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Staff Spotlight — Meet Our Seven New 6th-12th Grade Teachers

Seven new middle school and high school teachers are bringing a wealth of experience and a commitment to Christian education as they settle into their positions this fall at ACS. Several of these individuals are not new to the school, having served as paraprofessionals or as substitute teachers, but are now on board as full-time teachers.

Evelyn Altier — Evelyn came to ACS in the fall of 2021 as a long-term substitute, teaching 6th grade science, language arts, writing, and Bible. She finished the school year and decided ACS was a place to put down roots. This year, she is teaching 6th grade science, math, and 12th grade environmental science. She holds a BA in environmental science from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, after moving to Puerto Rico with her parents during high school. “I know this is where God wants me because I feel peace and joy when I come to work here every day,” Evelyn said. She and her husband, Chris, have three children, and their youngest, Bo, attends 5th grade at ACS. They live in Northfield and worship at Mission Point Church, where she and Chris are part of the Welcome Committee for the children’s ministry. When she is not in the classroom, you can often find Evelyn in a local gym. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor for 18 years and her daily routine involves getting up by 4:30 a.m. to work out and then coaching clients both before and after school.

Paul Jones — Paul grew up in Egg Harbor Township and is a 2015 alumnus of ACS. Paul first worked at ACS for three years as a paraprofessional with Monmouth County Special Services and helped coach the high school basketball JV team. He then took a job in Lake Worth, Florida at Trinity Christian Academy, where he taught upper school history and Bible and also served as Athletic Director. After two years in Florida, Paul has returned to South Jersey and is happy to now be part of the ACS faculty. He holds a BS in Biblical and Theological Studies from Liberty University and is teaching 6th and 8th grade Bible. Paul and his wife, Hunter, who he met at ACS, have a 3-year-old daughter, Selah. In addition to teaching at ACS, Paul is the Youth and Young Adult Pastor at Friendship Bible Church in Egg Harbor Township. Paul’s life verse is John 16:33. “Life is hard and this verse reminds me that God is sovereign and He has already overcome anything that we’re dealing with,” Paul said.

Kelly Kirchhoff — Like Paul, Kelly first worked at ACS as a paraprofessional with Monmouth County Special Services in 2017 and 2020. She has many years of experience as a teacher, not only in a traditional classroom, but from spending more than 10 years homeschooling her eight children. “My prayer as a parent and as a teacher is that none would be lost,” Kelly said. “I have a special place in my heart for children and have a love of learning.” Kelly has a BS and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Liberty University and is teaching middle school science at ACS. She and her husband, Rhett, live in Northfield and worship at Hope Community Church, which meets at ACS on Sundays. Their 16-year-old son, Samuel, attends ACS.

Chris Lopez — Chris is a 2022 graduate of Stockton University with a BA in political science. While at Stockton, he took a number of business courses which prepared him to help establish a new high school Business Concentration at ACS. He also has been an avid soccer player most of his life, playing at Oakcrest High School, with JPS Soccer, and for several local clubs. That prepared Chris well to step into the role of head coach this fall of the Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team, where you can find him after school guiding, training, and encouraging the 21-member team. Chris lives in Mays Landing and attends Sojourn Community Church, where he helps lead their Connections team. He is looking forward to getting married next June to his girlfriend, Rachel.

Mary McNulty — Mary is teaching 6th grade language arts and writing. She is new to South Jersey, having recently moved to Cape May Courthouse in May with her husband, Terrance, and their 9-year-old son, Hurley. Prior to teaching at ACS, Mary taught 3rd grade at New Life Christian School in Frederick, Maryland. She also taught 6th grade at a school in Virginia. She holds a BA in elementary education from Liberty University. Mary said a guiding verse for her as a teacher is I Thessalonians 5:11. “I feel it’s so important that we focus on encouraging and building each up other up, whether we’re inside or outside the classroom,” Mary said.

Laura Mills — Laura came to ACS last December as a long-term substitute to fill the maternity leave of high school faculty member Tori Flath. She taught high school language arts last year and this year is teaching middle school writing and working with the 12th grade girls overseeing their Senior Projects. Laura worked for six years in the Absecon School District providing classroom support as a reading specialist to 4th grade students. She holds an Associates degree from Atlantic Cape Community College and is taking classes to earn her BA in education from Stockton University. Laura and her husband, Brian, live in Absecon and have three children attending ACS, Adam (6th), Luke (10th), and Nathan (11th).

