Paige Watkins graduated with a BA from Baylor University. She taught French and English in high school before discovering a love for entrepreneurial ventures. As founder and CEO, she ran University Laundry, a membership-based campus service, for seven years. After selling to Proctor and Gamble, she transitioned to full-time focus on family life and homeschooling. 

In 2016, she co-founded and directed a homeschool cooperative program for two years where she taught history and literature. Her passion for spiritual formation through education continued to grow while also serving as a children’s and women’s bible study teacher. 

In 2018, she blended her love for children, passion for human flourishing and knack for creative enterprise by co-founding Classical School of Dallas. After serving as Board Chair for six years, she now leads Classical School as Executive Director. She is committed to pursuing Beauty, loving the True, and recovering the Good through the ancient paths of Classical Christian Education. She and her husband Nathan enjoy mountain adventures and mountain towns, quiet mornings with coffee for two and sunrises in East Texas. Her three bright-eyed and lively children can often be found riding bikes somewhere in Lake Highlands. She and her family attend Watermark Community Church.

Kara Borrett holds a B.A. in Historic Preservation with a minor in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She brings a love for order, beauty, and thoughtful detail to her role supporting the daily operations of the Classical School of Dallas. Kara and her husband, Matthew, have been married for 15 years and have three children currently attending CSD. She enjoys freshly milled baking, antique shopping, conversations with friends, and exploring new places with her family. Her family are members of Junius Heights Church in Lakewood.

Christie Craddock holds a B.S. in Psychology from Texas A&M University, and an M.S. in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. Prior to embarking on a journey of classically educating her own children, Christie served as a Speech/Language Pathologist, delivering speech and language therapy to children in both public and private schools. Christie has been at Classical School of Dallas since the doors opened in August of 2018, first teaching PreK and then 1st grade before joining the Leadership Team in 2021. She adores young learners and counts it one of her life’s greatest joys to shepherd her students and learn alongside them. Additionally, Christie enjoys experiencing God’s beauty and creativity through the fine arts and loves teaching dance at Dallas Ballet Center. Christie is passionate about Christ-centered, classical education, and is grateful to the Lord for giving her the opportunity to teach at Classical. She and her husband, Kyle, have four children, all of whom attend Classical. She enjoys rainy days, hot cups of tea, excellent literature, lifelong friendships, and anything she gets to do with her family. She and her family attend Eastside Community Church.

Collin McGee holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture from New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho and is currently pursuing a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Dallas. He was classically educated from kindergarten through college, and discovered his penchant for teaching after a few years constructing and renovating houses. He is the father of four strapping young boys and the husband of Lizzie, a lovely and kind artist. His family attends All Saints Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth and enjoys riding bikes, hiking, listening to Gabriel Faure records, and playing soccer together.

Demerious Nelson holds a B.A.S. in Christian Ministries and an M.A. in Leadership from Dallas Baptist University and is currently pursuing a MDiv from The Master’s Seminary in Santa Clarita, CA. He has served a total of 21 years in the military, first in the United States Navy and currently as a United States Air Force reservist. He and his wife, Angela, have five children, two of whom attends Classical. He enjoys golf, fishing, reading, and spending time with his family. He and his family attend Countryside Bible Church.

Amber Timbrell worked in childcare and as a personal assistant for fifteen years before joining the staff at Classical. She is grateful for the opportunity to apply her knowledge and experience to the role of Campus Director. Amber values time with her family and co-teaching her daughter, Sydney. She married her husband, Dylan, in 2008; they were blessed by the gift of adoption in 2014. They both enjoy serving at the school, whether it’s during lunch or hosting a book party. Amber looks forward to greeting your families everyday with joy! She and her family attend New St. Peter's Presbyterian Church.

Andrew Weak graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music Education. Prior to coming to Classical, Andrew taught music in a public school for 16 years to 6th-12th graders. For 14 of those years, Andrew led as Head Band Director and eventually Fine Arts Team Lead at Apollo Junior High. He has presented a number of pedagogy clinics for music conventions in San Antonio and Chicago and for the Ministry of Education in Singapore. In 2016, Andrew was honored to be awarded the Richardson ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, and the City of Richardson went on to name a day after him.

Andrew has always enjoyed working with his hands, whether it be Lego, playing piano or clarinet, home-remodeling or photography. Even more, Andrew loves teaching and has a heart for students. He is excited to serve the Classical community while also having time to invest in his role as husband and father. He and his wife Michelle have been members of Watermark Community Church since 2012 where he serves on the worship team. They have 3 kids, all of whom attend Classical.

