Middle & High School Teachers

Mrs. Brace has a love and passion for High School Chemistry and Physics and looks forward to guiding scholars through the wonder and beauty of both and helping scholars enjoy and appreciate the truth we can understand through them...

Dr. Andrew D. Carico serves as a Mentor Teacher at John Adams Academy and as an instructor with the John Adams Academy Online program. From 2021 to 2024, he served as the Headmaster of the John Adams Academy-El Dorado Hills campus. Dr. Carico has a profound love for classical education and its transformative role in shaping individual lives and safeguarding American liberty...

Mrs. Mary D’Amour teaches biology to secondary scholars at JAA-Online. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science from California State University, Sacramento, and her master’s degree in Teaching Science from Western Governors University in Utah...

Mr. Raffa was drawn to John Adams Academy’s Vision and Mission of Restoring America’s Heritage by developing servant-leaders. Mr. DeFaria loves being part of the John Adams Academy online team preparing this new generation, under these values, for the future.

Mr. Haymond holds a master’s degree in Education and Instructional Technology and is thrilled to be a part of the JAA family of schools that focuses on changing hearts and minds, inspiring a love of liberty, developing a self-governing citizenship—all through the greatest and most relevant books of all times.  

Mr. Jensen has extensive experience with the classics and has a great love for reading deeply from those classics.

Mrs. Johnson has spent over 20 years inspiring middle and high school scholars to see the wonder of science and the beauty of learning. With degrees in secondary education from Commonwealth University and SNHU, she brings both expertise and heart to her classroom. She joined John Adams Academy Online for its mission to cultivate wisdom and virtue, and she loves connecting with families nationwide...

Heather Leamon came to the John Adams Academy Online program by way of earning a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies K-8, a Master’s in Biology, and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instructional Design from Western Governors University. She is a passionate educator with over 15 years of classroom experience, devoted to classical education principles.

I joined John Adams Academy in 2025-2026, and I am honored to be on a team committed to restoring America's heritage through classical leadership education. Before coming here, I taught Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Algebra I & II, and Geometry for five years at Orange Lutheran High School (a private Christian institution) and one year at Canyon High School (public)...

Dr. Meeks believes that every scholar can be successful, fall in love with learning, and has the capacity to do amazing things in their life. Speaking greatly can change the world even today as it has so many other times in history. You will feel Dr. Meeks' enthusiasm as you go on the journey of speech and current events in this class... 

Kayla Meyer is a dedicated and highly experienced Math 8 mentor with a strong background in teaching mathematics across a wide range of levels, including grades 6 through 9 as well as college-level math courses... 

Ms. Milius is an experienced artist who is excited to teach your scholars drawing and observation techniques. “Every artist has thousands of bad drawings in them and the only way to get rid of them is to draw them out.” ~ Chuck Jones

Coming from an artistic family, Hannah Mitchell was encouraged by her parents and given many opportunities to develop an appreciation for art and experiment with many mediums.

Mr. Morgan deeply loves history, especially American history, personal finance, and is an avid reader. His favorite classic novel is Animal Farm, as he loves the beauty of the metaphor and the clarity of its message.

I am very excited to be at John Adams Academy this year. I take my role as a teacher seriously, and I am committed to assisting you and the school community in supporting your scholar's academic success. Math is all around us: in nature, when shopping at the store, while listening to our favorite music, playing video games, participating in sports, and much more. We just need to take the time to discover it...

The study of language has always been a guiding passion for Nathan, as he states, “Whenever I have any free time, I am usually reading something in English or Latin - or starting on something new.”

Shane Schulthies has an extensive background in academics. After earning a B.S. in Athletic Training, an M.S. in Physical Therapy, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Science, he spent 13 years teaching and conducting research in Athletic Training at Brigham Young University (BYU)...

Mr. Simon is a huge advocate for the online program because it allows parents to exercise their natural right to educate their child, while also providing helpful resources for parents to use.  

The joy of life is the joy of learning, and Stephanie Sorensen brings that infectious enthusiasm into the classroom. Her natural curiosity and sense of wonder infuse every aspect of her teaching, inspiring scholars to authentically question and explore the world around them...

Mrs. Tuttle joined JAA for the 2024-2025 school year as she could not pass up the opportunity to teach at a classically based school. Prior to this, she loved her eight years teaching 5th and 6th grade in her local Idaho school district.  

As a poet and an educator, Mrs. Umlas knows the power that is inherent in studying the classics and will guide scholars in a learning adventure that will encourage their development into servant leaders.