Coastal Christian High School of Wilmington, NC
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Staff Bios for CCHS 2010/2011
D. Kirk Nielsen, Administrator
Mr. Kirk Nielsen graduated from Tennessee Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Education. He was ordained at Highland Park Baptist Church and later received a second ordination through Raleigh Calvary Chapel. His career in Christian education began as pastor and school administrator of Grace Baptist Church and Christian School (Ellijay, GA). Later, he and his family re-located to Raleigh, NC, where he taught at Raleigh Christian Academy and then joined the administrative staff at North Raleigh Christian Academy where he served for seven years as Dean of Students. Sensing God’s direction to move, he re-located to Conway, SC, where he taught at Conway Christian School—this is where the CCHS Board found him. He and his family are members at Temple Baptist Church. Mr. Nielsen is currently pursuing his M.Ed. through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC).
Cindy Auten, Development Director
Mrs. Auten is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and has a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was an Assistant Buyer for Kaufmann’s Department store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then went on to become an Account Executive for Cinique Labs, Inc. in western Pennsylvania for a total of ten years in the field of retail marketing. Cindy was a founding member of the Board of Directors and resigned her position to become the Development Director for CCHS. She attends Christ Community Church.
Jennifer Snyder, Admissions Director
Mrs. Snyder graduated from Babson College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Communications. She has been involved in Christian education for the last ten years. All four of her children are in Christian education (Myrtle Grove Christian School and Coastal Christian High School). Mr. Nielsen refers to her as the “brains of the operation” as she accomplishes many school tasks from enrollment to accounting to event planning. She is a key person that many parents will dialogue with during their CCHS experience.
Pat Martin, Guidance and College Admissions Advisor
Mrs. Patricia Martin graduated from Mars Hill College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Sociology. She received her Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Previously, she worked for New Hanover County Schools, Pender County Schools, and for the Office of Special Programs at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. A member of Christ Community Church, she holds dear Proverbs 3:6.
Mike Scheffel, Athletic Director
Mr. Mike Scheffel graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies. Mr. Scheffel coached at Cape Fear Academy before coming to CCHS. He serves as the Athletic Director at CCHS, as well as, coaches varsity girl’s basketball and varsity boy’s soccer. In his spare time, he loves watching UNC basketball, playing Frisbee golf, cooking, and orchids. Mr. Scheffel is also an active member at Christ Community Church, where he plays guitar on the worship team and is a leader for the high school youth.
Kyle Van Zandt, Director of Spiritual Formation
Mr. Kyle Van Zandt graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He has served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC, and has spent some time in Guatemala doing relief and mission work. Mr. Van Zandt loves spending time with his wife, Lorin, playing music, surfing, and following Demon Deacon athletics. He and his wife attend Life Community Church. Mr. Van Zandt teaches freshmen American Government and AP Government, as well as, serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at CCHS.
Sherrie Hiatt, Fine Art Director & Tri-M Sponsor Mrs. Sherrie Hiatt graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sacred Music with a concentration in piano and voice. She has taught choir in both school and church settings. Mrs. Hiatt is recognized as a gifted musician. She and her family are members of Myrtle Grove Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Sherrie supports her husband, Hal, in his role as the Southeastern North Carolina Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Mrs. Hiatt loves gardening, horses, all types of music, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Hiatt directs our Mixed Choir and Honors Ensemble, as well as, teaches Drama and Bible.
Linda Baker, Math
Ms. Linda Baker has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from North Carolina State University, her NC Teaching License from UNC--Chapel Hill, and her MEd. in Math education from East Carolina University. Mrs. Baker is a 34-year veteran of Public education at New Hanover High School where she taught Algebra II and AP Calculus. She also serves as a Sunday school teacher at Closer Walk Church in Leland. Mrs. Baker teaches Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Calculus, and AP Calculus.
Kevin Culotta, English & History
Mr. Kevin Culotta has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UNCW, and his N.C. Teaching Certificate for English 6-12. He and his wife Charlotte served on the Student-Staff team with Campus Crusade at UNCW. Kevin student taught at Ashley High School and taught Communication Skills at Shallotte Middle School the last two years. He teaches 9th grade English and Honors World History.
Cynthia Ducharme, Science
Ms. Cindy Ducharme is a graduate of UNCW with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She is a 31-year veteran of Public Education who just completed her service at Hoggard High School where she received the Teacher of the Year Award (2009). Cindy holds a NC Teaching license in Science (7-12). Ms. Ducharme has also been an active FCA leader at Hoggard High School during her tenure and received the FCA Impact Award (2009). She is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Ms. Ducharme teaches Earth/Environmental Science and Biology. She also helps direct the Science and Math departments.
Carole Jackson, English & History
Mrs. Jackson graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in theatre. She has taught both middle and high school English in Virginia, Georgia, and Illinois. While in Georgia, she served as head of the English Department and was voted "Teacher of the Year." Mrs. Jackson is an avid reader and writer whose genealogical articles can be found in several North Carolina publications. She has authored three books on genealogy. Mrs. Jackson is a member of Temple Baptist Church. Mrs. Jackson teaches 10th grade English and World History.