Janay Wilborn holds a B.A. in English Literature from Baylor University and a M.A. in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. With a rich experience of finding God's truth in stories, developing curriculum, and igniting a love for great books, she brings a passion for classical education and a deep love for Primer-age children to her role at Classical School of Dallas. Janay spent years as a manager in the hospitality industry and almost a decade as a ministry director, Bible study writer and teacher, and speaker at a large Dallas area church. She's also honed her skills with young hearts and minds in her three years as a BSF children's leader and seven years as a preschool Sunday school teacher at Grace Bible Church. Janay has been a substitute teacher in the Highland Park school district in the past and the last two years here at Classical. Her two children have been at Classical since 2019, allowing her the privilege of co-teaching every grade from Pre-K to 5th. In addition to her role at Classical School of Dallas, Janay is a professional Christian speaker and, most importantly, is married to the love of her life, Maurice. 

Christian Young holds a B.B.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.St. in Classical Christian Studies from New Saint Andrews College. He has taught at Classical since 2018 in various grade levels and joined the administrative team in 2020. He and his wife, Morgan, live in the Casa View neighborhood of east Dallas with their three children, the oldest of whom attends Classical. They are members Eastside Community Church.

James Alongi holds a B.S. in Christian Elementary Education from Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri and was a Bible camp counselor for fifteen years, sharing Jesus with youth and training staff in care groups. He is currently studying for a Ph.D in Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary after graduating with a Th.M in New Testament and Intercultural Ministry. He most enjoys studying the Gospels, having trusted in Jesus Christ at a young age after his mother read a children's Bible to him about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and led him to ask God for salvation from sin and death. He regularly prays for revival in DFW and looks forward to how the love of Christ shown at Classical School of Dallas furthers that purpose. James attends City Church International in East Dallas.

Grace Aubert holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Physics from LeTourneau University. She and her husband Hector have three children at Classical and attend Northwest Bible Church in Dallas. Grace has taught math in a variety of grade levels at Classical since the doors opened in 2018. Grace loves spending time with her family outdoors, gardening, and learning Karate where she has earned the rank of blue belt. She has a passion for teaching how math is woven throughout the arts and sciences, and how math reflects the character and consistency of the Creator. It is her desire to teach math and science in a way that constantly points students to an amazing God!

Emma Barnard holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in News Media from the University of Alabama, where she also served as a cheerleader - Roll Tide! She is passionate about her faith in Christ and finds great joy in exploring theology, philosophy, fitness, sports, and serving children. Emma is actively involved in various ministries at All Saints Anglican Church in Dallas. She is especially excited to be getting married this fall.

Jacob Biedebach holds a B.S. from Wheaton College and an M.Ed. from the University of North Texas, and he has nearly a decade of experience in various education roles around the DFW metroplex. Jacob also coaches football at the Shelton School in Dallas. He enjoys cooking, reading biographies of U.S. Presidents, and working on cars. His favorite animals at the Dallas Zoo are the hippos. He, his wife Ashlyn, and their two daughters attend Antioch Lake Cities Community Church in Garland.

Jenna Bredenhoeft is the mother of three girls and a graphic designer. She owns the stationery & design firm Bred & Butter Paper, and her merchandise has been sold in Paper Source and other retailers across the country. She also runs East Dallas Art Club, where she hosts classes and camps for kids. Before launching her businesses, Jenna worked as a freelance designer, a Communications Manager at Southwest Airlines, and a high school English teacher. She desires to help students cultivate a love of the arts and see how art ties into the larger story of God's creation. She attends Eastside Community Church with her husband Philip and three daughters. Jenna enjoys traveling, hiking, and frequenting the local library.

Patrick Camp holds a B.A. in General Studies from the University of Louisiana Monroe and is pursuing a Masters Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was born and raised in West Monroe, LA until he moved to Dallas in August of 2023 to begin a 10 month residency in the Watermark Institute at Watermark Community Church, where he is currently a member and serves in the college ministry. He is an avid pickleball player, plays the drums and was in the drumline in college, and loves discussing anything to do with history or political sciences. 

Julianne Cassetta holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education from Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and is currently pursuing M.A. degrees in Christian Education and Apologetics & Evangelism from Dallas Theological Seminary. A former homeschooler and missionary kid, she experienced firsthand the transformative impact of a Christ-centered, family-oriented education, and now loves to bring that gift to other families. Outside of school, her favorite thing is to build fellowship with believers through prayer, music, good food, stories, walks, bike rides, and great conversations. Julianne serves at Redeemer Bible Church.

