Faculty & Staff – Columbus Classical Academy

Administration

Daniel Gibson

Head of School

Daniel C. Gibson is the founding Head of School of Columbus Classical Academy. Prior to joining CCA, Mr. Gibson was a partner at the law firm of Bricker & Eckler LLP in Columbus, where he was a litigator and appellate lawyer for more than 15 years. He also served as an Associate Director at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C. immediately following graduation from law school. Mr. Gibson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, cum laude, from Davidson College and a Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School.

Read Mr. Gibson’s welcome message.

Sarah Spaulding

Principal

Sarah E. Spaulding joins Columbus Classical Academy as its founding Principal. Prior to joining CCA, Mrs. Spaulding was a founding faculty member of Northwest Ohio Classical Academy in Toledo, Ohio where she taught literacy, literature, grammar, and composition as well as worked to develop the faculty’s mastery of the literacy curriculum. She has also had several years of experience teaching humanities in a private school, but she cherishes most the six years she spent teaching her children classically from home. Mrs. Spaulding holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University and a pedagogy certificate from The Ohio State University.

Mr. Sean Buller

Assistant Principal/Lower School PE

Mr. Buller or Coach B, as many students in his career have called him, comes to the Midwest from California after a long career coaching baseball and teaching Physical Education in Los Angeles. Mr. Buller earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of San Francisco where he was a pitcher for their baseball team. He has been blessed to live all over the country when he played professional baseball, finishing his career with the Toledo Mud Hens. Mr. Buller also holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix. One of Mr. B’s favorite books is Alan Jaeger’s Getting Focused Staying Focused. In leisure time, he enjoys playing vintage “base ball” for the Ohio Muffins, watching drag racing, spoiling his 2 cats as he is a true Cat Dad, and is excited for his new role as Assistant Principal/Dean of Students while still teaching lower school Physical Education.

Janine King

Director of Admissions and Community Engagement

After graduating from Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Mrs. King started her career with Accenture. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the fields of sales and marketing, having spent 15 years in the business world prior to entering the non-profit arena. Mrs. King’s deepest desire is to help CCA reach full enrollment through sharing her passion for this generation to be inculcated with wisdom, knowledge, and virtue. Mrs. King looks forward to welcoming new right-fit families as well as engaging the greater community in the mission of CCA.

Rob Minch

Operations Manager

Mr. Minch, an Army veteran, has a long history working in operations, but also has a passion for education that brings him to Columbus Classical Academy as the Operations Manager. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a Management Focus and Religious Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University. During his undergraduate years, Mr. Minch was a member of Capital University’s ROTC program. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Mr. Minch’s favorite books include Pressfield’s Gates of Fire, Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, and all the Sherlock Holmes stories; he also loves 19th century literature. In his leisure time, Mr. Minch loves anything that gets him outdoors: fishing, kayaking, gardening, hiking, and more. If he is not enjoying the outdoors, he may be found cooking or out and about trying new restaurants, and traveling as much as possible. He is so excited and honored to be a part of the creation of CCA.

Mrs. Rachel Little

Administrative Assistant

Rachel Little is a CPA and a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a Master’s Degree in Accounting with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She started her career with Deloitte Tax, but her passion for process optimization and efficiency led her to serve as Chief of Staff to national practice partners within the firm. Rachel joins CCA as the executive assistant to the head of school and director of admissions, but also as a parent to her second grade daughter and kindergarten son who are attending the school. She looks forward to using her skills to help establish standard processes and create efficiencies. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, playing volleyball, planning family fun, and working on puzzles.

Mrs. Kendalyn Smith

Scholar Services

When Mrs. Smith joined the CCA faculty in 2023, she brought with her ten years of classroom teaching experience and eight years of experience in classical education. A Columbus-area native, Mrs. Smith graduated from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and a Master of Education degree. She and her family spent ten years living in Dallas, Texas, and they are happy to be back home in the Buckeye State. Mrs. Smith is the mother of three young children, two daughters and one son. Her husband is an Anglican priest and they are planting a new church in Columbus. In her leisure time, Mrs. Smith enjoys reading, cooking, baking, traveling to explore new places, watching college football, and sipping a good cup of coffee. Her favorite book is Anne of Green Gables and she hopes to travel to Prince Edward Island someday.

Mrs. Anna Van Scyoc

Receptionist

Mrs. Van Scyoc is excited to bring her experience as a receptionist to Columbus Classical Academy. She is going to school for Digital Marketing, and is in practice of Social Media Marketing for her husband’s Real Estate business. In Mrs. Van Scyoc’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog—named Bailey, cooking and baking, and traveling. She also has a passion for music. Mrs. Van Scyoc plays the flute, piano and is a beginner at guitar. When possible, she enjoys teaching music lessons as well. Mrs. Van Scyoc is more than excited to help make the experience for our CCA families a great and memorable one!

