Tag Archives: Teacher Spotlight

SCA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT | Mr. Matthew Sheets

High School, Middle School Leave a comment

Meet Mr. Matthew Sheets! He is a veteran Pre Algebra/Algebra/Geometry teacher, Math Bowl Coach, and MathCounts Coach at Sherwood Christian Academy. Chances are, if you’ve gone through high school in the past 15 years at SCA, you’ve had Mr. Sheets for mathematics, and you know he loves routine — consistently beginning class by reading from Proverbs. Mr. Sheets is also known for his massive tie collection (he wears a unique tie to school every day!) and regularly reminds his students truths from Proverbs 14:23 and Proverbs 21:25.

One of his current 9th grade students said, “Mr. Sheets is patient and helps me understand math when I don’t get it the first time.”

Her fellow classmates agreed. “He’s a great teacher and a godly man,” added another freshman.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science from Toccoa Falls College in Education with a concentration in math and science

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION: 22 years overall; 15 years at SCA

AWARDS & HONORS:
Graduated Suma Cum Laude
STAR teacher

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?: Seeing them grow both academically and in spiritual maturity.

FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza or hot dogs

FAVORITE HOBBIES: I collect Jeff Gordon NASCARS and Nolan Ryan baseball cards.

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?: I was going to be quarterback for the Cleveland Browns when I was in elementary school.

SPECIAL MOMENT AS A TEACHER AT SCA: It is always special when former students come back to thank you for the part you played in their education.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT? When I was growing up I went to a public school and then a private school before getting a chance to go to a Christian school beginning in 9th grade. I experienced the difference it made in my life not only academically, but also socially and spiritually.

We’re grateful for all the math and Proverbs Mr. Sheets has taught our students over the past decade and a half!

SCA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT | Mrs. Tiffany Carter

High School Leave a comment

Mrs. Tiffany Carter wears many hats at SCA: High School Upper Level Math Teacher (Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Advanced Placement Calculus), High School Student Council Sponsor, Senior Class Sponsor, Math Department Head, and Varsity Cheer Coach. She balances these duties well, and it’s highly likely that she has a smile on her face and is laughing with one of her students when you see her in the hallways or in her classroom.

Mrs. Carter’s AP Calculus students describe her as intelligent, hardworking, fun, and a compassionate teacher.

“Mrs. Carter makes math fun through her dry humor and funny remarks about the class,” said one of her Senior AP Calculus students. “I look forward to working on the hardest math with a teacher who is doing her best for us to succeed.”

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Math Education from Thomas University

AWARDS & HONORS:
High School Salutatorian from Wilcox County High School
Teacher of the Year in 2009 at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, Texas

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION: 19 years teaching; 8 at SCA

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?: I love to teach high school because I get to pour into their lives every day. It is a joy to see them mature into strong followers of Christ. 

FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican

FAVORITE HOBBIES: I’m a sports fanatic. I love the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves!

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?: Meteorologist

FAVORITE MOMENT AS A TEACHER AT SCA: Definitely the Revival in 2019 when over 100+ gave their life to Christ!

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT? A Christian education trains students to understand the truth in the Bible and then share their faith confidently with others. Learning how to defend their faith and effectively share the Gospel is what will allow people to change the world through Christ.

Thank you, Mrs. Carter, for all you do at Sherwood Christian Academy!

SCA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT | Mrs. Deborah Holman

Elementary School Leave a comment
Mrs. Deborah Holman is the queen of her classroom and her second grade worker bees adore her! Filled with vibrant bee motif, Mrs. Holman has created a buzzing environment of learning, growing, and care for her students in their beehive. Her approach to teaching is fresh, unique, fun, and tailored to each student’s needs. Her incentive ticket system and Fun Fridays encourage her students to aspire to be quick to learn and listen, and it’s a fun way to end each eventful week. Mrs. Holman provides special ways for parents and grandparents to be involved with their student in the classroom by hosting events like the Gingerbread House Decorating Party and Super Fun Fridays filled with board games and laughter between parents and their second grader.

