Administration
Sean O’Connor
Mr. Sean O‘Connor is the Principal and Administrator at Risen Christ Christian Academy. He has served as the Principal since 2012. Sean has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University Nebraska, Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University, and has completed the Colloquy Program at Concordia University Chicago. He previously taught middle school at RCCA and prior to that he taught at schools in Illinois and Massachusetts. He is the Director of the Contemporary Worship Team at Risen Christ Lutheran Church. In his free time, Sean is heavily involved in Fine Arts, is on the Fine Arts Board of the SC Independent Schools Association, and is an actor vocalist and percussionist. Sean is married to his wife Christina, and they have three children.
Theresa Morgan
Theresa Morgan is the Secretary at Risen Christ. She attended business school, then began working for Sears Roebuck in PA as an accounting supervisor where she served for 23 years. Sears re-organized and Theresa retired early to begin employment for Luzerene County, PA Transportation Department as the supervisor of scheduling. She retired again in 2005 and moved to SC where she accepted the position at RCCA as office secretary. Theresa was widowed in 2011 and enjoys spending time with her 3 grandchildren, her church and a social club of relocated PA retirees.
Child Development Center
Melissa Watson
Sue Rhia
Kindergarten – 12th Grade
Leslie Gore
Mrs. Leslie Gore is the Kindergarten teacher at Risen Christ. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood from Coastal Carolina University. She has extensive experience teaching a wide variety of ages, including the twos, threes, transitional fours, Child Development to Kindergarten. Previous experience also includes Children‘s Director for Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Gore lives in Myrtle Beach with her husband, Kenny, and their 2 dogs. They have two daughters. Their oldest, Alyssa, is 23 and owns a wedding and event planning company in Charleston, SC. Their youngest daughter, Lana, is 22 and works for the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, which is associated with Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. She strongly believes that God’s provision is one of the greatest gifts that we are given.
Lisa Casterline
Mrs. Lisa Casterline is the 2nd grade teacher at Risen Christ. She is a high progress teacher; using many different tools and assessments to understand students’ different learning styles and personalities, teaching in a variety of ways, and encouraging higher order thinking to focus on curriculum goals for their success. Mrs. Casterline has over 20 years of experience in teaching. She obtained her Bachelor of Science, Elementary and Early Childhood Education in 1997 from Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA. She received her Reading Recovery Certificate in August of 2001 from Western Maryland University and her Masters degree in Reading Education in August of 2005. She is also a National Board certified teacher, earning the prestigious National Board Certification in Reading Language Arts-Early, Middle Childhood. Mrs. Casterline believes sharing the love of Jesus; as a basis for instruction, responsible choices, and life’s work should be at the forefront of academics. She is so pleased that at Risen Christ, students are immersed in this message and will become better learners and leaders because of their love and belief in Christ. When not teaching, Mrs. Casterline enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
Sona Handl
Mrs. Sona Handl is the 3rd and 4th grade teacher at Risen Christ. She has been teaching at RCCA since 2007. She graduated from the University of Constantine The Philosopher in 1996 in Slovakia. She taught in Slovakia for two years before coming to the US. She loves being a teacher, and considers her classroom students her own kids. She is hoping to make a difference in their lives so that one day they can provide a positive impact on the world. Sona has two children. In her free time she likes to read a good book, watch movies and spend time with her family- particularly cooking and shopping with her daughter.
Robert Casterline
Mr. Robert Casterline is the High School teacher, as well as the 7th and 8th grade Math & Science teacher, at Risen Christ. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Dual Major: Economics & Marketing) from Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, PA. He obtained teacher certification through the State of South Carolina Department of Education in 2008 and taught for over 6 years at H.E. McCracken Middle School/High School in Bluffton, SC. Mr. Casterline is passionate about technology and during his time teaching, he initiated the first Gateway to Technology Program. He created and implemented a variety of daily hands on lessons based on product development including: design & modeling, automation & robotics and energy & environment.