Our Mission At EVCA
“To preserve our nation’s Founding Principles, Estancia Valley Classical Academy seeks to furnish willing students a rigorous education in the humanities, the sciences, and the arts, with such instruction in the virtues as will best develop the mind and character of its pupils.”
The EVCA founders forged a mission statement that not only speaks to the population of today, but is reminiscent of the days of America’s founding. The mission had to be able to withstand the tests of time; it would have to have as much significance today as it would tomorrow.
Education in the humanities includes literature, languages, history, government, geography, and the first principles of philosophy. The sciences include the physical and biological sciences and mathematics, and the arts include both the visual arts and music.
Instruction in the virtues refers to models, stories, discussions and an overall school culture that will familiarize students with classical virtues and encourage them to master habits of character such as honesty and discipline that are conducive to an excellent life.
The phrase “our Nation’s founding principles” refers to a certain understanding about nature, rights, and government that is expressed in the Declaration of Independence and is fundamental to the frame of government outlined in the United States Constitution. Some of the most essential of these principles are: Liberty, Equality, and Natural Rights.
America’s Founding Fathers knew that the preservation of free government would always depend on the capacity of the American people to remain faithful to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They also knew this would not be easy or automatic. The American experiment in liberty is stacked upon a certain kind of education – an education aimed at providing citizens the knowledge and character required for self-government.
The Founders of the Estancia Valley Classical Academy, are a group of professionals, parents, educators, and young adults discontented with the downward trend in literacy —academic, civic, and cultural — and the upward trend in high-risk behaviors in America and in our own community. Our intention in opening EVCA is to reverse these trends by providing students in the Moriarty-Edgewood area a content rich and academically rigorous education in the classical liberal arts tradition that will challenge them to excel both in learning and in character.
The team came together in midsummer of 2010 and worked diligently to earn their charter, which was awarded by the state of New Mexico’s Public Education Commission in September of 2011.
Kenneth started working in the electrical trades during his high school years for a family friend near Clovis. After about two decades, he assumed the role of Engineering and Operations Manager for a small rural electric distribution cooperative, east of Albuquerque. Kenneth completed his master’s degree through the Electric Utility Management Program at New Mexico State University. He has had extensive experience in consulting and working in large industrial and electric utility roles.
Kenneth, a native New Mexican, comes from a family that values education – both hard work as well as ‘book learning.’ He is of the opinion that through both aspects of education others can also be brought up to take their places as responsible citizens who are able to make significant contributions in the local communities.
Kenneth earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from New Mexico State University in 1993 and his M.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1995. He also serves as Assistant Scout Master to Boy Scout Troop 995.
“One good way to stop the conversation at a dinner party is to say that I’m a homemaker. If anyone responds at all, it’s simply to say, ‘Oh’. Then silence follows until someone changes the subject.” Kim Adams laughs as she shares this observation. She goes on to stress that she loves her work — raising three children and pursuing the best educational option for each is a priority that she considers a privilege.
Kim Adams is a New Mexico State University graduate with a B.S. in Psychology and a Wharton Jr. College graduate with an A.A. as a Physical Therapy Assistant. She earned her P.T.A. license in the state of Texas in 1998. Kim’s intention was to always set aside her career when she became a mom, and put all her schooling and knowledge into raising her children.
Aside from homemaking, Kim was the children’s director (2008-2016) at the church she and her family attend. This involved team building, organization, and training her many volunteers as they teach newborns through sixth grade. Kim also serves on the Governing Council of EVCA, a Hillsdale Barney Charter School. She, her husband Kenny, and seven others founded EVCA. Her true passion is children and youth of all ages. Her desire is for an excellent education for every child no matter what their particular story may be. An education that incorporates the virtues and principles this great nation was built on.