Chris Long, Math Mr. Chris Long graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He and his wife are active members of The Church of St. Peter The Fisherman. He spends his spare time playing music or help in taking care of his new baby girl. Mr. Long is also an enthusiastic science fiction buff. He is the product of Christian education as a graduate of Columbus Christian Academy where he later spent two years teaching advanced math, physics, computer science, and Bible. Mr. Long teaches Geometry and Advanced Functions & Modeling (AFM).
Gabriel Lovejoy, Art & Yearbook
Mr. Gabriel Lovejoy graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts. He is a graphic designer, visual artist, and set designer. He has owned his own Graphic Design Company, art magazine, and is a talented artist. His works can be seen in local businesses around the Wilmington area. Mr. Lovejoy has previously taught art as well as secondary math in a private Christian school setting. He teaches all the visual art classes including AP Studio Art and Yearbook.
John McIntyre, Contemporary & Jazz Band (and the “Centurion Bus” driver!)
A graduate of Campbell University and Liberty University, John McIntyre holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and the Master of Arts in Religion. He served at Southside Baptist Church of Wilmington, NC for twelve years as Pastor of Worship Arts. John loves serving people and leading worship. Currently he is one of the teaching pastors at The River Church in Leland. Time off is spent with his wife Kim, as well as, fishing, hunting, riding four wheelers, writing music, and traveling on missions.
Matthew Mizesko, Science & P.E./Health Mr. Mizesko graduated from UNCW with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and also spent two years at Liberty University before transferring to UNCW. He is a native of Emerald Isle, NC, and enjoys playing soccer, basketball, surfing and any other water-related activity. Mr. Mizesko is involved with both varsity soccer teams as well as the boy's varsity basketball team at CCHS. He attends Life Community Church here in Wilmington. Mr. Mizesko teaches Honors and AP Biology, Honors Anatomy, and P.E./Health.
Brian Nobles, Spanish & Economics
Mr. Brian Nobles is a recent graduate of UNCW’s Cameron School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Concentration: Management and Minor in Spanish). Brian studied abroad at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. He served as a translator at Pintec Corporation and as a substitute teacher at New Hanover High School. He also serves on the Worship team at Life Community Church. Mr. Nobles teaches Spanish II, Honors Spanish III, Honors Economics and the Men of Honor Bible class.
Melissa Puritis, AP Coordinator & English
Ms. Melissa Puritis is a graduate of UNCW with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and certification in professional writing, and has a Masters of Arts in English from UNCW. Ms. Puritis worked, as a teacher’s assistant at Codington Elementary School, where she also taught computer to the upper grade levels. In the recent past, she has interned at two local magazines where she was published weekly, as well as, taught freshmen English at Cape Fear Community College. She is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Melissa directs the AP program at CCHS and teaches AP Language, AP Literature, Honors English III, and both levels of English IV. She also assists in the writing of the CCHS’ Yearbook and teaches a class in Journalism.
Daniel Smith, History & Bible
Mr. Daniel Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and his MA in Psychology from UNCW. He has taught English in Bangkok, Thailand and AP Psychology, U.S. and World History at Ledford Senior High in Thomasville, NC. He is currently an adjunct professor of Psychology at UNCW, is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, He and his wife are active members at Christ Community Church. Mr. Smith will be teaching Honors Psychology, Bible II: Theology, and Honors Bible III: World Views.
Macie Sueuga, Bible and P.E./Health Mrs. Macie Sueuga graduated from Southeastern Baptist College in Wake Forest with a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies. She has enjoyed ministering to teens in several different settings: Sunday school teacher, youth intern, weekly Bible study leader, volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, and mentor. She and her husband are active members at Church on the Cape. Mrs. Sueuga loves spending time with her family and close friends, studying the Bible, jogging, game nights, Duke basketball, and anything that involves sunshine on her face. One of her favorite Bible passages is Lamentations 3:21-30. Mrs. Sueuga coaches the CCHS varsity Cross Country team along with teaching Women of Excellence Bible class and P.E./Health.
Clem Surak, Science & Math
Mr. Clem Surak earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science from the Richard Stockton College in N.J., and a Master of Science degree in Physical Oceanography from the Florida Institute of Technology. Clem holds a provisional Teacher Certification (NJ) in Physical Science and NJ certification of Teaching Eligibility in Earth Science. He taught for two years at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology in NJ and Life Christian Academy in Hampstead, NC. Mr. Surak serves as Senior Scientist at Najarian Associates (Eastontown, NJ). He and his family are active members of Lutheran Church of the Reconciliation and participate in the Upper Room Theater Company. Mr. Surak teaches both levels of Chemistry, Algebra I, and both levels of Algebra II.
Brittany Williamson, Spanish
Miss. Brittany Williamson is a recent graduate of North Carolina State University (NCSU) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. She attended Myrtle Grove Christian School (MGCS) and graduated from Hoggard High School. She served as Assistant Cheerleading coach at Hoggard, and Teacher Assistant to the Etymology professor at NCSU. She also served on the varsity cheerleading squad at NCSU. Ms. Williamson teaches Spanish 1 and will serve as assistant varsity cheerleading coach.
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