Staff
Laura Taylor – Office Manager, Attendance Coordinator, laura.taylor@dominionacademy.org
Erica Baker – Chief Compliance Officer, Office Assistant, Study Hall Monitor, erica.baker@dominionacademy.org
Michelle Caldwell – Head of School, michelle.caldwell@dominionacademy.org
Brenda Lecklider – Junior High Academic, Director/Dean of Student Life, brenda.lecklider@dominionacademy.org
Lisa Sayer – K-6 Academic Director, lisa.sayer@dominionacademy.org
Sandy McNamara – School Academic Director & High School Academic Director/Guidance Counselor, sandy.mcnamara@dominionacademy.org
Erin Caldwell – Registrar, registrar@dominionacademy.org
Phil Pierce – Athletics Director, athletics@dominionacademy.org
Jeff Brown – Bursar & Business Manager, jeff.brown@dominionacademy.org
Kristen Talbert – Business Office Assistant, kristen.talbert@dominionacademy.org
Faculty
Dominion Academy has a large faculty with a wealth of teaching and real-life experience. Many of the faculty have Master’s Degrees in their field.
Theresa Rose Araya — Cathedral School Teacher
- B.A., English literature, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio
- Teaching certification, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio
- English teacher, Escuela Internacional Sampedrana, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, C.A.
- Elementary school teacher, San Alejo School, San Alejo, Honduras, C.A.
- E.S.L. tutor, San Pedro and San Alejo, Honduras, C.A.
- E.S.L. tutor, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio
- Substitute, Reference Desk, Dayton Metro Library
- Home educator of her 6 children for 16 years
- Coordinator of Ex Libris, an adult dinner/book discussion club
Jeff Brown – Honors Algebra 2, Calculus, AP Physics, Introduction to Formal Logic, Introduction to Engineering
jeff.brown@dominionacademy.org
- M.S. Engineering Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, 1985
- B.S., Physics/General Chemistry, minor: Psychology, South Dakota State University, 1983
- Over 20 years Staff Research Scientist – Air Force Research Laboratory
- Dominion Academy Bursar
- Air Force Contractor
Erin Caldwell – 3 & 4th grade English, 5 & 6th grade English, 8th grade American Literature, Shakespeare Literature, Composition 1
erin.caldwell@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., English, Wright State University, 2006
- Private tutor, English and ESL
- Dominion Academy Alumnus
- Special training: “Teaching Shakespeare,” Human Race Theater, 2007
- Dominion Academy Registrar
- IEP Instructor at the University of Dayton, 2012-2013
- SAT/Standardized Test Rater, Educational Testing Service
Dss. Michelle Caldwell – AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government, Speech, Biblical Worldview, Bible Survey 1 & 2, Practical Economics, World History, European History, Logic
michelle.caldwell@dominionacademy.org - Ed.D. Candidate, ABD, Grand Canyon University
- M.A., Church History, Cincinnati Bible Seminary, 1995
- B.A., Philosophy, Wright State University, 1990
- Instructor, Southwestern College of Business and Hondros College, 1990-2001
- Business owner, a real estate practice since 1994
- Deaconess, Trinity Anglican Church, Mason, OH
- Dominion Academy Head of the School
Jarean “Jeri” Carson – Martial Arts, SAT/ACT Test Preparation, Geometry, AP Psychology
jeri.carson@dominionacademy.org
- Ed.S., Counseling, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, 1988
- M.A., Education, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, 1986
- B.S., Behavioral Science, United States Air Force Academy1983 (graduated with military distinction)
- Fifth degree black belt, Pangainoon Karate; Third degree black belt, Jodo (short staff); First degree black belt, Toide; First degree black belt; Kobudo
- Ohio state champion in her division two years in a row
- Competed on winning USA Elite Black Belt team
- Inducted into USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as a Female Black Belt Leader of the Year.
