Meet Our Dedicated Educators

The heart of Hampton Christian Academy is our exceptional faculty—experienced, passionate educators committed to nurturing academic excellence and personal growth in every student.

50+
Expert Faculty
85%
Advanced Degrees
14
Avg. Years Experience
MH
RC
SM
JW
DP
LT
AK
RB
NK

Passionate Educators

Committed to student success across all divisions

What Makes Our Educators Exceptional

Our teachers bring together academic expertise, real-world experience, and a genuine passion for shaping the next generation of leaders.

Advanced Credentials

Over 85% of our faculty hold Master's degrees or Doctorates in their subject areas from leading universities nationwide.

Personalized Mentorship

With a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, our educators know each student individually and tailor instruction to their unique needs.

Deep Experience

Our faculty average 14 years of teaching experience, with many educators having dedicated over a decade to HCA specifically.

Ongoing Development

Continuous professional development through conferences, workshops, and collaborative learning keeps our teaching methods current.

Meet Our Administrative Team

Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in education, guiding HCA's mission of academic excellence.

MH

Dr. Margaret Holloway

Head of School

With over 25 years in education leadership, Dr. Holloway has guided HCA's growth and academic excellence since 2012. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William & Mary.

Ed.D. Educational Leadership 25+ Years Experience
RC

Dr. Robert Chen

Academic Dean

Dr. Chen oversees curriculum development and academic standards across all divisions. His research in cognitive science informs HCA's innovative teaching approaches.

Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction 18 Years at HCA
DP

Diana Patterson

Director of Student Affairs

Ms. Patterson leads student support services, counseling, and character development programs. She is passionate about holistic student wellbeing and college readiness.

M.Ed. School Counseling 15 Years Experience
JW

James Whitfield

Director of Operations

Mr. Whitfield manages campus facilities, business operations, and strategic planning. His leadership ensures HCA provides a safe, modern learning environment.

MBA, Old Dominion University 12 Years at HCA

Our Teaching Faculty

Browse our dedicated teachers by division. Click any profile to learn more about their background and expertise.

Showing 16 of 16 faculty members
SM
Early Learning

Sarah Mitchell

Director of Early Learning

Specializes in early childhood development with a focus on play-based learning and school readiness. Leads our 4K and Kindergarten programs.

M.Ed. Early Childhood Education
16 years teaching experience
Contact
LT
Early Learning

Lisa Thompson

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Creates engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that build foundational literacy and numeracy skills in young learners.

B.A. Elementary Education
12 years teaching experience
Contact
JW
Elementary

Jennifer Walsh

Grade 1 Teacher

Passionate about building strong reading foundations and mathematical thinking. Integrates technology meaningfully into daily instruction.

M.A. Literacy Education
10 years teaching experience
Contact
DP
Elementary

David Park

Grade 3 Teacher

Specializes in hands-on science exploration and problem-based mathematics. Leads the school's STEM enrichment program for elementary students.

M.S. STEM Education
14 years teaching experience
Contact
AK
Elementary

Amanda Kowalski

Grade 5 Teacher

Brings social studies to life through project-based learning and primary source analysis. Prepares students for the transition to middle school.

M.Ed. Curriculum Design
11 years teaching experience
Contact
MR
Middle School

Michael Rivera

Mathematics Department Chair

Leads the mathematics department with expertise in algebra and pre-algebra. Known for making complex concepts accessible and engaging for all learners.

M.S. Mathematics Education
18 years teaching experience
Contact
RB
Middle School

Rachel Bennett

English Language Arts Teacher

Inspires students through literature circles, creative writing workshops, and critical analysis. Advisor to the Middle School Book Club.

M.A. English Literature
13 years teaching experience
Contact
NK
Middle School

Nathan Kim

Science Teacher

Brings science to life through laboratory investigations and field research. Coordinates the annual Science Fair and STEM competition teams.

