Education Staff
Steve Schyck: Principal
Steve holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from Western Michigan University, and a Masters Degree from Michigan State University, as well as a Masters Degree from the University of Idaho. He is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.
He has a long list of Honors and Achievements including: Outstanding Young Educator (runner-up) Hartland Jaycees, State Championship, Plummer High School Football, Superintendent’s Award, Fulton County Schools, Proven record of leadership in improving student achievement, Proven record of leadership in improving school climate, National acclaim for promising practices in character education, and Finalist for “School Administrator of the Year” Florida African American Education Alliance.
Steve’s lifetime career as an Educator involved 18 years as Junior/Senior High School Principal, 5 years as Assistant Principal for curriculum and instruction, 3 years as Assistant Principal for attendance and discipline, and 16 years as teacher of Language Arts and Social Studies. He has also owned and operated a private business.
Steve has a deep passion for helping the young people of our society reach their life goals, and his career as an Educator is evident to what is in his heart. Because of his love for today’s youth, he left retirement to become Principal of Shepherd’s Hill Academy.
Steve has been married to his wife Patricia for 43 years. They have three children Stephen, Ann and Michael, all of which are Educators. Steve and Patricia also have six grandchildren.
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Amy Laird: Teacher of Science and Biblical Studies
Amy has received a Bachelors Degree in Education with certification in History, English and Science. She is also certified through Niyelo as an Adventure Based Counselor, Ropes Course Facilitator, First Aid, CPR, and Crisis Intervention (CPI).
She has worked with the youth of Shepherd’s Hill Academy for 10 years. Her prayer is that, as young people are healed by the love and truth of Christ, that they will continue the witness and be a light to the world into which they return.
Amy feels a dual calling on her life to be both teacher and minister to struggling teens. Her deepest aspiration is to model Christ because of the gratitude she has towards Him for the work He has done in her life. She desires to be a witness through her words and the way she lives her own life. She believes that Shepherd’s Hill Academy serves a unique purpose in this day and hour, and is grateful to be a part of it. It is gratifying for Amy to witness the many young lives she sees at Shepherd’s Hill Academy changed through Christ.
Amy and her husband, Jeremiah, enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. Amy also plays the hand drum in the worship team at her church.
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Nate Tilton: Teacher of History and Biblical Studies
Nate has a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and a Minor in Biblical Studies from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA.
Nate has been serving as a teacher to the youth for 12 years. He has been an instructor at Shepherd’s Hill Academy for 5 years teaching History and Biblical Studies to our resident students. Nate is a creative teacher who encourages his students to think critically and to take initiative in their learning. He has a deep passion for teaching history, and is very respected by his students.
Nate cherishes being an educator, and he especially loves the challenges of teaching teenagers. His passion for youth began with parenting his own five children. Nate finds it rewarding to see God’s glory work in the lives of troubled youth.
He enjoys time with his wife Margie and he loves carpentry, auto mechanics, gardening, camping, fishing, and disc golf.
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Christina Jones: Teacher of English
Christina holds a Bachelors degree in middle grades English and Social Studies from Emmanuel College in Franklin, GA.
Christina has served the youth for nearly 7 years. During college, she worked with various schools as a student teacher. Prior to her teaching position at Shepherd’s Hill Academy, Christina also worked with the Girl’s New Creation Wilderness Program for SHA. Her husband is a Youth Pastor for a local church, and she volunteers her time to work side by side with him to disciple the youth group.
By being a teacher she desires to impact the youth of the American culture in the same way her teachers impacted her life. She aspires to help them grow not only intellectually, but also spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Outside of her teaching, Christina enjoys hiking, biking, rock climbing, scuba diving, and playing competitive sports. She enjoys reading a variety of authors to enhance her and her student’s learning opportunities. She remains informed on innovative instructional strategies for students with disabilities and disorders.
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Paul Mallalieu: Teacher of Mathematics and Health/P.E.
Paul holds a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, History from Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA.
Paul has served the youth in the community for six years. He began his career by teaching at a local reform school. He then moved into a teaching position at Shepherd’s Hill Academy. Throughout his teaching career he has simultaneously served at a local youth group.
Working with the youth is a passion and calling that God has placed on Paul’s life. He enjoys youth work because he feels it is a rewarding profession in which God uses him to make a positive impact on the lives of students. It is Paul’s joy to teach; whether he can teach people to be more knowledgeable in their academic studies, or to help them draw closer to God.
Paul and his wife enjoy outdoor activities, hiking and participating in competitive sports.
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Doña Caterina: Teacher of Foreign Language
Doña has both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She has worked with youth for 25 years in Central America, South America and the United States.
As a mother of 2 grown children, she understands the responsibility of raising children and being the primary care giver. As a Teacher, she is inspired to make a deep positive impact on the lives of students. She currently teaches Spanish to the students at SHA. She is also our facilitator for Georgia Virtual School.
Doña and her husband are retired and live in Hartwell, GA. Their son is married and is a missionary in Asia, and their daughter attends college. She enjoys sewing and swimming. Doña is also a talented violinist and pianist. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Janna Fendley: Girls Teacher’s Aid & Next Step Program Manager
Janna completed her Undergraduate work at Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa Falls, GA in Biblical studies, and her minor in Cross Cultural Studies. She has worked with the youth for 4 years in a program that reached out to inter- city teens.
She’s worked with kids bound by the cycle of poverty, abuse, and addiction. She has served at Shepherds Hill Academy for 2 years on our residential staff and a Teacher’s Aid. Her passion is to teach teenagers what life is really about in Christ and not of the world. Janna believes the youth of today are our future, and desires to give them another chance in life through the hope of Christ. Janna is recently married to her husband Stephen.
She enjoys hiking, canoeing, camping, and all other outdoor activities. She also plays the guitar and sings.
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