We have a group of teachers who love teaching and love their students.
Mrs. Amanda McPherson, Pre-K/Kindergarten
Amanda McPherson is beginning her fourth year at J.A.A., she is a dedicated educator and believes the most important thing she can teach her students is that Jesus loves and cares about them. Amanda strives daily to reflect the love of Christ to each and every student. The Lord is her guide in life and she feels that He has led her to teach.
Amanda grew up in Vancouver, Washington and moved to Jacksonville with her husband who is currently serving in the United States Navy. She graduated from college here in Jacksonville and is currently taking classes through Southern Adventist University in order to further enrich her teaching abilities. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Mrs. Juliet Van Heerden, 1st & 2nd
Having always wanted to be a teacher, I headed to Southern Adventist University immediately after graduating from Highland View Academy.In 1992, I completed my B.S. degree in Elementary Education and entered the field of teaching.Eighteen years later I completed a Master’s Degree in Literacy, which I’d discovered was my true teaching passion.Sandwiched between those two diplomas were 14 years of classroom teaching and two years of “teaching” tourists in Costa Rica.
I love to travel!That’s the foundation of many other things I enjoy doing.Sharing Christ’s love with people, photographing them in their setting, cooking and eating their foods, and learning about the birds and animals of a region are some of my hobbies.
I’m newly married to Pastor André Van Heerden of Orange Cove Adventist Church.Working alongside him in the church and community is something I’m looking forward to.
Mrs. Liza DaCunha, 3rd & 4th
I was raised in central Ohio and moved to Florida in 1999. I attended the University of West Florida where I completed Educational Studies in Elementary Education, B.A. I am currently taking classes through Southern Adventist University to further my studies. My husband and I have two children ages 5 and 3.
Romans 12:7 says, “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.” This is important to me because God has called me to be a teacher, and I take that responsibility seriously. I give all my efforts to teaching well, and ensuring that each child feels valued and appreciated. In my spare time I love exercising, reading and taking my kids to the park.
Miss. Kymberly Polite, 5th & 6th Grade
One of four children, I grew up all over the South and Midwest, but call Florida home. I graduated from both FLEC and Forest Lake Academy.I have a love for school and education that started at the age of 3. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Minor in Spanish from Oakwood University. I am currently working on a Master’s in Education Media Design and Technology at Full Sail University.I come to JAA from Huntsville, Alabama, where I have been teaching public school for the past 3 years. When I am not teaching, singing, traveling, dabbling in various forms of art, or playing board games, playing different sports brings me great joy. I often like to recite my favorite scripture found in Romans 8:31 when facing a new challenge: “What then shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” It is my firm belief that God takes care of those whom He has called, and will direct their path. I am here at JAA this year as a result of following the path God has paved for me.I am excited about the upcoming year and grateful for the opportunity to educate students in a Christian institution.
Mr. Richard Butterfield, Principal & Junior High school Richard Butterfield hails from right here in Jacksonville,Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle School Education from Southern Adventist University & Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Austin Peay University. He has worked at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate level and is eager to return to the elementary level as a teaching principal. Mr. Butterfield has a passion for Adventist Education and a vision for the future. We are thankful for his commitment to our school and are looking forward to having him lead our faculty and students into the next school year.
