About Us
Our Mission
At Grace Grown Academy, we strive to create an engaging school experience for our students that encompasses faith into learning. Our Microschool takes great pride in striving to provide students with a personalized education and nurturing environment, where they can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.
Our Approach
We believe that every child is a unique individual with their own learning style, strengths, and challenges. Our Microschool model is based on a personalized approach, where we create customized learning paths for each student, tailored to their needs and interests. We also integrate biblical principles and Christian values into our curriculum, helping students develop a strong faith foundation that will guide them throughout their lives.
Our Philosophy
We find importance in giving children real life experiences, which is something they don't always receive in other school settings! We will have opportunities for students to experience gardening, cooking, fundraising for a good cause, problem solving projects, and much, much more! We believe that great learning goes beyond the desk and happens when students are engaged and having fun!
Meet the Team
Elizabeth Kirby
Founder, Director, Teacher
I’ve always known I was meant to be a teacher! After earning my Master of Arts in Teaching from JMU — go Dukes! — I taught 4th grade in Greene County until our oldest was born. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was being called to be home with our (now three) children. What began as a season of staying at home quickly turned into a passion for homeschooling. I discovered a deep love for the kind of meaningful, personalized education we could create at home. As God continued to open doors, that passion grew beyond our family — and now I feel incredibly blessed to help other families experience that same joy through our wonderful microschool. I truly can’t imagine a better way to educate our children, and I’m overjoyed to share this journey with others.
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Dustin Kirby
Administration
For the past 11 years, I’ve worked in a different career, but over the last few years, I’ve felt the Lord speaking: calling me to slow down, be home more with my family, and do something that honors Him more directly. After a lot of prayer and conversation, I’m excited to be beginning an official role at GGA. I’ve been helping my wife, Elizabeth, behind the scenes for a while now, but moving into a day-to-day role at the microschool feels like a new chapter. I’ll be supporting things on the administrative side. This microschool means a lot to our family, and I’m thankful to be part of what God is building here.
Christina Lowry
Teacher
As a kid I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but life has a funny way of messing with plans! I received my Associates in Arts and Sciences in Education from LFCC, but ended up babysitting/nannying for five years. After that, I spent the next 5 years in home health care taking care of my grandparents. Now in a full circle moment, I'm back to where I started all those years ago. I'm so excited to work in this incredible microschool! Growing up in a small town on a small family farm I have first hand experience that great things do indeed come in small packages!
Alexandra Gomez
Teacher
Teaching has always been my dream job since childhood. I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Mary Washington. I’ve been teaching in a variety of grades for the past 6 years. I’m a mother of two beautiful children & two giant dogs. In my spare time I enjoy cooking with my toddler and going for walks outside.
Mallerie Shifflett
Teacher
I am beyond excited to be joining Grace Grown Academy as the 2nd/3rd grade teacher this year, and I cannot wait to see all the Lord has in store for this school year! I am passionate about Christian education, and I love Jesus. I serve in preschool, children's church, and in the youth group at church. I have worked in youth development programs since I was 16, was an instructional assistant in the public school system, and taught kindergarten at a private Christian school. I am currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. My greatest desire for this school year is to see our students love the Lord with their whole heart, and build a firm foundation of faith upon Jesus that will last a lifetime.