Music Math Multilingual 
Christian Academy

Why Choose MMM Academy?

Our Mission

We equip students to become competent global leaders who strive for academic excellence, moral character, community involvement, and love for Christ.

Our Vision

As a Montessori-style and STEAM-based Mandarin Immersion school, we provide engaging music, math, and Mandarin language immersion in a peaceful and joyful environment to inspire students to be independent thinkers, hard workers, problem solvers,

and team players.

Our Distinctives

  • Christian Worldview and Mentoring

    Our curriculum is designed to reflect a Biblical perspective. Through it, students are able to understand the connections between humanity's history, present, and future in relation to God's plan of salvation. Teachers work alongside and provide guidance to young minds, helping them discover their identity and purpose through God's truth. Bible lessons are taught on a daily basis, ensuring that students have a solid foundation to honor and serve God throughout their lives.


  • Mandarin Immersion

    Inspired by Montessouri - Waldorf approaches, our unique approach of Spanish/ Mandarin immersion facilitates students to highly engage in learning activities which bring joy and effective student outcomes. Our small class size allows every student to interact with native Mandarin/ Spanish teachers for listening, speaking, reading and writing proficiency. 

  • Early STEM Experience

    Our curriculum allows for expedited training in math, laying a strong foundation for future studies in science, technology, engineering, and math. We provide rigorous training in mental math and promote kinesthetic learning through Chinese abacus instruction. Our hands-on interactive approach in all subject areas fosters student engagement through an exploratory journey of inquiry. In addition, our enrichment programs consist of early Robotics/ LEGO, G1-5 Genius Computer Programing and Chinese Abacus Mental Math classes.


  • Early Music Experience

    Our daily ABRSM  music program instills in students key musical concepts such as note-spelling, rhythm and pitch in keyboard knowledge through daily music lessons . Students learn how to sing, read music notes, and match pitch and perform with piano skills starting from the kindergarten grades and can choose to continue their studies in a specific instrument through our enrichment program with the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music.


Our Teachers


With continuous observation and understanding of the learning styles and individual needs of each one of our students, our collaborative team works to build a curriculum with a rigorous effective design consists of academic knowledge, diverse cultural understanding and spiritual nourishment for the holistic growth of our students' body, spirit and mind. We model with the love of Christ in showing respect and love to build an inclusive community with appreciation of different cultures, values and solutions of problem-solving.

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.


Mikayla Kuckel

LE English Teacher


Mikayla Kuckel earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies - Linguistics and French from North Greenville University. While in college, she worked as the Kids' Ministry Director at Greenville Community Church and experienced teaching ESL locally, in New York City, and in the Middle East. After graduating, she moved to France to teach English with the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). She currently holds the position of English teacher at MMMA. 


Mikayla is passionate about building cross-cultural community and introducing multilingualism to children early on. When she's not teaching, she enjoys traveling, figure skating, and spending time with family and friends.
















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Duane L. Ream

 Music Teacher


Duane L. Ream, a native of Kansas, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in 1984 and 1986, respectively. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty of the Division of Music at BJU, where he taught in the departments of Church

Music, Music Theory, and Applied Piano for 34 years. In 2019, he left BJU to become the Chairman of the Music Department at Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, North Carolina, where, until 2023, he taught the core theory and composition/ arranging courses in addition to administrating and growing the overall program. He has served for many years as a judge for the National Federation of Music Clubs, The National Guild of Piano Teachers, and the American Association of Christian Schools National

Competition. Today, Ream’s students are found in educational institutions and in church music

programs literally around the world. In recognition of almost four decades of teaching and

performing in church work, Duane was recently presented with the honorary Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin.)



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.

Board of Directors and Advisory

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. 




 Faith Statement

1. The Holy Bible is the inerrant written Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2. There is only one living and true God who has revealed Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without divisions of nature, essence or being (1 John 5-7).

3. After the voluntary disobedience of our ancestors, Adam and Eve, humanity inherited a sinful nature opposed to God's holiness and deserving of His righteous judgement. It is by God's grace alone that man can be brought into God's holy fellowship and be fully reconciled to Him. (Romans 3:23)

4. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He was born at a particular time and place in history and is fully God and fully man. (John 1:14)

5. Jesus led a perfect life, suffered and died on a cross, was buried, and rose again, to secure salvation for those who put their faith in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

6. Salvation is offered freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:13).

7. After placing their faith in Christ, God’s people are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who works to transform them into the likeness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

8. Jesus will one day return to Earth in power and glory to judge and renew the whole world and receive His people to Himself. (Mark 13:26)

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