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! 

WE DID IT!!!

This year, my communication with our stakeholders has primarily been through direct emails, not through this blog. There is a reason for this. I felt that an open blog, during this pandemic, had the potential to draw attention to the way Houston Academy had chosen to address the health and safety of our students and faculty. In short, I didn’t want any chance for our health and safety decisions to become political. 

So, now, we are a few days away from graduation, and I’d like the world to know: WE DID IT!

We had in-person classes all year – we didn’t miss a single collective day due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, our teachers quickly adapted to provide quality, distance learning for those students who needed it. All of our sports teams finished their season, and most went deep into the playoffs (or won state championships). Again, COIVD was not a major impediment to our success. We had performances. We had Prom. We had the 2nd Grade Luau. We had Mayfair. And now, we are about to have our graduation, indoors, in our traditional location. 

Why were we able to do this, while so many other schools stayed closed or had limited in-person educational opportunities? First, I will say that our Leadership Team at the school did an outstanding job planning for and responding to potential crisis situations. They sought out the advice of leading medical experts, in addition to collaborating with other independent schools across the country. 

Secondly, our faculty has worked harder than I’ve ever seen a group of professionals work. They had to balance in-person teaching with the needs of distance learners. The technology coordination was a challenge, in and of itself, but teachers also had to struggle with varied assessment, ensuring academic integrity, and maintain curricular scope, pace, and sequence.  Truly, it has been exhausting. 

Thirdly, our students and families have been absolutely amazing. There is no way that we would have navigated this successfully without our students being careful and compliant and without our families taking our health and safety protocols seriously. In particular, our senior class showed remarkable leadership. Given what these seniors have lost over the last year and a half, it would have been very easy for them to complain and pout. However, they did no such thing. They set a positive tone for the school, and served as an example for all of us. 

Finally, we are very fortunate to have such a talented and intelligent health care community here in Dothan. I was able to regularly communicate with local pediatricians, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the administrators at our local hospitals. Their research-based medical advice allowed us to always say that we were making decisions based on the best information from the scientific community. 

In short, I’d like to thank our entire community for helping us navigate this difficult situation.  I’ve never been prouder to be a Raider! 

Coronavirus

Dear HA Family:

Our school is currently monitoring closely the spread of the coronavirus and if it may, in time, affect our campus. Our main priority is to keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe. We want to assure you that we will take necessary precautions so that our students are protected.

On-Campus Response

On campus, we have created a plan in response to the potential threat of this epidemic. The plan also applies to influenza, or any other pandemic virus that may cause serious widespread illnesses. It includes preventative and environmental sanitation practices on campus. Our plan includes:

·      Our maintenance staff taking care to wipe down door knobs other frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis;   

·      Starting a campaign to ensure our students wash their hands frequently and use the hand sanitizer that is placed in each classroom;

·      Encouraging students to cough or sneeze into their arm, not their hands;

·      Strongly urging all families NOT TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SHOULD SIGNS OF ILLNESS APPEAR (as always, we ask that a child be fever-free for 24 hours before he or she returns to school);

·      Asking our teachers and students to wipe down desks throughout the day to ensure those surfaces are sanitary.

Travel

With the approach of spring break and families traveling domestically and internationally, we strongly encourage you to adhere to the CDC's guidelines on travel, and use U.S. State Department website to review your destination(s) before your departure, during your trip and upon your return. We understand this information changes and as such, encourage you to check this website regularly.

Additionally, we ask that any community members who find it necessary to travel to areas of CDC Level 2 or Level 3 concern inform the School of their travel so that we may provide appropriate guidance. We will be asking travelers from those countries to refrain from coming to campus for a minimum of 14 days after their return home.

I was able to speak directly to the Head of the Alabama Department of Public Health. After a detailed conversation, I have determined that Houston Academy will postpone all school-sponsored travel scheduled for Short Term.  As a result, all Short Term classes/experiences are cancelled, except for senior internships. Because it would be impossible to incorporate all of the students that were scheduled to travel, regular classes will continue next week.