Sarah Duckett brings a wealth of experience to our preschool program along with a passion for education and a heart for children. As an ABA certified instructor, Sarah has a deep understanding of the unique needs and learning styles of children. Sarah dedicated most of her 20s to teaching from various platforms where she nurtured young minds and helped lay the foundation for their love of learning and the Lord. As a mother and Classical Co-Teacher, Sarah understands the importance of creating a warm, Christ-centered learning environment for students. Her family has felt incredibly blessed to be a part of the Classical community. Sarah, her husband Joey, and her daughter Sadie, enjoy traveling and exploring nature and God’s beautiful designs. Sarah loves building deep relationships and especially treasures her role as mom, wife, and friend! Their family is completed by two furry pups who add an extra dose of love and dog hair to their lives! With her genuine love for children, Sarah feels very honored to teach our school's youngest minds and hearts! She and her family attend Eastside Community Church.

Brittany Farmer holds a degree in International Political Economy from The University of Texas at Dallas. She enjoys reading literature, baking sweet treats, and working on embroidery projects. Brittany and her husband, Hayden, have been married for three years and recently made their home in the Addison Circle community. They are members of Watermark Community Church, where Brittany often serves the community from behind the coffee bar.

Timothy Fisher holds a BA in Ancient Greek and Theology from Tübingen University in Germany and is pursuing a an MA in Bible Translation from Dallas Theological Seminary. Originally from North Carolina, his family moved to Russia when he was young. After finishing university in 2020, he moved back to the US and met his future wife, Winnie, later that year. The two got married in 2022 and moved to Dallas the following year. Timothy and Winnie attend Grace Bible Church and are passionate about reaching the lost; they are hoping to serve in Bible translation after graduating. Timothy loves reading, going for walks with Winnie, learning languages, and playing the guitar.

Chesley Garcia holds a B.A. in History from from Texas A&M University. A dedicated educator who began her teaching career in 2nd grade in public schools, she paused to care for her growing family. During this time, she remained engaged in education through tutoring at Classical Conversations and subbing for various schools and grade levels. Returning to the classroom, Chesley taught across multiple grade levels (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) at the Classical School of Dallas. Married to Josh, Chesley is a devoted wife and mother of four boys, balancing her passion for teaching with her commitment to family life. She and her family attend Lake Ridge Bible Church.

Mallory Goerk is a devoted educator and artist with a deep love for both family and the creative process. She holds an M.F.A. in Sculpture as well as dual B.F.A. degrees in Drawing and Watercolor, complemented by a minor in Business Management. Over the past eight years, she has taught a wide range of art courses, guiding students through multiple mediums with enthusiasm and care.

Mallory is married to a fellow artist and teacher, and together they are raising three children. When not working, she soaks up every moment she can chasing her kids around the home and garden in her own little Eden, building Lego cities, pouring over scripture and literature with her husband, and sipping coffee all day long. A lifelong learner and nurturer, she brings warmth and intentionality to everything she does.

The Goerk family attends All Saints Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth.

Morgan Grice holds a B.A. in International Languages with emphases in Spanish, Italian, Latin, Catalan, and Swahili from Cameron University, with a minor in English Literature. Originally from the Great Plains of Oklahoma, she moved to Texas to pursue further studies in Theology at Redeemer Seminary Dallas.

Morgan has served in education for the past twelve years and has spent the last ten years teaching both high school and college students. She is passionate about awakening students to the Living Person of the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit and delights in helping them discover the power of Story and the hope of Redemption.

An avid reader and writer, Morgan especially enjoys poetry and fairy tales. She cares deeply about cultivating the Imagination and loves finding creative expression in fashion and interior design. Morgan attends the Anglican Church of the Resurrection and looks forward to becoming more involved in a local parish community.

Katie Griffin holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Tyler and an M.S. in Chemistry from Southern Methodist University. Before joining the faculty at CSD, she worked in an inorganic chemistry research lab under the mentorship of Dr. Anindita Das.

Katie believes God to be the first and greatest Scientist; the One who leads us on our way as we explore our beautiful world with all diligence and curiosity. She is passionate about sharing her love for chemistry and has volunteered with the American Chemical Society and Dallas ISD to present “chemistry magic shows” that make science come alive for local K–12 students.

In her free time, Katie enjoys playing with her son, Simon; shooting film photography with her husband, Caleb; cooking and sharing meals with friends; visiting national parks; and savoring a quiet cup of coffee on the porch. She and her family are members of New St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, where she serves by teaching Sunday school for toddlers.

Chi Han holds a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. After beginning her career at a consulting firm, she embraced the opportunity God provided for her to homeschool her daughter full-time, a calling she cherishes deeply.

Chi and her husband, Yujin, live in Uptown Dallas with their beautiful daughter, who attends Classical. They are actively involved at First Baptist Dallas, where they serve together in leading the singles ministry. Outside of school, Chi enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending quality time with family. She especially loves experimenting with new recipes alongside her daughter.

