PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY - Key Persons
Alice is a College of Charleston graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She currently serves as the Preschool music teacher at PCA. Before teaching, she served as a caseworker with the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Her prior musical experience has included involvement with the ECBC Children's Ministry as well as a passion to instill the love of music - especially hymns - in children, both of which has prepared her to serve in her current capacity. Alice has been continuously involved at PCA as both a teacher and a parent for many years, as she and her husband, Ryan, have three children who all attended PCA for a number of years.
Amy graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Masters in Education. She currently serves as the Administrative Assistant in PCA's preschool. Her experience in education has included teaching 5th grade in Gaston, SC, before moving to Mount Pleasant. She began working at PCA in 1997 as a kindergarten teacher and later a 3rd grade teacher. Amy stopped teaching after having her first child, but return to teach in the PCA Preschool in 2006. She and her husband, Trey, have four children - Ellie Graham, Emily, Grayson, and Wyatt. She spends her free time with her family, traveling, and enjoying the Lowcountry coast.
Amy received her degree in Elementary Early Childhood Education with a minor in Spanish from Columbia College. She currently teaches three year old class at PCA, where she has worked for many years. Amy and her husband, Richard, have three children and have been serving at Seacoast Church for more than twenty years.
Billie Ann earned a degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master's in Literacy from The Citadel. She currently teaches fifth grade Language Arts at PCA, having previously taught fourth grade for seven years. She is well versed in integrating technology into the classroom and is an ambassador for Showbie and Book Creator. Since 2005, Billie Ann has served at Palmetto Girl's State, helping to inspire female leaders. She is also involved with her church, Seacoast, as a middle school small group leader. She and her husband, Scott, have one daughter.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Upper School Dean of Students
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Dale graduated from The Citadel in 1990 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He currently serves as the Athletic Director at PCA. Before his current position, he was a volunteer coach for football, cross-country, basketball, soccer, and track. He is the head coach for cross-country and track, and served as the President of the PCA Athletic Booster Club from 2012-2014. Dale has always been heavily involved with athletics, having run cross-country, Indoor track, and Outdoor track at The Citadel. He is also very active in his church, being a member of the East Cooper Baptist Church Choir and having attended ECBC since 1989. He and his wife, Tasha, have two children.
Job Titles:
- Upper School History Teacher
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
Darla graduated Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications at PCA. Before coming to PCA, she was the evening television news anchor at News 2 in Charleston. Darla spent 15 years in television journalism, including anchor roles in Phoenix, Birmingham, and Augusta. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, both of whom have attended PCA since kindergarten. Darla is grateful for the opportunity to serve in a Christian ministry which has been a tremendous blessing to her family.
Job Titles:
- Middle School English Teacher
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- 5th Grade History & Bible Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Lower School STEM Coordinator
Ellen earned her Bachelor's Degree of Education from Charleston Southern University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early Literacy. She currently serves as Lower School STEM Coordinator at PCA, before which she taught for 9 years in Dorchester District 2. An active member of East Cooper Baptist, she and her husband, Daniel, have a son named Ford. In her free time, Ellen enjoys reading and photography.
Emily graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Elementary Education. She is currently a Preschool Assistant at PCA, before which she worked as a Kindergarten assistant and 5th grade teacher. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys teaching Sunday School and volunteering with VBS each summer. Emily and her husband, Jason, were married in 2002 and have three children who attend PCA. Her personal hobbies include reading, hiking in the woods with her family, and spending time on the beach.
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
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- Middle School Math Teacher
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- Upper School Bible Teacher
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- Upper School History Teacher
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- Upper School Bible Teacher
Job Titles:
- Headmaster
- Administration
JD received his Masters Degree in Christian School Administration from Regent University in Virginia Beach. He serves as PCA's Headmaster, where he began working in 2016. Prior to coming to PCA, he served as Academic Counselor, Secondary Principal, and the Head of School at Immanuel Christian School in El Paso, Texas. Before beginning his career in education, JD worked in healthcare for 20 years, leaving his position as a General Manager for Quest Diagnostics when he felt a calling to Christian Education. His and his wife, Selina, have been happily married for more than 30 years. They have two married children, both of whom graduated from Immanuel Christian.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Drama Teacher
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Admin Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Middle School History Teacher
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- High School Spanish Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle School Science Teacher
Job Titles:
- Upper School English Teacher / Lower School
Job Titles:
- High School Spanish Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Lisa is a graduate of Liberty University where she received a Bachelor's degree in religion. She is currently at PCA Preschool teacher, having served in the two year old class and now as an assistant in the fours. Her mom, Donna, has been a lower school teacher at PCA for many years.
