Faculty & Staff

Caleb French

Elementary Choir, 9th Grade Bible, High School Choir, 6th-8th Grade Choir

Caleb joined the ACA family in the fall of 2014 as the Director of Music. He graduated with a B.A. in Bible and a Master of Music in Church Music from Bob Jones University located in Greenville, SC. Caleb has 9 years of teaching experience.

Caleb French

Elementary Choir, 9th Grade Bible, High School Choir, 6th-8th Grade Choir

Caleb joined the ACA family in the fall of 2014 as the Director of Music. He graduated with a B.A. in Bible and a Master of Music in Church Music from Bob Jones University located in Greenville, SC. Caleb has 9 years of teaching experience.

Chandler Russell

Student Life Director, Elementary P.E., 6th Grade History, 7th-8th Grade Boys Bible, Boys P.E., Athletic Director, Health and Safety Coordinator

Chandler joined ACA staff in June of 2021. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a B.A. in Bible with a Youth Ministry Concentration and from Pensacola Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has two years of teaching experience.

Chandler Russell

Student Life Director, Elementary P.E., 6th Grade History, 7th-8th Grade Boys Bible, Boys P.E., Athletic Director, Health and Safety Coordinator

Chandler joined ACA staff in June of 2021. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a B.A. in Bible with a Youth Ministry Concentration and from Pensacola Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has two years of teaching experience.

Chandler Russell

Student Life Director, Elementary P.E., 6th Grade History, 7th-8th Grade Boys Bible, Boys P.E., Athletic Director, Health and Safety Coordinator

Chandler joined ACA staff in June of 2021. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a B.A. in Bible with a Youth Ministry Concentration and from Pensacola Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has two years of teaching experience.

Chandler Russell

Student Life Director, Elementary P.E., 6th Grade History, 7th-8th Grade Boys Bible, Boys P.E., Athletic Director, Health and Safety Coordinator

Chandler joined ACA staff in June of 2021. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a B.A. in Bible with a Youth Ministry Concentration and from Pensacola Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He has two years of teaching experience.

Cheryl Manney

Study Hall

After homeschooling her children for 10 years, Cheryl began substitute teaching in Colorado before moving to Arizona. Cheryl joined ACA staff in 2021 as a study hall teacher.

Debbie Stover

Debbie joined ACA family in the fall of 2007. She received a Child Development Associate Credential from Glendale Community College. Debbie has been teaching for 19 years.

Dora Mendoza

Elementary Art, Instructional Aid

Dora graduated from ACA in 2019. She has since received an Animation Certificate from Huntington University Arizona Center for Digital Media Arts, which has given her a wide range of skills with different types of media including traditional, digital, and filming arts.

Dr. Kevin Schaal

12th Grade Speech, 12th Grade Bible

Pastor Schaal started our church, Northwest Valley Baptist Church, in 1987. In 2000, NWVBC established ACA. Pastor Schaal received a B.A. from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC; an M.Div. from Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, PA; and a Doctor of Ministry from International Baptist College in Chandler, AZ. He has 36 years of ministry experience.

Dr. Kevin Schaal 

12th Grade Speech, 12th Grade Bible

Pastor Schaal started our church, Northwest Valley Baptist Church, in 1987. In 2000, NWVBC established ACA. Pastor Schaal received a B.A. from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC; an M.Div. from Calvary Baptist Seminary in Lansdale, PA; and a Doctor of Ministry from International Baptist College in Chandler, AZ. He has 36 years of ministry experience.

Elizabeth Horkavy

Elizabeth joined us in 2023 for her first year of teaching. She graduated with a B.A. in Bible and Teacher Education from International Baptist College and Seminary in Chandler, Arizona. She has enjoyed teaching Sunday School for the last 7 years.

Emerson Yazzie

6th Grade Bible, 9th Grade Computers, Advanced Computers, Maintenance

Emerson joined the ACA family in 2022. He graduated from International Baptist College & Seminary in Chandler, AZ, with a B.A. in Bible and Teacher Education. He has 3 years of teaching experience.

Emerson Yazzie

6th Grade Bible, 9th Grade Computers, Advanced Computers, Maintenance

Emerson joined the ACA family in 2022. He graduated from International Baptist College & Seminary in Chandler, AZ, with a B.A. in Bible and Teacher Education. He has 3 years of teaching experience.

Emerson Yazzie

6th Grade Bible, 9th Grade Computers, Advanced Computers, Maintenance

Emerson joined the ACA family in 2022. He graduated from International Baptist College & Seminary in Chandler, AZ, with a B.A. in Bible and Teacher Education. He has 3 years of teaching experience.

Emily Wermager

Math, 7th-8th Grade Girls Bible

Emily graduated from ACA in 2011. She received a B.S. in Math Education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. After teaching in New York, she returned to ACA in the fall of 2019. She has 8 years of teaching experience.

Erika Beltran

Recess, Aid

Before working at ACA, Erika was involved in children’s ministry for 7 years and was a leader in this area for 2 years. She joined ACA staff in 2023 as a recess supervisor and Art aid.

Gayle Eberhardt

7th, 8th Grade Science, 8^th Grade Health, Biology, Resource, Accreditation and Instruction Coordinator

Gayle began working at ACA in the summer of 2014. She graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Science Teaching. She also received a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Gayle has 17 years of teaching experience.

Gayle Eberhardt

7th, 8th Grade Science, 8^th Grade Health, Biology, Resource, Accreditation and Instruction Coordinator

Gayle began working at ACA in the summer of 2014. She graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Science Teaching. She also received a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Gayle has 17 years of teaching experience.

Gayle Eberhardt

7th, 8th Grade Science, 8^th Grade Health, Biology, Resource, Accreditation and Instruction Coordinator

Gayle began working at ACA in the summer of 2014. She graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a minor in Science Teaching. She also received a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Gayle has 17 years of teaching experience.

