STAFF
Holly Hunt
Miss Holly Hunt is a long-time Grahamite. Holly is single and has no children of her own so she keeps busy loving on other people’s kids. She has a huge heart for our 3 year olds. Open Door is thankful to have her as our PreK-3 Teacher.
Holly graduated from Graham High School and attended Midwestern State University where she graduated with a BS in Education. Holly’s hobbies are reading, scrapbooking and hanging out with family and friends.
Holly stated, “I love the Lord and all that is given to me by Him. I am excited to begin my second year at ODCS and to teach these young minds about God, along with the new curriculum.”
Holly is a member of Highridge Church.
Pre-K 3
Stephanie Singleton
Stephanie Singleton is full of love, creativity and excitement. She has worked with children for 27 years. She has 3 boys and 2 girls. She is the perfect teacher to bring out the creativity in your child.
Born in Graham, Ms. Stephanie has a lot of family in this area. She loves to spend time with her children and extended family. Stephanie is one of the best scrapbookers you’ll ever meet. She even teaches classes to adults on scrapbooking!
Open Door is happy to have Stephanie Singleton as one of our Pre-K teachers.
Stephanie is a member of Oak Street Baptist Church.
Pre-K 4
Sunshine Pippin
Sunshine comes to us with years of experience teaching and loving children. Sunny enjoys singing, crafting, travelling, and teaching children that JESUS IS REAL. Her love of teaching has been put into action at Open Door over the last 15 years (minus a couple of years she took off to travel).
Sunny Pippin has been married to Ronnie for 26 years. They have two adult children, Haley and Ron and two precious grandchildren. She and Ronnie are members of Country Road Fellowship. Sunny is excited to be at Open Door and ready to start teaching your precious children!
Kindergarten
Amie Rexroad
Amie Rexroad has earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Midwestern State University. She is an amazing Kindergarten teacher, excelling in teaching students higher level thinking skills.
Amie and her husband, Lacy Rexroad III, have lived in Graham for over ten years. They have 2 precious children, one in Junior High and one in High School. Their family loves to hang out together. They primarily love game nights, playing kickball and hiking.
Amie shared, “I am looking forward being with these kids, loving them and teaching them about Jesus.”
Amie is a member of Oak Street Baptist Church, where she and her husband work with kid's ministry.
1st Grade
1st Grade
Jennifer Blackmon
Jennifer is passionate about reading and that is what makes her such a great fit for first grade. Jennifer loves being able to share her love for Christ with the children and looks forward to also sharing that love with their parents. Jennifer previously worked for GISD providing reading support for first through third grade. She was also the technology teacher at Crestview.
Jennifer and her husband, Jesse Blackmon, have lived in Graham for almost 5 years. They have four children: Adrian, Madisyn, James, and Mairyn.
Jennifer’s family are currently serving members at Oak Street Baptist Church. Jennifer’s children are very active in youth and children’s activities within the church and community.
Cristi Logan
Cristi is a 1987 graduate of GHS. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Texas Tech University. She has 18 years of teaching experience in public education, six of which were spent as a reading and dyslexia specialist. She also taught for two years in a private Christian school. She has her Master Reading Teacher Certification, which makes her a perfect fit for our first graders.
Cristi is married to Bruce, who manages a large cattle ranch and trains horses. They have two school-aged children, four grown children, and two grandchildren. Ranch life and horse shows keep the family very busy and provides many opportunities for them to work together and enjoy the outdoors. Being together with family is what they enjoy most in life.
Cristi is passionate about teaching children who they are in our Lord and helping them to learn and grow in His Word. She excited to be teaching again with a Christian curriculum and sharing the love of Christ Jesus with her students.
Cristi and her family are members of Christian Missions in Jacksboro.
2nd Grade
Emily Finfrock
Emily is a Graham native who has returned, after many years, to this wonderful town with her husband, Pete, and 3 children, Luke, Norah, and Sawyer.
She has always been passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and received her degree in Elementary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University where she also competed in Cross Country and Track and Field. She taught both 4th and 2nd grade before staying home with her children for the last 10 years.
Emily and her family lived and served in the Middle East for 6 years and are so thankful for all the Lord did in their time oversees.
2nd Grade
Hannah Atwood
Hannah graduated from Texas Tech with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She brings us her experience and knowledge gained from 13 years in education while working in Burleson ISD and Graham ISD at both the elementary and Junior High levels. She has also coached girls volleyball, basketball, and track.
Hannah lives outside of Graham with her husband, Brady, and 2 kids- Harper (5), and Beckett (1). She considers teaching her God-given calling and is passionate about educating children and fostering their love and knowledge of Christ. When not teaching, Hannah loves reading, camping, gardening, decorating, and spending time with friends and family.
