About Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy
Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy exists to partner with parents in developing Christ-like servant leaders by providing excellent spiritual and academic training in a safe, loving, and stimulating environment. FBTA is a vital ministry of Fairfax Baptist Temple.
FBTA was founded in 1976. Our purpose is to help young people in pre-school (K3) through the 12th grade meet their fullest potential, both academically and spiritually, instilling in each a philosophy of life that is centered firmly on the Lord Jesus Christ. Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy utilizes all areas of education: spiritual instruction, academics, athletics, and fine arts to accomplish this important mission. We are dedicated to building tomorrow's leaders today.
Fairfax Baptist Temple Academy is a private, college preparatory institution with an enrollment of over 360 students in K3-12th grade. Please see our school profile for more detailed information.
Faculty and Staff
Jay Bradford
School Administrator, Minister of Education
Jay Bradford is our Minister of Education and School Administrator, coordinating operations between the academy and the church. Mr. Bradford earned a bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Bob Jones University and a master’s degree in Education from Indiana University. He joined the FBTA staff in 2014 after serving as a school administrator for 6 years and a secondary teacher and coach for 18 years.
David Armstrong
Secondary Supervisor, Sr High History
David Armstrong teaches senior high and AP history classes at FBTA. He graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor's degree in History, received his master's degree in History from George Mason University, and is currently studying there for his PhD. Outside of FBTA, he performs research for the Center for Mason Legacies at George Mason University, which has resulted in a digital project about the Mason family. Before coming to FBTA, he spent over ten years with the Department of Defense as an instructional system designer. He began working for the academy in the fall of 2018.
Malia Bullock
2nd Grade Teacher
Malia Bullock teaches 2nd grade at the academy. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Cross Cultural Studies, from Maranatha Baptist University, Watertown, WI. She student taught 2nd grade at a public school in Wisconsin, and worked several summers as a counselor at different camps around the country and in Africa as well. She began teaching at FBTA in the fall of 2023.
Heather Bowers
4th Grade Teacher
Heather Bowers is teaching 4th grade at the academy. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in History, from Pensacola Christian College in FL. She has over 16 years experience in elementary education and has judged several speech and fine arts competitions before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2017.
Corynne Damm
3rd Grade Teacher
Corynne Damm will be teaching 3rd grade this year. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College in FL, and a master's degree in Christian Education from Veritas Baptist College. She did her student teaching at Pensacola Christian Academy and has worked with several children's ministries, including VBS, Sunday school, and junior church. She began teaching at the academy in the fall of 2018.
Anita Darby
Project Manager/ Jr High Speech/Art
Anita Darby teaches 7th-8th grade speech, senior high art classes, and is the academy’s Project Manager, handling fundraisers, special events, and the Bible, Academic & Fine Arts competitions. Before coming to FBTA, she spent 20 years in the USAF, retiring from the Pentagon where she oversaw human resource programs for 86 USAF bases. She attended the University of Maryland and has been employed by FBTA since 1996.
Pam Davis
1st Grade Teacher's Aide
Pam Davis is our teacher’s aide for 1st grade at the academy, and has many years of experience with special needs children. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock State College, PA. She taught at FBTA from 1985 to 1988, and then returned and taught kindergarten from 1996 to 2015.
Deanna Dyck
Journalism/Yearbook/Resource Center Library
Deanna Dyck is our graphic designer, teaching high school journalism and photography, and overseeing the production of our yearbook and school newspaper. She also maintains the Resource Center computers and books, and coordinates elementary library classes. Prior to her years at FBT, she worked as the lead graphic designer for a public relations firm in Washington, D.C. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art from Pensacola Christian College, FL, and has been working at FBT since 2006.
Dae Hee Hwang
Kindergarten Teacher
Dae Hee Hwang teaches K5 in our Academy. She graduated from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, earning a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She is also a gifted artist and teaches art classes to the K5 through 5th grade students. Dae Hee began working at FBTA as a preschool aide in 2017 and taught K4 from 2019 to 2022.