Planning for Possible School Disruption

We are planning to explore the option remote learning should we find it necessary to cancel school for a prolonged period of time. We suggest you ensure that your student has access to high-speed internet should virtual learning need to occur for any period of time. If access is a problem for your family, please contact your child’s division head.

Please remember that students take their emotional cues from the adult community. We encourage you to monitor your child's engagement in the topic and help them understand what they are seeing and hearing to avoid anxiety. Being prepared is not a cause for panic or alarm. Here is a helpful article on how to talk to your child about the Coronavirus outbreak. Our Counseling staff are here to help you, as well.


If you have any questions relating to our policies and procedures, please feel free to contact your respective division head or me.

Campus Plan

Welcome to the end of an exciting year! We have a fabulous senior class graduating this year with 56 students earning $4,808,587 in college scholarships to schools like Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, Wake Forest, the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, Ithaca College (NY), Miami (OH), Sewanee (the University of the South), and many other schools that match the "best fit" criteria for our talented students. In addition, this year's senior class amassed 5,218 hours of community service and have an average ACT of nearly 27. We are so proud of this group of young people - especially in regard to their commitment to others. 

As this year comes to a close, we also excited about what next year holds in store. Next year we celebrate the 50th year since our founding as a school, and we have all kinds of exciting events in store. Be sure to check out our Facebook page for news and updates. 

Of equal note, we have developed a campus plan, have started a feasibility study, and are poised to start a capital campaign in the fall. Many of you attended our Spring Town Hall Meeting where I unveiled the plans, but I have received messages from many folks who missed the meeting and would like to see what was presented. So, I thought I would share those plans with you now on this blog. 

Let me start by saying that this plan is a vision - it's not necessarily what WILL be done. Much depends on the results of our feasibility study and capital campaign. Moreover, we haven't drawn out all the details of the plan. Keeping that in mind, let me outline the process we have gone through as a school and the needs we identified. 

Almost three years ago, the Board of Trustees hired School Strategies and Solutions (a consulting firm) to do a “needs assessment.” The consultants met with teachers, students, administration, and parents, spending about a week on campus. From this, we came up with what our constituents felt we needed. 

Following the needs assessment, the Board interviewed four different architectural firms and chose Seay, Seay, & Litchfield to design our master plan. This decision was based on Seay, Seay, & Litchfield's extensive experience working with schools, but it was also based on their ties to the Dothan community. 

Student Life Center 

Exterior of Student Life Center

The current physical spaces at Houston Academy have become antiquated relative to the educational program of the school.  By the time our lower school students graduate from high school, research indicates that many of our children will be working in jobs that have not even been invented, yet. Therefore, our student learning spaces must focus on the broad skills that our children will need to be successful in their world in the 21st century. These skills include collaboration, communication, critical thinking, character development, and cross-cultural competence. The Student Life Center will allow teachers and students to collaborate and engage in a way that is not possible with our current spaces. Additionally, the new building will allow current spaces to be repurposed.

Classroom and Student Collaboration Areas 

“STEAM”Lab/Maker Space  – STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) are core areas of competency necessary for the success of our 21st century learners. Two years ago, HA began offering STEAM in the Lower and Middle Schools, and it had become one our most successful and popular programs. Quality schools throughout the country are creating STEAM labs, and Houston Academy needs to be on the cutting edge of this trend. 

Sample Maker Space

A “Maker Space” is “a collaborative work space…for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and…boost self-confidence.”  In this space, students will work on collaborative projects, work on robotics, or complete STEAM activities. The uses for this space would only be limited by our children’s’ imagination. 

Dance Studio – Currently, dance students at Houston

Sample Dance Studio

Academy must travel off-campus to hone their craft. An on-campus dance studio would afford an instructional and extracurricular space that students could use during and after school. This is consistent with Houston Academy’s mission to “provide opportunities to achieve [students’] highest creative potential.”

Art Studio Space – Houston Academy has record enrollment in the visual arts. With the creation of the middle school and the formation of a middle school arts requirement, an additional visual art space is a necessity. 

