Harrisonville Classical Christian Academy is an independent, non-denominational Christian School with a Classical Christian Education philosophy. HCCA offers a rigorous Classical Christian curriculum while partnering with parents to educate students in a historic biblical worldview. Aspiring to be a premier Classical Christian liberal arts academy. Students at HCCA are asked to think on that which is true, lovely, pure and honorable. We recognize that we are a collaborative help to parents who have a God given right and responsibility for raising and training their children. HCCA strives to be an extension of the home, “training up a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
To develop children to be knowledgeable, understanding and wise as they seek to serve God through their leadership, service and character. To lead classically trained learners into a lifelong journey in Christ, serving God as leaders and servants in their communities, proclaiming the Good News.

Head of School
Michelle has served in Christian and public schools for over 30 years. She founded HCCA in 2020. Michelle is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University, gaining her Bachelor of Science in Religious Education and her Master’s of Science in Education. She has spent the majority of her time teaching in the area of early childhood, Birth-3rd grades in Christian Schools and serving as a Parent Educator in the Parents As Teachers Program in several public schools. She has a heart for Christian Education with over 20 years in the classroom.
Michelle met her husband, Tracy at SBU and they have been married for 38 years. They have 3 adult sons, 3 Daughter in laws and four grandchildren. Tracy and Michelle raised their children in Christian Education and believe that the people who are mentoring your children over 7 hours a day need to be of like faith and mind. They both have a heart for ministry and missions, helping churches and orphanages in Mexico, Italy and other places around the world as well as planting churches and schools here in the Harrisonville area. They attend Abundant Life Church. They are both members on the HCCA board and are committed to seeing a school thrive in Harrisonville that brings glory to God!
Michelle’s life verse is:
“For we know that all things work
together for good to those who love God, to those who are the
called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

Administrative Assistant
Music and Band
Jessie has an Associate of Arts in Teaching from Crowder College and a Bachelor of Science in General Studies from Missouri Southern State University.
Jessie taught K-12 music in the Ballard School District for four years before becoming a stay-at-home mom for nine years. After spending a few months as the K-2 RTI Aide at East Lynne, she finished out the school year at HCCA. This is Jessie’s 5th year at HCCA.
Jessie and her husband John have been married for 18 years and reside in Harrisonville. They have three children: Jaxon, Molly and Maddox. All three attend HCCA.
Outside of school, Jessie enjoys reading and crafting and is an active member of Cornerstone Community Church where she sings on the worship team.
Jessie's favorite verse is:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge..."
2 Samuel 22:2-3

Preschool and Junior Kindergarten
Lin was born in Georgia and moved to North Carolina as an infant. Her father was a Methodist minister. Her sophomore year of high school they moved to Oklahoma where she started her college journey before finishing in Kansas City. This will be Lin's 4th year at HCCA.
In 1988, Lin married her husband David. They have two adult children that both graduated from Christian School so they are huge advocates for Christian Schools. She has over 25 years of experience with preschool age children. When Lin was about 10 or 11 years old she was saved at a Christian concert.
One of Lin’s favorite verses
in the Bible is:
“So that we may boldly say, “ The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Lisa has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood acquired from Southwest Baptist University in 1985. She was the teacher and director of Bright Beginnings Preschool at FBC in Peculiar, MO for ten years. Lisa has taught at the Little Blessings Preschool, Summit Christian Academy and Harrisonville Christian School. This is Lisa’s 4th year at HCCA.
Lisa has been married to her husband, Howard, for 39 years. They have two grown sons. Daniel lives in Columbia and Tommy resides in Raymore with his wife Sammie Jo and 12-year-old daughter Hailey. Lisa and Howard are active members of First Baptist Church of Peculiar where Lisa plays the piano, is the Nursery Coordinator, teaches preschool Sunday School and helps with women’s ministry. In her free time, Lisa likes to play with her granddaughter, sew, make things with her Cricut, and cans homemade jelly and jam.
Lisa’s favorite bible verse is:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

3rd - 5th Grade
Hattie Ashbaugh is entering her fourth year at Harrisonville Classical Christian Academy. She serves as the school’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher. Hattie holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Teaching. Her prior experience includes teaching at Harrisonville Christian School and Summit Christian Academy.
Hattie is deeply dedicated to Christian education. She believes it is vital for integrating academic excellence with a foundational Biblical worldview.
She resides in Peculiar, Missouri, with her husband, James. They have 5 children. Their youngest child also attends HCCA.
She anchors her life and teaching in the truth of scripture. Her favorite verse being Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

