Mrs. Sharon Callis teaches fourth grade language arts, math, and history as well as fifth grade history. She received her Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education from Radford University and has homeschooled her own children for fourteen years. Mrs. Callis has taught both third and fourth grade over her three years at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Linda Catoe teaches second grade history, language arts, math, and science. She is certified by the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Mrs. Catoe has an extensive background in education serving four years as a teacher assistant, fifteen years as a full time second grade teacher, two years as a third grade teacher, and fifteen years as principal. This is her second year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Ruth Clark teachs fifth grade language arts, science, and math and also teaches fourth grade science. Before coming to Oaktree, Mrs. Clark was an educator for the Virginia Zoological Park - combining her two passions, teaching children by using animals. She believes in encouraging children to use their own strengths and qualities to help them learn. She wants to inspire them not only to learn the basic facts, but to go above and beyond to learn more. She wants them to become intrigued with how the world works around them and to be able to relate it to what they learn in class. This will be Mrs. Clark's first year with Oaktree Academy.
Mr. Michael Creef teaches middle school U.S. and World History and high school U.S. History, World History, Geography and Government/Economics. He earned his Masters Degree of Practical Theology from Regent University School of Divinity. Mr. Creef has served in ministry on the pastoral staff at South Norfolk Baptist Church and as an associate pastor at Bethlehem Christian Church. He has taught Religious Studies as an Adjunct Professor at Regent University. He has been a teacher at Oaktree Academy for five years.
Mrs. Barbara Dye teaches our elementary music and chorus classes. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Education degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her background includes experience as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten through 8th grade levels, instrumental and vocal music teacher in levels K-12, and Christian school administration. Barbara is also director of the Banner Ministry at Kempsville Presbyterian Church. This is her second year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Alison Eisinger teaches kindergarten language arts, math, science and history. She has her Masters of Education from Regent University and is certified with the Association of Christian Schools International. She has previously taught at Cornerstone Christian School and Atlantic Shores Christian School. This is her first year with Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Maryjane Erestain teaches sixth grade history, language arts, math and science. She has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Math and English. Mrs. Erestain has taught sixth grade at Highland Park Middle School and has served as a department director for Sunday school at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church. This is her second year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Beth Grissom teaches seventh grade Life Science and eighth grade General Science. She has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with emphasis in Chemistry from Longwood College and has worked as a laboratory technologist and an industrial hygienist. Mrs. Grissom has taught Life Science, General Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and Human Anatomy at a local homeschool co-op. This is her fourth year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Fe Guzman teaches Algebra I & II, Geometry, Statistics, and Computer Application. She has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and her Virginia State License for Secondary Education Mathematics. She has taught summer school for Chesapeake City Public Schools and as a math tutor at Sylvan Learning Center. Mrs. Guzman also has four years experience teaching religious education at St. Mark's Catholic Church. This is her third year at Oaktree Academy.
Ms. Denise Monroe teaches high school English classes, speech and theater arts, sign language and study skills. She has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University, her Master of Arts in Education from James Madison University, as well as a VA Teaching Endorsement for PreK-12 Hearing Impaired. Ms. Monroe has experience teaching Sunday school, teacher training, and teaching adult women. She has developed and presented workshops to parents on a variety of subjects. She has experience as an Educational Audiologist teaching learning and development strategies to children and parents. Ms. Monroe worked for two years in public schools as a Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in language development. She has taught at Oaktree Academy for five years.
Mr. Todd Murphy has joined our staff as our seventh and eighth grade English, high school English, and Journalism/Yearbook teacher. Mr. Murphy has his Bachelor of Science Degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida and his Masters of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from Regent University. He has an extensive background in writing and editing. This is his second year at Oaktree.
Miss Kristin Peterson is our high school Biology, Anatomy and Marine Science teacher. She has her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Education with a concentration in Marine Science from Old Dominion University. She is also an Educator at the Virginia Zoological Park which gives her great ideas for her classes at Oaktree. This is her third teaching at Oaktree.
Mr. George Reynolds is our middle school and high school Spanish teacher. Mr. Reynolds received his Masters of Communications degree from Regent University. After retiring from the US Army with 20 years of service, Mr. Reynold worked 23 years with the Christian Broadcoasting Network in Virginia Beach. He has been teaching throughout his life - as an Army officer, a computer system administrator, a Royal Rangers leader for 22 years, a "Solar System Ambassador" (NASA volunteer), and past president of the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers. His love of languages, love of teaching, and love of the students will serve him well at Oaktree Academy his first year.
Mrs. Jessica Reynolds teaches first through twelfth grade art, focusing on art history, theory, criticism and aesthetics, in addition to art production. Mrs. Reynolds received her Associates Degree in Fine Arts from Thomas Nelson Community College, her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art from Virginia Wesleyan College, and completed her practicum experience at Blair Middle School in Norfolk, VA. This is Mrs. Reynolds first year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Michele Wilcher is our chemistry, physical science, pre-algebra, and middle school math teacher. She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Psychology from Furman University. Her teaching experience includes twelve years of homeschooling her own children and teaching science in homeschool co-ops for ten years. Mrs. Wilcher also taught math and science at Home School Plus for three years. This is her second year at Oaktree Academy.
Mrs. Jamie Witmer, our third grade teacher, has been teaching for 30 years. She holds a Master of Science degree in Education from Alfred University, Alfred, NY. She is certified as a Pennsylvania Homeschoolers evaluator and authorized to accept credits towards PHAA diplomas. In addition, Mrs. Witmer is an approved test administrator for Bob Jones University, Greensboro, SC. Although her major field of study was in physical education and health, she has worked under the Title 1 program in New York state teaching remedial math and reading. Her sphere of teaching includes a mission school in Laredo, TX, public schools in New York, and teaching all the academic areas as the Supervisor of Education for her own six children, five who have graduated (four from college) and one who is currently being homeschooled. This is Mrs. Witmer's first year with Oaktree Academy.
