About Teachers and Staff

Jonathan Haynes graduated from the United States Naval Academy (B.S. in Political Science, 1995) and Covenant College (M.Ed. Integrated Curriculum and Instruction, 2009). Upon graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy, he received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Haynes and his wife, Karena, married in the same year. While on active duty, Mr. Haynes became familiar with Classical Christian Education which led him out of the active duty Marine Corps and into Christian education. From 2000-2006, Mr. Haynes taught logic and rhetoric, worked with curriculum development, and assisted with ACSI accreditation at Providence Christian School in Dothan, Alabama. From 2006-2008, he served as the Director of Curriculum and assisted with SACS accreditation at Heritage Preparatory School in Atlanta, GA, while also teaching language arts, history, math and logic. Mr. Haynes has taught seminars on logic and rhetoric at the Association of Classical Christian Schools and Association of Christian Schools International conferences and has attended teacher training at Ambleside School of Fredericksburg (TX). In 2008, Mr. & Mrs. Haynes moved back home to start Veritas Classical School. Mr. Haynes is a Ruling Elder at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cullman.

Angie Parker has a B.S. degree in Special Education from Athens State University with a certification in Elementary Education. She also holds a standard certificate from the Association of Christian Schools International. She has eight years of classroom experience and three years of home school experience.

Amy Mount has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery (1999) and a M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (2006). Mrs. Mount & her husband worked with the International Mission Board in France and Belgium from 2000 to 2002. Returning to the U.S., Mrs. Mount taught 3rd-5th Grade in the Decatur City Schools from 2002 to 2008, 1st Grade at Providence Classical School from 2010-2011, and Essentials for Classical Conversations from 2014-2016. In 2018, Mrs. Mount began teaching at Veritas as a long-term substitute. Mrs. Mount is a member of Summit Crossing Community Church.

Karena Haynes has a B.S. degree in Secondary Education from Athens State University (1995). She started classically homeschooling her children in 2002. Mrs. Haynes has worked together with her husband for years exploring and utilizing the best of classical and Charlotte Mason content and methodology. She oversees the curriculum selection and development of first through sixth grades at Veritas. Mrs. Haynes has taught at Veritas since 2010. As a 5th-6th Grade teacher, she enjoys teaching Latin and sharing the stories of western civilization. Mrs. Haynes is a member of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Laura Newton graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education), 1992. In her continued professional education, Mrs. Newton has completed numerous continuing education classes, undergraduate education courses, and graduate-level theology courses. She has passed the California Subject Exam for Teachers (Multiple Subjects), 2005, and she holds a California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Mrs. Newton taught first grade at Light & Life Christian School, Escondido, California. She left to raise her children and began homeschooling in 2000, tutoring in 2002, and teaching again in their home school co-op in 2006. Mrs. Newton has taught science, math, literature, and history for elementary students, and history and physical science for middle school students through CrossRoads Christian Academy. Additionally, Mrs. Newton serves as an individual and group tutor for all subjects K-6, middle-high school English & History, and Algebra I. Mrs. Newton is a member of Crosshaven Baptist Church where she helps her husband lead the college group.

Laura Olin graduated from Hollins College with a B.A. in History & English (1997) and a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law (2002). Frequent relocation with her husband, an Army Officer, has led to a variety of opportunities to work with children and youth. Initially this involved serving as a Case Manager for children, but this eventually led to law school and service as a successful prosecutor and advocate for a variety of child-related legal matters. In more recent years, Mrs. Olin has served as a parent volunteer and substitute teacher for Kindergarten through 8th Grade at Maxwell Elementary School. Mrs. Olin completed a Montessori course in Early Childhood Development and audited an 18-month course in Montessori Elementary I and II.

Carah Lynn Arnold graduated from Millsaps College (B.A. in English, 1989) and from Louisiana State University (M.A. in English, 1994 and M.Ed. in Education, 1994). From 1994-1997, she taught in the public schools of Louisiana and Florida. Mrs. Arnold stopped teaching for a few years to stay at home with her two daughters, and during this time she worked as a private writing tutor and a test scorer for the SAT college entrance exams. From 2008-2010, she served as the Academic Administrator for a residential school specializing in the education of troubled teens. Mrs. Arnold has taught English, journalism, speech, debate and writing and has worked with students in grades 6-12. She is an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Mrs. Arnold has taught at Veritas since 2012.

