ACA is owned and operated by the Airdrie Christian Academy Society (ACAS). The ACAS School Board is elected by society members and is currently made up of parents within our school body. The role of the ACAS Board is:
The Board ensures that key policies (admissions, hiring, and finance) are adhered to while the Head of School and Principals are responsible to supervise daily operations. They work on behalf of the society members to enhance the educational experience of our students.
- setting policy, providing the necessary financial, personnel, and facilities resources;
- promoting the school to the public; admitting new families to the school;
- and evaluating the program and administration.
The Board ensures that key policies (admissions, hiring, and finance) are adhered to while the Head of School and Principals are responsible to supervise daily operations. They work on behalf of the society members to enhance the educational experience of our students.
Board Mission and Rule:
To ensure that resources are in place to provide our children with a Christian education delivered through Godly men and women.
The board exists to serve ACA's mission statement by providing governance to operations, planning and preparing for the future, and by protecting and strengthening its resources.
The board exists to serve ACA's mission statement by providing governance to operations, planning and preparing for the future, and by protecting and strengthening its resources.
Officers of the Board
MATHEW PEACHMENT
Chair
Mathew and his wife, Rachelle, have been married for 17 years, have eight children and have been homeschooling for the past nine years. In 2022, they joined the Home Education Enrichment Program (HEEP) through ACA@Home. In 2023, they joined the Airdrie Classical Enrichment Program (ACE) where five children are enrolled from Grades 1 through 7.
Mathew is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has over 15 years of accounting experience in various industries, including multiple types of professional services firms, investment banking, manufacturing, and not-for-profit. He also received a Diploma in Christian Leadership from the CREST Leadership Centre in 2019.
Mathew and Rachelle are passionate about discipling children through Christ-centered education. We love seeing God brought into every subject in education. Mathew also serves as a coach for the Airdrie Bible Quizzing team. Mathew, Rachelle, and family attend White Fields Calvary Chapel in Airdrie.
Mathew is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has over 15 years of accounting experience in various industries, including multiple types of professional services firms, investment banking, manufacturing, and not-for-profit. He also received a Diploma in Christian Leadership from the CREST Leadership Centre in 2019.
Mathew and Rachelle are passionate about discipling children through Christ-centered education. We love seeing God brought into every subject in education. Mathew also serves as a coach for the Airdrie Bible Quizzing team. Mathew, Rachelle, and family attend White Fields Calvary Chapel in Airdrie.
Tabitha Kilfillen
Vice Chair
Tabitha and her husband David have two children, Tyler (Grade 12) and Travis (Grade 10). They joined the ACA family in 2017 after moving to Airdrie. Tabitha’s passion for Christian education has only grown as her children begin to face and navigate life’s challenges and is thankful for the role that ACA is playing in helping her and David equip their boys to be salt and light.
Tabitha has been serving on the ACA Board of Directors since 2020 and as Board Secretary for 2 years. Along with her family, Tabitha has also been on an exciting adventure planting Hope Church YYC in NE Calgary. She has been serving on the Hope Church Board for the past year as well co-leading their Building HOPE fundraising campaign.
Tabitha, a Registered Pharmacy Technician, has been a Patient Support Program Coordinator for over 9 years and recently stepped into a training role on her company’s national team. She enjoys helping people and is happy to put her organizational skills to work. She spends her free time travelling, camping and trying new things with her family and friends as well as cheering on her boys at taekwondo.
Tabitha has been serving on the ACA Board of Directors since 2020 and as Board Secretary for 2 years. Along with her family, Tabitha has also been on an exciting adventure planting Hope Church YYC in NE Calgary. She has been serving on the Hope Church Board for the past year as well co-leading their Building HOPE fundraising campaign.
Tabitha, a Registered Pharmacy Technician, has been a Patient Support Program Coordinator for over 9 years and recently stepped into a training role on her company’s national team. She enjoys helping people and is happy to put her organizational skills to work. She spends her free time travelling, camping and trying new things with her family and friends as well as cheering on her boys at taekwondo.
MIKE CROFTS
Treasurer
Mike Crofts is a new(er) resident of Airdrie, Alberta, having moved here at the end of 2021 from Ontario with his wife Steph, daughters Rhyen (age 9, Grade 4), Jamie (age 7, Grade 2) and Lenni (age 5, JK). His mother, Sheryl, moved along with the family to create a wonderful multi-generational home environment. The family is currently attending Kingdom City, and enjoying getting to know the wonderful community that Airdrie has to offer.
