Mr. Mark Cotterman
Head of School

Mr. Mark Cotterman serves as Head of School. He holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio University and spent more than 25 years in the business consulting industry. Mr. Cotterman and his wife Lisa have three daughters: two MHA graduates and one current MHA student. The Cotterman family attends Hope Evangelical Free Church.

Mr. James Waldy
Grammar School Principal

Mr. James Waldy serves as Grammar School Principal and teaches Astronomy in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Educational Administration from Tri-City Bible College, and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from Bob Jones University. Mr. Waldy and his wife Tami have five children, all of whom have received a classical Christian education. Three of their children are MHA graduates. The Waldys attend Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church. 

Mr. Matt Beatty
Dean of Academic Affairs

Mr. Matt Beatty serves as Dean of Academic Affairs. He has a B.A. in English from Grove City College and an M. Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, with additional coursework in biblical counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary. Mr. Beatty and his wife Lynnae have four children, all of whom are students at MHA. The Beatty family attends Kenwood Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lisa Cotterman
Finance Manager

Mrs. Lisa Cotterman serves as Finance Manager, and teaches Pre-Algebra and Integrated Math in the Rhetoric School. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Math Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Mrs. Cotterman taught math for five years in the Houston, Texas area before moving to Cincinnati. She and her husband Mark have three daughters: two MHA graduates and one current MHA student. The Cotterman family attends Hope Evangelical Free Church.

Mrs. K.C. DeBra
Development & Fundraising Manager

Mrs. K.C. DeBra serves as Development and Fundraising Manager. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications from Hanover College. 

With 12 years of experience in marketing including fundraising and event planning experience, Mrs. DeBra was a marketing manager for a global elevator company. She left the corporate world to start a fitness apparel company with her sister-in-law and to spend more time with her family. She and her husband Ryan have one daughter, who attends MHA.

Mrs. Patsy Hall
Admissions Director

Mrs. Patsy Hall serves as Admissions Director. She earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Cincinnati. Before joining MHA, Mrs. Hall was secretary and Director of Children's Ministries at Faith Presbyterian Church. She and her husband Chris have two children, both MHA graduates. They are members of Grace Bible Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Lisa Knodel
Marketing & Communications Director

Mrs. Lisa Knodel serves as the Marketing and Communications Director. She earned a B.A. in English from Covenant College. With 17 years of experience in school district communications and journalism, Mrs. Knodel was a Warren County education reporter and school district community relations coordinator before deciding to stay home and work as a communications consultant and freelance writer.  She and her husband, Chris, have two children who both attend MHA. They are members of Southwest Ohio Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Michaux Merhout
Outreach and Public Relations Manager

Mrs. Michaux Merhout serves as  Outreach and Public Relations Manager. She holds a B.A. in English and French from James Madison University, a C.P.M. from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an M.B.A. from University of Richmond. With over ten years of public relations experience, Mrs. Merhout was the director of communications for a national energy company before leaving the workplace to stay at home full-time. She and her husband Jeff have three children at MHA.  They attend Liberty Heights Church.

Mr. Sam Ricketts
Facilities Manager & Athletic Director

Mr. Sam Ricketts serves as Facilities Manager and Athletic Director. He earned a B.A. in Geography from Miami University (Ohio), where he also played football. Mr. Ricketts worked in sales for the steel industry prior to starting his own business, RE Sports. He currently serves as the MHA head boys varsity basketball coach and assistant track coach, and has coached many youth sports teams over the last decade. Mr. Ricketts and his wife Mandi have four daughters at MHA. The family attends North Cincinnati Community Church. 

Mrs. Erin Edwards
Office Support

Mrs. Erin Edwards serves as an Office Assistant.  She is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.  Mrs. Edwards and her husband Keith have two daughters, one MHA alum and one current student.  The family attends Center Pointe Christian Church.

Mrs. Barb Weitzel
Office Support

Mrs. Barb Weitzel serves as an Office Assistant.  She graduated from International Business College, and has worked as an insurance underwriter and as an executive secretary.  Mrs. Weitzel and her husband Chris have three children at MHA.  The family attends Kenwood Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lynnae Beatty
Office Support

Mrs. Lynnae Beatty serves as an Office Assistant.  She graduated from Grove City College with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Mrs. Beatty and her husband Matt have four children at MHA.  The family attends Kenwood Baptist Church.