M.S. Biology, VCU
9 years teaching experience
Contact
PG
Middle School

Patricia Gonzalez

World Languages Teacher

Native Spanish speaker who creates immersive language experiences. Leads cultural exchange programs and the Middle School Spanish Club.

M.A. Spanish Linguistics
15 years teaching experience
Contact
TA
High School

Thomas Anderson

AP Calculus & Physics Teacher

Ph.D. physicist who brings real-world applications to advanced mathematics and physics. Prepares students for AP exams and STEM careers.

Ph.D. Applied Physics
20 years teaching experience
Contact
EH
High School

Elizabeth Harper

AP English Literature Teacher

Published author and literary scholar who guides students through advanced textual analysis. Advisor to the High School Literary Magazine.

M.A. English, UVA
17 years teaching experience
Contact
CL
High School

Christopher Lee

AP U.S. History Teacher

Makes history engaging through debates, primary sources, and simulation exercises. Leads Model United Nations and Debate Team.

M.A. American History
14 years teaching experience
Contact
SO
High School

Sandra Okafor

AP Chemistry Teacher

Former research chemist who brings laboratory expertise to the classroom. Mentors students in science research and competition teams.

Ph.D. Organic Chemistry
11 years teaching experience
Contact
DF
High School

Daniel Foster

College Counselor

Guides students through the college application process with personalized advising. Has placed students at Ivy League and top-tier universities.

M.Ed. College Counseling
16 years experience
Contact
KM
High School

Karen Mitchell

Visual Arts Teacher

Professional artist whose work has been exhibited regionally. Develops students' creative expression through painting, sculpture, and digital media.

M.F.A. Fine Arts
12 years teaching experience
Contact
BS
High School

Brian Stewart

Athletic Director & PE Teacher

Former collegiate athlete who leads HCA's competitive sports programs. Emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship in all activities.

M.S. Sports Administration
19 years experience
Contact

Continuous Learning for Our Educators

We believe that great teachers are lifelong learners. HCA invests heavily in professional development to ensure our faculty remain at the forefront of educational innovation.

  • Weekly Collaborative Planning

    Dedicated time for department teams to share best practices and design curriculum together.

  • Annual Conference Attendance

    Full support for faculty to attend regional and national education conferences.

  • Peer Mentoring Program

    Experienced educators mentor newer faculty, fostering a collaborative culture of growth.

  • Advanced Certification Support

    Tuition assistance for teachers pursuing National Board Certification or advanced degrees.

60+
PD Hours Per Year
12
National Board Certified
95%
Faculty Retention
25+
Conferences Annually

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Faculty

Learn more about our educators, their qualifications, and how they support student success.

Over 85% of HCA faculty hold advanced degrees (Master's or Doctorate) in their subject areas. All teachers are certified educators with extensive classroom experience and ongoing professional development. Many hold National Board Certification and specialized credentials in their fields.
Our faculty members average 14 years of teaching experience, with many educators having served at HCA for over a decade. This stability provides consistency and deep institutional knowledge that directly benefits our students and families.
Parents can contact teachers via their school email addresses listed on faculty profiles, through the parent portal, or by scheduling conferences through the division office. Teachers hold regular office hours and respond to communications within 24 hours on school days.
Yes, HCA invests significantly in faculty development through weekly collaborative planning sessions, annual conference attendance, summer institutes, peer mentoring programs, and advanced certification support. Each teacher completes a minimum of 60 hours of professional development annually.
Our rigorous hiring process includes multiple interviews, teaching demonstrations, reference checks, and alignment with HCA's mission and values. We seek educators who combine subject matter expertise with a genuine passion for working with young people and commitment to academic excellence.
HCA maintains a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio across all divisions. This allows for personalized attention, meaningful relationships between teachers and students, and the ability to differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

Interested in Joining Our Faculty?

HCA is always looking for passionate, qualified educators to join our community. Explore current openings and discover why teachers choose to build their careers at Hampton Christian Academy.