New Faces for 2027:

Meet PCA’s New Teachers for 2026–27

As PCA begins a new school year, we’re excited to welcome several new teachers to classrooms across our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. They bring backgrounds in everything from early childhood and special education to mathematics, history, and educational leadership, but one common thread runs through their stories: a desire to invest in students within a Christ-centered community.

Get to know some of the newest members of the PCA faculty.

Torri Kelly | Kindergarten

PCA was not entirely new to Torri Kelly when she stepped into her kindergarten classroom this year. After having the school on her radar for some time, Torri began substitute teaching at PCA once a week last year. It did not take long for her to realize how much she enjoyed being part of the community.

Torri earned her bachelor’s degree from Gordon College, where she double-majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Before coming to PCA, she spent five years leading her own preschool classroom.

Torri and her husband have been married for nine years and have two children. Now, after getting to know PCA first as a substitute teacher, she is excited to make the school her permanent classroom home.

Gabrielle Board | First Grade

Gabrielle Board joins PCA as a first-grade teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education, along with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

She was drawn to PCA by its Christian community, supportive environment, and commitment to helping students develop academically and spiritually. Those priorities closely match what Gabrielle hopes to create in her own classroom.

“I truly care about each student and want them to feel loved, supported, and encouraged in my classroom,” she shared. “I’m passionate about making learning fun while helping children grow academically, socially, and in their faith.”

Alice Kappes | Fourth Grade

Alice Kappes joins PCA as a fourth-grade teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Her interest in PCA grew through conversations with staff, faculty, and students who shared their own experiences in the school community.

“My desire to join the PCA community grew based on the testimonies of many staff, faculty, and students that I have had opportunities to talk with,” she shared. “I love and appreciate how Christ-centered PCA is as a school, and I am so thankful to be a part of this community!”

Outside the classroom, Alice enjoys hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, and painting. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching how much students learn and grow over the course of a school year.

Sophia Gorman | Fourth Grade

Sophia Gorman joins PCA as a fourth-grade teacher. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Stonehill College and is also Orton-Gillingham certified.

Sophia was drawn to PCA by its commitment to keeping Christ at the center of learning, along with the kindness and warmth she experienced within the school community.

Building strong relationships with students is at the heart of Sophia’s approach to teaching. She especially values creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. Outside of school, she enjoys ballet and singing.

Virginia Schoff | Fifth Grade

Virginia Schoff joins PCA as a fifth-grade teacher with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Elementary Education from Merrimack College.

Virginia first became familiar with PCA while she was in college, when she met several families who spoke enthusiastically about their children’s experiences at the school. After later meeting PCA teachers and staff, she quickly came to understand what made the community distinctive.

“I am thrilled to be a part of a team where teachers can tend to both the academic and spiritual formation of their students,” she shared. “I consider education to be my personal ministry, and at PCA I have the privilege of working alongside a community dedicated to the same mission.”

A Portsmouth, New Hampshire native, Virginia still lives in the city today. Outside the classroom, she enjoys staying active through sports, gardening, and discovering new poetry.

Rachel Vonhof | Eighth Grade Math and Algebra I

Rachel Vonhof joins PCA’s Middle School faculty, where she will teach eighth-grade math and Algebra I. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Covenant College.

Rachel’s connection to PCA began through the people she knew who had either graduated from the school or currently attend. Their experiences helped introduce her to the PCA community and ultimately played a role in her decision to join it herself.

At the heart of Rachel’s work is a desire to help students see what is possible for their lives. “I love helping young people discover who they are and envision who they could become,” she said.

John Harju | Upper School History and Learning Coordinator

For John Harju, joining PCA’s faculty is also a return to a community his family already knows well. Both of his sons graduated from PCA, giving John a firsthand look at the school’s approach to educating students.

A graduate of Bates College with a bachelor’s degree in history, John will serve as an Upper School history teacher and learning coordinator. Through his experience as a PCA parent, he was drawn to the school’s desire to develop the whole person and its commitment to setting high standards for students and educators alike.

John also believes deeply in the role faith plays in education. “I’ve long believed, passionately, that the formation of a Christian worldview should be at the foundation of an education,” he shared.

Liam Cooney | Upper School Mosaic

Liam Cooney joins the Upper School Mosaic program with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of New Hampshire and experience teaching in both Christian and secular educational environments.

After several years away from Christian education, Liam found himself wanting to return to a setting where faith could once again be an integral part of his work. PCA particularly stood out because of its combination of a traditional Christian education and an established program designed to support students with diverse learning needs.

Outside of education, Liam is an avid hiker, and “avid” may be putting it mildly. He has completed the New Hampshire 4,000 Footers, hiked every trail in several major New England trail guides, and completed numerous other hiking challenges throughout the region. His current goals include hiking peaks across Colorado, New York, and New England, reaching the highest point in every U.S. state, visiting every National Park, and tackling larger peaks around the world.

For Liam, those adventures also provide another opportunity to appreciate God’s creation.

Caleb Forehand | Upper School History

Caleb Forehand joins PCA as an Upper School history teacher. He holds a Master of Arts in History and Social Sciences from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cedarville University.

PCA’s commitment to Christian education and its desire to prepare students to make a positive impact in their communities immediately resonated with Caleb. In his classroom, he hopes students will experience history as much more than a collection of dates and names. Caleb believes in using an engaging approach that draws from a variety of sources and fields to help students connect with the past and better understand the people and ideas that have shaped the world around them.

Outside the classroom, Caleb is an avid reader and enjoys exploring different kinds of music, particularly as a way to encounter new ideas and perspectives.

As the 2026–27 school year gets underway, we’re grateful to welcome Debra, Gabrielle, Rachel, John, Torri, Liam, and Caleb to the PCA faculty. We look forward to seeing the relationships they build, the experiences they bring to their classrooms, and the many ways they will invest in PCA students throughout the year.