Grace Christian School (2023)

Ben Berumez is a performing musician and instructor. Offering instruction in a wide variety of instruments and genres, Ben enjoys sharing his love of music with students of all ages. With over a decade of teaching experience, his teaching methodology centers around tailoring information to each student’s needs and goals. As a performer, he has worked as a solo act and as the front man for the indie rock band Saint Square. Ben has also been involved with multiple church bands, working in support and leadership roles. Whether teaching, performing, or leading in worship, it is Ben’s goal to provide a quality musical experience. Ben, his wife Chelsea, and their two daughters live in Aylett, VA, and attend Freedom Fellowship Church in Mechanicsville, VA..

Mrs. Bleach is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned both her undergraduate in English and Master's in Teaching. She spent 15 years in the Chesterfield County Public School System. Mrs. Bleach was a member of the iTech and Anti-Bullying focus teams at her previous school. Hailing from Louisa County, Mrs. Bleach loves a long walk in the country, reading a good book, and relaxing at the beach. She is a member of the praise team at the Bonnie Brae Church of Christ where she and her husband, Justin, and two sons, Ethan and Elliot, are members.

Mrs. Bowles is a graduate of Liberty University where she earned both her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating in English and History. She has several years of teaching experience in a variety of grade levels and subjects in both private Christian school and public school settings. She feels especially called to teach and mentor young students, encouraging them to discover the unique gifts, talents, and purposes that God has given each of them to use for His glory. Aside from teaching, Mrs. Bowles enjoys creative writing, reading, art, traveling, and spending time with family. She is also a published author who loves to write faith-based fiction. Mrs. Bowles and her husband, Andrew, both have a heart for ministering to middle and high school students, and together, they serve as youth leaders at their church, Poplar Springs Baptist.

Mrs. Brightwell graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. For 16 years she has enjoyed being at home with her children and has served as a foster parent for the past 10 years. Mrs. Brightwell and her husband, along with their 4 teenagers, reside in Hanover County and attend Mechanicsville Christian Center. She enjoys watching her kids participate in sports and relaxing at the beach.

Coming from Honolulu, Hawaii, Chaplain David Brown, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret). Mr. Brown received an undergraduate degree in Art from Virginia State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union School of Theology, and a Masters Degree in Education from Hawaii Pacific University. Following his retirement, Mr. Brown joined the teaching staff of Christian Academy of Honolulu, teaching Art and High School History for four years. Mr. Brown, his wife Rayna, and children, Jonathan and Joanna are excited to return to the Richmond area and begin looking for a new church home.

Mrs. Burch is a graduate of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College with a degree in Administrative Support Technology. She served the Mechanicsville area as a business owner for 10 years. She also worked as an administrative coordinator for Dominion Power for four years. She has served in Christian leadership in a variety of youth and children's programs, including CBS, teaching Sunday school, church nursery, and AHG leadership throughout the years. Most importantly, she has a passion for Jesus and a desire to serve Him and influence others to do the same. Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Mrs. Danko is the School Counselor at Grace Christian School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. Mrs. Danko has over 30 years of experience in both school and community settings, having served in teaching, counseling, and administrative roles. Her work in Christian education began in Northwest Arkansas where she served as the Director/Principal for a new school start-up at Life Way Christian School. Most recently, she worked as the Secondary Principal and then as the Director of Programming and Advancement at Guardian Christian Academy. Over the course of her career, she has worked extensively in many areas of administration from program development, accreditation, academic and student support services, crisis management, and student life. Mrs. Danko, her husband, Larry, and their two adult children reside in Midlothian where they have been members of Southside Church.

Mrs. Davis received her undergraduate degree from Atlantic Baptist Bible College, VA in Education and Missions. She later earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructions from Piedmont International University. Mrs. Davis is currently dual certified for secondary teaching and principal with ACSI. Mrs. Davis is entering her twenty third year teaching, mostly at the middle and high school levels. Mrs. Davis, her husband Ashley, and their two boys attend church at Truth Baptist Church in Mechanicsville.

Lisa Eckler, Accountant
LEckler@grace-school.net
Mrs. Ecker is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. For the past 15 years, she has been employed as an accountant and the Human Resources Coordinator for Professional Rehabilitation Associates in Madison County, Kentucky. In July 2019, Mrs. Eckler and her family moved to Mechanicsville as her husband accepted a position with Robinson's Towing and Recovery. Mrs. Eckler continues to do distant-accounting work from home for Professional Rehabilitation Associates in addition to working as a classroom assistant at Grace Christian School. Lisa, her husband Bill, and their daughter Sophie actively attend Richmond Free Will Baptist Church.

Heather Estes, High School English
hestes@grace-school.net
Mrs. Estes is a graduate of The College of William and Mary with a degree in Education and History. Upon graduating, Mrs. Estes taught at Veritas School before staying at home with her three daughters. While at home, she continued her love of teaching and passion for writing by developing and teaching writing classes to homeschool students. Before coming to Grace, Mrs. Estes served as the Directress at a local Montessori preschool. She has a heart for working with students and families as they navigate adolescence and seek to find their identity in Him. Mrs. Estes lives in Hanover County with her husband and three daughters. They are active member of Grace Community Presbyterian Church and enjoy working with the youth. Mrs. Estes loves running and fitness, gardening, reading, cooking new things, and spending time outside with her family.

Heather Ferguson, Director of Student Ministries
hferguson@grace-school.net
Heather Ferguson is the Director of Student Ministry at Compass Christian Church. She has a passion for teen ministry, and considers it an honor and privilege to stand beside students as they navigate those trickytransitional years. She enjoys wake-boarding, snowboarding, competing in OCR (obstacle course races) and living for Christ! She is married to her high school sweetheart, Brandon and together they are raising their beautiful daughter, Zoey. She is looking forward to motivating our Kings to dig deeper, trust God more fervently and push harder to pursue God’s will in their lives.