Mrs. Melanie Ahern
Kindergarten

Mrs. Melanie Ahern teaches the afternoon session of full-day Kindergarten. She attended Grace College and earned an A. D. in Nursing. Mrs. Ahern homeschooled her two sons for Kindergarten with the MHA curriculum and began substitute teaching in 2002, which led to her current position. She and her husband Jim have three Mars Hill Academy graduates and attend Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills.

Dr. Michelle Augustine
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Dr. Michelle Augustine teaches in both the grammar and rhetoric schools and also serves as a Senior Thesis advisor in the Rhetoric School. Dr. Augustine holds a PhD in Sociology, with an emphasis in Criminology and Research Methodology/Statistics, from the University of Kentucky. Prior to becoming a mom, she taught at the university level, conducted quantitative research, and published in academic journals. Dr. Augustine has since been a grant writer for various non-profits, including MHA. She and her husband Bill have three children at Mars Hill Academy. They attend Cincinnati Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. Paul Brinkerhoff
Rhetoric School

Mr. Paul Brinkerhoff teaches Logic, Rhetoric, and Christendom in the Rhetoric School, and serves as a Senior Thesis advisor. He earned a B.A. in History from Wheaton College and an M.A.R. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Mr. Brinkerhoff has previously taught and served in administrative roles in Louisiana and in West Virginia. He and his wife Bette have four children, all of whom are MHA graduates. The Brinkerhoffs are members of Covenant OPC.

Mrs. Carol Burns
Rhetoric School

Mrs. Carol Burns teaches Physics and Conceptual Physics in the Rhetoric School.  She completed her B.S. in Biology at Appalachian State University.  Prior to joining the faculty at MHA, Mrs. Burns taught middle grades science at Grace Academy in Boone, NC.  She has also taught for a private school in Kentucky and has worked with many homeschooling families.  Mrs. Burns has five children, four of whom are students at MHA.  Her family attends Kenwood Baptist Church, where her husband serves as the associate pastor.

Dr. Michael Cernucan
Rhetoric School

Dr. Michael Cernucan teaches New Testament Survey, Rhetoric, and Spanish in the Rhetoric School, and serves as coordinator for the Senior Thesis program. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wheaton College, an M.A. in Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Bible and Ancient Near East from Hebrew Union College.  He and his wife Amy have three young children, two who attend MHA. The family attends Providence Bible Fellowship.

Mrs. Maria Chastain
Fourth Grade

Mrs. Maria Chastain teaches fourth grade in the Grammar School. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Cumberland College and a Master’s of Education from Union University in Jackson, TN.  Mrs. Chastain taught 4th grade for a total of seven years in Georgia, Tennessee and Illinois. She also taught reading intervention for Middletown City Schools for two years.  Mrs. Chastain and her husband Brian have four MHA students.  The family attends The River Church in Liberty Township.

Miss Esther Cunningham
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Miss Esther Cunningham teaches 6th through 8th grade Latin. She earned a B.A. in Communication with an emphasis in Theater from Wheaton College. Previously Miss Cunningham has taught high school drama and served as an acting coach for several MHA productions. She attends Christ the King Church.

Mrs. Lisa Cunningham
Fourth Grade

Mrs. Lisa Cunningham teaches fourth grade in the Grammar School. She has a B.A. in Music from Tennessee Temple University and a B.S. in Education from Shreveport Christian College, as well as 40+ graduate hours in education. Mrs. Cunningham homeschooled and taught in a Christian school in Houston prior to teaching at Mars Hill. She and her husband Lyn have six children: three current MHA students and three MHA graduates. The Cunningham family attends Crossbridge Church.

Mr. Lyn Cunningham
Rhetoric School

Mr. Lyn Cunningham teaches Literature & Composition, American Humanities, and Modernity in the Rhetoric School. He has an undergraduate degree in English and a law degree from the University of Houston. Mr. Cunningham left a 21-year-long career in law to join the MHA staff in 2011. He and his wife Lisa have six children: three MHA graduates and three current MHA students.  The family attends Crossbridge Church.

Mrs. Traci Debra
Third Grade

Mrs. Traci DeBra teaches third grade, as well as fith grade Grammar and Composition in the Grammar School. She holds a B.A. in English from Northern Kentucky University. Mrs. DeBra has taught literature and composition at the junior high and high school levels in the public, private, and homeschool settings. She and her husband Josh have six children: one MHA graduate and four current MHA students. The family attends Hope Evangelical Free Church.

Mr. Tim Giese
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Mr. Tim Giese teaches fifth grade in the Grammar School, and directs the choir and Chamber Singers in the Rhetoric School.  He holds a B.A. and M.A. in Music/Piano  from Milligan College, and has completed some postgraduate studies.  Mr. Giese and his wife Mary have three sons, all MHA graduates. The family attends Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church.

