The administration at Pungo Christian Academy announces the addition of several teachers to the staff for the 2014­2015 school year. The Pre-K program has a new staff of three teachers, two full-time and one part-time. Amy Respess, and her husband, Charlie, live in Terra Ceia with their two­year old son, Raylan. Respess is one of the four­year old teachers and works with the children who attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. She worked in daycare throughout high school and college and has worked for one year in preschool in a school setting. Mrs. Respess commented, “I love my students; this age group always keeps me laughing. The families at PCA seem to be very involved and willing to help.”

The new full­time Pre-K teachers are Jessica Spencer and Heather Ballance. Spencer is the three­year­old Pre-K teacher. She lives in Swan Quarter with her husband, William, and two daughters, Caitlyn and Madison. Before coming to Pungo, she taught at Mattamuskeet for 11 years. Mrs. Spencer said, “I am blessed to be at PCA this year; the Christian influence makes this a very welcoming school.”

Mrs. Heather Ballance is the new Pre-K teacher of the five-day, four­year-olds. Mrs. Ballance taught Pre-K previously for 10 years She, her husband Marcus, and their two children, Maggie and Carter, who are both enrolled at Pungo, live in Washington. As the year begins, Ballance, who appreciates the family atmosphere, looks forward to interacting with the young children in her class.

The second grade teacher is Erica Sparks, who received her elementary education degree from East Carolina University. She and her husband Jeff have two sons, Landen and Dustin. Prior to this school year, Sparks has worked in education as a teacher or teacher’s assistant for seven years. Mrs. Sparks is excited about the upcoming year and considers herself blessed to be at Pungo.

In addition to these four new teachers, PCA is excited to have James Sheffler, who is the full­time minister at West Belhaven Church of Christ, as the devotion/eightlifting teacher and PCA’s assistant soccer coach. Robert Spruill, minister at Wilkinson Church of Christ, is

the head soccer coach. The PCA family welcomes each of these teachers and coaches.