United Christian Academy

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Miss Kennedy Wilson, Second Grade Teacher and Head Girl's JV Basketball Coach. "Hello! My name is Kennedy Wilson and this is my third year teaching, but my first year at UCA! I previously taught in Illinois for two years, but I am so happy that God has brought me back to Minnesota! The thing I am most excited about being a part of UCA, is the fact that I will be surrounded by godly people who are just as excited about raising up this next generation!" We asked Miss Wilson some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: ☕🍵 Coffee or tea? - "Coffee - it's the best drink!!" 🎲🎮Board or video games? - "Board games - they are much more fun and you can still talk with people while playing!" 📖 🎞️Book or movie? - "Books - they will always be better than movies! So many more details!!" Welcome to the community Miss Wilson! #ucathunder #ucastaff

Hey Thunder Families! It is a pleasure for me to announce that Kennedy Wilson has accepted the position as JV Head Coach for the UCA Girls Basketball Team! Kennedy brings wonderful experience both as a coach and a player to our girls program. Kennedy began playing in 7th grade and played all the way through high school serving as team captain her final 3 years of high school. During those years, Kennedy was selected to both the all-conference and all district teams. She then continued her basketball at the next level enjoying a 4 year college career for North Central University helping the NCU Rams to a UMAC Conference championship her junior year! After graduating from NCU, Kennedy traveled to Illinois to accept her first job as a teacher and a coach. She coached both volleyball and basketball at the high school level, stepping into her leadership gifts and desire for helping girls grow both as players and as followers of Christ. Coach Wilson has a fun passion for the game of basketball and for pouring into the hearts of girls. Read what Kennedy shares about her own heart for coaching… “The thing I am most excited about is building relationships with the girls. When I was in high school, I had an amazing basketball coach. He knew the game, was always willing to listen, and wanted the best for us. I'm looking forward to coming alongside these girls and doing the same. I can't wait to see not only all the growth in basketball, but in their faith as well! I am looking forward to coaching at UCA for many reasons! I have heard such great things about the UCA Girls program and the UCA basketball coaches so I am so looking forward to the fun in store this next season!” Kennedy will also be teaching 2nd grade here in her first year at UCA but this will be her 3rd year as a teacher. I am so excited to have Kennedy not just on the staff of UCA Girls Basketball, but even more so, to have her as a part of the academic and faith family of United Christian Academy. In Christ, Coach Peder Eide Head Coach UCA Girls Basketball

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mr. Sam Peterson, Academic Dean, and Middle School Athletic Director. "For the past two years, I have been working on getting my Master's Degree from North Central University. I worked as a graduate assistant and assistant track and field coach for NCU as well! I have also had the amazing opportunity of being the UCA JV boy's basketball coach for three years now! I am excited about the community at UCA and being able to work with this wonderful staff and the UCA students!" We asked Mr. Peterson some "This or That" questions, and here are his responses: ☕🍵Coffee or Tea? - "Coffee over tea!" 🌅 🌃Early bird or night owl? - "I am a night owl, for sure!" Welcome to the community Mr. Peterson! #ucathunder #ucastaff

💜 We love hearing from our community about their experiences here at UCA. This story comes from a grandparent who enjoys witnessing and participating in her grandchildren's school experiences. 💬 "My favorite experience at UCA was helping in my granddaughter's class. Watching her eagerness to learn and her excitement to share it all with me. I also enjoyed last year's production of Pinocchio. The powerful message brought tears to my eyes. My shy grandson found the courage and confidence to stand before a large audience to play his part of the cat. I am so very proud that my grandchildren are getting a great education and learning Christian values. They are also developing an understanding of those values in action. A firm foundation in Christ." It is a great blessing to partner with your family! #ucathunder

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mrs. Hayley Brown, Fifth Grade teacher. "I relocated last summer to Minnesota from California, where I taught for 8 years. I love creating a classroom family where students can express themselves, develop a love for learning, and grow in their journey with Christ to become a light to the world. I am a mother of two beautiful little boys, but I see my school and students as my extended family. I am excited to join the UCA family to walk alongside other believers in teaching the love of Christ and seeing His hand touch the hearts and minds of the students. I greatly look forward to this coming school year and making amazing memories in such a loving school community." We asked Mrs. Brown some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: 🎲🎮 Board or video games? - "I value family time and prefer board games over video games because I feel like a screen can take away from focusing on each other." 📖 🎞️ Book or movie? - "I prefer books to movies because I find they tell a story in greater detail than the big screen." Welcome to the community Mrs. Brown! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🎒🚌 📚 ✏️School starts August 22nd, just two short weeks away! Make the decision to enroll today. Reach out to our Admissions department at: admissions@ucathunder.org #ucathunder #backtoschool

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mr. Kirk Pugsley, Middle School Math and Science. Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way they should go….” I have taught and coached in public and private schools for over 22 years. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to join with parents to accomplish this challenge of Proverbs 22:6. Christian Education should be teaching and training young people to be successful in whatever the Lord calls them to be. J.C. Watts said: “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. Too many people think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.” UCA and I have a shared passion for the love of Christ and Christian education. A vision that creates an environment of quality education blended with an enthusiasm for learning. We asked Mr. Pugsley some "This or That" questions, and here are his responses: 🍦❄️Ice cream or snow cone? - "I scream for ice cream.” It's my go-to medicine. 🎲 🎮 Board or video games? - "Board & card games are great, video games are ok, but golf is my game of choice." 📚🎞️ Book or movie? - "I am a book guy, but any movie that “boldly goes” or is in a “galaxy far, far away” I will grab some popcorn and soda pop and be totally entertained." Welcome to the community Mr. Pugsley! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🏈 UCA's first Youth Football Camp is in the books! 🏈 Coach Jake Wynia worked with a group of ten boys today, laying the groundwork for the future of UCA's football program. Can't wait to see what the future holds! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🥎 Our recent softball scrimmage, hosted by the varsity softball team, brought together many different members of our community. Softball players, baseball players, parents and siblings, staff, alumni, and more! 🌞It was a perfect day to PLAY BALL! Thank you to everyone who joined, both as a player or a fan! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Miss Ciri Meyen, Upper School Administrative Assistant. "Before working at UCA, I worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional at a Classical Education Charter School. I'm excited about the career change and the new opportunities at UCA!" We asked Miss Meyen some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: 🍦❄️Ice cream or snow cone? - "I love ice cream! I wish it were a food group." 🌅🌃Early bird or night owl? - "Definitely a night owl! I don't like early mornings!" Welcome to the community Miss Meyen! #ucathunder #ucastaff

