Middle School

Title: Head of the Middle School/Science Teacher

Contact: andreanissley@ccsconnection.org

My Stories

Mrs. Nissley serves as the middle school team leader.
She has taught middle school science at CCS for 18 years. In addition to teaching middle school science she teaches 7th grade Bible, technology, speech, and elective classes – including photography. She also serves as the leader of the 7th grade girls’ cell group and is the 7th grade homeroom teacher,
Some middle school highlights are: swimming on the first day of school, MS retreat, MS musical, mission trips, dissecting frogs, building model rockets, helping students grow stronger in their relationship with God.

Title: Spanish

Contact: deannabenavides@ccsconnection.org

My Stories

Mrs. Benavides has 24 years of teaching experience with 11 of those years being at CCS. 

“I love the community and the emphasis on relationship. I like the opportunity to encourage others. I enjoy the challenge and the variety of things that I do at CCS. It’s exciting to be part of the transforming work that God does year by year in the lives of the students and their families.”

Mrs. Benavides enjoys playing the piano, traveling, being in nature and meeting people from other cultures.”

She loves the Bible and doesn’t have a favorite passage. “I don’t really have a favorite verse because I am constantly interacting with the Bible hearing many things from God that are specific for each day and each season.”

Title: Math

Contact: melissashirk@ccsconnection.org

My Stories

Mrs. Shirk has taught at CCS for 1 year but has 10 years teaching experience.

“CCS is different than any other school I have ever been part of. I love teaching math and seeing those “light bulb” moments when students really get it, but more than that, I love having the opportunity to see students grow in every aspect of their lives…academic, social, and spiritual. As a middle school teacher, I hope to plant seeds in my students’ lives that will eventually bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Mrs. Shirk enjoys doing nature photography. Her favorite book is The Hiding Place