Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Wash., is welcoming new teachers and administration to the faculty family.
Peter Fackenthall, Auburn’s new principal, is no stranger to the school’s campus. He taught at Auburn Adventist Academy from 1994 to 1999 and served as vice principal 1996–1997. Most recently, Fackenthall worked as principal at Pacific Union College Preparatory School in Angwin, Calif.
Joy Fackenthall teaches Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Bible 9 and fundamentals of composition. Fackenthall received her Master of Arts in Spanish from Sonoma State University in California and has eight years of experience teaching Spanish, Bible and English as a second language (ESL) classes.
“Mrs. Fackenthall is easy to talk to,” says senior Maria Hall. “She seems really excited to get to know everyone, and she seems like she can relate well to students.”
Alumnus Matthew Sandvik joined the team to teach Bible 11, 20th-century and world history, civics, and precalculus. He has a Bachelor of Arts in theology and music and a Master of Arts in teaching. Previously Sandvik taught at Amazing Grace Academy in Alaska.
“I like Mr. Sandvik because he's very approachable. I feel like if I ever have questions, he will always be willing to help me and make sure that I learn everything right,” says senior Madlyn Ellis, who also works for Sandvik.
Trina Sandvik is the academy’s new registrar. She has her Bachelor of Arts in business with a concentration on management and previously worked in Oregon Conference in human resources and as an office manager.
Demetrio Villar has a Bachelor of Science from Pacific Union College in mathematics and has previously worked at Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy in California as a math teacher and registrar. Villar teaches prealgebra, algebra 1, algebra 2, FST (functions, statistics and trigonometry) and calculus.
“I can tell he is very excited about teaching,” comments senior Emily Carlton. “He brings a good energy to the classroom.”
Most recently, Auburn welcomed Jay Kissinger to be the new industrial arts teacher. He previously served in the United States Air Force, where he taught maintenance to basic trainees and earned two associate’s degrees in airframe technology and instructor in military science. He went on to get a master’s in aeronautical science.
“I’m excited to make longboards in Mr. Kissinger’s woodworking class because he is awesome,” says junior Marko Miller.
Faculty and students are excited to welcome the new teachers and administrators to the Auburn Adventist Academy family for a great school year.
New staff at Auburn Adventist Academy include (from left) Jay Kissinger, Matthew Sandvik, Trina Sandvik, Joy Fackenthall, Peter Fackenthall and Demetrio Villar.