Dan Vasquez — Dan is teaching 7th-9th grade Bible, 9th grade world history, and guiding the 12th grade boys in their Senior Projects. Dan has a Bachelors in Biblical studies and a Masters and Doctorate in Theology, all from Trinity Biblical University. He began serving in ministry in 2007 at Calvary Chapel in Vineland. From 2016-2021 he was the Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel in Cedarville. Dan joined the faculty at Cumberland Christian School in 2019, where he taught Bible and history. He also served for two and a half years as the Athletic Director. Dan and his wife, Erin, have four children and two grandchildren and their two youngest children, Malachi (16) and Kennedy (15), are now juniors at ACS. Dan and his family worship at Calvary Chapel in Northfield, where he leads the young adults ministry and serves with his wife on the worship team. Dan said his life verse since high school has been Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Eighteen seniors processed into the school’s gymnasium on June 4 to receive their diplomas from Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen and Board of Directors’ Chair Les Tomlinson and to thank their teachers and family members for their guidance and support.

Mrs. Oblen opened the program by congratulating the students for making it through a year that has been “a faith walk in which none of us knew what was in store.” Oblen encouraged the students to let God be their guide as they step forward into the future. “It is my prayer that the Lord will fill you with faith, hope, love, and wisdom as you serve Him with the gifts and talents that He has given each of you,” Oblen said.

Upper School Principal Meg McHale gave the closing remarks, noting that the Class of 2021 had learned patience and resilience, “qualities that you will need as you move forward into the next stage of your lives.” She also announced that the students, most of who will be attending college in the fall, had received over $303,000 in scholarships after being offered over $1,027,000 from the various schools to which they applied. Two students — Jeremiah Engle and Joshua Jacoby — will be serving in the U.S. military.

Featured student speakers at Commencement — From left, Valedictorian Sydney Pearson, Salutatorian Kami DeNick, and Chloe Vogel, who delivered the Christian Character Address.

Salutatorian Kami DeNick, 17, of Mays Landing, thanked the administration, faculty, and staff for working hard to make the school year as normal as possible. “This past year was full of uncertainties, but through it all, the Lord gave us so many blessings,” DeNick said. She encouraged her fellow classmates from Deuteronomy 31:8, noting that as they step into the next chapter of their lives, “know that the Lord is going before us; He is writing our next chapter so we don’t need to be afraid.” DeNick was one of five students in the class who had attended ACS since kindergarten. She will be attending Liberty University in the fall.

Valedictorian Sydney Pearson, 18, of Egg Harbor Township, thanked the teachers for building relationships with their students that have helped guide them through their high school years. “You have had a forever impact on our lives,” Pearson said. “You have trained us how to think for ourselves and how to form our own opinions on what we personally believe instead of conforming to the world.” Pearson challenged her fellow graduates and those listening in the audience to keep their focus and attention on God and to strive to glorify Him in everything they do. “Don’t lose track of who you are in the Lord; keep Christ at the center of your mind no matter where life takes you,” Pearson said. Pearson also attended ACS since kindergarten. She will be attending Stockton University in the fall to pursue a degree in nursing.

Commencement keynote speaker Pastor Walter Nistorenko

Pastor Walter Nistorenko, lead pastor at Abundant Life Church in Seaville, delivered the commencement keynote address, and encouraged the graduates to discover and understand their identity and purpose in God. “Success in life is not about making money or achieving fame,” Nistorenko said. “When you discover the calling that God has for you — your God-given purpose — you will come alive and will be able to establish a legacy for you and your children.”

Senior Rebekah Kimmerley performed “My Wish,” accompanied by Mrs. Jane Zigner.

Other graduates who participated in the program were Chloe Vogel, who gave the Christian character address, and Rebekah Kimmerley, who sang an uplifting rendition of “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. Kimmerley has been a member of the High School Praise and Worship team that has led worship time during the weekly 6th-12th grade chapel. Vogel and Kimmerley will be attending Atlantic Cape Community College in the fall and plan to pursue careers in education.

CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of Commencement 2021 on the ACS website. Additional photos, taken by photographer John Loreaux, can be viewed and purchased at www.loreaux.zenfolio.com

Alumni Spotlight: ACS Alumni Making Their Mark in College and Beyond

ACS is pleased to recognize and congratulate several of its alumni who are making their mark in college, in the working world, and in other endeavors, building on the strong educational and spiritual foundation they received during their years at ACS. The alumni spotlighted here are Karen Kizer Woerner (’86), Tommy Tillis (’10), Dara Brown Heston (’11), Rachel Picking Tillis (’11), Hannah Schalles (’13), Paul Jones (’15), Sam Karabashian (’15), Lydia Dice (’16), and Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17). Profiles of these and many more ACS alumni can be found on the “Alumni News” page of the ACS website under the “News and Events” category.

Karen Kizer Woerner (’86) earned her BS in elementary education from Liberty University and wanted to return to her hometown to teach. She spent 15 years as an elementary teacher in Pleasantville, mostly as a 4th grade teacher.. During those years, she was named Teacher of the Year twice at the Leeds Avenue School and was nominated and chosen twice for the Who’s Who of American Teachers. Karen became a stay-at-home mom in 2005 and has been homeschooling her children, Kirsten and Andrew. This fall, Karen stepped back into the classroom part-time and is teaching 4th and 5th grade at Westminster Christian Academy.

