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.

Academic Dean

Upper School Teacher

Joshua Butcher has been involved in Classical Christian Education since 2010 in the roles of teacher, administrator, ex-officio board member, headmaster, parent, and lover of Western Culture. With degrees from Liberty University (BS Communication) and Texas A&M (MA Rhetoric & Public Affairs) Joshua has spent the last fifteen years unlearning and relearning what "traditional" education really is; rediscovering that the path to a good future for our children means honoring the forefathers of our past. 

Joshua, with his wife, Hannah, joined the southern Alabama community in December of 2024 along with their six children (Josiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra, Evelyn, and Theodore).

Director of Operations

Grammar School Music Teacher

Upper School Math Teacher

Rev. Daniel Murphy began his journey with classical Christian education when his family began homeschooling. His experience includes over ten years of professional work 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.

Mr. Murphy also 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

Elizabeth Kennedy has over 12 years experience in classical education in both the homeschool and classroom settings. She has taught a broad range of courses including science, history, geography, Bible, Latin, and grammar at all three levels of the trivium-grammar, logic, and rhetoric. She has also served in various leadership roles in classical schools.  Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and Biology from the University of Mobile.  She particularly enjoys helping students grow in wonder and appreciation for God's work in creation and his redemptive plan in history. 

Elizabeth and her husband, Shawn, have been married for 22 years and have four daughters.  They have attended Grace Community Church in Mobile for 15 years. She enjoys running, reading, and spending quality time with her big family and friends.

Grammar School Teacher

Lee Milstead has been an elementary teacher for over 28 years.  Her experience includes working in independent and classical schools in Atlanta, Birmingham, and Fairhope. Lee graduated from Auburn University in with a Bachelor's degree Early Childhood Education.  

She and her family have enjoyed living in Fairhope over 20 years.  She has been an art instructor and involved in women’s bible studies. Mars Hill Church is their church home.

Latin and Bible 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. 

Physical Science & Biology

Lacey Leaptrott received her B.A. in Urban Environmental Studies from Birmingham-Southern College and her M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Lacey taught biology labs in graduate school, and has spent the last eleven years working as an environmental scientist and project manager at the state and federal level.  She is thrilled to be teaching physical science and biology this academic year.

Lacey is a wife and a mother of two wonderful children and has lived in Daphne the past 8 years. Lacey and her family are active members of 3 Circle Church, Daphne where she also volunteers with 3Circle Jr.

Upper 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.

Upper School Art

Katie Tipton earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in New York. A resident of Fairhope for over 17 years, she has recently been teaching art with the Navigators Homeschool Cooperative, where she also serves on the leadership team. Katie, her husband Gerald, and their daughter Chloe are members of 3Circle Church. She enjoys cooking up new recipes, tending her garden, and planning events.