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Meet Our Staff Our History
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 High School Staff Biographies  Wayne Johnson – Johnson came to BCA in 2002 and his roles at BCA are varied. He teaches Economics, Yearbook and Technology Education, as well as maintaining the physical plant at BCA. Teaching is just another way of serving BCA because he's always been involved as a parent and school board member. Though Johnson worked in manufacturing in purchasing, production and facilities management for 20 years before BCA, he believes that God led him to join with the school staff. He's married to Sandy and they're parents of three grown children, all graduates of Battle CreekAcademy.
 Carla Nelsen – Nelsen began her teaching career at Battle CreekAcademy in 2001 and states that, "Each year at BCA validates my decision to be a teacher in a Seventh-day Adventist school." She also asserts that teaching has been fun due to the “good kids, super parents, administration, and awesome coworkers.”Nelsen has a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in mathematics and computer science from AndrewsUniversity and is completing her Masters of Arts in Counseling with a focus in guidance counseling from SpringArborUniversity. She teaches a variety of classes including mathematics, science and computers. According to Nelsen, her favorite class to teach is geometry, as it requires students to “stretch their knowledge of mathematics, apply what they learn to novel problems, and allows them to see God's orderliness in the world around them.”
Nelsen's foremost dream is to share her love for God with everyone. She states that one of her biggest achievements has been to persevering even when the task looks undoable. Nelsen enjoys educating students regarding how the mental, physical, and spiritual worlds fit together to create a balanced life.
 Michele Stark was drawn to BCA eight years ago because of the school's outstanding history of music education. She teaches K-4th grade classroom music, 5-12 grade bands, and 9-12 grade choir. Stark is a product of SDA education having studied at AndrewsUniversity and graduating from LaSierraUniversity. Currently she is working on her Masters of Music Education at WesternMichiganUniversity. With an extensive high school and collegiate teaching background practiced in Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and California and the West Indies College of Jamaica, Stark brings her love of music education to BCA students daily. According to Stark, “There is no finer achievement than to see students simply enjoying their musical talents in their daily lives.” While music plays a significant part in her life, she also loves to spend time camping, hiking and enjoying exploring new places with family and friends.
 Bonnie Velez served as an environmental scientist for local, state and international levels before accepting Christ as her personal savior. After her conversion, she became convicted that it was His job to make the earth new, not hers. At that point, she felt called to teach in the Seventh–day Adventist system. She has taught at Seventh-day Adventist schools now for twelve years, nine of which have been here at Battle CreekAcademy. Velez states her professional goal is to steer her students toward a closer walk with Christ that will lead them into the Kingdom, while providing them with a quality education. As one component of reaching that goal, she participates in an annual mission trip that includes many high school students. Velez is also active in her church as a Pathfinder Director and YouthSabbathSchool teacher. Additionally, she enjoys gardening, bike riding and swimming.
 Eric Velez has been an educator for 21 years and has taught in Adventist schools in California, Texas, and Michigan. He attended LomaLindaUniversity—La Sierra Campus—where he completed his B.A. in Educational Ministry. Velez later earned his M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from AndrewsUniversity. His primary goal is two-fold: He wants his students to understand the true meaning of grace and to develop a love relationship with Jesus.
Velez’s wife Bonnie also teaches at BCA in the areas of Math, Science, and Witnessing. They have two sons, Noe – 19, and Josue – 18. His hobbies include reading, music, and sports. His favorite Bible text is Proverbs 3:5, 6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.
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