2006-2007 Wilmington Junior Academy Staff
Dedicated to providing a well-balanced education.
Geofferey Hyde (Principal, Teacher)
Mr. Hyde was born in Phillipsburg, Kansas, but most of his growing-up years were spent in New Jersey where his parents, Pastor and Mrs. Rodney Hyde, were pastoring. He graduated in 1987 from Mount Vernon Academy in Ohio and spent his first year of college at Andrews University. He then transferred to Atlantic Union College and graduated in 1994 with a B.S. Degree in Biology. He was involved in the athletic programs there, and spent one school year in Sweden as a Student Missionary serving as Assistant Boy’s Dean, teaching Gymnastics and tutoring English. Directly after college graduation, he spent two years at Garden State Academy teaching Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Science, PE/Health, and Gymnastics. He worked six summers in the administration at Camp Blue Ridge in Virginia, and one full year at that camp. After leaving Camp Blue Ridge, he became the principal of Cedarvale Jr. Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. He and his wife both taught there for 3 years after which he spent the next 4 years as the Director of Camp Blue Ridge Ministries. During his time at Camp Blue Ridge, Mr. Hyde earned his Masters Degree in Outdoor Education from Southern Adventist University.
Keith Acker (Teacher)
Pastor Keith Acker teaches Bible to grades 7 & 8. He has taught at WJA for 2 years. He enjoys working with these young, impressionable minds and directing them towards a closer relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Pastor Keith Acker was educated at Southern Adventist University, where he earned a Batchelor of Arts degree in Theology with a minor in Biblical Languages. He continued his education at Andrews University, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He has been a Pastor for 10 years and came to West Wilmington Seventh-day Adventist Church as our Associate Youth Pastor. He interned in Hagerstown, Md, and was a District Pastor in Elkton, Norrisville, & Waldorf, Md. His favorite thing in ministry is to teach the Bible to the youth and be involved in molding them into strong Christians.
Amy Cromer (Teacher)
Mrs. Cromer has been a member of WJA for over sixteen years. She graduated from Southwestern Adventist University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She is also certified by the North American Division K-12 Board of Education. She has completed additional continuing educational studies at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan and at the University of Delaware, Newark.
During her tenure at WJA, Mrs. Cromer has taught kindergarten, pre-first, and grades one to four. She has served as the director of the school’s musical concert series and also as a music teacher. In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Cromer has served as a member of the Board of Education for the Chesapeake Conference.
As kindergarten teacher, she provides a caring, nurturing environment where her students enjoy learning, discovering, and exploring in a strongly “play”-based environment. She encourages independence and teaches students to treat each other with respect. Mrs. Cromer especially enjoys teaching her students about their friend Jesus and how much He loves them.
In recognition of her excellence in teaching, Mrs. Cromer has been nominated for the Zappara Teaching Award and the Disney Teacher’s Award.
Cheryl Hewlett (Administrative Assistant/Art Teacher)
Ms. Hewlett has never regretted transferring her 12 years of experience in providing extensive administrative, secretarial and personnel support in the banking industry to the Christian non-profit sector. She feels blessed to have been able to work in various Christian settings, beginning with The Salvation Army Property Management Department in Phoenix, AZ and then as Executive Secretary to the Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Denver, CO. Ms. Hewlett found her “dream position” working first in the school office of Tempe Adventist Christian School in Arizona and now at WJA since 2003.
As Administrative Assistant at WJA, Ms. Hewlett enjoys the variety of daily responsibilities in the office and throughout the school, as well as the interaction in this family-like environment between students, teachers, parents and board members.
Ms. Hewlett also exercises her creative side by teaching art once a week to kindergarten through 8th grade where she encourages students to explore a variety of media and study master artists. She looks forward to the twice a year art shows when the student artists can showcase their masterpieces.
Beth Hoosier (Teacher)
Ms. Hoosier has been on staff at WJA for three years. She previously taught grades 3-5 at Milwaukee Junior Academy. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts. Mrs. Hoosier earned her Master of Education degree from Andrews University, Michigan.
Her teaching experience includes a wide range of grades—from kindergarten to sixth grade. While attending undergraduate school, she spent a year in Finland as a student missionary and served as an assistant girls’ dean. In addition to teaching in the traditional classroom, she has taught outdoor school which involves hands-on science in nature. Her other experiences include being an instructor and activities organizer for Extended Family Services, a librarian in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, and a member of the Homeless Ministries of Milwaukee.
Monique Hyde (Teacher)
“God has instilled in me a passion to teach and a love for children. As I embrace the lives of my students, I have the unique opportunity to help each student discover his or her vast potential thus empowering them with endless opportunities to touch the lives of others. As a teacher I affect eternity!” ~ Mrs. Hyde
Mrs. Hyde received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education and Human Movement from Atlantic Union College in 1996. She is certified by the North American Division of SDA K-12 Board of Education to teach K-8 and Physical Education K-12. Mrs. Hyde enjoys teaching in the Primary Grades as well as teaching Physical Education. Mrs. Hyde began her teaching career at Garden State Academy, NJ where she taught Physical Education and co-coached the gymnastics team with her husband. She continued teaching Physical Education and coaching gymnastics to K-10th graders at C.F. Richards Jr. Academy in Virginia. Mrs. Hyde transferred to classroom teaching when she and her husband moved to Missouri. It was there at Cedarvale Jr. Academy that she fell in love with teaching K-2nd graders. She and her husband began a gymnastics team there as well.
Mrs. Hyde is committed to nurturing each student so they can:
Reach academic excellence
Embrace a healthy lifestyle
Have a character “Just Like Jesus”
Develop a closer relationship with Jesus
Mike Marinkovic (Teacher)
Mr. Marinkovic received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History Secondary Education from the University of Delaware in 1992. For the past seven years he has worked in Christian Education as a teacher of several different grade levels. He taught 1st through 3rd as part of a team of teachers. He has taught 4th through 8th in a single classroom, multiple-grade setting much like an old “one-room school house.”
