Dr. John M. Hunte has served as the Head of School at Evangelical Christian School since 2003. He started attending Evangelical Christian School when he was in 7th grade after his parents returned from the mission field of Barbados. He graduated from ECS in 1984 as the class valedictorian and received the Mark Jacobsen award. Education has always been a major part of his life graduating with his Bachelors, Masters, and finally his Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. John is married to Misha, and they have two children that are graduates of ECS.

His professional experience began in 1989 working in a Christian school for 12 years in West Palm Beach. Since 2001, he has been back “home” at ECS working in administration for 2 years and then became the Headmaster in 2003 after the retirement of the founder, Dr. Douglas Dunn. Some of his other activities include serving on the FACCS Board of Directors, serving as the Ambassador for Middle States Association, and being on numerous accreditation teams across the state.

As the Chief Financial Officer at Evangelical Christian School, Ms. Tara Jadwin oversees the non-academic departments, which include Finance, Human Resources, Operations / Facilities, Technology, and Safety/Security. Since joining ECS in 2002, Ms. Jadwin has helped the school experience an increase in growth and financial stability.

Prior to joining ECS, Ms. Jadwin worked as an assistant diamond buyer for a small chain of jewelry stores for 11 years. She attended Muskingum Area Technical College in Ohio where she majored in accounting. Ms. Jadwin has two grown children, Kayla and Kaitlyn, who graduated from ECS, and a grandson, Declan.

Mrs. Bailey joined ECS in August of 2024 in the role of Director of Development. In this role she builds relationships with student families, alumni, business partners and donors. She provides leadership, direction and strategic vision for development efforts at the school. She believes that the foundation of the Christian faith is a giving heart, demonstrated through the love shown by our Lord Jesus Christ giving His life for us. As it is mentioned in Matthew 25:40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Prior to joining the Sentinel family, she worked as a project manager in large healthcare systems in Florida and Texas, as well as many years in development and fundraising for a national non-profit organization. Mrs. Bailey has been closely connected to ECS with her children as students in middle and high school. Love for her children here on earth and in heaven are drivers for the passion and commitment she exhibits in her professional and personal life. The Bailey family moved to Southwest Florida from their home state of Texas in May 2020 and are grateful for the home they have found at ECS and their church, First Assembly of God in Fort Myers.

Mr. Hess started his career at ECS last year as the high school Bible and English teacher and quickly became an integral part of our school’s spiritual and academic fabric. He has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of our students while embodying the core values that we hold dear at ECS. His promotion to School Chaplain is a testament to his exemplary service and his deep-rooted passion for fostering a strong spiritual emphasis within our school.

Mike Hess expressed, “My prayer is to help students know Jesus and to know the joy of becoming more like Him. Each of us can effectively pursue that when God’s glory is the driving passion of our lives.”

Mr. Hess grew up in the Chicago suburb of Oswego, Illinois. He is a graduate of Clarks Summit University and holds a Master’s degree from Baptist Bible Seminary. Additionally, he has pastored churches in Illinois and Iowa and ministered in over 20 countries around the world. Mike and his wife Christina were married in June of 1996 and are blessed with two children – Joseph (26) and Hannah (22). In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling with his wife, reading, enjoying the beaches in SW Florida, enthusiastically supporting the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears, and their chocolate lab Lucy.

Mrs. Bizier joined the Sentinel family in 2022 as the Director of Admissions. In this role she has fostered relationships with families from the SWFL community during the application and enrollment process at Evangelical Christian School. Mrs. Bizier is committed to showcasing the Christian principles and academic excellence that ECS provides to their students and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications – Public Relations and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University.

Prioring to joining ECS, Mrs. Bizier spent over 10 years in higher education at Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida Southwestern State College. During this time, Mrs. Bizier served within the athletic administration and in student affairs. Mrs. Bizier is thrilled to be at ECS in a Christian environment where education and God’s love are intertwined.

Mrs. Bizier is originally from New Jersey and moved to Fort Myers in 2011. Mrs. Bizier and her husband, Ben, have their hearts full with their blended bunch – Reggie, Micah, Michael, Maklyn and Margot. The family has been members of Ocean Church since 2019 and Mrs. Bizier has served in multiple roles including OceanKids, Greeting and Cafe.

After almost 25 years in academia, Mrs. Slater came to be an official part of the ECS family in 2020 as the Upper School Dean of Students. In 2021, she was named as Upper School Principal at Evangelical Christian School and has served faithfully in that role facilitating the students, faculty, and staff of the upper school in achieving the mission of ECS. Mrs. Slater is passionate about building relationships with her students and helping them reach their God-given potential in an environment that is structured for spiritual, academic, and social growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Marshall University, a Master of Counseling from Morehead State University, and a Master of Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is certified through FLDOE and FACCS.

