MARS HILL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Rhetoric Bible & Languages
Dr. Christopher Jero is a former violinist to whom God gave a passion for making Him known through the Holy Scriptures. Believing that there is no more intimate way of communing with God in Scripture than through the original languages, Dr. Jero pursued an M.A. in Old Testament from Columbia International University and a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College. He seeks to be an instrument by which God inspires the same passion in his students as he teaches Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Biblical Hermeneutics, Greek, and Hebrew in the MHA Rhetoric School. Christopher and his wife Rebecca have four children, including one MHA alumnus and three MHA students. The family attends the Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills.
Job Titles:
- Grammar & Rhetoric Science
After working for more than 12 years in the consumer products and flavor development industries as a Ph.D. research chemist, Dr. Laura Lucas transitioned to the classroom to fulfill God's calling on her life. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry within a liberal arts framework at William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) and then completed both her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and post-graduate studies at the University of Kansas. Over the past seven years, Laura has taught general science in grades 3-6, high school chemistry, and coached the school's Science Olympiad teams. She motivates her students to pursue lifelong wonder of God by connecting His creation to His character and passionately seeks to make science accessible for all. Laura and her husband, Robie, have two children who have grown up at Mars Hill and are now both in the Rhetoric School. They are members of Hope Church and enjoy taking family hikes together with their dog, Nash. If she's not in the lab, Laura may be found on the sidelines or in the stands of her children's sporting events.
Miss Hannah Weaver is passionate about instilling in her students a sense of wonder at the love and goodness of God. She daily seeks to draw their attention to the beauty of God's creation and to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in each one of them. It is her desire to spark a love of learning at a young age in her students so that they will have a solid foundation on which to build their classical, Christian education. This Thomas Edison State University graduate was homeschooled using the classical method and has tutored at both the grammar and rhetoric school levels. She loves children and enjoys reading gospel-centered books and spending time with family. Miss Weaver attends Providence Bible Fellowship.
Job Titles:
- Rhetoric Bible & Humanities
Mr. Andrew Stapleton devotes his time at MHA to discipling Logic and Rhetoric School students toward learning truth, living goodness, and loving beauty. He teaches in the areas of Humanities, Bible, and Greek; beyond the classroom, he loves mentoring students by coaching the Varsity Soccer and Worldview Summit Student Leadership teams. He holds a B.A. in History and Christian Thought from Grove City College, and an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Mr. Stapleton and his wife, Leah, have three children who attend MHA, and their family worships at North Cincinnati Community Church. When he finishes grading papers, he enjoys a variety of sports, music, and drama with his family.
Bob Maruna serves Mars Hill through teaching Rhetoric level math and science. Mr. Maruna challenges students to embrace the beauty and order seen in creation as occurring not by chance but rather by the intentional design of the Creator. He desires to develop the minds of students to comprehend the genius behind creation's imbedded mathematical principles and laws that underpin the world around us. Mr. Maruna graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and a Master of Science from Troy University in Alabama. After graduating from West Point, he served as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. Since his time in the U.S. Army, Mr. Maruna spent several years in the finance industry and 22 years in church and school administration and teaching before coming to Mars Hill. Mr. Maruna and his wife, Tomi, have three adult children and four grandchildren. He enjoys fitness, the outdoors, bird-watching, and reading.
Mr. Clayton Brown attended Hillsdale College where he earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Classical Education. He was taught to have an abiding appreciation for good and beautiful things by his parents, and he gained a love of classic literature and the great ideas of the Western Tradition in his time at Hillsdale. He then taught middle school in Phoenix, Arizona and earned a Master of Humanities with an emphasis in Classical Education from the University of Dallas before moving to Indiana. He loves to explore the outdoors through hiking, biking, and camping with his wife and young daughter. Clayton has experience working in carpentry and enjoys woodworking. He has a passion for teaching in a Classical context for the formation of good character and citizenship in students. Clayton loves to learn and enjoys sharing that enjoyment with those around him. He attends Grace Evangelical Free Church in Springfield Township.
Mr. Dave Liebing graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Management and spent 24 years in materials management. However, he always gravitated toward teaching in various capacities, such as home schooling cooperatives, his church, and personal discipleship. A passion for helping families cultivate a new generation of Christ followers coupled with his conviction of integrating faith into the daily learning children receive through their formal education led Dave to his current position teaching sixth grade. Dave and his wife, Ellen, have five children, all of whom are Mars Hill Academy alumni. They enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities and continue to enjoy lively family debates about how to live out a Christian worldview. The Liebings attend the Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills.
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Grammar School Principal / Dean of Faculty
Mr. James Waldy serves as Grammar School Principal and Dean of Faculty. He also teaches astronomy in the Rhetoric School. He holds a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Educational Administration from Tri-City Bible College, and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from Bob Jones University. James and his wife Tami have five children, all of whom have received a classical Christian education. Three of their children are MHA graduates. The Waldys attend Grace Baptist Church of Mason.
