Zach Hunt (President)
Zach Hunt and his wife, Rebecca, are the founding family of Providence Academy. God has blessed them with 5 children between the ages of 9 – 19. Their daughter, Audrey, was the first graduate of Providence Academy in 2022. Zach is a Lousiana native and has lived in the Rockwall area since 1996. He has worked in the residential home financing and new construction industry for 20 years, the past 6 years as a Sales Counselor with Highland Homes. Their family attends Watermark Church in Dallas. He is a servant hearted leader that is passionate about the Kingdom minded mission and vision of Providence Academy.
Nate Roberts (Treasurer)
Nate Roberts and his wife Kathy have three children including Jocelyn in 3rd grade, Spencer in K4, and Jeffrey, age 4. The Roberts family have been a part of PA for the last five years. Nate is a CPA, and an Officer/Tax Director with Lifetime Tax Advisors. We are grateful that he is willing to use his skills in service to our school as Treasurer.
Emily Barina (Secretary)
Emily Barina is a Dallas native with two daughters who attend PA. She co-owns a family business with her husband. The Barina family are members of Watermark Community Church, where Emily has worked in different full-time and part-time capacities over a ten year period.
David Hanson (Vice-President)
David Hanson serves as the Student Pastor at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, TX where he ministers to over 600 students on a weekly basis. David holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Texas Tech University and a Master of Divinity from Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. David has served in Student Ministry for sixteen years. David and his wife Ashley will soon have three Providence Lions, Ava (9), Ben (7), Madelyn (5). The Hansons are excited to be a part of the Providence Academy family!
Melissa Case-Merritt, J.D., CFN
Melissa and her husband Nathan have 2 precious girls enrolled at Providence Academy. Melissa was a corporate litigator in Los Angeles and Dallas for nearly a decade. She subsequently earned a certification in the Foundations of Neuroleadership and now serves as President of Final Touch, a company dedicated to helping people better connect with each other.
Dustin Kasischke
Growing up in Southern California, Dustin received his Bachelor of Art and Bachelor of Science and dental hygiene degrees. Dustin moved to Texas with his wife, Beth, in 2008. They have two children who attend Providence. Dustin has a strong passion for art and for the Biblical influence that kids receive at PA. As the main co-teacher at home, he has a great understanding of what is being taught and those principles that are being integrated into the lives of our students. Dustin and Beth attend Lakepointe Church.
Chad Tabor
Chad Tabor and his wife, Jordan, have two children that attend Providence Academy. Witten is in the 2nd grade and Tennison is in K4. Chad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Master’s degree in Real Estate from Texas A&M University. Chad is a real estate broker and runs a property management company. His family attends Lakepointe Church. The Tabor family is grateful for a school that disciples the next generation.
Alissa Mauldin, M.S.Ed.
Head of School
I grew up as part of a large family in Dallas. I always wanted to be a teacher and my three younger sisters were my first students. I have always enjoyed reading and some of my favorite memories from childhood include going to the library, checking out stacks of books, and then staying up reading late at night…
I received a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from East Texas State University in 1994 along with my certification to teach grades 1-8 with a specialization in reading. I taught third and fourth grade for several years in the public school system. In 2000, I received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce, and I was an assistant principal for several years until I left the public school system to be a full-time mom to our oldest son.
I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Shane, for 21 years and we have four children who all attend Providence. We enjoy spending time together as a family and we are very blessed to have both of our extended families nearby. Shane and I serve in re|engage which is part of the marriage ministry at our church. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a guiding verse for my life: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Our family has been so blessed by Providence Academy and I am grateful to be part of the PA staff.