Ms. Jeannie has been teaching 1st and 2nd grade at our school since 2001 and is also serving as the principal at DTD. She is a graduate of Andrews University where, in June of 1981, she earned a Bachelor of Science. 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 and her husband had two sons, Matt in 1988 and Mitch in 1990.
In 1997 Ms. Jeannie completed her master’s 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. With God leading the way she hopes to facilitate the school’s continued growth. She is currently developing and implementing a five-year strategic plan for our school.
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.
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
My name is Kailey Andrews, or “Ms. Kat” (as many have come to know me). I have been married for 8 years to my husband Caleb, and together we have his twelve-year-old daughter named Ava and our six-year-old daughter named Novalee. I graduated from Liberty University in May of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. I am also a Desmond T. Doss Alumnus and have been helping on campus for many years with activities such as art and Christmas plays. I have over 10 years of experience teaching preschool and 2 years of experience as a paraprofessional for 1st and 2nd grade.
I enjoy spending time with my family, my animals, roller skating, and playing music with my husband. When it comes to my hobbies, I like to consider myself a “jack of all trades” because I am frequently trying new ones. I love finding new ways to become creative and express my love for art. My current hobbies that I enjoy are crocheting, painting, sewing, and doing nails for myself and friends. Being able to create is important for me. One of my favorite parts about being a teacher is being able to express myself creatively and to teach my students to do the same.
My teaching philosophy is that students thrive in a safe and loving environment. A classroom should be like a home, a place to be yourself and be accepted. What better way to create that than to make God the center of not only our learning, but our daily lives. As a teacher, I want God to work through me to bring my students closer to him. In the bible, Jesus said to let the little children come to him.
“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6)
Mrs. Laurie Kelly has been married to Lance Kelly for 32 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. She is currently working on her MSED IN in Outdoor Teacher Education.
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, cycling, 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
With 17 years of experience in education, Hollie Roark brings a deep commitment to student growth and academic excellence. As Vice Principal and 5th & 6th Grade Teacher, she plays a dual role in both leadership and classroom instruction—supporting students, staff, and the wider school community.
Hollie holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and is certified in Early Childhood Education. Her strong foundation in teaching, combined with her passion for nurturing young minds, drives her student-centered approach in both the classroom and administrative roles.
Hollie’s philosophy on education is rooted in her Christian faith: “I believe the number one goal of a Christian school teacher is 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 show passion in what they teach, and it should be reflected in their daily attitude.”
Outside of school, Hollie is a proud wife, mother of six, and grandmother to four. She also shares her love for the arts by directing Christmas musicals—a creative outlet that combines her passion for storytelling, music, and building community spirit.
Mr. Jeison Escalante was born in Caracas, Venezuela. His mother’s side of the family is from the Dominican Republic. He was raised in northern Virginia and went to academies in Fairfax and New Market. After going to College in Michigan he moved to California where he lived 8 years while working in two academies. One is a K-8 called Conejo Adventist Elementary and the other a high school called Newbury Park Adventist Academy. He has been primarily a bible and Spanish teacher. As well as the coordinator of the dorm program for the high school and a coach in various sports. God has blessed him greatly with many students and families that have helped me grow as a person. The experiences from deaning have prepared him for many roles.
The call to return to Virginia has led Jeison to teach at Desmond T. Doss. While teaching bible classes, Spanish to the high schoolers, and Physical Education classes, along with leading the sports program, Jeison is fully committed to helping students be successful and well rounded individuals. His passion for mentoring the youth allows him to give back as he was once a student in a small academy like DTD. God has blessed him immensely, so he is happy to help influence positivity and bless others.
Jeison enjoys watching and playing sports in his free time. As a competitive person he enjoys board games, trivia, and has a deep passion for the game of chess. He owns 7 boards so that students can play when they have free time and develop mental strategic skills, cognitive skills, problem-solving, and patience. Jeison’s other hobbies include learning about history, geography, watching movies, and visiting museums. Lastly, Jeison is open to learning and visiting the world as it is a big place.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Mrs. Ellen Lazo is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mom, and a teacher with 19 years of classroom experience. She has taught all grades from first through tenth as well as being a principal of a small school for four years. Her favorite subject to teach is math.
She and Mr. Lazo are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, and they have three amazing children, Amada, Benjamin, and Alan. Mrs. Lazo loves animals, especially cats. Their family is enriched with a yellow lab named Tawny, a grey tabby cat named Mitzi, and a collection of gerbils.
In her spare time, Mrs. Lazo enjoys doing graphic design, sewing, crafting, cooking, and baking. She loves waterfalls and nature. Mrs. Lazo also leads the local Pathfinder Club, a youth ministry for students in grades five and up that is similar to scouts.
Mrs. Lazo earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Washington Adventist University in 1998 and her master’s degree in Outdoor Education from Southern Adventist University in 2024. She often spends her summers taking additional classes to keep her instruction fresh and exciting to optimize student learning.
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT
Sharon Williams is originally from Maryland but has lived in Virginia since 2006. She has been married for 26 years to Travis Williams. She has 4 children: Jasmine, Fiona, Sophia, and Brycen. She also has 3 beautiful grandchildren: Mason, Millie, and Wesley.
Sharon has at least 18 years of experience in retail supervisory and management rolls. She has been employed on the LYHSDA and DTD campus since 2014 as the daycare director for 5 years and as of 2019 the school and church secretary. For the last year, Sharon has also taken on the roll as school treasurer.
Sharon loves spending time with her children, grandchildren, gardening, crocheting, and cooking.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