3rd Grade
Ronda Martin
Ronda is a loving teacher, mother, and daughter of Christ! She is very passionate about God and his will for her family. She loves to teach and help others reach their best potential. She finds comfort in encouraging others about the word and truth. She has been in education off and on for 10 years. Previously she has taught pre-k, kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grade. Also, she has enjoyed teaching Sunday school and Wednesday night classes at her church. Her family are members of Elliott Street Church of Christ in Breckenridge. She is very excited to incorporate God into education.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 NIV
While in Stephenville, getting her education degree, she met her husband of 10 years, Zac Martin. God has blessed them with 4 beautiful children. Will, Taylor, Mattie, and Zane. All their children will be attending Open Door this coming year. They are all excited for this next adventure that God has opened for them!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Mrs. Martin is a Registered Instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).
4th Grade
5th Grade
Marla Hearne
Marla attended school at California State University Long Beach. She continued her studies at Northern Virginia Community College, while working as a veterinary technician. Additionally, she spent many years involved in volleyball, basketball, soccer and track and field.
After moving to Texas, she decided to pursue a position as an assistant teacher at Premier Academy in Haslet, Texas. She then married her husband, Justin, and settled in Graham. She was grateful to be a stay at home mom for several years and to later home school two of their children for a period of time. Their three beautiful children Hayden, Maddie and Wyatt, have been abundantly blessed by the opportunity to have top-notch Christ-centered education at ODCS for the past three years. The Hearnes are also active members of Oak Street Baptist Church in Graham.
Marla has a passion for creative, hands-on learning in life and physical sciences and sharing how God, our Creator, is at the center of it all. While helping to foster further knowledge of Christ and servant’s hearts, she also prays to ignite the same excitement and passion for learning in her students. She aims to instill a deep understanding that they each are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. That the evidence of His divine fingerprint is everywhere we look and all throughout history.
Excited and grateful for this new door that God has opened for her at ODCS, Marla looks forward to the upcoming school year and the wonderful plans He has in store!
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6.
JH English
Carrie Trice has a heart for children, a passion to teach, and a mission to serve and honor Jesus Christ. To pursue her passion she graduated from MSU with a bachelor degree in Education, an endorsement in Early Childhood and a minor in English. Carrie is certified to teach Pre-K through 8th grade. She previously has taught 3rd grade for GISD and prior to that has taught Jr. High English for Bryson ISD.
Carrie and her husband, Andy Trice grew up in Graham and love this community. They have 3 kids: Chandler is a Senior at Newcastle ISD, Carson is a Junior at GISD and Jacie is attending ODCS. Carrie and her family are members of First Baptist of Graham. She is also a member of Bible Study Fellowship. Carrie is looking forward to enjoying the art of teaching 5th grade and growing children in the Lord at ODCS.
Mrs. Trice is a Registered Instructor with the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).
Carrie Trice
Emily Hines
Emily is a graduate of Graham High School. As an active member of the FFA, all four years of high school, she developed a love of all things agriculture. This translated into pursuing a degree in agriculture science with a certification in secondary education. Emily graduated from West Texas A&M University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Emily gave her heart to Christ at a young age and began pursuing His call in her life. As a teenager, Emily worked at a Christian children’s camp in the Panhandle during her summers. Her desire to lead others to Christ grew stronger through this experience and stretched her to seek out opportunities to be mentored and mentor others.
During college Emily was active with the Navigators as an officer. Her passion to share Christ led her to participate in the summer evangelism training program, Ozark Mountain Encounter. This experience allowed her to dive deep into God’s word, join with other Christians in discipleship and equip her for evangelism.
Emily is married to William and they have one daughter, Hannah. She attends Bethel Baptist Church. Emily is very excited about all the possibilities the future holds and is looking forward to sharing her love of learning and adventure with the students at ODCS.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Philippians 3:8
JH Math and Science
Denise Kunkel
Denise Kunkel earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising with a Minor in Marketing in 1994, and earned her Master’s Degree in Mass Communications in 1996, both from Texas Tech University. In 2000, after working as a media buyer at Camelot Strategic Marketing & Media in Dallas, Denise and her husband, Travis, decided to give up city life and move back to his roots in Young County. Denise then worked in Commercial Insurance for 18 years at Bryan Insurance Agency in Graham before God called her to switch gears and serve as a teacher at Open Door Christian School in 2019. Denise was very familiar with Open Door prior to teaching as both of her daughters attended school here from their early years through 6th grade. She had also served on the Open Door School Board for a few years prior to teaching.
Denise got her start with teaching on the mission field in 2011, teaching women in Uganda about the truths of God. From that first trip to Uganda, God ignited a passion for missions in the Kunkels and they have since served in Uganda, India and Yucatan numerous times. The example set to their family has resulted in their daughters also having a heart and love for missions, both going on mission trips and raising money for missions. Over $10,000 has been raised and donated over the last 10 years, financially aiding orphanages, pastors and schools, and drilling three water wells in both Uganda and India.
