OCS Faculty & Staff

Aimee Askew - School Principal

Mrs. Aimee Askew is a graduate of Kansas Christian College with a degree in elementary education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education and Innovation from Webster University in 2015. She has taught at Overland Christian a total of eighteen years in preschool through second grades. She served as the director of Overland Christian's preschool program for three years and has been K-12 grade principal for three years. Aimee attends New Journey at Gregory Hills Church, where her husband is the pastor. She and her husband, Kevin, have three children.

Phillip Gray II - Head of School & Director of International Admissions

Mr. Phillip Gray II has been blessed to be in ministry for 30 years and 22 of those have been in Christian education. I have enjoyed roles in two states: FL and KS, serving as teacher, Head of School, Athletic Director, and principal. I graduated from Hobe Sound Bible College with a BA in pastoral studies and counseling (2000), a MS in Educational Administration from CIU (2011), and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from CIU (2024). My greatest joy is leading young people to Christ and mentoring teachers. I am supported by my wife Lora, and have three children who are all products of Christian Ed.

Ben Nelson - HS Sciences & 12th Grade Bible

Mr. Ben Nelson graduated from Kansas City College and Bible School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. During his 26 years at Overland Christian Schools, he has taught sixth grade, junior high, and high school. He has also held various administrative positions during that time. Currently, he teaches high school science and Bible courses as well as elective courses. He has also been the yearbook advisor for the last nine years. Additionally, he serves as Vice Principal of Academics. Ben has attended the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness) for the last 26 years. He serves as church pianist, secretary/treasurer, and director of technical ministries.

Vickey Ashley - Head of School Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Vickey Ashley works part-time as a secretary at Overland Christian Schools, and I truly enjoy being part of such a joyful, faith-filled community. I graduated from a Christian school myself, so it's especially meaningful to now serve in a place where faith, prayer, and encouragement are part of everyday life. I'm married to a wonderful man, and I'm a proud mom of six and grandma of fourteen. Many of my children and grandchildren are part of the OCS family, which makes it even more special. When I'm not at school, I love spending time with my family, gardening, and going camping whenever I can. I'm so thankful for my church family and for all the ways God allows me to serve and enjoy life with others.

Patti Velazquez - OCS Office Administrative Assistant

Ms. Patti Velazquez serves as the Main Office Administrative Assistant at Overland Christian Schools. She brings more than 30 years of classroom experience and has served at OCS for 22 years, teaching students from preschool through high school with much of her career focused on third through sixth grades. Patti earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Education from Kansas Christian College and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Hobe Sound Bible College with a concentration in Piano. Her professional background also includes several years as an Administrative Assistant in the healthcare industry, where she gained extensive experience in office administration, insurance authorizations, billing, scheduling, and patient services. Patti attends New Journey at Gregory Hills and enjoys using her gifts to serve the Lord through Christian education. She is thankful to be part of the Overland Christian Schools family and looks forward to welcoming and assisting students, parents, and visitors each day.

Michelle Dudgeon - Director of Student Activities

Mrs. Michelle has been an intricate part to OCS as she has been a part of OCS since 2013 as a parent, volunteer and PTF representative. Michelle has taught at OCS in 6th grade History, HS History's, 7th grade Bible, has been a preschool aide. Currently she is in the position of co-advisor to the NHS Advisor, head of school administrative Assistant in the mornings and afternoon OCS Secretary in the afternoons. Michelle will be our Director of Student Activities this coming school year. Michelle is married to her husband David and has 2 children and 4 dogs. Michelle attends Fellowship West in Kansas City, KS and attends Sunday School, morning services and helps out with church buddies with the special needs children twice a month.

Suzy Meyers - Elementary Math for 3rd-5th (Rotation Teacher for Math) & Aid to Mrs. Askew

Ms. Suzannah Meyers, aka Ms. Suzy, is a graduate of Kansas Christian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She then earned her Master of Education and Innovation from Webster University, graduating with highest honors. Ms. Suzy is a proud alumnus of OCS, having attended from preschool to 12th grade. Ms. Suzy has taught at Overland Christian Schools for 20 years and is looking forward to teaching Elementary Bible, 3rd-5th Math, and being Mrs. Askew's assistant next year. She is the proud Auntie to 12 nieces and nephews and Great Auntie to 9 great nieces and nephews. She loves spending time with her family and friends, especially supporting her great nieces and nephews at their sporting events. She loves to curl up in her library with a good book. Ms. Suzy enjoys attending and serving at her church, 2 or More, and welcomes anyone needing a church home to come and try it out.

