It was Back-to-School for our teachers and staff on August 28-29 as they reflected on this year’s theme verse during the devotion led by Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen during the first day of in-service. Following devotions, Karen Oblen welcomed and introduced new faculty and staff for this school year and named a number of staff who have changed positions since last year.
Eighteen new teachers and staff (pictured on the right) have joined the ACS family this year: Flor Aiuto and Kira Murdock (PreK-2); Sierrah Thomas (PreK-3); Lisa Tomlinson (Early Ed Aide); Grace Staples (Kindergarten), Jeannie Pincus and Devon Bernardino (1st Grade); Rebecca Hund (3rd Grade); Sam Schriever (4th Grade); Katherine Vega (Elementary/Middle School Spanish); Dakota Keller (EE and Elementary PE); Scott Carr (Middle School Bible); Shauna Shull (Middle School Science); Matthew Glancey (High School Bible); Audra Williams (Upper School Business); George Quinn (Upper School Science); and Alex Reyes and Darren Martin (Facilities).
Twelve ACS faculty and staff members returning from last year are wearing new hats this year. Cookie Chambers (PreK-3); Michelle Wheeler and Robin Genter (PreK-4); Ruby Lewis (Kindergarten); Ashley Vaccaro (1st Grade); Olivia Leach (3rd Grade); Bethany Kiefer (5th Grade); Paul Jones (Upper School Bible); Dena Johnson (Upper School Spanish); Genevieve Huff (Art Teacher); Linda Stiteler (Resource Room); PJ Santos (Director of Development and Communication); and Dan Vasquez (Athletic Director and Dean of Students).
The new teachers attended the Professional Development sessions focused on integrating a Biblical worldview into everything students will learn in the classroom, led by Dr. Bryan Smith and Becky Teruel of Bob Jones University Press. ACS Instructional Support Specialist and 5th Grade Teacher, Bethany Kiefer led training sessions on Curriculum Trak, the school’s software on curriculum mapping. Other sessions focused on visual communication tools, discipline, school safety, classroom management, and office procedures. In break-out sessions, ACS elementary and upper school faculty members dug deeper into the BJU curriculum that will be used in classrooms this year to facilitate integrating a Biblical worldview into every subject.
Fusion Church in Egg Harbor Township also blessed ACS with a donation of 80 gift bags filled with school supplies, delivered by outreach volunteer Anne Dice and the Alphonse family. On Tuesday, August 30, the ACS Board of Directors treated faculty and staff to a continental breakfast, with Board member Kris Jacoby leading the devotion. The Parent-Teacher Fellowship also showed their appreciation for the faculty and staff by hosting lunch that day.
Please keep each of our new and returning faculty and staff members in prayer and may God be exalted and honored in everything we do.