Sarah Hargis holds a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M Commerce and has taught in a variety of settings, always with a heart for nurturing the whole child - mind, body, and spirit. Sarah believes deeply in the value of holistic education, where academic excellence, spiritual formation, and creativity are woven together. Her love for theatre and the arts has found a vibrant outlet both in the classroom and on stage. In addition to her work at school, she directs seasonally with Bright Lights Theatre, where she helps young performers grow in confidence, character, and craft. Sarah and her husband, Justin, are blessed with three wonderful children. Their family worships together at Watermark Community Church.

Meredith Harris holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. Her earliest classroom experience was teaching students with learning and behavioral needs in Texas and Arizona schools. She has spent the last eleven years home educating her sons in the Classical Christian tradition while teaching in various private and homeschool settings. She is committed to the mission of Classical School of Dallas and eager to partner with families to cultivate the hearts and minds of students through classroom engagement. Meredith is married to Elliott and they have three sons who are funny and love to play football. They attend Christ Church Plano. Meredith also serves as the 3rd grade lead teacher.

Anita Hawkins holds a B.A. in Music and an A.A. in Bible from Central Bible College. Anita was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, where her parents pastored a church for many years. Living outside of Washington D.C. gave her access to an amazing city full of history, education, and the arts. After college, she was called to be a missionary to the Middle East and served there for nearly 25 years with her family. She has four beautiful children, now grown, and is blessed with five grandchildren. She loves to cook, enjoys music and singing, and can't get enough of traveling overseas and learning about new cultures and languages. She attends First Baptist Church in Sunnyvale with her husband, Roy.

Grace Herr holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in English for Secondary Education from Western Governors University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Theology with an emphasis in Media Arts and Worship from Dallas Theological Seminary. Grace grew up attending and later teaching at Trinity Christian Academy in O’Fallon, Missouri - a school which holds the same parent-teacher model and classical education values as CSD.

She is passionate about raising up Christ-following leaders in the next generation through biblically based creative expression, and finding ways for students to grow closer to the creator in ways they can relate to. Grace attends Watermark Community Church, and serves in their children's ministries. In her spare time, she enjoys coordinating weddings and events for family and friends, as well as painting, reading, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Kaylee Horn holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Redlands. Originally from Monterey, California, she was classically homeschooled for four years before returning to public school to pursue dual enrollment.

Kaylee resides in Richland Hills with her two dogs, Percy and Pudge. She attends The Hills Church in North Richland Hills and enjoys spending her time reading, exploring the outdoors, and appreciating God’s creation.

Nissi Isaac holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Education from Texas Woman's University. She taught Algebra 2 in a Texas public school for five years and continues to share her love of math by tutoring high school students and college learners at Collin College. Outside the classroom, Nissi enjoys reading Biblical fiction, playing the piano with her baby nephew, and cherishing time with her family. She is a proud aunt to two nephews, gifted by her older brother and younger sister. Nissi serves as the lead vocalist at Upper Room Heavenly Assemblies of God, where her father pastors and her mother, a nurse, is an active evangelist.

Tyler Kemper holds a B.A. in Dramatic Production from the Academy of Arts Conservatory in Taylors, South Carolina. He is pursuing a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a graduate certificate in classical education from the University of Dallas. His wife is also a Christian school teacher, and they share a desire to help young people grow for the glory of God. They currently live in East Dallas and attend Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Tyler enjoys carpentry, reading, and directing one-act plays in his spare time.

Jena Kern holds a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and has over 20 years of experience in healthcare. A former critical care nurse with expertise in emergency medicine and trauma, she also served in the ICU during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her career, she has taken on various supervisory and educator roles, sharing her knowledge and experience with both healthcare providers and members of the community.

For more than 13 years, Jena worked at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine (IEEM), a renowned research institution. As the primary Research Nurse and Research Coordinator for the Thermal and Vascular Physiology Lab, she contributed to studies funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). In this capacity, Jena collaborated on research projects that advanced the understanding of human physiology in extreme environments, co-authoring work that was published in scientific journals. She also played a vital role in the IEEM’s Neuromuscular Disease Clinic, providing specialized nursing expertise and education to patients.

A Classical mom since 2019, Jena previously taught 3rd grade on campus. She volunteers with the Discovery Institute, a science and faith organization, and attends Northway Church with her husband and two children.

Kelsey Kirkland holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. She is married to Taylor and they have two kids who attend Classical. She has spent the last five years teaching PreK, and, prior to becoming a mom, she was a middle school math teacher and tutor. Kelsey and her family attend Eastside Community Church. She enjoys spending time with her family, birdwatching, and a good sunset. She is so thankful the Lord brought her family to Classical!

