Faculty & Staff

Kim grew up in rural, upstate New York near Syracuse and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Oswego. She later attended SUNY Cortland, where she earned a master’s degree. Kim’s love for children began at an early age when she started babysitting in sixth grade. She and her husband have three young adult children. Kim brings 26 years of elementary school teaching experience to her position.

After graduating from Myers Park High School, Leigh completed her first two years of collegiate study at Meredith College in Raleigh and earned a degree in early childhood education from UNC-Charlotte. Prior to her role at OCS, Leigh taught within Cobb County Schools in Atlanta, Ga., and later at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Leigh is the mother of two young adult children and a boxer. She also works as an interior designer and loves to volunteer, travel, and exercise.

Rene earned a bachelor’s degree 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. In her free time, Rene enjoys traveling and spending time with her identical twin sister, as well as her dog, Hank.

Bayleigh earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from UNC-Charlotte. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Christian counseling at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and hopes to graduate in 2023. Bayleigh lives in the Harrisburg area with three roommates and their golden retriever, Mazie.

Kristin earned an undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon College 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. Kristin 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, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, Dave, their three grown children, and their sweet Lab-mix puppy, Bella.

Allie earned a bachelor’s degree 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. Allie and her husband, Teddy, moved to Charlotte for his seminary program in 2019. Although she misses pond hockey, friends, and family – the North Carolina coast has her heart!

Emily earned a degree in early childhood education from Auburn University. After moving to Charlotte from Alabama, she taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for three years, followed by two years in Union County Public Schools. Emily and her husband welcomed their first child, Conrad, last March. They also have a five-year-old Labrador-mix dog named Lola. Emily loves being active, eating delicious food, and spending time outdoors.

Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in education with a focus in independent school leadership and administration from Mercer University. She brings experience in advancement, alumni relations, and coaching soccer and cross country. Prior to her current role at OCS, she served Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools as the director of school operations. She and her husband, Atlee, adore being new parents to their son, as well as loving on their English springer spaniel, Dublin.

Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education from Pfeiffer University. Prior to her role at OCS, she taught kindergarten. Jordan currently resides in Lake Wylie with her husband, Boone, who is a pastoral intern and a student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. In her free time, Jordan loves reading, hiking, and relaxing on the beach.

Tess earned a degree from Wheaton College. Shortly after graduating, she and her husband, Cade, moved to Charlotte for his seminary training at Reformed Theological Seminary. 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 North Carolina mountains, good coffee and good books.

Natalie earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with minors in mass communication and family, youth and community sciences from the University of Florida. She also earned a certificate in elementary education with a concentration in preschool education from Miami Dade College and a translation-interpretation certificate from Florida International University. Prior to her role at OCS, Natalie worked as an interpreter and translator for a local elementary school. She and her husband, Davis, moved to Charlotte as newlyweds in February 2020.

Eric recently earned a doctoral degree in intercultural studies from Columbia International University. His research focused on helping believers to understand their calling and work in light of God’s mission. He also holds a master’s degree in Christian education from Union Presbyterian Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grove City College. He has been a teacher and tutor for 15 years. Eric and his wife, Letarshia, live in Lake Wylie. He enjoys spending time with Letarshia, playing the guitar, and taking photographs of nature.

Naphtali earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Messiah College and 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 bachelor’s degree from Queens University, and she is pursuing graduate course work in K-12 art education. Deborah’s career began 20 years ago when she taught after-school 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 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 bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. 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, Austin, reside in the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte.

Melinda is an educator of 20 years with a degree in music from Converse College and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Florida. Her years of teaching have provided many opportunities to learn and grow with her students in schools of excellence including Charlotte Latin School, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, and more recently, Good Shepherd Episcopal School of Dallas. For over a decade, Melinda taught fifth-grade English and American history. In recent years, she has returned to her roots in early childhood education, working with inspired educators to develop and implement a faith-based vision of learning through play. Melinda has had the love and support of her husband, Will, for 35 years and they have raised three children. Melinda and Will are currently rearing Tully, their feisty Brittany spaniel.

Erica earned a degree in elementary education with a concentration in math from Ohio University, later earning 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.

Chloe earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Liberty University. She has more than seven years of teaching experience and has taught various elective classes including art, worship music, and Christian studies to ages K-12. She also served as a college discipleship leader at Liberty. Chloe has been all over the world due to her family’s military service and she has lived in South Korea, Germany, and several states in the U.S. She recently relocated to Charlotte with her box turtle, Capri, to begin teaching at OCS.

Emily earned a Master of Arts degree in history at the University of Edinburgh. After growing up in Scotland, she relocated to the US in 2018 but loves to travel home to visit her family whenever she can. Prior to her role at OCS, Emily worked in news media and business marketing, bringing several years of communications and marketing experience to her position. Her interests include music, literature, and exploring new places.

Mary Lou earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Carlow University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Covenant College. She has also completed post-graduate coursework in curriculum and instruction at Gardner-Webb University. Mary Lou has more than 20 years of experience in education with an extensive background in leadership at Christian schools. Prior to her role at OCS, she worked in a variety of roles including those of teacher, principal, head of school, and director of curriculum and instruction. Mary Lou and her husband, Mike, have been blessed with two children and eight grandchildren.

Anne Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in sales management from the University of West Florida. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in teaching through UNC-Charlotte. Before joining OCS, Anne Marie worked in digital marketing, with experience in paid advertising and project management. She lives in the South End area of Charlotte with her husband, Conor, and her interests include being outdoors, spending time with her friends and family, and traveling.

Kathryn earned a bachelor’s degree in music in world cultures from Liberty University, and she is currently completing her master’s degree in ethnomusicology. She enjoys teaching the Bible and sharing the love of Christ with others wherever she goes. Kathryn also enjoys spending time and sharing meals with her family and friends. She and her husband, Ethan, moved to the Charlotte area as newlyweds in June.

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from UNC-Charlotte, a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina, and a graduate certificate in teaching from UNC-Charlotte. She has worked in Christian education since 2008 and brings 13 years of experience as a teacher and administrator to her role at OCS. She and her husband, Aaron, have two children at Covenant College and enjoy camping and taking care of their rescue cats.

Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in infancy and preschool/early childhood from Auburn University. She is also certified in prekindergarten/primary education. Prior to her role at OCS, Emily taught preschool, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten for 12 years. She also taught preschool at an IB school in Nassau, Bahamas, for 8 years. Emily is a dual citizen of the US and the Bahamas and enjoys trips to visit family and friends. Emily has also coached cheerleading and dance, and has created choreography for school musicals. New to Charlotte, she enjoys traveling and exploring new cities.

Kalisia earned a degree in recreation therapy at Texas State University. She is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and has experience caring for the emotional, social, spiritual, and psychological health of children from ages 5-18. Kalisia attends Vizion Church. She is beginning a master’s degree program at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in the fall in order to learn more about how to interpret and teach the Bible. In her free time, Kalisia enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, listening to podcasts, and watching Netflix!