Welcome Our New Faculty for the 2021-22 School Year!

This year, my communications focus has been on practical matters, such as opening the school during a pandemic AND during a major campus renovation.  I did not want you to forget, however, that we have a number of talented new teachers who have joined the Houston Academy family this year. I can truly say that we certainly have never had a more talented group of faculty joining our team. I’d like to take the opportunity now to introduce them to you. 

Ellen Bridges

Mrs. Bridges will be teaching 3rd Grade. She has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Troy University-Dothan. Previously, she taught in Dothan City Schools for 25 years.

Mrs. Bridges is married to her high school sweetheart, Tony. They have two children. Hudson is 19 and Mary Lisenby is 16. For relaxation, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and dog, Hallie. 

When asked why she came to HA, she said, “After retiring from Dothan City Schools after 25 years, I knew that I wanted to continue teaching. I have a few friends who teach at Houston Academy and love it. After interviewing and viewing the campus I knew that Houston Academy was a great fit for me. I felt so comfortable and at home.” On why she became a teacher, Ellen articulated “I have always loved children. As a teen I loved to babysit and work with children. When I would babysit I enjoyed turning my time babysitting into a learning lesson or adventure.” 

Jenna Brown

Mrs. Brown will be a 5K Teaching Assistant. She received a Bachelor's from Troy University and previously taught preschool at Way to Grow Child Development Center.

Her husband is Andrew Brown, and they have a son, Sawyer Brown. She loves spending time with her family and especially enjoys staking trips to the beach. Additionally, she enjoys baking and reading a good book. 

Mrs. Brown says she came to HA because she was drawn to the family environment. Mrs. Brown became a teacher because she “…love[s] helping children learn and thrive as they grow.” 

Brittany Curry 

Mrs. Curry is joining Houston Academy as a 4th grade teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University and a Master’s of Education in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama. Mrs. Curry has taught kindergarten in Madison, MS and 4th and 5th grades in Fairhope, AL. In Dothan, she has taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades at Montana Magnet School and Highlands Elementary School. She is also the Director of the Dothan Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions. 

Mrs. Curry is married to her husband of 15 years, Matthew Curry. Matthew is originally from Dothan, which is what brought her family from Fairhope to Dothan five years ago. They have two children that will be joining the Houston Academy family this year, as well. Their daughter, Monroe, will be a 5th grader, and their son, Ladner, will be a 1st grader. They are very excited to have their family together at Houston Academy.

Of teaching, Mrs. Curry states, “I love children and always have. I am a life-long learner and delight in sharing that passion with my students, as well. Ultimately, the teachers that inspired me to go into education were the ones that I respected, was able to bond with, and trust. It was apparent that those teachers genuinely had all of their students’ best interests at heart. In addition to encouraging, challenging, and educating students, my sincere desire is to make a positive, lasting impact on their lives.” 

Even before coming here to teach, the Currys had decided that they were sending their children to Houston Academy. Mrs. Curry affirms, “…after speaking with other parents and Houston Academy alumni, we felt that the level of preparedness they'd have upon graduating from HA would be exemplary. Therefore, whenever I found out that there were openings to teach at Houston Academy this year, I was eager to apply. Naturally, I wanted to teach at the same school where our children would be attending. We feel that God has truly blessed all of us in this transition. We have been welcomed with open arms, and are overjoyed about joining the HA family!”

Sara David

Mrs. David will be teaching Middle School English. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. Before earning her teaching certification, Sara had a career in sales in Atlanta. Prior to HA, she taught in Florida where she earned a Highly Effective Teacher rating. 

Her husband is Upper School English teacher and co-Department Chair, Brian David. She and Brian have two boys. Caleb is 4 years old and is in 4P at HA, and Christopher is 2 and will be at HA next year. 

Sara enjoys Reading, yoga, travel, and spending time with her boys. She says she became a teacher, in part, because of the influence of her husband. She said, “When I met my husband, who taught 7th grade English at the time, I realized I was not as passionate about my career as he was about his. I started substituting at his school and fell in love with the kids, so I earned my teaching certificate and changed careers.” She is coming to HA because, as she said, “I missed teaching and wanted to be part of the HA family, where my husband works and my son had an amazing first year!”

Sheryl Diel

Mrs. Diel will be working as a 5K assistant. Formerly, she has assisted teachers in kindergarten and 1st grade and taught 3P. 

Sheryl is a proud mother to two children.  Her daughter and her husband have three sons, ages 10, 7 and 3.  Her son and his wife have two daughters, ages 10 and 2.  

In her leisure time she loves to hike, travel, play cards and games, and work puzzles. However. she most enjoys spending time with her grandkids.