Alica Frecks-Mazur - Pre-K & K4 Teacher

Mrs. Alica Mazur has spent the past 5 years teaching in our Early Childhood Department here at OCS. I truly love helping children learn and grow. As a mom of four, I understand the importance of patience, compassion and strong foundations in early education. My faith is central to who i am- I am a born-again Christian who believes deeply in the impact of Christian education. I also serve on the worship team at my church where I attend with my husband. I strive to reflect my faith both in and out of the classroom. I bring both heart and experience into everything I do.

Katie Smith - Kindergarten

Mrs. Katie Smith has been serving at OCS for 7 years. I taught in early childhood for 5 years, spent 1 year as a tutor, and I just finished my first year as a Kindergarten teacher. I graduated from Kansas Christian College with my bachelor's degree in elementary education. In my spare time, I enjoy fishing and being outdoors with my family. I also enjoy being active in church ministries such as the worship team and the children's ministry. I am happily married to my husband of 13 years, Stephen, and am blessed with my 3 daughters, Sofia (10), Charlotte (5), and Luna (5).

Malissa Sanderson - First Grade

Mrs. Malissa Sanderson has worked with OCS since 2025. She has a bachelor's degree in social work from Harding University. She has taken ASL classes at JCCC. She enjoys her ministry in children's church as well as being a mother. She attends Calvary Bible Church in Bonner Springs. She is married to a man from England and visits there with her family. She has worked as an assistant teacher at Head Start and as a case manager at Wyandotte Behavioral Health. She believes she is called to train up children as it says in Proverbs 22:6.

Rachael Baker - Second Grade

Mrs. Rachael Baker is so blessed to begin my fourth year at OCS. I am the wife of my awesome husband, Robert, a mother to my three beautiful children, and a child of the King! I have a strong love for coffee with a hefty splash of heavy cream. It brings me joy to be with my family and friends, playing board games and hanging out. I highly enjoy cleaning, organizing, and decluttering. It brings me peace to be in a tidy area! My first experience with children came from having six siblings. I was the little momma to all of them. I am a caregiver at heart and live to nurture others. I served at my church nursery for 12 years and have now been running Sunday school for the last 2 years. I ran an in-home daycare, but felt the Lord was calling me to be a part of the OCS family. This will be my third-year teaching 2nd grade. I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I believe that second grade is a year of incredible growth. I have a strong desire to meet children where they are and help them find their confidence and trust in themselves to succeed. I strive to create an environment where students feel accepted and loved. I am excited for another new year to begin, filled with new memories and adventures!

Mason Carpenter -3rd-5th Grade (Rotation Teacher for Science & Social Studies) & Drama Director

Mr. Mason Carpenter graduated from Overland Christian Schools in 2019 and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Kansas Christian College. He joined OCS in 2023 as a Kindergarten Aide before moving into the role of First Grade teacher. Mason is excited to step into the role of Elementary Science and Social Studies Teacher. In addition to teaching, he has been involved in the theatre department for the past six years, directing the spring drama productions. Mason looks forward to helping students grow academically and spiritually.

Kaytlynn Sprowl - 3rd-5th Grade (Rotation Teacher for English)

Ms. Kaytlynn Sprowl is enjoying her fourth year teaching in 4th grade. She is excited to step into the ESL position and continue teaching music with her many years of music experience. Kaytlynn graduated with her B.A. in Elementary Education in May of 2022. She is currently attending Campbellsville university to obtain her Masters in English. She has always had a passion for children, from volunteering, to babysitting, to volunteering at Harmony Hill Kid's Kamp. She is a member at New Journey at Gregory Church of God Holiness in MO and serves on the worship team and as a children's ministry worker. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music, watching Disney movies, and writing. She also owns a small book based business that she started in 2024. She feels extremely blessed and ready to continue in educating young minds.

