Numonohi Christian Academy

NCA Staff

Rhesa Bagley teaches 4th grade math. She grew up in Papua New Guinea and always had a desire to return as a missionary. Her husband, Bobby, works with NTM Aviation. They have 4 daughters: Rhianah, Raylea, Robbie and Raiyah.

Evie Barkman, an MK who grew up in Japan, is our band teacher this year. She received her teaching degree from Toccoa Falls College.

Heather Best joins the NCA staff as high school secretary. She is an associate from Oregon.

Emily Bonner is our primary English teacher for junior and senior high. This is her third year teaching at NCA. In addition, she has taught English and Bible at Canton Academy in Mississippi. Emily graduated from Mississippi College in 2004 with a B.A. in English Education.

Nate Claasen is teaching Math and Science in the high school this year. He has a BA in Math Education and an MS in Natural Resources Management/Mathematics from Humboldt State University. He and his wife, Elizabeth, will be moving into a remote village after this school year to begin learning the language and culture of an unreached tribal group in PNG.

Renee Cox teaches Bible, science and social studies for Grades 2 and 3. She received her B.S. in elementary education at Calvary Bible College. She and her husband, Jerry, have been with New Tribes Mission for 16 years, serving first in the Philippines and now in Papua New Guinea. Her husband works with NTM aviation. They have three children: Jerilyn, Jeron and Jenny.

Jim and Carol D’Arcy serve as boarding home parents and Coordinators for the Dorm ministry. Jim has an Associates Degree in Nursing. They have five daughters. In their spare time the D'Arcy's enjoy hunting, fishing and a variety or sports. They are grateful to be a part of NTM's church planting team by serving as dorm parents!

Aaron & Meredith DeRidder work at the school as dorm parents for the boarding program. They both have a BA in Communications from Moody Bible Institute. They have three children: Emma, Ellie and Hudson. In their spare time the DeRidders enjoy soccer, hockey, motorcycle riding and waterskiing.

Carla Douglas serves as the elementary secretary for NCA. She and her husband have been with New Tribes Mission for 10 years. Carla has a Bachelor's Degree in Intercultural Studies from NTM. Dave serves as a pilot for NTM aviation. They have three children: Brandon, Austin and Ashley.

Patrick Eggleton and his family have returned to NCA as associates from Indiana. Patrick has a B.S. and M. Ed in Math Education from the University of South Florida. He also earned his PhD in Math Education from University of Georgia. He has 6 years of high school teaching experience and 11 years experience at the college level. He is teaching Grade 6 & 7 mathematics, Grade 6 Bible and serves as the Elementary Principal. Patrick and his wife Dawn have 3 children (Nathan, Timothy, and Elizabeth).

Kaili Eveans and her husband, Rick, have served in Papua New Guinea for many years. They have three children. She works in the high school as the librarian. Her hobbies include playing tennis, reading, painting, quilting and embroidery.

Herb & Jana Gass are from Indiana, USA and have two children, Alicia (15) and Caleb (12). Prior to coming to the mission field in PNG they both worked at home for 20 years. Herb worked as a Caterpillar dealer and Jana as a hairstylist. They felt called to leave their jobs and serve the Lord on the mission field. They are now serving as dorm parents in the boarding program for Numonohi Christian Academy.

Dib Hampton started teaching at NCA in 1998 after being a builder for 15 years on the same support center as the school. He and his wife, Pam, raised their 4 children in PNG and now have 11 grandchildren. Dib teaches Industrial Arts classes, a Work Study program, a high school Bible and Physical Education class. He enjoys coaching a couple of varsity sports as well. Some of Dib's interests include soccer, squash, softball, leather craft, woodworking and playing the fiddle.

Mitch Hoskins coordinates our Discovery Program (for learning disabilities). He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Bryan College as well as a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. Previously he has taught special education at Rhea County High School in Evensville, TN. He has also coached wrestling and volleyball.

Wanda Hull is our Kindergarten teacher. This is her 12th year of teaching at NCA. Wanda has her Bachelors degree in Intercultural Studies with NTM. She has nearly completed her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Wanda and her husband, Brad, were with NTM in Thailand for nine years working with the Pwo Karen people before joining the PNG team. Wanda's other interests include cross-stitching and reading. She also serves as our Student Council advisor, implementing many service projects for our local community.

Jennifer Marples is teaching music for grades 1-3 this year. She has a BSc in Christian Education from Bethany Bible College. Jennifer's husband, Richard, is the chief pilot for MAF in Papua New Guinea. Their three children, Samantha, Matthew and Nathaniel enjoy attending NCA. Jennifer's hobbies include scrap booking, cross stitching and embroidery.

