Dan received a B.S. degree in mathematics/education in
1972 from North Dakota State University. He subsequently
entered into business management with AT&T for 20 years
and then with several small business firms in upper management
positions. In addition to his business career, Dan has been
active in Christian education work for over 20 years. He
served as board member of several Christian schools and taught
in a private school one year. Dan also worked for Dr. Pat
Robertson's Freedom Council doing grassroots training on
Christian worldview principles. In 1986 Dan founded the
Nehemiah Institute and authored the first version of the PEERS
Test. Dan continues to serve as president of the Institute
with particular focus on new product development and CFO
responsibilities. Dan also serves as a member of the executive
committee of the Coalition on Revival (COR). COR is a ministry
providing high-level worldview training in all major areas of
society. You may visit COR's web site in the "Links"
section.
Faye A. Smithwick (Event Coordinator)
Faye (Dan's wife of 34 years and mother of their five children) coordinates all activities associated with school conferences attended by Nehemiah Institute and other special events.
She also works with the Institute's booth at school conferences and other conventions. Faye oversees data entry functions and in-house publications of the Institute.
Dennis M. Woods Houston, TX
Dennis is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University
and earned a Master's Degree in Religious Education from
Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. He has
more than twenty years experience as a church staff member in
Christian Education and Administration. Currently, Dennis
managers a retail outlet for Lifeway Christian Resources in
Houston, TX. He also teaches a coed Bible Class at Williams
Trace Baptist Church and regularly leads leadership training
sessions for local sessions and state conventions. Dennis
co-authored Nehemiah Institute's worldview course, Developing
a Biblical Worldview.
Dr. Marc A. Clausen, Ph.D.- Lexington,
KY
Dr. Clausen brings extensive training and experience
to the Institute in Christian worldview philosophy. His
primary work at the Institute has been to write 'enhanced'
Position Papers on PEERS Test items. The Enhanced Papers are
written for college-level studies. Dr. Clausen's education
includes: Marshall Univ., B.S., Physics (1978); Marshall Univ.
M.A. Political Science (1980); West Virginia Univ. Dr.
Jurisprudence, Ph.D. (1982); Liberty Univ. M.A. Christian
Thought/Church History (1993); and Liberty Univ. M.Th.
Historical Theology-Reformation/Post Reformation (1993). Dr.
Clausen's work experience includes: Asst Prof.
Government/Economics Liberty Univ (1984-1993); Adjunct Prof.
Law, Marshall Univ. (1986); and Adjunct Prof. Economics,
Lexington Baptist College (1999). Dr. Clausen currently serves
as pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church, Frankfort,
Kentucky.
Dan Schneider Staff Development Director
Mr. Schneider has over 35 years experience in Christian education as a teacher, administrator, board member, researcher, and consultant. Dan has a B.A. degree in history and an M.A. degree in education. His post- graduate studies include training at the Foundation for American Christian Education (F.A.C.E.), the Graduate Education Institute, and Summit Ministries Christian Worldview Seminar.
As Staff Development Director, Dan provides on-site training in worldview understanding for faculty of Christian schools. The seminar deals with identifying the philosophical roots of the subject content and the teaching methods used in the classroom, with the purpose of distinguishing between those that come from biblical principles and those that are rooted in secular thinking.
Dan and his wife are the parents of five children, all who have been educated in Christian schools.