Amy Lampert
6th grade - Reading/Spelling/science
Amy Lampert teaches 6th grade Reading, Spelling, and Science, and 7th grade keyboarding. Amy graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, with a degree in Business Management. Amy worked for a non-profit agency in Brussels, Belgium, helping take kidney care to third world countries, prior to joining us in the fall of 2021. Amy is also a graduate of FBTA.
Rebekah Lashley
Jr High English
Rebekah Lashley teaches 6th through 8th grade English. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in music from Crown College of the Bible in Powell, TN. While completing her undergraduate degree, she also became certified to teach reading to those who have reading difficulties. She completed her master’s degree in May of 2022. Rebekah began working for FBTA in the fall of 2019.
Bethany Lawlor
5th Grade Teacher
Bethany Lawlor is our 5th grade teacher. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and an Associates in Christian Ministry from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC. She worked as a camp counselor for over six years while preparing for and attending college. She began working for FBTA in the fall of 2019.
Janet Layden
1st Grade Teacher
Janet Layden teaches 1st grade at the academy and has devoted her career to working with children. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN. She taught elementary classes for 5 years before coming to work at FBTA from 1984 to 1990 and then again beginning in 1996 to the present.
Jeanette Majano
Sr High English
Jeanette Majano will be teaching Sr. High and AP English this year. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College, FL, with a master's degree in English Curriculum and Instruction, and a bachelor's degree in History, with a minor in Speech. She joined FBTA in the fall of 2020.
Chris Martin
Choir/Band Director
Chris Martin oversees the music department at the academy, teaching junior and senior high choir and band. Chris graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Since 2003, he has served in church and school ministry as a music teacher, music minister, and school administrator. He began working for FBTA in the summer of 2023.
Joy Martin
Academy Receptionist/Social Media Coordinator
Joy Martin works as the academy receptionist and keeps students and parents informed about the latest events. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College, with a bachelor's and master’s degree in music performance. For over 20 years she has taught music, as well as served in school administrative assistant positions. A highlight for her was filling in as a 1st grade teacher for a year. She joined FBTA in the fall of 2023.
Jessica McCleese
Academy Administrative Assistant
Jessica McCleese is the Administrative Assistant in the academy office. She graduated from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is working on her master’s in Counseling and Human Development. As a military spouse, Jessica worked as an administrative assistant in various state agencies before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2019.
Hayley Mueller
Spanish, Math/Algebra
Hayley Mueller teaches elementary and high school Spanish, Algebra 2, and 7th grade math at the academy. She graduated from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Education with a minor in mathematics. She worked as a teacher’s aide at BJU Academy Elementary School for two years. She began teaching at FBTA in the fall of 2017.
Jenelle Niggl
Accounts Payable
Jenelle Niggl is the Accounts Payable Secretary and handles paying the bills and ordering. She has previously worked as the Administrative Assistant in our Academy also handling student records and transcripts. She graduated with an associate's degree in Business, with a proficiency in Accounting, from Pensacola Christian College, FL. She taught and worked for 13 years as a Financial Secretary before coming to FBTA in the summer of 2008.
Mark Niggl
Jr/Sr High Science
Mark Niggl teaches our junior and senior high science classes and science labs. He attended Pensacola Christian College for 4 years and then graduated from The University of West Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science. He taught for 6 years, then served as a Christian school principal and athletic director for another 15 years before coming to FBTA in 2008.
Cherie Page
Sr High Math, Physics
Cherie Page teaches upper-level math classes at the academy. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. She homeschooled for seven years, and taught various classes in their homeschool cooperative. She gained experience teaching physics classes before she began working full-time at FBTA in 2010.
Sarah Pigott
Elementary Supervisor,
Sr High French/Jr High Latin
Sarah Pigott serves as our Elementary Supervisor, helping to coordinate schedules to keep our elementary classes running smoothly. She also teaches junior and senior high Latin and French. She taught for 15 years before coming to FBTA in 1993. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC.
Amanda Probus
Elementary Music
Amanda Probus leads our elementary music program, including choirs and music classes. She graduated from Maranatha Baptist University with a bachelor's in Elementary Education, with a Music Minor in voice proficiency. She led youth choirs for several years before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2016.
