Middle School/Logic
As any parent or teacher of a middle school student knows, this particular age is unique and filled with joys as well as challenges. So what does it look like at Evangel Christian Academy (ECA) to educate, equip and empower students of middle school age to pursue their purpose in Christ? In the world of Classical Education, this age and stage is called the Logic-level or dialectic-stage and is defined as learning to reason and understand the truth. Therefore students of this age transition from the grammar level of elementary school and start to work with information in new and different ways. The word dialectic is defined as “the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions”, and so the middle school classroom is a place of ideas, of investigation, of discussion, of asking and answering good questions, and of exploring God’s world and working to find what unites the facts and leads to an understanding of the truth.
MRS. LEIGH JONES
Assitant Principal – Middle School
From the Assistant Principal – Middle School
Dear Prospective Parent,
Thank you for your interest in Evangel Christian Academy. I am so glad you are here! I know that choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, and that there are many choices out there. As a parent myself, I know you are not only looking for a place where your student can grow academically, but you are also looking for a
warm, caring environment that balances high academic standards while meeting your child’s
spiritual and emotional needs. I believe the Middle School at ECA is that place.
The atmosphere at ECA is Christ-centered and focused on helping each student grow into who God is calling them to be both now and in the future. We are careful to partner with parents and their church to educate, equip, and empower our students. We take this partnership seriously and desire to help students grow in wisdom and virtue and love for God and their neighbor. We want them to love their studies, to delight in who God has made them to be, and to share God’s love with others through service in the community.
We have a dedicated staff of caring teachers who are trained to not only deliver a rich and vigorous curriculum, but to carefully consider how that curriculum is taught. We believe that all students are made in the image of God, and that makes each student unique. The Middle School teachers consider this natural uniqueness as they plan and deliver engaging lessons
designed to spark interest, maintain engagement, and help students love to learn. Our teachers love Middle School students and excel at caring for and helping each student to be successful and to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Faith is integrated into each subject that we teach, and we view faith as the foundation of all knowledge, wisdom, and truth. Together God, parents, students, and teachers work as partners in every student’s growth. This partnership forms a powerful community united in the belief that the gospel of Jesus Christ and excellent academics will best prepare your student for the future.
Thank you for taking the time to investigate what makes the Middle School at ECA so special.
Please contact us for more information and a tour of our campus.
In Christ,
Leigh Jones
Assistant Principal, Middle School
Administrators
Mr. Stephen Sprague
Head of School
Mr. Stephen Sprague served 20 years as a Naval officer before transitioning to a second career in classical Christian education. Since then, he has been the Head of School for two previous classical Christian schools. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Art in Military Art and Science, and is working on a Master of Divinity from the Reformed Theological Seminary. Stephen is a member of Forestgate Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Andrea, have two children in the school: Lydia (14) and LeighAnna (17). Stephen grew up in a family of educators, and he has long sought to work in education, but the specific application of classical Christian education both inspires him and touches his heart. He loves to work with students, families, teachers, and administrators to advance the God-glorifying mission of the school.
Mrs. Kerry Singleton
Secondary School Principal
Education Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Math and English: Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA
Mrs. Singleton has been teaching at ECA for 10 years, and was the Junior High Principal for 5 years before becoming the Secondary School Principal. She has taught Algebra 1, Medieval History, Lit, and Bible, Logic, and a number of other classes for the past 10 years at ECA and now teaches Geometry.
Prior to ECA, Mrs. Singleton taught at a Christian school in Atlanta, tutored math and SAT preparation for 15 years, and taught math at a homeschool co-op. She and her husband, Kirk, have been married for 28 years and have 4 children: Rachel (25 and a 2014 graduate of ECA), Kendra (23, attended ECA until 2014), James (19 and a 2020 graduate of ECA), and Kenny (18, attended ECA until 2018). Mrs. Singleton is a member of Village Seven Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Singleton comes from a long line of teachers and loves combining her passion for teaching with the opportunity to mentor teachers, disciple students, and connect with families to advance the gospel and help everyone “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
“I love sharing my passion for God with my students, staff, and families, and it is a joy to point them to their true identity in Christ and to the one, true God, the source of all truth. I start my students off with memorizing Colossians 1:15-17, because it points directly to the fact that all things have been created by God and for His glory, and that He is the beginning, middle, and end for all subjects.”