Learning Services – College preparation means providing all students, including students with learning differences, the opportunity to be successful in a university setting. We have students who are currently thriving at HA who, previously, would not have been able to find success here. HA has three learning specialists in three different locations on campus. One centralized location where students can be evaluated, tested, and assisted would better serve the needs of our students. Additionally, one central space would enhance the ability of our learning specialists to collaborate. 

Band Room – Currently, the band shares a space with the lower school music classes. This room is used all day by students in 3P-12th grade. Furthermore, the current band room is t

Sample Band Room

oo small for our current upper school/middle school band of nearly 60 performers. A band classroom with proper acoustics would greatly improve the student learning experience. 

Music Classroom – This classroom will be used by all levels of the school for music instruction, which with the addition of choral/drama and band rooms will allow for wider access to creative activities. 


Choral/Drama Classroom – Currently the chorus and

Sample LS Music Room

drama classes meet in a small classroom that was formerly a computer lab. It is common for students to have to leave the classroom to practice. An acoustically sound and adequately sized room would benefit students across all grade levels. 

Music Practice Space – Again, students currently have no rooms in which to practice instruments or vocal performance. During band class, for example, different band sections practice outside. Music practice space would allow students to engage in private instruction and improve their musical and creative abilities, without interfering with other academic classroom activities. 

Sample Social Commons Area

Social Commons Area – A commons area is a place where children gather between class and after school. This will not just be a place to “hang out,” however. It will be a space where children can collaborate, study, and socialize. It will be a space that is much more comfortable than the current gathering places in the locker rooms, the gym, and the floors of the various foyers.  

Theater/Auditorium – Houston Academy does not have a place where its students can assemble as a group, other than the gymnasium. Moreover, the school has limited space to stage artistic performances in drama, music, spelling bees, literary competitions, etc. The current “cafetorium” in Dunning Hall is to small for any serious choreography, and it has neither adequate wings nor fly space. The new Theater/Auditorium will be a multipurpose space with retractable, elevated seating. The space will be used for meetings, dinners, assemblies, plays, and any number of public events. The possibility also exists that the space could be used by the greater Dothan community for performances and could actually generate revenue. 

Altamont's Theater, with Retractable Seating

Altamont's Theater, with Retractable Seating

Altamont's Theater, with Retractable Seating

Sample Dining Hall

Dining Hall & Storage 

The master plan calls for a new dining space that will be larger, well-lighted, and equipped with a basic kitchen. This will better serve the needs of a student population that has grown since the current cafetorium was built. 

Existing Space/Classroom Renovations  

Additional Classroom Space – The master plan calls for the repurposing of current spaces (such as the band room, chorus room, and Dunning Hall) as classroom space. For many years, the school has been limited in its scheduling and course offerings due to limited classroom space. Moreover, classes have been scheduled in teachers’ rooms during their planning periods, making it difficult for teachers to work in their own classrooms. 

Technology Repair and Services Area – Currently, the Technology Department operates out of the Computer Science classroom, which limits the ability of the members of the department to work with students and faculty to solve technology-related issues. The master plan calls for a small work area for the tech department and a computer classroom. 

Additional Parking – Constructing buildings and performing sitework will create the need for new parking spaces on campus and a reconfiguration of our current parking. 

Killingsworth Gymnasium Renovation 

The Killingsworth Gymnasium is the most visited venue in the school, yet is probably the space that is most in need of an update. The current gym no longer comfortably holds the entire 3P-12 student body. The bleachers are permanently stained, and plywood covers a good portion the walls. The current drop ceiling gets damaged every time there is a volleyball game or practice, and a lift has to be employed to replace the tiles. The master plan calls for the more seating, LED lighting, and significant aesthetic improvements, including an elevated viewing area from the lobby. A locker room expansion is also a possibility. 

The entrance to the Killingsworth gymnasium will serve as a gathering spot and a gateway to the Dining Hall, Theater/Auditorium, and the gymnasium. Additionally, the entrance area will have an art gallery, a concession stand, and a ticket booth. It will also serve as a showcase for the achievements of our alumni and current students. 

Click on the link, below, and you can see a "Fly Through" of the campus plan. I think you will be impressed. 

