Meet The Faculty

 



Stephen Doss
, Principal and 7th/8th Grade Teacher

Mr. Doss has been married for over 30 years to Anita Doss.  The couple has two children: Alexandra and Grayson.  A veteran of the United States Air Force, Steve graduated with a B.A. degree from Lynchburg College where he received the 1996 Christopher C. Cowels award in history. He also earned a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) from Liberty University.

Since 1998 He has taught grades 5th through 10th at various times during his tenure at the school.  He enjoys camping, backpacking, reading, running and a variety of sports. Mr. Doss shares John 13:34-35 each year as his guiding word for students on how he wants his students to interact with him and each other: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

His educational philosophy: I believe that each child is a unique creation of God.  For that reason, each child deserves an education that grows them spiritually, mentally and physically.  I truly believe this is needed in order for our children to reach the potential God desires for them.



Jeannie Ramsey
, Vice Principal and 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Jeannie grew up in Kettering, Ohio. She has been teaching 1st and 2nd grade at our school since 2001. She is a graduate of Andrews University where, in June of 1981, she earned a Bachelor of Science in speech and hearing. After college she thought she would become a speech pathologist, but God had other plans in mind for her. She and her husband, Rick Ramsey, were married in December of ’81 and lived in Michigan for three years. After moving to Lynchburg, Virginia in 1985 she worked as an activities director and volunteer coordinator at a local nursing home. In 1988 and 1990 she had two sons. For the next nine years she was happy to be a full time mother and part time graduate student..

In 1997 Ms. Jeannie completed her Masters in Education at University of Lynchburg in special education and also earned post-graduate, general-ed VA Teacher Licensure for grades Pre-K through 6th. After working as a special education teacher for three years in Appomattox County Public Schools she came to teach at Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy. She feels it has been one of her greatest life blessings to serve at DTD and that she has received far more than she has ever given during her years here.

Jeannie’s interests include animals, especially dogs and dog training, traveling, history, flower gardening, drawing and painting, Her educational philosophy: I believe that children are a gift from God. He created every child to be an important, unique person, and they are precious to Him. I feel it’s my job to help children become confident, successful, lifelong-learners. But my prayer is that my students will desire to love and serve the Lord all the days of their lives and that we will meet in heaven one day very soon.



Laurie Kelly
, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Laurie Kelly has been married to Lance Kelly for 28 years.  They have three children: Shannon, Sean, and Luke.  She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education with Junior Academy Certification in Bible and Science from Andrews University.  She also holds a Virginia State Collegiate Professional License for Elementary Education, Pre-K through 6th, and Middle Education: Science, 6th to 8th.

Laurie taught for 6 years before staying home to raise their children for the next 10 years.  She returned to teaching in 2007 at Desmond T. Doss.  She has taught all of the elementary grades from Pre-K through 8th at one time or another.

She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, gardening, camping, hiking, running and volunteering for the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia.  Her philosophy of education: It is my goal to provide a loving, caring and safe environment for my students to learn.  I believe students learn best when they know their teacher loves them and respects them.  Most importantly, I can teach my students about our Master Teacher and His love for us.  Only God can give us the courage we need to live with joy in our sinful world.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” John 16:33



Hollie Roark
, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Roark is married to Christopher Roark. She has four children: Krista, Kailey, Kolton and a step-son named William. She graduated Lynchburg College in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Pre K – 6th grade. Mrs. Roark also holds a director’s certification in Early Childhood Education.

Hollie has 9 years experience teaching Pre-K & Kindergarten. She has over 12+ years being a teacher’s Aide grades K – 8th grade. She has taught Music and Drama for 14+ years. Hollie also directs our school’s Christmas Musicals.

Hollie enjoys  spending time with her family, children, music, singing, painting, crafts, photography, outdoors, scrap-booking, shabby chic designing, walks in the evening, and cooking. Her philosophy on education: I believe the number one goal of teaching should be to open a child’s heart to God. A teacher should promote an atmosphere where the students are learning both about God and academic studies.  A teacher must also show passion in what they teach, and it should be reflected in their daily attitude.  A teacher without passion is like a fruit without the juice, bland and boring. It is very important for children to see this passion from their teacher, because it creates a willingness to learn.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto me, do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14


Krista McCombs, Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Krista graduated from Randolph College with a Bachelor’s in Illustration and Creative Writing. She is an alumni of Desmond T Doss Christian Academy and has always helped out on campus whether it be in the daycare, helping her mother teach art classes, or running sound for the school Christmas plays. She has worked in childcare for 12+ years with dreams of writing and illustrating children’s books. When covid hit her dreams became harder to reach, but God had opened up a new opportunity for her to teach instead.

Krista loves spending time with her family, reading, playing games, painting, writing, spending time with her cats and in nature.

Her educational philosophy: God made each child special and each and every one is a gift. How wonderful it is to be a child–carefree and unique in every way. At some point, as we grow older, we forget these things. We begin to lose our creativity, our imagination. The world sometimes strips it from us. But, when you look into the eyes of a child, you begin to remember it all. It’s why I wanted to illustrate in the first place. Children just tell stories and it is truly amazing. 

“You are a child of God. You are wonderfully made, dearly loved and precious in His sight.” Psalm 139



Ellen Lazo
, 9th/12th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Ellen Lazo has been married for 16 years to Josue Lazo.  They have three children:  Amada, Benjamin, and Alan. She attended Washington Adventist University and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education with Junior Academy endorsements in Math, Science, Social Studies, Bible, and Computer Applications.  She is currently taking classes to earn her Masters’ Degree in Outdoor Education.

In her 15 years of teaching, Ellen has taught every grade between 1st and 10th.  She taught for nine years in Takoma Park, Maryland then moved back to Pennsylvania where she was principal and teacher of grades 5-8 for four years.  For the next seven years she homeschooled her children so that she could take advantage of spending every minute with them.  She returned to the classroom in 2019 teaching 9th and 10th grades at Desmond T. Doss.

Ellen loves spending time with her children, roller blading, and being outdoors.  She loves to be involved with the local church and helps out with Pathfinders and Vacation Bible School.

Isaiah 40:31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”


Pastor Geraldo Alonso, 7/8 Bible and High School Spanish Teacher

More information to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Sharon Williams
Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Doss
Janitorial Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Zenz
5th-6th Teacher’s Aide

 

Upcoming Events

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