Auburn Adventist Academy (AAA) is happy to announce the arrival of six new faculty.

Francisco Brito, of Fife, Wash., has a bachelor's in religion and a minor in Spanish and will teach Spanish at the academy. He is originally from the Dominican Republic where he worked as a technical teacher. “I have always loved working with teenagers," Brito said. "I hope to not only be a teacher, but also a pastor, mentor and friend for the students.”

Debbie Trautwein, from Auburn, Wash., has a master's in special education and will serve as a remedial learning specialist. “I hope to be able to help those who are struggling to learn," Trautwein said, "and teach them skills to become better students.”

Garlyn Wacker, most recently from Riverside, Calif., joins the English department team and holds a master's degree in English and literature. "I'm excited to know the students and get them passionate about literature," Wacker said.

In addition, AAA welcomes back:

Troy Carle, former taskforce boys' dean, as director of English as a Second Language (ESL). Carle has a bachelor's in English from Pacific Union College. “I am planning on putting a lot of work into [the ESL program] and strengthening the department by offering a more diverse curriculum.”

Harmony Smith, a social work student at Union College, is taking a year off from school to serve as taskforce girls' dean at her alma mater. “I chose to return to AAA because I loved going to school at Auburn," Smith said. "The faculty really helped me while I was here, and it felt like a big family. I hope that I can help the girls the way the staff helped me.”

A sophomore international rescue and relief student at Union College, Daniel Rogers is also returning to his alma mater to serve as taskforce boys' dean. “I am excited and enthusiastic to work with the kids, and I want to do whatever possible to help the students succeed.”

Dedicated teachers help to make Adventist Christian education academically and spiritually solid, and so it is a great honor for Auburn Academy to welcome these new team members.