Mike spent many years as a professional musician touring the world with various Christian music artists as a guitarist. It was a fun adventure, but the best adventure came when they decided to grow their family. After having children, Mike decided to pursue a greater passion, helping people get out of debt and build wealth. Mike is the CEO of Salty Group, a financial coaching business, helping Canadians get out of debt and build wealth, so that they can live in the promises that God has for their lives.
Mike enjoys living close to the mountains, to continue learning the art of snowboarding. He also enjoys surfing and paddle-boarding and hopping around all the fun parks in Airdrie on the scooters with the family.
Mike spent many years as a professional musician touring the world with various Christian music artists as a guitarist. It was a fun adventure, but the best adventure came when they decided to grow their family. After having children, Mike decided to pursue a greater passion, helping people get out of debt and build wealth. Mike is the CEO of Salty Group, a financial coaching business, helping Canadians get out of debt and build wealth, so that they can live in the promises that God has for their lives.
Mike enjoys living close to the mountains, to continue learning the art of snowboarding. He also enjoys surfing and paddle-boarding and hopping around all the fun parks in Airdrie on the scooters with the family.
STEVE KNAPP
Secretary
Steve Knapp came to faith at a young age and was blessed to grow up in a Christ-centered home in Calgary. He attended Heritage Christian School from Grades 1 through 12. Since 2008, he has been happily married to his wonderful wife, Raylene, and together they have three children - Xander (15), Raymie (11), and Talitha (8). The Knapp family has been homeschooling from the very beginning and is deeply grateful for the supportive homeschooling communities they’ve been part of. They relocated to Airdrie in 2016 and enrolled their children in ACA@Home in 2022.
Professionally, Steve serves as the Director of IT at DataDrill Communications, where he has dedicated 24 years to delivering communication solutions in remote and geographically challenging areas, particularly within the Oil and Gas sector. His expertise in technology also extends to his church, where he installed and actively maintains the Wi-Fi network to support the needs of the congregation and staff.
For the past five years, the Knapp family has been actively involved in their church community, serving in various ministries, including Bible Quizzing (coaching and organizing), Youth Group, Men’s Ministries, Worship Leading, Sound Booth, Sunday School, Church Library, and Soccer coaching. Their passion is to serve Jesus wholeheartedly, remaining open to His leading while growing in faith and in fellowship with others.
Professionally, Steve serves as the Director of IT at DataDrill Communications, where he has dedicated 24 years to delivering communication solutions in remote and geographically challenging areas, particularly within the Oil and Gas sector. His expertise in technology also extends to his church, where he installed and actively maintains the Wi-Fi network to support the needs of the congregation and staff.
For the past five years, the Knapp family has been actively involved in their church community, serving in various ministries, including Bible Quizzing (coaching and organizing), Youth Group, Men’s Ministries, Worship Leading, Sound Booth, Sunday School, Church Library, and Soccer coaching. Their passion is to serve Jesus wholeheartedly, remaining open to His leading while growing in faith and in fellowship with others.
Board Members
ADRIAN CORCORAN
Policy Committee
Adrian moved to Airdrie in January of 2022 with his wife Danielle and his son Bradan who attends ACA in Grade 7. He has five other children ranging in ages from 32 to 22 and six grandchildren, who mostly live on Vancouver Island.
Adrian came to know Jesus in his 40’s after investigating the truth claims of the Gospel of Christ. Since embracing the forgiveness of Jesus, Adrian has engaged in extensive personal studies involving theology and apologetics. He is active at Venue Church where his family attends, helping with the tech team and leading a small group. Adrian feels that everyone who follows Jesus should see themselves as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Adrian has spent his career in technical fields, 28 years of aviation in the maintenance of helicopters and now serves at Finning as a Service Support Representative managing equipment repairs. He loves riding motorcycles, mountain bikes, studying scripture, spending time with his family, and engaging others in conversations about the structure of reality (especially Atheists).
Adrian came to know Jesus in his 40’s after investigating the truth claims of the Gospel of Christ. Since embracing the forgiveness of Jesus, Adrian has engaged in extensive personal studies involving theology and apologetics. He is active at Venue Church where his family attends, helping with the tech team and leading a small group. Adrian feels that everyone who follows Jesus should see themselves as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Adrian has spent his career in technical fields, 28 years of aviation in the maintenance of helicopters and now serves at Finning as a Service Support Representative managing equipment repairs. He loves riding motorcycles, mountain bikes, studying scripture, spending time with his family, and engaging others in conversations about the structure of reality (especially Atheists).