6th - 8th Grade Homeroom
Paula is a veteran teacher with over 20 years of experience in all grade levels from Kindergarten through College. She has an education degree from John Brown University
in Siloam Spring, AR. This is Paula’s 7th year at HCCA.
Paula is married to Jake Kohl and they have two sons. Both of their sons attended Christian school growing up. Paula has a deep desire to see students learn and succeed in the classroom and seeks to personally help every student excel to the best of their ability. She is excited to join in the effort to provide Christian education here in Harrisonville, MO.
Paula’s inspirational verse for this year is:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

Assistant Principal, Athletic Director and 10th and 11th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Dale earned his Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies and his Master's Degree in Global Studies from Liberty University. He started teaching history in 2019 at Johnson County Christian Academy and was asked to be the principal in 2020.
Dale moved to Kansas City in 2006 with his wife and two daughters and added a third daughter in 2009. He has been married to his wife for thirty years. He also has three dogs named Mopsey, Mack and Liza, a gecko named Bean, and a bearded dragon named Rango. In his free time, he likes to hunt, fish and play guitar. This is Dale's 3rd year at HCCA.
He has been the pastor at Church of Hope for 7 years and prior to becoming a pastor did mission work in Haiti. He helped plant two churches and build a school in Mare Rouge where there are over 350 students enrolled at the school.

Art, Logic School Literature and Language Arts
She has been an English and Literature teacher in the Philippines for 9 years and taught one school year in Indonesia before moving to the United States. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature and an Education degree in Secondary Education. She aspires for her students to have a constant curiosity and love for learning. This is Glyne’s 6th year at HCCA.
Glyne is married to Randall Piesker and they have one son, Noah. He is a fifth grader who has been attending HCCA since Kindergarten. Glyne’s Arts and Humanities subjects in college focused on Classical Art which she is motivated to convey to our HCCA kids.
Glyne’s favorite verse for her
daily life is:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Logic School Science
Howard has been teaching, coaching, and mentoring middle school students for 38 years (25 years in Blue Springs R IV). Before beginning his teaching career, he worked as a farmer, forester, forest fire fighter, naturalist, learn to camp programmer, and an armorer/PNCO instructor in the United States Army.
His credentials include an Associates of Science in Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education, Teacher Certification 5-12 in Earth Science, Life Science and Environmental Science, All Science 7-9, a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction + 40 hrs.
Howard has been married to Lisa (K- 2nd Grade) for 39 years. They have two grown boys, a wonderful daughter in law, and the best granddaughter on the planet.
Since retiring from public school teaching, Howard stays busy at FBC Peculiar where he serves as a Deacon/Elder, Adult Sunday School teacher, Recreation Leader and Cook.
This is Howard’s 3rd year at HCCA.
A life-long love of the outdoors and endurance sports has not been deterred by his age as they remain a prominent part of his personal life. He is an avid camper, cyclist, trail runner, fisherman and fitness advocate. Having been a runner since 1975 he tried a trail marathon in 2001 and has been hooked on trails since that time. His favorite accomplishments include an 8 hour down and up of the Grand Canyon and, most recently, adventure course racing.
Howard's life verse is:
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Teach me LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end." Psalm 119:32-33

Logic School Composition
Abigail is a longtime lover of classical education, beginning in 8th grade. She went on in the classical disciplines to earn a bachelor’s degree from New St. Andrew’s and a master’s degree from Memoria College.
In addition to teaching for HCCA, she has taught at Memoria Academy since 2012 in Classical Composition, Literature, Latin, Logic, and Classical Studies. Teaching the same subjects each year, she says, is far from boring, but instead gives her the opportunity to delve further into the genius of what makes great literature, allowing us to appreciate its beauty more deeply. She also travels with the Memoria Press Schools Division to train educators in classical instruction.
When not grading essays, Abigail enjoys classical music and cooking, and she has aspirations of one day keeping houseplants alive. A native to Kansas City, she lives with her husband, Mat, and their three children, two of whom attend HCCA.

Para and After Care