Mrs. Shelleena McConnell
Coming from a large family, surrounded by siblings, nieces, and nephews, it did not take long to realize I was destined to work with people. I knew early in life I had a knack for working with children. My energy, positive attitude and resourcefulness helped lead the way to being an educator, both in the school and church setting.
I am excited to be a part of the Ankeny Christian Academy staff. Through the education and work opportunities God has allowed me to experience, I believe He has been preparing me for a job such as this. One of my purposes in this life is to teach others about Jesus. I do that everywhere by the way I live, but in a private school setting, I can do that more directly. I look forward to working in an environment knowing there is a like-mindedness in our spiritual goals.
I graduated from Drake University with degrees in elementary education and elementary counseling. I also have an early childhood and reading endorsement. I have completed a variety of courses through the Luther Rice Bible Institute. After teaching in the elementary classroom for Southeast Polk Community School District, I moved to an early childhood/parent educator position. Following that experience, I developed children’s ministry programs in two churches. Prior to teaching at ACA, I taught preschool.
I am convicted by the Holy Spirit to live a righteous and holy life, but because I am human and cannot live a sinless life, I am blessed to have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is my only path to God, the Father. I met that Savior, Jesus Christ, one day when I was a teenager. After listening to a radio evangelist (I like to think it was Billy Graham!), I went outside to hang out the laundry on the clothes line, and it was there, under the clothes line, I asked Jesus to come into my life!
My husband, Robert, and I live on a farm in Altoona. We have three grown, married children and six grandchildren. We love spending time with our family, watching them grow, learn, and transform into beautiful, spiritual Jesus people. We love watching movies and cooking together! I have also just discovered the pleasure of playing pickleball!
Robert and I have been very active in church. We helped plant First Family Church in Ankeny, where I was the children’s ministry director. Robert was then called to pastor Cornerstone Church in Altoona, where I continued my work with children. We finished our time with Cornerstone Church in December 2018, and we are currently attending New Life Church in Pleasant Hill.
God has impressed on me that love is key to our Christian walk. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 NKJV