Leadership

Jason Ross

President

Mr. Jason Ross has been serving as Providence Academy since 2008 and has been advancing Christian education for nearly twenty years. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, Mr. Ross is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Management, Leadership, and Administration through the University of Central Arkansas, which began as a teacher’s college. Mr. Ross holds an M.S.E. in educational leadership as well as teacher and administrator licensure. He is also ordained as a minister in the State of Arkansas. Reporting to the PCCA Board of Directors, Mr. Ross provides oversight to the marketing, development, and family/student life activities of the school as well as the future facilities of Providence Academy.

Mr. Ross leads with a shepherding heart, desiring to help families realize the significant goal of a Christ-centered, college-preparatory education.

Contact: jross@providence-academy.com

Michelle Moore

Head of Upper School

Michelle Moore serves as Head of Upper School. She oversees day-to-day operations of the Upper School campus with specific focus on the Rhetoric school (grades 9-12).

Mrs. Moore previously served as a literacy academic facilitator and spent 20 years teaching Spanish before coming to Providence Academy.

She received a Bachelor’s degree in both Spanish and English from the University of Arkansas and a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. 

Mrs. Moore is incredibly excited to have joinied the PCCA family. “Education has always been my passion,” she said. “Educating the next generation of leaders with a Christ-centered focus is what has drawn me to PCCA. My heart’s desire is to help our students draw closer to God as they build a strong foundation of faith that will guide them throughout life.” She is a wife, mom, educator, writer, and speaker. She released her first Bible study, A Race Well-Lived, in 2021 and is currently working on several more. She and her husband worship with Mt. Comfort Church of Christ, where they are active with both the Razorbacks for Christ ministry and the Young Adult ministry. 

Mrs. Moore strives to live by the words of wisdom in Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Chelsea Abbott

Head of Grammar School

Mrs. Chelsea Abbott leads the Grammar School at PCCA.  Mrs. Abbott joined the administration team having served as an instructional facilitator at an area public elementary school, where she was responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum for K-5th classrooms.  She also mentored teachers as part of the professional development process, providing actionable feedback through classroom observations and best practice recommendations for improvement.  Mrs. Abbott also assisted with reading readiness evaluations and testing data proficiency assessments.  Prior to this role, she planned professional development training and led coaching cycles for teachers at another area school.  She has served as a classroom teacher for kindergarten, implementing inquiry-based learning modules, and third grade, where she participated in a district-wide writing improvement team.

Mrs. Abbott holds a B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education through Williams Baptist College, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through Arkansas State University, and an ESL endorsement through John Brown University.

Contact: cabbott@providence-academy.com

Eric Whittaker

Assistant Head of Upper School, Logic Focus

Eric Whittaker serves Assistant Head of Upper School with emphasis on 7-8th grade students, the Logic School.

Whittaker joined PCCA in 2020 as Junior High Life Science/Ancient History teacher and transitioned to administration in December of 2021. He continues to instruct at the Logic School level while carrying out his administrator role. 

A native of Harrison, Arkansas, Mr. Whittaker received his Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, and his Bachelor of Science in Children and Family Ministry from John Brown University. He holds an Arkansas Teacher's License in Building Level Administration, Middle School Subjects and ESL Endorsement, and is currently working on a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. Prior to joining Providence, he served as instructor and head of school at Fayetteville Christian School and has more than 16 years' experience in the classroom. 

He and his wife, Saralin, a kindergarten teacher at PCCA, have two children who attend Providence: Jackson (eighth) and Eden (sixth).

"A University-Model and classical Christian school has the unique capability of providing a liberal arts education that also exalts the name of Jesus while allowing parents to be highly involved in the education of their children. At Providence Academy, we have an incredible opportunity in Building Leaders for Christ. I am honored, yet humbled, to be part of the Providence family where love for God, a servant’s heart, and  a passion for Christian education can be immersed in the classical education tradition. It is reassuring to know that our challenging college-prep academic rigor coincides with a true call to glorify God in all that we do (Psalm 86:12). It is my prayer that God will move throughout the halls and homes of the Providence family that we can be a 'light that cannot be hidden.'” -Eric Whittaker

Contact: ewhittaker@providence-academy.com

Julie Kelly

Athletic Director

Julie Kelly has more than 14 years experience in secondary and higher education. She was the Athletic Assistant for the Siloam Springs School District and has also held positions in the Gentry School District, Fayetteville Athletics, and the University of Arkansas. With her bachelor's degree in Communications and a Master's in Sports Administration, she enjoys all aspects of athletics, especially equipping and coaching coaches. 

A nationally board Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA), Coach Kelly is a member of the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association and a member of the National Interscholastic Association of Athletic Administrators (NIAAA). She currently serves on the NFHS Coaches Education Committee in the NIAAA. Coach Kelly also serves as the Arkansas State Leader for the Global Community of Women in High School Sports. 

Contact: AD@providence-academy.com 

(Photo courtesy of U. of Arkansas)