EDUCATION:
B.S. Elementary Education from Clarks Summit University (formerly known as Baptist Bible College)
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from American College of Education
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Policy from Texas Tech University- Expected Graduation: December 2024

AWARDS & HONORS:
Graduated Cum Laude, Clarks Summit University
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, American College of Education
Alpha Gamma Epsilon Honor Society, Clarks Summit University
Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, American College of Education
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Texas Tech University
Albany 40 Under 40, Nonprofit Category Finalist

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION: This is my tenth year of teaching and my fifth year at SCA.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING?: Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I truly believe that this is one of the most fruitful ages for sharing the gospel. There is such a purity and faith in the heart of a Child towards the things of God. While there are many exciting things about teaching elementary students, my favorite is teaching the Bible, sharing the gospel, and discipling students in their relationship with Christ. This is what has eternal value.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SWGA: I love seafood and enjoy going to Jonah’s Fish and Grits in Thomasville.

FAVORITE HOBBIES: I enjoy traveling, going out to eat, cooking, sewing, and watching movies with my husband.

FAVORITE BOOKS: Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot and Knowing God by J.I. Packer

FAVORITE MOMENT AS A TEACHER AT SCA: One of the most cherished moments that I’ve experienced at SCA was the 2019 student body revival. It was such a powerful and precious opportunity to see so many students give their lives to Christ and testify boldly for Him.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT?: I believe that Christian Education is important because it is a tool to help set a strong spiritual foundation for a child. At SCA we have the freedom to teach from a Biblical worldview, share the gospel, and incorporate Biblical principals in all that we do. SCA is a safe space for children to learn and grow.

We’re grateful for Mrs. Holman and the joy she brings to Sherwood Christian Academy. We’re cheering her on as she reaches the homestretch of her doctoral studies!

SCA FACULTY SPOTLIGHT | Mr. James Byrd

All School, High School Leave a comment

If you’ve been around SCA since the mid 1990s, there’s a good chance you know James Byrd. You may know him from his years as a student then, or you know him now as a leader in academics and athletics. A 12-year student at SCA, Mr. Byrd graduated from SCA in 2006 and left Albany for the University of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama. After double majoring and graduating, he returned to Sherwood Christian Academy in 2011—but, this time, to lead from the front of the classroom. Many of his former teachers became his co-workers. In 2022, Mr. Byrd moved into the role of Guidance Counselor after 10 years of teaching high school history, where he can continue to impact the lives of juniors and seniors, as they make some of the most important decisions of their lives.

EDUCATION:
BA in Political Science and BA in History from the University of Mobile
Master’s in Secondary Education from Georgia Southern University

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION:
I have been serving here at SCA for 11 years – 10 of those years in the classroom.

CAREER AWARDS:
Two time STAR Teacher – 2021 and 2022
Two time GAPPS Coach of the Year – Track and Field – 2018 and 2022
Coach of Six State Championships at SCA:
• 1 in Football (2015)
• 2 in Track and Field (2018 & 2022)
• 2 in Chess (2019 & 2021)
• 1 in Cross Country (2018)

Photo by Dan Mingo.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT GUIDING SENIORS IN THEIR NEXT SEASON AFTER GRADUATION: I enjoy breaking down the process of what comes next after high school for seniors into small and much less stressful pieces. It can be easy to be overwhelmed as a senior when they begin to look at all that lies before them. I encourage our seniors to continue to move forward in God’s will – they don’t have to have all the answers yet, they just need to be willing to say, “Yes!” to what God will call them to as they continue to be faithful to Him.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN SWGA: My wife’s cooking! Was that the right answer? But public restaurants? Longhorns for a good steak or Los Vaqueros.

