Why We Started A School
My name is Anna Emerick-Biad, and I am the Founder of Mission Academy along with my husband, Chris. I am also the mom of six incredible children.
As parents, Chris and I have always agreed on the importance of providing our children with an exceptional education. We both value lifelong learning, the entrepreneurial spirit, and being contributing members of our community. We wanted our children’s education to reinforce these core values. Beyond what any standardized test could measure, we also wanted our children to experience learning in a way that would be both inspirational and relevant, and that would equip them with the skills and character needed to live meaningful lives in the real world.
When envisioning what that might look like, we saw an environment where happy learners would come together to engage in interesting hands-on projects and thoughtful discussions.
We saw exemplary character being positively reinforced. And we saw children learning how to set personal goals, advance at their own pace, and hold themselves accountable.
Seeing first-hand that this was not the experience our children were having (in traditional school or while homeschooling), we decided there had to be a better way. That’s how our adventure as micro-school builders began, back in 2016, the year we launched Acton Academy Mesilla Valley.
Since then, we have watched that little school flourish into a thriving community of over 100 learners in six different studios. We have also learned a great deal about being ‘edu-preneurs’ and thoughtfully considered what steps we would need to take in order to keep growing and serving the families of Mesilla Valley. That’s why in June 2022, we transitioned AAMV to Mission Academy.
If you want to learn more about our school, please book a tour. We look forward to meeting you!
-Anna & Chris Biad
OUR
MISSION
“Our mission is for there to be freedom in the school experience, one that is fueled by a passion to learn and a drive to think independently. We do this by offering a real-world education customized to the unique gifts and talents of our learners so they develop the character, determination, and knowledge needed to live a meaningful life.”
CORE VALUES
HEALTHY MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
I operate with positivity and gratitude while pursuing knowledge and self-awareness. I maintain lifestyle habits like exercise and good nutrition. I care for my spirit by understanding that I am part of something bigger than myself and that my life has value and purpose. A healthy spirit gives and receives love.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
I carefully observe the world around me to identify challenges that I am uniquely suited to solve. My creativity fuels my hard work, grit, and endurance. I develop financial literacy as I hone my entrepreneurial mindset of innovation, collaboration, and hustle. I am responsible for my future, while recognizing, with gratitude, those who help me achieve my goals.
RESPONSIBILITY
I contribute to my community by completing what is expected of me, owning my mistakes, and maintaining healthy relationships. I utilize my resources by asking for help when I need it, consulting others, and investigating before taking action. I will be on time, every time. I make rational and moral decisions. I can be trusted and depended on. I seek truth and justice. I think for myself
OPEN-HEARTEDNESS
I come from a place of empathy. I respect my community by listening to them, speaking honestly, and helping whenever I can. I am a kind and loyal friend. I do not gossip or use hurtful words or actions towards others. I promote equity and fairness in all situations. I have the courage to stand up for what is right.
EXCELLENCE
I will strive for continuous improvement in my schoolwork, friendships, and personal endeavors. I will build on my ideas. I set high standards for my behavior and the work that I deliver. I use my time wisely. I believe that growth is greater than perfection.
SERVICE
As an act of service and respect, I consider others in everything I do. I support, encourage, and strengthen my community with a kind and compassionate heart. I serve for the sake of others, not for recognition. I will discover and use my precious gifts to bring value to the lives of others. I believe in political and religious freedom and will strive to promote equity. I understand my purpose and am mission-driven.
MEET OUR TEAM
Anna Emerick-Biad
Anna is a mom of six, wife, and founder of Mission Academy. Some have said she is a mom on a mission to reinvent what school looks like in Las Cruces. Between us, the fuel that has powered her through launching a school is LOVE and a deep belief that all children deserve a meaningful and relevant education.
Liane Conaway
Liane keeps our school running at peak performance. She has a big heart and is deeply committed to each student and their family ensuring they receive an excellent educational experience while at Mission Academy.
Holly Morris
Holly and her husband John relocated to Las Cruces from Las Vegas, NV. Holly is a theatre educator working with middle and high school students for the past 20 plus years. She and John enjoy exploring their new hometown and taking daily walks with their dog Joey.
Kaila Gilley
PBL curriculum creator and education consultant. Former high school teacher at High Tech High. Fortunate wife and mother of three embodiments of inspiration. Addict of breakfast burritos with genuine New Mexican salsa.
Christian Aragon
Christian is passionate about leading young people in owning their education and growth as learners. His love for education started at a young age and has allowed him to guide learners in different sectors since graduating from NMSU. He's a new father to a baby girl and loves sports, fishing, and Star Wars.
