Veritas Christian Academy

Veritas Christian Academy 2011-12 Staff

Administrative

Headmaster: Sean Elgut
Sean Elgut serves as the Headmaster of Veritas. Mr. Elgut, along with his wife, Maria, founded Veritas Christian Academy as a Classical school with a vision to graduate young men and women leaders, who think clearly and listen carefully with discernment and understanding; who reason persuasively and articulate precisely; who are capable of evaluating their entire range of experience in the light of the Scriptures; and who do so with eagerness in joyful submission to God. Mr. Elgut holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The State University of New York at Stony Brook, as well as a Master in Education degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach. He has been teaching, facilitating, and administering within the realm of Christian education since 1994. When not at Veritas, Mr. Elgut spends most of his time with his wife, Maria, and 5 children, Caleb, Anna, David, Abigail and Rebekah, all of which have attended, or continue to attend Veritas. His oldest child, Caleb, a 2010 Veritas graduate, is currently enrolled in the pre-med program at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Director of Grammar School (Lower School): Maria Elgut
Along with her husband Sean, and five children, Caleb, Anna, David, Abigail, and Rebekah, Maria Elgut co-founded Veritas Christian Academy, and serves as Elementary Principal, as well as School Nurse. Mrs. Elgut holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She served as a Registered Charge Nurse until she began homeschooling her children in 1996, until her oldest son, Caleb, entered the seventh grade here at Veritas. Mrs. Elgut’s vision for Veritas, combined with her zeal for praying for families and students, has forwarded the vision of the school, to encourage all students (and parents) to evaluate their entire range of experience in light of the Scriptures…with an eagerness in joyful submission to God.

Grammar

Kindergarten: Kelly Ehlers

1st and 2nd: Alphie Douglas
Alphie Douglas is an energetic veteran in the field of Christian Education with over fifteen years of experience to her credit teaching grades K-5 through fourth grade. She has a passion and love for Jesus Christ and the Word of God that is infectious and evident in her teaching. Alphie has a B.S. degree in Bible and Christian education and has earned credits in post graduate work. She continues to keep herself sharp and on the cutting edge of what is relevant to Christian education. Alphie’s philosophy as an educator is one that was coined by Dr. Howard Hendricks which says, “If you stop learning today, then you should stop teaching tomorrow.” With this philosophy in mind she has worked alongside of other Christian educators to help develop and write curriculums. Alphie is the wife to Dale Douglas of almost nineteen years and together they have two children, Grace and Matt. Alphie enjoys reading, writing, walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends as well as time alone with the Lord. Her favorite food is seafood and she enjoys cooking for family and friends.

3rd Grade: Marsee Vinson
Marsee Vinson was born September 11, 1985 in Norfolk, Virginia. She was raised in the Hampton Roads area in a family of five. Marsee has been a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church for 13 years. Throughout her years at Cornerstone, Marsee participated in the youth Choir and Drama team, taught Vacation Bible School and played as well as coached for the youth volleyball team. Marsee attended Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake and graduated with an honors diploma in 2003. She then moved to Bourbonnais, Illinois to attend Olivet Nazarene University. During her time at Olivet, Marsee was involved in the Proclamation Gospel Choir where she sang for four years, served as Secretary for two consecutive years and Vice-President for one year. Marsee was also involved with M.E.R.C. (Multi-Ethnic Relations Club) for three consecutive years and served as Vice-President one year out of the three. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelors of science in Elementary Education. Following graduation, Marsee taught as a substitute teacher for six months in the Bourbonnais School district and completed a long-term third grade position. In May of 2008, she moved back home to Norfolk and taught in the Chesapeake Public School system as a substitute for one year before accepting a position at Veritas Christian Academy. Over the years her passion for teaching has grown and she knows without a doubt that teaching is her calling from God. This will be her third year at Veritas and she is always looking forward to seeing what God has in store for her and her students.