Lisa graduated from the University of South Carolina and currently works at PCA teaching four year olds. Before beginning at PCA in 2005, she worked in the banking industry and spent time as a stay at home mom. Lisa and her husband, Mitch, are members of East Cooper Baptist Church and have two children, Jonathan and Ashley.
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions
- Director of Admissions / Support
Lisa received her Bachelor's Degree in Retail Management from the University of South Carolina. She currently serves as the Director of Admissions for PCA. Before starting at PCA, she worked as a regional manager with the J.C. Penney Company for several years, but developed a desire to serve in the ministry. Lisa loves to share about the Christ centered mission of PCA to prospective families seeking a Christian education. She is a member of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and the Tri-County Admissions Council. Lisa and her husband, Chris, are members of East Cooper Baptist Church and are deeply involved at PCA. They have two sons, both of whom graduated PCA.
Job Titles:
- 5th Grade Math & Science Teacher
Lisa earned her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and her Master's degree in Elementary Teaching. She currently teaches 5th grade math at PCA having previously taught 4th grade for four years at PCA and 5th grade at Belle Hall Elementary School. She and her husband, Shannon, have two sons-Jackson and Wyatt, both PCA graduates and Clemson Tigers. Lisa enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Principals
Job Titles:
- High School Science Teacher
Margaret graduated from USC and earned a Master's of Education from Lesley University. She currently teaches preschool school at PCA. Her entire working career has been spent using her God-given talent to teach preschool, and she particularly loves doing so at PCA. Margaret is heavily involved in PCA's parent-teacher organization, as she is the mother of two "lifers". She and her husband, Dan, are dedicated to the mission and goals of PCA and are thankful for the impact the school has made in their lives.
Job Titles:
- Integrated Kindergarten Teacher
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Matt received his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Coastal Carolina University. He currently serves as an Upper School Physical Education teacher at PCA, as well as an assistant football and baseball coach. Matt also helps lead PCA's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. While at Coastal Carolina, he played football for the Chanticleers. He and his wife, Kayla, who works for Campus Outreach at the College of Charleston, live in Charleston where they enjoy exploring downtown and finding great restaurants.
Job Titles:
- Student Activities Coordinator & Yearbook Advisor
Job Titles:
- Band Director
- High School Bible Teacher
Mike received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Furman University and a Master's in Music Education from Winthrop University. He currently teaches as the PCA Band instructor. He has taught for more than 20 years and is also the Instrumental Music Director at East Cooper Baptist Church. Mike was awarded the "Teacher of the Year" award for Rawlinson Road MS in Rock Hill, SC for the 1998-99 school year and the District Teacher of the Year for Rock Hill School District Three from 1999-2000. He and his wife, Susan, have four children - Abigail, Andrew, Jonathan, and Timothy.
Job Titles:
- Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Myra earned Bachelor's degrees in Biology and Chemistry and a Master's degree in Molecular Physiology, as well as a Master of Arts in Education. Most recently she earned her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. She has over 13 years of experience in education, including teaching at both the high school and college levels. She worked as a curriculum consultant for two years serving the 33 Catholic schools across South Carolina. Beyond her specialities in curriculum and instruction, Myra has experience with school accreditation, testing procedures and analysis, and extensive diversity training. She and her husband, Patrick, are both originally from West Virginia but have lived in Charleston since 2013.
Peg graduated from Francis Marion College with a BA in sociology. She is currently a teacher's assistant for PCA Preschool in the four year old class, and has worked at PCA for more than twenty years. She and her husband, Johnny, have one daughter, Christy, and one grandchild. Peg considers being a grandma the most wonderful thing, and considers her family very sports minded, and she particularly enjoys golf.