Miss Amanda Hall
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Miss Amanda Hall teaches kindergarten through sixth grade Music in the Grammar School. She also directs the MHA String Orchestras. An alumna of Mars Hill Academy, Miss Hall holds a B.A. in Music and Spanish from Hillsdale College and a Masters degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. Before coming to teach at MHA, she taught private and group string lessons in northwestern Ohio. Miss Hall attends New City Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Meg Heuck
Rhetoric School

Mrs. Meg Heuck teaches Earth Science, Geometry, and Logic in the Rhetoric School. She holds a B.S. in Liberal Studies with a focus on Education, Science, and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida. Mrs. Heuck has three daugthers, all of whom graduated from MHA. She attends Calvary Chapel Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

Mrs. Tricia Hicks
Sixth Grade

Mrs. Tricia Hicks teaches sixth grade in the Grammar School. She earned a B.A. in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in History and English, from Calvin College. Mrs. Hicks taught ninth grade English in Michigan, and seventh and eighth grade Language Arts in Virginia. She and her husband Matt have four MHA students. The family attends North Cincinnati Community Church.

Mrs. Ruth Hopson
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Mrs. Ruth Hopson teaches fifth grade Math and sixth grade Science in the Grammar School, as well as Biology and Algebra in the Rhetoric School. She holds a B.A. in Biology from the University of Tennessee, and received training in classical teaching at Logos School in Moscow, Idaho. Mrs. Hopson and her husband Brian have three adult children (one MHA alumnus), and attend Good Shepherd Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Christopher Jero
Rhetoric School

Dr. Christopher Jero teaches Old Testament Survey, Biblical Interpretation, Latin, Hebrew, and Greek in the Rhetoric School. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree (violin) from the University of Northern Iowa, an M.A. in Old Testament from Columbia International University, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College. Dr. Jero and his wife Rebecca have four children, one at MHA. The family attends Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills.

Mrs. Amy Kirk
Kindergarten

Mrs. Amy Kirk teaches Kindergarten. She holds a B.S. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a concentration in English Literature from Miami University (Ohio). Mrs. Kirk taught first grade for five years in private and public school settings, and then homeschooled her children for 10 years. She and her husband Stephen have seven children: one MHA graduate and six current MHA students. The Kirk family attends Hope Church.

Mr. David Liebing
Sixth Grade

Mr. David Liebing teaches sixth grade in the Grammar School. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Mr. Liebing has experience in purchasing and materials management; teaching experience in church, co-op, and homeschool settings; and biblical counseling. He and his wife Ellen have five children, all MHA graduates. The family attends the Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills.

Mrs. Laura Lucas
Grammar School

Mrs. Laura Lucas teaches third through sixth grade science in the Grammar School.  She received a B.A. in Chemistry from William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Kansas.  Mrs. Lucas spent 12 years in Research and Development for the consumer products and  flavor industries.  She and her husband Robie have two MHA students. The family attends Hope Church in Mason.

Miss Hailey Marosi
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Miss Hailey Marosi teaches fifth through twelfth grade art.  She graduated from Miami University with a B.A. in art education. Miss Marosi has taught as a substitute teacher at Finneytown Public School at the secondary campus.  She attends Kenwood Baptist Church and is involved in the young professionals group there.

Mr. Lee Miller
Fifth Grade

Mr. Lee Miller teaches fifth grade in the Grammar School and Economics in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Management from Beloit College, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University, and an M.A. in Theology from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Prior to joining the MHA staff, Mr. Miller was the principal at Southwest Covenant Schools. He and his wife Stephany have four children, three of whom attend MHA. The Millers attend Grace and Peace Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Molly Milligan
Third Grade

Mrs. Molly Milligan teaches third grade, as well as fifth grade Grammar and Composition in the Grammar School. She holds a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Education from Miami University (Ohio). Mrs. Milligan has taught grammar and writing classically for the past 15 years to her children and for homeschool groups. Before that, she taught high school literature and writing. Mrs. Milligan and her husband Chris have three daughters: two MHA graduates and one current ninth-grader. Their family attends Sycamore Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Jennifer Pereira
Kindergarten

Mrs. Jennifer Pereira teaches the morning session of Kindergarten.  She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education with minors in Bible and Psychology from Cedarville University.  Mrs. Pereira has previous experience teaching first and second grade.  She and her husband Jeremy have three daughters.  Her family attends Hope Church in Mason.