Houston Academy Master Plan "Fly Through"

Currently, we are conducting a feasibility study, the results of which the Board of Trustees will receive in June. Then, we will begin a full-fledged capital campaign, which should last about 18 months. If we raise the money we hope to raise, we will begin construction as soon as possible after that!

This is an exciting time in the life of the school. It's been many, many years since our last capital campaign, and our hope is that we can transform our buildings and grounds into a space that will enhance student learning and make HA a better place for our children for years to come. 

Introducing Our New Faculty and Staff - 2018

Happy New Year! We are off to an exciting start at Houston Academy, and with our #HAfirstday in the rearview mirror, I wanted to take the time to introduce you to our new faculty and staff.

Marc Edge

 The first person I want to acknowledge is Marc Edge, to whom I introduced our community at the end of last year. Marc will be our Athletic Director this year, as well as an assistant football coach and head golf coach. Unfortunately, Marc will not be joining us for at least another week, as he has recently been dealing with a health issue. Please keep Marc in your daily prayers - it’s been a rough start to the year for Marc. I think you’re going to love him, and we are hopeful for a speedy recovery.

Eddie Brundidge

Eddie Brundidge will be teaching Physical Education in the Lower School and will serve as an assistant football coach.  He has a B.S.  from Troy University where he played football, and he is coming to us from T.R. Miller High School in Brewton. Eddie is married to Sybil and has two Daughters, Leah and Moriah. In his spare time he enjoys hunting and fishing. Eddie says he became a teacher because of the inspiration provided by his own high school teachers and his high school football coach, in particular.

Cassie Carmody

Cassie Carmody will be teaching 7th and 8th grade science. She has a B.S. in Education from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. She and Her husband, T.J., have two children at HA – Ashlinn, who is in the 7th grade, and Tommy, who is in the 1st grade. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, baking, sewing, and watching her children play sports. She became a teacher because of her belief that “each learner is different and needs to be provided different ways to learn.” She enjoys finding "what works" and helping each child master every concept she teaches. She chose to come to HA because of what she saw the faculty do for her own children – how her children became successful and learned the value hard-work. She also felt that the faculty and staff was extremely welcoming.

Cory Hooks

Corey Hooks is joining our maintenance staff. Corey comes to us after being the maintenance man for a hotel. He brings a lot to the proverbial table in terms of skills. You’ll notice very quickly that he’s an excellent painter, but he’s also skilled in a wide variety of areas. He and his wife, Jessie, have a one year old (almost two year-old) boy, Ellic Alexander Randol Hooks. In his spare time, he enjoys video games, target shooting, and restoring and improving his truck.

Justin Horner

Justin Horner will serve in our technology department. Justin has received his associate degree in computer program and is currently in his last few semesters towards earning his bachelor’s in computer programing at Troy. For the last two years, he has worked at Geek Squad, and he has also worked as a tech support specialist at the University of Alabama. Justin is a Houston Academy graduate from the class of 2009, and his sister, Sara Skaggs also graduated from HA. Justin enjoys gaming, school, soccer, and anything at the beach. Justin got into technology because of the computer courses he took from Mrs. Woodcock. Computers became his passion, and he has been doing it every sense.

Jessica Jordan

Jessica Jordan will be working in our extended day program. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Troy-Dothan, and she has taught every grade from K5-6th, as well as working with adult students trying to earn their GED. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Ryan, who is the Music Minister at Samson Baptist. They have three children, Jayleigh, who is 10, Jude, who is 8, and Jameson, who is 2. Teaching runs in Jessica’s family – her grandmother, three aunts, and there cousins all or were teachers. She first realized she wanted to be a teacher when she was a child teaching her cousins a new game she had invented. Nothing makes her more proud than helping  others understand things for the first time. She says she came to HA because of the “reputation of the school and because of her desire to be a part of a real team.”