Tanya Gathercole, Financial Administrative Assistant
tgathercole@grace-school.net

Tanya Gathercole is a graduate of Liberty Christian High School, Hanover County's first Christian secondary school. She was a member of their first graduating class in 1993. In 2006, Mrs. Gathercole returned to Liberty Christian where she served as the school's administrative assistant until 2016. Born and raised in King William County, Mrs. Gathercole enjoys spending her free time outside working in her garden and writing poetry. Mrs. Gathercole and her two sons, Cody and Cooper, have been lifelong members of Bruington Baptist Church in King and Queen County.

Mrs. Gooding graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Health Education. She began her career as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at The Virginia Home and later transitioned to the County of Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks as a Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator where she planned and implemented programs for children and adults with disabilities. For 16 years she has enjoyed being home with her children, supporting her husband in his Marine Corps career, homeschooling, and being an active member of their church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. She joins the family at GCS with excitement to grow together in the knowledge and worship of King Jesus!

Brandy Hogue, Middle School History
bhogue@grace-school.net
Mrs. Hogue is a graduate of Liberty University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences and her Virginia Teacher Licensure. Hanover raised and educated, this will be Mrs. Hogue's seventh year teaching at Grace. She will continue to teach her favorite subject, history, to both middle school and high school students. Mrs. Hogue and her husband, Robert, and their two sons attend Hanover Evangelical Friends Church.

Mrs. Lohmeyer moved to Virginia about two years ago after returning from the mission field in the Dominican Republic. She and her family lived there for almost four years; she is thankful for the opportunity in which she served children in the mission schools, immersed herself in the Latin American culture, and was able to share the love of Jesus with those around her. Mrs. Lohmeyer holds a Bachelor’s in Secondary English education from Penn State University and has taught students ranging from elementary to high school in both public and private schools, as well as homeschooling her two daughters. She enjoys traveling, gardening, performing arts, literature, and photography and is grateful that God has led her to Grace Christian!

Amy Martin, Middle and High School Science
amartin@grace-school.net
Mrs. Martin is a graduate of James Madison University where she earned her degree in Psychology with a minor in Special Education. As a licensed Virginia educator, Mrs. Martin has more than 19 years of teaching experience with students of differing ages and abilities in both public and private schools. Mrs. Martin is a lifetime resident of Mechanicsville. She has served in various children's ministry for over 30 years. Mrs. Martin and her family attend Compass Christian Church.

Teresa Mullins, Middle School Math and Science
tmullins@grace-school.net
Mrs. Mullins is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned a degree in Psychology with a Master's in Teaching. As an educator, Mrs. Mullins taught K-5 reading for 3 years in King William County. In this role she administered testing and provided remediation. Mrs. Mullins has 12 years of experience homeschooling. Mrs. Mullins and her husband, along with their 4 children, attend Mechanicsville Christian Center. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, and friends, traveling, fitness, and listening to Christian music.

Cameron Olson, Middle School Language Arts
colson@grace-school.net
Mrs. Olson is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Film Theory. After working in the video production industry for several years, she and her husband served with the International Mission Board in Peru for 11 years. Upon returning to the USA in 2020, she completed the EducateVA Career Switcher Program to obtain her teaching license. She and her husband David have two sons, Peter and Michael, and reside in Goochland County. They are members at Grace Community Baptist Church. Mrs. Olson enjoys gardening, reading, playing games, watching movies, and going to the beach.

David Olson, Middle School Science and History
dolson@grace-school.net
Mr. Olson received his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and History from Baylor University and a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. For the past 11 years, he and his wife, Cameron, have served as missionaries in Peru. Mr. Olson has returned to the states to pursue his next calling as a classroom teacher. Mr. Olson enjoys doing outdoor activities along with his wife and two boys.They are live in Goochland County andare members of Grace Community Baptist Church.

Betsy Rountree, NILD Academic Coach
brountree@grace-school.net
Mrs. Rountree graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Living Sciences with a minor in History. She later earned her Masters in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mrs. Rountree is an educational therapist offering help and hope to students needing additional academic or organizational support. She has more than 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher in public, private, and home school settings. Trained and licensed by the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD), Mrs. Rountree believes no student is beyond help. She and her husband and two daughters reside in Mechanisville and are members of Mattaponi Baptist Church where her husband is the pastor.

Annie Swinson, Administrative Assistant
aswinson@grace-school.net
Mrs. Swinson is a graduate of Varina HighSchool, where she was a member of Peer Helpers and the National Art Honor Society, and a graduate of Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa. She has worked in the business field of banking and contract administration, and also owned her own businesses for the last ten years. Mrs. Swinson is passionate about camp ministry and gospel outreach, and serves yearly at various youth camps throughout Virginia and North Carolina. She is a published Christian Historical Fiction author, an avid foodie, and a music lover. She and her husband, Josh, and their son Preston, attend Carlisle Avenue Gospel Chapel.

Mrs. Woodward is a graduate of Liberty University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. After teaching for several years in public and private schools, she decided to stay home with her children. She and her husband John were missionaries to Romania for ten years. It was there that she began homeschooling her three children and developed a passion for history. Mrs. Woodward and her family are active members of Truth Baptist Church in Mechanicsville where she has been involved in ladies’ ministries, music ministries, and teaching Sunday School and VBS.

Miss Woodward graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a degree in Elementary Education. Before moving to Virginia in 2007, Miss Woodward lived in Romania with her parents and siblings as missionaries. Miss Woodward loves helping in the youth ministries at her church, Truth Baptist Church in Mechanicsville.