Mission
Faith Family Academy's mission is to empower and educate the whole child for lifelong success as a responsible leader in the community. FFA provides an exemplary education for a diverse student body by emphasizing positive self-esteem, high academic standards, an appreciation for the fine arts, and civic responsibility.
Purpose
FFA is to empower and educate the whole child for lifelong success as a responsible leader in the community.
Vision
Faith Family Academy's Vision is to empower and educate every student to change the world.
About Us
Faith Family Academy charter school is rooted in a tradition of empowering students, cultivating a supportive environment for faculty and staff, and growing strong community relationships.
Faith Family Academy is an A-rated district by the Texas Education Agency - higher than every public school district in our service area! Bilingual and dual language programs, technology, a comprehensive curriculum, character education and a focus on the arts allow us to offer engaging, 21st century classroom experiences to students – at no cost to families.
Faith Family Academy was established as a private school in 1990, and in 1998, transitioned to a public charter school. Today, we have two campuses serving close to 3,000 students from 16 independent school districts in Dallas and Ellis counties.
Watch this video to learn more about Faith Family Academy.DISTRICT LEADERSHIP
Superintendent of Schools
Mollie Purcell Ed.D.
Faculty Information
Education
Master of Education - Education Administration, Lamar University
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Art History and Fine Arts, The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Arts - Art History and History, The University of Texas at Austin
Doctor of Education, The University of Texas at Austin
Other Information
Chief Operating Officer
Dean McGuire M.Ed.
Faculty Information
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physical Education & Business Administration, Lubbock Christian University
Other Information
| Dean McGuire has 29 years of experience in the education field and currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the district. Before joining Faith Family Academy, he taught and coached basketball at Duncanville High School, where he was part of the team that won a national championship title. At Faith Family Academy, he began as the Dean of Students and Athletic Director. He then moved into the position of Executive Director of Maintenance & Operations, where he began work on the facilities expansion of the Oak Cliff and Waxahachie campuses. Mr. McGuire earned his Bachelor's degree at Lubbock Christian University, his Master's of Education at Lamar University, and his Superintendent certification at The University of Texas at Tyler. |
Chief Financial Officer
Amanda Subjinski Ed.D.
Faculty Information
Education
Master of Education - Teaching, The University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Arts - Exercise Sport Health Studies, The University of Texas at Arlington
Other Information
Amanda Subjinski has 18 years of experience in the education field and currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the district. Before joining Faith Family Academy, she taught special education in Irving ISD. At Faith Family Academy, she began as Educational Diagnostician. She then moved into the position of Coordinator of Special Programs, Director of Special Programs, and Assistant Superintendent for Accountability, Finance, and Human Resources in 2011, where the district has held the highest Charter FIRST ratings of Superior/Passed for the past 5 years.
Dr. Subjinski earned her Bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at Arlington, her Masters of Education in Teaching at The University of Texas at Arlington, and her Doctorate of Education at The University of North Texas. She also holds her principal and superintendent certification. She became a Registered Texas School Business Administrator (RTSBA) in 2016 from Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). She has also maintained her continuing education as a Texas Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician (TPED) and a Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician (NCED).
Assistant Superintendent
Michael Dang Ed.D.
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Bachelor of Science - Microbiology, The University of Texas at Austin
Assistant Superintendent
Jason Oliver Ed.D.
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Master of Education - Leadership and Policy Studies, The University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Science - Education, Texas Christian University
Other Information
Jason Oliver is Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership at Faith Family Academy. Dr. Oliver previously served as a turnaround principal in the Fort Worth Independent School District. From 2007-2010, Dr. Oliver was the principal at Kirkpatrick Middle School. During this period, Kirkpatrick MS improved from a rating of Academically Unacceptable by the Texas Education Agency, to being chosen as one of five National Model Schools by the International Center for Leadership in Education. From 2010-2013, Dr. Oliver was the principal of Arlington Heights High School. During this time period, Arlington Heights High School exhibited growth in not only student achievement, but teacher morale as well. Dr. Oliver began his career as a middle school teacher and coach. Dr. Oliver is completed his doctorate in Educational Administration at the University of Texas at Austin in February of 2016. Jason is happily married to his wonderful wife and the father of two children, and loves to fish as much as he can.
Executive Director
Ryan Harris M.Ed.
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology, The University of North Texas
Executive Director
Felicia Johnson M.Ed.
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education: Science & Math, Dallas Baptist University
Other Information
I was born in Shreveport Louisiana and raised in Garland Texas. I graduated from South Garland High School and received my B.S. from Dallas Baptist University in Science and Mathematics and my Masters in Education Administration from University of Texas of Arlington. I have been serving in the field of Education since 1999. My professional experience includes a high school math teacher for 9 years, Head Basketball and Volleyball Coach for 7 years and a Dean of Instruction for 4 years in Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband of 12 years, one daughter and three sons. It is my belief that education is essential to a meaningful life and every day brings about a unique opportunity for an educator to make a positive impact on the life of all students.
Executive Director
Shirley Heitzman Ed. D.
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Master of Arts, Education, University of Texas at Austin
Master of Arts, Educational Administration (Principal Certification), The University of Texas at Tyler
Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Other Information
Shirley M. Heitzman, Ed. D., currently serves as the Executive Director of Development at Faith Family Academy, to increase community and philanthropic support for Faith Family Academy programs that positively impact students, parents/families, and staff.
Dr. Heitzman has worked in K-12 education for almost 20 years as a teacher and administrator with a focus on community engagement, partnerships, and philanthropic development. She is the Past President of the District 5810 Dallas North Rotary Club; Past Education Committee Chair of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce; and member of the North Dallas Chamber.
Dr. Heitzman received her Doctorate in Educational Administration from The University of Texas at Austin; a Master of Arts in Education from The University of Texas at Austin; Master of Arts in Educational Administration (Principal Certification) from The University of Texas at Tyler; and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She holds certifications as a Classroom Teacher (EC-6), ESL (EC-6), Principal (EC-12), and Superintendent (EC-12). She enjoys two-stepping, good food, and reading good books.
Executive Director
Lorie Gassert Ph.D., NCED
Faculty Information
Contact Information
Education
Other Information
Lorie Gassert has 21 years of experience in Special Education and currently serves as the Executive Director of Special Programs for the district. She started out her career as an Assistant Family Teacher for the Lena Pope Home. Her first teaching job was in Fort Worth ISD where she taught Instructional Resource, Content Mastery, and a Self-Contained Behavioral Classroom. After leaving the classroom she became an Educational Diagnostician in the Hurst Euless Bedford Independent School District. During her ten years as an educational diagnostician she developed a passion for training and advocacy. Prior to joining FFA she served as the Special Education Coordinator for HEBISD for six years where she was able to support Assessment Services, Professional Development for Evaluation staff members, helped develop policies and practices, and worked to create a team focused on empowering others.
Dr. Gassert earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Texas Women’s University in Denton and her Doctorate of Philosophy at The University of North Texas. She also holds her principal certification and is working toward her superintendent’s certification. She is a Texas Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician (TPED) and a Nationally Certified Educational Diagnostician (NCED).