Violet Whittaker, educator, artist, and author, writes frequently about educational issues, teaching techniques, puppetry, and arts and crafts. She also writes devotionals and children’s stories. She has written curricula for various publishing companies and served as a contributing editor for the Christian Artists and The Christian Puppeteers. Her articles have appeared in over one hundred publications including Key to Christian Education, Evangelizing Today’s Child, Clubhouse, Live, Evangel, Action, Southern Baptist Music Time, USA Weekend, Statesman Journal, Lollipops, and Mature Living. She is the author of three books on puppetry published by Baker Books, and one in Spanish by Casa Bautista. Her bio is in Outstanding Young Women in America.

For six years she taught elementary grades in Michigan, then founded a school and taught missionary children in Guadalajara, Mexico. For fifteen years she served as professor of education and art at Western Baptist College. She has also taught migrant children of kindergarten age in the Oregon public school system. She’s conducted seminars for teachers.

Vi grew up on a farm with four brothers and spent lots of time adventuring together when opportunity allowed. She graduated from Central Michigan College, Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, cherished her “Mrs.” status, received a BA from Michigan State, a BRE from Western Baptist, an MA from San Francisco State and is working toward a doctorate at Pensacola Christian College. She holds an Oregon Teaching Certificate for both elementary and secondary with art endorsements. She’s a conference speaker and illustrator on the West Coast. She teaches art at local Christian schools and tutors students in phonics, reading, and art.

Each season, she is the storyteller for the Awana Club at her local church, and she also serves as cook for retreats and camps. In the summertime, she works as camp baker. Year-round she has a ministry with prison inmates.

Her husband, Dr. Robert Whittaker—a wonderful concert pianist—also served as music professor and Music Department Head at Western Baptist College for twenty-three years, until disabled by diabetes. In 1990 he was promoted to Heaven. The Whittakers adopted four children. They are all grown, but now Nancy and her little one are also in Heaven. There are three precious grandchildren left to love dearly.

The country acre where they’ve lived is also home to exchange students, college staff, teachers, students, and “temporary homeless couples” who camp there at her request. The place is affectionately dubbed “The Last Resort.” All love being there and get along great. The welcome mat is always out! You may visit any time!