Tommy Tillis (’10) joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served as a Navy rescue swimmer for six years, with three tours of duty to Bahrain. He is married to another ACS alumnus, Rachel Picking (’11), and they have two children, Ellie, and Cooper. While Tommy was serving in the Navy, the family lived in Norfolk, VA, but they returned to South Jersey in 2018. Tommy is now a firefighter in Ocean City, his life-long dream job, and Rachel is a stay-at-home mom. Rachel, who was valedictorian of the Class of 2010, attended Liberty University where she earned a BS in business administration.

Dara Brown Heston (’11), who has overseen the kitchen at the Atlantic City Rescue Mission for the past six years, recently became a Certified Medical Assistant and is working at a plasma clinic in Atlantic City.

Hannah Schalles (’13) graduated in May 2020 from Cedarville University with a Doctor of Pharmacy and is now doing her pharmacy residence at Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. She plans to pursue a career as a clinical pharmacist.

Paul Jones (’15) has relocated to Florida with his wife, Hunter, and daughter, Selah, to take a faculty position at Trinity Christian Academy in Lake Worth. Paul is teaching middle school Bible and history. He will also be an assistant coach on the Varsity Boys’ basketball team, a position Paul held at ACS for the past several years.

Sam Karabashian (’15) has been living and working in the nation’s capital since graduating in 2019 from Biola University with a degree in business analytics. He worked last year in the Capitol Hill office of Congressman Mark Green of Tennessee and recently took a position with DeLoitte, a global firm that provides audit, consulting, tax, and advisory services.

Lydia Dice (’16) graduated with honors in September 2020 from Lancaster Bible College with degrees in Bible and middle level education in science and math. She has moved to South Carolina to work for a gap year with One Life at South Wesleyan University while she pursues her Masters in higher education through Geneva University.

Dakota (DJ) Hitchner (’17) is in her junior year at Cairn University pursuing a degree in health and physical education. She has distinguished herself as a scholar and athlete, making the dean’s list every semester while playing on the Women’s Soccer Team and the Women’s Basketball team. She has made all-conference in both sports every year, has been captain of the Women’s Basketball team, and was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team of the Colonial States Athletic Conference. In September 2020, DJ was recognized for her athletic talents and leadership by being one of 10 players named to Cairn’s 2010-2020 All-Decade Women’s Basketball team. She is also student president of the athletic department and is responsible for planning student events on campus.

New Teacher Spotlight: Welcome to Mrs. Gomez, Mr. Rosie, and Miss Whisman

ACS is pleased to welcome and spotlight several faculty members who are new to the ACS staff this fall or have moved into new positions — Mrs. Estefany Gomez, Mr. Tim Rosie, and Miss Megan Whisman. Please pray with us that God will bless and guide them as they teach, mentor, and serve as Christian role models for our students.

Estefany Gomez is a new face in our Upper School for the 2020-2021 school year. She is teaching Middle School and High School Spanish, as well as 4th and 5th grade Spanish. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Estefany enjoys teaching her native language to her students and also sharing with them how following God’s plan for her life led her to ACS. She was planning to be an engineer when she started college at the Dominico Americano University, but God had a different plan and she eventually changed direction and earned a BA in education.

After getting married and moving to the United States, Estefany and her husband Miguel made their home in Atlantic City. They have two children, Graciela and Miguel Andres, and they are active in the Ciudad De Luz church, where Estefany leads the Children’s Ministry. Estefany started out part-time at ACS in 2018 teaching elementary Spanish. “I love working at ACS — I feel very much at home,” Estefany said.

A pivotal Bible verse that first impacted Estefany when she heard the gospel preached at the age of 14 is Jeremiah 1:5, which says: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Please give Estefany a warm ACS welcome as she follows her calling to be a light for Christ as she teaches Spanish to our 4th-12th grade students.

Tim Rosie is our new Director of K-12 Choral and Instrumental Music, which includes leading our Elementary and Middle School Bands and our Middle School and High School Choirs. Tim and his wife Stephanie live in Egg Harbor Township and met at Cedarville University, where they were both music majors. Tim is an accomplished trombone player, an instrument he first took up in the 5th grade.

Born and raised in Somers Point, he played in Mainland High School’s Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, and Marching Band, and is now also serving as the brass tech for the band. Tim has been sharing his love of music, and especially brass instruments, with budding young musicians for over 11 years as a private teacher in Texas and New Jersey.

You can also find Tim in church on Sundays leading praise and worship at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Egg Harbor Township. Please join us in welcoming Tim to ACS.

