Mrs. Cary Dowse

Math Department Head

Middle & High School Math

dowse@hcavaldosta.org

Cary Dowse has been teaching at HCA since the school opened in 1999 and is the head of the Math department. She has a Master's Degree from Valdosta State University in Middle Childhood Education and 20 years of teaching experience. She is married to Scott and they have 2 children, Chris and Casey.

Mrs. Jae Branch

Middle & High School Math

branch@hcavaldosta.org

Jae Branch has taught Math at Highland Christian Academy in grades 6, 9, 10 and 11 over the past seven years. Jae was born and raised in South Korea. She and her husband, David moved to Valdosta, his home town, in 1998. She and David have one son, David. Jae has a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education from Valdosta State University where she is currently studying for a Master’s Degree. She has also been serving as Korean director for the Valdosta International Folk Fair for the last four years. Jae states, “I love math; especially challenging problems that make me think in depth! I’m enjoying teaching at Highland Christian Academy. It is a great school.”

Science Department Head

Middle & High School Sciences

hummel@hcavaldosta.org

Jennifer Hummel has served as a Science teacher at Highland Christian Academy for nine years, and Science Department Head for six of those years. She has taught Science in the fifth through twelfth grades for ten years. Jennifer and her husband Rob have lived in Valdosta for nine years and have one daughter. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in both Biological Sciences and Science Education from North Carolina State University. Jennifer says, “What a joy to work where you get to teach children Science with a God-centered philosophy.”

Ms. Ann Sturgeon

Middle School English

sturgeon@hcavaldosta.org

Ann Sturgeon has taught middle school English for five years at Highland Christian Academy. She has a Masters Degree in Middle School Education from Valdosta State University. After teaching grades two through eight at various times, she retired from public school teaching. She has three children and three grandchildren, and she has lived in Valdosta for more than twenty-five years.

Mrs. Amanda Sutton

Social Studies Department Head

Middle & High School Social Studies

sutton@hcavaldosta.org

Amanda Sutton teaches middle and high school Social Studies at HCA. She has been a teacher here for eight years and currently serves as our Social Studies and Foreign Languages department head. Amanda is married to Kerry Sutton and they have 3 children: Mallory, Monica, and Colby. Amanda received her degree in Secondary Education, with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Valdosta State University.

Mr. Pete Supp

Middle School Science

supp@hcavaldosta.org

Pete Supp is a 1965 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. He was given his pilot training at Moody Air Force Base in 1965-66. He served 25 years in the U.S. Air Force with over 4500 flying hours; half of those as an instructor. Pete served in 130 combat missions in the Vietnam War. Pete holds Masters Degrees in Personnel Counseling (’76), Middle School Education (’94), and School Administration (’96). Upon retiring from the armed forces as Colonel Pete Supp, he taught as a public school teacher from 1990-2002. After that time, Colonel Supp served again as a Flight Simulator Instructor from 2002-2007. Mr. Supp has served as a middle school teacher at HCA from 2007-present. He and his wife Sondra life in Valdosta. Two of their grandchildren Kate and Ethan currently attend Highland Christian Academy.

Mrs. Connie Wells

Fine Arts Department Head

Fine Arts, Art Appreciation & Digital Photography

wells@hcavaldosta.org

Connie Wells has served as an art teacher at Highland Christian Academy for eight years and a department head for four of those years. She has taught art for kindergarten through the twelfth grades. Connie and her husband Dan have lived in Valdosta for many years. They have two daughters: Katie and Crista. Connie holds Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from Valdosta State University. Connie states, “I have a passion to see the arts thrive at HCA in all areas from visual arts to drama to music.”

Physical Education

coleman@hcavaldosta.org

April has taught at Highland Christian Academy for two years. Her goal for students comes from 3 John verse 2 in the New Living Translation “Dear friends I hope all is well with you and that your are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” She feels that it is vital to take care of the body and spirit to enlarge the kingdom of God. She challenges students to work together and build each other up as a team.  She wants each child to leave physical education with a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.