Learn About the Teachers

My name is Neil Clauson and I am the head teacher at Forestdale Christian School. My wife, Kate, team-teaches with me and, together with a wealth of volunteers, we expertly juggle grades K-10 (by God’s grace!). We are all looking forward to another super-awesome year, "educating for an eternity".

When I was in the 1st grade, the Adventist school I was attending at the time had to close its doors. I spent the rest of my educational career in the public schools, eventually attending the University of Colorado where I met Kate. Sometimes, things in life have a way of coming full circle though. After a year of teaching in a public high school, an opportunity opened up for me to teach at an Adventist School in my home state of Connecticut. I spent the next 16 years at this school, Laurel Oaks, 10 of them as principal. Now, I am beginning my fifth year at Forestale. The rural setting of Forestdale, in the mountains of western Maine, appeals to my love for all things outdoors. The openness of the community to Christ appeals to my love for ministry. I have found my home teaching in an Adventist Christian setting because I can teach from my heart and share my faith and the things that really matter in life with the children. This is really why Adventist education is so effective: Christ is at its foundation.

Kate was not a Christian growing up, but Christ was working on her heart. She made the decision to become baptized while working on her Masters degree at Yale. God has brought her on a new path ever since. She was working as an architect for years, but each year she was donating a lot of her time to help out at the schools where I was teaching. Eventually, she decided to leave architecture and work in education. A struggle with cancer helped to bring this about. She has worked as a secretary/teacher’s aide/art teacher/Home and School leader for 11 years and she is going on her second year now as a full time teacher at Forestdale!

We both have very strong hobbies. I am into trail running, cycling, and different forms of skiing. Kate is a world-class rockhound and loves knitting, woodworking, pottery, soap-making and just about any arts and crafts activity that you can think of. We both believe in a well-rounded life and a well-rounded education. We both sense God at work in the Forestdale community and are incredibly honored to be a part of this. You can be a part of this incredible community also. Please call 207-256-6140 or email me at mr.clauson@forestdalechristianschool.com to request a school tour or just to learn more about us. We are praying for you to be a part of our school family and love to meet new people!