STARBOARD STAFF

Mrs. Carlson grew up in Indiana. She attended Ball State University and Saint Francis University earning her national teacher's license. She and her husband have 3 adult boys, 2 daughter in laws and 4 grand puppies! After 12 moves, Mrs. Carlson and her husband are thrilled to be in their forever home in beautiful Denver NC.

Mrs. Carlson has taught kindergarten in 5 different states both in Christian, charter and public schools. She feels extremely blessed to spend each school day with her kindergarten family sharing in the fun of learning!

Mrs. Deal grew up in Catawba County where she still resides with her husband, Brad. Robin grew up in a loving, Christian home on her family’s farm. The home where she and Brad reside is built where her grandparent’s home once stood. She loves her family and life in the country. Mrs. Deal also loves her church family. She and her husband are members of East Maiden Baptist Church.

Mrs. Deal received her degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University, Go Mountaineers! She recently retired from Catawba County Schools where she taught for 30 years. An interesting fact is that 28 consecutive years of her 30-year career were as a second-grade teacher.

Brad and Robin share 2 children, Nolan and Aimee. Nolan and his wife reside in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Nolan is a software engineer. Aimee resides in Claremont and is a medical assistant.

Mrs. Deal is very excited to be a part of our Starboard family. She is looking forward to getting to know each of you and a wonderful year filled with new friendships.

Mrs. Lofton was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She grew up in Christian schools from preschool all the way through high school graduation and is excited to invest in her students the same way the Christian leaders in her life did for her. Mrs. Lofton graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 2019, and met her husband at the beginning of her senior year of college. They got married in 2020 and now live in Dallas, NC with their two sweet Australian Labradoodles. Mrs. Lofton loves to travel to new places with her family, but she also loves cozy days at home curled up on the couch with a good book and a snack.

Mrs Lofton is excited to return to her roots in Christian education to make learning come to life in her classroom!

Mrs. Crosby was born in Jacksonville, FL. Her father entered the ministry life when she was in 7th grade moving her to Wilmore, KY and then bringing her to Bailey, NC. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she took a job working as a camp counselor for Norwegian Cruise Lines for a year and half, and then settled in Union County, NC as a 2nd and then 3rdgrade teacher. After getting married in 2008 to her Marine Corps husband, she made the move to Havelock, NC and taught 3rd grade there for a little over a year before she welcomed her first child. 

Jenny has two children Payton and Hayden. She has enjoyed watching them attend Christian schools and homeschooling in a Christian home. Both she and her husband Matt see their number one role as parents is to help their children develop an eternal relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They actively attend The Pointe Church in Belmont, NC and truly love their church family. 

Jenny and her family live out in the country of Iron Station. She enjoys traveling with her family and taking them on fun adventures to explore our world. She also enjoys a good book, playing games, and cooking.

Jenny is truly excited to teach in an environment that takes the best of what a classroom has to offer and the best of what homeschooling has to offer and bring them together. 

Landa Wheeler is the wife of Dr. Alan Wheeler, pastor of Redeemed Baptist Church. She is also the mother of four and a Grams. 

She is an advocate for homeschooling and even helped her youngest child complete his schooling by returning to the homeschool community. She is a native of the Lincoln County area and has lived many years in Pumpkin Center, NC. She is a graduate of Lenior-Rhyne University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has specialized training in Orton Gillingham and has tutored several Dyslexic students. 

Even before coming to Starboard Christian Academy, Landa was working with Lincoln County middle and high school students. She has taught various grades from elementary to high school both at Tri-City Christian and Cornerstone Christian. Outside of school she enjoys reading, art, ministry, and being a Grams. 

