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In 1999, a small private school took a flyer on a 19-year-old know-it-all to teach (ironically, for a born out of season Luddite) computers to grammar students. Twenty-three some odd years later Josh Spears is still teaching, having taught, in that span, all manner of subjects to all manner of students from kindergarten to upper division college students. During his roughly 179 months at the Academy, he’s served as athletic director, janitor, Lyceum director, chair of theology and teacher, mostly in the biblical, theological and philosophical world. He spent the usual amount of months earning a bachelor of arts in Theology from Randall University and a master of arts in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. In his free time, he likes to write new principal bios, take naps, yell at/because of OU athletic events, spend time with one wife/four children, read, watch Netflix, think about climbing fourteeners and steadfastly avoid Oxford commas.
‘The move to principal surprises even me. I’ve loved, loved the classroom. I’m passionate about students seeing and experiencing the new world Christ is recreating. Doing that day in and day out has been deeply fulfilling. But South campus is in my bones. It’s the place that’s shaped my understanding of classical education. It’s the place I learned how to teach. It’s the place I learned by watching exemplary principals lead and put up with up-start teachers like me. South campus culture, parents, teachers and students make the Academy what it is. I’m a huge fan. I’m humbled, honored, terrified and overjoyed to return to serve as the principal.’
Jill Judd teaches Blended Third Grade on the South Campus and is assistant principal to Josh Spears. She graduated from OBU and spent many years overseas overseeing educational programs and providing education consulting to English training centers. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Traci Hurley has a degree in Journalism and worked in Pre-k for two years as a Teacher Assistant and one year in first and second grade. She has walked along the same streets that Paul walked on in Ephesus, Turkey.
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Amanda earned her bachelors degree in Communications/French at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. In her free time she likes to travel and read.
Amy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She lives in Tuttle with her husband and their three children.
Tevin serves as the 2nd grade teacher for the blended model at South Campus. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Social Work, both from the University of Oklahoma. Tevin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and their adventurous road trips together!
Keely Steger studied Psychology and Bible for 2 years at OBU and earned a degree in Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She loves to read books, buy books, and talk about books in her spare time.
Jill Judd teaches Blended Third Grade on the South Campus and is assistant principal. She graduated from OBU and spent many years overseas overseeing educational programs and providing education consulting to English training centers. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Abbie Wickersham graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is in her tenth year of her career as an educator with 8 of these years being served at The Academy in various grades across the grammar school. She has five children in attendance spanning from 1st to 12th grade. She enjoys reading, playing with various artistic mediums, traveling, crisp air, and good coffee.
Jessica is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Arts in Teaching. Jessica loves traveling, running, and a good book.
Catie earned her B.S and M.S. in English Education from the University of Oklahoma. Before switching to a teaching career, Catie trained to become a professional ballet dancer, performing with the Nashville Ballet and spending two years as a Ballet Performance major in college.
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Stephanie graduated from the University of Oklahoma where she majored in Psychology, focusing on Child Development and Art Therapy. Stephanie enjoys traveling, painting, Sooner Football, and spending time with family and friends.
Julie holds a BA in Theology from Colorado Christian University with an emphasis in church history. She also studied at Oxford, where she quickly fell in love with the Latin language and its history. Julie has taught Latin to students of all ages for over a decade, and has also developed and taught introductory Latin courses to students, parents, and teachers. Julie is an avid audio book listener and enjoys traveling, studying the etymology of words, and adventuring with her husband and three children. Dominus illuminatio mea.
Dhante Aguirre works as a Latin instructor for grades 5-8th at the South Campus. He has taught Religious Education in his home parish, St. Thomas More, and studied Latin as an elective while at OU. Dhante enjoys drawing, writing, and taking care of his pet fish in his spare time.
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Devona graduated from Southwestern Christian University with a BS in General Studies. She taught Humanities/English for seven years at Claremore Christian School. Devona enjoys visiting local coffee shops in her free time.
Dr. Adam Mearse teaches Bible and Practicum. He holds a B.S. in Biblical Studies and Family Studies (Oklahoma Christian University), an M.A. in Family Ministry (also from OC), an M.A. in Counseling Ministries (Wheaton College) and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). Adam spent 20 years in church ministry before entering into classical education in 2018. Adam is married to Christina and they have three children – two classical school graduates and a current Academy student.
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Lindy earned her bachelor’s degree in English from East Central University and her master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario. She lives in Norman with her husband and their two children.
After graduating from high school, I attended a Bible institute where I heard the gospel. Accepting Christ as my Savior has been the most blessed experience of my life. Reading, jogging, and teaching Sunday School are a few of my interests.
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Shawn is married to Cross Country Coach Sarah Rhea and the couple has three children at The ACADEMY.
Dana Smith is the Culture and Events Coordinator at South Campus. She has a degree in Social Work from The University of Oklahoma and has been an Academy parent since 2009. Dana loves reading, embroidery and has an impressive collection of socks with cats on them.
Before becoming the Office Manager, April schooled her children in the blended model at The Academy for 10 years. She attended the University of Oklahoma, and still lives in Norman with her husband and two boys. She enjoys reading, cooking, baking, fire pit weather, and over analyzing everything.