Welcome
With gratitude to my godly and faithful parents, I have been actively involved in church all my life. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Additionally, my husband David and I have been married for almost 34 years. We have one son Henry, a graduate of Milligan University. In preparation for teaching, I completed undergraduate work at East Tennessee State University. I have lived most of life in East Tennessee with the exception of time spent in graduate study abroad, and time spent in mission work through Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, Ca. (now known as Hope International University).
Experience
More than half of my thirty-plus years in education was with a classical Christian school. My strengths include teaching composition and literature skills, using classical methodology and developing formal and informal debate formats. I also enjoy scored discussions and facilitating Harkness table and Socratic seminar discussions with secondary English and history students. Above all else, biblical integration is a strength I can share. I truly believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be the center of all school subject matter. Furthermore, I enjoy writing and developing curriculum using biblical integration. Having taught students from sixth grade through college freshman, I have an advantage of knowing where they have been and where they need to go.
Statement of Faith
Learn with Mrs. Holben is founded on the following key beliefs (or core doctrines) of Christianity that will be considered the primary doctrine and therefore unapologetically taught in various ways through all all courses.
I believe… the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, and as such, it is the final authority in faith, life, and standards of education (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
I believe… that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30).
I believe… in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:30), in His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34-35), in His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26), in His miracles (John 2:11), in His vicarious and atoning death (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:4), in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19), and in His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11).
I believe… that, for the salvation of lost and sinful men, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary (Titus 3:5).
I believe… that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).
I believe… that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
I believe… that the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life by the Holy Spirit who dwells within him (Romans 8:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20, Ephesians 4:30, 5:18).
I believe… in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved to the resurrection of life and they that are lost to the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).
I believe… in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28).
I believe... that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:18–25).
I believe... that God wonderfully foreordained and immutably created each person as either male or female in conformity with their biological sex. These two distinct yet complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:26–27).
I believe… that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:31, John 17:22-24, 2 Thessalonians 1:12, 1 Peter 4:11).
Professional Organizations
ACSI-Association of Christian Schools International
I am an individual member and maintain an active ACSI teaching license.
CELEA-Christian English Learners Educators Association
-member
ILA-International Literacy Association
-member
NCTE-National Council of Teachers of English
-member
JASNA-Jane Austen Society of North America
-member
(for fun!)
Personal
I enjoy reading, writing, traveling, and gardening with either a piece of chocolate or a cup of tea. I hope to enjoy time with you in class.