Fr. Isaac Chavez – 7th Grade World History, 8th Grade American History, United States History, US Government, Non-Western History, Biblical Worldview, Spire Teacher
isaac.chavez@dominionacademy.org
- Th.M from Dallas Theological Seminary (focus on Christian Spirituality in Church History)
- BA in English from Pensacola Christian College
- AAS in Business from Santa Fe Community College
- One year Hospital Chaplain Residency at Kettering Medical Center
- Ordained as Priest/Presbyter in Reformed Episcopal Church
Jennifer Sullivan Downey – Rhetoric, American Literature, AP American Literature, Honors European Literature, European Literature, Advanced Composition 1, Godly Play Instructor for Spire Program, Summer Reading Program
jenny.downey@dominionacademy.org
- M.A., Literature, Miami University
- B.A., English and History, Cedarville University
- Year Abroad, Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Keeble College, Oxford University (England) 2002-2003
- Composition and Humanities Instructor, DeVry University
Virginia Kuepper – Wednesday Morning Assembly Choir Director virginia.kuepper@dominionacademy.org 
- B.A., Music, College of St. Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Accomplished soloist and choral singer
- Music Director and Vocal/Acting Coach, John Paul’s Troupe, Immaculate Heart Co-op, Dayton
- Choral Assistant and Conductor, Adult Choir; Past Music Director, Children’s Choir, Emmanuel Catholic Church, Dayton
- Over 17 years as a home educator
Brenda Lecklider – Cathedral School Teacher, 7th Grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2
brenda.lecklider@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., Business Administration, University of Colorado
- Adjunct Instructor, University of Dayton Intensive English Program
- Taught high school and adult English in Japan
- Currently tutors: Math, English, and Japanese
- Ten years management experience, national health care agency
- Dominion Academy Junior High School Academic Director
- Dominion Academy Dean of Student Life
Mark Lecklider – Cathedral School Teacher, 7th Grade Grammar and Composition, 7th Grade Science, Physical Science, Art, Biology mark.lecklider@dominionacademy.org
- M.A. Educational Technology, University of Northern Colorado
- B.A., Youth Agency Administration, University of Northern Colorado
- Graduate, National Outdoor Leadership School, Kenya
- Adjunct Instructor, University of Dayton Intensive English Program
- Developed and taught the High School English Program in Hokkaido, Japan
- Taught English, Colorado State University
- Small business owner
- DA Science Fair Coordinator
Sherry Mathis – Studio Art, AP Studio Art, Cathedral School Teacher sherry.mathis@dominionacademy.org
- BA, Elementary Education, 1980, University of Wyoming
- Certified Elementary Teacher, 1980, State of Wyoming
- Studied acrylic & water color around the US and in Turkey
Betsy McDermott – Cathedral School Teacher, Orton Gillingham, Math Mentoring betsy.mcdermott@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., Elementary Education, Bowling Green State University
- Teacher, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Centerville Child Development Center, and Dominion Academy
- Certified in Orton Gillingham tutoring for dyslexia
- Tutoring at Neil and Wilma Smalley Children’s Dyslexia Center
Sandy McNamara – AP World History, AP Poetry, Honors European History, Non-Western History, Advanced Grammar 1, Grammar 2, Advanced Grammar 2, Composition 2, Advanced Composition 2, Humanities sandy.mcnamara@dominionacademy.org
- M.A., Art History, Bowling Green State University
- B.S., Education, American Studies, Bowling Green State University
- Adjunct faculty, Bowling Green State University, Wright State, University of Dayton
- DA High School Academic Director and Guidance Counselor
- AP Art History Reader, College Board
- Founder, Dominion Academy, 1999
The Rev. Wayne McNamara – Assembly, Bible Survey 1 & 2 (with Dss. Michelle Caldwell) wayne.mcnamara@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., Education, Bowling Green State University
- Taught high school math, Summer Migrant School in northwest Ohio
- Rector, Christ the King Anglican Church, since 1991
- Founder, Dominion Academy, 1999
Christopher Mooney – Jr. High STEM Robotics
