A Letter from Bobbi Jayne
Together, Preston and I have over 60 years of experience in education.
While Preston has served 17 years in Private/Christian Schools and the other years in the public schools in Mississippi, my experience has been
solely in the public school arena.
Preston offers great insight and experience into this process of forming Vanguard Christian School, since he has served to advance young Christian schools across his career. Preston has served in the roles of teacher, principal, head of school, coach, and other duties across his 34 years in the field. My roles have included those of classroom teacher, psychometrist, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, and associate superintendent. I spent 21 years working in the North Pike School District, which holds a special place in my heart as my alma mater.
My “educator eyes” were opened during my service as Hinds County School District's Associate Superintendent during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my job to oversee curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the face of daunting challenges. That critical time in the world of education provided great insight into just how effective options can be beyond the traditional 5-day model. I witnessed some families utilize a quality curriculum with the oversight and support of professional educators, and their children weren’t even in the
school building 5 days per week. It was also during that time frame that I learned of the existence of a third kind of education model — the University Model. After retiring in 2021, I had the privilege of watching my granddaughter thrive at Adolesco Preparatory Academy in Hammond, LA--a University Model School.
This model blends both worlds nicely--home and school. I truly believe that our area will benefit from such a school.
I work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and am co-owner of Brookhaven Counseling Group in Brookhaven, MS. I find great fulfillment in companioning mourners through grief and loss, and I plan to continue that work.
However, the calling to start a University Model School in our area has continued to stay on my heart.
Vanguard Christian School is the result of this mission that God has presented to us, and is a task that Preston joined in undertaking. We watched with wonder as the faculty was assembled.
The faculty of Vanguard Christian School has a heart for families and wants to support those who desire to have the gift of increased quality time together. We all look forward to what the future will bring!
We are grateful for prayers and support as we strive to ensure our students are not only prepared for college but also equipped for life!
- Bobbi Jayne Gordon, MED, NCSC, LPC
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Bobbi Jayne Gordon, MED, NCSC, LPC
Our administrator, Bobbi Jayne Gordon, has over 30 years of experience in education with roles that included classroom teacher, psychometrist, school counselor, assistant principal, principal, and associate superintendent.
She spent 21 of those years working in the North Pike School District, which is also her alma mater. She holds many degrees and certifications and is a graduate of Southwest MS Community College, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Mississippi College. She's currently a licensed professional counselor for her company, Ascend Counseling and Consulting, in Brookhaven, MS.
Bobbi Jayne and her husband, Preston, live in Bogue Chitto, MS. She has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. She is very active in her church, FBC McComb, and she enjoys traveling, learning and taking on new challenges, playing pickleball, singing, and spending time with her family and friends, including her 3 precious sisters.
Meet Our Team, Hear Our Story
Our Faculty
Denelle Barrios, K-4
Denelle was a longtime Louisiana resident, but she and her husband, Perry, currently live in Magnolia, MS. She is the mother of 3 daughters and has 8 grandchildren.
Denelle has been a homeschool mom for over 20 years, a mortgage loan officer, and, most recently, a kindergarten teacher for the past 3 years in Louisiana.
She has also served in kids and youth church ministry, including directing VBS, for over 30 years. Denelle enjoys cooking, fishing, riding ATVs, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.
Karen Linton, 1st Grade
Karen is a graduate of North Pike High School, Mississippi State University (BA in Philosophy and Religion), and The University of Southern Mississippi (BS in Elementary Education).She taught for 25 years at Otken Elementary in the McComb School District, with 22 of those years in 2nd grade. After retiring from Otken, Mrs. Karen taught PreK4 at First Baptist Church McComb’s WEE Center for 7 years. She has taught children in Sunday School, VBS, and mission groups at her church and is currently serving as the children’s minister there. She has always loved working with children and believes it is a gift from God.She has been married to her husband, Carl, for 45 years. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Robin Yates, 2nd/3rd Grade Math & Science
Robin lives in Summit, MS, with her husband of 33-plus years, Ron. They have two children. Robin and her family enjoy traveling and spending time together. Extended family is very important to them.
Mrs. Robin holds a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from William Carey University. She also is an alumna of The University of Southern Mississippi, Southwest Mississippi Community College, and North Pike High School. She has 31 years of elementary teaching experience in MS public schools.
Mrs. Robin has worked with Bible Schools, youth groups, and children's department activities at church for many years. Fun fact- Mrs. Robin can often be found working a Sudoku puzzle, reading, or playing games with family.
She's excited for a great year at Vanguard!
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Dana Wallace, 2nd/3rd Grade History & ELA
Dana lives in Bogue Chitto, MS. She is married to her husband of 33 years, Kenneth. They have three children and three grandchildren. Mrs. Dana enjoys watching sporting events and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is a member of Montgomery Baptist Church where she is involved as a nursery worker, VBS volunteer, Sunday School substitute teacher, children’s church leader, and a shower committee member.
Mrs. Dana is a graduate of Brookhaven Academy, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and Mississippi State University. She has a degree in Elementary Education and also holds a Gifted Education endorsement from Mississippi College. Mrs. Dana has 34 years of elementary teaching experience in Mississippi public schools.
Kandie Whittington, 4th/5th Grade, ELA
Kandie is a lifelong resident of our area. She graduated from McComb High School and then attended SMCC before earning her B.S. degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Kandie has over a decade of teaching experience, primarily in elementary and middle school.
She is a member of First Baptist
Church Summit. She has 3 children: a son and a daughter who are graduates of LSU and Ole Miss and a son who will attend Ole Miss in the fall.
Mrs. Kandie loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She also enjoys reading, pickleball, tennis, and playing cards & Mahjong.
Stacy Kelly, 4th/5th Grade Math
Stacy has been married to her wonderful husband, Ben, for 31 years. They have 3 children, each celebrating 5 years of marriage this year, and 6 grandchildren.
Mrs. Stacy graduated from McComb High School in 1991. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1996. She also attended William Carey University to obtain her teaching degree. She retired in May of 2025 after teaching for 29 years.
She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, making memories with her grand-babies, reading, and hiking with her husband. She is an active member of FBC Summit.