Ketrina Lemley holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.S. in International Studies from The Ohio State University. She is a certified Life Architects Associate and has been trained to help families approach College and Career decisions from a vocational discipleship model. Ketrina is enthusiastic about helping students discover their God-given abilities and how these combine with a students’ faith, interests, goals, and family values to explore pathways to consider after graduation from Classical School of Dallas. Ketrina’s Guidance Counseling style is joyful, relatable and intentional. Ketrina and her family attend Eastside Community Church where she serves as a worship leader and songwriter.

Katie Lockette holds a B.A. in Advertising & Public Relations from Abilene Christian University. Before that she graduated from a classical, Christ-centered school in Huntsville. After graduating from college in 2014 she worked for a year at a nonprofit and then quickly found her way back to a classical classroom in 2016. She has taught upper school Latin, literature, and composition, as well as Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, and 5th grades. Her pursuit of the True, Good, and Beautiful happens through everyday reading, thoughtful conversations, and consistent prayer. She has a deep desire for intentional community which she has cultivated in East Dallas with her husband, Jordan, and their children. The Lockette family attends Peak Street Church in East Dallas.

Jessica Lohr holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Liberty University. A retired professional ballet dancer, she has spent the past twelve years teaching ballet to students of all ages, cultivating a joyful and nurturing environment where they can grow both artistically and personally. In addition to her dance career, Jessica has experience in case management and leading children’s support groups through her background in social work.

She is an active member of Antioch Dallas Church and finds joy in spending time in nature, creating Christ-centered art, and being with her family. Jessica is grateful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of students at the Classical School of Dallas.

Jes Lonergan holds an Education degree from Texas A&M University. Jes and her husband Brian own Caliber Athlete. Caliber strives to develop athletes physically for their sports and spiritually for their lives. She is excited to use her passion for athletics and discipleship as she serves Classical as the Athletic Coordinator. She and her family attend Northwest Bible Church.

Bethany Marks holds a Masters of Science in Teaching from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Before joining Classical School of Dallas, she spent four years teaching 7th and 8th grade science at a Title 1 school in Richardson, Texas. Bethany is passionate about cultivating a love for learning and is eager to invest in the next generation of leaders and Christ-followers. She enjoys exploring new coffee shops, reading engaging novels, and walking around White Rock Lake. Bethany and her husband, Steven, live in south Plano with their son. They are members of Mosaic Church in Richardson.

Dawn McCormick holds a B.S. in Education from Tennessee Temple University. She has experience teaching many grade levels from 4th to 11th grade. Dawn has been married to Jim for over 25 years, and they have three children: Bailey, Tate, and Harper, a Rhetoric School student at Classical. Dawn loves to learn whether it’s through reading, cooking, or traveling. Some authors who have had the most impact on her are Jane Austen, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Harper Lee. It is Dawn’s desire to teach students to recognize the hand of God in all areas of life. Dawn and her family attend Mosaic Church. Dawn also serves as the 4th grade lead teacher and Grammar School Coordinator.

Lauren McGee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Sciences from Samford University. She and her husband are raising their son in Dallas, where they are active members of Eastside Community Church. Lauren delights in the simple rhythms of daily life. She enjoys welcoming friends around the table, creating cozy corners at home, getting lost in a good book, and training for her next long run.

Liz McGee holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from New Saint Andrews College. She enjoys painting, baking, and gardening, and especially cherishes time spent with her husband, Collin, and their four boys hiking in the mountains and exploring rivers. Her family worships at All Saints Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth.

Rylee Millhouse holds a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University. Prior to that, Rylee graduated from a classical christian school. She and her husband David moved to Dallas in 2020 after serving overseas with Cru. Rylee taught 2nd grade at Classical from 2021-2025. She now serves as an Upper School Science Teacher and also supports administration as an Executive Assistant and Upper School and House Coordinator. Rylee delights in helping students to live with a Biblical, Christ-centered worldview especially in the sciences and in building strong relationships with Classical families. Outside of teaching, Rylee enjoys spending time outdoors studying nature, traveling, and doing crafts! Rylee and David are members of Eastside Community Church, where they serve as Home Group Leaders.

Taylor Nagel was classically educated beginning in middle school under the faithful instruction of her mother, who continues to homeschool her younger siblings. She went on to graduate from Veritas Press Scholars Academy, where her love for learning and the classical tradition deepened.

From an early age, Taylor felt called to teach - often gathering her younger sisters to play “school.” That love led her to pursue a Certificate in the Great Tradition of Education through Kepler Education during her senior year of high school. Since then, she has gained hands-on experience by assisting and interning at two classical Christian schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Taylor enjoys reading and collecting well-loved books, creating beauty through hand-lettering, sewing, and crochet. She is a member of All Saints Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, where she worships alongside her parents and six younger siblings.