JEFF JARMAN
Bylaws
Jeff Jarman was raised in the coastal islands of British Columbia, where he developed a profound appreciation for Christ-centered education, inspired by his parents' founding a Christian private school in the 1980s. Jeff and his wife Chelsea are proud parents of three children at ACA—Isla, Skye, and Ainsley. As a family, they are deeply committed to living with a missional focus, seeking to live and serve their King wherever they are called to be. Professionally, Jeff is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer specializing in Helicopters, and has worked all over Canada for over 20 years in that industry; but his passion is for entrepreneurship and innovation, and the Lord continues to provide new opportunities to explore. The Jarman family enjoys hockey (Go Canucks!) and the great outdoors – hiking and camping with their family and two Australian Shepherds. They are active members of Redemption Church in north Calgary, and are so blessed by the truth and service of that ministry. Jeff is excited to contribute to ACA's mission and vision, drawing on his own experiences and commitment to Christ-foundational education.
JASON JOHNSON
Nominating Committee
Jason and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 20 years. They have 3 children: Jema (Age 12 - Gr.7), Jett (Age 7 - Gr.1), and Jovin (Age 3) at home running the house.
Jason and Andrea planted and pastor Union Station Church in Calgary. They are members of the International Association of Ministers. Jason and Andrea have always both been involved in ministry roles for 23+ years and believe Christian education is a branch of the bigger vine of spiritual formation. With an early set foundation, the probability of a lifelong devotion to discipleship is greater.
Jason has worked in the real estate industry for 25+ years either in investment and / or agency. He is currently a member of the Alberta Real Estate Association and Coldwell Banker Brokerage.
Fun Facts: Jason was offered a position to teach High School Biology at ACA in 2004. He "regretfully" declined so that he could work in the public school system. Jason was the keynote speaker at the ACA Graduation Ceremony in 2012
Jason and Andrea planted and pastor Union Station Church in Calgary. They are members of the International Association of Ministers. Jason and Andrea have always both been involved in ministry roles for 23+ years and believe Christian education is a branch of the bigger vine of spiritual formation. With an early set foundation, the probability of a lifelong devotion to discipleship is greater.
Jason has worked in the real estate industry for 25+ years either in investment and / or agency. He is currently a member of the Alberta Real Estate Association and Coldwell Banker Brokerage.
Fun Facts: Jason was offered a position to teach High School Biology at ACA in 2004. He "regretfully" declined so that he could work in the public school system. Jason was the keynote speaker at the ACA Graduation Ceremony in 2012
ROB THIESSEN
Robert Thiessen grew up in Airdrie, Alberta, and began his educational journey at Airdrie Koinonia Christian School (AKCS/ACA), starting Kindergarten in 1995 and graduating in 2009. Over those 13 years, he built cherished memories, from bus trips for Mexico missions to retreats and time spent learning about God and each other. Today, his son, Owen, is a Grade 2 student at ACA, where he thrives alongside friends and teachers. Robert’s wife, Caitlin, has served the ACA community as an Education Assistant in the Preschool and now warmly welcomes families as the school’s Receptionist.
Robert believes that a vital part of parenting, as entrusted by God, is ensuring children are taught truth and held to the standards exemplified by Jesus Christ—key to raising them in His image. He experienced this firsthand through ACA’s dedicated teachers, some of whom continue to inspire students today. After graduating, Robert earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Calgary. As a Project Engineer, he blends complex client needs with technical constraints to deliver quality products on demanding timelines.
Robert is eager to contribute his expertise in process efficiency and his unique perspective as an alumnus to advance ACA’s mission.
Robert believes that a vital part of parenting, as entrusted by God, is ensuring children are taught truth and held to the standards exemplified by Jesus Christ—key to raising them in His image. He experienced this firsthand through ACA’s dedicated teachers, some of whom continue to inspire students today. After graduating, Robert earned a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Calgary. As a Project Engineer, he blends complex client needs with technical constraints to deliver quality products on demanding timelines.
Robert is eager to contribute his expertise in process efficiency and his unique perspective as an alumnus to advance ACA’s mission.