Megan Whisman is starting her first full school year at ACS, having joined the faculty last spring just a few weeks before the coronavirus outbreak closed the campus and moved classroom learning online. Megan is excited to be sharing her love of reading and American and British literature with her students in the 8th to 12th grades.

“The books we’re reading, even though they were written many years ago, are full of universal themes and truths that apply to everyone and are still relevant today,” Megan said. “We’re still wrestling with the same thoughts and ideas and some of these ideas have transformed the world.” Some of her favorite books include The Hobbit, Pride and Prejudice, Crime and Punishment, and A Christmas Carol. Megan earned her BA in humanities from Cincinnati Christian University and is now working on a Master’s degree in teaching with a concentration in English from Liberty University.

Born in North Carolina, Megan and her family relocated to New Jersey when she was seven. She is the second of four children and has been active in her father’s church, Milmay Christian Church. She enjoys working as a fellow teacher at ACS with her mother, Amy, who teaches high school history, and likes being able to wave an occasional hello in the hallway to her sister, Rachel, who is an ACS senior. In her spare time, Megan enjoys reading, writing, baking, and hiking.

Employee Spotlight – Teachers’ Aides Serving in Early Ed, K Classrooms

New to the ACS staff this year as full-time teachers’ aides are, from left, Mrs. Kristin Scull, Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro, and Miss Sarah Getty.

Every day is an adventure — that’s how three of our teachers’ aides describe their work day, smiling as they describe the joys and challenges of working with our youngest students in our Early Education and kindergarten classes. Mrs. Kristin Scull, Mrs. Ashley Vaccaro, and Miss Sarah Getty, pictured from left to right, all began last September as full-time aides and at this half-way point in the school year they are grateful and excited to be a part of the ACS family.

Vaccaro, an aide to kindergarten teacher Hayley Price, first came to ACS as a school parent, enrolling her now 6th grade son, Austin, in kindergarten seven years ago. Her son, Asher, is now also enrolled in PreK4. “As a parent, I saw how everyone here was part of a family and it was inspiring to me; I wanted to be a part of that,” Vaccaro said. She holds a BA in elementary education from Liberty University and is certified in special education and early childhood development. Prior to joining the ACS staff, she worked in the Northfield Community School as a special ed para-professional. She attends Fusion Church and helps with preschool care on Sundays.

Getty, who is an aide in Mrs. Nicole Warriner’s PreK2 class, said she has always loved being with children, and gained valuable experience helping for many years with Kids Club, VBS, and children’s Sunday School at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Egg Harbor Township. “The favorite part of my job is seeing the excitement the children have whenever they learn something new,” Getty said. “Little accomplishments make they happy, like when I teach a child how to put on their shoes and socks, they get so excited when they are able to do it on their own.”

Scull, who has three adult children and three grandchildren, enjoys loving on our youngest students as an aide in Mrs. Chambers’ PreK1 Infant classroom. “Every day is an adventure and it’s never boring,” Scull said. “I love working with children at this age because they grow so much and you can have such a big impact on them.” Scull attends Fusion Church, where she is part of the media production team, runs small groups, and teachers in kids’ church.

Staff Spotlight — New Upper School English and History Teachers

ACS is excited to welcome three more new teachers to our Upper School this year. Catie Lee (left), our new Middle School English teacher, comes to ACS after three years of teaching in Pittsgrove Township and at Ambassador Christian Academy. She has a Bachelor’s in Education with a minor in Special Ed. from Liberty University. She is currently working on a Master’s from Liberty as well. Lee and her husband, Casey, attend Kingsway Church in Glassboro where she serves on the Events Team. “I feel so blessed to be at ACS this year,” Lee says. “It is awesome to be part of a team that truly is ‘all in’ for Jesus.”

Amy Whisman (center) teaches High School History, applying both her Master’s degree in History from Liberty University and her teaching experience in local church and home-school settings. The Whisman family worships at Milmay Christian Church where Amy serves in women’s, children’s, and worship ministries, while her husband David is the lead minister. Joining Mrs. Whisman at ACS is her daughter, Rachel, who is in 10th grade.

Katie Callahan (right), a 2009 ACS alumna, teaches High School English. She has a BS in Psychology from Messiah College and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers-Camden. Before joining the ACS faculty, Callahan was an adjunct English instructor at Camden County College and Atlantic Cape Community College. She attends Fellowship Community Church in Collingswood, NJ and leads a young adult community group there. “I am excited to be working at my alma mater,” Callahan said, “because I had wonderful teachers who encouraged me in Christ yet also pushed me to think for myself, and I get to be that teacher for so many unique, spiritually hungry kids. I also get to expose my students daily to what I believe are some of God’s greatest gifts to us: the abilities to create and communicate through writing, and the appreciation of those abilities in others through reading.”