4th Grade:: Kimberly Powers

5th Grade: Sarah Vogt
Mrs. Vogt is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a BA in English Literature and a minor in secondary education. She feels that God has led her to teach as he has given her an appreciation for learning and love for children. Two years ago she taught grammar, spelling and literature to grades five through eight and last year she taught grammar, spelling, literature and math to grades three through six. Mrs. Vogt was born and raised in Virginia. Her favorite activities include going to the beach, reading, riding her bicycle and spending time with her family. She is a member of First Baptist Church Norfolk where she and her husband serve by teaching first grade Sunday school.

6th Grade: Julie Cooper
Julie Cooper graduated from The College of William and Mary with a BA in English. To continue to grow in her field, Mrs. Cooper has taken graduate coursework in education and participated in teacher training. Having taught grades K-3, in addition to middle school Bible and English, Mrs. Cooper is pleased to join Veritas as the 6th grade teacher. She and her husband Clarke have four children. She is a member of Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Cooper has a passion for teaching and considers it a privilege to partner with parents in the nurturing and academic training of their children.

Elementary Music:: Charlee Eaves
Charlee Eaves narrowed in on becoming a music teacher early on in life, recognizing that it was her calling and her passion. She studied music education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA for two years, then transferred to Old Dominion University where she finished her degree in Music Education with an emphasis on instrumental ensembles. Her main instrument of study is the saxophone, having been trained both classically and in jazz for over twelve years. She also has training in piano and harp. Charlee has performed as a soloist with ODU’s ensembles on several occaisions, and is a member of the Virginia Wind Symphony under the direction of Dennis Zeisler. Charlee spent the last year as a part-time faculty member with Salem High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy, serving as a rehearsal accompanist and coach for their musicals, an assistant director to the hand bell choir, and a woodwinds coach. Besides teaching in schools and privately, she enjoys singing and playing saxophone in a neighborhood band with her father, frequently performing in retirement homes.

Dialectic and Rhetoric

Dialectic School Science & Math (Math 8/7 and Pre-Algebra): Susan Hudson

Rhetoric School Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus): Debbie Zollos
Deborah Zollos is a graduate of Kent State University with Bachelor of Science Degrees in both Chemistry and Applied Mathematics. Upon graduation, Deborah accepted a position with a leading software development organization attaining to a position as a Senior Systems Analyst. Deborah and her husband Steve relocated to Virginia Beach as part of a church planting team in 1987. At that time she took a programming position with now Regent University. Deborah homeschooled her children throughout their elementary and middle school years. When her youngest was in fourth grade and her oldest was in the 11th grade, her children began attending Veritas Christian Academy. Her two oldest sons, Stepheno and Phillip now attend Old Dominion University. Stepheno will be starting Medical School in 2011 and Phillip is considering a career in Sports Medicine. Mrs. Zollos thoroughly enjoys teaching math at Veritas Christian Academy and desires to see each of her students excel to their full potential.

Omnibus 7th, 8th, 9th, 12th: Marti Dart
Mrs. Dart teaches the Omnibus classes that cover ancient times up until the 16th century. Her M.A. is in New Testament/Early Christianity, which she earned while living in Israel, and her B.A. is in European Cultural Studies from Old Dominion University. Mrs. Dart used the classical education method while educating her two sons (now grown) through high school graduation; this will be her fourth year at Veritas. She is a 20-year military veteran and a fourth-generation teacher. In her spare time, Mrs. Dart enjoys reading, photography, traveling, cooking, gardening, listening to all kinds of music, and spending time with her friends and family. She lives with her husband in Chesapeake.

Omnibus 10th, 11th : Delbra Moore
Mrs. Delbra Moore earned a Bachelor of Science from Bob Jones University and Master of Science from The Ohio State University. Mrs. Moore taught a variety of subjects in public schools and private Christian schools in Ohio, Florida and South Carolina before leaving the classroom to educate her three daughters at home: two from elementary school through high school graduation, who have completed undergraduate degrees and gone on to graduate school, and one who is still at home. While educating her own children, Mrs. Moore has provided a variety of group classes for home-educated students, organized and run a variety of cooperative programs, provided consultation services for parents, and taught adult education in the Washington DC area. History, the human heart on parade, and literature, the human heart on paper are her passions. For 30 years, she and her high school sweetheart, whom she met in history class, have collected, read and cheerfully argued the merits of books. The Moores live in Chesapeake, surrounded by 300 feet of overstuffed bookshelves.

