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 and received his master's degree in History from George Mason University. 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.
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 Masters 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 and teaches high school Journalism, overseeing the production of our academy yearbook and school newspaper. She also maintains the Resource Center computers and books, as well as coordinates the elementary library class time. 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’s degree in Commercial Art from Pensacola Christian College, FL, and has been working at FBT since 2006.
Abdiel Hernández
Sr High Spiritual Leadership Class, P.E.
Abdiel Hernández teaches our senior high Bible Doctrines class and some P.E. classes. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Bible with a Youth Ministries Concentration and Physical Education Emphasis. He has worked at FBT as a summer intern and is now on staff as our Spanish Youth Pastor/Assistant Pastor. He began teaching here in the fall of 2017.
Dae Hee Hwang
Kindergarten Teacher
Dae Hee Hwang teaches K5 in our Academy. She graduated from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, earning a bachelors 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
Reading/Spelling/Health
Amy Lampert teaches 6th grade Reading and Spelling as well as being our High School Health teacher. 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 and Sr High English
Rebekah Lashley teaches 7th through 9th grade English as well as junior high girls Bible. 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, and is currently working on her master’s degree in Secondary Education. She also received certification for teaching reading to those who have dyslexia and reading difficulties. 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 masters 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.
Jessica McCleese
Academy Receptionist
Jessica McCleese is the Receptionist 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
Records Manager
Jenelle Niggl is the academy Records Manager, handling student records, transcripts, and other office administrative work. She graduated with an associates 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
Preschool/Elementary Supervisor,
Sr High French/Jr High Latin
Sarah Pigott serves as our Preschool/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.
Anna Racinos
K3 Preschool Teacher
Anna Racinos will be teaching in our preschool this year. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College with a bachelor’s degree 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.
Katie Ragsdale
Science & Math
Katie Ragsdale is a middle and high school science and math teacher at the academy. She graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with bachelors degrees in Biology and Anthropology, as well as her master's degree in human biology. She also earned a master’s degree in middle school education from Liberty University. Before coming to FBTA, she spent 10 years homeschooling and teaching internationally. She began working at FBTA in the fall of 2021.
Becky Skutt
2nd Grade Teacher
Becky Skutt is the 2nd grade teacher at the academy. She graduated from Pensacola Christian College in FL, with a bachelors in Elementary Education, and a masters 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
Typing/Computer Classes/Choral Groups
Jeff Skutt is the computer teacher at the academy, teaching typing, computer classes, and some choral groups. He graduated from Pensacola Christian College in FL, with a bachelors in Youth Ministries, and a masters 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 Penscacola Christian College in FL, with a bachelors degree in History, and a masters 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.
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.
Kyle Spatz
Youth Pastor, sr high Bible
Kyle Spatz is the Youth Pastor at FBT, leads chapel in the academy, and also currently teaches Bible and several P.E. classes. He graduated from Crown College in Powell, TN, with a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry. Kyle previously served as an assistant pastor in Lafayette, GA, for eight years before moving to the Fairfax area. He began working for FBT in the summer of 2018.
Marlie Spatz
Administrative Assistant
Marlie Spatz is the Administrative Assistant in the academy office. She graduated from Crown College in Powell, TN, with a degree in Office Administration. Prior to coming to FBT, she worked as a personal assistant in the fashion industry. She uses her creativity with her business designing custom personalized items. Marlie worked in our IT department for a year before starting in the academy office in the fall of 2020.
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.
Krista Vasquez
K3 Teacher's Aide
Krista Vasquez is helping with our K3 this year. She attended El Paso Community College in TX, and has been teaching junior church classes for K-1st grade children since 2008. She also works as our Spanish church nursery director, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She worked at FBTA for a year, and then came back full time in the fall of 2013.
Lediane Vasquez
K4 Preschool Teacher
Lediane Vasquez is teaching our K4 class 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 bachelors 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
Accounts Receivable
Helen Zakaria works with Accounts Receivable in our Finance Office. 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.