute and has traveled to historical sites in the East featuring the Colonial America, American Revolution, and Civil War time periods. Of special interest is learning about the experiences of those who traveled on the Oregon Trail to move to the great Pacific Northwest.

One of Mr. Rasmussen’s favorite Bible verses is Roman’s 8:1-2: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” He says it speaks to him as an undeserving sinner of what Jesus Christ has done for us all.

Amy Whitechurch

Mrs. Amy Whitchurch

1st – 4th grade teacher

Mrs. Whitchurch earned her Bachelor of Science with a math emphasis from Pacific Union College. She is a certified teacher through the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, with endorsements in history, Bible, and English, as well as high school endorsements in mathematics. She continues to pursue professional education coursework during the summers.

She shares a common goal with Adventist education: to bring precious young souls closer to Jesus, and she implements this in her classroom each and every day. There are songs and discussions about Bible texts. The students talk in-depth about the importance of character. And Mrs. Whitchurch believes that the school, like the church, is a house where character needs to be built up and not torn down. She keeps a board next to her desk to remind students not to tear down the characters of others. She loves to watch her students form a strong relationship with one another and with Jesus.

Her favorite Bible verse is John 14:1-3—”Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” Mrs. Whitchurch sees to it that she is instructing her students spiritually as well as academically.

Jasmine Rodriguez

Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher
Ms. Jasmine Rodriguez was born and raised in California but comes to us from North Dakota. In 2020, she attended the Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) national convention in Kentucky, which affirmed her love of teaching. She has always wanted to be a teacher and “loved the idea of teaching.” Ms. Rodriguez pursued online learning, followed by in-field work.

She brings creativity and a love of learning to the job. Ms. Rodriguez believes she can make a difference and mold the future generation. She wants to provide an educational experience that families will remember.

Says Ms. Rodriguez, “I teach because I want to be able to have God speak through me about his love and grace. I want him to use me and send me to show others his kindness, gentleness, grace, and love. I want my students to see it and get to know the loving Jesus that I love.”

Jasmine says her favorite Scripture is 1 John 4:19, “We love Him because He first loved us” (NKJV). To her, this describes where love comes from, as He is our first love.

Niki Nelson

Mrs. Niki Nelson

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Niki Nelson (Day) was a student at the Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist School from 2002-2009. She has precious memories of her third through ninth grade years at the school. She believes that Adventist education is one of the most important things we can provide our children. Mrs. Nelson writes, “I appreciated being in an academic environment where I felt safe, cared for, and connected with like-minded Christians and friends. This school has a special place in my heart.”

Mrs. Nelson later volunteered as a teacher’s aide for Mrs. Sheryl Shewmake. She shares, “I loved working with the kids, and they loved having me in their classroom. I felt that I was doing something good. I hope I made a difference, if not in most of their lives, in at least one kid’s life.” Mrs. Nelson assisted students during study time, played with them during breaks, and read with them. Most importantly, she acknowledged and listened to these students.

Anyone who knows Mrs. Nelson knows her commitment to children. She has organized Christmas programs and is usually a significant part of Vacation Bible School each summer. She also brings, in her new role, several years of office experience. Previously, she worked for an optometrist, as well as a family medical practice. It was always her time at the Adventist school she cherished most.

Life with husband Cody and son Jordan (born in early April 2020) has been blessed. Life has a way of interrupting the “ideal.” Circumstances led to uncertainty with employment, as many have experienced during the pandemic. God provided, leading to Mrs. Nelson being called to the front office role at the school.

Mrs. Nelson is excited about her position. “I’m most looking forward to seeing the kids’ happy faces and watching them grow as young Christians. It’s a good place to be. It’s something I’ve really missed.” She is excited to be working in a God-centered place where her son will likely be a student someday.