Administration

Alexis is originally from New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University. She began teaching in Oklahoma, but has spent the majority of her career teaching and leading as Head of School at International Christian Schools in Indonesia. Most recently, she spent four years at Salem Academy Christian Schools, finishing her time there as Interim Elementary Principal. Alexis and her husband, Luke, live in Stayton. Together they enjoy hiking/backpacking in the beauty of Oregon's mountains, lakes, rivers and trees as well as long drives to places known and unknown. Alexis has a passion for traveling the world, for living life in community, and for biblical Christian Education.

Jackie's first ventures into art came from a desire for spontaneous, creative expression early in life. Only later, while taking her first drawing course in college, did she discover the joy of deepening her capacity for expression through careful observation, study, and building foundational skills. Her goal as a teacher is to train students toward mastering the skills that have guided teachers of classical art for centuries, and thus expand their ability to recognize and create beauty. 
Jackie also wears the hat of administrator at Christ Academy, working both around the school and behind the scenes to support families, faculty and operations. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Covenant College, and has many years of experience as an administrator in both office and educational settings. She lives in Salem with her husband, Christopher and their five children. In her occasional moments of free time, she enjoys gardening and painting with acrylics.  

 As Campus Coordinator, Tara is responsible for ensuring day to day operations run as smoothly as possible. Much of her focus is on the support of faculty, students and parents, a role she finds to be meaningful and enjoyable. 

Tara also finds joy in investing in her daughter, hiking as much as possible, reading a stack of books she will never finish, and creating beauty in her home and flower garden. Tara is passionate about seeing all of life as worship, wondering at nature, leaning into Christian community, and more recently, discipleship through Classical Christian Education.

Bridie has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a minor in Bible from Colorado Christian University.  She has been involved in classical education through Classical Conversations and is excited to be part of the Christ Academy team. Literature, art, history, and philosophy are four of her passions and she is delighted to share this passion with her students. She has experience with non-profit institutions working in multi-cultural environments. She and her husband Jon live in Salem with their four boys.

Emily Johnston graduated from George Fox University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She is married to Steve, and they have three children ages 9 to 21.  She enjoys reading, discussing books, gardening, and finding creative solutions to life in a cramped old cottage. Emily was a classroom teacher for several years before becoming a homeschooling mom for nearly 20 years. Recently, she jumped back into the classroom and has been both invigorated and challenged learning to implement the classical model in the elementary classroom. 

Emily is a passionate advocate of a Christian classical education, and desires above all things to reclaim and create space in the souls of each of her students to absorb, wrestle with and express the life of the Incarnated Christ. C.S Lewis (as usual) says it best: “‘Aslan,’ said Lucy, ‘you’re bigger . . . ‘I am not,’ (answered he), ‘But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.’ “ ~Prince Caspian 

Sarah moved to Oregon after meeting her husband Michael at Bible College. While homeschooling their three boys, she developed a love of learning and teaching that she is delighted to share with her students at Christ Academy. She loves seeing how all that we learn is a chance to know our Creator better and grow as disciples of Jesus, as well as develop those virtues that show the beauty of Christ to the world around us. Sarah enjoys spending time with Michael and her boys, as well as exploring Oregon’s beauty by paddleboarding, walking, gardening, and camping. She recently took up cross-stitching, but jigsaw puzzles are her favorite pastime, and last summer she did a 9,000-piece puzzle with her dad.

Daniel transplanted to Salem from the Puget Sound region of Washington State. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Reach Training Institute where he honed his love of learning and eagerness to communicate the breadth of God’s truth with winsomeness and depth. He loves to read and reflect on how stories shape us. As part of the faculty of Christ Academy, Daniel is excited to participate in the nurture of hearts and minds to the glory of God.

Elijah is a fourth generation Oregonian. He holds a degree from Corban University and an MA in English from the University of Dallas. He has a deep love and appreciation for the classics, particularly the way that great works of fiction reveal within common life what John Donne described as the “exceeding weight of an eternal glory.” He is especially interested in how the discipline of reading can sharpen the reader’s sense of what is most important in relationships, worship, and daily life.

Elijah currently lives in Jefferson with his wife, Anne Marie, and their two daughters, and the skunk that has taken up residence in their garden. He enjoys any chance to get out into the mountains, trail-running, watching old or foreign films, and writing fiction.

Kellie is a long-time resident of Salem, OR, but she spent her early childhood growing up in Hawaii. She holds a BS in Public Health from Oregon State University, and is currently working to earn her Oregon teaching license with an emphasis on Science Education. Her goal is to guide her students in studying God’s creation and exploring the way it reveals God’s character.

Kellie enjoys hiking, fishing, art, sewing, and reading Tolkien. She also enjoys teaching science with hands-on lab activities and the occasional explosion.

J.D. Sinner is currently preparing for pastoral ministry within the Presbyterian Church in America, with long-term plans to serve as a church planter in the Balkan nation of Kosovo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and brings over a decade of experience in the construction industry, where he developed both practical leadership skills and a heart for mentorship.

J.D.’s passion for teaching began during his undergraduate studies, where he led lectures in a college mythology course. Since then, he has continued to teach and train others—whether instructing construction apprentices or helping students develop skills with the acoustic guitar. Across each of these settings, J.D. strives to create an environment of growth, integrity, and genuine care.

At the heart of his teaching is a desire to see students mature in Christ-likeness and develop strong moral character. J.D. approaches every class and conversation with authenticity, humility, and a deep commitment to helping others flourish in both faith and life

Naomi learned to love science at Grove City College, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. She has since used her science background for tutoring college students, teaching as an instructional assistant and working at a research hospital in North Carolina. Naomi lives in Monmouth and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in counseling on the side. She enjoys reading, running, playing violin and trying to keep her house plants alive.

Ian regards his own education as a gift - a Bachelor’s from Corban University and a Master’s from Western Seminary, as well as postgrad work at Claremont School of Theology. He is delighted now to participate in the intellectual and moral formation of students who love Christ and pursue the riches of His 

truth. Ian lives in Salem with his wife Cassie and their daughters Poppy and Hattie. 

They have a golden retriever named Willow and an ornery cat named Oliver. Together, they enjoy walks, house projects and paddle boarding, though the cat typically just sleeps.

Christopher is the pastor of Evergreen Church, a PCA congregation in Salem, OR. He also teaches regularly for Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis and Missio College in Salem. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible from the University of Edinburgh and formerly worked in research for the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics. With his wife Jackie and five children, he lives in Salem in an old house that has been moved on two occasions. They have an (overly) affectionate golden retriever and a cat that once was lost but now is found.

Denise is a self-taught artist. She spent thirty-one years as a home educator. During her later years of home educating she taught art classes and a variety of other topics as part of a small monthly homeschool co-op. She enjoys drawing and painting wildlife, flowers, and birds. She is excited to teach the primary prep art class and hopes to share the joys of observing nature and of creating art with her young students.

Alida received a BA in Vocal Performance from Ouachita Baptist University in 2006. She believes everyone should sing every single day and enjoys putting that belief into practice by belting musicals while cooking, sometimes to the chagrin of her children. She and her husband Jeff lived in Las Vegas. After a stint in Idaho they made their way to Salem where they live with their sons, Henry and Samuel, in a little yellow house  littered with fur from their pup, Sunny. When not singing, she also loves to read. The Shire is her happy place, and she feels so blessed to have moved from the desert to a place she can visualize reading under the trees waiting for Gandalf to arrive.