We are thankful for the gift of additions to our staff.  This year, we welcomed eight teaching professionals to the MGCS family. Together they bring to MGCS decades of experience in public and private schools, a passion for education, and a love for animals, the outdoors, ministry, and travel.  We are delighted to introduce four more of them in part two of this two-part post.

SARAH MACCIOLA – SECOND GRADE TEACHER

I am so excited to be back at MGCS! I worked here in the after school program for several years while I was in college. After graduating from UNCW with a B.A. in Elementary Education, I married my high school sweetheart, James.  Together we love to travel, relax at the beach, walk, and listen to/play music.  I have experience teaching second grade in public school, and I am thrilled to be teaching second grade at MGCS…it’s the best grade!  I am enjoying getting to know my students and their families.  We are having a fantastic year.

ASHLEY BONESKE – KINDERGARTEN ASSISTANT

I am originally from Winterville, NC.  I grew up with the same group of friends my entire childhood and loved playing softball and enjoying the outdoors.  I earned a B.A. in Communications Studies from UNCW.  My background primarily lies in advertising and marketing, but most recently I pursued a career in childhood education and have loved it. Being a mom to two daughters (Loralai and Liliana) and a stepmother to a son and a daughter (Dakota and Indie), I have a deep excitement for teaching, nurturing and loving children.

My husband Eric is a photographer, and his love for the outdoors matches mine. When we aren’t working, we’re canoeing, boating, swimming, snow skiing, fishing, hiking, camping, gardening, or traveling as much as time permits. We have one sweet old chocolate lab named Maddie, an adventurous outdoor kitty named Mittens, and three hens: Cutie, Crystal, and Lily. Our life is usually comical, always busy, and filled with active, adventurous children that keep our hearts excited and thankful about living life well and doing it together as a family.

BUFFY BROWN – FIFTH GRADE ASSISTANT

I attended the College of Charleston and Southeastern Seminary and hold a degree in American History and a Masters of Divinity in Women’s Studies.  Before coming to MGCS, I homeschooled my son Fischer who is now loving fourth grade at MGCS.  In my free time I like serving in my church, eating popcorn, and biking with my husband.  My husband serves as the campus pastor at Port City Community Church in Leland.  In addition to Fischer, we have two teenage daughters.  Maggie is a senior at Early College High School, and Lacie is a sophomore at Coastal Christian High School.  I have had so much fun in the fifth grade getting to know the kids. We learn a lot and laugh a lot!

DONNA PINER – PRESCHOOL TEACHER

I attended UNCW and have a B.A. in elementary education. Before coming to MGCS, I was a stay-at-home-mom for seven years.  Before that, I served as the preschool ministry director at Port City Community Church and taught elementary school in Topsail.  In my free time, I love to read, write, travel, and sometimes run. I’ve been married to my husband Scott for sixteen years, and we have a daughter Nola, who is in the first grade. We also have a six month old puppy.