Faculty & Staff

Kim grew up in rural, upstate NY near Syracuse, and she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego. She later attended SUNY Cortland, where she earned a Master’s degree. Her love for children started at an early age when she started babysitting in 6th grade (until college). She and her husband have three young adult children, and as a family, they have a heart for missions and have been to Honduras several times with Samaritan’s Feet. Kim brings 26 years of elementary school teaching experience to her position.

Elizabeth earned a degree from UNC-Charlotte, and she holds licensure in both Elementary Education (K-6) and Exceptional Children (K-12). Prior to her role at OCS, she taught in a variety of classroom settings within Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and she brings more than 20 years of experience to her current position. She and her husband, Eric, have 3 children, one precious grandson, a silly Boxer dog, and a cat.

Rene earned a BS in Exercise Science from Liberty University. Prior to her role at OCS, she served as LU’s International Education Coordinator, and she brings several years of extensive administrative experience to her position. Rene and her husband, Alex, just purchased their first home, and in her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her identical twin sister as well as her dog, Hank.

After graduating from Myers Park High School, Leigh completed her first two years of collegiate study at Meredith College in Raleigh, and she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from UNC-Charlotte. Prior to her role at OCS, Leigh taught within the Cobb County Schools in Atlanta, GA, and later as CMS teacher. Leigh is the mother of two, young adult children and a Boxer. In her free time, she is also an Interior Designer and loves to volunteer in various capacities, travel, and exercise.

Kristin earned an undergraduate degree from Randolph Macon and a Master’s degree from Queens University. She fell in love with teaching in college while doing research for a psychology class in a local elementary school. She brings many years of multi-grade teaching experience to her role, and she has also served as an administrator in public and private schools. When she’s not at school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Dave, their three grown children, and their sweet lab mix puppy, Bella.

Allie earned a BS in Communications from North Dakota State University. She began her career as a paraprofessional in elementary schools, and prior to her role at OCS, she worked for a school fundraising organization. She and her husband, Teddy, moved to Charlotte for his seminary program, and although she misses pond hockey, friends, and family, the North Carolina coast has her heart!

Bayleigh earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from UNCC. She is pursuing her Master’s degree in Christian Counseling at Gordon Conwell, and hopes to graduate in 2023. She lives in the Harrisburg area with her three roommates and their golden retriever, Mazie. She is looking forward to joining the staff at OCS and learning more about how the Lord is using OCS to glorify His name.

Annie earned a BS degree from Elon University, and she holds licensure in Elementary Education (K-6). Prior to her role at OCS, she taught at a CMS school, and she particularly enjoys teaching lower elementary school students. She and her husband, Jordan, recently moved to Plaza Midwood, and they are excited to explore their new neighborhood. In her free time, she loves reading, going on walks, and baking sweet treats.

Jordan earned a degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Education from Pfeiffer University. Prior to her role at OCS, she taught kindergarten. She currently resides in Lake Wylie with her husband, Boone, who is a pastoral intern and a student at RTS. In her free time, she loves reading, hiking, and relaxing on the beach.

Tess earned a degree from Wheaton College, and shortly after graduating, she and her husband moved to Charlotte so that he could attend seminary training at RTS. Tess has been with OCS since its inaugural year, and she loves teaching the Bible and seeing children light up over the scriptures! She is thankful for her church community, the proximity of the NC mountains, good coffee and good books.

Natalie earned a BA in Spanish with minors in Mass Communication and Family, Youth and Community Sciences from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She also earned a certificate in Elementary Education with a concentration in Preschool Education from Miami Dade College and a Translation-Interpretation certifícate from Florida International University. Prior to her role at OCS, Natalie worked as an interpreter and translator for a local elementary school, and she and her husband, Davis, moved to Charlotte as newlyweds in February.

Naphtali earned a BS in Elementary Education from Messiah College, and she is certified to teach grades K-6. Prior to her role at OCS, she was a teacher in Pennsylvania and Florida. Naphtali has held leadership roles in children’s ministry programs, and she also developed a Bible-based experiential learning curriculum. She and her husband, Nathan, have four children, three of whom are enrolled at OCS. Her interests include cooking, gymnastics and international travel, and she is excited to bring her passion for learning about other cultures to the classroom.

Deborah earned a BA from Queens University, and she is pursuing graduate course work in K-12 Art Education. Her career began 20 years ago when she taught afterschool art classes in the inner city. She is passionate about serving children through art education, and she has worked throughout the Charlotte area teaching art to students in grades K-12 in a variety of settings. In addition to her role at OCS, Deborah enjoys pursuing her love of art and business by managing a small textile firm that hand-weaves custom fabrics for interior designers. In her free time, she loves traveling the world to visit great art museums.

Mallory earned a BS in Mass Communications from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Prior to her role at OCS, she worked for Boosterthon before transitioning to her first teaching position as a second grade teacher. Mallory and her husband tied the knot in January and moved to Charlotte in May.

Amy earned a degree in Art History from UNC-Chapel Hill and later received licensure in K-12 Art Education from ASU. Early in her career, she taught K-5 art at Myers Park Traditional School, and after seven years in the classroom, she transitioned to administrative staff roles at Charlotte Latin School. Prior to her current role at OCS, she served as the Human Resources Coordinator at Proverbs 31 Ministries. She and her husband, Keith, have two children, A.B. and Ford, and a cat named Mobley.

Erica earned a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in math from Ohio University, and she later earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She has taught all grade levels and subjects in grades 1-8, and she also taught various levels of high school English. In addition to her classroom roles, Erica has served as an elementary and middle school principal as well as a Head of School. She brings 22 years of experience to her role at OCS.

Sidney graduated from Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, NC, and Gordon College in Wenham, MA, where she earned degrees in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies. She brings several years of experience as a staff member with Christian Summer Camps in Colorado, Western Pennsylvania, and Asheville, NC, where she developed a love for teaching the gospel (and camp songs) to children and seeing their growth in Christ. In addition to her professional youth camp experience, she brings 3 years of preschool teaching experience to her role as a Home Room Shepherd. She and her husband, Bobby, live in Matthews and enjoy life with their son, Robin, a 7th grader, and Jesse, a 5th grader at OCS, and their cute dog, Breezy.

Mary Lou is a former Board Member for the accrediting body of Christian Schools International, and she specializes in curriculum design and instruction, data analysis, the establishment of faculty performance benchmarks, and in the delivery of proven and relevant professional development. She also has extensive experience with school accreditation, and the school looks forward to her guidance and expertise during its accreditation process and in planning for the opening of its middle school program in 2021.