About WJCS
Leadership Team
Joseph Howard
MIDDLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR (GRADES 6-8)Pastor Joseph Howard serves as the founder and director of West Jefferson Christian School. He and his wife, Lauren, have been married for over sixteen years and are the grateful parents of six children.Through a burden for Christ-centered education and the leading of the Holy Spirit, he launched West Jefferson Christian School in 2026.A native of Trussville, Alabama, Joseph graduated with honors from Hewitt-Trussville High School before earning his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University with Summa Cum Laude honors.Pastor Howard is passionate about helping families raise children with a strong biblical worldview and preparing students to serve God faithfully in every area of life.
Lauren Howard
FULL-TIME HOMESCHOOL DIRECTOR (GRADES 1-5)Lauren Howard serves as the director of West Jefferson Christian School (Grades 1-5). She has been married to Pastor Joseph for over sixteen years and is a mother to six children.Lauren graduated from the University of Alabama School of Nursing. After working for several years as a NICU nurse for Children's of Alabama, she chose to raise her children in the context of the home.Originally from Odenville, Alabama, Lauren was homeschool through the Abeka program under a local cover-school. This foundation proved very beneficial as a homeschooling mother herself. Before assuming the role as Full-time Homeschool Director, she homeschooled her own children.Lauren deeply desires to come alongside families in their effort raise children with a strong biblical worldview.
tiffany Trimm
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT / ADMISSIONS COORDINATORTiffany serves as the secretary and administrative assistant for both the church and the school. Tiffany has served in this role for several years and has proven to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the staff.
Married to Don Trimm for over 25 years, with three grown children and two grandchildren, Tiffany understands the challenges faced by parents today and is eager to help.
As an admissions coordinator, Tiffany ensures that every child has the opportunity to enroll at WJCS, prepares families to gain approval for the Alabama CHOOSE ACT, and handles all transcripts to facilitate the students’ transition to higher education.
Merida Brooks
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ADVISORMerida surrendered her life to Christ in 1972 and has never looked back. She graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers in 1973, married her high school sweetheart, Sam, in 1974 and has been happily married 40+ years. They were blessed with five children in six years, thus five teenagers in house at one time which was a marvelous adventure. They have 15 grandchildren.
Merida conducts parenting workshops and leads ladies’ retreats, and has served in Christian education for 31 years. She retired as superintendent at Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas, Louisiana. She began in the classroom, started a branch campus for WCA in Lafayette, served as principal for 14 years, and offered further instructional supervisor/teacher training for 3 years. She has been superintendent at WCA for 9 years.
Merida, alongside her husband Sam, have graciously come alongside the Howard’s with helpful insight and wisdom from years of Christian Education. Merida’s insight into the world of Christian education and forming a biblical worldview into the families of WJCS is an invaluable asset to the foundation and culture of the school.
Doug Acton
FINANCIAL STRATEGIES ADVISORDoug Acton entered the construction industry after graduating from Auburn University. After learning different aspects of the business working for others, Doug struck out on his own in 1989 founding D.L. Acton Construction Company.
Quickly Acton Construction became known for high-quality work with a focus on customer service. Over the years, the business expanded to Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Louisiana and as one of Acton’s guys said, “there’s not one person from the owner of the building to the laborers who doesn’t know Doug Acton. He traveled throughout the region personally supervising project.” Under his leadership, D.L. Acton developed a strong reputation with Design/Development groups for its “team approach” in the design and construction of commercial building projects.
In December 2020, Acton completed his leadership and ownership succession plan through the sale of the Company which brings us to the next chapter in Acton’s life where he serves on multiple boards as is heavily involved in non-profit, Christian ministries.
Doug serves as an advisor to the Director to obtain the funds necessary and provide budget analysis that ensures WJCS will hold a strong presence in Christian education for years to come.
Teaching Staff
Lauren Howard
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER - HYBRID HOMESCHOOL (GRADES 1-2)
Hi! My name is Lauren Howard and I am excited to set solid foundations of academics, biblical worldview, and excellence in our first and second graders here at WJCS! I was homeschooled through the A Beka curriculum and have homeschooled my older three children for the last two years.
I graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor's in Nursing and look forward to transitioning my advocacy and love from my former patients to my sweet new students. I am very involved with our church here at Faith Baptist and love my church family!
When I am not at church or in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family, thrifting, and reading.
Jonathan Coffey
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER - HYBRID HOMESCHOOL (GRADES 3-5)
Jonathan Coffey is a graduate of Ambassador Baptist College with a Bible Certificate in Youth Ministry and is completing master’s degrees in Bible and Biblical Counseling at West Coast Baptist College.
Raised in a Christian home, Jonathan trusted Christ as his Savior at the age of six and surrendered to full-time ministry at fourteen. He has served in a variety of ministry roles, including youth ministry, camp counseling, preaching, teaching, Vacation Bible School, and biblical counseling through internships and local church ministries across the country. Jonathan also has experience in campus security and student services, where he developed strong leadership and organization skills.
He is passionate about helping young people develop a biblical worldview and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Jonathan considers it a privilege to invest in the next generation through Christian education and is committed to partnering with parents to encourage both the spiritual and academic growth of each student.
Deborah Hays
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER - HYBRID HOMESCHOOL (GRADES 6-8)Hi, my name is Deborah Hays, and I am excited to join the faculty here at West Jefferson Christian School. I attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History, and a Master’s degree in Social Science Education. I also have a teaching certificate from the State of Alabama.
I retired from the Jefferson County school system in 2013. I have been teaching in the private Christan school setting for the last ten years, and I enjoy being able to share my faith with my students.
I live in Corner with my husband Donnie, and we are active members of Enon Baptist Church. In my spare time I ride and show my horses, and I enjoy spending time with my children and grandchildren.
Debbie Ensley
READING COACHMrs. Debra Ensley is a native of Gardendale. She and her husband, Rick, still reside there. She is a retired teacher of over 30 years and is passionate about teaching and learning!
Mrs. Deb is an avid reader and believes that Reading is a fundamental tool for success in all areas of life.
She has taught countless students, young and old to read or to become better readers, through her kindness, encouragement and enthusiasm!
Mrs. Deb is also a published author and her first children’s book is currently on track to be published soon, as well.
In her spare time, Mrs. Deb enjoys spending time with her family, spoiling her fur baby, Tucker, reading, writing and antiquing.
She looks forward to being with you this year and hopes that all of her students grow to love Reading as much as she loves teaching them.
Earlene Harris
PIANO TEACHER
I grew up in the Quinton area and married my high school sweetheart in 1966. I have been a Pastor’s wife and a Missionary since 1973. We raised six children and homeschooled all of them. I love to teach, and I have years of experience playing the piano for church services. Over the years, I have taught many people to play the piano.
I received a diploma from the Stedelijke Academie Voor Muziek, Woord, en Dans located in Turnhout, Belgium after completion of their course in music.
I am excited to teach piano to the children at West Jefferson Christian School and will do my best to give them a love for music and a desire to use it to serve the Lord. Our Lord loves music and put His song book into our Bibles to share with us how to sing and play the kind of music that shares His love and grace.