New School Year Brings Staff Changes at Spencerville Adventist Academy

Amber Mayer

The 2015-16 school year brought a number of changes for the Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) staff. Amber Mayer, pre-K teacher for the past six years, is the new fourth-grade teacher. Mayer has a bachelor’s in social sciences with an emphasis in elementary education from Ashford University (Calif.). “One of my goals this school year is to pass along this enthusiasm for STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] to the next generation of learners," she says.

Donna Calderon

Donna Calderon is filling the vacancy left in pre-K. Calderon has a bachelor’s in early childhood studies from the University of Bristol (England) and a postgraduate certificate of education from the University of the West of England. Calderon says, “Pre-K is where we build a foundation for learning, which should encompass every aspect of growth—a love for school, each other and God!”

Amu Mullikin

Amu Mullikin is moving to the fifth-grade classroom from middle school, where she taught for the past seven years. “I am looking forward to … helping the students prepare for their middle school experiences,” says Mullikin.

Myrna Edwards

During the past year, Myrna Edwards has been building the SAA library. She has a bachelor’s in elementary and special education from Hood College in Maryland. “Her attention to detail and kind and caring manner will enhance the educational experience of students as they use our media center,” says Brian Kittleson, principal.

Greg Macaliano

Greg Macalinao joins SAA fulltime as the physical education (PE) teacher. Macalinao graduated from SAA in 2005 and served as the PE teacher at Olney Adventist Preparatory School in Olney, Md., for the past four years. He also served as SAA’s assistant gymnastics coach for the past eight years. He received a bachelor’s in physical education from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., in 2010. “I’m honored and privileged to have the opportunity to return to SAA to teach. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” says Macalinao.

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Tyler Mathis

Tyler Mathis is filling the high school math teaching position. Mathis graduated from Southern Adventist University (SAU) (Tenn.) in May with a bachelor’s in mathematics. “I am really excited about coming to Spencerville Adventist Academy. Not only do I get to share my love of math with my students, but, more importantly, I get to teach my students about Christ,” he says.

Brittany Thorp

Brittany (Jacobson) Thorp joins the SAA business office as associate business manager. A graduate of SAA in 2007, Thorp attended SAU where she earned a bachelor’s in business administration. After graduating, she worked at the Saipan Seventh-day Adventist School in the Northern Mariana Islands where she focused on fundraising projects, billing and student accounts. Most recently she worked at the North American Division Treasury Department as an implementation and training specialist.