As an undergraduate, Tara Elkins served as a Constitution Research Assistant for Hillsdale College president, Dr. Larry Arnn, and served as an academic mentor. During her time at Hillsdale, she founded the Hillsdale chapter of University Christian Outreach. As a member of the Washington-Hillsdale Internship program, Tara worked in the office of Sen. Pete Domenici (R, NM) in Washington, D.C. and gave tours of the U.S. Capitol. During her senior year at Hillsdale, Tara was selected as a finalist for the Intercollegiate Studies Institute’s 2010 Simon Fellowship Award for her plan to develop a civics curriculum for citizens.
Tara Elkins graduate Summa Cum Laude from Hillsdale in 2010 where she received her Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in Economics.
Joanne Johnson’s biography is still being written. We do apologize for the inconvenience.
Aaron is a professional in the Visual Effects (VFX) industry, having experience with all stages of the Production Pipeline. He has worked with engineers to provide visualization aide for presentations to NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratories. During his time at college, Aaron tutored students in the use of many of the industry tools, including Autodesk Maya and both Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. Aaron was also a founding member of the Film and Digital Arts Guild of New Mexico, a society to help promote and mentor young artists within New Mexico. Aaron also designed the EVCA crest and fundraising buttons. He also designed and maintains the EVCA website.
Recently, Aaron has worked with T-Ro Films in the post-production phases of Hunter’s Game, serving as a stand-in and as Weapons Master for 2nd Unit shoots.
Roger is a retired United States Air Force officer and currently serves as the president of the EVCA governing council. Roger spent a large portion of his over twenty years in the USAF, as a pilot. During that period he was an F-106 Delta Dart pilot and served as a squadron test pilot and also was an air combat tactics instructor. During the remainder of Roger’s military career, he led to Presidential Study Teams for Strategic Defense and Space Exploration. As a founding member of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, he headed lightweight interceptor, hyper-velocity weapons, and was program manager of the Timberwind Program, a project to develop a nuclear thermal rocket stage. He also served on four Defense Science Boards on subjects of advanced launch systems and space-based radar and lead two Presidential Study Teams on Strategic Defense and Space Exploration under President Reagan.
In 1993, Roger retired from the Air Force and began working for Sandia National Laboratories where he was a Principal Member of the Technical Staff. Roger has since retired from SNL and has worked in the space and energy industries since. He served as a lead systems engineer with NASA during the Ares I-X rocket flight test. Roger currently works as the Chief Technical Officer of an energy company that designs and builds advanced power generation application. Roger also served as a member of the State Board of Education for New Mexico during Gov. Gary Johnson.
Roger earned his B.S. in Physics from Portland State University and his M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puget Sound. He is also an academician with the International Astronautical Academy.
Terry Nunneley’s biography is still being written. We do apologize for the inconvenience.
Theresa, or ‘Terry’ as she prefers to be called, is a professional educator with dual licensure in the State of New Mexico – Levels 3A for Instructional Leader for grades K-8 Elementary and for Pre K-12 Special Education. She has taught children from diverse socioeconomic , cultural, and language backgrounds. Her background includes teaching over seven years on a Zuni Indian Reservation and serving fourteen years with the Moriarty-Edgewood Public Schools. She also served four years with Jicarilla Apache, Navajo, and Hispanic children in Dulce.
While working in the schools systems, Terry specialized in student discipline, classroom management, and mentoring new teachers. She also worked as a facilitator for high school students’ online learning at a private academy.
Theresa earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and Psychology from Rhode Island College in 1976 and her M.A. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from Northern Arizona University in 1987.
In June 2008 Tom completed a 34 year career as an Officer in the United States Air Force where he served as a pilot and chaplain. Tom has sought more focused training through intensive seminars, such as Air War College in the military and Prison Fellowship’s Centurions Training. During his tenure as a pastor, Tom established the Christian Discipleship University, a rigorous life development process for church members to equip them for ministry, leadership, and peace-making throughout the world.
Tom received his B.S. in Physics from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1972 and his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1983. He is currently working on his Ph.D. at Trinity Theological Seminary.