BEREAN
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Uniquely Classical. Authentically Christian.
“Now the Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” ACTS 17:11
MEET OUR TEAM
Bethany Elston
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Bethany Elston graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas A&M in 2006. She earned her Masters in Academic Administration in 2011 and has been involved in education since 2002. She was employed by Belton ISD and Katy ISD before becoming a homeschool mom. Mrs. Elston joined BCA in 2019 when her children were all old enough to enter school.
After teaching in a conventional school for several years, Mrs. Elston felt convicted to find an educational method that taught all subjects in an integrated format, would make Jesus the center of all topics, and would restore the love of learning to the students and the teachers. This pursuit led her to discover classical Christian education. Mrs. Elston is passionate about the classical Christian movement and has a desire to make disciples for the name of Jesus.
Mrs. Elston lives in Katy and has been married to her husband, Todd Elston, since 2007. Together they are raising their 3 children. She is interested in swimming, reading, playing in the dirt, or anything that allows her to be in God’s creation. Most of all she is a strong believer in Jesus Christ and simply cannot get enough of His Holy Word. Mrs. Elston is active in her local church and has a passion for spreading the Gospel through missions. BCA is blessed by the experience and passion Bethany brings to our wonderful school!
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Clay Gatlin
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Clay Gatlin brings more than 35 years of leadership experience across ministry, education, and organizational development. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Student Ministry from Colorado Christian University and a Master of Arts in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Over his career, he has served as a lead pastor, executive pastor, nonprofit president, and leadership coach, guiding organizations through capital projects, campus expansions, budget stewardship, and staff development. He is the author of several books along with numerous discipleship and leadership resources.
Mr. Gatlin was drawn to Berean by its leadership, its mission, and its conviction that education is discipleship. He is passionate about building the structures, systems, and teams that allow teachers to flourish and students to be formed in truth, goodness, and beauty.
Mr. Gatlin and his wife, Laura, have been married for over 30 years and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. He enjoys missions, time with family and friends, golf, and travel. His prayer for BCA is Mark 12:30, that students, faculty, and staff alike would love the Lord with their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and that this school would help form all four.
Susanne Horn
DEAN OF LOWER SCHOOL
Susanne Horn graduated from St. Cloud State University with a K-12 Special Education degree with emphasis in Learning Disabilities and Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. She spent 2 years at Grace College of Bible(Grace University) in Omaha, NE. In 2015, she became a Certified Teacher of Teachers with the Orton-Gillingham Reading Program. She has been involved in Education since 1992. She was employed as a teacher by the Guam School System before becoming a homeschool mom. In 2009, she began working in a Classical Christian School as a 5th grade teacher and Grammar School Director.
Mrs. Horn's great love is teaching children and adults about the love that Jesus has for them. She became an advocate of Classical Christian Education as she saw how her children thrived and grew in an atmosphere that encouraged them to become deep thinkers and the ability to use Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric skills in their daily lives.
In 2024, she was called by God to step into the K - 6 Grammar School Dean role at Berean Christian Academy. Her deepest desire is to help the teachers grow in their love of the Lord and in their knowledge of Classical Education and to encourage and support them in their journey.
Mrs.Horn has raised 3 adult children with the help of God. She enjoys reading, writing, swimming and going for walks with friends. Her greatest love is Jesus and He has been her greatest strength. The verse that has sustained her throughout her life is Joshua 1:9. A quote that has carried her through is from the book Streams in the Desert in which God speaks to His child. "Child of my love, lean hard and let me feel the pressure of thy care. Thou lovest me? I knew it. Doubt not then; But loving me, lean hard."
David Culpepper
DEAN OF UPPER SCHOOL
David Culpepper has dedicated his life to investing in others through Kingdom Education since 1984. He has led various Christian schools, helping them grow and overcome financial or enrollment challenges. His efforts have resulted in a 95% or better college acceptance rate for graduates, with students accepted into the Universities or Trade Schools of their choice.
