MEET GDA’S FOUNDER

Head of School 

Joy Davis

From the very beginning, Gloria Deo Academy has endeavored to prepare students for secondary studies and to equip them for their life’s calling.  In 2005, Joy Davis struggled to find a safe place for her children to grow and learn.  Many schools have slowly moved away from Judeo-Christian values and her wish was to create an environment where students felt safe and teachers could unashamedly stand on the authority of the Bible with a rigorous academic curriculum. Mrs. Davis started GDA with 45 students. Since 2005, GDA has expanded to over 700 students and five campuses. Joy is the mother of four children, all of which have graduated from GDA. She is passionate about Christian classical education. 

Meet The Team

Grammar School Principal 

Bonnie Dugger

Grammar School Principal

Michelle Raithel

River Stone Principal

Carrie Jacques 

River Stone Principal

Missy Kaiser

Upper Grades Principal

Gennie Strain
Gennie Strain

Gennie Strain

Joplin Campus Administrator 

Catrina Steinmann

Joplin Campus Administrator 

Erin Loutzenhiser

Admissions Coordinator

Kristin Howerton

Development Director

Wendy Wright

Event Coordinator

Whitney Sparkman

Event Coordinator

Ashley Mueller

Communications 

Madison Dick

Hospitality Coordinator 

Laurie Miller

Financial Coordinator 

Karen Peters

Accountant

Caitlin Nelson

Guidance Counselor

Keith Clouse

IT Director

Alan Davis