Classes Description and Teachers Bios - Covenant Christian Academy

The following academic courses are offered:

SCIENCE:

Biology, Physical Science, Marine Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, Electronics, Science Clubs

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE:

Calculus, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Intro to Computer/C Programming

ENGLISH – LITERATURE – WRITING:

Elements of Literature, World Literature, British Literature, American Literature, Literature Circle, Writing Workshop

HISTORY-GOVERNMENT-GEOGRAPHY

American History, Street Law, World Geography

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

German I, II, III, and IV, Spanish I, II, French I, II

DEBATE AND SPEECH

High School Debate, Junior High Debate, Fun with Debate, High School Speech, Junior High School Speech, Fun with Speech,

MUSIC-BAND

The Band Program

NEWSPAPER – YEARBOOK

Falcon Newspaper, Yearbook

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ART

Junior High and High School Art,

COURSES DESCRIPTION:

SCIENCE

1. Biology

Instructor: Rhonda Lisauckis 1.0 Credit
Students will use Bob Jones Biology, 4th edition textbook and lab manual and engage in a variety of hands-on lab activities.

Topics covered will include cellular processes, genetics, classification of organisms from bacteria to animals, human anatomy and physiology. Students will dissect an earthworm, shark and frog and learn how to use a microscope to study cells and simple organisms on a cellular level. Students will learn to design and conduct a science project that will culminate in competing in the local school fair in February. Students who win a place award are eligible to enter the North Alabama Science and Engineering Fair at UA Huntsville in March.

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2. Physical Science

Instructor: Rhonda Lisauckis 1.0 Credit
Students will engage in a variety of hands-on lab activities using the Bob Jones Physical Science 5th Edition textbook and lab manual.

First semester will cover basic chemistry concepts. Students will give an oral report and write an abstract on a current journal article covering a science topic. Second semester will cover basic physics concepts. Students will research bridge building concepts, prepare a full-scale drawing, build a simple balsa wood bridge and compete with the other students in class to determine bridge efficiency. Students must have had Algebra 1 or be taking Algebra 1 concurrently with physical science to be prepared to work with simple equations.

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3. Marine Science

Instructor: Rhonda Lisauckis 1.0 Credit
This course will use Amsco’s Marine Science: Marine Biology and Oceanography, 3rd Edition textbook.

Biology is a prerequisite for this course. Students will work with microscopes, perform lab activities and dissect a shark. A field trip is planned to the Georgia Aquarium in the spring. Students are required to prepare a PowerPoint presentation each semester to cover a topic from the textbook.

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4. Anatomy & Physiology

Instructor: Angela York 1.0 Credit

5. Physics

Instructor: Cassie Lofts 1.0 Credit
This class prepares students to communicate science and think logically about problem solving while studying algebra-based classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and optics.

Students will engage in a variety of hands-on lab activities and learn to prepare lab reports, abstracts, and oral presentations using the Bob Jones curriculum. Students will also learn to design and conduct an experiment as part of a project second semester. This class is considered a laboratory science course and is math-intensive.

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6. Electronics

Instructor: Cassie Lofts 1.0 Credit $135/semester+ 25 lab fee/semester
This class introduces analog circuits and takes a brief look at digital logic design.

The main focus of the class is hands-on lab activities. Students learn how circuit components work, reading circuit schematics, breadboarding, simulating circuits in LT SPICE software, troubleshooting, using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and multimeters, and exploring electronics-related careers. Students also learn to keep a proper laboratory notebook. Approx. 2-3 hours of homework is assigned weekly, consisting mostly of reading, viewing web-based tutorials, simulating circuits, and finishing up lab calculations. No programming will be done in this class. Class is limited to10th-12th graders.

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7. Science Clubs

Instructor: Betsy Morgan non-credit
Students in grades 1-6 can participate in Science clubs either once or twice a month.

Science clubs are designed to get students excited about science through various hands-on activities over a variety of scientific topics. Students are divided into 3 groups: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6 and each group meets for one hour
two (or one if you choose) Thursday each month. They study bones, leaves, birds, airplanes, amoeba, electricity, and many other topics.

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MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

1. Calculus

Instructor: Cassie Lofts 1.0 Credit
This class bridges the gap between high school and college course expectations and prepares students for college-level math classes by introducing the major topics covered in the first two semesters of college calculus plus a thorough trig review.

The Saxon curriculum is used. Problem solving is taught step-by-step with reduced problem difficulty and slower speed of coverage than a college course. Students are taught habits that will help them do well in college: time management, asking for help, wise answer key use, preparing for tests, and test-taking strategies. Students are eligible for the AP Calculus AB test upon course completion.

