Administration
Mr. 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.
Miss Jordan Blackstone
Principal
Miss Jordan Blackstone has been a classroom teacher for fifteen years, teaching upper school literature and composition for over ten years, as well as serving as a Gifted Intervention Specialist and as a college-level writing instructor, in addition to fulfilling a variety of administrative and leadership roles. Most recently, Miss Blackstone was a member of the Hillsdale K-12 Education Office, where she served on a team committed to providing curricular and instructional support to teachers across the country. Her prior experience also includes serving as a School Leadership Fellow at Hillsdale Academy, where she also taught a middle school math course. Miss Blackstone graduated summa cum laude from Marietta College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English while also minoring in Art. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Bowling Green State University, as well as a Certificate in Liberal Arts Education from St. John’s College. Reflecting on her years in the classroom and on leadership teams, Miss Blackstone noted that some of her favorite moments are when the path towards a solution becomes clear and the excitement about what is possible overshadows the difficulty of the task. She is looking forward to many such moments in the coming years at CCA.
Mr. Sean Buller
Vice Principal and Dean of Students
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, and spoiling his 2 cats as he is a true Cat Dad. This year, Mr. B is excited to co-teach Kindergarten Physical Education, co-teach upper school boys Physical Education, and teach high school Physical Education, while continuing as Assistant Principal/Dean of Students.
Mrs. 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. In her free time, Mrs. King enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, reading books about her Catholic faith, and volunteering at church. Mrs. King looks forward to welcoming new families who desire a classical education for their children as well as engaging the greater community in the mission of CCA.
Mr. Randy Steckel
Director of Finance
Randy is a CPA and a graduate of Cedarville University. Before coming to CCA he spent 15 years as the Finance Director for Worthington Christian School. He is happily married to his wife Judy, and they have four grown children. They are very blessed to have eight grandchildren (and counting), all of whom live here in Columbus. Randy and Judy are actively involved in CrossPointe Church in Westerville, where Randy serves as Treasurer (imagine that.) In his free time Randy likes to play tennis and read good (non-fiction) books. He’s naturally curious and enjoys learning new things. He’s excited to take what he’s learned about running a school finance department and apply it to CCA as it is poised for growth in the coming years.
Mr. 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
Executive 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 four young children, three 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. Chloe Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Campbell is excited to bring her experience in school office administration back to Columbus Classical Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Cedarville University. Mrs. Campbell’s favorite genre to read is historical fiction (especially WW2), true crime mystery, medical mystery and inspirational fiction. The Anne of Green Gables series is a favorite of hers, too.In her leisure time, Mrs. Campbell enjoys crocheting, knitting, playing the piano & flute, cooking, baking and taking care of her many plants. She and her husband also enjoy camping, finding new coffee shops to try in Columbus,visiting antique shops and traveling abroad.
Mrs. Anna Van Scyoc
Receptionist
Mr. Brian Campbell
Campus Aide
Mr. Brian Campbell is excited to join the Columbus Classical Academy community! While serving as Campus Aide this year, he has a diverse background in music education, missions, and cross-cultural living. Born to missionary parents in West Africa, he spent his childhood in the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Colorado. His childhood experiences inspired his desire to connect to people of all nations through creative and intellectual conversation. After receiving a BS in Music Education, Mr. Campbell has worked as a music teacher, freelance writer, French translator, barista, missionary teacher, and church custodian. He and Mrs. Campbell spent the 2024-2025 school year serving at a school in Cameroon, Central Africa. In his free time, he enjoys reading and watching foreign cinema. His favorite book is Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country, and he enjoys reading C.S. Lewis, Elisabeth Elliot, and Albert Camus. His favorite film directors include Francis Ford Coppola, Andrei Tarkovsky, and Abbas Kiarostami. If he listed his favorite music this paragraph wouldn’t end, but Radiohead and Ravel seem like good places to start. When not at home, you can find Mr. Campbell at a local coffee shop, camping, traveling, making YouTube videos, or eating a cobra in the Congo Basin! He looks forward to helping the CCA community as he cleans the building and serves the staff.