Denise and Travis met at Texas Tech and have been married 25 years. They have two daughters, Suzanna, a Sophomore at Texas Tech, and Sarah, an 8th grader at Graham Junior High. Their family has attended Oak Street Baptist Church since 2009 and has actively served in many areas of the church throughout the years.
JH History/Apologetics/Latin
STEM Director
Claire Meschkat
Claire is a North Texas native who lives with her husband and three daughters in Graham. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University and a passion for sharing her love of learning about God’s creation with kids.
After years of working in the aviation and space exploration industries, she felt called to pursue teaching. Claire co-founded Vivify STEM, a STEM education curriculum company, in 2014 and is dedicated to bringing quality STEM programming to the students of Open Door.
Claire is currently working to complete her Masters in Education with Educational Psychology specializing in Creativity and Cognition.
When not launching rockets or doing science experiments with her kids, Claire enjoys gardening, painting, and flying around the country with her family.
Laci Nelle
Laci has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of North Texas. This is her 12th year in teaching, having previously taught in Lewisville ISD, Kerrville ISD, Warm Springs Indian Reservation K-8 Academy, and Graham ISD at the elementary level. Coming from the public school setting, Laci is excited to be able to talk freely about God and His creation to her students. Laci lives outside of Graham with her husband, Stephan, and 2 year old Ollie Opal. Her husband's job as an engineer in the aviation industry moved them back to Texas from Oregon. As native Texans, they were ready to be back in their home state to start a family.
Laci and her family worship at Redeemer Church. When not teaching, Laci enjoys gardening, birding, camping, being a chicken mom, hiking, canoeing, traveling, and being with family and friends.
STEM Teacher
Music Director
Deborah Loesch
Deborah Loesch is a 1989 graduate of Azle High School. She went on to graduate from the College of Music at the University of North Texas with her Bachelor degree in Music Education. She has been married to Brad Loesch for 25 years and has 3 wonderful sons. She has taught K-12 music and choir as well as private voice. She has also taught children's and youth church choirs for several years as well as serving as the interim adult choir director at FBC Lakeside. Mrs. Loesch was the Graham High School and Junior high choral director for 5 years before pursuing her private voice lessons full time. She is currently serving as a member of OSBC worship team and praise choir. Deborah (or Ms. Debbie as the kids call her) has been singing publicly since she was a child. She has a contagious passion for singing and teaching the next generation how to use their voice for God's glory.
She is active with Bible Study Fellowship of Graham and also enjoys learning and growing in her walk with the Lord. We are so excited to have her as a part of the ODCS team and I know she is eager to see what God will do with and through our school this year.
Vikki Wankowicz
Viktoria Wankowicz will be wearing many hats as the PE Coach, Art Teacher, Head Gardener, and Athletic Director for our students participating in CSAF. Mrs. Wankowicz has 14 years of experience teaching and has taught locally at Bryson and Graham ISDs. She is a Boymom first and foremost to 4 boys and wife to Tim Wankowicz who works at Graham ISD as the Boys JV & Varsity Soccer Coach. You will see the whole family at the soccer fields most months out of the year, they see the team as their extended family.
The Wankowicz family attends Oak Street Baptist Church. Vikki loves to sew, garden, travel, remodel interior spaces and eat chocolate. You will see her wearing her sewn art themed garments next year. She is an enthusiastic, spirited, adventurous and passionate individual who will bring some creative fun and knowledge to Open Door.
Art / P. E. / Athletic Director
LeAnn Stetson
LeAnn has been a Graham resident for ten years, moving back to Texas after traveling and living around the world. She has one daughter who is attending Texas Tech University.
All of her travels and experiences have been a blessing in her life, but she stays true to her faith in God wherever she is and whatever she is doing.
LeAnn is a member of Bethel Baptist Church where she is active in children's ministry.
The Graham Leader's 2017 & 2022 Readers' Choice Awards winner for
Best School Secretary
Secretary
Principal/Administrator - Brandi Menard
Brandi grew up in Graham and went on to graduate from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She and her husband, Richard, have 4 children, Reagan, Chloe, MaCrae, and Jack.
Brandi received her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2010. She has been in education for 24 years teaching in the classroom from Kindergarten to College at NCTC as well as a school counselor for 8 years. She also holds her License Professional Counselor (LPC) Certification through the state of Texas.
Brandi's husband is the ranch manager for his family ranch in Throckmorton and Stephens Counties. Their family has a passion for being strong stewards of God's creation and the land He has blessed us with. They enjoy fishing, hunting, and playing golf with their children.
Brandi and her family are members of Eastside Church of Christ of Graham.