Prior to joining ECS, Mrs. Slater most recently served in administration in the Hendry County School System. Throughout her extensive career, she has served at all levels of primary and secondary education including roles such as elementary teacher and counselor, middle school counselor, and middle school administrator. Her unique vita has allowed her the opportunity to work in both rural and urban schools alike.

Mrs. Slater and her family are natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Slater and her husband, Clifton, have been married for more than 20 years. Their son, Joel, is a senior this year and has been a student at ECS for more than 10 years. The Slater family is very involved in their church where Mrs. Slater has served in various ministries. She most enjoys helping lead on the worship team and singing in the choir.

Mrs. Wallace has been in education for over twenty years and was blessed to join ECS in 2014 as a classroom teacher. In 2016, she became the Lower School Assistant Principal and held that position until being named the first Middle School Principal this last year. Her educational background and experience is in elementary education and Specific Learning Disabilities K through 12th grade. Mrs. Wallace has a bachelor’s degree in Education from Florida Southern College and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She is certified through FLDOE and FACCS.

After spending most of her career in the public school system, Mrs. Wallace is thankful for the opportunity to fulfill her passion for Christian education and has a desire here at ECS to create an encouraging educational environment where middle school students pursue academic achievements, create strong connections with their teachers and peers, excel in athletics and the arts, and most importantly, deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. She believes we have a mission to reach the heart of every young person and demonstrate God’s love each day.

Mrs. Wallace is a native Floridian and moved to the Ft. Myers area in 2001. She and her husband, Ryan, have been blessed with two daughters. Anabelle graduated from ECS in 2021 and is a student at FGCU, and Alexa graduated from ECS in 2023 and is a student at Clemson University.

Mrs. Michelle Shuford joined Evangelical Christian School in 2001 as a lower school teacher. She was the lead teacher for both kindergarten and first grade before becoming the lower school assistant principal in 2006. In 2009 she became the lower school principal.

Her love of children, teaching, and passion for Christian education is what drew her to ECS. It is of the upmost importance to be able to teach from a Biblical worldview.

She earned a Bachelor degree from F.G.C.U as well as a Masters of Educational Leadership degree from Nova Southeastern University. She has a strong love for missions and has attended and supported several mission trips in and outside of the United States.

Mrs. Shuford firmly believes that students can learn and succeed in a loving environment with high expectations. She also values the importance that Christian education plays in partnership with church and home.

Building strong relationships with her students and their families is a priority for Mrs. Shuford and plays a critical role in her leadership.

Mrs. Shuford and her husband Robert have been happily married for over 20 years and regularly attend First Christian Church.

Since 2003, Mrs. Davis has served in various roles at the ECS Preschool, including a Toddler Teacher, K2 Teacher, and K3 Teacher. For the past 7 years, Mrs. Davis has served as the Preschool Director and has overseen the lower school extended care and summer camp programs. Along with her Director’s Credentials, she has her Child Development Associate Degree as well as CPR and First Aid Credentials. She has a total of 20 years experience working with young children.

Mrs. Davis is a native Floridian and moved to Fort Myers in 1989. She has been married to her husband, Todd, for 27 years. They have 1 daughter (Kaycee) who is in college. She began attending Evangelical Christian Preschool at the age of 3 and graduated from Evangelical Christian School in 2015.

Mrs. Davis is thankful for the Christian education that her daughter received and the opportunity to provide that experience for other families. She is passionate about working with young children and their families in a Christian environment, building relationships, and advancing Christ’s Kingdom.

Coach Harris was named the Athletic Director at Evangelical Christian School in 2022, where he oversees the High and Middle School Athletic Department. As well as bringing in developmental programs for the lower school, Harris is passionate about building relationships with students, coaches and the community. Helping all athletes reach their full potential physically, mentally, and spiritually is a driving force in his plans.

Prior to joining the ECS family, Coach Harris was the Athletic and Activities Director at South Fort Myers High School for 6 years. Coach Harris is a native of North Carolina where he began his teaching and coaching career in Greensboro. As an assistant Football & Track Coach at North Guilford High School he helped the Nighthawks capture a Football State Championship in 2012, 2014 as well as a Track State Championship in 2013. In 2015, he moved to Florida.

Harris attended Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC where he majored in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Behavior.

Chris and his wife, Allison, have four children, Talon, Tucker, and twin girls, Tovah and Tatum, who all attend ECS.