Providence Classical School
116 Palace Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23185

Phone: 757.565.2900
Email

Head of School, Susan Oweis possesses a wealth of experience in the educational realm. She has worked locally in public and private education for 19 years as a teacher, administrator, and WCA school board member. For the past four years, she has been employed as the assistant principal at Queens Lake Middle School. She is clinical faculty member at the College of William and Mary and is currently teaching graduate courses for Old Dominion University's "Field Based Master's Degree" Program. Prior to her tenure at Queens Lake Mrs. Oweis taught for 15 years in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System. During her teaching career, Mrs. Oweis also served as a school board member for Williamsburg Christian Academy. During her service as a WCA board member, she chaired the Accreditation Committee. She holds the following degrees: Educational Specialists Degree in Leadership and Administration from George Washington University, Master's Degree in Education from Old Dominion University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Christopher Newport University. She and her husband Jamal reside in Williamsburg with their three children Brittany, Alex and Jordan. Susan attends New Covenant Church in Hampton, Virginia.

Kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Vann Hamilton earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Bible teaching with two years in Elementary Education from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. She has been certified by the Association of Christian Schools International (Grades 1-12). She graduated with 1st honors from Immanuel Mission School in Cagayan de Oro, Phillippines in 2001 and was a JROTC officer. She has also taught and has held teaching assistant and teacher’s aid positions with Pilgrim Community Preschool and Covenant Christian School in Columbia, South Carolina. Her interests include theatre, classic literature, world cultures, traveling, fencing, hand crafts, and gardening. She and her husband Nathan reside in Williamsburg and are actively seeking to become new parish members at one of our community Presbyterian churches.

First-grade teacher Joan Vawter earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary with a double major in elementary education and Spanish. She has completed requirements for certification in Virginia and is awaiting final notification. She has served on several domestic and international mission trips including trips to Mississippi and Slovakia. Ms. Vawter worked at the YMCA Child Development Center throughout her college years. She has taught first grade at PCS since 2001. She is a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Second-grade teacher Janine Hinz graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She taught third grade for one year at St. John Lutheran School in York, Pa. She also was a preschool director and teacher for one year in Genessee, Mich. Mrs. Hinz taught kindergarten for three years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Boca Raton, Fla., where her husband served as associate minister. She was the Christian education coordinator for First Lutheran church in Gainesville, Fla. In Williamsburg, she established and has served as coordinator for Mothers of Preschooloers (MOPS), ministry at King of Glory Lutheran Church. Mrs. Hinz is married to Timothy Hinz. They have two daughters, Emily and Alissa.

Third-grade teacher Doreen Pacella is a graduate of Evangel University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education/special education. She has a collegiate professional license in Virginia and is certified in nursery, elementary, and special education in New Jersey and in elementary education (kindergarten through sixth) in Missouri. Mrs. Pacella has 14 years of classroom teaching experience, served as a board member for five years at a Christian school, and as a board member for one year for a counseling service. She also has experience as a social services representative, children’s church instructor and church pianist. Mrs. Pacella and her husband, Michael, have five children. The Pacellas attend Church of the Blessed Redeemer, where he is vicar. Their daughter attends PCS.

Fourth grade teacher Denise Ann Oates grew up in Augusta, GA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and English from Tennessee Temple University. Ms. Oates spent five years teaching second through fourth grade at a private school in Augusta. She has been a member of Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton where she was active in the women’s fellowship, taught children’s Sunday School, led women’s Bible studies and even helped clean the church. She is looking for a church home in Williamsburg but continues to be active in the international ministry, Slav Lands Christian Fellowship, at Grace. Slav Lands Christian Fellowship, which is based in England, partners with churches in Siberia whose pastors make known needs in their congregations. The ministry sends food, clothing and other parcels to these churches and prays for those in need. Ms. Oates’ studied Russian for a year at the College of William and Mary to enable her to translate Russian.

Middle school teacher Alice Chidzero earned a bachelor's degree from Zion Bible Institute in Barrington , Rhode Island and a degree in English and a Certificate in Elementary Education from Mkoba College in Gweru Zimbabwe . She is the daughter of missionary parents in Zimbabwe, where she was classically educated, and was on the missions board at Barrington Baptist Evangelical Church in Rhode Island. She has been an advisor to young women and a youth leader in her church. She has taught first through sixth grades and Bible. Ms. Chidzero and her late husband have one son, Simbarashe (18), and one daughter, Shekinah (8). Simbarashe attends the University of Rhode Island and Shekinah attends Providence Classical School.

Latin teacher Emilia Balog earned a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty University and an M.A.R. degree in Theology from Westhouster Theological Seminary in Greenside, PA. She has extensive knowledge in Latin and Greek and has taught Latin at Uradea Christian School in Romania and New Testament Introduction and Methods in Bible Study at the College of Theology in Modova. Miss Balog is seeking a community Presbyterian church here in Williamsburg.

