Faculty & Staff

Our teachers and staff are lifelong learners who have a background in serving middle and high school students with excellence and compassion. They affirm the talents and abilities of each student, recognizing that each one is unique and has God-given capacities that must be cultivated to grow to full potential.

Purpose Academy provides families with:

A cross-disciplinary approach to learning
Safe-guarded technology access
Biblically based curriculum
Scholarship opportunities
Affordable tuition
Whole class, small group and individualized learning
Mentors who encourage students to learn their talents and giftings
Leadership and servanthood modeled by all involved
Challenging discussions that advance creativity and capabilities

Marcie Blackstone

EDUCATOR

Marcie Blackstone is a native Floridian who earned a degree in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. She aspired to own a design firm until she gave her life to Jesus who had much better plans for her. She was blessed to stay at home to raise four beautiful children and then chose to homeschool them through high school. Inspiring a love for learning in her own children for over 20 years ignited a passion in her to teach and demonstrate the love of Christ to other children as well. She is honored and grateful to be serving the Lord at Purpose Academy.

Amy Bond

Assistant Principal

Amy Bond earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from the University of Florida. She spent many years pursuing her passion for design but felt God’s calling to give back to our community. She began her career in education at Innovation Charter School where she filled many roles; most notably as the visual arts teacher and 4th grade ELA teacher. She is a proud Florida native who enjoys gardening, snorkeling, and being with her family. She and her husband have been married for more than 20 years, and are parents blessed with 2 teenagers and 3 four-legged friends. Mrs. Bond loves deeply, laughs often, and believes everything and everyone has a purpose. Her favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” She is excited to share her love for the Lord with her students and their families.

Sandi Keller

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT STAFF

Sandi Keller started her career on Wall Street learning sales and finance. She worked in this industry for many years, until accepting a research/study position at Hillside Psychiatric Hospital. Sandi’s career with children began when she volunteered with the Westbury Mother’s Center. She became a board member of this organization that was focused on building community for women who had been career-oriented and now chose to be stay-at-home mothers. There she facilitated discussion groups, led toddler classes, as well as provided and scheduled childcare. Sandi’s work with children continued when she joined the staff at Taylor’s Closet, a ministry that offered a boutique shopping experience to teenage girls in foster care. Currently, Sandi serves as administrative support staff with Purpose Academy and has done so since its opening.

Miicher Elmore

EDUCATOR

Miicher Elmore is the proud mother of a 24-year-old married son and a 26-year-old newlywed daughter. She is blessed by how they love the Lord with all their hearts. Ms. Elmore worked as a Broward County Public School (BCPS)teacher and substitute for nearly fifteen years before joining Innovation Charter School (ICS) as a third grade teacher. Ms. Elmore enjoyed the challenge of participating in the establishment and development of this school in its early days. After three years at ICS, she traveled to Shanghai, China to teach. This provided her a great opportunity to expand her skills and broaden her perspective of the world and of God! Ms. Elmore had never traveled outside of the country before, so not only was this an extraordinary experience, but going to the opposite side of the earth proved to be an astonishing learning adventure as well! Nevertheless, after struggling to overcome homesickness, she returned home. During that year, she substituted for not only BCPS again, but also for both ICS and PA. Amazingly, she was able to return to China soon after the borders reopened to teach Middle School Science and to travel to several surrounding cities. She worked extremely hard and met some beautiful people! Ms. Elmore recently came back to Florida and joined the PA team as a Middle School English teacher. She is so grateful for this opportunity to continue growing in the Lord and sharing Jesus’ love.