Daniel Probus
Jr/Sr High Handbells
Daniel Probus serves as the Facilities Manager for FBT and FBTA, and teaches our jr/sr high handbell choirs and ensembles, with our academy groups placing in the top 3 at the national level each year we have participated. He attended Bob Jones University and Maranatha Baptist University and is one of our own graduates from FBTA. He worked in the food service industry for nearly 24 years as a district or facilities manager before joining our staff in 2023.
Anna Recinos
K3 Preschool Teacher
Anna Recinos will be teaching in our preschool this year. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She taught at another Christian school for several years as an assistant/substitute teacher as well as working two summers at a private day care before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2020.
Becky Skutt
K4 Teacher
Becky Skutt is one of our K4 teachers at the academy. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College in FL, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a master's degree in Education Administration. She plays the piano and accordion, and especially loves teaching students to read. She taught lower elementary classes for ten years before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2022.
Jeff Skutt
Bible/Music/Percussion
Jeff Skutt teaches percussion, assists with chapel music, and team teaches Bible to junior high boys. He helps with our buses, drives for field trips and sporting events, and is willing to help wherever needed. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College in FL, with a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministries, and a master's degree in Church Music and Choral Conducting. He worked as a youth pastor and music pastor for several years, as well as taught Sunday school for many years. He joined our staff in the fall of 2022.
Sarah Skutt
Sixth Grade/Jr High History/Volleyball Coach
Sarah Skutt teaches 6th grade and Jr High History classes. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College in FL, with a bachelor's degree in History, and a master's degree in History Education. She also works in our athletic department as an Assistant Volleyball Coach. She taught for seven years before coming to FBTA in the fall of 2022.
Anna Smith
Academy Nurse, Bible, Piano
Anna Smith is our academy nurse, teaches two Bible classes, and accompanies the academy choirs. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Nursing from Pensacola Christian College, FL, and worked as a nurse for three years at her hometown hospital and at the Wilds. She also teaches private piano lessons at the school. She began working for FBTA in the fall of 2021.
Doug Smith
Athletics, P.E., Volleyball/Basketball Coach
Doug Smith is our Athletic Director and P.E. teacher. He also coaches varsity girls volleyball, and assists with girls' and boys' basketball. Doug graduated from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, with a degree in Christian Ministries, and is currently working on a degree in history from Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to coming to FBTA, Doug worked as a camp counselor at the Wilds for eight summers and was on staff for two years. He began working for FBTA in the summer of 2019.
Cassie Tripp
Jr High English/Health, ODACS Coordinator
Cassie Tripp teaches junior high English and Health, as well as coordinating our ODACS Fine Arts Competition. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC. She taught our kindergarten for five years and has taught or coached senior high speech for several years. She has coached varsity volleyball, and is currently coaching varsity girls basketball. She has worked at FBTA since the fall of 2013.
Lucy Tucker
K5 Teacher's Aide
Lucy Tucker works part-time as the Kindergarten teacher's aide. She graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in elementary education. Lucy taught 7th grade for two years and homeschooled her five children for seven years until she started working for FBTA in 2016.
Lediane Vasquez
K4 Teacher/Preschool Supervisor
Lediane Vasquez is our Preschool Supervisor and teaches K4 at the academy. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and has four years of kindergarten teaching experience and two years working as a preschool director. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology with an emphasis in early childhood education from Marymount University, Arlington, VA. She worked at FBTA from 2013 to 2019 and rejoined our staff in the fall of 2021.
Sarah Young
3rd Grade Teacher
Sarah Young is teaching one of our 3rd grade classes this year. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College, FL, and she has taught 4th grade for three years prior to coming to FBTA in the fall of 2022.
Helen Zakaria
Financial Administrator / Enrollment Specialist, PDSO
Helen Zakaria works in our Finance Office and is one of the main point of contacts for enrollment at FBTA. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in International Studies from Towson State University in MD and has strong experience in both international and national sales and marketing. She organized ladies' soul-winning and Sunday school activities and assists with FBTA orientations, Academy Open House, and special tours. She began working for FBTA in 2011.