Mrs. Rachel Goodson is one of our newest members of the Starboard community. She was born and raised in Lincoln County and resides in Maiden with her husband Greg and three children: Lane, Sadie Jane, and Hank. After earning a BS in Elementary Education from Gardner Webb University, Mrs. Goodson taught at Rock Springs in Denver. After becoming a mom, she felt led to be a stay-at-home mom and has been a homeschool teacher for the past 11 years. Mrs. Goodson is excited to be able to guide and watch our future generations blossom through her love of learning! She loves Jesus, serves others, and strongly desires to provide her students with the best learning environment centered around Christ. Mrs. Goodson looks forward to coming alongside parents to help students grow spiritually and academically.

As a family, she enjoys helping on their small farm, which includes cows, chickens, a pony, and Dolly, the basset hound. They actively attend Cornerstone Church, where she helps in the pre-k and children's ministries. 

Mrs. King was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, where her parents still reside. She earned a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Special Education from UNC-Charlotte. She met her husband at a one-year-old’s birthday party and they were soon engaged and married a year later. Once married, they lived in Charlotte, where she taught for nine years. When their daughter was finishing Kindergarten, they moved to Denver and Mrs. King began teaching at East Lincoln Middle School. The gift of adoption blessed them with a second daughter in 2003. After teaching in the same classroom for 21 years, with teammates who became like family, Mrs. King decided it was time to "retire". She has tutored several students this summer while waiting to see what doors God would open. 

The Kings worship and serve with the Lake Norman Church of Christ in Huntersville. She is active in youth and ladies’ events, teaches Sunday school, and volunteers each summer at Carolina Bible Camp. She loves hiking and enjoying a good book on her front porch. However, her favorite place in the world is Sunset Beach, North Carolina. 

Two of her favorite Bible passages are Philippians 4: 6-8 and Micah 6:8. “...do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Mrs. Benfield was born and raised in Lincoln County and graduated from North Lincoln High School. She attended Appalachian State University, where she studied secondary education, focusing on History and English. She met her husband in 2008 as a freshman at Appalachian State, and they married in July 2013. 

She taught in both Lincoln and Gaston County Schools as well as online for NC Virtual Public School from 2012 through 2021. During that time they had two children, JP in 2016, and Claire in 2019. In 2021 she left the classroom to focus on family while moving to Georgia and in 2022 they welcomed their third child, Lily. 

Upon returning from Georgia in 2022 it was time for JP to begin Kindergarten and they were introduced to Starboard. After two years of having a student at Starboard and substitute teaching as needed, she was blessed to be able to join the staff full time to teach English. 

The Benfields attend Christ Church Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Denver, NC. She enjoys seeing new places with her family as well as baking breads and other treats! 

Her favorite scripture is Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

Mrs. Witherspoon moved here from Greensboro with her husband and two daughters in July of 2020.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from UNC Greensboro and taught high school science for 7 years before starting a family.  

Ashley enjoys traveling with her family, the lake, working with children, and teaching them about the amazing world of science!  Ashley and her family attend Denver United Methodist Church. 

Mrs. Templeton grew up in Missouri and has lived in Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. She married her husband, Bob Templeton, the day of his college graduation in 1975. They began their journey in ministry to young people the next week. They started as youth director and wife and moved to the Christian day school ministry as head of school and assistant or teacher for thirty-five years. 

Mrs. Templeton, has taught every grade from Pre-K to 12th. She has spent the majority of her career as an assistant to or teaching 3rd-8thgrade. She returned to college after her son and daughter finished high school to finish her degree in education. She holds ACSI certification and a Bachelors degree in Education and Psychology from Liberty University. Her students over the years have lovingly referred to her as Mrs. T and she has had the privilege of serving students and their families in Christian education for over 40 years. 

The Templetons returned to Hickory to be closer to their grandchildren and enjoy the beauty of North Carolina. They attend Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover, NC.