Alma Medore

Program Support Facilitator

Alma Medore studied interior design at Instituto Anglo Español in Mexico City, and later moved to the USA and studied to become a Child Development Associate (CDA), with a focus on Child Psychology and Mental Wellbeing. She is a certified water safety swim instructor and enjoys makeup artistry as one of her hobbies and freelance activities. She is inspired to integrate her passion and love for the Lord, art, children’s mental and emotional wellbeing, and biblical principles as components in the art therapy techniques she implements in her classes. She has taught or served in various roles for over 20 years in preschool, elementary, middle school, high school and homeschool settings. She is currently working in applying her talents and knowledge of interior designer, visual arts and psychology to attain a physiologic behavioral certification. Her goal is to inspire children to reach their God-given potentials and to help facilitate healing by reinforcing a right relationship with the Lord.

Micky Moore

EDUCATOR

Micky Moore grew up on Long Island, New York, raised her children in South Carolina, and settled in Florida 30 years ago. She is a mother of three, grandmother of ten, and great grandmother of three. Mrs. Moore lives with her husband, and they host an international student who attends a local high school. Since the age of five, she knew she wanted to be a teacher and has been an educator for 35 years in both public and private schools in South Carolina and Florida. Mrs. Moore received a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Guidance and has used her degrees in elementary, middle, high school, and homeschool. In 2012, she left the school system to take care of her invalid mom and opened up a 501C3 homeschool for students needing varied learning and emotional strategies. Art and drama therapy were at the core of the program, as well as “Brain Gym” exercises. Her passion is to guide students in God’s truth and to assist them in keeping their hearts with all diligence. She also loves to do puzzles, sing, garden, kayak, and serve at her church. She is blessed to be at Purpose Academy and share her gifts and talents with the students.

Richard Garcia

Admissions Coordinator

Richard Garcia was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and comes from a proud Hispanic background—Nicaraguan and Honduran. He enjoys sports, reading, public speaking(English and Spanish), and genuinely connecting with people. Richard serves as a youth leader at his local church, where he’s been able to grow in leadership and faith. He holds an associate degree in Biblical Studies(Instituto Evangelico de Teologia) and a bachelor’s in business analytics and marketing(Florida International University). Through his experience in finance and Customer Engagement , his passion has become encouraging others, especially young people, to walk in purpose and truth. Richard’s life and family have been completely transformed by God’s grace, and that continues to shape everything he does.

Naomi Peyton

PRINCIPAL

Naomi Dominguez Peyton is a first generation American of Cuban ancestry. She has been teaching and leading in public and private schools for over 30 years. Twenty-four of those years were served at Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she was part of the founding administration. At CCA, she has led in varied roles: English Teacher, Assistant Principal, MS Principal, Accreditation Director and most recently, the Int’l Student Program (ISP) as Director. Through her international work, she has presented in China, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, and Colombia to partner with churches and agents so that children around the globe could study in the States for their 8th grade to 12th grade academy experience. Through these roles, Naomi has been leading students to grow in their love for God, and guiding them so they pursue God’s best for their future! Naomi and her husband Derek have been married since 1993 and they have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and their first grandson, Javier. Naomi has a Bachelors in English Education, a Masters in Educational Leadership and is presently a seminary student at Knox Theological Seminary. Her passion is studying His Word, making Him known, and enjoying time with her family. She is joyful to be a part of this amazing OneHope ministry in the city of Pompano.

Jackson Thomas

EDUCATION

Jackson Thomas has a background in chemistry and math and is passionate about learning and teaching. He has tutored students from kindergarten through high school, and worked as a research assistant for a biotechnology company. At Purpose Academy, Mr. Thomas teaches small groups of 4 – 5 students in math, serves as a passenger van driver, and helps in a bit of everything else. He plans to finish his degree in biochemistry and continue to get students excited about math and science.

Alejandra Clavijo Alfonso

Office Coordinator

Alejandra Clavijo Alfonso was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She pursued a degree in business administration at Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, equipping her with a foundation in leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. During the process of finishing her degree, she moved with her parents and brothers to the United States in 2021 following God’s calling for their lives. She has a had the opportunity to work in customer service and loves to serve people with joy and excellence. She has also worked with children as a music teacher and loves creating connections with the kids and their families. She has a strong passion in serving the Lord and impacting the next generation through His word. Outside of her professional life, Alejandra enjoys playing the violin and spending time with her family and friends. She is continually seeking opportunities to grow and learn in every area of her life but most importantly in her spiritual life. She is very grateful for having the honor and privilege to be part of this amazing team at Purpose Academy.