Soli Deo Gloria - To God alone be the glory.

Hannah Neelam holds a B.S. in Biblical Counseling from Calvary University in Kansas City. When asked where she’s from, she often stumbles—having grown up as the daughter of missionary parents, she’s moved over 25 times and lived in four different countries. She is grateful for the variety of experiences and diverse cultures she has encountered in her travels, and for the rich blend of theological teaching she has been exposed to in her time traveling and studying in a variety of contexts.

From a young age, Hannah developed a profound love of reading and a deep, ongoing curiosity to better understand God and the world He has made.

She is the wife of Abhishek and the mother of two lively toddlers who fill her days with joy, laughter, and just the right amount of exhaustion. The Neelam family lives on campus at Dallas Theological Seminary, where Abhishek is a student, and they are active members of Fellowship Dallas. In her rare quiet moments, Hannah enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and nurturing her photography business.

Jenna Peck holds a B.A. in English and History from Southern Methodist University  and an M.A. in Literature from UT Dallas. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. She grew up in Long Beach, California, but headed to Texas for college and graduate school, after which she taught English at a public high school for four years. She is passionate about literature, theology, and history, and considers herself a lifelong learner. She is thrilled to teach at Classical School of Dallas and share her enthusiasm for learning and Jesus with her students. She loves hosting gatherings for her community in Dallas, and is often found baking, knitting, reading, or playing board games. She is working on designing and publishing a Jane Austen themed card game! Jenna attends Eastside Community Church. 

Stephanie Pickett holds a BA in Geography and English Literature and a B.Ed. from the Universities of Pune & Mumbai, India. She has taught the humanities for over 20 years and loves opening her students eyes to the wonder of the world, its history and language and how it all connects to Jesus and His saving grace in their lives. Stephanie is a former homeschool mom and has tutored other homeschoolers from her church home, City Church International. She enjoys going on long walks with her husband, traveling to new places with her family, hanging out with friends, and reading and dabbling in arts and crafts.

Jan Pipkin holds a B.S. in Education from Oklahoma Baptist University. She and her husband, Jarrell, attend Gateway Community Church in Wylie. They have two grown sons that were classically home-educated. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, reading, and crafting.

Natalie Pocta holds a B.S. in General Business from the University of North Texas. Before becoming a mom, she worked for five years as a benefits administrator for a national building supply distributor, where she developed a strong foundation in organization and a passion for efficiency. Her love for creating order — whether through Microsoft Excel or neatly labeled containers at home — makes her a natural fit for her role as our Staffing Coordinator. She especially enjoys building relationships and finds great joy in helping families feel connected and at home within the CSD community.

Natalie and her husband of 18 years, Graham, have been part of the Classical School of Dallas community since 2019, along with their four children — three of whom currently attend CSD. Their home is lively and full of life, with a Scotch Collie, an axolotl, and a tank full of fish and shrimp that the family enjoys caring for together.

In her free time, Natalie loves taking road trips with her family to explore God’s creation — always making sure it includes time spent in a body of water. She also enjoys cross stitching while listening to audiobooks. Natalie is actively involved in a Bible study at and serves in the children’s ministry at her church, Providence Presbyterian Church.

Sally Robbins holds a B.A. in Communications from Bethel University and a Graduate Marketing Certificate from Southern Methodist University. Before joining Classical School of Dallas as Communications Executive, she served in a variety of marketing and communications roles across both the non-profit and corporate sectors—including nearly a decade leading the Brand Department of a financial firm.

In 2020, Sally launched her own brand and marketing consulting firm, where she has supported clients across a wide range of industries.

Sally loves using her brand, marketing and communication skills to foster camaraderie and spirit within the CSD community. She is passionate about the collaborative aspect of CSD, and enjoys helping staff, students and families feel more connected and informed through community-building initiatives.

Sally and her husband, Alex, have two sons, and she has served as their home teacher since their family joined CSD in 2019. In her free time, she enjoys lattes from LDU Coffee, cooking, baking, hiking, and spending time in the mountains. The Robbins family are members and home group leaders at Eastside Community Church.

Kacy Salter holds a B.S. in Family and Child Studies from Louisiana Tech University. After graduating college, she worked for a college campus ministry, where she met her husband, Dane. Kacy and Dane moved from Louisiana to Dallas in 2017, and together, they serve at Northwest Bible Church through small group, young adult, and marriage ministries. Dane and Kacy welcomed their first baby into the world, Eden, and have loved experiencing the kindness of the Lord through parenthood. 

