Our Team Members

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Ann Gantt is a life long resident of St. Mary's County. She has been married for 26 years and has 3 children (one of whom graduated from KCA in 2017 and one who currently is in middle school). She is a grandmother of one and one on the way. Her background is in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her Bachelor's Degree. She attends St. Frances Xavier Church in Newtowne Neck. In her spare time she enjoys reading, boating, and being with her family.

Barrett Straub is a 2003 graduate of Messiah College with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, and a 2015 graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Masters of Science in Technical Management focusing on organizational and project management. He is employed as a supervisory computer scientist at Naval Air Warfare Center: Aircraft Division - Webster Outlying Field supporting Air Traffic Control & Landing Systems. Barrett and his wife Becky have three children, Lily, Madison, and Logan at KCA. Barrett is a hobbyist theologian and avid board game player.

Cheryl Ralon is a graduate of Washington Bible College with Sacred Music and Christian Education emphasis. In addition to her B.S., she has a M.S. from Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn). Mrs. Ralon is currently working with the middle school in Math and Language Arts and is our Student Advocate (working with students with special needs) for middle and high school. She has taught 5th grade, middle school P.E., Science, History, and Elementary Music. Additionally, she is a trained NILD educational therapist (National Institute of Learning Development) focusing on brain-based education. She is the mother of 4 KCA ‘lifers,” now all college graduates, and grandmother of six KCA students."

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Alyssa Mitchell is the 4 th grade teacher at KCA. She is the mother of two KCA students and is
married to her husband, Clayton. Mrs. Mitchell loves fostering kittens and also enjoys playing in
an adult dodgeball league and sewing in her spare time.

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Betsy graduated in 1991 from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. degree in Business Administration. She's ​a former student of a private Christian Academy in Puerto Rico, and mother of two KCA Alumni and one KCA student. Her daughter Natalia graduated in 2012, Cristina graduated in 2016, and Adriana currently attends. Betsy is also KCA’s former Director of Admissions, where she worked for 14 years. She now works at the President's Office at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and as a certified Christian Life Coach. Betsy and her husband Jose are bilingual Pastors, Christian Life Coach Directors with MetodoCC in the area of USA East, and lifelong worship leaders.

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Angel Biggar is one of our 2nd grade teachers, and is married to Mr. Ian Biggar, who is a former
KCA employee (and occasional current sub). Angel is originally from North Carolina and spent
time teaching English in Cambodia. Angel began teaching at KCA in 2022. In her free time, she
enjoys reading, hiking, and planning fun activities for her students.

Barbara is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, as well as a Master of Reading Education from Towson State University. She has taught at KCA for 20+ years and currently serves as the lower school resource teacher as well as the 5th grade teacher. She is trained in Lindamood Bell and Barton Reading and has tutored students from Pre-K to high school in reading, math, writing and other subjects. She is certified through ACSI and is working for her dyslexia screening certification. Prior to KCA she taught at Carroll Christian Academy. She attends Grace Chapel and enjoys reading, writing, crafts, and going to auctions and farmer's/flea markets. She is married to Joe, a master craftsman woodworker and has one daughter, Hannah, a recent graduate of KCA.

Mrs. Smith earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University and her
M.S. in School Counseling from Liberty University. Over the years she has taught kindergarten, middle school, and junior college classes. Mrs. Smith is married to Walt, and they have a son, Garrison, who is KCA lifer and 2022 graduate. In 2009, the Navy brought their family to southern Maryland, where they eventually decided to retire. Mrs. Smith began volunteering at KCA and soon started working part time as a counselor. She collaborated with parents and teachers to create a fantastic school experience for students. She enjoys reading, kayaking, and Disney. As a member of SouthPoint Church, she is one of the leaders of the Stephen Ministry team, where she enjoys helping others connect to Christ.

Christina Pamblanco and her family moved to St.Mary's County about three years ago from Florida. She is a graduate of University of Central Florida with her Bachelor's in Elementary Education and she has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University. She began teaching in 2005 in the primary grades and has served in administrative roles as well. Her experience in education includes public, charter, and now private school education. She started at KCA in 2019 on the middle school team as a 6th grade teacher. Christina attends Leonardtown Baptist Church where her husband serves as the Senior Pastor. She enjoys traveling, reading, scrapbooking, and caring for her family's garden and chickens.She and her husband Jason have been married for over 18 years and have one child named Judah.

Crystal Schlueter is a graduate of The King's College, NY (B.A.) and Regent University, VA (M.A.) and is currently in doctoral courses for Curriculum Development and Technology. She teaches the British Literature and American Literature Dual Enrollment courses at KCA for Cairn University and is adviser for the yearbook. She is a member of SAYSF Church and has been married for 37 years to Daniel, who is a history teacher. Her daughter, Anna, and son-in-law, Grant, live and work in Southern Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, reading, and singing with the praise & worship team.

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Barbara Mashtare is the Director of Admissions for KCA. She has lived in St. Mary's County since February 2010 when her family moved to Maryland from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Barbara has two adult children and two current students. When Barbara is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and serving in ministry with her husband at Our Fathers House AG. Barbara is honored and blessed to be a part of the school where she truly enjoys helping other families learn more about KCA.

Celeste began substitute teaching in 2009 and came on full-time as the school's Development Secretary in October 2011. She also serves as the school's Summer Camp Secretary and teaches a Spanish club for 4th Grade, as well as a devotional class for 6th grade girls. She came to KCA with a background in marketing and sales and has a B.A. in linguistics from UMBC. In her spare time, Celeste enjoys being an AWANA leader at Faith Bible Church in Mechanicsville. She has been a St. Mary's County resident for the past four years and is a devoted mom to Brandon Pullias, a KCA graduate.

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