Academic Excellence

Jessica Carey

Jessica Carey

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Academic Excellence Support Specialist
Jessica works at Choice Schools Associates as the Administrative Assistant for the Academic Excellence Team. Jessica has years of administrative experience in the finance, higher education, and technology sectors. Prior to Choice, Jessica worked at Grand Valley State University, providing administrative support to planned giving, endowments, scholarships, and major gifts.
Paul Ezel

Paul Ezel

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Director of Technology Data & Online Solutions
Paul Ezel is our Director of Technology, Data, and Online Solutions. He partners with each school to support their technology and data needs. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Central Michigan University and began teaching at Dove Academy. During his 17 years at Dove, a Choice Schools Academy, he served as a teacher in multiple grades, including second, third, fourth, and fifth grade, and as the media center teacher before launching into leadership as the Dean of Students and most recently a Vice Principal. Paul earned his master’s degree in teacher leadership from Oakland University with an education specialty. Paul watches over all things related to the student information systems and the tools related to instruction, technology, and data.

Scott Henry

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Director of Classical Education and Development
Scott serves as the Director of Classical Education and Development at Choice Schools Associates where he provides leadership and support for the organization’s classical education model. With over 15 years of experience in education—as a teacher, administrator, and headmaster—he brings a deep understanding of leadership and classroom excellence rooted in the classical tradition.

In his current role, Scott supports educators and school leaders across the network who serve in the classical model by offering academic guidance, mentoring, and professional development. His work is grounded in a commitment to guiding schools that cultivate wisdom, virtue, and a love of learning.

Throughout his career, Scott has been recognized for his leadership and impact in education, including being voted favorite area principal. He is passionate about advancing the classical tradition in modern classrooms, supporting educators, and shaping schools that instill a love for truth, goodness, and beauty.

Scott holds a bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College and a Master’s of Education from Grace College.

Amanda Konopaska

Amanda Konopaska

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Director of Montessori Education & Development
As the Director of Montessori Education and Development, Amanda works with both the Area Superintendent and Academic Excellence Team for Choice Schools Associates. As an undergraduate, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Wayne State University and a Masters in School Principalship with a concentration in Charter School Leadership from Central Michigan University. Additionally, she also holds an Elementary II Credential from the American Montessori Society and has had formal training for Elementary I. Amanda’s Montessori journey began in 2009, as an Upper Elementary classroom teacher and emerged into leadership where she took on both active and interim Principal roles for two Montessori academies. Currently, she is the program coordinator and trainer of our Montessori Experience for all new teachers and works directly with Instructional Coaches at multiple academies.

Kristin Molyneux

Department: Executive Leadership, Academic Excellence
Position: Chief of Academic Excellence and Director of Environmental Education
Kristin Molyneux serves as our Chief of Academic Excellence and Director of Environmental Education. In her role, she is responsible for ensuring exceptional academic programming and resources across all our schools. Kristin’s responsibilities encompass various facets of academics, including curriculum development, instruction, mentoring, professional development, communication of Character Choices, support for preschool programs, curriculum analysis, testing support, data analysis, and compliance with the Teacher and Administrator Evaluation system. She joined the Choice Central Office Team with a background in teaching. In 2004, she was a kindergarten aide at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, and then she took a teaching position at the Academy and taught middle school for eight years. In 2013, Kristin became Choice’s Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, and in June of 2022, she became Senior Director of Academic Excellence and Environmental Education. Kristin graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as her Educational Specialist Degree from Central Michigan University with her Central Office Administrative Certificate.
Carrie Paddock

Carrie Paddock

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Director of Literacy
Carrie Paddock is our Director of Literacy. She graduated from Manchester University in N. Manchester, IN, with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She went on to receive her Master’s in Education with an emphasis in curriculum from Indiana Wesleyan University. She taught elementary for eight years in Indiana prior to moving to Michigan. In 2005, she took an elementary position at Creative Technologies Academy, a charter school in Cedar Springs. During her time there, she obtained her K-12 Administrative Certificate in 2013 and became the Principal for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for her last five years at CTA. Her mission is focused on providing support to schools that increase the effectiveness of the instruction happening in the classroom, with a specific focus on all students reading at or above grade level.
Mandy Patouhas

Mandy Patouhas

Department: Academic Excellence
Position: Director of State and Federal Programs
Mandy Patouhus is our Director of State and Federal Programs. Mandy offers support to the various schools of Choice in regard to Title I, Title II, 31A, school improvement documentation, homeless populations, and compliance with state and federal requirements. She will manage and drive the programs related to federal grants and state-level programs so that those dollars and plans can positively impact student outcomes. She is a graduate of Ohio University with an undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication. Mandy also received her teaching certificate and master’s degree from Wayne State University. After a brief career in Organizational Development, Mandy spent many years as a secondary English and speech educator.