Mr. Culpepper's expertise spans school administration, child and spiritual development, and curriculum instruction. He has served as a National Accreditation Commissioner for Christian Schools International and President of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools. His work includes improving school facilities, balancing budgets, and increasing enrollment through effective communication.
He believes in the importance of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, promoting student growth in truth, beauty, and goodness and providing student service opportunities locally and abroad. Mr. Culpepper supports homeschooling and has established programs to assist homeschooling families. He holds degrees from Texas A&M University and Ouachita Baptist University and is a Van Lunen Fellow.
David and his beautiful wife, Mary Ellen, have been married since 1976 and have three married children and seven grandchildren. Their greatest joy is seeing their children raise their own children to follow Jesus.
Jessica Birkmire
Associate Dean
of Upper School
Rainy Day Worzella
Director of Curriculum
and Instruction
Sarah Head
Director of Operations
Andra Theriot
Communications
and Marketing
Gary Abke
Facilities Director
Jeff Wyers
Dean of Discipleship
and Counseling
Mary Strickland
Director of Student Life
and Support
Amy Stutes
Director of Enrollment​
Ashley Wallace
Events Coordinator
​
Penny Townzen
Human Resources
Kim Derry
Academic Advisor
​
Julie Ambuehl
Executive Assistant
Upper School
Cathy Sturm
Enrollment Coordinator
Kim Lyman
Ministerium
​
Erica Sanders
School Nurse
Christine Henderson
Academic Support Coordinator
Lauren Shutter
Registrar
​
Camille Brown
Campus Coordinator​
Cedric Haberhausen
Technology Coordinator
GARDEN AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Ashlee Beeman
Kindergarten
Melinda Casas
Kindergarten
Samantha Hoffart
Kindergarten
Jessica Weatherford
Kindergarten
Heather Rangel
Aftercare Director
Jill Davies
Aftercare Support
Chanel Wei
Garden School Aide
Sabrina Wu
Garden School Aide
Ashley Dugan
Grammar 1
Ashley Kacher
Grammar 1
Faith Morrison
Grammar 1
Brittany Sciba
Grammar 1
Andrea Bierschwale
Grammar 2
Jessica Broome
Grammar 2
Carrington Cooper
Grammar 2
Amanda Evans
Grammar 2
Savanah Dixon
Grammar 3
Amy Peeples
Grammar 3
Meryl Sevcik
Grammar 3
Alejandra Zometa
Grammar 3
Bianca Ezumah
Grammar 4
JoDee Hale
Grammar 4
Kalyn King
Grammar 4
Christina Saenz
Grammar 4
Nicole Annas
Grammar 5
Christi Elkins
Grammar 5
Cassie Smith
Grammar 5
Rebecca Caffrey
Grammar 6
Chris Naumann
Grammar 6
Abigail Thompson
Grammar 6
LOGIC AND RHETORIC SCHOOL
Jessica Carrico
Upper School Humanities
Amanda de Villiers
Upper School Humanities
Lyndsey Dottavio
Upper School Humanities
Tshepo Rathiaya
Upper School Humanities
Choice Okonrende
Upper School Humanities
Kendra Johnson
English Language Arts
Jacob Figueroa
Upper School Latin
Carmina Avalos
Upper School Spanish
Ryleigh Gilpin
Upper School Math
Danielle Greene
Upper School Math
Shinea King
Upper School Math
Kelley Morse
Upper School Math
Theo Pham
Upper School Math
Madison Ellis
Upper School
Agriculture Science
Cathy Corte
Upper School Science
Jackie Risinger
Upper School Agriculture Science & Lower School Music
Sarah Neuendorff
Upper School Science
& Logic
Tety Roper
Upper School Science
Kim Maxwell
Dean of Fine Arts
Bethany Hassell
Upper School
Choir Director
Tonia Paschall
Upper School Visual Arts
Laura Sullivan
Lower School Visual Arts
Kenneth Sharp
Dean of Athletics
Tori Gayhart
Physical Education
Milton Lewis
Physical Education
Allison Rudd
Ready Body Learning Minds & Physical Education