Leadership

What a privilege it is to serve as the Head of School at ACA!

I was born and raised in California and am a product of Christian education from preschool through my PhD. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and teaching credential from Christian Heritage College, my Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Bible College and Theological Seminary, and I earned my PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University.

I began teaching at a Redwood Christian School in 2002 in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’ve taught PE, Bible, and Christian Ministry (missions), I’ve coached basketball, been an assistant principal, and a principal. In the summer of 2022, we moved to Tuscaloosa, and I am now the Head of School at ACA. A few of my favorite things about working in a Christian School include: continuing the spiritual formation and development of students in conjunction with the home and church through Christian education, guiding students to discover the calling God has placed upon their lives, and fostering enthusiasm for learning, for challenges, and for growth.

My wife Amber and I were married in 2005 and have three children. We have twin boys, Elijah and Isaac, and a daughter, Abrielle. We also have a very lovable dog named Marvel! Being from California, I am a Padres, Lakers, 49ers, and USC fan. As we now live in Tuscaloosa, I am also open to the idea of adding UA to this list. My two favorite pastimes are fishing and hunting. If you enjoy fishing and hunting and are willing to let me tag along, please let me know!

Hello ACA family!

I am so excited to be joining American Christian Academy as your new Middle and High School Principal. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to experience, as a parent, the amazing culture that makes ACA what it is, and I am honored to continue building upon what God is already orchestrating here regarding Christian education.

Over the last year, I have felt the Father deeply stirring my heart about making a change from public education to Christian education. I did not know exactly what that looked like, nor what He had in store. As I stepped out on blind faith following the Holy Spirit's leading, I began to realize how Peter must have felt when he stepped out of the boat and walked on water.

A little over four years ago, our family made the decision to move three of our four children to ACA. Multiple factors influenced this decision, but the two main ones were Christ-centered education and a family atmosphere. After experiencing the love and care that each member of ACA's faculty and staff gave to our kids, I knew we had made the right decision. During this four year time, I began sensing "a need for change." I did not know exactly what that looked like nor how God planned to implement this need for change, but I was actively listening. This past spring, I felt the Father pulling me more to ACA. I hesitantly sent an email letting Dr. Carden know that I was sending my resume in total obedience to the Holy Spirit's prodding. I had no idea if there was a teaching position open in my area of certification. A few hours later, Dr. Carden emailed me back with an invitation to interview. I accepted, but I had no idea what position I would be interviewing for. I was thinking English or history; he was offering administration. After a month of various interviews and meetings, I graciously accepted Dr. Carden's and Dr. Warner's invitation to join the team at ACA. Since making this decision, I have felt right at home and at peace.

Over the last three years, I have had the opportunity to serve alongside you as a parent in the trenches of Christian education. I am eager to continue this journey with you as both a parent and administrator at ACA. I have already shared how God guided our family to ACA and how he pressed upon my heart to seek out a position as a Christian educator, but I would like to share a little bit more about myself. I am a complete product of public education. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Collaborative Special Education K-12 in 2003 from the University of Alabama, and earned my English and reading specialist certification in 2004. I received my Master's in Instructional Leadership in 2018 and my Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership in 2020 from the University of West Alabama.

I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. I moved to Tuscaloosa in 1997 to attend college and left only briefly to work in Birmingham before coming back home to Tuscaloosa. I began my teaching career at Rudd Middle School as an 8th grade special education teacher in 2003. I taught 8th grade for two years before transferring to St. Clair County High School in 2005. In 2006, I had the opportunity to transfer to Clay-Chalkville High School and be their reading specialist and inclusion special education teacher. In December 2010, my family and I moved back to Tuscaloosa because Joel felt the Father calling him back to school and some form of ministry. I continued my commute from Tuscaloosa to Clay-Chalkville for the remainder of the school year before accepting a position as a 9th grade English teacher at Hillcrest High School here in Tuscaloosa. In July of 2018, I was offered a position at Brookwood High School to be their At-Risk Coach and for 3 years I worked to increase student attendance and decrease the number of student failures. I served as an Assistant Principal at Brookwood High from January 2021 until June 2022. I truly believe that all students have the ability to excel; we simply have to figure out what works best for them. I am passionate about highlighting each individual student's God-given talents and helping them find ways to use these talents for the glory of the Father.

Joel and I were married in August 2001 and we have four children (affectionately called "the Crazies.") Abigail, our oldest, will be a freshman at Samford University in the fall. Silas is next and he will be a 9th grader; Adah will be in 6th grade this year; and Asher, our youngest, will be in 3rd. We have two dogs (Lacey, a yellow lab; and Hazel Anne, a miniature daschund) and a cat (Indy). I enjoy watching various sporting events and attending musical theater shows. I like to work in my yard and love playing in the dirt.

I look forward to partnering with you this year as we love, serve, and care for our students, our faculty and staff, and one another. I know that God has amazing things prepared for us here at ACA, and I am overjoyed to be a leadership partner. I am eager to see what HE has in store.

It is truly an honor to be a part of this amazing family!

In HIS Grip,

Sheree Kizziah, Ed.S.

Barbara Pippins grew up in Tuscaloosa where she attended Walker Elementary and Northside High School. After graduation she attended Shelton State Community College before transferring to the University of Alabama to receive a degree in Elementary Education. After teaching at Tuscaloosa Christian for two years and then serving as a Children’s Pastor for five years, she joined the ACA family in 1995. With the birth of her children, Barbara became a stay at home mom for four years. She then returned to ACA where she taught second grade before moving into administration in 2010.

Barbara and her husband Tim have worked in church ministry for over twenty years and now attend Soma Church.  Both of their children, Caleb and Caitlin are graduates of ACA.

Morgan Kenny is an Alabama native and currently lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband, who is also a teacher. Morgan graduated from The University of Alabama with a BS in Education, MA in Curriculum and Instruction and is certified to teach English Language Arts and Social Studies. She has taught since 2016 and her focus is on critical thinking and analysis through literary works and historical information. She works as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for ACA starting in 2023.

 I am excited about my journey here at ACA!  I truly believe that God gave us all a purpose. I am so thankful to be walking in mine. I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Al. I have three children that attend ACA. My hobbies include singing , traveling , and spending time with my loved ones. I have over 9 years of experience with children and have a degree in Early Childhood Education. 

Rob Cain has served as our Athletic Director and Campus Pastor since June 1, 2010. Prior to that, he was the chaplain for our football team and a frequent Chapel speaker. Rob is the pastor of The Lighthouse, a church that meets here in the ACA gym each Sunday at 10:30 AM. He is deeply involved in short-term international student missions, and is the founder and director of No Compromise Ministries. Rob served as a full-time employee of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, specifically working to set up 4-day Festivals for Franklin Graham. He and his wife, Taffy, have been married for 26 years and have two kids, Hudson and Maddie. Hudson plays college football for Stillman, and Maddie plays basketball, volleyball, and softball at ACA.