Our Faculty

	Kindergarten Teacher (5 year olds): RACHAEL JONES - I was born in Colorado, and my family traveled over much of the USA. I became a Christian when I was five, and became actively involved in our church. As I grew spiritually, Christ took me from mere head knowledge of Him to a deeper relationship and level of understanding. Christ is my strength and fortress through the storms of live, teaching me to not worry about the future; to trust Him, follow Him, and allow Him to guide my steps. I was home-schooled through 7^th grade, and attended Jr. High and High School in Phoenix, AZ. I attended Northern Arizona University focusing on education and performing arts, and received my BA in Liberal Studies. I also took graduate courses in Educational Ministries from Wheaton College. I moved to Ruidoso to serve in the Children and Youth Ministries of my church, and also worked as an Assistant Children’s Librarian at Ruidoso Public Library. In 2007 I married Austin Jones, and we are both in the ministry at Calvary Chapel Church. I am excited about how He brought me to Ruidoso and to SBCA. It is a faith builder to see how He has opened doors and given a vision to so many people of different faiths for the founding of this school. I know God has called me to SBCA and I feel extremely blessed to be part of this work that He is doing in Lincoln County. I desire to give students a quality education to help them to grow into a deeper relationship with Christ, to serve and love others the way Christ serves and loves.
	1^st & 2^nd Grade Teacher: PATRICIA VILLAREAL – I had lived all of my life in El Paso before God brought me to Ruidoso last year. I left everything behind, to follow His leading. I have been a substitute teacher, a Math Interventionist, and am now learning how to be a handyman (woman), tutor and shop owner, as well as a Christian School Teacher at SBCA. Throughout my Christian life I have felt the Lord’s presence around me. While teaching in public school I was prevented from sharing God with my students. At SBCA we are blessed to be able to freely discuss God, Jesus, and His Spirit at any moment during the school day, and to pray with students as needed. God’s Holy Word is woven throughout the scriptures, enhancing the learning and growing process for students in my class.
	3^rd & 4^th Grade Teacher: SHARON LYNN WITT - I was 18 years old sitting in the dark in a rocking chair at home, I was overcome with an awareness of God. I asked Him to show me how to be saved. Soon afterward my father and I were saved on the same day and baptized for the remission of our sins. I married my husband Ron 35 years ago, and we now have three children. My husband is an associate pastor at the FourSquare Church in Capitan. I received a BS (Magna Cum Laude) from Salisbury State University; attended Salisbury, MD; WorWic Tech; Porterville Jr. College, Porterville, CA and received a B-th from Life Bible College in LA, CA. I have taught 12 years in Christian schools in California, and substituted in public schools in New Mexico before coming to work at SBCA. As a teacher I am interested in developing the whole child: emotional well being, physical development, as well as spiritual or moral fiber. I teach with a combination of structured lessons with memorization, such as math facts & phonics rules). I personally feel that students need their foundation of facts and skills developed in order to express their creativity. Therefore, my role as a teacher is both an instructor and a facilitator, imparting knowledge and leading the student into various experiences that will help the child discover truths on their own.
	5^th & 6^th Grade Teacher: AUSTIN JONES – I was born in Midland, Texas, and grew up in Amarillo, Texas. I attended West Texas A & M, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology. I am currently working on a master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have been a youth pastor at Calvary Chapel, where I also am called upon to do occasional preaching. I worked at Fort Lone Tree Bible Camp for eight years, and have been involved in children’s ministries of some kind for many years. In 2007 I married Rachael Jones, and we attend Calvary Chapel Church in Ruidoso, NM. This is my first year teaching at Sierra Blanca Christian Academy. I really enjoy teaching my class, and I feel privileged to minister to them each day, sharing the love of Christ with them as we study His Word.
	Pre-School Teacher: LORI CHRISTIAN – I was born in Hobbs and grew up in Lovington, New Mexico. I attended the Church of Christ there. After losing a close friend at age 13 I decided that I wanted and needed to give my life to the Lord. Not long after that I met my future husband, and we were married a year later. In 2001 I received my BA in Social Sciences. Since then I have worked in many social area, treatment, foster car, at a women’s shelter, and as a church secretary. This is my first year in the classroom as a teacher’s aide. I now know that my calling is in education. I now have two children who attend SBCA. I am so very grateful for this opportunity to have my children receive their education in a positive, living, Christian environment. It is truly a pleasure to work at SBCA, and to watch the students grow in their love for Christ
	Teacher’s Aide (1^st & 2^nd Grade): JENNIFER GOSSETT – I lived in Ruidoso most of my life, and my parents raised me in a Christian home. I became a Christian at the age of seven. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have been blessed with 2 daughters with another due in March. I am going to school at Eastern New Mexico – Ruidoso Branch to earn my degree in education. It has been a blessing to be able to receive hands-on teacher training in a Christian environment. It is amazing to see the love of Christ in each of the students, no matter the age!