Emma Kenny

Education Assistant

Emma Joy Kenny has served staff and students as an Educational Assistant at Purpose Academy since 2022. Her focus is on working with small groups, where she supports students in their learning and helps them grow both academically and spiritually. Her heart for helping others and seeing students succeed is at the core of her work.

Miss Kenny studied Psychology at Southeastern University, deepening her understanding of how children learn, think, and grow. She grew up dancing at Many But One Christian Performing Arts Studio and went on to teach ballet and other dance styles to young students for many years, sharing her love for the arts and movement.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. She is dedicated, compassionate, and believes every child has unique strengths and a meaningful purpose in Christ Jesus.

Dr. Andrea Hazim

iLead facilitator

As a chiropractor and nutritionist, Dr. Andrea Hazim has been teaching, speaking, and writing as a means of empowering the lives of others. In 2007, Andrea transitioned from educating patients to working with students in the world of home education. It was there that a passion for mentoring young people was born. She launched the Elev8Life educational foundation in 2015 where she developed the transformational mentoring and leadership training program known as TLT-Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. Dr. Andrea Hazim is an advocate for discipling serving leaders for the Kingdom. She has a passion for serving in other nations. It was actually during a Chiropractic mission trip in the country of Panama, where she met her husband, Dr. Jeff Hazim. Twenty-six years later, the “Hazim Team” includes three adult sons – Isaiah, Cyrus & Shiloh. Currently, Andrea equips couples and individuals with transformational tools for emotional and spiritual maturity through her Relationship University mentorship program. Dr. Andrea is blessed to serve each Wednesday as PA’s iLead facilitator, where she will be equipping students to live with Biblical values, learn concepts of serving leadership and ask life-defining questions such as “Who & Whose am I?, What is my Kingdom purpose?, and How can I align with God to fulfill it?”

Gideon Sherwin

Educator

Gideon Sherwin was born and raised in the Chicago area. He has four beautiful children ages 15 through 27. He earned a double major, one in mathematics and one in secondary education from Northeastern Illinois University. He enjoys studying the Bible and has taken some graduate courses in theology. In addition, Mr. Sherwin is a US army veteran. As a lifestyle, Gideon enjoys meeting new people whether it was in the army, ministry, education or traveling to a small church in Koln, Germany when he lived there. God has persistently called him back to the classroom for twelve years to teach young people how to solve problems through math. Exercising his math skills, has made him a better father. He believes anyone can do well in math when they know how to apply the rules and practice them. He is grateful to join the team at Purpose Academy, and he prays for each young person he teaches to fulfill their great purpose in Jesus. He is happy to be on the teaching team with fellow believers and loves to see Christian community grow and be a part of it.

Melissa Pereira

Program Support Facilitator

Melissa Pereira holds a Master’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology, which has provided her with a strong academic foundation in child development, learning, and overall well-being. She studied at the American College of Greece and also received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. This background allows her to approach teaching with a deep understanding of students’ physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.

Born and raised in Florida, she has always had a strong commitment to service and community engagement. She comes from a Brazilian background and is fluent in Portuguese. Her passion for missions and volunteering has led her to participate in and support various child-focused projects both locally and internationally. Through these experiences, she has had the opportunity to work with children from diverse cultures and backgrounds, further enriching her perspective as an educator.

She has also participated in multiple team sports, which has helped shape her appreciation for discipline and perseverance through exercise. These experiences also reinforced the importance of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. She places a high priority on wellness, proper nutrition, and healthy habits that support long-term health.

As the Health and P.E. teacher, her goal is to create a positive and engaging learning environment where students feel encouraged to develop positive routines, build their confidence, and understand the value of overall wellness.