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2. Geometry

Instructor: Cassie Lofts 1.0 Credit
Students will learn logical thinking, problem solving, proofs, shapes, volume and area calculations using the Saxon Geometry textbook.

Students will receive a thorough algebra review throughout this course. Students will engage in hands-on activities including measuring, assembling 3-D shapes, perspective drawing, and introductory drafting techniques. This curriculum also prepares students thoroughly for the geometry sections of the SAT and ACT tests.

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3. Pre-Algebra

Instructor: Regina Tinker 1.0 Credit
The class will concentrate on building a strong foundation in math to prepare the student for Algebra.

Some topics covered include Prime and Composite numbers; fractions & decimals; order of operations, coordinates, exponents, square roots, ratios, algebraic phrases, probability, the Pythagorean Theorem and more. The class will use Saxon Algebra ½ material.

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4. Algebra I

Instructor: Regina Tinker 1.0 Credit
The class helps students develop an understanding to resolve more complex problems while building a strong foundation in Algebra.

Some topics covered include signed numbers, exponents; roots; absolute value; equations and inequalities; scientific notations; unit conversions; polynomials; graphs; factoring; quadratic equations; direct and inverse variations; exponential growth; statistics; and probability. The class will use Saxon Algebra 1 material. This class counts as a high school credit.

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5. Algebra II

Instructor: Regina Tinker 1.0 Credit
The class builds on Algebra 1 concepts and covers more advanced concepts.

Some topics include geometric functions like angles, perimeters, and proportional segments; negative exponents; quadratic equations; metric conversions; logarithms; and advanced factoring. The class will use Saxon Algebra 2 material.

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6. Pre-Calculus

Instructor: Regina Tinker 1.0 Credit
The class covers functions and trigonometric concepts for Calculus.

Some topics include graphs; polynomials and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometry; vectors; matrix manipulation. The class will use Pre-Calculus: Mathematics for Calculus.

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7. Intro to Computer/C Programming

Instructor: Regina Tinker 1.0 Credit
The first semester will be a review of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The second semester is designed to build a strong foundation in computer programming using the C language. This class is for students in the 11th or 12th grade.

ENGLISH – LITERATURE – WRITING

1. Elements of Literature

Instructor: Susan Herder 1.0 Credit
This class is structured as the introductory class in a high school/college prep literature sequence. It will focus on literary terms, genres of literature and developing the writing skills necessary for analysis. Grades 8-10. *8th graders can receive high school credit for the course.

2. World Literature

Instructor: Susan Herder 1.0 Credit
This class will introduce literary analysis and study classic literature from around the world. The class is structured to further the student’s ability to understand and compose thoughtful literary analysis. Grades 10-12.

3. British Literature

Instructor: Susan Herder 1.0 Credit
This class will prepare the upper high school student to be prepared for college-level writing.

We will study British Literature by time period and understand how historical, religious, and political events influenced the literature of the time. This class is for the mature student who is motivated to improve his or her writing skills. Grades 11-12.

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4. American Literature

Instructor: Susan Herder 1.0 Credit
This class will prepare the upper high school student to be prepared for college-level writing.

We will study American Literature by time period and understand how historical, religious, and political events influenced the literature of the time. We will also explore and identify other worldviews that the Christian student will confront in college and understand how they differ from Christianity. This class is for the mature student who is motivated to improve his or her writing skills. Grades 11-12.

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5. Literature and Writing Gr. 6-8

Instructor: Debbie Lightfoot non-credit
This is an interactive class for grades 6-8 that includes lively discussion, writing, and various learning activities and games.

American History Writing (IEW) Gr. 4-6

6. Writing Workshop

Instructor: Abbie Blevins non-credit
This is an interactive writing class for grades 4-6 in which students learn various techniques, grammar, and punctuation that help them become effective writers.

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The course includes light weekly homework assignments.

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HISTORY-GOVERNMENT-GEOGRAPHY

1. American History

Instructor: Cheryl Ingwersen 1.0 credit
Students in grades 8-11 will be using Glencoe’s The American Vision.

This course explores American history from 1775 to the dawn of the 21st century and the War on terrorism through an interdisciplinary approach that includes literature, art, and biographies. Students are encouraged to integrate information, discover patterns, and develop critical thinking skills in their responses to significant issues and events in American history. Throughout this course, students are required to use information from the text and related sources to evaluate causes and explore values in history. All assignments are designed to help students think more widely, make connections, and reach their own conclusions. Students will be viewing and interpreting periods in U.S. history from various perspectives, including historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural. Together, these perspectives can help them understand how the past has led to the present and how to appreciate their role in shaping the future. The course will consist of reading assignments, presentations, lecture, debates, quizzes, role play, Projects, classroom participation,group work, homework, music and videos.

