Meet The Team

Josh Bowar earned his bachelor’s degree from Dordt University in secondary English education, and he has a master’s degree in both curriculum and instruction and in educational leadership, both from Dordt University. Josh holds an EdS from the University of South Dakota in educational leadership—school district superintendent—and his EdD is from the University of South Dakota, with a dissertation focused on the topic of teachers transitioning to become principals in the same building where they were once teachers (something he experienced). Josh is currently the head of school at a CSI-accredited school in Iowa.

Mary Patterson holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and church music and a master’s in both education and music. Mary also has Iowa certification in K–12 music, K–12 Spanish, and PK–12 principal and supervisor of special education. She has served as a CSI accreditation commissioner and, as a principal, led her school in Iowa through two accreditation cycles with CSI. For ten years she lived and taught English and music in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has also taught music theory and piano at the university level.

Chris Rast’s education includes bachelor’s degrees in history and education from the University of Missouri, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University. Chris has been an educator and administrator in grades 6–12 for nearly twenty years. He was heavily involved in the accreditation process for multiple schools over that span of time. In addition to working with Christian schools in their accreditation processes, Chris works with numerous Christian schools in the Pacific Northwest on refining and providing professional development, mentorship, compliance, and district coordination.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilken holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Regis University of Denver, Colorado and an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix, in which she specialized in the application of self-efficacy and communication between teachers and parents. Betsy has been an elementary teacher, has served in the nonprofit sector in youth development, and has also worked as dean of curriculum and dean for school operations at a college-preparatory school. Most recently, Betsy served as the head of school at a CSI-accredited school in Michigan. Betsy continues her work with the Awaken Leadership Center, which she founded in 2014 to guide educators, leaders, and executives to create positive change in their organizations.

Elisa Wingerd’s master’s of education in Christian school administration is from Regent University. While earning her master’s, Elisa developed a passion for equipping teachers to teach truth, engage the hearts and minds of students, and shape lives beyond making a living. She began her career in California teaching and coaching junior high students and has also taught junior and senior high school students in Colorado, Kansas, and Iowa. Most recently, Elisa served as head of upper school (grades 6–12), athletic director, and then head of school (grades K–12) at a CSI-accredited school in Iowa.  Her background includes experience in both traditional model and also classical Christian education schools.