Midland will have several new staff this school year, here are some brief overviews on the new folks in town!

Chris Wilhelm (7th/8th grade) - Mr. Wilhelm is a veteran teacher who has spent most of his teaching career in Tennessee. He earned both his bachelor and masters degrees from Southern Adventist University. He has organized Science and Social Studies fairs in his previous teaching experience in addition to teaching all core subjects. Part of Chris’s strength as a classroom teacher is his ability to build relationships with students as he focuses on character building.

Mary Jo Murphy (5th/6th grade) - Mrs. Murphy has a Masters in Elementary Education and taught 4th grade in the Shawnee Mission school district last school year. We are certain she will bring energy, professionalism, and community not just to 5th/6th grade, but to our entire school and community. One of her more interesting challenges will be having son Jack in 5th grade!

Melissa Arends (HS Spanish) - Mrs. Arends will teach Spanish 1 and 2 for high school students this upcoming school year. She holds a BS from Pacific Union College, completed Spanish coursework from institutions in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain, and taught high school Spanish at Auburn Adventist Academy. Last year Melissa was one of our substitute teachers in both high school and elementary classrooms. She and her husband Andy have two daughters who attend Midland.  Taylor will be an 8th grader, and Payton will be a 6th grader.

Sarah Gilbert (Music) - Mrs. Gilbert will be our music teacher for grades K-12. She graduated from Union College with a bachelor's in music education and completed a master's in music performance at the University of Nebraska. She taught music at College View Academy for many years. Mrs. Gilbert has worked at Union College since graduation and most recently at the Union College Teaching Learning Center and in Student Success. She has felt compelled to be a music teacher since she was in first grade and read Psalm 150! She is passionate about helping students find success.

Emilia Shields (3rd/4th grade) - Mrs. Shields taught part-time at MAA in the elementary grades last year and will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade this year. She is originally from Finland where she received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education and taught at an Adventist school for several years. She has also taught in Thailand through Adventist Volunteer Service. Mrs. Shields believes in achieving a good balance between rigorous learning and student well-being in the classroom. Her daughter will be in 2nd grade and her oldest son will be starting Kindergarten at Midland.

Latoya Hazell-Alcide (Bible / Chaplain) - Ms. Hazell-Alcide has served as an assistant pastor, assistant chaplain, and art director and has completed her Master of Divinity degree from our Seminary at Andrews University. She also has valuable life experience that I'm sure will help her connect with our students. She will also coordinate our outreach events.