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2. Street Law

Instructor: Cheryl Ingwersen .5 Credit
This semester long social studies elective for 9th-12th graders serves as an introductory course to law and legal systems in the United States.

Units will include Introduction to Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and the Criminal Justice Process, and Civil Law (Torts, Contracts and Family Law). Like any introductory course, Street Law is a survey. We will touch on broad and specific legal topics to give students a better understanding of law and how it affects them in real life. We will use case studies, individual research, group discussion / debate, and guest speakers throughout the course in order to reach our goal. Dueling opinions and lively debate should be the norm in this course making the class fun, enriching and meaningful. There will be discussion based questions. There will be weekly homework covering various court cases and the impact of the court decisions. One group project will be assigned.

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3. World Geography

Instructor: Cheryl Ingwersen 1.0 Credit
Students in grades 9-12 will use the Glencoe text. They will cover basic historical places across the world.

Maps will be completed weekly with unit test monthly. 2 group projects will be assigned. This course presents a clear and comprehensive coverage of geography, encourages active learning, and introduces the tools and technologies used by geographers. The course is organized into eleven units by geographic region, with individual lessons on each region’s physical and cultural geography, and its place in the modern world. Throughout the course, students learn how geography has affected historical events in various regions of the world, and case studies provide opportunities to discuss the environmental challenges facing the world’s regions.

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FOREIGN LANGUAGE

1. German III, and IV

Instructor: Cookie Halbritter 1.0 Credit
Courses are designed for older students. German classes consist of memorizing vocabulary, learning grammatical structure as well as concurrent English equivalents.

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities are incorporated in the class sessions. Homework and exams will show what the student has learned. Along with this they will learn history, culture and even religion to give a well rounded context for the language. Special hands on activities will also be used to enhance what the students are learning. All exercises will be progressive throughout the year as the student improves.

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2. Spanish I and II

Instructor: Brittany Moore 1.0 Credit
The purpose of this course is to expose students to Spanish language and cultures.

Students will develop a basic proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing that will allow them to communicate about themselves, relatives, and friends. Students will learn vocabulary to help them in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. Students will also have Bible verses to memorize every week. At this level, there is a strong emphasis on vocabulary acquisition and verb conjugation.

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DEBATE & SPEECH

1. High School Debate

Instructor: Joanne Quan 1.0 credit
Students are introduced to a specific topic at the beginning of the year that has real life application. It can be a domestic or international topic.

Students then learn to research the topic in-depth, prepare a case that solves problems, and defend his/her position. Students also learn to look at the topic from the opposing view, writing opposition arguments against other students’ cases. By doing so, students learn to look at topics from both sides so they can ultimately defend their side with more strength and confidence. Students learn not only to be persuasive, but to also have evidence to support their persuasive rhetoric. Note: High school students who don’t have the time or who aren’t quite ready for high school debate should consider taking junior high debate to gain the skills of debate.(Spiritual application: Students learn to defend their faith in a winsome, Christ-like manner.)

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2. Junior High Debate

Instructor: Joanne Quan non-credit Meets twice a month
Students are introduced to a different topic each month that is relevant to their lives. Students discuss each topic in one class, then, in the following class, they debate the topic.

For junior high school students, this class is a great way for them to get comfortable with the idea of debate and what it’s all about. Students learn about debate without all the theory and debate jargon. It’s very hands-on. This class would also work well for high school students who don’t have time to pursue in-depth research and analysis which is necessary in the high school debate class, but who want to understand the “how to”s of debate and to practice the skills of debating each month. This is also a great class for those who want to eventually transition into the high school debate class.

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3. Fun with Debate

Instructor: Joanne Quan non-credit Meets once a month
Students in Grades 1-6 will debate questions like “Sleeping in or staying up late?”, “Christmas or Easter?”,
“Dogs or Cats?”. These are just a few of the topics students have debated in class.

At home, students find items around the house that reflect both sides of the “debate”. They share those items in class. Then, they work with other students to come up with reasons why their side is better, why the other side has problems, and then, come up with a final closing speech to convince the audience that their side is better. Students in class learn to be gracious to one another, even during heated debates. They learn to be respectful of their opponents, to ask clarification questions, to defend their positions, to be confident in their positions, and to do it all without personally attacking the opposing team. DEBATE IS FUN!!

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4. High School Speech

Instructor: Joanne Quan 1.0 credit
Students are introduced to a variety of different types of speeches throughout the year. Students learn to write their own original or interpretive speech, to come up with group skits, and to read out loud.