Mrs. Amy Conley
Admissions and Community Engagement Assistant
Mrs. Conley is eager to bring her passion and skills to CCA as our Assistant to the Director of Admissions and Community Engagement. She graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Mrs. Conley spent 21 years working in the insurance industry where she supported top Investment, Administration, and IT executives. She then took 4 years to homeschool her children until finding CCA, when she felt like her prayers had been answered, and enrolled her two Upper School aged children into the school. Mrs. Conley is passionate about the growth and success of CCA as well as getting to know the CCA families and making them feel welcome. She adores watching her son sing in the Columbus Children’s Choir and her daughter play Volleyball. In her spare time, Mrs. Conley enjoys spending time playing cards and board games with her family. She loves to show off her baking skills, enthusiastically sharing with friends and loved ones. She also spends a great deal of time each year canning vegetables from the garden that her husband tends. Her family’s favorite item is her homemade garden salsa.
Faculty
Mrs. Diana Kiener
Lower School - Kindergarten
Mrs. Kiener brings over 20 years of experience in K–12 education through homeschooling and curriculum development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cedarville University and previously served as the After Care Coordinator at CCA. She has also directed a large homeschool group, worked as a substitute teacher, and served in children’s ministry for over two decades. Her academic interests include theology, philosophy, and literature. Mrs. Kiener enjoys staying active and spending time with her husband and their three grown children outside the classroom.
Mrs. Amanda Ferguson
Lower School - Kindergarten Aide
Amanda’s heart for children began in college when she worked as a pre-school aide and summer camp teacher. She earned her Bachelor’s in English from the Ohio State University and continued over the years to volunteer with children as a respite foster care parent, at a therapeutic horse farm for children with disabilities and with an ESL family program. After spending over 20 years in office administration, she is thrilled to have the opportunity once more to work with children. She loves the curiosity and sense of wonder in kindergarteners and is excited to spend her days on the learning adventure with them. In her free time, Amanda enjoys secondhand shopping for vintage vinyl and antiques. She is an avid baker, traveler and lover of the great outdoors.
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. In her time at college, she participated in Hillsdale’s Collegiate Scholars Program, was an RA, and 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. She also loves fairytales, and few things delight her more than reading George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin with her class. In her leisure time, Miss Birzer may be found reading and discussing good literature and movies, enjoying the outdoors, singing, trying new recipes, and spending time with her friends and family. She is honored and delighted to be the 3rd Grade Teacher at CCA.
Mrs. Rachel Bartelmay
Lower School - 4th Grade
Mrs. Bartelmay has been teaching and serving in schools in many different ways for the last 10 years. 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 in the near future. Mrs. Bartelmay is a wife and mother to two lovely little girls. She may be found playing and watching sports, taking scenic walks with her family, having a good cup of coffee, and trying new restaurants. Her faith is an integral part of her whole life in and outside of the classroom. She loves volunteering in her church community from leading worship to volunteering in the youth and children’s ministries.
Mr. Paul Williams
Scholar Services/Lower School French/5th Grade
Mr. Williams comes to the CCA community with a variety of skills to serve the scholars. Mr. Williams completed his Bachelors in Psychology and 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.
Mr. Jacob Stull
Lower School - 6th Grade
Mr. Stull comes to Columbus Classical Academy with a passion for truth and the desire to be a lifelong learner. He’s accompanied by his wife Mallory and two boys. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Greenville University, where he also played football. Prior to teaching, he worked for 3 years in the business world. During this time, he became intrigued by the Classical method of education and was given the opportunity to teach 4th grade at a Classical Christian school in St. Louis. He then transitioned to teaching business and economics courses at a private Christian school, where he was already coaching football. Mr. Stull is grateful for the opportunity to join the faculty and serve the students at CCA.
Mr. Alexander Milburn
Lower School - Physical Education
Mr. Milburn was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree in English. While writing his first novel, Mr. Milburn explored various fields in service and education, ultimately discovering a career in physical education that combines his love of teaching children with his passion for fitness. His favorite author is Naoki Urasawa, particularly known for the works Monster and Pluto. When he’s not working, Mr. Milburn is training for a Strongman competition, writing fiction, honing his newly acquired piano skills, line dancing, partner dancing, and volunteering with local pro-life organizations and young adult Catholic ministries
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 has over 18 years of experience 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
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. Evan Smith
Upper School - Humanities
A Utica, Ohio native, Mr.Smith graduated magna cum laude from Patrick Henry College with a Bachelor of Arts in History. In addition to pursuing his research interests in medieval history, he has taught both high school history and English for the past two years. Experiencing the benefits of Classical Education throughout his own life. Mr. Smith looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for learning with the students at Columbus Classical Academy.
