Central Academy

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Carrie Neller holds an undergraduate degree from Houghton College in New York and a master's degree in Education from DePaul University. Ms. Neller has been in the field of education for 20 years. She was the Director of Supplemental Programs at Hawaii Baptist Academy, a K-12 college prep school of 1,000 students. She also served as High School Assistant Principal at ASSETS School, an independent K-12 school in Honolulu. In addition to administrative positions, Carrie has taught in private Christian schools. She has also held administrative positions in the corporate world. In her leisure, Carrie enjoys traveling, walking, camping, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. She and her husband reside in Monroe.

ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dr. Mildred Similton is a native of Charlotte, NC. A graduate of Pfeiffer University and UNC-Charlotte, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the Academy, Dr. Similton worked in higher education for fifteen years as an academic assessment officer, a professor and as director of a college preparatory program for high school students. She joined the Academy in 2003 to begin development of the high school program. Since that time she has served as interim administrator and academic dean. Her scholarly research has included evaluating the effectiveness of Freshman Seminar Programs and identifying indicators of healthy family functioning. Dr. Similton serves as president of the Greater Charlotte Association of Christian Schools and as an adjucnt online faculty member for Lindsey Wilson College and Liberty University.  A member of Central Church of God, she resides in Lake Park with her husband and children.

ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR

Elrita Curry is originally from Lumberton, NC. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at Barber-Scotia College in Concord. Mrs. Curry's background is in banking and she has provided 25 years of service in that field. She brings a variety of knowledge and skills that contribute to the diverse needs of a growing Christian education environment. Mrs. Curry has always had a passion for the academic and spiritual needs of children and has volunteered in the Union County school system and teaches first grade Sunday School at Central Church of God. She resides in Waxhaw with her husband and children.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Dale Similton is a native of Kannapolis, NC. He earned his undergraduate degree at Mars Hill College where he was an Honorable Mention All-American football player. He has nearly 20 years of experience in private education as a middle school history teacher, intramural coordinator and varsity coach. His coaching experiences include middle school football and middle and high school basketball and track. Mr. Similton is also founder and director of the ministry Similton Faith, Hope and Love Camps. A member of Central Church of God, he resides in Lake Park with his family.

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Shari Tuz is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Business Administration from Grove City College and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Duke University. She joined the Academy staff in 2004 and has 15 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising and marketing. She and her family live in the Charlotte area and attend Forest Hill Church. She enjoys photography and traveling.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Ashley Benton earned her Computer Applications Specialist Diploma from King's College in Charlotte and is currently working on her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. She has a background in human resources and administrative support. She is originally from the Wesley Chapel area and currently resides in Matthews with her husband, Justin. They attend Central Church at Lake Park in Indian Trail.

MAINTENANCE/CUSTODIAL

Vasiliy Kotsyuba is originally from Ukraine. Before coming to Central Academy, he worked at a private elementary school in Albany, NY doing maintenance/custodial work. He now resides in Lake Park with his family. He also serves as associate pastor at Slavic Evangelical Church - Emmanuel.

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS

KINDERGARTEN
Bonnie Platzer graduated from State University of New York-College of Buffalo with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has 10 years of experience in public and private schools.  Mrs. Platzer and her family reside in Charlotte. 

FIRST GRADE
Kim Hucks graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Early Childhood and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing piano, singing, reading, vacationing at the beach and hiking. She and her husband reside in Monroe and have three children.

SECOND GRADE
Pam Ketchie has over 15 years of teaching experience in public and private schools.  She was one of the first teachers hired at the Academy the first year the school began.  She received her Bachelor’s and Master's Degree from Valdosta State University in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband have one daughter who is a student at Central Academy. The family resides in Charlotte. Mrs. Ketchie’s hobbies include eating chocolate, gardening, boating, reading and hiking.

THIRD GRADE
Lauren Lawrence earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Lee University.  Her experience includes five years teaching in Christian schools and 15 years in the homeschooling community.  Mrs. Lawrence, her husband and two children live in Charlotte and have been members of Central Church of God for more than 25 years.  She enjoys singing in her church choir, reading and gardening.

FOURTH GRADE 
Rita Nichols graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught for more than 25 years in both public and private schools. She has two children and one grandson. Mrs. Nichols and her husband reside in Matthews. Her interests include sewing, gardening, shelling and genealogy.  

FIFTH GRADE
Christina Corpening earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Charlotte.  She taught in public and Christian schools for eight years, working with grades second through ninth.  Ms. Corpening and her family live in Charlotte and attend Mecklenburg Community Church.