Rachel received a B.S. in Mathematics Teaching from Clemson University and a M.S. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. She currently teaches Upper School Math at PCA and is the Varsity Cheer Game Day coach. Before joining the PCA family in 2014, she taught for ten years in the public school system, and has experience teaching Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Precalculus, and AP Calculus. Outside of teaching, she is a Children's Church Director at Crossroads Community Church of James Island. Rachel and her husband, Jon, have two children who attend PCA.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Athletic Director
Job Titles:
- Upper School STEM Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Middle School Bible Teacher
Job Titles:
- Director of Institutional Advancement
Sarah earned her B.A. in Spanish and Masters in Education from Converse College. She currently serves as PCA's Director of Development. Sarah has taught upper school Spanish, served as the Spanish Club Sponsor, coached Varsity Volleyball, and was a Yearbook Advisor, all at independent schools. Sarah has served on ACSI accreditation teams, presented at the Southern Conference of Language Teachers, and been trained by the Southern Association of Independent Schools in Administrative Leadership and Development. She, her husband, and children live in Awendaw.
Sarah attended the University of Connecticut and received her Bachelor of Science in Special Education. After graduating, she taught in Maryland and received her Masters in Specific Learning Disabilities and Reading from Loyola University. She currently serves as PCA's Resource Coordinator. Sarah's many years of teaching experience include starting Dominion Christian School and being a resource room coordinator, a professionally certified educational therapist, and a number of other administrative and teaching positions in both public and private schools. Her hobbies include being at the barn, where she loves riding her horse on the trails and in the dressage ring.
Sean graduated from Messiah College in 2013 with a B.A. in History Education. He currently serves as PCA's Upper School Principal, but previously taught World History/Geography in the Middle School. He and his wife, Erin, live in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Job Titles:
- Special Projects Coordinator
- Special Projects Coordinator / Upper School
Selina received a B.A. in American Literature from the University of Texas at El Paso. She currently serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for PCA. Before coming to PCA, she taught English at an inner-city high school, worked as the Academic Counselor for a Christian school, and worked in sales, all while in El Paso, TX. Selina and her husband, JD, have two children. Their oldest, Aaron, lives in New York City with his wife Corrie Beth, and their youngest, Stephanie, lives in Anderson, SC with her husband, Derrick. She and JD enjoy going to the beach and are excited grandparents of their first grandchild.
Sharon attended Emmanuel College and Charleston Southern University, where she received a degree in Elementary Education. She currently serves as the Preschool Director at PCA, but has experience teaching 2nd and 3rd grades at Jennie Moore Elementary. She has worked for East Cooper Baptist Church since 2000 and PCA since 2005. Sharon is active in the church, having once traveled through the US ministering through music during the summers with Emmanuel Singers from Emmanuel College and New Vision from Charleston Southern University. She and her husband, Mike, are long time members of ECBC and have three children, Anna, Michael, and Lauren.
Job Titles:
- High School English Teacher
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Shelly received her bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She currently serves as a Physical Education teacher at PCA, as well as having been a small group Bible Study leader, middle school Volleyball coach, and upper school chapel leader. She and her husband, Jimmy, have worked in ministry for more than 20 years. They live in Mount Pleasant and have two children, Bailey and Tyson, both of whom attend PCA. When not working, their family enjoys traveling and surfing.
Susan obtained her Bachelor of Science in Education at the College of Charleston. She currently teaches preschool at PCA. Though she began working at PCA in 2016, she has many years of teaching experience, all of which in Mount Pleasant. Susan has also served as an age group coordinator and developed curriculum for this young age group.
Teresa currently teaches preschool at PCA. Before teaching, she worked as a Neurodiagnostic Technician at MUSC and then at Diversified Medical. She has also spent time as a stay and home mom, worked with different employers, and owned a Molly Maid franchise. She and her husband, Mark, have been members of ECBC for more than 15 years and have served in the children's ministries for many of those years. They have a daughter named Lydia, who is currently at PCA. Teresa also likes to spend time fostering and rescuing dogs, as she has a passion for animals. Her family also likes to spend a portion of their vacation each year taking supplies to impoverished schools.
Tiffany earned her degree in nursing, but felt God moving her to PCA and has worked there since 2010. She currently serves as a Preschool teacher and has also had experience as a preschool worship leader, PTF member, and substitute in the lower and upper school. She attends Seacoast Church with her husband, Matt. Her children, Wes and Lindsay, both attend PCA.
Job Titles:
- Director of Campus Security
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant Preschool Director
Job Titles:
- High School English Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle School Leadership Teacher