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History

Coram Deo Academy students prepare to transform culture not only by a thorough study of human history, but also by a thorough understanding of “the hope that lies before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

Winston Churchill once said, “Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.” Although we hope that some of our students will become great statesmen and stateswomen, it is not the sole purpose of the history program at CDA. Why do we study history? Some Christians learned to love history by reading the Old Testament as children. The amazing people, battles, miracles, and the story of God’s people inspired us. It is not until later in life that we put the pieces together and saw how amazing God’s hand is throughout history.

We emphasize that God’s hand was and is in history, and that the glory of the world in which we live is only a shadow of what He has planned for his people. Contrary to what many believe, we do not study history to avoid “repeating” it, as that implies that we live in a circular historical framework, but to see the course of history as one that is guided and directed by God. We make similar mistakes, but history never repeats itself. One cannot study the Holocaust without realizing that we live in a fallen world. The Holocaust does not deny the existence of God; it shows students that humans desperately need God. By studying history, we see the greater story of God redeeming and restoring his people and creation. This realization allows us to rest in the truth that God is greater, wiser, and more just than we can imagine. As we examine history, we understand how events in our lives shape our character and direct our paths.

The history program at Coram Deo Academy is one that reaffirms this. By teaching the history of Western Civilization in chronological order and repeating it three times at ever-deepening levels (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), we emphasize that God’s hand was and is in history, and that the glory of the world in which we live is only a shadow of what He has planned for his people. C. S. Lewis said it best in Mere Christianity.

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. ~C.S. Lewis

History (Church): 6

Sixth Grade Church History is a survey of the great men, women, events, and artistic creations in the two thousand years that follow Christ’s resurrection. Beginning with the resurrection of Christ, continuing through the Book of Acts, through the great missionaries and apologists, martyrs and confessors, kings and queens, musicians and artists we will be inspired by the faith and fortitude of those who have gone before us. Students will also learn to think about history, read original source documents and artifacts, ask great questions, have discussions, and apply their learning to their own lives.
History (Old Testament): 8

The eighth grade History curriculum is centered around the story of the Hebrew people found in the Old Testament Pentateuch and Historical Books. It is in a sense an applied history course. We study the history and culture of the ancient Near East in order to better understand the history, literature, and theology of the Old Testament.

Throughout the course we will continue to develop our skills as historians. We will seek to understand the ancient Near East by studying the political, economic, social, and environmental influences on its various cultures. We will also develop skills as readers and doers of the Christian Scriptures by learning to interpret the Old Testament in light of its historical, literary, and theological contexts.
History (U.S.): 7

History 7 seeks to provide a broad overview of United States History from European exploration and colonization to the present. Special attention is given to how events impact American culture and how Christians might engage that culture. Daily lessons incorporate a thoughtful study of primary and secondary source documents, classical artwork, poetry, music and song, short stories, etc..
History: 5

Description: Fifth grade history covers American history from the 19th century through the twentieth century with a unit study of Texas history in quarter 4. Students will experience history as a collection of stories within a larger story as they discover and discuss what is true, good, and beautiful in history. Teachers are simply stewards of a narrative, feeding students’ desire to know the story and pointing them to the Great Author of the story. We focus daily on how the hand of God has shaped our nation and our world throughout the ages.

Faculty

Traci Heitschmidt

History Dept Chair; RS History, English, Athletics - FM
Bio
Dr. Traci Colston Heitschmidt joined CDA ten years ago, agreeing to teach just one section of tenth grade English while her children were little. Won over by the impressive curriculum, students, and especially the Christian worldview, Dr. Heitschmidt joined the staff full-time in 2010. She currently teaches 11^th grade A.P. European History, 12^th grade A.P. United States History, and 12^th grade American Literature. She also serves as our History Department Chair.

Dr. Heitschmidt earned her PhD in Modern European history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She also holds a master’s degree in Modern European history from UNLV and a bachelor of arts in both English and history from Texas Tech University.

She has been married for 25 years to college sweetheart, Jason Heitschmidt, and they have two children, Jarren (10^th grade) and Kacey (8^th grade), both attending CDA.
Justin Bass

RS History - CC
Brooke Bryant

LS History, Science, Bible, English- FM
Eric Bryant

History Asst. Chair, RS History - Dallas
Allison Crowder

LS Music & Art, History - CC
Leng Ea

LS History, Science, Bible, English, English; Athletics, Electives - FM
Libby Feray

LS/RS History, LS Speech, RS Theology - Dallas
Tyson Guthrie

Theology Asst. Chair, LS History; RS Theology; Electives - FM
Kevin Harris

LS/RS History, Athletics, Electives - FM
Luke Hatteberg

Dallas Dean of Students
Cyrus Hayat

LS/RS History, Electives - CC
Drew Hicks

LS History, LS/RS English - Dallas
Kimberly Townsend

LS Bible, History, Science; Electives - CC
William Victor

History Asst. Chair; RS History; Electives - FM
Shannon Vowell

LS History; LS/RS English