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.