Post Tagged with: "In-Service"

Teachers and Staff Excited for New School Year; Challenged to “Be The Light”

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.

Teachers, Staff Excited for New School Year, Spiritual Theme to “Stand Firm”

Staff, volunteers, and contractors were busy in August preparing the school campus to welcome students back to school for in-person classes and a new Remote-Only option. In late August,  teachers and staff from Early Education through the 12th grade gathered for in-service training. We’re ready for an exciting year of growing and learning.

Some of the changes and improvements to the school’s facilities include adding additional classrooms, hanging new whiteboards, painting hallways and lockers, creating protective barriers for lunchroom tables, and installing webcams and hand sanitation stations in classrooms and throughout the school building.  A number of enthusiastic parents and students turned out for volunteer work days to help clean, move furniture, prepare new Chromebooks for our classrooms, and more.  A new turf field for the Varsity Boys’ Soccer team is nearing completion and the Art Room has moved to a new location in Annex Trailer #6.  Additional SmartBoards and document cameras have also been purchased for classroom use.

During In-Service, teachers and staff enjoyed a time of worship and devotions and then delved into work sessions on school policies and procedures, including those dealing with COVID-19.

Chief School Administrator introduced the school’s annual spiritual development theme — “Stand Firm” — based on I Corinthians 16:13. “We must be men and women of courage, constant in prayer, and trusting God that He is on our side and will work in and through us,” Oblen said.

She also welcomed and introduced 7 new employees who have joined the ACS faculty/staff this year and 2 who came on staff halfway through last year (pictured below left) — Estefany Gomez, Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, Becca Jackson, Abigail Meza, Gretchen Murphy, Christina Ragland, Tim Rosie, Ashley Vaccaro, and Megan Whisman.

 

Each in-service session began with worship and devotions, led by faculty/staff members Kelly Flynn, Amy Parker, and Bill Smallwood. Services Coordinator Anne Block oversaw the preparation of healthy breakfasts and lunches, with gratitude to the Parent Teacher Fellowship and the Board of Directors for donating to the meals.