FAVORITE BOOKS: Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian and Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien are both very special to me. Although growing up, I read every single Hardy Boys book! I’m now looking forward to reading them with my son, Joshua one day.

FAVORITE MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT SCA: There are many special moments from my years here as a student, almost impossible to narrow down to just one! From four years of high school musical theater with Mrs. Terri Catt; running track and field and cross country in many Region and State Meets; being elected as the Student Council President and giving the morning announcements over the intercom each morning (I had a joke of the day that very few people would laugh at)… I obviously loved my time here because I came back!

It’s safe to say that Mr. James Byrd is woven into the history and future of Sherwood Christian Academy.

SCA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT | Mrs. Joanna Richardson

Elementary School Leave a comment

Mrs. Joanna Richardson is back in the classroom this year and we could not be more excited to have her at Sherwood Christian Academy! This is Mrs. Richardson’s first year teaching at SCA, and she previously spent more than 16 years in education before working in non-profit ministries such as the Alpha Pregnancy Center and Albany Biblical Counseling.

Here are a few words to describe Mrs. Joanna Richardson from her 1st grade students: helpful, sweet, nice, kind, and friendly.

EDUCATION:
BA in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University
M.ED in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION: This is my 17th year of teaching!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING?: My favorite times are those when I get to see the excitement in a student’s eye when he or she is understanding a new concept for the first time. For instance, I get such a thrill when my students can retell a Bible story to me, and they truly begin to understand how much God loves them. 

FAVORITE FOOD/SNACK: Italian food, snack-fruit salad (strawberries, blueberries, grapes, apples)

HIDDEN TALENT: Baking

FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR IN SWGA: Fall. It’s typically Goldilocks weather- not too cold, not too hot, just right!  It’s also the season for harvest, giving thanks, and celebrating Advent. In our home, it’s a time when family members who live away come home to fellowship with us for the holidays.

TEACHING AT SCA: I’m honored to have the opportunity to teach first grade at SCA. It has been such a blessing for me! I’m most excited about teaching at SCA because I get the opportunity to share Jesus with my class daily, and I’ve even experienced the blessing of praying with a student as he accepted Christ. Best day!!!

Thank you for your dedication to your students, Mrs. Richardson!

SCA TEACHER SPOTLIGHT | Mrs. Jessica Hardin

Middle School Leave a comment

Mrs. Jessica Hardin is new to Sherwood Christian Academy this year, but not new to education! She teaches 6th, 7th and 8th science classes and uses a fun hands-on approach to learning like erupting model volcanoes, eating cell models after identifying organelles and functions, and experimenting with Newton’s three laws of motion. We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Hardin as part of SCA’s middle school faculty. Here are some interesting things to note about Mrs. Hardin:

Graduated Cum Laude with a BA from Mercer University
Major: Psychology (Biopsychology)
Minor: Chemistry and Art

YEARS LEADING IN EDUCATION: This is my 13th year teaching!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TEACHING?: One of my favorite things about teaching is when I see a student’s face light up when they understand a little bit more about the world that God created for them. Seeing a child help another child understand something they love is also a wonderful moment for me. But most importantly, I get to witness kids grow up and grow closer to Christ in their daily walk. This is my prayer for all students everywhere!

FAVORITE SNACK: I love anything coconut and honey mustard pretzels. (I know, I’m weird!)

HIDDEN TALENT: I have played bluegrass music for about 16 or 17 years. My husband and I are in a group that travels to various churches and functions in Georgia playing music. I also love to sing with my husband too! I also enjoy drawing and painting.

TEACHING AT SCA: God very clearly opened the door for me to teach at SCA one year after my daughter Sarah came in 3rd grade. Ever since I made the decision to walk through that door and grasp onto His will, I have been so blessed by the staff and families at SCA.  I hope to grow in my position as middle school science teacher and do my part to foster the love of God’s creation! Thank you all for the support I have received so far!

Welcome to SCA, Mrs. Hardin!