Trisha Luce - MS Teacher, MS/HS Art & Music Teacher

Mrs. Trisha Luce's education journey started with a double major in Music and Theology, which I followed up with a Masters in Music Education. My first teaching position was an instrumental director for grades 4-12 at a Christian school in North Carolina. After marriage to Ethan Luce, who is in the US Army, I took a teaching break and followed him to our many locations and added 3 daughters to our family. I jumped back into teaching when I started homeschooling my children starting with kindergarten up to 3rd grade. After 2 years at a Christian school in Oklahoma, where I taught K3, I went back to homeschooling for 3 more years, up to grade 8, and was vice director of our international homeschool group. This last year I had the privilege to join the OCS family teaching middle school - Math, History, and Bible - and I am looking forward to adding Music and Art this coming school year. I have enjoyed my eclectic, 15 year teaching career, traveling the world, and being able to invest in and be a part of my own children's education as well as so many others!

Denise Mason - MS Teacher

Mrs. Denise Mason, and this is my sixth year teaching for OCS. I spent 27 years teaching Technology to students in grades K-8 at Holy Cross School here in Overland Park. I will be teaching 6th-grade English, 6th-grade Science, 6th-grade Keyboarding/Study Skills, 7th-grade English, and 8th-grade English. My family consists of my husband Kevin, 3 grown children, and 6 grandchildren. Directly out of high school I attended the University of Central Missouri and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Recreation/Education. Later, after having a family, my love for teaching sent me back to Avila University where I received my Teacher's State Certification for both Kansas and Missouri. I became a born-again Christian when I was 15 and became deeply involved in church activities. In my adult years, I held several leadership roles which centered around teaching kids and youth about Christ. Prayer, Bible reading, and Christian music are "musts" for me on a daily basis. I believe that God has an incredible plan for each of our lives. Truly, "With God, all things are possible."- Matthew 19:26… I love GOD…I love KIDS…and I love EDUCATION. That is why I am here:)

DJ Linick - HS English I-IV, Literature, Spanish I-II, Psychology/Speech

Mr. Daniel J. Linick, and this is my sixth year teaching at OSC. I teach all the high school English courses and Spanish electives (just me, the language guy!). I attended OCS as a student from fifth grade through my senior year and then went to Oklahoma for university. I graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2017, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor’s in Secondary English Education. While in school, I also tutored reading and math at Wayside Elementary in Bartlesville, OK, for grades K-5. I later student-taught in the Bartlesville Public School system. I attend Fellowship Olathe Church. I enjoy a close-knit relationship with my immediate family: my mother, father, two brothers, and sister-in-law. I grew up in the church and consider myself indebted to Christian education as a contributing factor in making me who I am today. I teach at OCS not just because I have been called here but also because it is my effort to give something back to the educational system to which I owe so much.

Ashley Williams - MS/HS STEM, MS Science, MS/HS Math

Mrs. Ashley Williams is in her fourth year teaching at Overland Christian Schools, where she teaches Math, Science, and STEM for middle school and high school students. She attended Kansas Christian College, earning an Associate’s Degree in Leadership and Ministry and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Ashley is also a proud U.S. Navy veteran with several years of experience serving in teen ministry. She has a passion for World Vision, youth discipleship, and building meaningful relationships with students.

Ashley and her husband, Chris, have four sons — Christopher, Grey, Colten, and Nolen — along with a daughter-in-law, Haylie. They are "KS" parents to the Johnsons and are proud to be called MeMaw and PopPop by ZaKai. Outside the classroom, Ashley enjoys art, crocheting, gardening, thrifting, lake life, and sports. Sports season is her favorite season, where she can be seen crocheting in the stands while cheering on her boys, her OCS students, and the Kansas Christian College Women's Basketball Team, where she is known as the “Team Mama.”

Lora Gray - MS/HS History, Math Comprehension, Math 6 & ESL

Mrs. Lora Gray began teaching in 1999 and is passionate about helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Hobe Sound Bible College and a Master’s degree in History from Liberty University. Since becoming a Christian at age 11, her faith has been the foundation of her life and ministry, guiding her commitment to Christian education and service. Mrs. Gray has been married to her husband for 29 years and is the proud mother of three children. Originally from Indiana, she spent many years living in Florida before moving to Kansas. She loves building strong relationships with students and families and believes that a partnership between home and school creates the best environment for learning. She is excited to help her students discover, grow, and thrive throughout the school year.