Paul McKnight teaches physical education, social studies and Bible at NCA. He has a B.A. in Sport and Leisure Studies from the University of Ulster. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Christ Church College in Canterbury. Paul and Lesley have two young children: Callum and Amy.

Loma Morris serves as our Prekindergarten teacher this year. Loma and her husband, Wayne, have served with NTM for many years.

Our Grade 1 teacher, Bonnie Morton, received a BA in Missions from Bob Jones University in 1985 and an MS Ed from Philadelphia Biblical University in 2002. She has been our Grade 1 teacher since 2003. Her husband, Bud, is our mission's Family Practice Physician. She and Bud have also been very active in short-term mission trips to Brazil, West Africa, and Manitoba. Their son, Joshua, is 15 years old.

Brenda Nelson is teaching Grade 2 language arts and Grade 7 and 8 English this year at NCA. She studied elementary education at Tennessee Temple University and received her English degree from Avondale College in NSW, Australia. She and her husband Russ have 2 children and call Bonnells Bay in Newcastle, Australia home.

Karl Nielsen Nielsen is the vice principal of the high school and is teaching math and Bible. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and has an M.S. from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. Karl has previous teaching and administrative experience at Dade Christian School in Miami, and Christian Heritage School in Trumbull, CT. He and his wife Kristen have two daughters.

Kristen Nielsen is teaching 6th grade language arts and social studies. She has a B.A. in Literature from Wheaton College and an M.S. in English Education from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fl. She and her husband, Karl, have two daughters (Emily 6, and Rachel 4) and are excited to be part of the NCA team.

Carrie Nowland came to NCA as an associate from Los Angeles, California with a background in Special Education. She has since become a full member. She currently works in our NILD (Discovery) program for students with learning disabilities. Carrie enjoys crafting and cross-stitching in her spare time.

Dave Pierce provides oversight to NTM PNG communications, but also joins the NCA staff once a day to provide leadership for the yearbook. He and his wife Michelle have been serving NTM in Papua New Guinea since 2000.

Gail Posenjak serves NCA as the 4th/5th grade teacher. She graduated from Western Baptist College with a B.S. in Liberal Studies and Elementary Education. Throughout her career she has taught at schools in Washington, Oregon, and the Philippines before coming to NCA. When not at school, she enjoys quilting, scrap-booking, playing tennis and hanging out with friends.

Scott Sasaki is our high school principal. He originally came to PNG in 1993 as an associate missionary to teach science. Scott returned to PNG in 1998 as a career member of the mission with the aim of serving full time in school administration. Scott holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington with secondary teaching credentials in science. He has received a Masters of Administration from Western Washington University. Scott and his wife Terry have three boys: Kyle, Nathan, and Andrew.

Terry Sasaki teaches 2nd grade math. She has a Bachelors of Biblical studies from Cascade Bible College. Terri's husband, Scott, is the high school principal of NCA. They are from Seattle, Washington. They have three boys: Kyle, Nathan and Andrew.

Barb Schrag is our elementary librarian. She has previous experience in education in home-schooling and as a substitute teacher. She is also a career nurse. She and her husband Nate (one of our missionary pilots) are from Kansas. They have three children.

Hannah Sherman joins NCA to provide instruction in Science. She is teaching science for grades 6, 7, 9, and Biology.

Marcus and Carla Snedeker are helping NCA in several ways this year. Carla helps in the high school office and helps with the elementary PE program. Marcus also helps with the elementary PE program in addition to his role as Orientation supervisor for our support center.

Roi Suke and Samuel Dogapo are from our local area and are our maintenance workers.

Monte Sutton is returning to NCA to teach math in the high school. He has 27 years of teaching experience. He taught previously in PNG for three years and it is good to have him back. Monte and his wife, Kim, have four children. In his spare time Monte enjoys a variety of sports, computing and woodworking.

Tom and Melanie Tanner both work for NCA. Tom, with a BA in Intercultural Studies, serves as the maintenance and work detail supervisor and teaches 8th grade Bible this year. Tom grew up in Papua New Guinea and has served in many ministries throughout the years. Melanie has a BS degree in elementary education from York College. She works with the Discovery program and is the field home school coordinator. They have three children: Dustin, Brett and Wesley.

Robin Watters teaches math and language arts for 3rd grade. She has a BA in education from Saginaw Valley State University. She and her husband, David, have three children. Andrew is 10, Hannah is 8 and Caleb is 7. In her spare time Robin enjoys volleyball, reading, stamping and card making.

Cheryl Yarnell is NCA's elementary art teacher. She and her husband, Bob, also run the mission's guest house. Their two daughters are grown and live in the United States. Cheryl enjoys painting, quilting, card making, cooking and paper piecing in her spare time.