Education

Janet Frank Armstrong (“Mrs. A”) began teaching after graduating from La Sierra College in 1984.  Throughout those 35 years she has taught grades K-8, with the majority being in K/1. Her career began in Southern California Conference, where she served for 13 years. She moved to Potomac Conference in 1997, working in Roanoke (Va.), Olney (Md.), and 15 years as teaching principal at Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School, in Fredericksburg, Va..

Armstrong says what she most enjoyed about teaching in the primary grades was being the starting gate of learning and seeing the newness of each day through the eyes of excited kids who have a heart and love for Jesus and others. She makes a point to stay in contact with her former students and enjoys seeing “her kids” become adults–so many of which have given their hearts to the Lord.

Gabriel Madrid is a seasoned educational leader with more than 16 years of experience. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Theology from Southwestern Adventist University (Keene, Texas), Madrid spent 10 years teaching history, economics and government in schools across Texas, California and Pennsylvania.

In 2013, Madrid graduated from Temple University (Philadelphia, Penn.) with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Since then he has led as a principal, director of innovation and, in 2020, accepted the call to serve as an associate superintendent of education for Potomac. Madrid has presented on topics such as effective organizational leadership, developing school culture and data driven instruction. His mission is to develop leaders that will inspire young people to change the world. He is in love with his wife, Kailisha, and the proud father of their three beautiful children.

Carla has been teaching in the Adventist school system for 27 years. During these years, Carla taught grades PK-12, served as principal and led seminars and workshops for teachers. Prior to becoming a teacher, Carla was studying Corporate Communications and planning to work on an MBA, but God led her to work with young people instead. She joined the Potomac office team in June 2021, combining her teaching and business skills to continue furthering God’s work in education.