Office Staff
Mrs. Becky Callahan
Business Office Manager
Mrs. Jen Castro
Business Office Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Shaunna Holst
Receptionist
Mrs. Debra Rohrer
Registrar
Secondary Faculty
Mrs. Michelle Butler
Secondary Literature and Composition Instructor
Education: BA, Organizational Communications: Murray State University. MA, Organizational Leadership: Regent University
Before teaching World Literature, British Literature, American Literature, AP Literature/Composition, and AP Language/Composition at ECA, Mrs. Butler partnered with homeschool families to teach classical literature and composition classes in hybrid settings. Mrs. Butler is passionate about teaching literature that offers students the opportunity to experience models of virtue and God’s truth. “The beautiful truth begins and ends in these two statements: Humans are flawed and need a savior, and Jesus died for us. What a joy it is to discover beauty and truth alongside our students.”
Mrs. Bethany Chance
General Math, Advanced General Math, Algebra 1, and 6th grade Art Instructor
Education B.S. in Education from Baylor University
Mrs. Chance has a BS in Education from Baylor University with emphasis in secondary art and
math. She taught for 9 years before moving into the admin and finance field for 12 years. She
is overjoyed to be teaching again at ECA. Her favorite mathematical concept is the golden ratio as it’s applications so perfectly reveal God’s beautiful creation as revealed in math, art and nature.
Mr. Brent Holtcamp
Secondary Art Instructor
Education B.A., K-12 Education: University of Southern Colorado
Mr. Holtcamp has been involved in the ministry of ECA since 1978 and teaches Junior High Art, Art I, II, III, and Studio Art; and he is still excited to see that the potential for glorifying God through the students and ECA is limitless. “I hope to open the students’ eyes to this great and exciting world by looking, seeing, and doing with a positive curiosity about the wonders God our Creator has set before us.”
Mr. Nicki Imperato
Old & New Testament Survey Instructor
Education Master of Divinity from Sangre de Cristo Seminary
Nicki grew up in New Jersey, but moved to Colorado in 2018. While in Colorado, he went to Sangre de Cristo Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity. Not only did he find an excellent seminary, but he also found the love of his life, Kimia. They were married in August of 2019, and have been enjoying their early years of marriage. As a part time teacher of Old and New Testament Survey, Nicki is also pursuing licensure and ordination exams in the RPCNA (Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America) in the hopes of one day becoming an ordained minister of the Word of God. Nicki and Kimia both love playing pickleball, getting together with friends and family for food and games, and they also enjoy meditating on Christ by singing the Psalms. The Imperatos have a passion for raising up the next generation and are grateful for Nicki’s opportunity to serve at ECA.
Mrs. Leigh Jones
Assistant Principal - Middle School; Mathematics, Literature, History & Bible Instructor
Education B.A., Elementary Education: Calvin College.
Mrs. Jones attended Christian schools from Kindergarten through college and has taught in
Christian schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Fort Collins, CO, and she wholeheartedly values the importance of Christian education and the impact it can have on the children in our society. After working in the ECA Pre-Kindergarten program, Mrs. Jones currently serves as the Assistant Principal, Middle School in addition to teaching Pre- Algebra, Language Arts 7 and Ancient History/ Bible 7. “I desire to be a teacher and administrator who can open up every child’s heart and mind to learning and to loving the Lord so that they may find their purpose in the Lord. “
Mrs. Karen Leidecker
Secondary Science and Earth Science Instructor
Education B.A. summa cum laude, K-8 Education with a Psychology and Bible minor: Tennessee Temple University
After teaching elementary through high school in several Christian schools in various states, Mrs. Leidecker joined the faculty at ECA in 1995 and teaches Life Science 7, Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, Honors Anatomy & Physiology, and Business Math. “It is a great joy to be able to minister Christ’s love to my students through the subjects of science and math.”