ELEMENTARY P.E. / RESOURCE SUPPORT
Patty Cole is thrilled to be a part of the faculty this year and feels that God has placed a unique opportunity before her at Central Academy. She as a BA in elementary education from Harding Christian University and has 20+ years of teaching experience in the classroom (fifteen of those years in a small private Christian school much like Central Academy). She will be wearing many "hats" in her position as the kindergarten assistant, elementary PE teacher, and resource support for the K-5 teachers. Her husband, Greg, is a Reginal Sales Manager for Snap-On Tools. She and her husband are involved in Queen City Church of Christ, a new start-up church. Patty has four grown sons ages 21-28.


MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY

Lori Gruginski teaches high school English, electives and middle school computer.  She graduated from Missouri Southern State College with a BS in Education and is in her 15th year as an educator. She and her husband are budget counselors for Crown Ministries and she tutors adults through the Literacy Council of Union County. She enjoys nature trails, scrapbooking, reading and spending time with friends. She and her husband live in Indian Trail and have one daughter.

Micah Karaman teaches middle school health, a careers class for seniors, and assists with middle and high school basketball. He earned his B.A. degree from Lee University with a major in telecommunications and a minor in Bible. In 2007 he received his license to become an ordained minister. Mr. Karaman has been teaching in private schools for the past eight years, and lives in the Matthews area with his wife. They are currently attending Real Life Church in Concord.

Willa McGhee teaches middle school language arts, history and Bible as well as high school English and speech. She earned her B.A. from UNC-Charlotte and has taught in Christian schools for more than 15 years. Her favorite pastimes include reading, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time with her two sons.  

Mike Mason teaches English in the high school and Bible in both the middle and high school programs.  Mr. Mason completed his undergraduate degree in education, specializing in language arts.  He is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Southern Evangelical Seminary.  He and his wife live in Mooresville.

Tom Ward teaches middle and high school science and social studies. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Drew University (Madison, NJ) and a B.A. in Biblical Education from Florida Bible College. Also, he studied secondary education at Pensacola Christian College. He has 25+ years teaching and/or administrative experience in Christian Schools in North Carolina and New Jersey. Mr. Ward and his wife reside in Monroe. His hobbies include cartooning, writing, 1/43 scale slot racing and playing bluegrass harmonica.

Olga Zhushma teaches high school math and science. Her educational background includes undergraduate degrees in Mathematics (The College of Saint Rose, NY) and Mechanical Engineering (Union College, NY) as well as a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). Originally from the Ukraine, she now resides in Lake Park with her husband and their three children.


SUPPORT FACULTY & STAFF

MEDIA SPECIALIST
Robin Bowlin graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a bachelor of arts degree in English. She has been an Academy parent for seven years and served as Parents' Association president for several years. Mrs. Bowlin was a founding member of Faith United Methodist Church in Lake Park and enjoys reading, walking, baseball and shopping in her spare time. She lives in Lake Park with her husband and two children.

TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
Lori Gruginski graduated from Missouri Southern State College with a BS in Education and is in her 15th year as an educator. She and her husband are budget counselors for Crown Ministries and she tutors adults through the Literacy Council of Union County. She enjoys nature trails, scrapbooking, reading and spending time with friends. She and her husband live in Indian Trail and have one daughter.

ELEMENTARY SPANISH
Mercy Star teaches elementary spanish. She graduated from Santo Tomas University in Bogota, Colombia with a degree in psychology. She worked in Human Resources for about ten years in Colombia then as a professor in computers and organizational psychology at her alma mater. Upon living in the United States, she has taken care of young children and taught Spanish for four years at Providence Christian School in Charlotte. She and her husband attend Providence Road Church of Christ and have a 22-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter.

ELEMENTARY RESOURCE TEACHER
Sherry Watts earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from UNCC.  She has taught in both public and private schools.  She and her husband reside in Weddington and have two children.  They are members at Southbrook Community Church.  She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, dancing, reading, scrapbooking, and hiking.

MUSIC TEACHER
Jerry Kemper is a worship leader and Christian recording artist with a B.S. in Elementary Education. His desire is to develop students not only musically, but also spiritually. Mr. Kemper teaches Elementary music, leads the Praise Band, and provides private music lessons.  He and his family reside in Matthews.

ART
Mila Antonyuk earned her Master's Degree in Art Education and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Originally from Europe, she was an art instructor at School of Art in Ukraine, Technical College in Estonia and Christian School in Seattle, WA. She is a member of Central Church of God and resides with her family in Matthews. She enjoys making pottery, painting and gardening.