MEET THE STAFF

With two decades of classroom experience and a specialized background in diverse learning needs, Aimee Payne is a dedicated educator on a mission to provide families with a Christ-centered education option in Upshur County. Aimee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a certification in Multi-Categorical Special Education from Alderson-Broaddus University. She furthered her expertise at West Virginia Wesleyan College, earning a Master’s Degree in Reading Education, and holds professional certificates in both Autism and Administrative Leadership.

For 20 years, Aimee has served the students of Upshur County with excellence and empathy. For the past twelve years, she has prayerfully pursued a vision to establish a Christian school that offers a high-quality, faith-based environment for all children.

Supported by her husband of 15 years and inspired by their energetic son, Aimee is now bringing that dream to life—combining her deep clinical knowledge of education with her passion for serving her community.

Edwina Howard-Jack, Language Arts Teacher

Stephen Boone, Teacher (Social Studies & Bible)

Stephen has dedicated the majority of his professional career to serving in Christian education, blending teaching roles with administrative responsibilities. He holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and an M.Div. in Christian Leadership and Church Ministry from Liberty University. Throughout his journey, Stephen has been privileged to contribute in various capacities, including crisis management, curriculum development, spiritual formation, and athletics.

Stephen has been married to his wonderful wife for nearly ten years and they have two daughters. The entire family considers themselves truly blessed to be a part of the Buckhannon Christian Academy family.

Elizabeth Anderson, Teacher

Elizabeth Anderson graduated from Glenville State College in 2016.. She and her husband have been happily married for six years. She has two beautiful children. She loves to go for adventures outdoors with her family, garden, and study the Bible. She taught third and fourth grade in Lewis County, then fourth grade in Upshur County. She has taken a couple years off from teaching to stay home with her children, but is blessed to have this opportunity to teach again!

Allison Skinner, Office Manager

Allison Skinner has been involved in various roles with children and office settings for over 13 years. She has always felt a calling to work with children and feels blessed to be a part of Buckhannon Christian Academy.

Married for ten years, Allison and her husband are raising their two young children.

Ronna Smallridge, Teacher (K4)

Ronna Smallridge is excited to teach Pre-K at Buckhannon Christian Academy this year. With 39+ years of teaching experience across various settings, from private preschool to public Kindergarten, she is eager to continue her career at BCA and serve the Lord. Ronna and her husband have three grown children, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild all of whom live nearby, allowing them to enjoy their favorite country activities together regularly."

Johnna Dunham, Teacher (Kindergarten)

Born and raised in the charming town of Buckhannon, WV, Johnna Dunham is a proud 2017 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

For eight wonderful years, Johnna taught first grade in Upshur County Schools. She is thrilled to begin a new adventure in kindergarten at BCA in Fall 2025.

She and her husband have been happily married for six years and are the proud parents of three beautiful children.

In her spare time, Johnna loves diving into her Bible, whipping up new recipes in the kitchen, and soaking up precious time with her little ones.

Michelle Linger, Teacher (1st Grade)

Michelle Linger was born and raised in Buckhannon, WV, and is proud to call it home. Married for 38 years, she is the proud mother of two, Nathaniel and Kayla, and grandmother to Evie.

Michelle graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and later received her Master’s degree from West Virginia University. After retiring from public school education with 34 years of experience, Michelle became the first official teacher at Buckhannon Christian Academy.

Michelle accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and is passionate about sharing God’s love and the joy of learning with her students.

Jeanie Allen, Teacher (2nd - 3rd Grade)

Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Jeanie Allen graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and earned her Master’s degree from West Virginia University. She has 40 years of experience in the primary classroom.

Jeanie views the classroom as her mission field and is honored to continue fulfilling God’s calling. She has been truly blessed being married to John for 36 years, being the mother of Chip and Johnna, and the grandmother of Charley, Miracle, and Theo.

Florence Tenney, Teacher (4th Grade)

Florence Tenney (Flo) joined BCA 3 years ago after having taught 39 years in Upshur County. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Glenville State and a Master’s degree from WVWC in Elementary Education.

Florence has been married 31 years and she and her husband John have one daughter, Amanda. She enjoys photography and loves animals. She has enjoyed BCA the last 3 years, feels blessed to be a part of it and looks forward to a 4th year at BCA.

Courtney Frame, Teacher (Science and Math)

Courtney Frame, originally from Morgantown, WV, moved to Buckhannon in 2014 after marrying. She and her husband have two daughters. Courtney graduated from West Virginia University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and previously taught in Upshur County Schools for eight years. Her strong faith and passion for education align perfectly with Buckhannon Christian Academy’s Christ-centered programs.

Lisa James, Teacher (Language Arts, Science and Electives)

Lisa James, a graduate of Marshall University, has taught English and Science classes in Christian schools for eight years. With ten years of experience in marketing for an educational test prep course, she has spent the last seven years teaching English as a second language and mentoring international students applying to Ph.D. programs.

Married for 30 years, Lisa and her husband have two sons and a daughter. She believes that all children are blessings from God to be nurtured and guided to follow Christ’s plan for their lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and feels blessed to be part of her students’ lives at Buckhannon Christian Academy.

Clayton Tenney, Teacher (Math)

Clayton Tenney received a Bachelor's and a Master's degree from WVWC. He taught several years in public education prior to joining Buckhannon Christian Academy. He feels blessed to be a part of Buckhannon Christian Academy.

Sue Spotloe, Aid (Pre-K)

Sue graduated from Buckhannon Upshur High School and was married to her husband Ken for 47 years. She has two grown children, Scott and Virginia, 6 grandkids, and 7 great-grandkids. She was a stay at home mom until her daughter went to college. After working a variety of jobs in healthcare from a Nursing Aide at Holbrooks to Behavioral Health at St. Joseph's, Sue later worked for the Upshur School Board for 12 years with Special Education and Kindergarten. After retiring for 5 years, she is back in the classroom as the Pre-K aide for Buckhannon Christian Academy. She enjoys church, her family, sewing and crafts.

Melody Powers, Aide (Kindergarten - 1st Grade)

Melody is a native West Virginian and has lived and worked in Upshur County only. She joined the BCA family in 2024, working in the Kindergarten-1st grade classroom as an aide. She enjoys the outdoors, children, and animals.

Grace Bowers, Clubs & Bible

Grace graduated in 2024 from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Having the opportunity to serve here at BCA is a welcomed blessing that was orchestrated by the Lord! Grace has a big heart for the younger generation as they are the ones who will be leading us one day and she prays every day that she can be used to further His kingdom! She loves all things coffee, anything outdoors and spending time with her husband!

Sherri Butler, Art