Southern Preparatory academy

Department: STEM/Polytechnic Faculty

Joshua Gatlin

Instructor

Christine Curtis

Instructor

Christine Curtis is a new math instructor in the STEM department. She joins Southern Prep after 25 years in the private sector, working as a Technology Project Manager. As a PM, she has worked in various sectors: photo, web development, health care, banking, internet search, and aerospace. She has worked for many companies, including ArcSoft, Deltanet (part of Delta Dental of CA), Wells Fargo, and Boeing. Prior to the private sector, Christine graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1994. She was commissioned as an Ensign in the Coast Guard and served her first two years as a naval engineer on the Coast Guard Cutter CHASE. The CHASE conducted Search-And-Rescue cases mostly in the Bering Sea, carried out Fisheries Law Enforcement in the Bering Sea, and spearheaded Migrant Interdiction off the coast near San Diego. She then worked at CG Headquarters in the Equal Opportunity department, and later at CG Pacific Area in the Contingency Planning department. Christine hails from San Jose, CA and moved to Alex City, AL in the summer of 2025 from Seattle, WA. She is married to a former Marine (USMC) and has three wonderful children, one of whom attends Southern Prep.

Dr. Christie Broom

STEM/Polytechnic Department Head

Christie Broom holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ed.S. degree in education. She is a certified STEM educator and will graduate from Auburn University in Spring 2025 with a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology. With 29 years of teaching experience in diverse settings, Christie has dedicated her career to fostering positive student-teacher relationships. She has co-authored several publications focusing on student-teacher trust and rapport. Her research interests include ADHD, student-teacher trust, and its impact on academic achievement.

James Bergeron

Aviation Instructor

James Bergeron is an accomplished aviation professional with a rich career spanning military and commercial aviation. A 1986 graduate of Auburn University’s Aviation Management program, he earned FAA Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, and Instructor certifications. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy, completed flight school in Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX, and served as an A-6 Intruder pilot before separating in 1991. Following his military service, James flew for various companies and commuter airlines before joining Polar Air Cargo as a B-747 pilot, later transitioning to Atlas Airlines after their merger. He served as a B-767 Captain until leaving the airline industry due to the loss of his medical certification to fly.