Jan Deyton

English, Literature

Jan joined the ACA staff in the fall of 2000. She received a B.A. from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. She has 36 years of teaching experience.

Jesse Boyd

Elementary Band, Middle School Band, High School Band, Private Lessons

Jesse joined the ACA family in 2023 after receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in Horn Performance from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. He also completed the class and lesson requirements for a degree in Piano Performance while studying there. He is currently working on a Masters in Horn Performance from Arizona State University. Jesse has taught private lessons for 2 years.

Jesse Mendoza

Elementary General Music, Strings, Private Lessons

Jesse joined ACA staff in 2022. He attended International Baptist College and Seminary in Chandler AZ, where he received a B.A. in Bible and in Church Music. Jesse has enjoyed playing violin for 20 years and teaching for 12 years.

Justin Howe

History, Government, Economics, Consumer Math

Justin joined ACA staff in the fall of 2007. He graduated with a B.S. in Social Studies Education from Maranatha Baptist University located in Watertown, WI. He has 16 years of teaching experience.

Kristopher Schaal

10th-11th Grade Bible

Pastor Kris graduated from ACA in 2006. He received a B.A. in Church Music from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and a Master of Divinity from International Baptist College & Seminary in Chandler, AZ. In the fall of 2010, Pastor Kris returned to ACA to teach until God called his family to California in 2014. After 6 years, he came back to Arizona in 2020 as the Youth & Discipleship Pastor at NWVBC as well as a Bible teacher at ACA. He has 7 years of teaching experience and 11 years of ministry experience.

Lelania Shaw

6th Grade Language Arts, Math, & Science

Lelania joined ACA in 2023 as the 6th grade ELA and Science teacher. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, CA. She previously taught kindergarten and then homeschooled her children after that. Lelania has 2 years of classroom teaching experience.

Letha Tachick

Instructional Aid, Private Lessons

Letha began giving lessons at ACA in 2021. She earned a B.Mus. in Piano Pedagogy from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She has 34 years of teaching experience.

Linda Guthrie

Yearbook Coordinator, Christian Schools of Arizona Secretary

Linda joined ACA staff in June of 2002. She has worked as a secretary in Christian schools for a total of 36 years. Linda was previously a cheerleading sponsor for 10 years in Michigan and has been the Yearbook Coordinator at Arrowhead for 21 years.

Linda Guthrie

Yearbook Coordinator, Christian Schools of Arizona Secretary

Linda joined ACA staff in June of 2002. She has worked as a secretary in Christian schools for a total of 36 years. Linda was previously a cheerleading sponsor for 10 years in Michigan and has been the Yearbook Coordinator at Arrowhead for 21 years.

Mark French

Administrator, 12th Grade Bible

Pastor French joined the ACA staff in August of 2010. He graduated with a B.S. in Pastoral Theology and a Master of Education from Hyles Anderson College in Crown Point, IN. He has been in ministry for 39 years and has served as a school administrator for 34 years.

Mark French

Administrator, 12th Grade Bible, 8th Grade Math

Pastor French joined the ACA staff in August of 2010. He graduated with a B.S. in Pastoral Theology and a Master of Education from Hyles Anderson College in Crown Point, IN. He has been in ministry for 39 years and has served as a school administrator for 34 years.

Marla Shay

12th Grade Speech

Marla joined ACA staff in January of 2022 as a co-teacher in 4th grade. She then taught 6th grade math, 8th grade health, and 12th grade speech. Marla has had a passion for drama and has been involved with performances for over 10 years.

Megan Russell

Fifth Grade, Community Relations Coordinator, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Megan graduated from ACA in 2015. She received a B.S. in Educational Studies with an English Education emphasis and a M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, WI. She worked in curriculum development for 3 years before joining ACA staff in 2021. Megan has 2 years of teaching experience.

Megan Russell

Fifth Grade, Community Relations Coordinator, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Megan graduated from ACA in 2015. She received a B.S. in Educational Studies with an English Education emphasis and a M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, WI. She worked in curriculum development for 3 years before joining ACA staff in 2021. Megan has 2 years of teaching experience.

Rebecca Andersen

Rebecca joined ACA staff in 2018. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Rebecca has enjoyed teaching for 14 years.

Sandra Schaal

Life Skills, Chemistry, Physical Science

Sandra began working at ACA in 2006 after homeschooling her children for a number of years. She received a B.S. in Secondary Education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She has 16 years of teaching experience.

Sherisa Victory

Sherisa began teaching at ACA in the fall of 2002. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL, with a B.S. Elementary Education. She has 21 years of teaching experience.

Susan Hughes

Susan joined ACA staff in the fall of 2011. She received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Andersonville Seminary in Carmilla, GA. Susan has enjoyed teaching for the last 20 years.

Sutira Turnquist

Academy Office Manager, Discipline Records Secretary, Student Records Secretary

Sutira began working at ACA the summer of 2021. She graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, IA, with an Associate Degree in Office Administration. Prior to coming to ACA, Sutira worked as an administrative assistant for a mutual fund company and at a Christian school in Wisconsin, with a break in between to homeschool her children for seven years.

Teresa Scott

Recess, Physics

Teresa graduated from ACA in 2009. She received a B.S. from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. In 2023, she joined ACA staff as a recess supervisor and Physics teacher.

Tim Waycaster

Tuition Accounts, Scholarships Facilitator

Tim graduated from ACA in 2009. He then earned a B.A. in History from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. Before working at ACA, Tim served for one year as administrative assistant to the director of Ironwood Camp in California and worked at Amazon for five years in shipping and as a safety process assistant.