Joshua Academy was Shari Dean’s dream for over a decade. As a mother of six children, many of whom were homeschooled as part of their education, Shari’s passion to raise up children in the way they should go according to God’s plan has always been a driving force.

After a long history of ministry with her husband Monte, (much of which was with youth), she and Monte became the lead pastors of Jubilee Church in 2021. Quickly, Shari’s dream became their dream, and Joshua Academy was born.

Shari serves as our school’s Student Care Advisor which means she gets to love on kids all day long! She is an important interface between parents and the school and makes sure each child’s needs are taken care of.

Monte provides spiritual guidance for our school board and serves as a bridge between the school and Jubilee Church. He also plays an important role as pastor to our students through his involvement with our weekly all-school chapel meetings.

Prior to starting Joshua Academy, Kara spent a 25-year career in Higher Education including 15 years as an administrator. She holds a PhD in Kinesiology and Principal Licensure in the state of Arkansas.

Kara has a heart for kids and helping them discover who they are in Christ. Public higher ed was a challenging place to share her faith and God finally called her out of that environment to use her admin skills in K-12 education. After moving to Van Buren in 2021 and becoming a member of Jubilee Church, she soon discovered that God wanted her to help fulfill the dream He placed on Shari’s heart a decade earlier to start a school.

Kara’s husband Shane serves as the Security Lead for the church and school. They have been married for 27 years and have two grown children who also live in Van Buren.

Before finding Joshua Academy, Amber pursued her Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith. Amber also worked as an Instructional Assistant at Alma School District. This confirmed her love for being in the school setting, mentoring, and loving on students. She did not know what that looked like long term until Joshua Academy was announced. She immediately saw herself being involved as well as her own children attending; which makes this new role an answered prayer!

Not only is Amber thrilled to work with students and teachers at Joshua Academy, but she is equally as excited to build relationships with parents navigating the choice to enroll their own children; making it easy and welcoming. People who know her would describe her as helpful, patient, and joyful.

Amber grew up in church and volunteered in many different areas including youth groups, children’s church, nursery, and outreach. Currently Amber, her husband Justin, and their two daughters are active members of Jubilee Church in Van Buren.

Hello! My name is Briana Robertson and I am very excited to start this new chapter here at Joshua Academy! I have taught Kindergarten for 7 years and I'm thrilled to continue my love of teaching the little ones here at Joshua Academy! I received my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Arkansas Tech University and teaching license n 2017. I have been married to my husband, Daron, for 11 years and we have three children together. Teaching has always been a passion of mine! I feel so blessed to be able to continue my love of education and spread God's love through teaching! I am so excited to be a part of this school and get to know all my students and their families!!!

Hello! My name is Jamie Moore and I have over 6 years experience teaching preschool and kindergarten. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from UAFS and teaching certification in PK-4. I am married with 3 amazing children, one who is graduating this year and two that will join me at Joshua Academy.  I am so exited to join the Joshua Academy family and embark on this ‘culture change’ that I have prayed for! 

I am a mom of one sweet little girl, who also attends JA! I have seen how wonderful and valuable redemptive education is first hand and am so honored to be a bigger part of it next year as a second grade teacher. I am completing my first year as a K-5 Special Education Resource teacher at Fort Smith Public Schools. I have a Bachelor of Arts in history from the UAFS and will complete an MA in Teaching Special Education this year from the University of Arkansas-Monticello. I am grateful for the experience in special education as I know it will aid greatly in supporting diverse needs in my classroom. I am thrilled to teach second grade as it is an age of imaginative play while also has a fun layer of learning independence. I am so very excited to cultivate a learning environment at Joshua Academy that includes our creator in all our ventures and encourages exploration of our world simultaneously. I can’t wait to be part of watching your children grow in all they set their minds to next year!”

Hello, I am Alecia Hesson! My family and I are from Alma where we have lived our entire lives! My husband Jay and I have been married for 22 years and we have 3 children (well big kids now) Shelbi, Tatum, and Caden. We attend Life Church in Fort Smith along with our family!

I have been teaching 3rd grade for 10 years. I hold a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, teaching license, and a Master's degree in educational leadership. 