- B.S. Engineering Mechanics, Concentration in Bio-mechanics and Control Theory, University of Cincinnati Department of Aerospace Engineering
- Career software engineer, has created software and systems ranging from low-level computer to device data collection interfaces to enterprise-wide web applications
Eileen Noble – Spanish 1 and 2 eileen.noble@dominionacademy.org
- M.S., Solid State Physics, University of Puerto Rico
- B.S., Physics, University of Puerto Rico
- Retired United States Air Force, 2007
- Native Spanish speaker
Janel O’Sullivan – Health, Personal Fitness janel.osullivan@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., Christian Education & Bible, Nyack College
- 23 years experience coaching and judging gymnastics in Junior Olympics
- Director Athletes Academy: academic mentoring program for athletes
Sylvia Oxley – Chemistry sylvia.oxley@dominionacademy.org
- M.S., Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, 1993
- M.S., Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, 1987
- B.S., Mathematics, Meredith College, 1983
- Six years experience as project engineer in combustor technology, Wright- Patterson Air Force Base
Amanda Roberts – Humanities Vault amanda.roberts@dominionacademy.org
Charles Roberts – Humanities charles.roberts@dominionacademy.org
- M.S. Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Dayton
- Bachelor of Music, University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Ohio
- Therapist, New Creation Counseling Center
- Trombonist, Texas Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast
Lisa Sayer – Cathedral School Teacher, Computer Applications, Substitute Teacher, Prep School Academic Director lisa.sayer@dominionacademy.org
- B.S., Comprehensive Business Education, Vocational Education, Wright State University
- Teacher, Beavercreek High School. 1999-2001
- Teacher, Miami Trace High School, 1997-1998
- Preschool Sunday School Director, Dayton Vineyard. 1998-2000
- Nursery/Preschool Service Coordinator, Apex Community Church, 2004-2007
Jacqueline Teachey – Non-Western Literature, Theatre Arts Cathedral School Teacher jacqueline.teachey@dominionacademy.org
- M.A., Secondary Education, University of Kentucky
- B.A., English and Theatre, University of Kentucky
- Private Tutor: grammar, reading, writing and ACT prep.
- Taught Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate literature courses (2007-2012)
- Choreographer for various theatrical productions in Lexington (Kentucky) and Dayton areas
Muriel Truax – Prep School Assistant, Spire Assistant
Duane Veley – Computer Programming
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University
- 27 years Aerospace Engineer/Plans & Program Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory
Emily Weis – Latin 1 and 2 emily.weis@dominionacademy.org
- B.A., Classics, Truman State University
- B.S., Mathematics, Truman State University
- CAMWS (The Classical Association of the Middle West and South) Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Classical Studies, 2010-2011
- Graduate Study, History & Philosophy of Science, University of Notre Dame
Pastor Michael (Mac) Williams – 7th and 8th Grade Bible mac.williams@dominionacademy.org
- M.Div., Southwestern Theological Seminary, 1989
- B.A., Religion, Mars Hill College, 1976
- Over 30 years in ministry
- Pastor of Two Rivers Community Church in Dayton since 1993
Athletics Staff
Phil Pierce – Athletics Director phil.pierce@dominionacademy.org
Troy Canavan – Varsity Soccer Coach
Chris Garrett – Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
James Luke – Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach
Tristan Heerdt – JV Boys’ Basketball Coach
Fr. Isaac Chavez – Junior High Boys’ Basketball Coach
Carey Northington – Junior High Girls’ Basketball Coach
Erica Baker – Cheerleading Coach
Additional Staff:
Pamela Baugham – Study Hall Monitor
Jill Nahhas – Study Hall Monitor
Rosann Richter – Public Relations and Marketing Assistant
Muriel Truax – Prep School Assistant, Spire Assistant muriel.truax@dominionacademy.org
Denise Davis – Teacher’s Assistant
Sarah Chavez – Nurse of the School, sarah.chavez@dominionacademy.org
Board of Directors
Fr. Wayne McNamara – President
Mr. Duane Veley – Treasurer
Mr. Jeff Baugham – Member
Mr. John Weis – Member
Fr. Harry Mathis – Member
