ADMINISTRATOR

Mrs. Sorrells earned her master’s degree from University of South Florida. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education. She has been volunteering with ACA since 2022.

ACADEMIC COACH

Mrs. Hancock has a BA from University of South Florida . She is certified through Florida DOE K-6 , ESOL endorsed, and Reading endorsed. She has taught in the public and private setting for over 15 years ◦ Grades taught: K4, K5, 1st-3rd, library, resource teacher, and interim assistant principal.

OFFICE MANAGER

Mrs. Lambert has been both a parent and a staff member in a Christian school. She comes to us with twenty-three years of experience working in the Christian school environment - including the library, coaching, and running the school office. She has been with ACA since 2023.

KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Leach earned her bachelor’s degree from South Florida State College. She is certified to teach elementary education k-6, and business 6-12 through the Florida Department of Education. Mrs. Leach most recently taught Kindergarten at West Elementary. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

KINDERGARTEN

Mrs. Munoz earned her master’s degree from Grand Canyon University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Warner University. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in primary and elementary education and is reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2023.

FIRST GRADE

Mrs. Lee has a bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. She has been with ACA since 2023.

SECOND GRADE

Mrs. Ryals earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2023.

SECOND GRADE

Kristin Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri. She is certified to teach through the Florida Department of Education in ESE K-12 and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2024.

THIRD GRADE

Mrs. Fussell earned her bachelor’s degree from University of South Florida. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has taught 2nd or 3rd grade for 16 years in DeSoto County. She has been with ACA since 2023.

THIRD GRADE

Mrs. Meredith earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida South Western State College.

She previously taught at Faith Preparatory School. She has been with ACA since 2024.

FOURTH GRADE

Mrs. Sorrells earned her bachelor’s degree from University of South Florida. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education, as well as K-12 ESE. She previously taught at DeSoto Middle School and has been with ACA since 2022.

FIFTH GRADE

Mrs. Harris earned her bachelor’s degree from State University of New York Plattsburgh. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and Science, and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary and has been with ACA since 2023.

6 8 9 10 11/ ELA

Mrs. Layton earned her bachelor’s degree from Warner University. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education and is Reading endorsed. She previously taught at Lake Placid Middle School and has been with ACA since 2022.

6H / MATH

Mrs. Knoche earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Mathematics and MS Integrated Curriculum. She previously taught at Desoto Middle School has been with ACA since 2022.

6 7 8/ SOCIAL STUDIES

Mrs. Hollingsworth earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southwestern College. She has taught at Memorial Elementary and Grace Christian School. She has been with ACA since 2023.

7 8 9 ELA/9 10 11 WORLD & US HISTORY

Mrs. Gilmore earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College. She is certified through the Florida Department of Education in Elementary Education and is Reading endorsed. She has most recently taught at West Elementary. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

SCIENCE

Mrs. Prescott earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida Southwestern State College. She s certified through the Florida Department of Education and is reading endorsed. She has taught elementary school in Hardee County for 8 years. The 2024 school year will be her first year with ACA.

ALGEBRA

Mrs. Halvorson is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelors degree in Exceptional Student Education and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. Her background experience ranges from elementary to adult education, college instructor, and district level assessment and curriculum positions. With 39 years as an educator in DeSoto County, she retired in 2015, and came to work at ACA in February 2023. She has served on numerous state level committees dealing with secondary math curriculum and assessment. Mrs. Halvorson believes that every student can master algebra, we just have to find the way to reach success. Confidence in mathematics is a crucial part of her instructional message.

AGRICULTURE & BIBLE

BIBLE

Mrs. Long will be teaching Bible & Hope. She is passionate about the Bible and looking forward to sharing that with those she gets to teach. She previously had homeschooled her kids for 12 years. She has been with ACA since 2024.

MUSIC

Mr. Sellers is the music instructor for ACA and full time Minister of Music for First Baptist Church of Arcadia, our host church. Mr. Sellers graduated from The Baptist College of Florida with his BA in Worship Leadership class of 2020.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Culinary Life Skills/ Biology

Mrs. Albritton is certified in food protection management, and taught Art at ACA last year.

Previously she homeschooled her 4 children for 11 years. She also serves as a 6th-12 grade youth group leader at FBCA. She has been with ACA since 2023

PRINCIPAL

Dr. Nelson earned her bachelors degree from Saint Leo University in elementary education. She holds master’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University, University of Texas at Arlington, and Saint Leo University. Dr. Nelson has earned a specialist degree and her doctorate from Saint Leo University as well. Her principals certification was awarded from the University of South Florida. She is ESOL endorsed, certified in physical education, and certified in elementary education through the Florida Department of Education. Dr. Nelson has been an elementary teacher, elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, as well as a secondary dean, and assistant principal. She has been employed with the school district of DeSoto County since 2008.