They learn to memorize and deliver their original or interpretive speech. They learn about “owning the stage”. Those with stage and public speaking experience learn to be more refined and professional. Those who are shy or uncomfortable speaking in front of people gain confidence. Everyone is taught skills to be more effective communicators in life. Communication skills are important in every day life. No matter what students do in the future, they will need strong communication skills. This class helps them achieve those skills.

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5. Junior High School Speech

Instructor: Joanne Quan non-credit Meets twice a month
Students are introduced to different types of speeches each month. Students use worksheets to help them as they put together their speeches.

Then, they use worksheets to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses during presentations of their speeches. Students in this class learn to be comfortable speaking in front of different audiences. They learn to work with others. They learn to think of ideas, organize their thoughts, and to put their thoughts into verbal words. This class would also work well for high school students who don’t have time to write and memorize a speech, but who want to grow in confidence and connection when they communicate with other people. This is also a great class for those who want to eventually transition into the high school speech class.

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6. Fun with Speech

Instructor: Joanne Quan Grades 1-6: (Fall & Spring semesters, once-a-month)
Students in grades 1-6 will learn to speak with confidence in front of a group on different topics such as . “ If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?”, “Sell a golf club”, “ Read from Isaiah Chapter 2.”

These are just a few examples of the many activities students work on during the year in Fun With Speech. Students learn how to express themselves through reading out loud, writing their own speeches, presenting skits with other students, and even presenting creative sales pitches. Students in class learn speech etiquette, from having eye contact with the audience to projecting their voices to standing up straight to being professional. Students have a lot of fun while gaining a lot of confidence when they work on the content and presentation of their speeches. SPEECH IS FUN!!

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7. Academic Team

Coach: Sunmi Sheldon non-credit
The CCA Academic Team practices once a week and attends 7-9 tournaments from August to May on Saturdays and some Fridays.

They compete in ASCA (Alabama Scholastic Competition Association) and NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournaments) qualifiers in northern Alabama. They host the CCA Annual Tournament, an invitational tournament on the 2nd Saturday of January for the schools in the area. Parents are encouraged to volunteer, if possible.

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MUSIC-BAND

1. The Band Program

Instructor: Dr. David Spencer 1.0 Credit for high school
Our Band program consists of Beginning Band for students with little or no experience with playing an instrument.

Concert Band is the next level where students have completed at least one year in Beginner Band or have taken private lessons. Symphonic Band is the upper level band where students have achieved some proficiency on their instruments and can read music well enough to play more difficult pieces. The Jazz band is made up of students who are in one of the other bands such as concert or symphonic (or have been in one of these bands) and want to play jazz and learn about improvisation. The percussion group is strictly percussion instruments and training in how to play the various instruments as well as working on precision in rhythm. Students must audition to be placed in the best band for their level of experience. Beginning students should meet with the instructor to discuss what instrument is best suited for them.

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2. Choral

h3>NEWSPAPER – YEARBOOK

1. Falcon Newspaper

Instructor: Judy Kim non-credit Meet once a month
The Falcon is the CCA student newspaper that is published by email to CCA families 8 times during the school year. We meet once a month to discuss articles and plan the upcoming editions. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to participate in Falcon staff. This is a volunteer activity; no academic grades are given.

2. Yearbook

Instructor: Sylvia DeVine 1.0 Credit
Students in grades 9-12 learn the various skills necessary to produce a school yearbook including creating a theme, layout and design of pages using the computer, learning printing or journalistic terms, selling ads, taking pictures, and writing copy.

Students will have some home assignments, but will do most of the work during class. They attend class from August until March when the final deadline is met and are graded on assignments, meeting deadlines, and quality of the work they do.

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h5>1. Junior High and High School Art

Instructor: Rebekah Comeaux 1.0 Credit (for high school students)
Students in grades 7-12 will learn the fundamentals of Art and how to put them into practice by using various mediums and techniques. They will begin with line drawings, practice stippling, cross hatching, and shading. They will learn how to create motion in project, how to blend colors, how to do impressionist or abstract art, etc.

Teachers Bios:

Rhonda Lisauckis (Science) graduated cum laude from Pan American University in Edinburg, TX with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She began working on a master’s degree at Texas Tech University but became a full time mother when their son, Chris, was born in 1981. She home schooled him through CCA until he graduated in 2000. In 1990, Rhonda began teaching biology with CCA and then added classes to include physical science, chemistry, marine science and earth science. She required students to do a science fair project and by 1994, CCA’s first student was selected to compete at the International Science & Engineering Fair. Since then, 34 CCA students have competed at this world-wide event. Rhonda has been married to her husband, Robert, since 1975.