Jeff is a prolific composer, arranger, and producer, owning Whirlwind Production, Inc. He has produced musical entertainment for Kings Island Theme Park, he Rose Bowl, Sea World, Disney World, and Tokyo Disney and written for various corporate events, films, theater productions, and custom events. Jeff and his wife, Julie, who teaches music at MHA, have shared their musical talents across the country. Jeff accompanies her and our students each day in the classroom and at performances.
The Smiths have three grown daughters, all former MHA students, and four grandchildren with whom they love spending time on their shared family farm. Active members of Urbancrest Baptist Church in Lebanon, Jeff and Julie enjoy sharing their passions for both music and Jesus.
Job Titles:
- Athletic Director
- Administration
Joe believes coaches have a unique opportunity to make disciples through relationships with their athletes and believes passionately in the power of transformational coaching. With a Bachelor's in Exercise and Sports Science and a Master's in Human Communication, Joe brings over two decades of teaching and coaching experience to Mars Hill. He's led teams to championships in the USA, Kuwait, and China and most recently served as the Athletic Director at the Canadian International School of Beijing. Joe, who has actively been involved in church planting and student ministry, is excited to have returned to the country with his wife Lindsay and their young son.
Job Titles:
- Headmaster
- Administration
Mr. Mike McKenna was drawn to classical and Christian education from a nagging sense that something was missing. After earning his BA in music education (Montclair State College) and his MA in Christian school administration (Grace Theological Seminary), Mike served as headmaster of Christian schools for more than a decade. However, he felt that prayer, Bible class, and chapel weren't sufficient when it came to educating our children for Christ. Once he attended a seminar by Dr. George Grant on classical Christian education, the scales fell from his eyes. Once Mike realized that Christian education was meant to be much more robust, more about becoming fully human in Christ than merely learning the Three R's, there was no looking back. Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric and the heritage of our forefathers, which modern education-even much of modern Christian education-has tossed aside, were the good and necessary way to educate our children. Mike has been headmaster of classical and Christian schools since 2000. He and his wife, Chris, have five grown children and worship at Grace Bible Presbyterian Church.
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Administration
- Economic & Statistics
Before joining Mars Hill Academy as the Finance Manager and a Rhetoric teacher, Mr. Paul Wheeler graduated from The Citadel with a B.A. in Political Science and followed his passion for international politics and obtained an M.A. in Diplomacy & International Relations and an M.B.A. in Finance from Seton Hall University. He then spent over fifteen years in different service industries honing his communication and teaching skills. Paul and his wife, Kathryn, have five children who all attend Mars Hill. The Wheelers are active members of Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Beavercreek. Paul is a serial hobbyist, most often found adventuring with his boys, in pursuit of quality time.
Job Titles:
- String Orchestra Director
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Office Support
Before joining the staff as an Office Assistant, Mrs. Barb Weitzel graduated from International Business College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and worked as an insurance underwriter and executive secretary. Barb and her husband, Chris, visited Mars Hill Academy in May 2011 when the seniors were preparing for thesis presentations. They were so impressed with the presentations and culmination of learning exhibited that they enrolled their children. They now have three MHA alumni. Mrs. Weitzel enjoys greeting parents and visitors in the office and assisting students with copy requests and questions. Their family loves the outdoors and can often be found in their backyard relaxing or by the bonfire eating s'mores. They worship at Grace Baptist Church in Mason.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Athletic Director
- Administration
The Army may have brought the Franks family to southwest Ohio, but Mars Hill Academy kept them here. After being an MHA parent for seven years, Mrs. Emily Franks joined the athletics staff. The Covenant College alumna seeks to help transform and build student-athletes to know Jesus in new and deeper ways through athletic pursuit and who compete unto the glory of God. When Emily isn't cheering on the Highlanders, she can be found teaching her three children how to cook, tending her garden, or riding her bike on the Little Miami trail. Emily, her husband, Michael, and their children worship at The Gathering in Maineville.
Job Titles:
- Office Support & Math Coach
Job Titles:
- Little Highlanders PreK & Protocol
Job Titles:
- Grammar School Art & Yearbook
Job Titles:
- Bridge After School Study Program Director
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Registrar & Office Support
Prior to joining Mars Hill Academy, Mrs. Kristin Solomon spent ten years at home raising her eight children and classically homeschooling her oldest four. It was only after making the decision to homeschool their children that the Solomons were introduced to the beauty of a classical education. Enrolling at Mars Hill Academy was a Spirit inspired next step for their children's education and family focus. Kristin earned her B.S. in Finance from Northern Kentucky University. From there she spent ten years at HORAN, a financial services firm, where she worked as a Financial Advisor and Marketing and Communications Manager. It was at HORAN that Kristin met her husband, Geoff, who was a financial planner/investment advisor with the firm.
