“Words can not express how thankful I am that God placed me at TCA for my formative years, or the gratitude I have to all of my many teachers who sacrificed so much of themselves so that I would become the well-educated and God-fearing man that I am today.”
When did you graduate?
I attended TCA from 2nd through 11th grade when my parents moved to South Carolina. I graduated from a SC public high school in 1997.
What is your fondest memory of tca?
I have very many. However, my fondest memories were always made while on retreats. Unlike today, back then we used to take a couple of days and travel for our retreats. Whether we were going to Haluwasa, Keswick, Harvey Cedars; it was always amazing times building stronger relationships with our peers, our teachers, and our Savior. Our high school “Fall Thaw” retreats were excellent and the teaching was always spot on for where we all were developmentally as young adults.
what do you love about tca?
The thing that I love most about TCA are the teachers. It’s all because of them that I am a teacher today. They inspire their students daily to be the best versions of themselves academically, socially, and as ambassadors for Christ.
describe one of your favorite teachers you had in your time at TCA and tell why he/she is your favorite?
Mr. Haseltine has always been my favorite teacher from my time at TCA. He was the first teacher that inspired me to be more than I thought I could be. He was always a phenomenal encourager and in addition to the content of his courses, he taught me that you can work hard and have fun at the same time. Most of all, he was an excellent role model for me as a young believer during my middle school years (a challenging time for everyone). He showed me by example how to be a good leader, a respected adult, and a humble servant. It’s also because of his influence that I am a math teacher today. Even though I wasn’t the best Algebra 1 student back then, he never gave up on me. I only hope that I can encourage and inspire my students the way he did for me.
Did ATTENDING TCA HELP YOU GROW IN YOUR FAITH? IF SO, HOW?
Absolutely. I learned so much more of the bible and what God had to say about me and to me through my time at TCA than I could have ever learned on Sunday mornings alone. Between scripture memorization, dedicated believing teachers, and a host of excellent guest speakers during weekly chapels, I always felt that I was being met right where I was at every age. By the time I left TCA, I not only knew what I believed but why I believed it. My faith had become my own, not something that had been passed down to me. As my pastor often says, God has no grandchildren. Leaving TCA, I was keenly aware that not only did I know God, but that He knew me and that He loved me, and that He had a plan for my life.
HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT TCA PREPARED YOU FOR GRADUATION, COLLEGE, AND LIFE AFTER SCHOOL? WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NOW?
The level of academic rigor provided by TCA put me at a distinct advantage in college. I felt better prepared than most of my peers when it came to work ethic and my ability to persevere. Most importantly though, I was prepared spiritually to navigate my treacherous college years. Regarding life after school, I feel that I was equally well-prepared. It’s for this reason that when it came time to send my kids to school that it was the obvious choice to send them to TCA where I had received such a strong foundation of my own.
I’ve now been teaching high school mathematics, computer programming, and engineering for the last 18 years. I’m a loving husband and father of two terrific boys, a respected leader in my church, and the faculty advisor for my school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT YOUR TCA STORY THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO MAKE KNOWN?
Words can not express how thankful I am that God placed me at TCA for my formative years, or the gratitude I have to all of my many teachers who sacrificed so much of themselves so that I would become the well-educated and God-fearing man that I am today.