Angela York (Anatomy & Physiology) received her nursing degree (BSN) from Samford University in Birmingham. She has been homeschooling her children and teaching them science since 2010.

Cassie Lofts (Science & Math) received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and math minor from the University of Memphis. She spent seven years in the work place doing research with optical systems and integrated optical components. After that she stayed home to raise her son and to homeschool him through CCA from Sharp Arrows until graduation. She was a volunteer with the teaching staff at the Von Braun Astronomical Society for five years, preparing and presenting educational programs for students and adults. For the past eight years she has been helping students prepare for science fair competition from the local level to the international level. She has taught STEM subjects at CCA for four years. Mrs. Lofts attends Providence Baptist Church and enjoys quilting and reading in her spare time.

Betsy Morgan (Science Clubs)

Regina Tinker (Mathematics & Computer) graduated from MTSU in 1989 with a Computer Science major and a double minor in Physics and Mathematics. In 1989 she married Mike Tinker, who is employed by NASA, and moved to Huntsville. She worked for Intergraph for 2 years programming on a new 911 system. After her first child was born, she quit to become a full time mother. She homeschooled her three children (Nathan, Joel, and Jodie) through CCA from 1997 to 2014. In 2006 she started volunteering for the CCA Math Team and eventually moved to teaching math classes in 2009.

Susan Herder (English) receiver her B.A in English from the University of Texas at Austin and a lifetime teaching certificate from the state of Texas. . She taught middle and high school English for 7 years in the public school systems of Texas, Michigan, and Indiana before her children were born. She has been homeschooling for 13 years and has taught at CCA for several years.

Debbie Lightfoot (Literature & Writing)

Cheryl Ingwersen (History/Government/Geography) has an ASLA with an emphasis in Para-legalism. She attended UNA as a history education major. She has been teaching in church classrooms for over 20 years and has taught history in classrooms for 5 years.

Cookie Halbritter (German) is a native of Germany and attended Cameroun College, the University of Washington at Seattle and the University of Texas at El Paso receiving her B.A. degree in French. She speaks German, French, and Japanese. She has taught German since 1995 at Grace Lutheran School. She began teaching at CCA in 2000 and has been a favorite with CCA families.

Brittany Moore (Spanish) graduated from the University of North Alabama in Florence with a B.A. in Spanish and French with a minor in International Studies. She has worked in Decatur City Schools and at Calhoun Community College as an English as a Second Language Teacher. She has also done tutoring in Spanish at Whitesburg Christian Academy.

Joanne Quan (Debate and Speech) has a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration with Concentrations in Marketing, International, and Finance from the University of Washington in Seattle. She has been the Milestones Debate & Speech Club’s Director, Administrator, and Coach from 2003-Present. She was a Founding Board Member of national debate & speech organization (Stoa) where she served from 2011-2013. She has been a CCA Debate & Speech Instructor from 2014-Present. She was the National Invitational Tournament of Champions Tournament Director in 2016.
The focus of the Quans’ ministry has always been the same:
– Christ. Skills. Train students with skills of excellence for Christ in debate and public speaking.
– Help bring out the best in each student…each individual’s gifts that God has already given them.
– Develop leadership skills in students.
– Develop a heart of service in students.

Sunmi Sheldon (Academic Team) holds Bachelors of Science and Master of Arts degree. She has homeschooled over 20 years, joined CCA in 1998 and has been a CCA Academic Team parent since 2005. She started coaching the team in 2008. Academic Team has proved valuable training for students in thinking and performing under pressure, as well as character-building in taking risks and developing humility in accepting both success and failure. Students are encouraged to develop their intellects for Jesus, for the glory of our Lord, and to use their training to serve our community and the greater Christendom.

Dr. David Spencer (Band) has his BS from Auburn with a minor in music, his masters in music from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of North Texas. He has 37 years of band experience in the public school system. He was the band director at Huntsville High for 34 years where their band achieved superior ratings for marching, concert, and jazz bands. He has performed with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for 36 years, directed the Brass Band of Huntsville for 11 years and is the founder and conductor of the Twickenham Winds which began in 1993.

Judy Kim (Falcon Sponsor)

Sylvia DeVine (Yearbook) received a B.S. in Secondary Education with a double major in English and Physical Education from Jacksonville State University. She received her Master’s in English (Education) from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She taught in private school until 1985 when she began working as a coordinator for Faith Chapel Christian School. She became the Superintendent of CCA in 1993, and has been the Yearbook Sponsor since 1990.