I am so excited to join the Joshua Academy family this fall! If I had to pick one thing that I am the most excited about is that I am ready to be apart of something bigger than me! I am so excited to meet my new 3rd graders! I am thankful and feel so blessed for this opportunity! We are going to have a great year!

I’m Autumn McKenzie! I am so excited to continue my role here at Joshua Academy as the 4th grade teacher! You may not recognize me without my typical tee and a hat of some type when I’m teaching outdoors!

Year one has been a personal and professional year of growth, a lot of hard work, so much fun, and an overall amazing time! I’m so thankful for this “new and different” way I’m teaching and cannot imagine myself anywhere else other than JA! I can’t wait for year 2 to continue working with new coworkers, and new parents building relationships and implementing things that will continue to help all JA students be the most independent, best versions of themselves academically and spiritually!

I hold a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from UAFS and K-6 Teaching certification.

Hello! I am Lauren Milton. I just completed my 13th year of teaching. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade in the Fort Smith and Van Buren School Districts. The last 6 years have been spent as a special education resource teacher. I hold a BSE in Early Childhood Education from East Central University and a Special Education Resource Endorsement from U of A Monticello.

I have been married to my husband, Scott for 12 years. I have two daughters and one son. We just recently moved to the country. You will find us exploring waterfalls, catching lizards and crickets, or laying in the hammock.

I am eager and excited to start a new beginning at Joshua Academy. From the moment I walked in the doors and through the trees, the presence of God was evident.  I am thrilled to be teaching children academically, but more importantly spiritually. I can't wait to praise the Lord alongside them, stop whatever we are doing to pray or offer words of affirmation aligned with the scriptures.

I am a passionate and joyful individual, who loves working with people; my love for the outdoors and science stems from sharing the beauty of creation and our creator with people. I have had the joy of teaching for over 10 years now, both in public and private school settings as well as experience guiding and facilitating safe outdoor experiences.

I have two bachelor's degrees from the University of Oregon (Biology & Family and Human Services) a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Pacific University. Additionally I have been involved with a number of parachurch and church ministries that focus on relational discipleship.

I have an AR Teaching License with both middle and secondary certifications. I am deeply excited to join the team at Joshua Academy; I am passionate about hands-on learning and love spending time outside. I cannot wait to meet our students!

It thrills me to be joining the Joshua Academy team! I am wrapping up my 8th year of teaching, with varying experiences in both public and private education teaching content including language arts, science, social studies, and physical education at the middle school level. I’ve coached soccer, sponsored a running club, and am just about finished with a master’s degree in teaching English as a second language.

Middle schoolers have a special place in my heart. They keep me on my toes, and I love that. I’m very excited to transition to an outdoor classroom as most of my hobbies are done outside to include hiking, camping, attempting to garden, reading, and being with my family and our pups. More than anything, I am delighted to share about the goodness of the Lord, build relationships, and serve whole-heartedly at JA. I look forward to getting to know my students, families, and colleagues and partnering with you all in the task of raising up the next generation to love Jesus.

Shane retired in 2014 as a Commander following a 20-year career as a Navy SEAL and has held positions in law enforcement, public safety and security ever since. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and holds a masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Most recently, Shane served as the Director of Public Safety for Oregon State University’s Cascades campus in Bend, OR.

Shane currently works for a startup software company that, among other things, provides security assessments for schools and churches. He has a heart for protecting others and we are blessed to have him onsite serving as the Head of Security.

Shane and Kara (Head of School) have been married for 27 years and have two grown children.

Hello! My name is Savanna Ridenour. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from UA Fort Smith. I taught High School art at Cedarville Schools for a few years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Since then, I have planned weddings, decorated cakes, done floral design, painted commissions, flower farmed, illustrated children’s books, homesteaded, and home-schooled my girls. My husband, Logan, and I have been married 12 years and we have two daughters, Annie and Sadie.

I am excited to continue teaching art at Joshua Academy this school year. As beings who were made in the image of the ultimate artist, I truly believe there is a calling to create in everyone! I feel so honored to facilitate that creativity in our students!