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.”