On the weekends, you can find Kacy catching up with friends over a good cup of coffee, spending time with family in Louisiana, or going on long walks with Dane and Eden.

Michelle Schroeder holds a B.S. in Human Development from Texas Tech University. She spent over 20 years in Corporate America and later ran her own Professional Organizing business before stepping into the role of full-time mother. Michelle quickly grew to love teaching and discipling within her home. She enjoys experimenting with freshly milled flour, trying new dinner recipes, traveling, reading, and sharing meals with friends. Michelle and her husband, David, live in Lake Highlands with their son, Henry, and their two dogs, Goose and Choo Choo. They are members of Northwest Bible Church, where Michelle serves in the Kindergarten classroom.

Robin Smith holds a B.S. in Psychology with an emphasis on Life Span Development from Middle Tennessee State University. Currently, Robin studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, hoping to learn all she can to be the best equipped she can be as a teacher, volunteer, and lay leader in whatever context she is in. Robin attends Dallas Bible Church, where she volunteers with their youth ministry as the youth group audio-visual production team leader.

Jonathan Sorne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies from Texas Baptist College. He is passionate about investing in the next generation by helping them become godly individuals and to have the desire to continue to learn and grow in truth.

A Fort Worth native, Jonathan attends Trinity River Baptist Church, a growing church plant in the area. He enjoys rich stories, especially within the fantasy genre, and counts J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Brandon Sanderson among his favorite authors. He also enjoys a good single-origin coffee from local coffee shops like Buongiorno, perusing their popular roast of the week.

Jonathan also loves to travel; some of his favorite visited destinations include Canada, Spain, and Zambia. His future travel hopes include visiting Japan, Cambodia, Ireland, England, and Switzerland. He is married to his wife, Meredith, who teaches Latin at another Christian classical school. They have been married since 2021, and have a cocker spaniel named Lucy.

Abby Spencer holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Moody Bible Institute. Prior to becoming a mom, she taught at a private classical Christian school in the Dallas area for four years. Abby is grateful for the privilege and opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of the students at Classical. Abby is married to Luke and a mama to three young boys. When she’s not in the classroom, Abby enjoys spending time outside with her boys, reading, and trying out new recipes. She and her family attend Centerpoint Church in Mesquite. 

Camryn Spyker holds a B.S. in Allied Health from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the faculty at Classical, she spent two years teaching Pre-K and has a deep love for nurturing young learners during their formative years. She is married to her college sweetheart, Ryan, whom she met through Breakaway Ministries. They have one son, Beau, and a beloved dog, Boots. The Spykers are members of Eastside Community Church, where Camryn serves in the 4th and 5th grade ministry and enjoys hosting their homegroup. In her free time, she loves reading, taking sunset walks, and thrifting for unique finds.

Dylan Timbrell brings a unique blend of discipline, dedication, and heart to everything he does. A former baseball player at Odessa Junior College, Dylan went on to serve in Corrections for 15 years in the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. Today, he applies that same work ethic and attention to detail in his role with The Kirkpatrick Group.

At the Classical School of Dallas, Dylan serves part-time as a porter, where he takes great pride in ensuring the campus is set up each day to support the school’s mission. He considers it an honor to contribute behind the scenes so that students and staff can thrive in an environment that’s ready and welcoming.

Outside of work, Dylan cherishes time with his wife, Amber, and their daughter, Sydney. Whether it’s going through a catechism, a family board game night, a strong cup of coffee, or a visit to a classic car show, he finds joy in life’s simple pleasures and meaningful moments. Dylan and his family are members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church.

Abigail Thompson holds a B.A. in Literature from the University of Texas at Dallas and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Literature at UT Dallas. A graduate of a classical Christian school, she is passionate about passing on the richness of the classical tradition to the next generation. Always interested in the old ways, Abigail researches medieval literature and languages while pursuing an M.A. in Literature from UT Dallas. Outside the classroom, Abigail enjoys writing fiction, experimenting in the kitchen, taking long walks, and spending time with family and friends. She is a member of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.

Stef van Meerveld holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. He is licensed by the United States Soccer Federation (“B” license), United Soccer Coaches (Advanced National), and the Dutch Soccer Federation KNVB (UEFA B and Futsal II). With over 30 years of experience in both coaching and playing, Stef has worked at all levels of the game across more than 30 countries.

He met his wife Christy (CJ) in Ohio in 2002 while serving in a soccer ministry. Now married with three children—Summer, Brooke, and Hunter—they live in Murphy, Texas, and attend Gateway Church’s Plano Campus. After playing second-division soccer in the Netherlands, he felt called in 2001 to join Ambassadors Football, a global soccer ministry, which led him to move to the United States. His journey in ministry has taken him across the globe and throughout the U.S. In 2020, he and his family settled in Dallas, where CJ is originally from.

