Faculty
Miss Jeni Bond
Years Teaching: 15
Years at Beth Eden: 15
Coursework: B.A., Maranatha Baptist University
Position: Middle School Girls Bible, Speech
Something about me: I graduated from Beth Eden Baptist School in 1996 and returned to teach in the early 2000s. I love Disney and my nieces, as well as most Denver sports. My favorite color is glitter. And I think Middle Schoolers are my favorite age group in the world.
Mrs. Rhonda Branson
Years Teaching: 31
Years at Beth Eden: 6 full-time, a few more part-time
Coursework: B.S., Faith Baptist Bible College
Position: Modified Program Director, French
Something about me: I started my teaching career at Beth Eden in 1993. Since then I’ve taught online and in two African nations (Côte d'Ivoire and Niger). My husband and I have two kids who are enrolled at Beth Eden, but before they came along I had a series of exotic pets, including a chimp, an iguana, a hedgehog, and a chameleon or two.
Mr. Melvin R. Cacayorin
Years Teaching: 25
Years at Beth Eden: 9
Coursework: B.S., M.A.T., M.A. Bob Jones University
Position: High School Math
Something about me: I like watching the Los Angeles Dodgers, cooking, and working with computers. My wife Grace and I have two daughters and a son. I also teach math classes for Maranatha Baptist University and Red Rocks Community College. My favorite chapter is Psalm 27.
Mrs. Jessica Coon
Years Teaching: 10
Years at Beth Eden: 7
Coursework: B.S., Early Childhood Education, Bob Jones University
Position: Administrator
Something about me: My husband is a pastor and we enjoy working with our church family very much. I have 4 children who all attend Beth Eden and I love passing them in the hall and getting a quick hug at lunch! I enjoy baking, home renovating projects, listening to audiobooks, and playing games with my family. My favorite verse is Colossians 2:6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.”
Mrs. Jennifer Doerstling
Years Teaching: 26
Years at Beth Eden: 3 teaching, 14 years as a parent!
Coursework: B.S. Piano Pedagogy, M.S. Music Education
Position: Choir
Something about me: My family includes my husband, three kids, and one overly-indulged beagle. I enjoy Fitbit challenges with friends, online crossword puzzles, reading, and cooking. If I could have only one channel on my TV, it would be Food Network.
Miss Karis Geigrich
Years Teaching: 1
Years at Beth Eden: 1
Coursework: B.A., Faith Baptist Bible College
Position: Elementary/Secondary P.E., Music, Volleyball Coach
Something about me: I come from a large family; I have five siblings. I get the privilege to teach two things that are also hobbies of mine - music and volleyball. During the summer I lead a traveling music team that ministers in churches.
Mrs. Heather Gruis
Years Teaching: 21
Years at Beth Eden: 18
Coursework: B.S. Clearwater Christian College, M.M. University of Denver
Position: Music Department Head, History, Strings
Something about me: Aside from music, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughters, sisters, and parents, reading historical Christian fiction, serving in my church, and drinking coffee with good friends.
Mrs. Andrea Hansen
Years Teaching: 6 full-time, 2 as a substitute/aide
Years at Beth Eden: 2
Coursework: B.A. Pensacola Christian College
Position: Kindergarten
Something about me: At home, I have three girls, a dog…and a Hunter (that’s my husband’s name!). There’s not a lot of spare time for a kindergarten teacher, but when I have it, I like to draw, paint, craft (I double majored in college in education and art!), and go on mini-vacations to the mountains.
Mrs. Diana Heater
Years Teaching: 2
Years at Beth Eden: 2
Coursework: B.A. Bob Jones University
Position: First Grade
Something about me: In my free time I enjoy both baking and computer programming.
Mrs. Oliyshia Hilton
Years Teaching:
Years at Beth Eden:
Coursework:
Position: Third/Fourth Grade
Mrs. Brandi Herling
Years Teaching: 6
Years at Beth Eden: 6 teaching, 20 as a parent!
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Something about me: I am an alumnus of Beth Eden, having attended from kindergarten through 12th grade. My husband and I have been on staff at Camp Eden for 24 years. Our two oldest children are graduates of Beth Eden while the youngest is still a Beth Eden student. I enjoy camping and spending time with my family.
