Faculty & Staff
The Mars Hill Academy staff consists of exemplary Christian men and women who love our students, and desire to serve our families and the Lord in all that they do. Get to know our staff by reading their bios below.
Administration
Faculty
According to the Mars Hill Academy Foundational Documents: MHA teachers will be bright, highly motivated, industrious, and humble. They will love each student in their classroom, viewing each child as a gift from God and teaching as an opportunity to sow seeds of grace and truth deep within the students’ hearts. They will also evidence a strong desire to grow intellectually and spiritually throughout their lives, and be eager to discover and implement classical teaching methods, knowing that recovering the lost tools of learning begins with them. Most importantly, they will possess a radically God-centered worldview that informs all they set their hands to do. They will not be perfect, but competent and teachable. They will not assume to know their students better than the children’s parents, but offer encouragement and helpful criticism as appropriate.
Use this teacher application form if you'd like to join our team!
Administration
Dr. James Albritton
Headmaster & Rhetoric School Principal
Dr. James M. Albritton serves as Headmaster and Rhetoric School Principal, and teaches seventh grade Latin. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Vanderbilt University, an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Alabama. Dr. Albritton served for five years as Assistant Headmaster at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, Alabama. Most recently he served as Associate Professor of History at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. He and his wife Carey have two children at MHA. The family attends New City Presbyterian Church.
Mark Cotterman
Assistant Headmaster
Mr. Mark Cotterman serves as Assistant Headmaster. 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 and Art in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Education 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 or are receiving a classical Christian education. Two of their children are MHA graduates and their youngest daughter currently attends MHA. The Waldys attend Providence Bible Fellowship.
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. 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. Noelle Oedy
Advancement Manager, Marketing and Communications
Mrs. Noelle Oedy serves as Advancement Manager, Marketing and Communications. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication/Public Relations from Miami University (Ohio). Mrs. Oedy began her career in the healthcare PR industry, then took time off to stay home with her children. She came to MHA after serving for five years as Communications Director for North Cincinnati Community Church in Mason, where she and her family attend. Mrs. Oedy and her husband John have three sons: two MHA graduates and one current MHA student.
Mrs. Michaux Merhout
Advancement Manager, Outreach and Public Relations
Mrs. Michaux Merhout serves as Advancement Manager, Outreach and Public Relations. 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
Factilites 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 at MHA. 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.
Faculty
Dr. Michelle Augustine
Grammar & Rhetoric School
Dr. Michelle Augustine teaches sixth grade math in the Grammar School 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 Acaedemy. They attend Providence Bible Fellowship.
Mr. Rich Bennett
Rhetoric School
Mr. Rich Bennett teaches Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M. Ed in Mathematics Education from Ohio State University. Prior to coming to MHA, Mr. Bennett taught math for eight years in Maryland Public Schools, and was a mathematics faculty member at Frederick Community College and Hagerstown Community College in Maryland. He and his wife Jodi have six children, all of whom attend MHA. The Bennett family attends Crossroads 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, one at MHA. The family attends Providence Bible Fellowship.
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 has homeschooled, taught in a Christian school in Houston, and substitute taught at Mars Hill for several years. 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.
Mrs. Tara Dudley
Kindergarten
Mrs. Tara Dudley teaches Kindergarten. She holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Miami University (Ohio). Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Dudley worked as a network engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer. She also taught at Liberty Classical Academy in Minneapolis. Mrs. Dudley and her husband Richard have four daughters who all attend MHA. The Dudley family attends North Cincinnati Community 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 third grade Math, and fourth through eighth grade Music in the Grammar and Rhetoric Schools. 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 the Church of the Covenant.
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
Fourth Grade
Mr. David Liebing teaches fourth 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.
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, two of whom attend MHA. The Millers attend Good Shepherd OPC.
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 MHA student. Their family attends Sycamore Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Lynn Muscarella
Grammar School
Mrs. Lynn Muscarella teaches Science in the Grammar School. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. Mrs. Muscarella has two adult sons, both MHA graduates, and attends Calvary Chapel Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.
Mr. Joe Persing
Sixth Grade
Mr. Joe Persing teaches sixth grade in the Grammar School and Latin in the Rhetoric School. He earned a B.S. from Pensacola Christian College and an M.S. from Baptist Bible College. He taught fourth grade at Christian School of York, Pennsylvania, and at Delaware County Christian School. Mr. Persing and his wife Michelle have five young children. Their family attends Foundation Church.
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 Faith Bible Church.
Mrs. Julie Smith
Grammar School
Mrs. Julie Smith teaches Music for Kindergarten through third grade in the Grammar School. She holds a degree in Music Education from Miami University (Ohio), and has been an active professional musician for 25 years. Mrs. Smith teaches private piano lessons, and plays trombone for the Middletown Symphony and other local organizations. She and her husband Jeff have three daughters: two MHA graduates and one current student. The Smiths attend Calvary Alliance Church.
Mr. Andrew Stapleton
Rhetoric School
Mr. Andrew Stapleton teaches Antiquity, Apologetics, Greek, 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 two young daughters. The family attends Grace Baptist 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.
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. 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.