While in Dallas he has had soccer coaching experiences and positions at Baylor (Women's ID Camps), SMU (Women's ID Camps), DBU (Women's Assistant Coach), PCA (Head Coach Varsity Girls), CSD (Soccer Eloquium) and Ambassadors Football ministry programming.

He loves spending time with his family, enjoys the outdoors and being close to  the water.

Life verse: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians. 12:9)

Melissa Vanderhey and her husband Josh have lived in Dallas for the past 15 years. They have four kids, all currently attending Classical. Melissa was the Development Director for a local non-profit until becoming a full-time co-teacher at Classical in 2019. Raising kids in Dallas has led her to find all the adventures and fun the city has to offer! Her love of exploring and coordinating has served her well as the Field Trip Coordinator for Classical. Melissa and her family live in the Lake Highlands area and attend Eastside Community Church, where she previously worked as the Elementary Team Lead.

Traci Velasquez holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and a Master’s in Licensed Counseling from Amberton University. She brings ten years teaching experience in Humanities to high school students in Plano ISD, along with two years teaching third grade at CSD. In addition to her work in the classroom, Traci has spent several years counseling teenagers in both private school and private practice settings.

Traci has been married to her husband, Carlos, for five years, and they recently welcomed their first child, a son named River, affectionately called “Rio,” in May. When she’s not changing diapers or preparing lessons, you can find Traci with her nose in a book, sipping copious amounts of caffeine, spending time with family and friends, or planning a getaway to the mountains with Carlos and Rio.

The Velasquez family attends Northway Church in Dallas.

Deborah Waterman holds a Music Education degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and a Choral Conducting Degree from Southern Methodist University and additional training in the Kodaly Method and Musikgarten. She currently teaches the Musikgarten program for the music department at Park Cities Presbyterian Church and has been doing so for over 20 years. Deborah has grown up in church and community choirs and has continued that tradition by being a part of the Park Cities Presbyterian Church choir for many years and has sung with the Dallas Symphony Chorus. She has also taught general music education in Irving public schools and preschool music at Providence Christian School in Dallas. Deborah is married to Robert and has three almost-grown children whom she had the pleasure of homeschooling for the duration of their schooling experience. The Waterman family are members of New St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Dallas. 

Felisa Welkener holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wheaton College, where she also enjoyed taking Spanish and psychology classes and leading an evangelism team in Chicago on the weekends. Felisa has a passion for teaching children about God's Word and God's world in many settings, from the classroom to tutoring to random teachable moments with her nieces and nephews! She also enjoys reading and talking about theology, the art of hospitality, and traveling to see family and friends all over the United States and the world. Felisa attends Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

Katie West started her ballet training at the age of four. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater at Dallas Ballet Center for twelve years under the direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein. She continued her dance training at Colin College with Tiffanee Arnold. She also took courses in biblical studies at The Criswell College in Dallas. She has been teaching dance at Dallas Ballet Center for seventeen years, and she has choreographed several musicals in the Dallas area. She loves being a mom to her four children and is thankful to partner with Classical to educate them! She and her family attend Watermark Community Church.

William West grew up in Dallas and spent two years at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland before transferring back home to complete his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas.

He and his wife, Katie, began dating in high school and married in 2005. Together, they have four children, all of whom attend Classical School of Dallas. William is a devoted husband and father who enjoys watching his children dance, exploring the world of musical theater, and tuning in to Jeopardy! whenever he gets the chance.

The family worships together at Watermark Community Church.

Robbie Zeske holds a BFA from North Texas State University (now UNT) and a teacher’s certification with a specialization in Fine Arts from the University of Dallas. Born and raised in Dallas, she used swimming as her main form of physical and emotional therapy while recovering from an automobile accident as a child. During her 18 year career teaching middle school and high school art, she had the opportunity to revive a swim team at a local private school, spending nine years building a small team into a strong program that offered a competitive sport and a life skill for hundreds of students. During this time, she spent summers working with swimmers at small community pools and country clubs. Finding this to be something she had passion for, she felt driven to start her own USA swimming club.

In 2020, Robbie took over a legacy team and swim academy from her mentor and childhood coach. Since then, she has left the art room and has dedicated her days exclusively to sharing the joy of swimming to children of all ages. Through relationships formed in this program, Robbie became the first swimming coach at Classical in 2023.

Coach Robbie has three grown children of her own as well as two adult bonus children and is enjoying the most wonderful gift God can give, grandchildren! She still loves to create art and can often be found with her pup named Cash. Her favorite activities are finding God through nature while hiking, backpacking or bird watching. She attends St. Joseph's Catholic Church.