💜 We love to hear from our parents about what they are experiencing here at UCA. This is from one of our elementary families, with students entering Kindergarten and 5th grade. This will be their fourth year with UCA. 💬 "We are super excited for this year at UCA and feel very blessed to have the school support we have received with our children. Please feel free to reach out if anything is ever needed, as we will always do our best to help. We have found a great foundation at UCA and firmly believe it was one of the best decisions we have ever made to enroll. We constantly tell people where our kids go to school and why, and we wouldn’t change it for the world!" It is a great blessing to partner with your family! #ucathunder #ucaelementary

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Mrs. Alejandra Llerena-Peterson, First Grade teacher. "I truly believe in the power of the classroom. In the classroom, students are able to explore what the real world will be like, the good and the bad. In the classroom they navigate their emotions, they navigate critical thinking, working with peers, problem-solving, freedom, and limits. This sets them up to be kind, intelligent human beings that not only contribute to society but make this world a little better than it was before. I am the most excited about joining the UCA community-including staff and families as well as being able to talk about Jesus-that is so special!" We asked Mrs. Llerena-Peterson some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: ☕🍵Coffee or Tea? - "Coffee, for sure!" 🧂 🍬 Sweet or Salty? - "Sweet" Welcome to the community Mrs. LP! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Miss Naomi Caron, High School Math and Science teacher. "I’ve taught in public schools for 6 years, in 3 schools, in two states. I am excited to make the transition into a Christian school. I attended a Private Christian high school and I am looking forward to the faith-based community that is there." We asked Miss Caron some "This or That" questions, and here are her responses: ☕🍵Coffee or Tea? - "Coffee! But I drink it with just a little milk so you don’t lose the flavor of it." 🎲🎮Board or video games? - "Board games. My family has always done game nights and playing games together always comes with lots of laughs." 📖 🎞️Book or movie? - "I have always loved to read and do so a lot in my free time. I read about 8 books in the first few weeks of Summer." 🏍️ Fun fact...she rides a motorcycle! Welcome to the community Miss Caron! #ucathunder #ucastaff

🙌🏼 UCA is blessed to welcome new staff members to our team for this coming school year! We would like to introduce you to Dr. Tim Morrison, Elementary Principal. "I am blessed to be married to Wendy for 37 years. We have one daughter and a son-in-law. My experience includes 11 years teaching in elementary public schools (Las Vegas and Minnesota) and 10 years teaching/principal in Christian schools (Bethany Academy and Christian Life). My previous position was at Crown College as Associate Professor of Teacher Education (11 years). My Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota is in Mathematics Education. As the new Elementary Principal, I look forward to using my teaching and administrative experience to serve and mentor our staff and students. I love to read and enjoy learning about Christian Apologetics. I am convinced that operational science is compatible with the Word of God. I enjoy speaking with agnostics, atheists, and 'religious' people that their questions have answers in Jesus Christ." Welcome to the community Dr. Morrison! #ucathunder #ucastaff

Calling all UCA students and family (7th grade and older)! 🥎 The Varsity Softball team invites you to a friendly scrimmage: Monday, July 31st, at 4:00 pm Dred Scott Playfield #3. Whether or not you are on the softball or baseball team, if you've played or never picked up a glove. Join the fun! #ucathunder #ucaathletics

🗓️ We are less than four weeks away from Day One of the 2023-2024 school year! ⏱️There is still time to work through the enrollment process, but act now so that you don't miss a single day! We are looking forward to welcoming all of our new families into the UCA community and hope that you will join us! ❓Reach out to our admissions department to get your questions answered or to schedule a tour: admissions@ucathunder.org #ucathunder #backtoschool

☀️🔥 The temps were high, and the competition was heated this week for Multi-sport camp! Mr. Peters led these campers through games they played in phy ed class during the school year. Flag Football, Whiffle Ball, Pin Guard, and more! They worked on the fundamentals of throwing and catching, ran through some conditioning drills, and had fun playing their favorite games! #ucathunder #ucasummercamps

The Upper School is coming together! Classrooms are being stocked, furniture is being assembled, walls are being painted in UCA colors, and logistics are being finalized! Join us for the Open House to see it all for yourself! August 3rd at 6:00 pm. #ucathunder #ucaupperschool

♟️ Chess Camp has been a fantastic opportunity for kids to dive into the captivating world of chess, where strategic thinking, problem-solving, and creativity come together in a thrilling battle of wits! 🧠 Mr. Hawkinson has been guiding our students through interactive lessons, from the basics to advanced tactics. They've learned how to plan ahead, foresee moves, and outmaneuver their opponents on the chessboard! #ucathunder #ucasummercamp

🔬 🔄Science room SWAP! 🪄 In the blink of an eye, the high school science classroom has now become the middle school science classroom! We're one step closer to having our Lower School ready for students. Thank you to all of our helpers! #ucathunder #ucalowerschool