Curriculum

Our goal is not only prepare CDA graduates to succeed in college, but even more importantly, to become men and women who are equipped to impact the world for God’s glory.

The mission of Coram Deo Academy is to train ethical servant-leaders and wise thinkers who will shape culture for the glory of God. This training begins with a community of dedicated Christian instructors, parents, and students who embrace the challenge and rigor of a CDA education. Since all wisdom and knowledge is derived from God, our instructors teach from a Biblical worldview based on the foundation of the creation, fall, and redemption of man.

At Coram Deo Academy, students in PK4 through 12th grade complete a rigorous, vertically aligned, and systematic course of study. Classical education is an invitation, as one writer puts it, to join the “Great Conversation.” Reading the best authors, such as Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and Dickens, not only encourages critical reasoning and sharpens students’ writing abilities, but also develops the moral imagination as students grow in their love for what is good and true. Students begin the study of Latin in third grade, which develops logic and problem solving skills while reinforcing a student’s understanding of grammar and language. Studies have shown that students who study Latin perform better in other subjects and on the SAT, and have higher college GPA’s. Through the study of mathematics and science, God’s creation and order are clearly illustrated. History is studied chronologically from the dawn of the ages to modern day, which provides the outline for the study of literature, art, music, and science.

Under the direction of the Director of Curriculum, CDA has Department Chairs that provide expertise and leadership for the core subjects of English, History, Math and Science. Together, the Curriculum Department is responsible for selecting, implementing and reviewing CDA’s curriculum to ensure that it provides academic excellence rooted in a Biblical worldview while supporting collaboration between teachers, students, and parents.

- WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM

Curriculum Overview

CDA Grade by Grade Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Leadership

List of 4 members.

Mr. Keith Castello

Vice President of School Operations
Dr. Andrea Woodard

Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Bio
Dr. Andrea Woodard joined the Curriculum Department at Coram Deo in 2023. Prior to coming to CDA, she has served in a variety of instructional and academic leadership roles from pre-kindergarten through the university level, with a consistent commitment to distinctively Christ-centered instruction. While she loves teaching, observing, and mentoring teachers in all academic disciplines, she brings extensive experience with languages and linguistics from her background as a missionary kid in southern Mexico as well as years of studying and teaching Spanish.

Dr. Woodard obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College (IL), a Master of Arts from Baylor University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a concentration in Curriculum, Culture, and Change. Her research areas include biblical integration, school culture, and faculty development.

Andrea and her husband, Aaron, have two children who attend the Dallas campus.
Mrs. Wendy Powell

English Department Chair, RS English - FM
Bio
Wendy Powell, a literary enthusiast from a young age, graduated cum laude from Baylor University with a bachelor of arts in English.

After college, she joined the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council as its Communications Coordinator. Her work included publishing a monthly newsletter and an annual magazine, hosting educational seminars and political fundraisers, and working with local news agencies concerning hospital-related news events.

Wendy and her husband Mark became advocates of classical education while developing curriculum to home educate their children. During this time, Wendy taught middle school literature and writing for a home school cooperative group.

In 1998, she and Mark were one of three couples who initiated the development of Coram Deo Academy. She started teaching English 7 at CDA in 2001. Over the years Wendy has taught 5th through 9th grade English as well as 10th grade Theology and 11th grade AP Literature and Composition. Beginning her 24th year of teaching at CDA, Wendy Powell serves as English Chair and teaches English 10 and AP Literature. She is the parent of five CDA graduates.
Dr. Traci Heitschmidt

History Dept Chair; RS History, English, Athletics - FM
Bio
Dr. Traci Colston Heitschmidt joined CDA ten years ago, agreeing to teach just one section of tenth grade English while her children were little. Won over by the impressive curriculum, students, and especially the Christian worldview, Dr. Heitschmidt joined the staff full-time in 2010. She currently teaches 11^thgrade A.P. European History, 12^thgrade A.P. United States History, and 12^th grade American Literature. She also serves as our History Department Chair.

List of 4 members.

Dr. William Victor

History Asst. Chair; RS History; Electives - FM
Bio
Dr. Bill Victor holds the position of History Assistant Department Chair. He is currently serving in his 1^st year teaching on the Flower Mound campus. Dr. Victor obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from St. Louis University, his Master of Divinity degree, and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bowen

