Our Team
Paula Cook
Founder | Director | Lead Teacher
Paula holds a M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from the Peabody School of Education at Vanderbilt University as well as a B.S. in English Education from Liberty University. She is a certified and practicing Level 1 Catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at Church of the Incarnation in Harrisonburg. She taught high school and middle school English and has a wealth of experience interacting with children in school, church, and school co-op settings. She has served on two church-planting launch teams and two nonprofit boards in the Harrisonburg community.
Laura Allen
Teacher
Laura holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from James Madison University. She has a variety of experience teaching and coordinating events for students of all ages. She attends Divine Unity Community Church and trained as a Level 1 Catechist of the Good Shepherd catechist this past summer (2024).
Cara Huber
Office Administrator
Cara has her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Cara has administrative skills and enjoys working part time at Selah as our Office Administrator. She attends Church of the Lamb in Penn Laird.
Keri Hiner
Bookkeeper
Keri Hiner comes to Selah with vast experience financially supervising preschools. She acted as the financial director of Bridgewater Preschool for 14 years and is excited to be able to use that experience to help Selah Academy. Keri has a passion for children and is an active member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, Selah Academy’s home.
Our Board
Zoe Hanson
Board Member | Vice President | Secretary
Zoe holds a B.A. in History and International Studies from Taylor University and is currently working on her M.A. in Christian Ministry from Gordon Conwell Seminary. She has worked in local private Christian schools as an elementary school teacher and as an Events and Volunteer Coordinator. Zoe is a creative thinker and a fan of Charlotte Mason’s teaching methods, some of which she incorporated in her elementary classroom.
Esther Good
Board Member | President
Esther holds a B.A. from Taylor University in Christian Education. She taught as a preschool teacher in several settings and was the Children’s Director at Community Bible Study. She wrote curriculum for King’s Kids, a Sunday School program. Esther has also served on 3 church-planting launch teams and served as a member of the board of directors for Mercy House for 12 years.
Jim Kidd
Board Member | Treasurer
Jim holds a B.A. in Biology from Olivet Nazarene University as well as a doctorate in Counseling and Guidance from Marshall University and a certification for Special Education from the University of Virginia. He is retired from Associate Professor of Special Education for James Madison University after 25 years. Having held the titles of Science Teacher, Elementary School Principal, and School Psychologist, Jim brings great insight to the Selah team. Additionally, he served as a founding member of People Places and past board member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Mercy House.