Miss Kathie Kittle
Years Teaching: 40
Years at Beth Eden: 18
Coursework: B.S. Pillsbury Baptist Bible College
Position: Second Grade
Something about me: I love to do crafty things with my sewing machine. Reading is my time to unwind; Christian historical fiction is my favorite genre. I enjoy taking walks in the cool of the evening! I love living next door to my sister and her family and spoiling my nephews. My favorite Bible verses are Romans 8:38-39.
Mr. Luke Knight
Years Teaching: 1
Years at Beth Eden: 1
Coursework: B.A. Colorado Christian University, M.A. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Position: MS Boys Bible, MS Math, HS English
Something about me: My wife and I moved to Colorado at the end of May 2023 for her to work as a pediatric nurse at the Colorado Children’s Hospital. I like to read, listen to a variety of music, and go backpacking. I wrote my master’s thesis on the philosophical definition of person (not sure if that’s interesting to you…but it was interesting to write!).
Mrs. Karis McConnell
Years Teaching: 33
Years at Beth Eden: 32
Coursework: A.A. Red Rocks Community College and Metropolitan State College
Position: Art, History, Keyboarding, and Study Skills teacher, Coach
Something about me: I enjoy spending time with my family. I especially like hiking and kayaking together. My life verses are Proverbs 3:5-6.
Miss Karen Myer
Years Teaching: 23
Years at Beth Eden: 8
Coursework: B.S. Northland International University, M.Ed. Bob Jones University
Position: Fifth Grade, MS Science and History
Something about me: I was born and raised in Kansas, but I have lived in many other places, including China. I am the second of five children. Two verses that are special to me are Romans 5:8 and Lamentations 3:22-23. I love to travel, read, and scrapbook. I have two pet rabbits that hop all around my home.
Mrs. Tina O’Donoghue
Years Teaching: 5
Years at Beth Eden: 1
Coursework: B.S. Metro State University
Position: Secondary Science
Something about me: I’ve worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years, and am excited to bring that experience into the classroom with me. I love teaching and disciplining young people. Along with some other classes, I’m currently taking online courses through the Children’s Ministry Institute at Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Mr. Jason Pilchard
Years Teaching: 7
Years at Beth Eden: 4
Coursework: B.A. Bible, Bob Jones University, Graduate coursework from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
Position: Senior Pastor at Beth Eden Baptist Church, Soccer & Basketball Coach, 11-12 Bible
Something about me: I graduated from BEBS in 1996. My wife, Bethany, also graduated from BEBS - in 1997. (She was the valedictorian of her class. I was not the valedictorian of my class.) We have two sons - Elijah and Zachy. Elijah is a student at BEBS and Zachy attends Fletcher Miller School, a school for children with special needs. I root for all of the Colorado sports teams and was rumored to have once had a serious Diet Coke addiction.
Mr. Gregg Pilchard
Years Teaching: 47
Years at Beth Eden: 31
Coursework: B.A. Denver Baptist Bible College, Barnes Business College, University of Denver
Position: Yearbook teacher
Something about me: I first attended Beth Eden in 1968 as a teenager, the guest of my best friend who had become a Christian. Within a year, I accepted Christ as my Savior, eventually attended Bible College and became the children’s director at Beth Eden Baptist Church. In the early 1980s, I helped the church purchase one of the first IBM PCs to manage the Children’s Department records. That began my involvement with computers which the Lord used to lead me to work with Beth Eden students, using computers to create the school’s yearbook.
Mrs. Halen Saxon
Years Teaching:
Years at Beth Eden:
Coursework:
Position: Teacher’s Aide
Mr. Randy Vawter
Years Teaching: 11
Years at Beth Eden: 11
Coursework: B.A. in Bible, Bob Jones University
Position: 9-10 grade Bible
Something about me: I’m an 2003 alumnus of BEBS. I’m an assistant pastor at Beth Eden and was the director of Camp Eden for 10 years. My wife - Nikki - and my kids - Peyton, Jackson, and Stella - are all nicer and smarter than I am, and you probably should meet them before you meet me. I’m a big fan of both coffee and Coke Zero, but I’m not dependent on either (probably).