Fine Arts Chair; Electives - FM
Bio
Elizabeth Bowen has directed bands and taught private trumpet lessons since 1987. She taught 4 years in the Denton Independent School District as a junior high band director and has taught at Coram Deo Academy, teaching grades 5-12, since 2003. In addition, she has taught private trumpet lessons throughout Denton County since 1992.
Mrs. Bowen received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas. During that time, she was a drum major of the UNT marching band for 2 years and a teaching assistant, directing the University Band and the Basketball Band. She is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA), and the Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA).
Mrs. Bowen started the CDA band program in 2003. The program's mission has always been making music for God’s glory. As band director, she has taken the program from 16 students in a single band to over 100 students at both the Flower Mound and Collin County CDA campuses. Both campuses have three Concert Bands and a Pep Band. The Flower Mound campus also has a Jazz Ensemble.
Beginning in 2007, Mrs. Bowen has taken students each year to the TPSMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Also under Mrs. Bowen’s guidance, many logic and rhetoric school students have qualified for middle school and high school region honor bands. Since 2008, CDA band students have qualified for the TPSMEA All State Band every year. Most recently, CDA had the most amount of students of any private school to qualify for the TPSMEA All State Band, and CDA also had the most private school students in the state of Texas to qualify for TPSMEA State Solo and Ensemble contest.
Under the direction of Mrs. Bowen, the CDA Symphonic Band has participated in the TPSMEA Concert and Sight Reading Contest since 2011, earning the Sweepstakes Award each year. In addition, she has taken her Intermediate Band to the Sandy Lake Funfest and now the Pride of Texas Music Festival since 2011, earning a Superior rating each year.
She has enjoyed teaching private lessons to CDA trumpet students. Since 2008, she has had students make the TPSMEA All State Band each year. Three of Mrs. Bowen’s private lesson students have made first chair in the TPSMEA All State Band.
Mrs. Bowen is the orchestra director at First Baptist Church of Lewisville and plays trumpet in the orchestra as well. Mrs. Bowen has been married to her husband, John, since 1989. They have three children, all of whom have attended CDA and taken advantage of the CDA band program.
Mrs. Jodi Bergstrom

Languages Asst. Chair, RS Spanish, Electives - CC
Mrs. DeAnne Thomas

Flower Mound Rhetoric Principal
Bio
Mrs. Deanne Thomas serves as the Math Assistant Department Chair, as well as the Math Department Coordinator and is in her 3^rd year teaching on the Flower Mound campus. Mrs. Thomas obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and her Master of Education degree from the University of North Texas.

List of 6 members.

Ms. Hannah Lee

Asst Math Chair; RS Math - Dallas
Mrs. Shelley Lessert

Co-Asst Math Chair; LS Math, Science; Electives - CC
Mrs. Bridget Schober

Science Department Chair, RS Science - FM
Bio
Bridget Schober has been teaching at Coram Deo since 2009. Starting as a chemistry teacher, she now teaches AP chemistry and senior physics in addition to serving as science chair. Bridget is married to Rudy and has two daughters that attend the Flower Mound campus.

A native of Ohio, Bridget graduated magna cum laude from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She then worked for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio for five years as a Product Development Engineer. After marrying and relocating to north Texas, she felt led to try teaching. She taught physics at Lewisville High School for three years after completing the Texas Alternative Certification Program.

While her children were small, Bridget was a stay at home mom and part-time math and science tutor. She is very grateful to have found Coram Deo Academy and to have the opportunity to be a part of CDA students’ educations.
Mrs. Winsor Vanderhill

Science Asst. Chair, LS/RS Science - Dallas
Bio
Mrs. Winsor Vanderhill is currently serving as the Science Assistant Department Chair. She is in her 15th year teaching on the Dallas campus. Mrs. Vanderhill obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Geneva College.
Rev. Jon Jordan

Dallas Headmaster, Theology Department Chair
Bio
Jon has worked with Coram Deo since 2010. Before serving as Dallas Campus Administrator and Logic Principal, he served as Dean of Students at the Flower Mound campus. He also teaches a variety of Logic and Rhetoric level History, Theology, and Greek courses.

Jon earned an M.A. in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. He also holds a B.A. in History and Education from the University of Texas at Dallas.

After discerning whether to enter pastoral or academic ministry, Jon has found Coram Deo to be a perfect combination of the two. In addition to serving as a place to train the minds and hearts of the next generation of Christian leaders, CDA also provides a place to build relationships that will last a lifetime and beyond. He was ordained a Deacon in February 2019, and a Priest in August 2019.

Jon and his wife Vivien have two children, Zoë and Rowan. They worship together at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, where Jon also serves on the clergy team.

You can see several of his sermons and written works on his website: http://jonjordan.com.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NET): “with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us."
Mr. Tyson Guthrie

Theology Asst. Chair, LS History; RS Theology; Electives - FM
Bio
Mr. Tyson Guthrie is the Theology Assistant Department Chair for Coram Deo Academy. He is currently serving in his 10^th year teaching on the Flower Mound campus. Mr. Guthrie obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies from Emmaus Bible College and his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.