Faculty at Ordo Amoris Classical Academy

Founder, Head of School, Grammar School Teacher

Amanda Miller is the founder of Ordo Amoris Classical Academy.  She is also acting as head of school and lower grammar school teacher.  Amanda completed her undergraduate and master's studies in Early Childhood Special Education from Auburn University. Her classroom experience includes 8 years in the public school sector, and 10 years in classical Christian education. 

Amanda and her husband, Zach, are members of Church of the Redeemer, Fairhope (CREC).  The Lord has blessed them with four beautiful children who keep them very busy.  As a family they enjoy traveling together, so in her spare time Amanda loves to read travel books and create dream vacation itineraries.

Organizational Leadership Consultant

Dr. Timothy Dernlan joins the Ordo Amoris Classical Academy administrative team on site one day per week as an Organizational Leadership Consultant from Compagnon Consulting (a division of the Association of Classical Christian Schools).

He earned an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Ashland University and was named the Outstanding Graduate in 2013. He holds a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh and a B.A. in Communication and Education from Purdue. He currently serves as Vice President for the Association of Classical Christian Schools. He has served as Head of School at institutions ranging from 200 to 1300 students and has served on a variety of non-profit boards and committees. He consults with schools and specializes in board governance, strategic planning, organizational structure, and financial stability.

Much of Dr. Dernlan’s early life was shaped by the sport of wrestling. He won several state and national titles, earned NCAA All-American honors at Purdue University, represented the United States in the Pan American Championships, and competed at the final Olympic Trials in 2000 and 2004. He went on to coach dozens of NCAA All-Americans at Purdue, Ohio State, Penn State, Lehigh, and Ashland University and was named 2008 NCAA Region II Coach-of-the-Year before turning his focus to classical Christian education.

Dr. Dernlan is the author of 100 Common Questions: A Guide to Understanding Classical Christian Education and Classical Christian Virtues: Contemplating the Good Life. He and his wife, Kara, were married in 2000 and have two sons and two daughters (Boaz, Ezekiel, Rebecca, and Anna). They enjoy hiking, reading, camping, exercising, theology, and playing board games together as a family.

Rhetoric School Lead Teacher

Rev. Andrew Colbert has over 12 years of experience in classical Christian education. He has taught a variety of Bible, humanities, and language courses. He particularly enjoys teaching students about the richness of the Old Testament. He received his B.A. in Christian Ministries and Linguistics from Geneva College and his M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCA in 2020, and currently serves as the pastor of Loxley Presbyterian Church (PCA). In his spare time he enjoys time with his family and playing board games. He has been married to Sarah and they have four beautiful daughters. 

Logic School Teacher,
Humanities and Latin

Abigail Macaro earned a B.A. in History (minors in Military History and Creative Writing), B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Government/Communications), and M.A. in History from Liberty University. She also received an M.A. in World War II Studies from Arizona State University and is working on a Ph.D. from Liberty University. In her free time, Abigail enjoys tutoring for the ACT, volunteering with the Dogwood Trail Scholarship Program, exploring historical sites, and antique shopping (she collected around 100 metal lunchboxes by the age of 15!). As a classical Christian student for fifteen years, Abigail developed a great love and appreciation for classical education.

Logic & Rhetoric School Music, Classical Greek

Dr. Colin Pang began pursuing piano at the age of five. A member of the Baldwin County Music Teachers Association, he has studied at the City Music Center of Duquesne University, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and with world-class musicians around the country, such as Douglas Buys of New England Conservatory.

In addition to his training as a classical pianist, he holds a PhD in Classical Studies from Boston University, where he studied ancient Greek and Latin languages and literature. He has given papers and taught courses around the country for organizations such as the Society for Classical Studies, the International Society for Late Antique Literary Studies, and the Hillsdale Barney Charter Initiative Summer Conference.

Grammar School Music, Logic School Math & Bible, Hall System Coordinator, Community Engagement

Rev. Daniel Murphy began his journey with classical Christian education when his family began homeschooling. He comes to OACA with over ten years of experience working with choirs, bands, and other musical groups. His pastoral experience includes ministry with adults, teenagers, and children in Bible study, discipleship, and theological education. He has earned a B.S. in Music Industry from Troy University, and a M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at Stapleton Baptist Church and as a military chaplain. He is married to Emily, and they have four children.

Grammar School Teacher

A native of Illinois, Dawn earned her BA in Elementary Education with concentrations in Math and Reading from Illinois Wesleyan University.

With experience teaching 5th grade in the Olympia School District and at Calvary Christian Academy, along with homeschooling her three youngest children, she was first introduced to Classical Christian Education six years ago after relocating to Louisville, KY. This introduction sparked a deep appreciation for the integration of faith and learning that is central to Classical Christian Education.

Combining her love for God and the wonder of His creation with her passion for teaching is a true gift. She has been married for 33 years and is blessed with seven wonderful children. You will often find her looking for new, fun recipes to try when her children come to visit, and cooking a lot! The family’s two bernedoodles also bring joy and laughter to their home every day.

Grammar School Teacher

Laura Miner was born and raised in Montana but most recently moved to Fairhope from Madison, Indiana in May 2021. She graduated from Lipscomb University that same month, having interrupted her formal education twenty years ago to concentrate on mothering and homeschooling her eight children. She spent those twenty years learning everything she could about Classical Christian Education and implementing what she was learning in her own homeschool as well as in community co-ops and Classical Conversations programs. When not in the classroom, you may find her at the ball park or traveling with her family.

Algebra & Physical Science

Kara earned a B.S. with distinction in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (minor in history) and completed the Honors Program in Liberal Arts at Purdue University.

Since graduating college, Kara has held several bookkeeping and accounting jobs while moving around the country with her husband and children. She and her husband Tim started homeschooling their children classically for three years before ending up at a classical Christian school in Delaware where Tim served in administration for six years. Their most recent move brought them to Alabama where they continue to be involved in the classical Christian school movement. Kara has taught personal finance and has also enjoyed coaching volleyball and running club.

Rhetoric School Logic Teacher

William Parsons earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Journalism from Western Kentucky University. He was an editorial Intern with The Times in Munster, Indiana, and attended Regent University Law School. Parsons served as an assistant editor for Do-It-Yourself Retailing and wrote for several other journals published by the National Retail Hardware Association from 1991 to 1994.

He received his Master of Arts in Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary. He previously served Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Monticello, Indiana as senior pastor, and currently serves Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fairhope, Alabama and Concordia Lutheran Church, Montrose, Ala.

Parsons has also served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserves, the Fairhope Police Dept., and at White County Hospital in Monticello, Indiana. Parsons is an Eagle Scout and has served as a Den leader in both Indiana and Alabama and as an Assistant Scout Master and Instructor.