The Solomon family resides in Mason and are active members of Christ Church Cincy. Their family enjoys entertaining family and friends at their home, and they don't hesitate to take their ‘show on the road' to visit loved ones, explore, and seek adventure. Their favorite annual trip is to Virginia, where they bike on the Virginia Creeper trail and hike the Appalachian trail. Kristin enjoys being outdoors, playing volleyball, baking, reading, and coaching or watching her children in their various activities.
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Director
- Administration
Before joining staff as the Marketing and Communications Director, Lisa Knodel worked in school communications and journalism. The Covenant College graduate is passionate about sharing how the Lord is advancing His Kingdom through the students and staff at Mars Hill Academy. Lisa and her husband, Chris, have two children who both attend MHA. They are members of Southwest Ohio Reformed Presbyterian Church. As a family, they're often moving between athletic fields and theater performances or matching wits during a friendly game night.
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Fundraising Support Coordinator
Marissa finds great delight in welcoming, encouraging, and supporting the Mars Hill community. Marissa holds a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Communication and brings a wealth of experience in project management, training and development, volunteer leadership, and optimizing operations to her role. Marissa also enjoys sharing the joy of the Lord through dance as an instructor at Christian Dance Alliance. Marissa and her family have been part of the MHA community since 2016 with three children attending Mars Hill Academy. She and her husband Sam cherish their time together and find joy in sharing life's moments, whether it's through family game nights, living room dance parties, or cheering on the MHA Highlanders.
Job Titles:
- Development Director
- Administration
Nancy brings a deep passion for the Mars Hill community in her role as Development Director. As a devoted homemaker for 11 years, Nancy has cherished the opportunity to raise her five children and be actively involved in their lives. Her husband, Joel, is one of the first Mars Hill Academy graduates. They decided to enroll their own children at MHA seven years ago. With a professional background in recruiting, media sales, and event planning, as well as experience leading women's ministry teams through church, Nancy brings a unique set of skills to her role. She is eager to leverage her expertise and passion for serving others to further enhance our school's development efforts.
Job Titles:
- Admissions Director
- Office Manager
- Academy 's Admissions Director and Office Manager
- Administration
As Mars Hill Academy's Admissions Director and Office Manager, Mrs. Patsy Hall loves introducing new families to the school community. The mother of two MHA graduates is passionate about sharing the life-changing work of MHA with others and watching students grow in their faith and understanding of God's world. Patsy earned a B.S. from the University of Cincinnati. She and her husband Chris worship at Grace Bible Presbyterian Church.
Job Titles:
- PreK and Kindergarten Art
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Marketing Support Coordinator
After hearing about Mars Hill Academy from afar, Mrs. Teressa Mahl was delighted when God opened the door for her family to move from New York to the Cincinnati area just in time for her twins to enroll in Kindergarten. She was inspired by the way teachers at Mars Hill approach each learning area as an opportunity to know and worship God. Upon discovering a new passion for classical and Christian education, Teressa brought her experience in higher education communications, event planning, and alumni relations to serve on the Advancement team. When she isn't planning a schoolwide event or sharing the latest Mars Hill highlights on social media, you can find her on the ski slopes with her family, sipping a warm cup of coffee on the porch, or plagued by indecision over her next home decorating project. She and her husband Aaron, along with their children, belong to Hope Church.
Job Titles:
- Facilities Manager
- Administration
Rev. Paul Belcher holds a B.D. from New Geneva Academy and a B.A. in Communication & Culture and Religious Studies from Indiana University. Paul and his wife Jessica have eight children, the older six currently attending MHA with hopes the younger two will join in the coming years. He is also an Assistant Pastor at Christ Church. Paul is honored and grateful to serve the Mars Hill community as the facilities manager with a desire for the school building and grounds to reflect the same truth, beauty, and goodness found in the classrooms.
Mrs. Ashley Vegso has been teaching children from the time she was in sixth grade while she and her family served as missionaries in Jamaica. She has taught in various churches and schools throughout the U.S. and Asia, including teacher training seminars. Her most impactful teaching moment was when she traveled with a team to Thailand and ministered to Burmese refugee orphans through Art Therapy. Seeing children who have lost their parents and country to war, with brush in hand, creating something beautiful, is a picture she will always remember.
Ashley holds a dual degree of Bachelor of Arts and Science in Elementary Education and Christian Ministries. Ashley and her husband Ed find much joy in raising their three children Jacob, Abbey and Emmy. Some of her favorite activities are family bike rides, vacations at the beach, baking and cooking with her daughters, and enjoying life with four puppies.