Kristy Meyer
A long-ago transplant to the Mesilla Valley, Miss Kristy brings with her nearly 30 years of experience in child care and homeschooling, with a few years of office administration along the way. She is a wife, the mother of 4 amazing sons, and the delighted GrandMama K to 2 beautiful grandbabies. Children are her passion and her life's work.
Cassandra Contreras
Passionate Montessori educator with nearly twenty years of experience working with young learners. She especially loves weaving art and cooking into her work with our Eagles.
Cory Gasparich
Cory is a professional musician and experienced music educator, and choir director. He brings his love of music to Mission Academy and teaches several instruments, specifically ukulele, voice, and rhythm.
"Music can change the world because it can change people." - Bono.
Lindsey Miller
Lindsey holds a B.A. in Music and Theater and spent many years teaching children through drama and music. She continued her studies by earning an M.S. in Early Childhood Education. She now writes for several online education, parenting, and family publications and has written and designed curriculum for educators, children, and ESL learners. She loves reading, travelling, singing, acting, and being a mom to her two boys!
Theresa McClary Jeffryes
I have been a licensed teacher in Hawaii and Colorado and a participant in education initiatives in international settings with learners of all ages. I hold degrees in education, broadcast journalism, and sustainable communities. You will find me hiking with my photography equipment attached at the hip. This has been a life-long place of learning and creativity for me. Working together to build a better world full of tomorrow's solutions with our eagles is such a worthy life pursuit.
Fluffy
Fluffy the chicken and her three sister hens are our favorite part of our garden. The students raised Fluffy from a chick and enjoy collecting eggs.
Dan Bocher
Dan was born and raised in Wisconsin (Go Pack!) and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. In 2007, after a year and a half working as a preschool teacher, he moved to Maui. He began working with the special needs community and spent several years as a hiking and zipline guide. In Maui, he met and married his wife, Sarah. Sarah and Dan moved to Alaska in early 2017. In late November, they relocated to Las Cruces with their two dogs and cat.
Elysha Rae DelaCruz
Elysha has worked with children for 12 years and is a lifelong Las Cruces resident. With a background and education in early childhood education, she loves making a difference in children's lives. She has two boys and is a proud soccer and basketball mom.
Stacey Duncan
Stacey Duncan, PhD, was born and raised in the Southwestern Borderlands. She has taught a variety of courses in Education programs at both New Mexico State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, as well as the Doña Ana Community College. She is passionate about language, literacy, communication, and culture.
Tony Mitchell
Tony was born and raised in Boston in a family of 9 kids. He acquired an AS, BS, and MA and was a teacher for 23 years. Semi-retired, coach Tony enjoys working with students helping them develop a passion for athletics and good sportsmanship.
Brooklynn Wootton
Brooklynn is excited to be joining Mission Academy! She graduated from Eastern New Mexico University and is in her fifth year of teaching. Brooklynn taught second and third grade at Fort Sumner Elementary and NMDCA. She loves to bake and has two dogs she adores! She's excited to bring to Mission an experience filled with learning, curiosity, and fun!
Jessi Sanchez
Experienced elementary educator, and father, with job experience in creative media, video production, photography, web design, and other digital media. Jessi enjoys traveling, watching sports, and playing the guitar.
Wanda Wilson Powe
I am a native New Mexican from Hatch and a graduate of New Mexico State University. I am currently licensed in Elementary Education K-8 and in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Visual Art. I am retired from Las Cruces Public Schools. For the past four years, I taught art in Wichita, KS. Art is my passion, and I look forward to guiding Mission Academy learners to tap into their creativity.
Tyler Sehnal
Tyler is a Ph.D. student at New Mexico State University. He has experience working with elementary, middle, and college students. If he isn’t working with students, he’s probably reading, writing, or eating (or some combination of the three).
Anna Emerick-Biad
Anna is a mom of five, wife, and founder of Mission Academy. Some have said she is a mom on a mission to reinvent what school looks like in Las Cruces. Between us, the fuel that has powered her through launching a school is LOVE and a deep belief that all children deserve a meaningful and relevant education.
Liane Conaway
Liane keeps our school running at peak performance. She has a big heart and is deeply committed to each student and their family ensuring they receive an excellent educational experience while at Mission Academy.
Holly Morris
Holly and her husband John relocated to Las Cruces from Las Vegas, NV. Holly is a theatre educator working with middle and high school students for the past 20 plus years. She and John enjoy exploring their new hometown and taking daily walks with their dog Joey.
