Department: Middle School
Elise LoSardo
Performing ArtsElise LoSardo
Performing ArtsB.A., Gordon College
Elise LoSardo directs Performing Arts at BCA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Biblical Studies from Gordon College. While at Gordon, she performed major roles in Steel Magnolias and My Favorite Year. She also hosted Gordon’s late night comedy show, Exit 17 Live. In addition, Ms. LoSardo has worked in technical support and marketing for various theatrical productions. An avid filmmaker, Ms. LoSardo believes in the power of story telling and her goal is to utilize her “love for all kinds of art and all kinds of stories…” to help our students “find the stories they want to tell.”
Douglas Walker
Bible and ScienceDouglas Walker
Bible and ScienceB.S., Central Michigan University
Dr. of Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
M.Div., Covenant Theological Seminary
Rev. Douglas Walker teaches middle school Bible and science. Pastor Walker has served as pastor and interim pastor at churches throughout New England as well as teaching grades 7 through 12 at Windham Christian Academy in Windham, Maine and 4th and 5th grade at Boxford Academy. Pastor Walker earned a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University. Pastor Walker says, “The best years of my life have been spent in the classroom…I love engaging with young people; getting to know them, affirming their value and purpose, and helping them discover who they are, what God has planned for them as we work together to get them prepared for their next steps into their future.
Nancy Overhiser
Middle School Language ArtsNancy Overhiser
Middle School Language ArtsB.A., John Brown University
Mrs. Overhiser teaches Language Arts and provides math resource support. Mrs. Overhiser was our founding 5th grade teacher and provided love, wisdom, and unforgettable learning for BCA’s fifth graders between 2010 and 2018. Since then, Mrs. Overhiser has operated her own successful tutoring business called The Successful Student. Mrs. Overhiser holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from John Brown University and is a certified Wilson Reading Trainer.
Jin Kim
BibleJin Kim
BibleB.S., in Design, UC Davis
M.Div., Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, MA
M.A., Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Pastor Kim has taught Bible and English in the U.S. and overseas. He has heard a Master of Arts in Old Testament and a Master of Arts in Biblical Languages, both from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity, degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Design, degree from UC Davis. Pastor Kim’s philosophy of Christian education states that, “Christian education is not just transfer of knowledge. True and effective education affects the heart and transforms the soul. For this to happen the teacher must exemplify in his/her life what he/she aims to teach.”
Amanda Lemieux
Academic Support CoordinatorAmanda Lemieux
Academic Support CoordinatorAmanda has a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College, and a Masters in Special Education from Simmons College. She previously worked at both the Landmark School and Lexington High School. Amanda is also a Patient/Family Advocate at Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program and with the CF Learning Network. In her free time, she loves to go running and is always willing to go on a fun adventure. Amanda lives in Peabody with her husband, two sons, and dog. Both of Amanda’s sons attend BCA!
Gina McKeown
MusicGina McKeown
MusicBachelors of Music Ed., Illinois Wesleyan University
Master of Music, Illinois State University
Gina McKeown graduated with honors from Illinois State University with a Masters of Music and Illinois
Wesleyan University with a Bachelors of Music Education. Her concentrations were Choral Education, Music Therapy and her primary instruments were piano and voice. In addition to teaching music at BCA, Gina runs a private music studio and teaches piano, voice, and ukulele to students of all ages. Gina was previously the Creative Arts Director of the Dorothea Dix Hospital Creative Arts Therapies department in Raleigh NC. In 2015, Gina co-founded the Greater Newburyport Children’s Chorus and serves currently as the Music Director, serving youth in grades 2-12. She was the Music Director of Clinton Presbyterian Church in Illinois and currently serves as a substitute pianist for area churches as needed. Gina resides in Newburyport MA with her husband, 4 children, 3 cats, and her dog.
Shannon Granitsas
Art TeacherShannon Granitsas
Art TeacherB.M., Voice, Wheaton College
M.M., Opera, New England Conservatory
Shannon teaches visual arts from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Shannon endeavors to expose her students to a variety of artists outside of the most famous, including women, and a variety of cultures, eras and techniques. She challenges her students to try many different mediums, including weaving, pottery, sculpting, carving, printing, cutting, painting and drawing while applying the elements of art and design. Her goal is to create students who can connect art to other areas of their lives, such as math, history, politics, and science. As God has created us in His image, everyone has the capacity to create and to express personal viewpoint. When not teaching art Shannon leads a women’s bible study and teaches VBS. Shannon lives in Groveland, MA, she has three sons, who all attend BCA.
Heather Gaither
Language Arts FacultyHeather Gaither
Language Arts FacultyB.A., English Ed, Evangel University
M.Ed., Lesley University
Heather taught English for 5 years in Missouri public schools before moving to Haverhill, MA. She has been teaching at BCA for 15 years. Heather teaches 7th and 8th grade English and Health class. In previous years she has also taught Sociology and Psychology. It was her love of reading that inspired her to become a teacher and she hopes to share that with her students through teaching literature and writing. Heather hopes that her passion for her subject and training as an educator will inspire her students to become lifelong readers and learners.