Jonathan Haynes graduated from the United States Naval Academy (B.S. in Political Science, 1995) and Covenant College (M.Ed. Integrated Curriculum and Instruction, 2009). Upon graduation from the U. S. Naval Academy, he received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Haynes and his wife, Karena, married in the same year. While on active duty, Mr. Haynes became familiar with Classical Christian Education which led him out of the active duty Marine Corps and into Christian education. From 2000-2006, Mr. Haynes taught logic and rhetoric, worked with curriculum development, and assisted with ACSI accreditation at Providence Christian School in Dothan, Alabama. From 2006-2008, he served as the Director of Curriculum and assisted with SACS accreditation at Heritage Preparatory School in Atlanta, GA, while also teaching language arts, history, math and logic. Mr. Haynes has taught seminars on logic and rhetoric at the Association of Classical Christian Schools and Association of Christian Schools International conferences and has attended teacher training at Ambleside School of Fredericksburg (TX). In 2008, Mr. & Mrs. Haynes moved back home to start Veritas Classical School. Mr. Haynes is a Ruling Elder at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cullman.

Sarah Thomas graduated from Samford University (B.S. in Mathematics and Latin, 2014). From 2014-2016, she taught Latin and logic at Westminster Christian Academy. Mrs. Thomas held the position of Vice President of the Alabama Classical Association in the 2015-2016 school year. She and her husband, Josiah, have a heart for missions and have served with e3 Partners on many trips. Mrs. Thomas is a member of The Well Family Worship Center in Scottsboro, where she helps lead the Missions Department and serves on the worship team. She and Josiah welcomed their first child, Timothy, born in February 2018. Mrs. Thomas has taught at Veritas since 2016.

Amy Mount has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery (1999) and a M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (2006). Mrs. Mount & her husband worked with the International Mission Board in France and Belgium from 2000 to 2002. Returning to the U.S., Mrs. Mount taught 3rd-5th Grade in the Decatur City Schools from 2002 to 2008, 1st Grade at Providence Classical School from 2010-2011, and Essentials for Classical Conversations from 2014-2016. In 2018, Mrs. Mount began teaching at Veritas as a long-term substitute. Mrs. Mount is a member of Summit Crossing Community Church.

Judy Haywood graduated from Athens State University (B.S. Education, Majors: English & History). She taught high school for 22 years at Coosa Christian School in Gadsden, AL. Mrs. Haywood’s husband, a Baptist pastor, passed away in 2011, and she moved to Madison to be near her daughter. Mrs. Haywood is a member of Lindsey Lane East Baptist Church in Harvest, AL. She has taught at Veritas since 2013.

Joy Thomas graduated from Ball State University with a B.S. in Geology/Natural Resources (1978). She worked as a Petroleum Geologist in New Orleans from 1978 – 1983. Mrs. Thomas married in 1982 and stayed home with her three children until they were in school. She then taught Pre-K at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville from 1990 – 1995. In 1994 Mrs. Thomas returned to college and graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Athens State University (1999) and later with an M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama (2010). Mrs. Thomas taught 1st Grade and then 4th Grade Science and Alabama History at Barkley Bridge Elementary in Hartselle. As an elementary science teacher, she developed a robust outdoor education program to include an outdoor classroom with student gardens, butterfly monitoring, and bird watching. She retired from the Hartselle City Schools in 2018 with 24 years of teaching experience. Mrs. Thomas is a member of East Highland Baptist Church. Her husband Mike is a retired pastor and Hospice Chaplain.

Carla Blankenship graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Math from the University of Arizona (1998). She has taught math for the past three years at Lion’s Gate Christian School. The levels of math taught include pre-algebra, algebra 2, geometry, and pre-calculus. Mrs. Blankenship is a member of Capshaw Baptist Church where she leads a small group for 9th-10th grade girls.

Laura Newton graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education), 1992. In her continued professional education, Mrs. Newton has completed numerous continuing education classes, undergraduate education courses, and graduate-level theology courses. She has passed the California Subject Exam for Teachers (Multiple Subjects), 2005, and she holds a California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Mrs. Newton taught first grade at Light & Life Christian School, Escondido, California. She left to raise her children and began homeschooling in 2000, tutoring in 2002, and teaching again in their home school co-op in 2006. Mrs. Newton has taught science, math, literature, and history for elementary students, and history and physical science for middle school students through CrossRoads Christian Academy. Additionally, Mrs. Newton serves as an individual and group tutor for all subjects K-6, middle-high school English & History, and Algebra I. Mrs. Newton is a member of Crosshaven Baptist Church where she helps her husband lead the college group.

