Jeannie Ramsey, Principal and 1st/2nd Grade Teacher
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.
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
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
Jeison Escalante, 7th/8th Grade Teacher
My name Is Jeison Escalante. I am happy to say that the 2024-25 school year will be my first year at Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy. I am 36 years old and was born in Caracas, Venezuela. My mother’s side of the family is from the Dominican Republic. I was raised in Virginia and went to Adventist academies in Fairfax and New Market. After going to College in Michigan, I moved to California where I have been for the past eight years working in two academies. One is a K to 8 school called Conejo Adventist Elementary, and the other is a high school called Newbury Park Adventist Academy.
I’ve been primarily a Bible and Spanish teacher, as well as the coordinator of the dorm program for the high school, and I’ve coached various sports. God has blessed me greatly with many students and families that have helped me grow as a person. Now eight years have flown by, and I’m ready to head home to Virginia. Somehow God has opened doors for me to find DTD, and I am excited to become part of the school. I know every new chapter in life has its learning period, but thankfully, God has led me in the past, so I trust He will continue to do so. I have deep rooted connections with many students from these past years and now I look forward to making new ones.
What I can promise is a commitment to working hard and being involved. If you love God, learning, and sports we will get along just fine. Here is part of a poem, I wrote to my seniors in a graduation speech, “Remember one door is a yes, and one door is a no, but God’s peace and his love will shadow you wherever you may go.” Now I too need to apply this and let go and let God!
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.”
Sharon Williams
Administrative Assistant