Rhetoric School Science (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics): Sean Elgut
Sean Elgut serves as the Headmaster of Veritas. Mr. Elgut, along with his wife, Maria, founded Veritas Christian Academy as a Classical school with a vision to graduate young men and women leaders, who think clearly and listen carefully with discernment and understanding; who reason persuasively and articulate precisely; who are capable of evaluating their entire range of experience in the light of the Scriptures; and who do so with eagerness in joyful submission to God. Mr. Elgut holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The State University of New York at Stony Brook, as well as a Master in Education degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach. He has been teaching, facilitating, and administering within the realm of Christian education since 1994. When not at Veritas, Mr. Elgut spends most of his time with his wife, Maria, and 5 children, Caleb, Anna, David, Abigail and Rebekah, all of which have attended, or continue to attend Veritas. His oldest child, Caleb, a 2010 Veritas graduate, is currently enrolled in the pre-med program at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Latin I-IV: Melinda Allen
Mrs. Melinda Allen graduated from Covenant College in 1990 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration and no intention to become an educator. As her children entered school, however, her lack of intention turned into an intense investigation of the classical approach to education and an inevitable decision to home school her three children classically. Several years later, Melinda and her husband discovered Veritas Christian Academy (VCA) and immediately enrolled their three children. Since that time, Melinda has capitalized on her children's school attendance to pursue her classical interest more rigorously. She has studied Wheelock's Latin, Cambridge Latin and attended Veritas Press's Latin seminar. Currently she manages multi year Latin curriculum and teaches all Dialectic and Rhetoric Latin classes at VCA.

Dialectic and Rhetoric School Art: Carolyn Venable
My name is Carolyn Venable. I've had the privilege of teaching art at Veritas for about seven years. Art has been a passion of mine since I was a small child. I have three talented children that are very creative ( some recessive gene somewhere I guess :) ). My oldest is Ashley who is eighteen. She has an excellent eye for design and is a gifted artist. Her creativeness is often expressed in photography. Next in line is Joseph, sixteen and who is also very gifted. He is an avid drawer. At age five he drew better than most adults. My youngest is Alyssa who just turned eleven. She will be in Mrs. Cagle's class this year. She also loves to draw and is very talented. I graduated from TCC with a commercial art degree and spent three years at Norfolk State pursuing additional art related classes. I love children and I love art so teaching is a nice blend. I look forward to another year teaching art at Veritas.

Dialectic and Rhetoric School Music History/Appreciation: Charlee Eaves
Charlee Eaves narrowed in on becoming a music teacher early on in life, recognizing that it was her calling and her passion. She studied music education at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA for two years, then transferred to Old Dominion University where she finished her degree in Music Education with an emphasis on instrumental ensembles. Her main instrument of study is the saxophone, having been trained both classically and in jazz for over twelve years. She also has training in piano and harp. Charlee has performed as a soloist with ODU’s ensembles on several occaisions, and is a member of the Virginia Wind Symphony under the direction of Dennis Zeisler. Charlee spent the last year as a part-time faculty member with Salem High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Academy, serving as a rehearsal accompanist and coach for their musicals, an assistant director to the hand bell choir, and a woodwinds coach. Besides teaching in schools and privately, she enjoys singing and playing saxophone in a neighborhood band with her father, frequently performing in retirement homes.

Chinese: Allison Layman
Allison is a graduate from Fu-Jen University in Taiwan with a BA in Library Science. Allison taught for 2 years in a public elementary school in Taiwan, and 2 years of Mandarin Chinese at Norfolk Christian High School, and KEYS. She had served with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) over 10 years as a part of church planting team in Taiwan. She moved to the United States in 1997. She and her husband have a son, 20 years old and daughter-17 years old.

