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Midtown Campus Faculty and Staff

Rhonda Jones

Midtown Campus Principal

Rhonda earned her bachelor’s degree in Education at Evangel University and her Master’s in Counseling from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO.  In her free time, Rhonda likes to hike with her family.

Alex Kelley

Midtown Campus Asst. Principal (Omni, Logic, Gov't., Econ)

Alex is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in History, Math, and minored in Ancient Greek.  Alex also enjoys teaching Humanities, Government, Oklahoma History and Economics at The Academy.

Rhetoric Teachers

Jennifer Atwood

Latin, Omni (Yearbook Advisor)
Jennifer received a BA from Baylor University and an MSt in Medieval Studies from the University of Oxford. She also served as Curator of Medieval Manuscripts for a private collection in Oklahoma City for several years. Jennifer can often be found singing in the choir at All Souls’ Episcopal Church or curled up with a warm cup of tea and a good book. 

Olivia Bates

Mathematics (Math Chair)
Olivia Bates serves as the Chair of the Math Department and teaches Rhetoric level math classes. She received a BA in Secondary Math Education and an MS in Mathematics. In her free time, Olivia likes to garden, travel, and visit local coffee shops. 

Andrew Black

Practicum/Omni
Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Oklahoma Baptist University where he also minored in Biblical Studies. He earned his master’s degree in English from Middle Tennessee State University where he wrote his thesis on the theophanies in Shakespeare’s late Romances. In his free time, Andrew likes to have long conversations with good friends and to go on long walks with his wife and daughter.

Valerie Pulley

Rhetoric Art

More info coming soon!

Colin Creech

Science (Science Chair)

Colin Creech received a BA in Humanities and a Master of Divinity from Milligan University, then later completed a BS in Physics and an MEd in Instructional Design and Technology from East Central University. After many years teaching in international schools in South Korea and Spain, he teaches Rhetoric science at The Academy. 

Elizabeth Auer

Science

Elizabeth Auer teaches Rhetoric level science at The Academy. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science from the University of Oklahoma. In her free time, Elizabeth likes to work out and spend quality time with friends and family. 

Brittany Noble

Mathematics
Brittany earned a  BA and MS in Pure Mathematics at California State University, Northridge, as well as a MS in Economics from Baylor University.  She enjoys plants, lattes, and working out.

Anne Risch

Humanities (Humanities Chair)
Anne Risch serves as the Chair of the Humanities Department as well as teaches Rhetoric level Practicum and Omnibus courses.  She received a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and in Theology from Oklahoma Baptist University and also taught English for the Defense University of Mongolia. When not teaching, Anne enjoys such grandmotherly activities as knitting, baking pies, embroidery, tending to her houseplants, and caring for two her cats. 

Bryan Becker

Practicum / Theology

Bryan Becker teaches the sophomore theology course, Systems of Thought, as well as freshman and sophomore Practicum classes. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology from Wheaton College in 2022. Bryan’s long-term goal is to move overseas with his wife and plant churches among the unreached. 

 

Louise Blanco

Practicum / Logic / Comparative Religions
More Information Coming Soon!
 

Jen Stall

Forensics/Debate (Forensics and Debate Director)

Jennifer Stall oversees The Academy’s Forensics Department, coaching the school’s Mock Trial, Ethics, Debate, and Model U.N. teams.  In addition to her work at The Academy, she practices law part-time, specializing in contracts and employment law.  Before attending law school, she spent 3 years living and working in Austria and Germany.

Avery Stevens

Drama/Oral Presentation & History

Avery Stevens teaches North Dialectic and Rhetoric Drama, North Oral Presentation, and Rhetoric Oklahoma History. She has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Anthropology from Oklahoma Baptist University. Avery is a native Okie and loves her home state. She enjoys frequenting all of the local restaurants, road trips, collecting plants, and getting emotional while watching live theatre. 

Debbie Wince

Dance

Debbie Wince will be joining our staff as a dance teacher. She comes to us with 20 years of teaching experience, an MFA and a BFA in dance as well years of proffessional performance experience across the country. She and her family recently moved to Oklahoma from New Jersey. 

Sarah Rhea

P.E.

Coach Rhea is in her 8th season as the Griffin Cross Country coach. Sarah also makes her return to the classroom where she teaches Blended PreK at The ACADEMY South campus in addition to her role as Assistant Athletic Director.  Sarah graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Adult & Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration. She attended Weatherford High School where she was class Valedictorian. While there she played basketball, ran Cross Country and Track, winning an Indoor State Championship and multiple Academic State Championship honors.  Sarah is married to Shawn and they have three children at The Academy ranging from 3rd grade to PreK.

Carle Brocksmith

Latin

Carle Brocksmith is teaching 9th grade Latin Reading at The Academy Midtown Campus.  She has taught Latin and Latin clubs for ten plus years and wrote the Latin II course for a national curriculum subscription website. She loves to read and to create personal creative art journals in her free time.  

Stephanie Zerr

Spanish

Stephanie Zerr teaches Rhetoric-level Spanish. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education and her master’s degree in Bilingual Education/TESL from the University of Central Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors with her family and watching her children participate in a variety of sports.  

Alex Burdge

Practicum/Omni

Alex teaches courses in the humanities at the Rhetoric level, including Omnibus, Practicum, and Aesthetics. After serving for eight years in the Army as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader, he attended the University of Kansas and received a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in English Literature, writing his thesis on ascetical theology and the natural world in T. S. Eliot’s Four Quartets. Alex enjoys camping, reading to his children, and contemplating the eternal verities.

Midtown Support Staff

Julianna Osuna

Post Secondary Advisor
More info coming soon!

Megan Brown

Midtown Culture and Events Coordinator

More Information Coming Soon! 

Beth Vishanoff

Registrar/Office Manager
Beth earned a BS in Movement Science (Pre-Physical Therapy) from Gordon College and an MA in Christian Education (Women’s Ministry) from Denver Seminary. Beth enjoys reading, road trips, and having coffee with friends.