About BFA

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. Deuteronomy 32:2

The students at Black Forest Academy (BFA) located in Germany have typically lived in two or three different cultures so are termed Third Culture Students. These students are unique with their varied cultural backgrounds and represent about 45-50 different countries where their parents are stationed on the field. These parents are serving in various parts in the world as part of the missions’ movement and their desire is for their children to receive quality Christian education in a loving atmosphere. BFA desires to support the ministry of the missionary parents by keeping the tuition cost down which keeps the missionaries in the field. Educating students in the mission field culture can involve significant cost ($50,000 to $60,000 for a boarding school), harsh environment, dangerous conditions in country, or poor academic recognition. The staff at BFA works alongside several different mission organizations to raise support for the purpose of educating the students. Each staff member at BFA, including the mechanic, is fully supported. This means that everyone is a key player of the ministry at BFA!


Black Forest Academy was founded in 1956 by Teach Beyond (formerly Janz Team Ministries). Grades 1-4 encompass bilingual education with German and English. Grades 5-12 are educated in English with the elementary, middle, and high schools located on separate campuses. Black Forest Academy is situated in a charming village called Kandern, Germany. Kandern is in the southwest corner of Germany near several castles and the beautiful Black Forest. BFA is accredited by Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), Council of International Schools (CIS), and Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association (MSA).


Teach Beyond was created in 1954 on the prairies of Canada. Leo Janz was committed to bringing the gospel of Christ to post-war Germany. Today, there are several national organizations in Europe and South America whose purpose is to be an “instrument of redemptive change through missional education” in those countries (www.teachbeyond.org). TeachBeyond has over 30 international schools in over 30 countries that include K-12, universities, national schools and start-ups. They also sponsor English camps in the summer located in eight countries. I will be working with middle school students, teaching math and possible other electives including hiking, cooking, and homework cop! The elective courses depend on what is needed, interest areas, and experience. I have a strong math background and will enjoy lighting passion in the students for math, especially algebra! There are many possibilities at Black Forest Academy to widen my experience with teaching and instilling a love of learning.


Here is a peek into the life of a TCK (Third Culture Kid) or MK (Missionary Kid). Credit goes to Michele Phoenix.

“My first job is to create, keep, and focus on the right kind of partners who will help achieve Christ like transformation in the lives of individual students who are and will impact our world for Jesus Christ.”