Faculty Directory

A CALLING NOT A POSITION. A STANDARD WORTH TEACHING.

Matt Dymmel

Head of School

Matt Dymmel is a pastor, educator, and community leader with a deep passion for building organizations that strengthen families and develop leaders.

A graduate of Wake Forest University, Matt earned a degree in Business with a minor in East Asian Studies. He brings a unique blend of pastoral leadership, academic insight, and entrepreneurial experience to his role at COAST Christian Academy.

Matt spent 10 years founding and successfully operating a construction company in Carteret County before transitioning into full-time ministry. Sixteen years ago, he helped plant Life Church, where he continues to serve as the primary teaching pastor, faithfully leading with a focus on the Gospel, discipleship, and community.

His commitment to education and youth development is both personal and extensive. Matt has homeschooled his own children and has tutored mathematics for nearly two decades, teaching students from foundational math through Calculus.

In addition to his academic involvement, Matt founded a local lacrosse program that developed teams across multiple age groups. He has coached youth athletics for nearly 30 years, including Brigade lacrosse, Upward Sports basketball and football, as well as travel lacrosse.

Matt has also served in numerous leadership roles throughout the community. He serves as President of Brigade Homeschool Athletics and Watershed Ministries, and currently serves as a board member for The Storehouse Food Pantry.

Matt and his wife, Jessica, have been married for 30 years and live in Carteret County. They have three children: Lauren (and her husband Matthew), Gabe, and Caleb. This year, Lauren welcomed her son—the Dymmels’ first grandchild—into the family, and they are also joyfully anticipating the addition of a daughter-in-law. They are especially proud of their youngest son, who is graduating high school this spring and has committed to High Point University, where he will play lacrosse while continuing his studies.

Matt is deeply passionate about building educational environments founded on the Word of God—places that cultivate wisdom, character, and a standard of excellence in learning for the next generation.

Cheyenne Mendoza

Teacher

Cheyenne is a dedicated educator, lifelong learner, and committed follower of Christ with a passion for academic excellence. A graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), she earned a Bachelor's degree in Spanish with a concentration in K–12 Education. Cheyenne brings eight years of experience in Christian education, where she has faithfully served students in a private school setting while building a reputation for thoughtful instruction, meaningful relationships. Grounded in her Christian faith, she strives to cultivate a classroom where every student feels seen, challenged, and encouraged to grow academically, personally, and spiritually.

At COAST, Cheyenne will lead students in discovering the beauty, order, and intricacy of God's creation through a distinctly Christian worldview. She will also teach Spanish, equipping students with valuable communication skills while fostering an appreciation for the diverse people and cultures God has created. Her desire is for students to use those language skills not only throughout their academic journey, but also in future careers, ministry opportunities, and everyday interactions as they faithfully share the love and truth of Christ with others.

Outside the classroom, Cheyenne's greatest joy is being a mother to her three wonderful boys—Nathaniel (12), Myles (7), and Quillen (4). She enjoys serving in her church and community, traveling, spending time by the ocean, reading, and writing.

Yvonne Wellspeak

Teacher

Yvonne is a graduate of ECU with a Bachelors of Science in Education, a Minor in Psychology, and a K-12 Reading Certification. Since the Lord called her to teach over 30 years ago, she has had an extensive teaching background in a variety of different environments. Yvonne has taught in the public school setting, the private school setting, and in the homeschool setting, and her experience extends to lower and upper grades.

Yvonne has 4 precious daughters, Lauren, Emily, Catherine, and Charlotte, an equally precious son-in-law, Noah, and an English Golden Retriever, Millie Belle. In her own life, the Lord has used teaching as a tool to grow her compassion, patience, humility, and love for others. Ultimately, Yvonne believes we learn so that we can know the Lord and share Him with others, and she is excited to join the mission of COAST Christian Academy.

Dr. Nathan Swacha

Teacher

Nathan graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, followed by an Associate of Science in Physical Therapy Assistant studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007. He went on to earn his Doctorate in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College in 2011.

Originally from Northwest Pennsylvania, Nathan moved to Carteret County in 2013, where he has spent the past 11 of 13 years serving as a chiropractor. He is passionate about helping others understand health and wellness and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with patients in meaningful and practical ways.

Outside of his professional work, Nathan is a blessed father to three children—Amelia (21), Damon (18), and Olson (16). He enjoys hiking and backpacking and finds deep appreciation in God’s creation through time spent outdoors. Over the past year and a half, he has also developed a renewed passion for learning and a growing joy in teaching through youth discipleship, where he has been encouraged by the opportunity to invest in young lives.

Nathan is excited to join COAST Christian Academy, where he looks forward to combining his love of learning, teaching, and science with a Christ-centered perspective—helping students discover how God reveals Himself through His Word and through creation.