Music teacher Gayla Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in voice from Georgia Southern University. She has 30 years of teaching experience, teaching kindergarten through eighth grade in Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia and Germany. Her guest artist solo credits include the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Choral Guild, Williamsburg Community Chapel, state and national conventions, and extensive solo and choral experience throughout the United States and Germany. Some of the musicals that Mrs. Johnson has directed or produced include "The Wizard of Oz," "Oklahoma," "Scrooge," "Bye Bye Birdie," "Cinderella," "Ebeneezer Jr.," and "Alice in Wonderland." She is the founder of Up With Kids, On Stage, USA Teen Singers and Dazzle Song and Dance. She is currently studying in the studio of Basel Landia Wowk, formerly of the New York City Opera. Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Billy Ray, are the parents of two grown children and are members of Williamsburg Community Chapel.

Art teacher, Meg Godfrey joins us this year!

Board president Steve Stafford holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Military Institute and is a registered professional engineer. He also holds the professional certification of a construction documents technologist and recently founded the engineering firm Cornerstone Design Group, Inc. His professional experiences span both the private and public sector, including a wide array of experience in project management, construction fiscal stewardship, writing technical specifications and project manuals, practical design solutions and construction administration. Mr. Stafford and his wife, Amy, are members of Williamsburg Community Chapel where they are active with several ministry and outreach programs. Their daughter attends PCS. His term on the board is through 2007.

Board vice president and founding board member Paula Ginsburgh earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southeastern College in Lakeland, FL. She earned a master’s degree in education with a focus in reading at Regent University. Mrs. Ginsburgh has completed course work for a doctorate in educational program planning and leadership with a concentration in gifted education at the College of William and Mary and is currently working on her dissertation. She has been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. Mrs. Ginsburgh has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and lower school supervisor (kindergarten through third grade) in Christian schools. She was co-teacher for the third-fifth combined grade class at PCS and advised PCS teachers during the school’s first year. She is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade. She also served as the director of education for Teen Challenge Ministries for five years. Mrs. Ginsburgh served on the founding boards of PCS and Summit Christian Academy, a Christian classical school in Newport News. She has served as curriculum director at PCS since the school opened. Mrs. Ginsburgh and her husband, Lee, have two children and attend Williamsburg Community Chapel. Their oldest son attends PCS. Her term on the board is through 2008.

Board secretary Erin Lilly earned a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communications studies from the University of Virginia as well as a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 1996. She has worked at the University of Virginia Office of Television Services, as well as in public relations for Hawley Martin Partners Advertising in Richmond, VA and corporate communications for Mississippi Power Company. She founded a multimedia, Internet and database solutions consulting business in 1996. She was recruited by Bellsouth and AT&T to develop websites and database projects for Mississippi State Agencies; MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency), and The Mississippi State Port Authority as well as private organizations such as the East Coast Hockey League team, the Mississippi Sea Wolves, Jackson State University and Talladega College. She and her husband, Michael Lilly, and two children Jordan and Jacob reside in Williamsburg. Erin Lilly is a member of St. Bede Catholic Church. Their daughter attends PCS. Her term on the board is through 2008.

Treasurer Joe Calkins earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering with a research focus on advanced robotics and measurement uncertainty analysis from Virginia Tech. In 1994, he co-founded an engineering software development firm, New River Kinematics, where he continues to serve as one of the principal software developers and company president. Mr. Calkins, his wife, Kara, and their three daughters are members of Smith Memorial Baptist Church. Their oldest daughter attends PCS. His term on the board is through 2008.

Board member Charles Frazier received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia, where he also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. A practicing family physician and faculty member of Riverside Family Medicine Residency, his primary position is Director of Medical Informatics for Riverside Health System. He is a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University. Charlie and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three boys, Evan, Cole and Bryce, ages 8, 5, and 4. He is a member of New Town United Methodist Church. Charlie has non-profit board and leadership experience from serving on the leadership council at his church and on the Board of Directors for Vibrant Life Ministries, a ministry to aid the homeless in the Williamsburg Area.

Board member and founder, Lesley Hamer holds a bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of South Carolina. After majoring in broadcasting, Mrs. Hamer went on to a career in television where she was host of the nationally syndicated program P.M. Magazine, entertainment news reporter/guest host for TNN’s Crook & Chase, and host of TNN’s American Skyline. She freelanced for Joy Philbin’s HGTV program, Haven, as well as local commercials. The mother of three classically educated children, she has been involved with classical Christian education since 1995 at Covenant School, Huntington, W.Va.; Summit Christian Academy, Newport News; and was a founding Board Member of PCS. Lesley and her husband, Jim, have three children and attend Williamsburg Community Chapel.

Board Member John Allen Waldrop III earned a Juris Doctor from The College of William and Mary School of Law. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech with a major in management and a minor in professional writing and language. Mr. Waldrop currently serves as associate general counsel for Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., in Newport News where he practices in the area of contracts and commercial law. He regularly lectures throughout the United States on negotiation, antitrust, and ethics. For six years, Mr. Waldrop assisted the federal judiciary in the long-range facility planning of approximately 200 federal courthouses throughout the country. He and his wife, Joann, are currently attending Williamsburg Community Chapel. Their son attends PCS. His term on the board is through 2007.