Adventist Christian Academy of Charleston

Mrs. Amanda Steinhauser

GRADES 6th - 8th

Contact 

PRINCIPAL 

GRADES 6th - 8th

Mrs. Steinhauser was born and raised in Wisconsin but has spent the last two decades living in Hawaii, California, Florida, and most recently South Carolina, where she taught ELA, Math, and Greek studies to middle schoolers at a classical Christian school. She has been actively teaching for the last seven years.

Her degree is in Journalism and Mass Communication. Her love of the written word and engaging young minds to fall in love with learning is evident in everything she does.

Mrs. Steinhauser believes Christ is at the center of all we do. When she is not in the classroom, she is either reading, writing, creating, traveling, or adventuring with her two children.

She is excited to be at ACA and have the opportunity to foster young minds towards Christ while sharing the joy of learning. 

Mrs. Manju Michaelson

Grades 3rd-5th

Email: mmichaelson@carolinasda.org

TEACHER GRADES 3rd - 5th

Mrs. Michaelson is a seasoned teacher with over 16 years of experience. She is joined the ACA  of Charleston family for the 2023-2024 school year from Adventist Christian School in Greeley, Colorado, where she taught 3rd-5th and 6th-8th grades.

She graduated from Spicer Adventist University and earned her B.A. in Biology and Health Education and Elementary Education from the National Institute of Open Schooling in Gujarat, India.

She desires to aim her students heavenward and instill a love of learning in them.  

Miss Jailine Flores

Grade K - 2nd 

Email: jailine.flores@carolinasda.org

TEACHER GRADES K - 2nd  & SPANISH 

Miss Flores was born in Long Island, New York, and moved to South Carolina when she was 10. She currently lives in Summerville, SC. She attends the Summerville Spanish SDA Church and is actively involved. She graduated from Southern Adventist University with a Degree in Liberal Arts Education with a Minor in English as a Second Language. She developed and cultivated a dedication to helping those with no English background, both children and adults. She was a student teacher at Ooltewah High School and Ooltewah Adventist Academy, executive assistant for Southern Scholars at SAU, and self-managed tutor and mentor. Miss Flores was the First Chair of the Chamber Orchestra for two years and knows four languages and counting. She  loves music and helping others. Miss Flores is known for her warm smile, friendliness, kindness, nurturing spirit, and authenticity. If you see her, welcome her to the ACA School Family!  

Mrs. Ann Wedel

Treasurer & Business Manager 

treasurer.acacharleston@carolinasda.org 

TREASURER & BUSINESS MANAGER 

Mrs. Wedel was born and raised in Charleston, SC.  She attended Charleston Junior Academy from 1958-1963 and finished high school at Mount Pisgah Academy in 1965.  In January 1966, she began her collegiate studies at Southern Missionary College  graduating with her BSN in 1970.  She then returned to Charleston to work as a night Nursing Supervisor for one of the local hospitals.  In 1972, she began teaching nursing at Dalton Junior College while working on her MSN which she complted in 1975.  She spent 9 years in nursing education, 19 years in clinical nursing, 10 years in nursing management, and 2 years in nursing administration.  

Mrs. Wedel is a member of the Charleston SDA Church and actively involved in both the church and school.  She currently serves as the treasurer for ACA of Charleston.  She is passtionate about Christian Education and spends her time wherever needed in our school.  Her greatest wish is to see every child in our church as a student in our school.  

Mrs. Wedel spends her relaxing time gardening and RVing. 

Mrs. Wendy McCants

Assistant Treasurer

TREASURER

Mr. Sergio La Porte

Physical Education

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mr. Sergio Antonio La Porte is passionate about servant leadership. It was during many
of his humanitarian missions around the world with the US Marine Corps that he learned
the great value of connecting your mind, body and souls to build Christlike leaders. He
was born in Germany by Puerto Rican parents, and he is a proud husband of his
Brazilian wife, Teia. Sergio has been blessed with the opportunity to experience 54
countries compiled through his military service or while on vacation with his family. He
has three wonderful daughters of ages 27, 12, and 1. They are his pride and joy.
Mr. La Porte holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics, a Master of Science in
Cyber Security, and speak four languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian).
He is a civil servant for the Naval Information Warfare Center as a Lead System
Engineer and Security Assessor. He is an avid believer of giving back to the community.
Sergio teaches English as a second language and leads bible studies for the
Portuguese speaking community. He was a volunteer Substitute teacher at Charleston
Bilingual Academy from 2020 to 2023 and has been enjoying his time as PE teacher
at ACA since 2022. He appreciated his time as an educator because of the
opportunity to influence holistically! He believes we can grow a “true” generation united
and ready to receive Christ!

Mrs. Carrie Watford

Piano & Chimes

PIANO & CHIMES

Mrs. Watford holds a B.A. in Music Education from Charleston Southern University. She owns Watford Music Studio, where she has been teaching piano and voice classes for more than ten years. She taught music in the Dorchester School District from kindergarten to fifth grade, as well as choir and musical theater at East Cooper Homeschool Academy. She teaches private piano lessons to ACA students and serves as the Hand Chimes Director for grades 4th-8th.

Mr. Dwayne Pinckney

Lego Robotics

LEGO ROBOTICS 

Mr. Pinckney was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, where he first learned BASIC coding in the 5th grade.   He continued his education in New York, graduating from SUNY Buffalo State University with a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  Mr. Pinckney then moved to California to work as a Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering Technician in Silicon Valley.  With the impending collapse of this industry, he switched careers to software development.  Then he moved to South Carolina, where he now serves as a Software Project Manager for a large organization.
Mr. Pinckney is excited to integrate faith with the Lego Robotics program, inspiring students to use their God-given talents in building, programming, and problem-solving to honor God and serve others through innovation and creativity.
 

Mrs. Melissa Azevedo  

Email: ACAhomeandschool@gmail.com

HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

   Mrs. Azevedo is a native Charlestonian, and has deep roots in the community, having attended ACA from first through ninth grade before graduating from Mount Pisgah Academy. She earned a B.A. in Corporate Communications with a focus in Public Relations and Studio Art from the College of Charleston.

  With over 31 years of experience in sports marketing, Melissa held key roles with the College of Charleston Athletics Department and the Charleston RiverDogs, where she primarily served as Vice President of Special Events and Director of Client Services for Corporate Partnerships.

  Passionate about education and community, Melissa is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for ACA, working to support the school's mission for His glory! 

Visit our calendar to see what fundraising programs and events are scheduled.  

Mrs. Erin Wheatley

Email: ACAhomeandschool@gmail.com

HOME & SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

The goals of the Home and School Association are to promote Christian education and foster a cooperative relationship between the home and the school. The Home and School Association sponsors events that afford opportunity for parents, students and teachers to mingle informally and better gain an appreciation for and understanding of one another.

Home and School Committee is made up of parents, relatives and/or friends of children in the school. They are a core group of volunteers who plan and organize the year's activities. All parents are encouraged to be a part of this committee.

Home and School sponsors many functions throughout the year. Parental participation is essential to its success and the more people participating in Home and School the stronger our school will be.

Visit our calendar to see what programs and events are scheduled.   

Mr. Clark Higginbotham

SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR