Canadian Valley Christian Academy
"Where Spiritual Development meets Academic Excellence"
As a team of educators, we are passionate about implementing discovery-based, multi-sensory methods of learning to teach to each child's individual learning style. We are committed to meeting best practice standards for teaching each core subject and providing curriculum that exceeds state requirements to allow students to both acquire AND apply the knowledge presented to them. We strive, above all, to help students realize their aptitude for excellence and to come to know through our lives and our partnership with each family the "love that surpasses knowledge" and the "peace of God, which transcends all understanding, and guards their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Sarah Thomason
Kindergarten Teacher
Sarah@cvcacademy.net
Jennifer Onderek
1st Grade Teacher
My name is Jennifer Onderek and I teach 1st grade here at CVCA. I am originally from Texas but went to college in Oklahoma. First, attending Western Oklahoma State Junior College where I played softball and then I continued my education at Oklahoma State University where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband Josh and I have been married for 16 years and we have two children. Jackson (12) and Addison (10). We have lived in Yukon for 3 years and we love it. We are members of the South Yukon Church of Christ and this will be my third year to teach at CVCA. I teach 1st grade now but In previous years I have taught second grade and worked in Special Education. I love to hangout with my family outdoors, painting and running. We love all sports and are kept really busy with our kids activities. My teaching philosophy is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children and I will do everything I can to help your child learn. I look forward to teaching every year and meeting new faces! I have been truly blessed to work here at Canadian Valley Christian Academy!
Favorite Bible Verse:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
~Isaiah 41:10
Kelly Binkley
2nd Grade Teacher
Kelly Binkley has been teaching at CVCA since 2018. Kelly graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Teaching Professionalism and is state certified in Early Childhood. She is a member at the Mayfair Church of Christ in OKC and lives in Edmond with her husband Ben. Kelly loves working with children and learns from them every day! Her current favorite bible verse is “The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Julia Wilhite
Spanish
Julia Wilhite is a retired teacher with 42 years of teaching experience. She was born, raised and educated in Puerto Rico. She holds a teaching degree from the University of Puerto Rico and Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Among many other awards and accolades, Mrs. Wilhite was the 2002-2003 Yukon School District Teacher of the Year and Oklahoma Teacher of the Year runner-up.
A consummate learner, an avid reader, and a world traveler, Mrs. Wilhite loves God, life, family, country and people. She is involved in many church, family, and community activities. She is involved with the South Yukon Church of Christ’s Prison Ministry and she is a translator for the Ecuador Mission field team. She is, also, a member of CVCA school board. She is a member of Beta Beta, a local chapter of Gamma State and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a society for women educators. Mrs. Wilhite is a member of NAMI Oklahoma (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and she is a presenter and trainer for their Family-to-Family Education program. She was also involved with the organization’s Parents and Teachers as Allies program as a trainer and presenter. In her spare time, Mrs. Wilhite loves to be with her five grandchildren and her family.
Larry Thomason
Music and Bible
After receiving a music scholarship to study music and represent the school with his barbershop quartet the “Noise Boys”, Larry spent two years at Cameron University working on a music degree. However, in the middle of the second year, he decided he wanted to preach the gospel. Larry transferred to Harding University where he continued in music for a short while as he was also seeking a degree in Bible. Having completed his BA degree in Bible with minors in music and English, he and his wife, Martha traveled to Zambia, Africa to teach in the Christian Secondary school there, teaching Bible and English.
Larry has spent over 30 years serving congregations in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Ontario. During this time, he has continued to sing and perform with choruses where they have lived. He has served as assistant director and director of choruses in Oklahoma City. While in Missouri, he spent one year as the music director for the Christian Academy in St. Louis.
Larry and his wife Martha have 4 sons and 12 grandchildren.