Angel Warner

After spending two years in the dance department at the University of Illinois, Angel transferred to Olivet Nazarene University where she earned her degree in English with a minor in French. This change in studies ushered her into the world of literature, languages, and writing that has been a source of delight ever since. She is particularly grateful to have studied under literature professors who all hailed from the South and who inspired a deep fondness for Southern authors. In her pile of nightstand books, there is always something from Faulkner, O'Connor, or Welty. Her most abiding literary "crush", however, is Homer.

When Angel and her husband decided to homeschool, she began to do a lot of reading to find a driving philosophy for teaching their children. After she encountered a short description of classical education, she knew that was the type of education she and her husband wanted for their children. That was 30 years ago. The learning curve was high and the resources available were scant. The benefit of this was that she had to put in a lot of effort to self-study classical literature, philosophy, theology, Latin, Logic, and Rhetoric ahead of her children. Later, Angel had the opportunity to teach these subjects in a local hybrid classical school for seven years. She also served as the academic director, a position which required her to help train other teachers in classical methods. She is delighted to see how classical Christian education is continuing to flourish, expand, and become more accessible.

Angel is married to her best friend, David, who shares her love for classical Christian education. They are equally passionate about historic preservation and have restored four historic homes over the years. They currently live in a 1925 Dutch Colonial, the "newest" home they have restored...so far. They have seven delightful children--five sons and two daughters. Six of the children are married; the seventh is a freshman at New Saint Andrews College. The Warners are thrilled to have seven precious grandchildren...so far.

Teaching Philosophy

What is man? In part, James K. A. Smith’s book Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation, presents and analyzes two different responses to this question and the ways in which they influence one’s educational philosophy and pedagogical approach. “Enlightenment Anthropology” is the idea that man is a rational being driven primarily by his cognition. “Augustinian Anthropology” holds that man is a loving being driven primarily by his affection. Depending on what view a teacher holds, his objective in teaching may be seen either as the passing of information or as the formation of character. Thankfully, one’s teaching doesn’t have to be—indeed, shouldn’t be—an either/or proposition. Scripture teaches that man is created in the image of a rational and loving God. It also teaches that a man’s thoughts can drive his affections and that his affections can enlighten or darken his mind. (Romans 1)

I believe the high calling of teaching is to partner with parents in helping students love the right things in the right ways—to gain both knowledge and wisdom. As a teacher, I am called to help students hone their thinking skills and learn to love exercising their minds. As a Christian teacher, I am called to help students love the God who gave them minds and all the fascinating things there are to think about in the world He created. It is an honor and duty to demonstrate to students what it looks like to approach learning with gratitude and delight. Someone once wisely remarked that teaching is “loving your subject in front of your students”. For the Christian teacher, it also means loving the Lord in front of your students and encouraging them to flourish in heart, mind, and soul.

I believe in providing my students with assignments that advance the objectives of the course. I provide clear instruction and timely feedback to both students and parents. I seek to create a classroom environment where all students are encouraged to participate and where we learn to view ourselves as a community of learners.

Statement of Faith

I affirm the historic creeds of the church and the entirety of the Old and New Testaments as the holy and infallible Word of God, which is our rule for faith and practice. While my husband and I have been members of reformed congregations our entire married life and delight in the beauty of reformed teaching, I recognize that the body of Christ is much larger than any particular expression of it.

I came to faith as a young child while attending a Missouri Synod Lutheran grade school. I can never thank my parents enough for their sacrifice in sending me to a school where the Word of God was proclaimed daily and held in high reverence and where the activities of our day were bracketed by the singing of robust and beautiful hymns that have become the soundtrack of my life.

We are members in good standing of Christ Covenant Church of Chicago, a congregation in the CREC denomination.