About

Genevieve Peterson, CFRE, is the Chief Development Officer for the Society for Classical Learning, bringing deep experience from her tenure as CDO at Great Hearts Academies and her leadership of the Arizona private school tax credit with Catholic Education Arizona. Her passion for fundraising began at California State University, Fullerton (BA Communications), and was shaped further through her work as a Leadership Consultant, traveling to more than 25 universities nationwide. A California native, Genevieve now resides in Chandler, Arizona with her husband Kevin and their two sons, and recharges each summer along the Orange County coast with family and friends.

In her role as the Director of School Improvement for the Society for Classical Learning, Starrla is able to combine two big passions—developing leaders and expanding collaborative schools across the United States. Prior to joining SCL, Starrla and her husband were co-founders of Veritas Academy in Austin, Texas, and over the course of 18 years Starrla served in various capacities including Academic Dean, Academic Team Chair, Grammar School Head, and School of Logic Head. She continues to serve on the Veritas Academy School Board and its Governance and Nominations committee. While at Veritas, Starrla developed curricula and academic programs, trained hundreds of teachers, served on accreditation teams for similar schools, and helped many classical, collaborative schools launch and grow. She is passionate about Kingdom building through the expansion of classical, Christian schools; and after receiving her Masters in Leadership through Gordon College, shifted her focus to developing programs for training future Christian school leaders. Starrla and her husband, Jef (the longtime Veritas HOS), are the parents of three adult children, all graduates of Veritas Academy. After living in the Texas Hill Country for nearly 30 years, Starrla and Jef now enjoy living close to their adult children in Memphis, Tennessee.

Brian has been in classical education for 17 years serving in various capacities ranging from "science" teacher to administrator and board chair. With a desire to grow as a professional educator, he returned to school in 2015 to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership at Vanderbilt University's Peabody School. Graduating in 2018, this work ignited a passion to study Classical Christian schools for the purpose of helping them to improve as they seek to build the Kingdom of God. In addition to his work with SCL, Brian directs the Center for Christian Classical Education at College of the Ozarks in Pointe Lookout, Missouri.

Lauren Key began working for SCL in the fall of 2022. She brings over 10 years of Administrative experience in Classical Education including Director of Operations, Director of Admissions, and Director of Fine Arts: The Habersham School in Savannah, GA. Lauren’s focus on our team is operations, customer experience, sponsorship and membership. She enjoys combining her love of customer service with her love of Classical Education. She lives in Savannah with her husband and three girls.

Sarah Spencer has been in education for almost twenty years. She has served in a variety of capacities: public high school history teacher, classical Christian fourth grade teacher, classical Christian Grammar School dean, and most recently homeschooling her own children in the classical Christian tradition. She is an army wife and mother of four. She enjoys hosting friends, family, and neighbors; reading and discussing great books; cooking and eating delicious food; spending time alone in the Word; and singing. She is energized by the good work being done in the classical, Christian movement, as we consider together what it means to raise up the next generation with a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.

Catherine is deeply passionate about creating art and experiencing beauty even in the most mundane things. As a graphic designer at SCL, Catherine gets to create resources and initiatives that combine a passion for beauty and design with a deep love for classical education. Catherine holds a BFA from Mississippi State University and has a background in education and ministry. In addition to working as a graphic designer before joining SCL, Catherine was the college counselor and Art teacher at The Habersham School, a classical Christian school in Savannah, GA. She also served with Reformed University Fellowship, fostering spiritual growth in college students at Colorado State University. In her free time, she enjoys reading and woodworking.

Marissa has served as SCL’s executive assistant since 2016. “I truly believe in SCL’s mission and vision to help classical Christian education thrive, and how it is making an impact in the next generation and society as a whole,” Marissa says. “SCL has ministered to my family and me in numerous ways, and it’s been an honor to be a part of this movement in a small way.” Prior to SCL, Marissa served as the program director for the Alec & Belle Waterhouse Lecture Series in Honolulu, HI where she organized conferences and seminars for nearly 10 years. She also has held administrative positions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the President’s Office. Marissa is married to Shelby, and they have three children who attend Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth, TX. Born and raised in Honolulu, HI, Marissa enjoys traveling, reading, and volunteering in her daughters’ American Heritage Girls’ troop.

Madi Howard joins the Society for Classical Learning with nearly 10 years of experience in project management, program development, and data analysis. Madi began her career, and was introduced to the classical education movement, as Student Program Manager at the Bill of Rights Institute. She honed her tech skills and developed a love for data reporting and analysis as Program Coordinator at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and as Volunteer Manager at Cleveland Metroparks. Now, she is excited to join the classical education movement through her role as Tech Operations Coordinator. Madi received her BA in History from Malone University and her MA in Public History from American University. She resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and their two young boys.

Luke Jackson is the Marketing Coordinator for the Society for Classical Learning, and he also teaches fourth grade at Hunter Classical Christian School. He graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.A. in Philosophy (Pre-Seminary) and a minor in Leadership Studies. Before college, he was classically educated from kindergarten through 12th grade, where he was shepherded to delight in what is true, good, and – especially – what is beautiful. Luke’s teaching experience includes instructing math, reading, grammar, and Bible to under-resourced students in Richmond public schools. He is thrilled to be back in classical Christian education, walking alongside his students as they marvel together at God’s goodness, wisdom, and grace woven through every subject. He particularly loves the awakening independence and eager-heartedness of fourth graders, and the rich literature and history they are capable of exploring. Luke and his wife, Kirby, enjoy cooking, eating good food, spending time with family and friends, and tending their garden.