Rob Starner will be stepping in as Head of School at Grace Christian Academy this upcoming school year.

He will be filling the seat for interim Head of School Joan Shiver.

Starner has 25 years of Christian school experience under his belt coming to GCA. He is from Gainesville, Georgia, and most recently spent seven years as Head of School at Bridgeway Christian Academy in Alpharetta.

Before that, he worked 18 years at Christian schools in Florida, with some time spent as a guidance counselor and elementary school principal. Starner also worked as a retail manager for 10 years in Maine.

“Having been at Christian schools for almost 25 years, this is a neat opportunity to partner with Christian families to impact these kids on what it means to be a Christian when they get out of school,” Starner said. “Most will go to college, and to me, it’s about them having to own their faith for themselves.”

Starner said he and his family enjoy the space available in rural locations like Bainbridge.

“Having lived in Gainesville, it’s a little in the country,” Starner said. “This is even more in the country. We like the rural space with less traffic, but you can travel to town if you need to.”

Starner has been married to his wife, Joella, for 36 years. They have two children who are grown and married, Kara and Kevin, and four adopted children: Ciara (15), Kody (15), Andrew (14) and Grace (13). Starner said he and his family enjoy family activities and camping whenever they get the chance.

Starner also enjoys running, he said, and participates in 5Ks here and there.