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
Educator
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.
Denise Nering
Admissions Director
Denise Nering has taught at Purpose Academy since it opened in 2018. Mrs. Nering studied at The Conservatory of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico, focused on music performance and education as well as music therapy. She has taught for over 13 years in area elementary, middle and high schools with her students and performing groups advancing to all-district and all-state competition levels. Her work in education also spans responsibilities in various support roles, such as bus facilitator, bilingual receptionist, homeschooling, Hispanic community facilitator, and after school program director with previous work in the field of music. She is pursuing her Bachelor’s in education as the next step of her own journey toward lifelong learning. Ms. Nering is bilingual and has a true passion for children's education.
Naomi Peyton, M.Ed. Leadership
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
Educator
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.
Natalie Thomas, M.Ed.
Educator
Natalie Thomas studied middle childhood education at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, where she focused on mathematics and social studies, as well as Bible. Since then, she has taught across four different states over ten years, in both elementary and middle schools. Her work in education also includes responsibilities such as team leader, track and field coaching, therapeutic support, and interventionist. As the next step of her journey toward lifelong learning, she earned a TESOL certificate from Global Leadership College, as well as a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction with a focus on e-learning and technology education from Concordia University. She and her husband, Bradley, reside in Sunrise with their cat, chinchilla, and two yellow-bellied sliders, as well as an occasional foster child or two. She enjoys traveling, listening to audiobooks, reading, DIY projects, learning, playing soccer, and spending time with friends and family. Some of her favorite things are cats, the color green, the book of Revelation, sushi, sweet iced tea, sour candy, Star Wars, and the country of Hungary.
Emma Kenny
education assistant
Emma Joy Kenny serves the staff and students of Purpose Academy as an Education Assistant. She has taught children in various capacities, from instructing dance classes during high school to her current ministry of serving as a mentor for the Many but One Christian Performing Arts Junior Ministry Company. Emma Joy is pursuing a Psychology Degree, but it is also considering education as her new path. She loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Noelani Owen
Educator
Lani Owen grew up in South Florida and received her Bachelor's degree in Human Services with a Minor in Bible from Moody Bible Institute. She led a city wide ministry and taught English to many individuals throughout her 4 years in Chicago. While Lani attended Moody she mentored freshman and sophomores about their relationship with God and more. She also spent 2 months in Germany and Texas where she practiced social work for all ages. Lani has a passion for helping others whether it be connecting with God on a deeper level or learning more about oneself. She is excited to reach the next generation and very grateful for that opportunity at Purpose Academy.