Rachel Kurtz

Rachel Kurtz will be teaching part-time in our art department, helping out in Middle School, where our demand for the visual arts has grown significantly. Rachel is a graduate of Auburn University where she majored in Art. Her background includes broad use of multiple mediums including paint, wood, glass, drawing, crafts, and ceramics. She has served as the art teacher at Abbeville Christian academy and Pike Liberal Arts School. Additionally, she is the owner and art instructor for Southern Strokes Art, providing private art lesson as well as creating commissioned works for customers. We are very excited for what she will bring to our students.

Robert Pedroza 

Robert Pedroza is also new in our maintenance department. Previously, Robert worked for the City of Enterprise, for Shaw in Ft. Rucker, as a translator for the Ozark and Enterprise police and the Dale Medical center, and he has also been a restaurant manager for multiple locations of Old Mexico. His hobbies include painting, drawing, restoring old trucks, traveling, carpentry, coach and playing soccer, and working with the Boy Scouts. He and his wife of 25 years (Lisa) live in Ozark with their four children: America Gabrielle, Robert Noah James, Emilee Elisa Isabella and Savannah Audrey.

Melissa Sanera

Melissa Sanera will be teaching World History II in the 9th grade and Psychology to 11th and 12th graders. She has an B.A. in Economics from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. Previously, she taught World History at D.A. Smith Middle School and has been a substitute teacher at HA. Melissa is a certified Yoga Instructor who loves to travel, read, sing, and listen to podcasts. Her husband, Matt, is an air force pilot, and she has two children at HA: Eli, who is in the 10th grade and Amie, who is in the 8th grade. Melissa discovered her love for teaching, to begin with, by teaching yoga. In her own words, she “loves inspiring young people to develop a passion for history and civics and help them make connections of things they learn in the classroom to their everyday lives.” She decided to teach at HA because she loves the family atmosphere and the culture of the school. Having lived abroad, herself, she is particularly excited about HA’s mission to developing global awareness in the students.

Carly Williams will be working in Extended Day and Coaching our JV volleyball team. She comes to us from Emmanuel Christian where she was a PE teacher and coach. She holds an associate degree from Enterprise State, but is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in education. Carly’s and her husband, Don, have two children. Don, Jr., is a junior at Houston Academy. She has a daughter, who she home schools, but Carly hopes to bring her to HA next year. Carly maintains that her children would say her “chief hoppy is laundry”! In actuality, she enjoys coaching, gardening, decorating, traveling, and watching any sport in which her children are involved. Carly sought out HA for her son because she wanted the higher level of education that HA provides. She grew up in Dothan and graduated from Dothan High, but she a strong believer in Houston Academy.

Jack Whigham

Jack Whigham will be teaching 7th grade Pre-algebra and Honors Geometry. Additionally, he will serve as Head Wrestling Coach, Associate Athletic Director, and Assistant Football Coach. Jack is a Graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. in Secondary Math Education. Jack has spent 27 years in public education, most recently at Opp High School, where he was head football coach, athletic director, and teacher of everything from pre-Algebra to Honors Geometry. He has three children who will all be involved in HA. His son, Peyton, is a student at Troy University, and he is an assistant coach on our football staff. His other two sons, Cade and Brady, will be joining us in the 9th and 7th grades, respectively. In his spare time, Jack enjoys sports, fishing, cards, and church activities. He became a teacher in order to be a positive influence on children. He truly believes that teaching is a God-ordained calling, and he feels that he is following that calling.

Carol Wright

Carol Wright will be teaching Honors and CP Algebra II, Algebra III, and will be serving as our Camp Rock sponsor. She studied Business Administration and Mathematics Education at Troy University and earned an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Auburn University. She recently retired from Dothan High School. She has two sons, Colby and Baily, both of whom graduated from Houston Academy. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, and “binge watching everything!” She was called to teach after originally thinking she wanted to be a part of the business world. Her sister encouraged her to become a math teacher, and after observing several math teachers, herself, she decided that was her life’s calling. She decided to come to HA because of her children’s’ experience at HA as students from 4P to 12th grade, and she is excited to be involved with the HA family in a different way.

I am truly thrilled at the caliber people who have chosen to join the HA family this year. Please make them all feel welcome!

Go Raiders!

Dr. Scott Phillipps