Dance: Andrei & Natallia Yemelianova

Apologetics/Thesis: Mark Keating
Upon graduating from The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1980, Mark Keating went to a Bible school in Oklahoma (1981-83) and two years later began to follow the call to Christian education. He has been in Christian education since 1983. In his first year was principal of a small K-12 Christian school in Arizona. After five successful years with the school, he left to pursue his Master’s Degree at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Upon receiving his degree, he was employed by a school in Chesapeake, VA, in which he became the founding principal of the high school. As principal of this new high school, he laid the foundation for the vision of the school, created and developed the many programs of the school. He taught from full-time to part-time, built the infrastructure of the school with the many of the departments: admissions, guidance, athletic, student government, student affairs and traditions, alumni, etc. In his 19 years with the Christian school in Chesapeake, Mark was able to see the student body of 11 students grow to over 140 students, representing the Tidewater area, six different nations, and an alumni base of 350, many of them going to the finest colleges in the country. Mark has held as his passion to raise up Daniels and Esthers, young men and women that would be a distinctive voice to their generation of sound Biblical-principled thinking and, “serve the purposes of God fully in their generation.” (Acts 13:36). One other tool that Mark has felt available to him in developing the character of Daniels & Esthers outside the classroom is through the sports of swimming and tennis. His background inc ludes coaching and teaching for the past 30 plus years. He has coached numerous athletes from beginner level to national caliber athletes. The thing Mark cherishes the most is ministering side-by-side with his wife in Christian education and being the father of two wonderful daughters, Lauren & Bronwyn.

Western Intellectual Tradition: Willis Dowling
Dr. Willis Dowling, teacher of “Western Intellectual Tradition”, (part-time); also interim pastor of Cypress Chapel Christian Church, Suffolk, VA; married to Heather 29 years; 3 children: Ben (married to Marcie); Bethany (married to Dan Geffken, & their daughter Grace); and Anna, age 10 in 5th Grade at Veritas. Born in Brazil on the mission field; then parents’ pastorates in MD, VA, NC. Colleges: Montreat College (A.A.); Gordon College (B.A. Bible & Theology); European Seminar; Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, M.Div.; Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, D.Min.; pastorates in this area since 1983 including church planting and Christian school teaching at StoneBridge School for 5 years (Bible, Latin, Apologetics). Hobbies: Listening to Rachmaninoff!, guitar, learning piano, scanning old photos, writing discipleship curriculum; walking, working on the house, collecting lots of books and maybe someday even reading them.

Extra Curricular

Drama: Rich Dalmas
Mr. Dalmas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Teacher Certification in Secondary English from Kean College of New Jersey. In 1990, he completed his Master of Arts in Dramatic Communication at Regent University. Mr. Dalmas has been working with and directing young people for over 30 years. Much of his desire to teach was birthed from eight summers of working at a Christian summer camp as a counselor, supervisor and program director. While in graduate school, he was a host on “America’s Shopping Channel,” was a residential counselor at the Barry Robinson Center, and carried the lead roles for several award-winning student films. He has taught acting at the Ingleside Enrichment Program, for a local casting agency’s “Kids On Camera” program, and directed at Norfolk Christian Academy. He has also written, directed and performed in many original church dramas and musicals for over 18 years. Behind the scenes, he was Assistant Propsmaster for “The Big Brother Jake Show,” has worked for the CBN Scenic Department and written several commercials for radio and television. At Veritas, he directed successful runs of Annie Jr. and Music Man Jr. Mr. Dalmas is also a published songwriter of worship music and is a member of the BMI professional songwriter’s union. He has been a VCA board member for four years and has twice been presented an Upper School Teacher of the Year Award. Mr. Dalmas and his wife Shirley have four children who all attend Veritas Christian Academy.