Olivia has been married to her husband, Brandon, for seven years. Together they have three boys Emmett, Griffin, and Beckett. The Strupps have a small homestead in Denver, NC, with a garden, goats, chickens, ducks, quail, and rabbits. They love to be outside and spend time together, tending to and learning about their animals. Olivia has been involved in the dance world since age five and has taught competition dance at a local studio for eight years. In 2015, she graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a degree in French Education. She has taught French 1, 2, and 3 at Mooresville High School for eight years. The Strupps are members of Denver Baptist Church. Olivia is so excited to be a part of the Starboard community, where her oldest will attend and where she will have the opportunity to serve teachers and students. 

JB Todd is WBC's Pastor over administration and music. He and his wife Sara have 3 children, Jane, Madilyn, and Isaiah.  With a B.A. in Music Ministry, JB has served as a music pastor in a variety of different church contexts, ranging from smaller church plants in rural towns to larger congregations in city areas. Three of his greatest passions include discipleship, learning more about theology, and encouraging the local church body to praise God through congregational singing.

Mrs. Santaniello joined Starboard’s team in 2019. She grew up in rural South Carolina next door to her grandparents farm. After high school she received her Bachelor's Degree in Music with a Minor in History from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Before coming to Starboard, she was a 911-Police and Fire Dispatcher in Charlotte, NC for 15 years. Over the past four years, she has been a stay-at-home mom to her two young children. 

Mrs. Santaniello has been married for almost 10 years to her husband, Mark. They have 2 children; Lillian, 6 years old and Christian, 4 years old. In her free time, Mrs. Santaniello enjoys music, photography and studying her Bible. 

She and her husband attend Church at Denver.

Mrs. Akins is originally from Florida but has lived in North Carolina for the last 13 years with her husband, Troy, and their four children.  Their daughters, Emily and Lauren are identical twins. They also have 2 sons, Luke and Colt. 

She attended high school at Warner Christian Academy in Daytona Beach, and went on to earn a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from The University of Florida.  She specialized in early childhood, and has enjoyed teaching young children ever since.  Most of her experience is in kindergarten, although she has taught first grade and pre-school as well.  Gloria has nearly 20 years of education experience in public, private, and University-Model (R) Schools.  Her own children attended a University-Model (R) School, so she has gained perspective as at teacher and a parent.  

"The University-Model (R) is a great education option that I have truly enjoyed. I love that this model also allows us to integrate Godly values, and a Biblical word view into our children's education." 

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family doing anything outdoors!

Mrs. Beltz grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. After high school, she attended Auburn University, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and became licensed as an RN. Upon graduating, she worked as a Pediatric Nurse for the Children's Hospital of Alabama until she met and married her husband, Josh. After moving to Texas, Josh attended Pilot training for the U.S. Air Force. Mrs. Beltz worked as a Pediatric Intensive care nurse until they moved back to Alabama and started their family. Before relocating to North Carolina in 2022, she homeschooled their children full-time and worked as a classroom facilitator for a local homeschooling cooperative. Mrs. Beltz began assisting with the STEM class at Starboard in the Spring of 2023. Their three children, Levi, Ben, and Hannah, attend Starboard. Mrs. Beltz enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to new places in her free time.  Mrs. Beltz and her family attend Cove Church in Denver.

Ms. Madison Jacobs was born in Charlotte NC and currently lives in Lincolnton. She was raised in a Christian home with her parents and two younger siblings. Madison has worked at CM Fine Art Academy as a student, apprentice, and has been a teacher since 2021. She has had a passion for art all of her life starting lessons at the early age of 7. Madison hopes to encourage young artists to discover what they can achieve and that art is for everyone. Her mission is to create for the glory of God and display his handiwork. While she is experienced in many mediums of art, she specializes in hyperrealism and graphite portraits. Madison also has a desire for children’s ministry. Recently, she has worked as a Christian counselor at the Wilds camp in Brevard, NC, and serves in the Awana program at her church. Madison also works as a bridal make up artist and enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as playing volleyball. Madison is grateful the Lord has blessed her with the opportunity to be a part of the Starboard community. 

Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”