Yvette Kromann received her B.S. in Physics (major) and Math (minor) from Loyola University in New Orleans. She worked on Redstone Arsenal until 1996 when she made the decision to stay home to be a full-time parent. After working as Head of Education and eventually Family Ministry Lead at her church for five years, she began teaching at Westminster Christian Academy in 2003. She eventually taught every level and class from Algebra 1 to AP Calculus while also serving as Department Chair for both Math and Science. She retired as full-time educator in 2014 and now enjoys sharing her joy of mathematics with her students here at Veritas. Mrs. Kromann is currently an active member of Guntersville First United Methodist Church.

Julie Dean graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a BBS in Exercise Science & Biology minor (1992). She went on to earn a Masters in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s College (1995). Mrs. Dean has served as a volunteer science teacher at Lindsay Lane Christian Academy Home Education Co-op for six years. During this time, she has taught numerous labs for biology, chemistry, and anatomy. Mrs. Dean is a member of Capshaw Baptist Church where she leads a small group for high school girls and chaperones for youth events and summer camp.

Melanie Pickens earned her B.S. Secondary Education General Science and English from Samford University (1986), M.S. Secondary Science Education from Alabama A&M University (1998), Ed.S. Secondary Science Education from University of Alabama (2002), and her Ph.D. Secondary Science Education from Auburn University (2007). Dr. Pickens taught science at Bob Jones High School where she was a Science Olympiad team coach and department chair for sixteen years. She also taught at James Clemens High School and Excalibur Christian School. She is now retired from full time teaching, but works as a homebound teacher for Madison City Schools, and tutors in chemistry on the side. Dr. Pickens is a member of Summit Crossing Community Church.

Ann Schrimpsher graduated from the University of Alabama – Huntsville with a B.S. Electrical Engineering/Math (1996) and an MBA International Finance (2014). She is currently a Doctoral Candidate for a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (expected graduation 2019). Mrs. Schrimpsher has worked as a Test Engineer (1992-1996), a senior software engineer (1996-1997), a product manager (1997-1998), a software manager (1998-2000), a system engineer (2000-2001), and a technical lead (2007-2010). Most recently, she has served as a research scientist at UAH (2014-2018). She has published articles and given presentations on her work. She loves science and math and thinks everyone should have a basic understanding of both. Mrs. Schrimpsher is a member of Mayfair Church of Christ.

Angela York graduated with a BSN in Nursing from Samford University (1996). Mrs. York has tutored in science (K-10th Grade) and has taught science at Morningside Co-Op (2nd-4th Grades) and Covenant Christian Academy (Anatomy & Physiology). Mrs. York gets excited about all things science and she enjoys inspiring others to experience the awe of God through the study of what He has made. Mrs. York is a member of Christ Presbyterian Church where she helps with youth group trips and leads women’s Bible studies.

Laura James graduated from the University of Tennessee (B.A. in History, 1986). After a career in professional sales, Mrs. James became a stay-at-home mom, volunteering and setting up a copy program for teachers at Madison County Elementary/Middle School for many years. Both of her children attend Veritas. She and her family attend Malachi Church.

Amy Saunders graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi (B.S. in Marketing, 1984). Mrs. Saunders has been a Veritas parent since 2008. Over the years, all five of her children have attended Veritas. Mrs. Saunders is an active member of Keel Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Carmen Wright graduated from the University of Alabama at Huntsville (B.S. in Nursing, 2002). Mrs. Wright has been a Veritas parent since 2017. Mrs. Saunders is a member of Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship.

Kim Yarbrough has been a Veritas parent since 2010 when her oldest daughter started at Veritas. Two years later her second daughter enrolled and in 2015 Mrs. Yarbrough joined the Veritas staff as a co-teacher for the 1st-2nd Grade class. In addition to home-schooling her own children, Mrs. Yarbrough has taught elementary biology classes. Mrs. Yarbrough is an active member of Central Baptist Church and has served on mission trips to Boston, Massachusetts, and Romania.

Galadriel Coffeen has a B.A. in English (Art minor) from Grove City College (2014). Following graduation she spent one year as an English teacher in Japan with Mission to the World. In 2016, Miss Coffeen moved to Huntsville where she has served as a freelance artist working from an art studio at Lowe Mill and a tutor in middle & high school literature, grammar, and writing. Miss Coffeen is a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.