Dean of Students connects ministry to job
Amy Deffenbacher began attending FC as a first grader in 1982, graduating as a campus lifer in 1994. Throughout high school, she immersed herself in the music program: joining ensemble, choir and worship team. Beyond that, she became Valedictorian of her graduating class. Her hard work and perseverance in the past proved to be a key element in her new job.
Since being married for 18 years to pastor, Brent Deffenbacher, she learned early on that a pastor’s wife had no room for timidity. Her strong willpower would become another valued attribute as she steps into a more administrative role.
In 2013, she returned to FC not only as a teacher, but as a parent. Many of the classes she taught kept her busy. Any free time she managed to take she dedicated to her two children, Paige and Blake, and her husband.
By the end of the school year she planned to return home permanently, but God hatched a whole new plan: one that kept her at school and helped create the new role: Dean of Students.
New Superintendent Jeremy Brown began his involvement at the campus this summer, signaling the start of changes and a chance for new beginnings. New teaching positions opened up and an advanced administration, starting a process of restoration. Brown hoped for the transitions to go smoothly. With her background and experience in the school he felt that she provided a different perspective.
“I really wanted to make sure that I put my impression, style, and my character on the campus along with what’s been established with what is Fresno Christian,” Superintendent Brown said. “So in order to do that you need someone that’s very confident in themselves, they have a skill base that they could do a lot of different things, a problem solver. I knew she had those skills, so the next level was, ‘Are you willing to do it?'”
I really wanted to make sure that I put my impression, style, and my character on the campus along with what’s been established with what is Fresno Christian. So in order to do that you need someone that’s very confident in themselves, they have a skill base that they could do a lot of different things, a problem solver. I knew she had those skills, so the next level was, ‘Are you willing to do it?’ –Jeremy Brown
Her experience in teaching extends it’s reach farther than high school English classes. After graduating with her post-graduate from Fresno Pacific she began her career teaching at Turner Elementary School and made her way into secondary school for five years at El Capitan Middle School. In 2002 she moved to an administrative position.
“I’m able to see needs and immediately respond to them whereas in the classroom it takes time to see the fruit of your labor,” Deffenbacher said. “Here, I get immediate feedback.”
Her new and improved position fills her with enthusiasm and motivation. She hopes for the school and student body to grow academically and spiritually. Her goal for the year includes becoming a community of faith all standing together as one. Although the resignation of former Principal, Todd Bennett, caused stress and dislike in some of the students she remains confident and knows the school will prosper throughout the year.
Junior Alexis Kalugin, compares her first week to the second. She feels the new changes around school will bring excitement.
“It was definitely overwhelming the first week,” Kalugin said, “But now that it’s the second week, everything is starting to settle; it’s been a nice week.”
Andrew Moore, ’16, sat in Deffenbacher’s Sophomore English Honors class last year. He talks about her new position.
“I think that it’s a good thing because someone needed to pick up the slack now that we don?t have a principal,” Moore said. “She’s well suited for the job, since everyone likes her.”
When asked why Deffenbacher was chosen for the role, Superintendent Brown says that her compassionate personality and capabilities set her apart.
“A lot of what we do as administrators should be behind the scenes supporting and you need to find someone that understands that and has a servant’s heart,” Brown said. “We have a lot of servant hearts on staff but Mrs. {Amy} Deffenbacher was a combination of both the skill set and the servant’s heart that made that a great fit.”
Her role as a pastor’s wife continues to prove it’s experience in her job. As Dean of Students, she recognizes the needs of staff, students and families. She connects all three groups and unifies them together to form the Eagle community.
“I’m called to do my job, but to do it lovingly,” Deffenbacher says. “This role is as much a ministry as being a pastor’s wife.”
For more features, read the Aug. 28 article, First year teacher appreciates small school environment.
This writer can be reached via Twitter: @nhudecek16 or through email at [email protected].