KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Leach earned her bachelor’s degree from South Florida State College. She is certified to teach elementary education k-6, and business 6-12 through the Florida Department of Education. Mrs. Leach most recently taught Kindergarten at West Elementary. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Munoz earned her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Warner University. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in primary and elementary education and is reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2023.

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. Lee has a bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been with ACA since 2023.

SECOND GRADE

Mrs. Ryals earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2023.

SECOND GRADE

Mrs. Georges earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida SouthWestern State College and her Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. She is certified in Elementary Education and holds Reading, ESOL, and Gifted Endorsements through the Florida Department of Education.
She has taught in elementary education since 2020 in both Charlotte and DeSoto County schools, working with primary and intermediate grade levels and serving in leadership roles such as instructional leader. Mrs. Georges is excited to be joining Arcadia Christian Academy for the 2026 school year as a second grade teacher.

THIRD GRADE

Mrs. Hancock has a BA from University of South Florida . She is certified through Florida DOE K-6 , ESOL endorsed, and Reading endorsed. She has taught in the public and private setting for over 15 years ◦ Grades taught: K4, K5, 1st-3rd, library, resource teacher, and interim assistant principal.

THIRD GRADE

Mrs. Thomas earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida South Western State College. She is ESOL & Reading endorsed. She previously taught first grade at Memorial Elementary for 6 years. She received the honor of the district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year & Teacher of the Year for MES.

FOURTH GRADE

Ms. Davis earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida South Western State College.

She previously taught at Faith Preparatory School. She has been with ACA since 2024.

FOURTH GRADE

Mrs. Sorrells earned her bachelor’s degree from University of South Florida. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education, as well as K-12 ESE. She previously taught at DeSoto Middle School and has been with ACA since 2022.

MATH/ FLVS

Mrs. Knoche earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Mathematics and MS Integrated Curriculum. She previously taught at Desoto Middle School has been with ACA since 2022.

SOCIAL STUDIES/ CULINARY

Mrs. Hollingsworth earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southwestern College. She has taught at Memorial Elementary and Grace Christian School. She has been with ACA since 2023.

SCIENCE/YEARBOOK

Mrs. Prescott earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southwestern State College. She s certified through the Florida Department of Education and is reading endorsed. She has taught elementary school in Hardee County for 8 years. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

MATH

Mrs. Halvorson is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelors degree in Exceptional Student Education and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Her background experience ranges from elementary to adult education, college instructor, and district level assessment and curriculum positions. With 39 years as an educator in DeSoto County, she retired in 2015, and came to work at ACA in February 2023. She has served on numerous state level committees dealing with secondary math curriculum and assessment. Mrs. Halvorson believes that every student can master algebra, we just have to find the way to reach success. Confidence in mathematics is a crucial part of her instructional message.

AGRICULTURE/ SCIENCE

Mrs. Floyd previously worked as a long-term Agriculture substitute teacher at the local public high school, where she discovered her passion for teaching. What began as a job quickly became a calling, and she knew the Lord was leading her to pursue a career in education. She has been teaching at ACA for the past two years and immediately knew she had found exactly where God wanted her to be. Mrs. Floyd feels incredibly blessed to teach in a Christ-centered school where she can encourage students not only academically but also in their walk with Christ. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Education through Walden University and looks forward to continuing to follow God’s plan as she invests in the lives of her students each day.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Mrs. Sager earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Warner University. She has earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership, is certified in Elementary Education and holds both a Reading Endorsement (K–12) and an ESOL Endorsement.

Throughout her career in education, Mrs. Sager has taught first, second, fourth, and fifth grades and has also served as a reading intervention teacher at the middle school level. In addition to her classroom experience, she has held leadership roles as a curriculum lead and team leader.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

BIBLE / FLVS

Mrs. Albritton is certified in food protection management, and taught Art at ACA last year.

Previously she homeschooled her 4 children for 11 years. She also serves as a 6th-12 grade youth group leader at FBCA. She has been with ACA since 2023

BIBLE/PE/AGRICULTURE

Elementary and Secondary Art

MATH/BUSINESS/ KEYBOARDING

Mrs. Barrera is a dedicated educational professional with nearly 20 years of experience in teaching, school administration, student support services, and educational leadership with the DeSoto County School District. Proven record of improving student outcomes, increasing graduation rates, and supporting academic success across middle school, high school, and elementary school settings. Experienced in instructional leadership, data-driven decision making, credit recovery programs, testing coordination, and student intervention strategies. Recognized for building positive relationships with students, families, faculty, and community stakeholders to foster student achievement and school improvement.

TECHNOLOGY/SOCIAL STUDIES

Mrs. Dewey has over 11 years of experience supporting, implementing, and advancing technology solutions across both private and educational environments. She is also ESOL endorsed. She has spent the past 9 years supporting and teaching technology for the School District of DeSoto County. Her technology in education journey began in district-level IT, where she spent several years managing and supporting systems across the district. She has spent the last several years as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) technology teacher at DeSoto County High School. During her time as an educator, she has taught industry-focused courses and helped students to earn technology certifications.

MUSIC

Mrs Smith has been a stay at home mom for the past 5 years, while being with her babies she realized she was very passionate about pursuing a job regarding children, as if coaching little league wasn't enough. She started substituting, while being at the public schools for the last 3 years and joining ACA last year. She knew she had found her calling and is so blessed to be able to call ACA her permanent home this coming year.

“O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1

OFFICE MANAGER

Mrs. Lambert has been both a parent and a staff member in a Christian school. She comes to us with twenty-three years of experience working in the Christian school environment - including the library, coaching, and running the school office. She has been with ACA since 2023.

Bookkeeper

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

Mr. Dan Cover comes to us with over 20 years in Education with 15 years’ experience in Administration. He received his Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State and his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.  Mr. Cover has a wife Jen and four children ages 23,17, 10,  and 9.  If you see him at drop off or pick up give him a big ACA Knight welcome!

PRINCIPAL

Dr. Nelson earned her bachelors degree from Saint Leo University in elementary education. She holds master’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University, University of Texas at Arlington, and Saint Leo University. Dr. Nelson has earned a specialist degree and her doctorate from Saint Leo University as well. Her principals certification was awarded from the University of South Florida. She is ESOL endorsed, certified in physical education, and certified in elementary education through the Florida Department of Education. Dr. Nelson has been an elementary teacher, elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, as well as a secondary dean, and assistant principal.