Faculty
Leadership | Staff
Lower School
Erin Fortin
Kindergarten
Years at UCA: 2
Hobbies: Playing guitar and piano, singing, wood burning crafts
Favorite Bible Verse: Jeremiah 29:11
Mrs. Fortin previously worked in the public school system for years in various roles and has loved working with children of many different ages, from pre-k through high school. Seeing them grow as students and as people is something she is passionate about and enjoys fostering. She has been continuing this work at UCA which has opened up those opportunities both academically as well as spiritually!
Mrs. Fortin has been married to her husband, Gilbert, since 2008. They have two children, Jeremiah and Ariah (UH-RI-UH). As a family, they love going on adventures together in their Jeep, and they also really enjoy the beach, especially the ocean. Mrs. Fortin and Gilbert like playing cornhole and spending time with friends and family. They have two chocolate labs, named Max and Mia (ME-YUH). They both love people and are great with kids!
Another passion of hers is music. She has loved it her whole life and started developing that love by singing in cantatas at church from a very young age. She has played the drums, trumpet, piano, and guitar in the past, but her primary instrument of choice is the guitar. She leads, and accompanies other leaders, for worship at her church frequently. Mrs. Fortin is part of a group called Sound of Freedom and has had the privilege of traveling with them from time to time to lead worship elsewhere.
Ariane Sheltra
First & Second Grade
Years at UCA: 2
Sherry Howard
Third Grade
Years at UCA: 21
Hobbies: I enjoy working with puppets, making balloon animals, and spending time with my family.
Favorite Bible Verse: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Teaching third grade has been an exciting adventure as the students learn new information and gain new skills. My goal as a third grade teacher is to instill in my students a desire to learn.
Kellie Stilianessis
Fourth & Fifth Grade
Years at UCA: 4
Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 1:6
I love teaching. Every day is a new endeavor and I am delighted to be on this journey with them.
Kathy Beals
Lower School Physical Education
Years at UCA: 9
.
Middle & Upper School
Michele Geib
Middle School ELA Teacher
Years at UCA: 7
Hobbies: I enjoy reading and cooking.
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:10
As both a teacher and an administrator at UCA, I am able to indulge both my passions - teaching and learning. I love being part of the educational process at UCA.
Jeremiah Schuyler
Middle School Social Studies
Years at UCA: 2
Hobbies: Golf, cooking, antiques, & music: drums & guitar
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:32
I grew up in New York State and fell in love with Vermont at an early age through summer church camp. I taught History & other social studies at Richford Jr-Sr High School for 15 years before coming to UCA. I live here in Newport City with my wife and our 2 young boys.
Jim Smith
History
Years at UCA: 25
Hobbies: Painting (houses), reading, watching sports and being on the coast of Maine
Bible Verse: James 1:5
I currently am the History teacher at UCA. I teach a number of classes from political sciences, Church History, and American History. I have a deep love for history and work hard to pass this on to my students for the purpose of helping them achieve goals that connect them to history.
I’ve lived in the region my whole life and have taught locally for 35 years. I love to be outside in the spring, summer, and fall and really enjoy painting during the season.
Meredith Gaines
Language Arts & English
Years at UCA: 4
Hobbies: Acting/Directing Live Theatre; Reading; Solo Handbell Performance; Writing
Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 5:3-5
Mrs. Gaines has been a teacher in various capacities for most of her adult life. Many ages have passed through her classrooms, from preschool music 3-year-olds to high school seniors in AP Literature. She graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, while focusing her studies there on performing arts in live theatre acting and directing.
Always an eternal student, she also completed studies in English, Art History, and Mathematics. She resides in Texas with her husband, Travis, who themselves are recent empty-nesters.
While Mrs. Gaines does most of her teaching remotely to UCA, she is very fond of the beautiful state of Vermont and makes 2-week teaching trips every school quarter to be on campus with her students. Mrs. Gaines prides herself on her growing knowledge of the Newport area, and even understands what Mud Season is all about!
Dr. Rebecca Kung
Science: Physics
Years at UCA: 1
Hobbies: I enjoy biking, rowing, gardening, and reading
Favorite Bible Verse: "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
From my first physics course as a high school student, through teaching physics and researching how students learn physics, I have loved seeing patterns in and making predictions about God’s awesome, orderly creation. I live in Michigan with my husband and two daughters and our small flock of chickens.
Kelsie Dauphin
Online Advisor
Years at UCA: 2
Hobbies: Knitting, Reading, Biking, Gardening, Boating, and Snowshoeing
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs
I am a mother of 4. My kids have been attending UCA for 4 years.
David Lisner
Christian Studies
Years at UCA:
Credentials: Senior Pastor, Newport Baptist Church. Graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Master in Theology, Doctorate of Ministry
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, gardening, trout fishing, and grouse hunting with my dog, Max
Michael S. DeSena
Christian Studies
Years at UCA: 1
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3:56
Hobbies: In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and guitars.
I have served in the pastorate of the Morgan Church for 24 years, preaching and teaching God's Word to our congregation. I have previously served on both the Board of Overseers and the Executive Board of UCA. I currently teach the middle school Christian Studies class on Creating a Christian World View.
Kimberlee Strepka
Upper School Music
Years at UCA: 21
Credentials: B.M. in Music Education, M.A. in Music Education, D.M.A. in Music Education
Hobbies: Travel, Ukrainian egg decorating, published author and arranger
Favorite Bible Verse: Acts 17:28 "In Him we live and move and have our being."
Music is a unique avenue for teaching excellence in life, collaboration with others, ministry to the disenfranchised, and witnessing to our community and beyond. Children have a powerful opportunity to change their world through their music-making.
United Christian Academy has been an important part of my life since 1997. After serving eighteen years as a UCA faculty member, I accepted the position of Head of School in June of 2020. Prior to becoming Head of School, I served for six years on UCA’s Leadership Team as the Administrative Leader.
Kelli Rhodes
Art
Years at UCA: 4
Hobbies: Mom of two, arts and crafts, baking, and the outdoors.
Favorite Bible Verse: Proverbs 3: 5-6
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” — Albert Einstein
Ruth Marquette
Lower School Chimes and Handbells
Years at UCA: 2
Hobbies: Playing flute, ringing handbells, reading, and camping
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 5:19
I earned Handbell Musician Level 1 Certification through the Handbell Musicians of America in 2018 and continue learning through festivals and seminars. I have been making music with handbells since 2002 and enjoy sharing what I learn to unite people through this musical art form. I also play flute and have accompanied the Bronze Ambassadors several times. I like to think that by making music, you pray twice.