Mr. Alan Sherban
Upper School - Science
Mr. Sherban is eager to return to the classroom after effective service in K-12 administration over the past few years. He has experience teaching the Hillsdale Program Guide in the areas of math, science, logic, and rhetoric, and helped found a partner school. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master’s of Divinity, and is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Biblical and Systematic Theology. One of the things that most excites Mr. Sherban about teaching science at CCA is that he is able to carry on the science-teaching legacy of his late grandfather, Dr. Gordon Stairs, who was a professor of Entomology at The Ohio State University for many years. Mr. Sherban believes that learning about the natural world around us helps us to know ourselves, our neighbors, and our purpose as educated citizens. His reading interests are eclectic, although currently governed by his doctoral program. His hobbies generally revolve around his family—board games, cooking, DIY projects, camping, and still losing to his brother in NCAA26.
Miss Kathleen Litt
Upper School - Math
Miss Litt came to Columbus Classical Academy with 22 years of experience teaching middle school mathematics. She enjoys infusing music into the math classroom as a way for students to remember key vocabulary and formulas. Miss Litt has a heart for adolescents and values creating a culture where students can safely participate and make mistakes as they learn. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and went on to Otterbein College to complete the teacher certification program. Miss Litt enjoys books of true accounts about people who find their way to give, regardless of their circumstances, such as The Redhead of Auschwitz by Nechama Birnbaum.
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 The City of God.
Mrs. Crystal Traini
Upper and Lower School - Music
Mrs. Traini holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Capital University and a Master of Music Education from Boston University. She has over 30 years of experience teaching instrumental music and running a successful saxophone studio, with students going on to become professors, teachers, and professional musicians. She enjoys arranging music and connecting music history to literature, art, and world events. A classical homeschool educator for nine years, she guided her children’s own rigorous academic and musical training through high school graduation. She and her husband, an orchestra director, have built award-winning music programs across Ohio. When asked why she teaches at CCA, she says she loves God, her country, children, and Classical education—all central to the school’s mission. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Traini is active in Precept Inductive Bible Study Ministry and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoys forestry, gardening, traveling, running, and reading Scripture, and of course fine classical music.
Mrs. Anya Miller
Music and Piano
Mrs. Miller is a dedicated teacher, performer, and classical educator with over 29 years of experience in university classrooms, private studios, music schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Pedagogy, Summa Cum Laude, from the College of Music in Cherkassy, Ukraine; a Master’s in Music Education, Performance, and Pedagogy from the prestigious Odessa State Conservatory of Music in Ukraine; and a Master’s in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University. Her teaching career spans both Ukraine and the United States. At Bluffton University, she served as an adjunct professor and collaborative pianist, and led the Artist Series events, bringing acclaimed performers to inspire students and enrich the community. She has taught in music schools in Ukraine and continues to work with students of all ages in her private studio through both in-person and online instruction. She has also done extensive work as a church music director and accompanist, and spent five years homeschooling her children using a classical education model. Fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, Mrs. Miller is committed to the principles of classical education, blending artistry, discipline, and faith to inspire excellence in every student she teaches.
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. David Smith
Upper School - Adjunct Humanities
Mr. David Smith grew up in Plain City, Ohio, where he met his wife in the first grade! After a brief stint as a music major, David completed college and seminary degrees in Theology. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with an emphasis in New Testament and Historical Theology. During that time, he completed original research on New Testament manuscripts and spent time digitizing medieval manuscripts in Greece. He has worked in church education for over ten years, teaching at all age levels. After living in Dallas for ten years, he and Mrs. Smith moved back to Columbus in 2023 to plant a new church in the city. In addition to reading and writing, Mr. Smith enjoys CrossFit, trail running, and spending time in the wilderness, especially with family.