Mrs. Diana Kiener

After Care Coordinator

Mrs. Kiener joins Columbus Classical Academy after two decades of teaching and planning educational curricula for K-12 homeschooling students. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cedarville University and recently retired as the director of a large homeschool group based in Westerville. Mrs. Kiener has also dedicated over a decade to serving as a Vacation Bible School (VBS) coordinator and continues to be actively involved in her church’s Sunday school program. Before joining Columbus Classical Academy, Mrs. Kiener was employed as a substitute teacher in the Columbus City School District. Her educational passions include theology, philosophy, and literature. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her husband of nearly 30 years and their three grown children.

Faculty

Mr. Joshua Barnes

Lower School - Kindergarten

Mr. Barnes graduated from Houghton College with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. He is a CELTA certified ESL teacher with five years of teaching experience in Japan. He is a father to two daughters who were baptized into the Christian Orthodox religion last year. Mr. Barnes is passionate about being a part of the CCA faculty because in his words “Given the current state of education, we can complain about the problems, or we can build something good. I choose the latter.”

Miss Emily Bauer

Lower School - 1st Grade

Miss Bauer brings her love of learning and desire to serve as well as influence those around her for the good to the first grade classroom. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Education from Ball State University and had the opportunity to do her student teaching on an Air Force base in Germany. Miss Bauer went on to earn a Masters in Psychology from Divine Mercy University. Her favorite book which makes her laugh, smile, and cry all at once is Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, and in her leisure time, Miss Bauer may be found sipping coffee with a friend. She enjoys trying new things, exercising, making music, practicing hospitality, and collecting eggs from her chickens. After spending nearly a decade working as a missionary to college students, Miss Bauer is ready to shift gears and is so excited to be with first graders who will learn reading skills and so much more!

Miss Regan Hodgson

Lower School - 2nd Grade

Miss Hodgson’s love for the classroom, especially the lower elementary setting, began when she volunteered as an undergraduate at the Mary Randall Preschool in Hillsdale, Michigan. Miss Hodgson earned a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Hillsdale College and a Master of Science degree from Coastal Carolina University in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies. Miss Hodgson loves to read historical fiction, and in her leisure time, enjoys hiking, doing puzzles, and watching movies. Miss Hodgson is looking forward to making connections with her second graders and growing their love for learning.

Miss Gretchen Birzer

Lower School - 3rd Grade

Miss Birzer, a graduate from Hillsdale College, earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Classical Education in 2023 where she was consistently on the Dean’s list and participated in Hillsdale’s Collegiate Scholars Program. During her time at Hillsdale, Miss Birzer served on the board of the Catholic Society Women’s Outreach. Miss Birzer’s favorite books are Pride and Prejudice, Lord of the Rings, and anything by C. S. Lewis. In her leisure time, Miss Birzer may be found reading and discussing good literature and movies, enjoying the outdoors, singing, and spending time with her friends and family. She is honored and excited to be teaching 3rd grade at CCA and can’t wait to meet her students.

Mrs. Rachel Bartelmay

Lower School - 4th Grade

Mrs. Bartelmay is excited to be a part of the CCA community! She has a passion for all students big and small and cannot wait to learn together. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Grove City College and intends to pursue a Master’s degree soon. Mrs. Bartelmay’s favorite authors range from Jane Austen to C. S. Lewis; she enjoys historical fiction as well. In her leisure time, Mrs. Bartelmay may be found playing and watching sports, taking scenic walks with her husband, daughter, and dog, having a good cup of coffee, and trying new restaurants. She loves volunteering in her church community from leading worship to volunteering in the youth and children’s ministries.

Mr. Lucas Cone

Lower School - 5th Grade

Mr. Cone brings writing, teaching, and leadership skills that he has honed in his pastoral residence to the 5th grade classroom. Mr. Cone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible Translation and a Master of Divinity degree with an exegetical emphasis from Grace College and Seminary. He is outgoing, conversant in French, and has lived, studied, and traveled abroad. Mr. Cone’s favorite genre of books is historical fiction and in his leisure time, enjoys playing the piano, singing, running, and playing board games.

Mrs. Erica Blecke

Art Teacher/Upper School PE

Mrs. Blecke is a talented artist and teacher dedicated to training the hearts and minds of young people through art education. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from Bowling Green State University and spent nearly a decade in the classroom. Mrs. Blecke is an entrepreneur who is the owner of Art with Erica where she teaches students from across the Columbus area. Her favorite books are whatever she is reading with her sons which includes King Arthur for Boys, Robin Hood, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. They love a good mystery, too. In her leisure time, Mrs. Blecke can be found spending time with her husband at their sons’ sporting events and being active outside. She enjoys anything related to arts such as painting, decorating, and finding great art and antiques. Mrs. Blecke is so excited to meet all of the Columbus Classical Academy students and share her expertise and passion for the arts!

