Music Math Multilingual 

Christian Academy

Jessie Jiang

Head Teacher

Jessie Jiang brought to the school with rich experience in Chinese and English immersion programs for over 30 years in teaching Chinese and English and facilitating professional development of educators. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics from The University of Melbourne, Australia, with Sociolinguistics Studies at The University of California, Berkeley, USA,  a Graduate Diploma in Interpreting and Translating from Deakin University, Australia, and a Master’s Degree in Religion (Biblical Counseling) from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and a Master's Degree of School Administration with Gardner-Webb University. She is also a NAATI accredited translator, a CCHI certified interpreter,  an Orton-Gillingham trained practitioner, and AMI Montessori certified teacher. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Education at Gardner-Webb University. Her research interests include bilingualism/multilingualism, effective classroom management, immersion teaching pedagogies, and dyslexia and Chinese language learning.

She has a great passion for providing education for students to excel in their God-given potential to be competent learners who make wise choices in social, academic, and spiritual settings. She has great joy in equipping mainstream students and students with exceptionalities to be college and career-ready.

In her spare time, she likes gardening, swimming, singing with a guitar, and writing Christian bilingual reading materials.

Sam Tam

Music Teacher/Coordinator

Sam Tam is a pianist, cellist, and vocalist who is experienced in teaching students of all ages. He heads the music program at MMMA and teaches ABRSM piano, cello, and music theory lessons. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Erskine College and is currently a chorus teacher at McCracken Middle School in Spartanburg, SC. Sam is an active church musician and a local wedding/event musician in Upstate SC.

Sam has obtained an ABRSM Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance and has passed Grade 8 Voice and Cello Exams with distinction. He has also obtained honors at international music festivals and competitions including being a finalist at the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition. His choirs have won awards in the Upstate. Sam is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the American Choral Directors Association, and the South Carolina Music Educators Association.

Sam has a passion for developing young talent and helping students discover their love for music.

Jean Pun

Front Office

Jean has extensive successful experiences in the business sector and in children's ministry. As a bilingual person in Chinese and English, she is passionate about growing the unique Christian Mandarin-English dual-language programs at MMMA.

Jean is a proud parent of two adult daughters, one is an award-winning teacher and the other is an outstanding designer.

John TC Tam

Board Member

With over 27 years of expertise in electronic engineering and information technology (17 years of which was teaching at college level), John has helped numerous engineering students succeed in the industry as professionals in Computer Science. Currently he is working at a prestige high school teaching Computer Science and  developing and designing curriculum.

His passion is to provide a Christian-based learning environment for students to engage in research-based learning strategies. He strongly advocates for a hands-on approach through project-based learning in all academic subjects and a strong early math foundation for college and career readiness. His teaching pedagogies are effective for students with all learning styles and exceptionalities.

He believes that to know and love Christ is the foundation for all knowledge. John's persistence in working towards establish MMM Academy is an expression of his endeavor for his love to glorify God and to serve the community.

Brian Burgess

President

Brian Burgess is the current director of Front Porch Housing, a non-profit ministry in Greenville, SC. Brian received his degree from Clemson University, focusing on Parks, Recreation, and Tourism management. He also has a minor in Nonprofit Leadership. Brian is a member of Grace Church in Powdersville. He and his Wife Kim call Powdersville home with their three kids Jackson, Catarina, and Liam.

Clarence Wong

Board Member

Clarence has been a resident of the Upstate of South Carolina since 2014, and currently lives in Travelers Rest with his wife, Rachel, and 3 children.

He has over 10 years of experience as a Human Resource professional and enjoys meeting new people and learning about their individual career paths. Clarence has supported organizations in the US, Singapore and across Southeast Asia, in

industries like technology, construction, manufacturing and professional services.

Clarence also currently serves as a Trustee of Greenville Community Church where he is an active member. He has also held previous board positions with the Greenville Society of HR Management (GSHRM) and East Link Academy (Mandarin Immersion Charter School).

Born and raised in Singapore, Clarence graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Murdoch University, and speaks mandarin as a second language.

Larry Gamble

Advisory Board

Larry Gamble earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Georgia State University, a Master’s Degree of Business Administration from Rollins College and a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary. He is a certified public accountant and is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church of America.

He has extensive experience in leadership in the financial and Christian fields in organizations including Hubbell Lighting Inc, Ligonier Ministries, Southern Fruit Distributors, Martin Marietta Corporation, Conagra Inc Inc., and Westminster Presbyterian Church (Clinton, SC). At present, he is an adjunct professor at Anderson University. 

Keith Timms

Advisory Board

Keith D. Timms is Associate Professor of Music Education, Director of Choral Activities, and Chair of the Erskine College Music Department. He earned undergraduate music degrees from Anderson and Erskine Colleges, a Master of Arts degree from Furman University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University.

Prior to teaching at Erskine,

Dr. Timms enjoyed a 30-year career as a South Carolina high school choir teacher. He was awarded the WYFF-TV Golden Apple Award, the C.F. Reames Distinguished Teaching Award from Anderson University, and was twice recognized as teacher of the year. He frequently serves as an adjudicator and clinician for national choral competitions and honor choirs.  His choirs have performed extensively throughout the United States, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Puerto Rico and Spain. Dr. Timms has served many congregations as an organist/choir director, has enjoyed professional memberships in the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education, the American Choral Directors Association, and has served as Past-President of the South Carolina ACDA. He and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of two adult children. 

Robin Johnson

Board Member

Robin has been teaching in some shape or form since 1992. She homeschooled her own two sons as they grew up in China.  She taught other expat children, as well.  For the last ten years, Robin has taught in South Carolina public schools.  She has taught everything from high school Mandarin to kindergarten reading. 

Robin and her family moved to China in 1996.  They lived in Guangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces. Her family returned to the United States in 2009. Living in China has given her a deep appreciation for the Chinese language and culture. 

Three of Robin’s greatest passions are education, Chinese language and culture, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  All three of these combine beautifully at MMM Academy. What a wonderful opportunity for these students to become bilingual and biliterate. And to be able to do that in a Christ-centered environment.

Robin has her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Winthrop University. Her master's degree in linguistics and education is from the University of Texas-Arlington. 

Robin has two sons, both in their twenties. Ben lives in Boston, and Daniel lives in Washington, D.C.