Kaila Gilley
PBL curriculum creator and education consultant. Former high school teacher at High Tech High. Fortunate wife and mother of three embodiments of inspiration. Addict of breakfast burritos with genuine New Mexican salsa.
Christian Aragon
Christian is passionate about leading young people in owning their education and growth as learners. His love for education started at a young age and has allowed him to guide learners in different sectors since graduating from NMSU. He's a new father to a baby girl and loves sports, fishing, and Star Wars.
Kristy Meyer
A long-ago transplant to the Mission Academy, Miss Kristy brings with her nearly 30 years of experience in child care and homeschooling, with a few years of office administration along the way. She is a wife, the mother of 4 amazing sons, the delighted GrandMama K to 3 beautiful grandbabies. Children are her passion and her life's work.
Cory Gasparich
Cory is a professional musician and experienced music educator, and choir director. He brings his love of music to Mission Academy and teaches several instruments, specifically ukulele, voice, and rhythm.
"Music can change the world because it can change people." - Bono.
Cassandra Contreras
Passionate Montessori educator with nearly twenty years of experience working with young learners. She especially loves weaving art and cooking into her work with our Eagles.
Lindsey Miller
Lindsey holds a B.A. in Music and Theater and spent many years teaching children through drama and music. She continued her studies by earning an M.S. in Early Childhood Education. She now writes for several online education, parenting, and family publications and has written and designed curriculum for educators, children, and ESL learners. She loves reading, travelling, singing, acting, and being a mom to her two boys!
Theresa McClary Jeffryes
I have been a licensed teacher in Hawaii and Colorado and a participant in education initiatives in international settings with learners of all ages. I hold degrees in education, broadcast journalism, and sustainable communities. You will find me hiking with my photography equipment attached at the hip. This has been a life-long place of learning and creativity for me. Working together to build a better world full of tomorrow's solutions with our eagles is such a worthy life pursuit.
Fluffy
Fluffy the chicken and her three sister hens are our favorite part of our garden. The students raised Fluffy from a chick and enjoy collecting eggs.
Dan Bocher
Dan was born and raised in Wisconsin (Go Pack!) and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. In 2007, after a year and a half working as a preschool teacher, he moved to Maui. He began working with the special needs community and spent several years as a hiking and zipline guide. In Maui, he met and married his wife, Sarah. Sarah and Dan moved to Alaska in early 2017. In late November, they relocated to Las Cruces with their two dogs and cat.
Stacey Duncan
Stacey Duncan, PhD, was born and raised in the Southwestern Borderlands. She has taught a variety of courses in Education programs at both New Mexico State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, as well as the Doña Ana Community College. She is passionate about language, literacy, communication, and culture.
Elysha Rae DelaCruz
Elysha has worked with children for 12 years and is a lifelong Las Cruces resident. With a background and education in early childhood education, she loves making a difference in children's lives. She has two boys and is a proud soccer and basketball mom.
Tony Mitchell
Tony was born and raised in Boston in a family of 9 kids. He acquired an AS, BS, and MA and was a teacher for 23 years. Semi-retired, coach Tony enjoys working with students helping them develop a passion for athletics and good sportsmanship.
Jessi Sanchez
Experienced elementary educator, and father, with job experience in creative media, video production, photography, web design, and other digital media. Jessi enjoys traveling, watching sports, and playing the guitar.
Brooklynn Wootton
Brooklynn is excited to be joining Mission Academy! She graduated from Eastern New Mexico University and is in her fifth year of teaching. Brooklynn taught second and third grade at Fort Sumner Elementary and NMDCA. She loves to bake and has two dogs she adores! She's excited to bring to Mission an experience filled with learning, curiosity, and fun!
Tyler Sehnal
Tyler is a Ph.D. student at New Mexico State University. He has experience working with elementary, middle, and college students. If he isn’t working with students, he’s probably reading, writing, or eating (or some combination of the three).
Wanda Wilson Powe
I am a native New Mexican from Hatch and a graduate of New Mexico State University. I am currently licensed in Elementary Education K-8 and in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Visual Art. I am retired from Las Cruces Public Schools. For the past four years, I taught art in Wichita, KS. Art is my passion, and I look forward to guiding Mission Academy learners to tap into their creativity.
Tyler Sehnal
Tyler is a Ph.D. student at New Mexico State University. He has experience working with elementary, middle, and college students. If he isn’t working with students, he’s probably reading, writing, or eating (or some combination of the three).