Mrs. Diel became an assistant to teachers because she “…loves helping children learn new things. They have a unique way of looking at the world around them and that brings me joy.” She also stated, “My friend Vanessa Howell spoke so highly about HA; she refers to it as her dream job!  She shared how close the staff is and how it’s like a family.  I knew that this was someplace I wanted to be a part of, so when she told me that HA was looking for someone to assist Kindergarten, I applied immediately!”  

Brian Gates 

Mr. Gates joins HA to teach to Middle School and Upper School art. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education with a minor in Art History from Florida State University. He taught for 10 years at Northside Elementary in Panama City, FL, and he also had a full career in the business world. Mr. Gates been married for 24 years to Debbie Gates, with whom he has a 17-year-old daughter named Faith.

In regard to teaching Art, Mr. Gates avers, “I love Art and create pet portraits for families in my spare time. I love to be outdoors and live for football season! My life is a testament to God and what he continues to do in my career and personal life.” 

Mr. Gates maintains that he became an art teacher because “My high school art teacher inspired me to follow his path. I enjoy creating a safe and fun environment for my students to not only create but learn.” About Houston Academy, he attests, “I absolutely love the colleagues here. Everyone is not only professional but passionate about education.”

Swayze Gholson

Mrs. Gholson will be teaching 2nd grade. She holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in English, Social Studies, Health and Wellness, and Special Education from the University of Mississippi. She previously taught 2nd grade at Hillcrest Elementary in Enterprise. Originally from Columbus, Mississippi, she moved to Dothan when she married Andrew Gholson, who graduated from HA in 2015. they have two dogs, Colonel and Nola. 

In her spare time, she loves to be with her family, cook, read, travel, and cheer on the Ole Miss Rebels, Auburn Tigers, and New Orleans Saints. If she weren’t a teacher, she says would probably be an Interior Designer...you can always find her shopping at Home Goods or Target! 

Swayze grew up in a private school very similar to HA that even had the same mascot (her husband reminds her that we are the “better Raiders”)! She attests that she loves the family environment a school like HA provides. “The reputation of academic excellence far proceeds Houston Academy. I knew I wanted to work here immediately upon moving to Dothan. After my interview, I was drawn even more to HA because of the supportive administration, caring faculty, and top-notch facilities and technology. It is evident that Houston Academy's mission is to foster student-centered learning, as well as to prepare students for success well beyond their school years. I am thrilled to be a part of the HA family!” 

Kaylin Whitworth Grant

Mrs. Grant will be a lead 4P teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Troy University. Previously, she has taught 3P, 4P, was an English as a Second Language Teacher, a Special Education Aide, and a Reading Summer Camp Instructor. 

For fun, Mrs. Grant enjoys reading, fishing, and cooking. She is married to Edwin "Win" Grant, and has a daughter, Frances Grant. She decided to join the Houston Academy faculty because she wanted to be part of a school with a strong educational influence, and she became a teacher because she wanted to be able to serve the community in a positive way.

Samantha Krietemeyer

Mrs. Krietemeyer is our new Dean of College Advising and US Guidance Counselor.

She holds a BS in English from Troy University, an M.S. from Troy University in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages, and an M.S. in School Counseling. Samantha taught English at Daleville HS and Dale County HS and also taught adjunct at Troy-Dothan. 

Mrs. Krietemeyer has been married for five years to Stephen, and she has a newborn (born June 7, 2021), Cal. She enjoys photography, traveling, reading, and “lake time.”

She said she came to HA because, “My position offers the opportunity to be a college advisor and to be a counselor for students. Being able to perform either role is a privilege, so this experience is a dream.” She loves helping teenagers express themselves and says, “It is a joy to watch them discover their passions and find avenues to pursue their dreams.”

Sara Purvis

Sara will be teaching 3rd Grade and serving as the Blue Zone Sponsor. The Blue Zone is our school spirit club which Sara founded while a student at Houston Academy! Sara is a member of the HA class of 2015. Sara holds a bachelor’s of education from Auburn University and formerly taught Holly Hill Elementary School. 

Sara’s connections to HA run deep, as she is the Granddaughter of the late Lydianne Merritt and the
Daughter of Segrid White, who is a veteran 2nd grade teacher. 

Sara enjoys doing DIY projects, calligraphy, shopping, spending time with her Goldendoodle (Millie), and taking part in “lake days.” 

When asked why she was returning to HA, Sara said, “After graduation from Houston Academy, I always knew my legacy wasn’t finished. I have always called HA my home away from home, and I am blessed with the opportunity to make an impact on the next generation of students, just as my previous teachers did upon me.” Sara also said she “became a teacher to instill confidence in young adults, so that they are equipped with a strong foundation for today’s society.” 