Mr. Jeffrey Burghauser

Upper School - Literature

Mr. Burghauser is a highly experienced teacher and expert in traditional forms of poetry. His book, The Heavy Lifting: A Boy’s Guide to Writing Poetry, belongs to a long list of publications—a list including verse, translations, and essays. Mr. Burghauser earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Arts in Victorian Literature from the University of Leeds (UK). His favorite book is Kingsley Amis’s classic campus novel, Lucky Jim; in his spare time, Mr. Burghauser plays the 5-string banjo.

Mrs. Gina Marie Gavin

Upper School - Grammar & Composition

Mrs. Gavin, mother of five and 16-year homeschooling veteran, brings her love for Grammar, the written word, and art of articulating ideas to Columbus Classical Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Philosophy and Contemplative Studies from the University of Dallas and went on to earn a Master of Science degree, summa cum laude, in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola College of Maryland. Mrs. Gavin loves to read and has many favorite authors which include Thomas Aquinas, Dante, C. S. Lewis, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Sigrid Undset. In her leisure time, along with spending time in a good book, Mrs. Gavin may be found listening to Baroque music, having deep, probing conversations, or hiking with her family and her dogs. She cares deeply for others and has had the privilege of walking through pregnancies with women via a pregnancy resource center in Columbus. Mrs. Gavin looks forward to walking with students as they journey into analyzing and diagramming sentences as well as practicing the art of writing well.

Mr. Matthew Hoenig

Upper School - Science

Mr. Hoenig, an Eagle Scout and a published scientist, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minors in both Chemistry and German from Hillsdale College. He then went on to earn a Masters of Science in Earth and Environmental Science from Wright State University. Mr. Hoenig reads quite a bit and finds it hard to narrow down just what his favorite authors are, but some of his favorites include Rudyard Kipling, H.P. Lovecraft, J.R.R. Tolkein, Isaac Asimov, Michael Pollan, and Malcolm Gladwell. In his spare time, Mr. Hoenig enjoys fishing, reading, hunting for fossils, and urban agriculture. He has helped excavate two dinosaurs and has a respectable fossil collection.

Miss Kathleen Litt

Upper School - Math

Miss Litt comes to Columbus Classical Academy as an accomplished 21-year veteran middle school mathematics teacher. She has been nominated for her school’s Educator of Excellence award and has a proven track record of improving numeracy in her students by whom she is well loved. Miss Litt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and went on to Otterbein College to complete the teacher certification program. Her favorite book is Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, which is an allegory about the Christian walk. In her leisure time, Miss Litt thoroughly enjoys knitting, hiking, and exploring national parks.

Dr. Benjamin P. Newton

Upper School - History, Civics, Political Philosophy, & Latin

Dr. Benjamin Patrick Newton teaches history, civics, political philosophy, and Latin, while studying Biblical exegesis and Christian political thought. He received his doctorate and master’s degrees in political philosophy and Constitutional law from the University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and bachelor’s degree in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. Dr. Newton has published a translation of Marcus Tullius Cicero’s On Duties with Cornell University Press, and is currently working on a translation of Augustine’s City of God.

Mrs. Crystal Traini

Upper and Lower School - Music

Mrs. Traini is a multi-talented musician who has many years of experience in music education as a band director and a choir director as well as a private studio teacher where she taught saxophone for more than a decade. Mrs. Traini earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Capital University and a Masters of Music Education degree from Boston University. She loves the Chronicles of Narnia series and the biblical books of Ecclesiastes and Acts. In her leisure time, Mrs. Traini enjoys studying the Bible, gardening, traveling, and listening to classical music of course. She and her husband are beekeepers and lead a ministry that feeds students on the weekends.

Mr. K.A. VanDerMolen

Upper School - Latin

Mr. VanDerMolen has more than thirty years of experience teaching Latin and History. His knowledge and love for classical languages runs deep and wide. Mr. VanDerMolen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies Education with minors in Greek and Latin languages and a Master of Arts degree in History from The Ohio State University. Mr. V, as most students call him, is a formerly ranked powerlifter and avid SEC football fan who loves reading and translating classical Latin and Greek texts as well as reading American history and novels. In his leisure time, Mr. VanDerMolen enjoys working out and listening to old radio programs and music.

Mr. Paul Williams

Scholar Services/Lower School French/6th Grade History

Mr. Williams comes to the CCA community with a variety of skills to serve the scholars. Mr. Williams studied philosophy for two years at the Pontifical College Josephinum, finished his Bachelors in Psychology at Franciscan University, where he also obtained a Master’s degree in counseling. After working for some time in the field, he felt a deeper appreciation for education forming the whole person, especially through the study of classic literature. Mr. Williams enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and staying physically active. He hopes one day that his French studies lead him to reading classic French literature in its own language.