Swim/Tennis Coach: Mark Keating
Upon graduating from The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 1980, Mark Keating went to a Bible school in Oklahoma (1981-83) and two years later began to follow the call to Christian education. He has been in Christian education since 1983. In his first year was principal of a small K-12 Christian school in Arizona. After five successful years with the school, he left to pursue his Master’s Degree at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Upon receiving his degree, he was employed by a school in Chesapeake, VA, in which he became the founding principal of the high school. As principal of this new high school, he laid the foundation for the vision of the school, created and developed the many programs of the school. He taught from full-time to part-time, built the infrastructure of the school with the many of the departments: admissions, guidance, athletic, student government, student affairs and traditions, alumni, etc. In his 19 years with the Christian school in Chesapeake, Mark was able to see the student body of 11 students grow to over 140 students, representing the Tidewater area, six different nations, and an alumni base of 350, many of them going to the finest colleges in the country. Mark has held as his passion to raise up Daniels and Esthers, young men and women that would be a distinctive voice to their generation of sound Biblical-principled thinking and, “serve the purposes of God fully in their generation.” (Acts 13:36). One other tool that Mark has felt available to him in developing the character of Daniels & Esthers outside the classroom is through the sports of swimming and tennis. His background inc ludes coaching and teaching for the past 30 plus years. He has coached numerous athletes from beginner level to national caliber athletes. The thing Mark cherishes the most is ministering side-by-side with his wife in Christian education and being the father of two wonderful daughters, Lauren & Bronwyn.

Golf Coach: Lance Waite
Lance Waite is currently a Guidance Counselor at Princess Anne High School where he has worked for the past 19 years. He also has worked as a Crisis Counselor at Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center for almost 20 years. Lance and his wife Christel have lived in Virginia Beach since 1989. They have four children ages 12-18. Lance earned a B.A. in Psychology from Oral Roberts University and a M.A. in Counseling from Regent University. He attended the University of Hawaii on a golf scholarship and competing in several NCAA Division 1 tournaments. Lance has competed in many junior golf tournaments at the local and national level in high school. In 1982, he finished tied for 15th in San Diego Jr. World which is recognized as the U.S. Open for Junior Golf. Lance has coached a number of different sports for boys and girls over the past 25 years. He coached Beach basketball for 1 season and girls softball for Hampton Roads Home School Sports for 6 years. He served as the Coordinator for the Junior Athletic Basketball Program at Sovereign Grace Church for boys and girls ages 8-11 for 4 seasons. Lance has taught the game of golf to many adults and children since high school. In 1991, he started the golf program at Atlantic Shores and coached for 7 years. In 2007, he began the golf program at Veritas Christian Academy where the Spartans have competed at the varsity level for the past 3 years. This year, Lance is also looking forward to coaching Varsity Golf, Girls Varsity Basketball as well as beginning a middle school girls team at VCA.

Basketball (Varsity) (Boys): Mike Hernandez

Basketball (Varsity) (Girls): Lance Waite
Lance Waite is currently a Guidance Counselor at Princess Anne High School where he has worked for the past 19 years. He also has worked as a Crisis Counselor at Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center for almost 20 years. Lance and his wife Christel have lived in Virginia Beach since 1989. They have four children ages 12-18. Lance earned a B.A. in Psychology from Oral Roberts University and a M.A. in Counseling from Regent University. He attended the University of Hawaii on a golf scholarship and competing in several NCAA Division 1 tournaments. Lance has competed in many junior golf tournaments at the local and national level in high school. In 1982, he finished tied for 15th in San Diego Jr. World which is recognized as the U.S. Open for Junior Golf. Lance has coached a number of different sports for boys and girls over the past 25 years. He coached Beach basketball for 1 season and girls softball for Hampton Roads Home School Sports for 6 years. He served as the Coordinator for the Junior Athletic Basketball Program at Sovereign Grace Church for boys and girls ages 8-11 for 4 seasons. Lance has taught the game of golf to many adults and children since high school. In 1991, he started the golf program at Atlantic Shores and coached for 7 years. In 2007, he began the golf program at Veritas Christian Academy where the Spartans have competed at the varsity level for the past 3 years. This year, Lance is also looking forward to coaching Varsity Golf, Girls Varsity Basketball as well as beginning a middle school girls team at VCA.

Office

Office Secretary: Melissa Thompson

Lunch Coordinator: Jill Warnecke