Mrs. Melanie Ruppersburg
Grammar School

Mrs. Melanie Ruppersburg teaches first and second grade Geography and History, and second grade Reading, and leads the Library Enrichment program in the Grammar School. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education, with Minors in Bible and Math, from Cedarville University. Mrs. Ruppersburg previously taught the first and second grade Library class at MHA. She also taught middle school Math at a Christian school in Kentucky. Mrs. Ruppersburg and her husband Ron have two children, both of whom attend MHA. Their family attends Faith Bible Church.

Mrs. Tracie Russell
Rhetoric School

Mrs. Tracie Russell teaches Spanish in the Rhetoric School. She received her B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Cincinnati. Mrs. Russell worked for 15 years in Spanish book distribution for a catalog company, then taught for four years at Cincinnati Christian School in Fairfield, Ohio. She also teaches various Spanish classes for homeschool co-ops. Mrs. Russell and her husband Tim have one child at MHA. The family attends Dayspring Church of God.

Mrs. Martha Ryan
First Grade

Mrs. Martha Ryan teaches first grade in the Grammar School. She graduated from Wheaton College with a B.S. in Biology and a teaching certificate, and an M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition from Northern Illinois University. Mrs. Ryan has been teaching at Mars Hill Academy since 1998. Her husband Dave serves as a permanent MHA Board member. The Ryans have three adult daughters, all of whom are MHA graduates. They attend Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

Mr. Andrew Stapleton
Rhetoric School

Mr. Andrew Stapleton teaches Antiquity, Apologetics, Greek, Rhetoric, and Worldview in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.A. in History and Christian Thought from Grove City College, and an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Mr. Stapleton and his wife Leah have three young children, one of whom attends MHA. The family attends North Cincinnati Community Church.

Mrs. Abby Taylor
First Grade

Mrs. Abby Taylor teaches first grade in the Grammar School. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from The Ohio State University and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Dayton. Mrs. Taylor has previous experience teaching first grade, and also served as Women's Ministry Director at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Mason. She and her husband Steve have three children: one MHA graduate and two current MHA students. The family attends Hope Church.

Miss Betsy Thistleton
Rhetoric School

Miss Betsy Thistleton teaches Rhetoric School math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus.  She earned her B.S. with a double major in Mathematics and Religion from Hillsdale College, where she was a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national math honorary, and a calculus tutor for the math department. Miss Thistleton graduated from Mars Hill Academy in 2012, and currently has four brothers attending the school.  She attends New City Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Andrew Waldy
Grammar & Rhetoric School

Mr. Andrew Waldy teaches fourth grade Grammar in the Grammar School, as well as Literature & Composition and History in the Rhetoric School. He graduated from Cair Paravel, a classical and Christian school in Topeka, Kansas. He went on to receive a B.A. in History and a B.A. in English from Grove City College. Mr. Waldy attends Providence Bible Fellowship.

Mrs. Natalie Walls
Second Grade

Mrs. Natalie Walls teaches second grade in the Grammar School. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and a Master's Degree in Middle Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. Mrs. Walls taught mathematics at Mason Middle School, and homeschooled her children before joining MHA. She and her husband Chris have three children at MHA. Their family attends Hope Church.

Mrs. Alicia Weber
Second Grade

Mrs. Alicia Weber teaches second grade in the Grammar School. She earned a B.S. in Christian Education from Cincinnati Christian University and the College of Mt. St. Joseph. In addition, she received her Kindergarten teaching certification from St. Xavier University. Mrs. Weber taught first grade in the Kings School District for five years before joining the MHA staff. She and her husband Kurt have three children. The Webers are members of Loveland Christian Church.

Mrs. Jennifer Weiland
Rhetoric School

Mrs. Weiland teaches seventh and eighth grade music in the Rhetoric School. She earned a B.A. in Music Education from Heidelberg University and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Miami University.  Mrs. Weiland’s preparatory studies included advanced certificates from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in piano and music theory.  She and her husband Cleighton have three young daughters, one of whom attends MHA.  Their family attends Calvary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lynn Wong
Grammar School

Mrs. Lynn Wong teaches Art in the Grammar School. She earned a B.A. in Fine Arts and an M.A. in Art Education from Miami University (Ohio). Mrs. Wong has taught in both public and private schools. After serving as Art Director for Senior Citizens, Inc., Mrs. Wong developed Made in His Image, a home-based business teaching art to homeschooled children. She and her husband Arthur have two children, one an MHA graduate. Their family attends Center Pointe Christian Church.