About

Sager Classical Academy desires to partner with local families who are seeking to find a place for their children to love the Lord with their minds as well as their hearts and hands, to flourish in a like-minded community, and to rediscover the lost tools of learning.

O U R T E A M

Board Members

Jessica Hooten Wilson - Chair

Jessica Hooten Wilson started teaching at Covenant Classical School in Fort Worth before she became an associate professor of literature at John Brown University. She has a PhD in Theology and Literature from Baylor University, has taught at four universities, and has published three books, including Christianity Today's 2018 Book of the Year in Culture and the Arts, Giving the Devil his Due. In 2017 she was selected as the Emerging Public Intellectual by the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities and other like-minded sponsors. She was a Fulbright Fellow and fellow of Biola University's Center for Christian Thought. She speaks around the world on Christian themes and great literature as well as leads workshops on how to teach. With her husband Jonathon, she has three children and lives in Siloam Springs.

Dr. Hooten Wilson oversees faculty/staff governance and development, head of school inquiries, and is advisory board contact.

Don Eben - Treasurer

Don Eben has been an industry leader in telecommunications for 23 years. Currently, he owns Core Network Strategies, a telecommunications contracting corporation which assesses needs and implements solutions in telecommunications companies across the nation. A natural entrepreneur, Don excels in finding problems and creating solutions for businesses. He holds an undergraduate degree in both mechanical and electrical engineering from John Brown University and an MBA in Finance from Oklahoma City University. Don is an active deacon at Siloam Springs Bible Church as well as a debate coach and tournament tab director with the local Siloam Springs homeschool speech and debate club. Partnering with his wife in his own children’s education and even directing local Classical Conversations high school classes, Don is an avid supporter of classical education.

Mr. Eben oversees finance.

Carrie Eben - Vice Chair

Carrie Eben was introduced to classical education and Douglas Wilson’s book Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning in 1999 when she began working at St. Augustine’s Classical School in Tulsa. Since then, she has provided a classical education for her children in both private, classical schools (where she taught) and classical homeschool. She joined Classical Conversations in 2010 as an Essentials of the English Language tutor in Keller, Texas and has served in many other leadership and teaching capacities. Recently, she graduated her classically-educated first-born son, Seth. He attends John Brown University and studies engineering. She will continue to classically educate her freshman-aged daughter, Leah, at home in Siloam Springs, AR. When not homeschooling or working part-time at John Brown University writing grants, she conducts classical education seminars around the nation. She partners in the education of her children with Don, her husband of 22 years. Together, they coach their local homeschool speech and debate club in Siloam Springs and are active members of Siloam Springs Bible Church. Carrie holds a BSEd degree from John Brown University and MSEd from Oklahoma State University. She is passionate about both educating students toward academic excellence and virtue as well as empowering educators and parents using the classical tools of education.

Mrs. Eben oversees curriculum and teacher needs and development.

Jonathon Hooten Wilson - Secretary

Jonathon Wilson is a project engineer for Delta Systems, a high-speed packaging company, in Lowell. He holds a BBA in Operations Management from the University of Michigan-Flint and a BS in engineering from the University of Arkansas. From kindergarten through eighth grade, he attended a series of private Christian schools. He was homeschooled from then on, and the first of his family to earn a college degree. While progressive educational methods may leave much of children’s potential untapped, from Jonathon's perspective, classical and Christian education provides a way for children to become who God designed them to be.

Mr. Hooten Wilson oversees admissions and enrollment, IT, and is the Alma point person.

Ansley Raith

Ansley Raith is a freelance graphic designer with a B.A. in journalism and mass-communication from Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Her current service on the Friends of the Siloam Springs Library board as well as past leadership in Mothering Matters are among her chief joys. She is a mother to five children with experience in classical homeschooling. Ansley desires to serve the community by helping establish SCA as a place where children and parents can explore the Good, the True and the Beautiful and establish a lifelong love of learning.

Mrs. Raith oversees marketing, communication, and events.

Dr. Chad Raith

Chad Raith is Vice President of Mission and Ethics at Mercy Health, adjunct professor of business in the MBA program at John Brown University, and instructor of systematic theology for Regent College, Vancouver, BC. After obtaining a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech, Chad went on to receive his M.Div., Th.M. and PhD with an emphasis in Historical Theology. He has published numerous books and articles on medieval to early Reformation theology, biblical interpretation, and ecumenical dialogue. Chad was previously lecturer of Great Texts in the Honors Program at Baylor University before teaching at John Brown University as assistant professor of Religion and Philosophy. With his wife, Ansley, he has five children and resides in Siloam Springs, AR.

Dr. Raith oversees facilities, community outreach and contributions, and Facebook.

Contact any member of the board by emailing: first.lastname@sageracademy.com