Association & Board of Trustees

The Christian Academy operates as an independent school. Functioning as an independent private school means we are not affiliated with, nor receive financial support, from a particular denomination or church body. The TCA Board of Trustees, the school’s governing body, is responsible for the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school and for the hiring, encouraging, supporting, and evaluating the Head of School, its only employee. The Board is comprised of TCA supporters with a variety of affiliations, including current and past parents, alumni/ae, members of the TCA community, and the head of school. Trustees volunteer their time for Board activities, including attendance at Board meetings and participation on committees.

I attended TCA from 1st -12th grade. I was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home
that valued that type of education. From an early age I was able to see the love of God
through my parents and teachers at TCA. I accepted Jesus as my Savior in an
elementary school chapel service at TCA. I couldn’t wait to go home that afternoon
and tell my parents. My time at TCA taught me the value of education, the love of
music, and the joy in playing sports. I was able to develop skills and values that would
serve me throughout my life. My parents, grandparents, and many teachers at TCA
taught me a work ethic that I still have to this day.
After TCA I attended West Chester University where I earned a bachelor’s degree and
an MBA. I realized two things right at the start of my time at WCU. First, I realized I
had received an excellent education from TCA. The collegiate workload wasn’t
overwhelming thanks to the foundation TCA had provided. Second, I realized that my
foundation in Christ would be tested in college. In contrast to TCA, college felt like
everyone was trying to eliminate God from the conversation. Standing up for what I
believed was challenging with faculty and students alike. During that time I was able
to start serving more in church, through music as a pianist and as a member of
various prayer teams. I later served in other capacities with sanctuary set up and
facilities.
I have been involved in the construction industry for most of my career working for a
local building supply company. I have held various positions with them over the years
but have spent most of my time as a department head and project manager for our
commercial building division. I have been involved in many school projects from
renovations to new construction. The skills I have learned during these projects may
help me offer a unique perspective to the facilities aspect of TCA. I will always be
thankful for the foundation that TCA provided for my life. I would be honored to serve
on the TCA board and help continue their mission of Christ centered education.

Randy Warren, CEO, Warren Financial

A 1981 graduate from TCA, Randy believes in Christian education – “You can’t beat the rock solid foundation that TCA helped build in me.” He also has unique insight into TCA board service since his wife, Vicki, served on the TCA board from 1998 to 2004. Randy has his own personal experience with board service in education, currently serving on the President’s Advisory Board for West Chester University, and also on their Foundation Board.  With Christian ministry background as an elder, deacon, and finance committee member, Randy currently attends Experience Christian Church in Exton. As CEO of his own wealth management firm, Randy brings exceptionally strong skills in the area of financial planning and management. He has a deep appreciation for TCA’s mission and its focus on academics, and he is eager to help the school achieve high standards: “As with everything else on which we place the label ‘Christian,’ it should never be second rate, but should strive for excellence.”

Terry Montgomery, Professional Board Member

Christine Specht, Christian Counselor

By the grace and mercy of God, I am His and He is mine. In response to Christ’s matchless Love poured out on me, my response and passion are to be His faithful disciple in all the activities of my life.  I am the wife of Reverend Mark Specht, who serves as the Chaplain at the Williamson College of the Trades and is also the Pastor at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church.  I am also blessed to be the mother of two amazing children, one that graduated from TCA and one that will graduate 2021.  I believe that it is important to equip children with a Biblical worldview in a loving and caring educational community.

I was educated and trained as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.  I received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Nursing, a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Child/Family Nursing, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in family therapy from the Family Institute of Philadelphia.  I have worked in various capacities, including psychiatric nursing, nursing management, and teaching at the University of Pennsylvania and Holy Family College.  For the past 17 years, I have been self-employed as a Christian counselor. Besides the counseling ministry, I regularly teach women’s Bible study at our church and I serve on the Board of Seaside Home, a Christian summer ministry in Cape May, NJ.

I am honored to use my administrative, analytic, and communication gifts for His glory to advance the mission at TCA as I serve on the board of directors.

Matthew Foreman, Pastor

I have been the pastor of Faith Reformed Baptist Church in Media, PA, since 2002. A graduate of Furman University and Westminster Theological Seminary, I have served as the founding Chairman of the Reformed Baptist Network, am the Chairman for the RBNet Missions Committee, and am a lecturer in Practical Theology at Reformed Baptist Seminary. I am the co-author of the book The Angel of the Lord: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Study, and I have also written and produced an album of worship music, Ekklesia Hymns, Vol.1.
Over the years, numerous families at our church have had students at TCA or have served as faculty members. I have been involved at TCA as a chapel and commencement speaker, guest lecturer, and panelist for senior speeches. Now, two of our four children are at TCA for high school, and our oldest will graduate in 2021. We’re thankful for the education at TCA within a Christian worldview and the spiritual partnership of the school with families and churches. As a local pastor, I would be honored to serve on the TCA board and to bring a theological and pastoral perspective, especially in light of the spiritual and cultural challenges facing Christian education.

Joshua Carter, Investment Analyst

I’m a proud alumnus of The Christian Academy. My parents instilled in me their love of Christ and their commitment to education at an early age and TCA was a large part of my growth in both of those arenas. Going to college at Rutgers University, I was surrounded by people who had different beliefs than I and had a wide variety of backgrounds. I was challenged to consider whether I was living for Christ out of convenience or if it was a sincere commitment. Since then, I’ve been faithfully living my life for Christ. I’m an active partner in at my church in Downingtown and excited to contribute to the TCA family again.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” The Bible instructs parents to care for their children in such a way that the lessons stay with them far beyond them being considered a child. Proverbs also says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). While the understanding of science and history and language are all important, without the “fear of the Lord” they are meaningless in relation to eternity. As the world becomes increasingly complex, it will be important for our children to use spiritual discernment to make wise choices and enhance their understanding of God. Having this Christian perspective can certainly come with good parenting and dedicated time of devotion, and I believe TCA can help supplement this training of a child.
In my professional career I lead a team of Investment Analysts for Vanguard that support large nonprofit clients both financially and organizationally. This daily experience gives me great perspective on how other organizations are run and what challenges or successes they face. This daily experience will undoubtedly help in steering the path for TCA. As alumni, I and my wife have looked for ways to serve at TCA in the years since graduation. I am eager to use my time as a student, father of young children, and professional perspective to faithfully serve on the Board at TCA.

Wendy Burghart

I was born and raised in a Christian home, grounded in God’s word from the very beginning of my life. My father was involved in a local church planting ministry so I served in new churches around Delaware County from a very early age. I served in several areas of each church as the pianist, organist, nursery worker, Sunday school helper/teacher, and many other aspects. I also attended Christian school from PK–12th grade, at TCA from 3rd–12th grade, where I eventually met my husband, Chris. We graduated together in the year 2000. We now have 2 children who have attended TCA from kindergarten and are now in 6th and 4th grade.
After high school, I earned my bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked at the University of Pennsylvania in the student health department. I left that position and worked for a short time at TCA as the school nurse and am now working for a commercial healthcare real estate company utilizing my nursing knowledge to do administrative and real estate work. My organization skills and attention to detail as well as being able to make decisions without compromising my beliefs will help me serve on the board in multiple capacities. I am honored to help advance the mission of TCA and keep the school on its God-designed path.
Knowing TCA’s stance on having a Biblical foundation for education and the love that they show to their students and the community has made me so grateful that I was able to attend and that my children are now also reaping those benefits. The value of a strong Christian education is paramount to any child and young adult in this world. The Bible commands us to bring up our children in a way that would honor the Lord and at TCA we can fulfill that command.