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. Liefert moved to Mooresville, NC, in 2005 from Nevada with her husband and two sons. She has been passionate about education since childhood and has always wanted to be a teacher.

Before starting a family, she was an assistant teacher in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. After moving to NC, she became a stay-at-home mom and answered the Lord’s call to homeschool her sons. She worked as a substitute for Iredell-Statesville schools and pursued her education degree during those homeschool years. After graduating her sons, she worked as a teacher's assistant at Troutman Elementary and earned her degree in elementary education. She has since taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. She is very excited to have the opportunity to teach in a Christian school that incorporates homeschooling! She feels that her homeschooling journey definitely strengthened her faith walk, and she looks forward to walking alongside the families of her students as they disciple and educate their children.

Mrs. Liefert and her husband, JB, enjoy spending time with their younger son, Trevor, and his wife, Molly, his youth group sweetheart. They also travel to Georgia as often as possible to visit their older son, Devon, his wife, Megan, and their adorable 1-year-old grandson, Oliver Kade.

The Lieferts have been active members of Peninsula Baptist Church in Mooresville since 2010. They have been involved in discipleship, ministry, and mission trips near and far.

Mrs. Liefert enjoys visiting the Outer Banks and Hilton Head with her husband. Her hobbies include curling up with a good book and relaxing with a crocheting project. The family is passionate about animal rescue and has fostered many cats and kittens during their homeschool years. They are now the forever home for a rescue dog named Sadie and her six feline friends.

Mr. Yaiko brings over 20 years of experience in math education, having taught middle and high school students across a diverse spectrum of settings—from juvenile detention centers and public schools to international Christian schools, online platforms, and homeschooling. He holds a BA in Mathematics and Adolescent Education from Houghton University, and an M.Ed in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. 

Originally from western New York, Mr. Yaiko met his wife Kristen in college. In 2007, they made a two-year commitment to teach at the International Christian School of Budapest, supporting missionary families. Thirteen years and four children later, they returned to the U.S. and settled in Catawba County in 2021. He and his family currently attend Hickory Bible Church. 

Beyond teaching math and learning new things, Mr. Yaiko enjoys sports, with a particular interest in basketball. Though 'Father Time' has diminished the few playing skills he had, he remains active in the game as an official—perhaps you've even heckled him at a local game! In Hungary, he coached the boy's varsity team, enjoying European travel for competitions with other international schools. He also enjoys unwinding with a good audiobook or podcast, or spending a Friday night playing video games with his kids.

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. Sinclair was born and raised in Lincolnton, NC, where she still resides with her husband of over 21 years and teenage daughter. In 2003, she graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Mrs. Sinclair is a Registered Nurse and has nursing experience in family medicine, school nursing, public health, and education. As an educator since 2008, she has taught in community college, public school, and private school settings. In 2021, Mrs. Sinclair obtained a NC Educator's License in Health Science Education. Mrs. Sinclair enjoys being creative and looks for ways to bring creativity into the classroom. 

The Sinclairs are active members of First Baptist Church in Lincolnton where Mrs. Sinclair participates in the music ministries and serves on several committees. She especially enjoys assisting with the youth program at FBC. The Sinclair Family enjoys road trip adventures and exploring new places. 

Mrs. Sinclair is excited and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Starboard Christian Academy community!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

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.

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.