Lisa Rahn

Mrs. Rahn will be serving as a 4P Assistant. After graduating from Houston Academy in 1999, Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from University of Georgia. She spent 15 years in the field of journalism as a senior technical writer, newspaper reporter, and magazine editor. She also worked as a standardized patient at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Mrs. Rahn attended Houston Academy from kindergarten through senior year, and her twin boys are current H.A. students.

Mrs. Rahn says, “Much of my life has been spent in connection with Houston Academy, first as a student, and now as a parent. Working here is like returning home, and I am excited about this new role in my community. I sought the position of teacher assistant to be a part of the atmosphere of growth Houston Academy exemplifies. I look forward to supporting the amazing teachers who enrich the lives of our children.” 

Again, we are absolutely thrilled with our new additions to the family. Please take the time to reach out and welcome this fantastic group of educators! 

A Letter to Houston Academy Parents from Dothan Pediatric Health Care Network

 Dear HA Family:

As the Delta Variant of COVID-19 sweeps across our state, I know many of you are struggling with the decision whether or not to vaccinate your children. I would like to pass along a letter from one of the finest Pediatric practices in the Wiregrass, many members of which are current or former Houston Academy parents. We urge you to talk to your own healthcare provider about this important decision. 

We can't wait to welcome your children back to school next week! 

Back to School COVID-19 Guidelines

Dear HA Family:

 

As I’m sure you are aware, Houston Academy made it through the last school year with no closures and with no major outbreaks of COVID-19. In part, this is because of the incredible job that our students did wearing their masks, social distancing, washing their hands, and acting with caution when not at school. Additionally, and perhaps, most importantly, we were able to weather the last school year because we made all of our decisions in consultation with our local hospitals, pediatricians, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the United States Centers for Disease Control. None of us at H.A. are medical experts, and we felt it was most prudent to follow the advice of experts and people who have spent their entire adult lives doing medical research and studying medicine.

 

Currently, all of the above organizations and individuals are recommending to us that we start the school year wearing masks while indoors. Like last year, we intend to follow their recommendations. Therefore, we are going to require that all students, faculty, and staff ages 3 and up, wear masks, indoors at Houston Academy.

 

Because of the short notice and our inability to procure our official H.A. masks, we are going to allow students to bring their own masks to school. We are requiring that masks should avoid any decoration that is distracting or outside the boundaries of our dress code. For example, depictions of sex, drugs, alcohol, or messages of a political nature will not be allowed. We reserve the right to determine if the masks are within acceptable guidelines of our dress code. Additionally, we are going to provide disposable, surgical masks at the front desk for anyone who needs them.

 

Truly, no one is more tired of these restrictions than we. In fact, until the masking recommendations came out last week, we fully intended to begin the school year with masks being optional. However, the Delta variant has been a proverbial game changer. Research indicates that the Delta variant is 40-60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant and viral loads of those infected by the Delta variant appear to be approximately 1,000 times higher. Locally, only 28% of the eligible population of Houston County are fully immunized. That is one of the lowest rates in the entire nation. Likewise, Houston County is currently at the highest risk level for Covid-19 transmission. Some of our local medical professionals have reported to me that they fear that we will be at January levels of COVID-19 transmission within the next few weeks. Of note, both nationally and locally, between 97% and 99% of people hospitalized for COVID are unvaccinated, while the mRNA vaccines remain as much as 90% effective against the Delta variant.  However, we need to keep in mind that neither vaccination nor having antibodies from a previous COVID-19 infection is a guarantee against transmission or infection. I read one doctor and researcher who compared it to applying sunscreen:

 

Sunscreen provides some protection against sunburn, but a cautious person might also wear a wide-brimmed hat or avoid sitting out during the height of the day. For COVID, face masks and social distancing, particularly at indoor public places, could be similarly useful in situations where there is higher risk.

Clearly, in Houston County and the state of Alabama, at this moment, we are at “higher risk.” The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health has created a model that suggests that cases of COVID-19 could climb to 2-3 times higher than the peak we reached last January. Remember, too, that masking, primarily, protects others. Even if you are not concerned about COVID-19 potential harm to your own child, it is still important to help protect the rest of our children and faculty. We have already had a large number of people in our immediate community negatively impacted COVID-19. Frankly, if one preventable death occurs in our H.A. family because we did not follow the guidelines of our medical professionals, that is one too many.

 

I hope that even if you disagree with our policies, you will appreciate our position and work with your children to comply. With any luck, vaccination rates will rise, and we will be able to throw out our masks, once and for all.