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.

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.

Dana and Joanie Bowers have been serving in PNG since 1993. They served as dorm parents for six years first at Malango School, and then at NCA. Dana now teaches 6th graders, and Joanie is the high school librarian. Dana and Joanie also oversee the boarding program at NCA.

Becky Burleson teaches Spanish for NCA. She first came to PNG with her husband Neil and family in 1996. She and Neil also serve as student council advisors this year. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and enjoys reading and tennis in her spare time. Use this link to view their family website.

Neil Burleson also graduated from Texas A&M and has taught History, Comparative Politics, Math, and Bible for Grades 7-12 at the school over the years. At times, when needed due to staffing shortages, he has also served in the school administration. Neil and Becky enjoy being part of the team reaching the unreached peoples of Papua New Guinea. Use this link to view their family website.

Joe Chell teaches grade six science. He has a BEd from Simon Fraser University. He and his wife, Pat, are from the west coast of British Columbia in Canada.

Pat Chell teaches French and English. She and her husband, Joe, have three children: Jenny, Andrew and Matt who are attending university in British Columbia.

Renee Cox teaches Language Arts and Math for Grade 3. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Calvary Bible College. She and her husband, Jerry, have been with New Tribes Mission for 18 years, serving first in the Philippines and now in Papua New Guinea. Her husband works with NTM aviation. They have three children: Jerilyn, Jerron, and Jenny.

Jenn Cratch is assisting in Kindergarten this year. Jenn and her husband, Mike, are on loan for a year from their ministry with the Sino tribe. They have three boys: Michael, Mason and Matthew. They are from southern California.

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.

Carmen DeVries is excited to be here at NCA. God has directed her path to be here to teach 2nd and 3rd grade. She loves her students. Carmen grew up in Montana and was recently teaching at a Christian school in Spokane, Washington. She loves her family, the mountains of Montana, playing volleyball and taking pictures of sunsets. She is grateful that God called her to PNG to be apart of the team spreading the GOOD NEWS!

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 and Dawn Eggleton and family serve 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 8 years of high school teaching experience and 11 years experience at the college level. He is teaching Geometry, Algebra 2, AP Statistics and serves as the Elementary Principal. Dawn serves as a Discovery Therapist with the Discovery Program and also assists with homeschool coordination. They have 3 children (Nathan, Timothy, and Elizabeth). Use this link to view their website.

Rebekah Green is teaching 7th grade geography. She comes from New Mexico, where she earned her BS in Elementary Education. She appreciates being able to give part of her day to teach MKs, while devoting the rest to care for her home and family.

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.

Deena Hendrickson is privileged to teach kindergarten music as well as 4-6th grade music. She is also assisting in the library. Deena graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 with a BS in Elementary Education, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Deena and her husband, Buzz, have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. She enjoys doing cross stitch, quilting, singing, and reading.

Mitch Hoskins works as our Discovery Program Coordinator (special programs). He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Bryan College as well as a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Tech University. Previously he has taught special education at Rhea County High School in Evensville, TN. He and his wife, Jenny, have three sons, Micah, Simon, and Ezekiel.

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. Use this link to view their website.

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.

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.

Mark and Rose Mowery will be serving as dorm parents this year. Mark is on loan to the school from New Tribes aviation where he serves as a pilot. Use this link to view their website.

Karl Nielsen is the vice principal of the high school. 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 7th grade English. 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 class. He and his wife Michelle have been serving NTM PNG 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.

Jody and Marcia Riethmiller serve at Lapilo with Member Care. This year Jody is teaching 11th and 12th grade Bible and Marcia will serve as a substitute for the elementary school. They both recently arrived from their ministry at New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

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 Search and Teach. 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 7, 9, chemistry and biology.

Marcus and Carla Snedeker are helping NCA in several ways this year. Carla helps in the high school office. 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 28 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 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 works with the Discovery program and is the home school coordinator. They have three children: Dustin, Brett and Wesley.

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. Use this link to view their family website.