Mr. Travis McDowell
Secondary Band Instructor
Education B.A. Music Composition and Sound Design: University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Before joining ECA, Mr. McDowell worked both as a freelance composer for film/television and a before-and-after school childcare director. “God fulfilled a lifelong desire of being able to share the process of creating music through teaching here at ECA. While watching concert pieces come together certainly is the goal of directing a band, watching students consider and develop their character is the best part of teaching! I want my students to use their skills, talents and drive for their Godly purpose; my hope is that they will use the bandroom as a practicing ground for that."
Mrs. Libby Pinson
6th Grade Lead Instructor
Education B.A. in Education, with concentrations on Secondary Science and English; M.A. in T.E.S.O.L: Cornerstone University
Prior to arriving at ECA, Mrs. Pinson taught for two years at Falcon Middle School in D49. She so enjoyed her student teaching experiences at private Christian schools in Uganda and Michigan, that when the opportunity to teach at ECA arose, she very excitedly accepted. Mrs. Pinson loves teaching as she loves to interact with and get to know her students. Mrs. Pinson's desire is to have her students recognize God's kingship over creation and to encourage her students to be in awe of God as the creator of all things. She just recently became "Mrs. Pinson" this summer and enjoys hiking, running, reading, and cooking (...and of course eating that food too!)
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” ― Abraham Kuyper
Mr. Will Pinson
Secondary Math and Physics Instructor
Education B.S. Physics: Geneva College
Mr. Pinson teaches Geometry, Algebra II, Honors Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and Honors Physics. Before joining ECA he built decks for about 9 years. Mr. Pinson loves math and science, and considers it is a joy to explore these fields with students, seeking to unfold a little bit of the mystery and wonder as well as the orderliness of God’s creation. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1
Mrs. Cristy Ross
Spanish Instructor
Education B.A. Theater: University of Colorado-Boulder.
Mrs. Ross previously worked at our Elementary campus and has joined our Secondary faculty to teach Spanish I, II, and III. “I had my life wonderfully changed by God in college, and He led me to Spain as a missionary. I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach my students the language God has used in my life, and I hope it will be a blessing to them as well!”
Mrs. Beth Saks
Junior High Latin Instructor
Education B.A., Elementary Education: University of South Carolina; Continuing Education: Multnomah Bible College.
Mrs. Saks has invested over 30 years in the education and discipleship of our Covenant children. Believing language is given to us alone in the creation to reflect God’s image, she is committed to teaching our students to steward this gift well. She is privileged to introduce our students to Latin, a language which provides insight into the world of Jesus’s day, context for our own nation’s history, and perspective for the study of western civilization. “I believe there are few means more beneficial to the training of young minds than the study of Latin; the resulting virtues of discipline and understanding are great gifts to be pursued. ‘…diliges Dominum Deum tuum…in tota mente tua.’ Matthew 22:37, Latin Vulgate [‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…with thy whole mind.’].”
Mrs. Heather Smathers
Middle School Grammar & Writing, Informal Logic, and Study Skills Instructor
Education B.A., History, minor Print Journalism from Shepherd College
Prior to transitioning into teaching, Mrs. Smathers spent many years writing professionally for newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. She has a passion for Classical education and helping students grow into disciples of Christ.
Mr. Don Steiner
Vice Principal and Athletic Director
Education: B.S. Kinesiology: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo M.A., Sports Administration: University of Northern Colorado Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA): National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association
Before joining ECA in 2004, Mr. Steiner worked at Lockheed Martin in the Learning & Development Department and coached football at CSCS. Mr. Steiner currently serves as ECA Vice Principal, Athletic Director, and Physical Education Instructor. He has been the Black Forest League President and a member of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) since 2009, served on numerous committees, and has recently been nominated for the CHSAA Board of Directors. “I desire that our students see the big picture and understand that their actions have consequences, both good and bad; and that if they choose to be godly in those actions, then those consequences will be blessed in our current life as well as our life to come.”