Durant Campus
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About VLA
We’re so pleased that you are considering entrusting us with the education and spiritual guidance of your children. It is an honor and responsibility we take very seriously. As a ministry of Victory Life Church, VLA has spent over two decades working with parents to prepare young men and women to make a positive difference and impact their world for Jesus Christ. Our goal is to develop a partnership with parents that will teach and reinforce Biblical values and lessons, in the home, church and school settings, ultimately providing a consistent and healthy Christ-centered environment for your children. Engaged, supportive parents are vital to the mission of effectively educating students in the knowledge of Christ.
As a Christian school, our heart is to educate in all aspects of a child’s life by cultivating spiritual, mental, physical, and social growth. We want to nurture your child’s development through excellent academic programs, taught from a Biblical world view, so that they may be examples unto the world—lighted candles bathing those around them in the illumination of Christ. With that passion as the driving force behind our educational program, our faculty and staff have dedicated their lives to Christ and to the task of helping students realize their God-given potential. To assist students in their quest for knowledge and growth, VLA (as an accredited member of the International Christian Accrediting Association and AdvancedED) offers a rigorous, Biblically integrated college preparatory program.
History
In 1987, Victory Life Academy was founded in Durant, Oklahoma by Duane and Sue Sheriff with the goal of providing Christian-based, high-quality education. Subsidized by the sponsoring church, Victory Life Church, the academy has grown and made significant improvements, and has kept tuition reasonable.
Victory Life Academy held its first classes in a small metal building annex behind the church parsonage. There were nine students and two teachers in grades ranging from preschool to first grade. Each year since 1993, VLA has had a high school graduating class. Many graduates have also graduated from various colleges and universities.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate the mind using state standards with an innovative curriculum that incorporates a Biblical worldview, to provide a conducive environment for Biblical character development through servanthood, and to provide physical fitness activities to enhance overall health.
Victory Life Academy students will be provided a well-rounded education that will enhance their lives and minister to the whole person spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Philosophy of Education
Victory Life Academy is an adjunct to viably assist Christian parents in fulfilling their divine responsibility to thoroughly train each child to obey God in every area of life and to make him or her a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Christian education differs from secular education. It is centered in the triune God and has the distinct goal of developing the character of Christ in the student. The ultimate purpose of Victory Life Academy is to provide quality education in a Christian atmosphere. VLA’s program is geared to meet not only the intellectual needs of the student, but also his/her spiritual, physical, and social needs. Every subject, whether scientific, historical, mathematical, literary or artistic, is taught with the consciousness that Jesus Christ is to be central in all living and learning.
Victory Life Academy shall provide an environment which encourages each student to discover their unique abilities, to develop those graces and skills demonstrated in the life of Christ, to achieve educational excellence in all disciplines, and to exercise his/her God-given gifts in the expanding opportunities of their Christian development.
The ultimate purpose of man is to glorify God. Therefore, VLA expects staff and students to reflect that image. VLA upholds the belief, in practical terms, that God is glorified when there is an atmosphere of understanding and where the fruit of Christ’s Spirit (Galatians 5) is constantly being cultivated. When God is glorified, it affects how one relates to others in his family, church, and community. It also affects one’s lifestyle, behavior, and overall attitude toward God’s authority structure in the world.
Victory Life Academy views itself as an extension of the Christian home, reinforcing the ideals, social norms, and beliefs of the Christian family. Christian education is not confined to the classroom. It takes place in the Christian home, in the church, and in all the Church’s institutions and educative agencies. It is therefore important that parents enrolling their children understand the nature and philosophy of Victory Life Academy. Victory Life Academy’s ultimate purpose for existing can only be fulfilled as parents see and agree with where Victory Life Academy is leading their children.
Academics
Sports
Faculty & Staff
Brent Shain
Academy Elder
Distinguished Business Owner
Dr. Sarah Morrison
Headmaster
Dr. Morrison has worked in both public and private education for over 15 years. She has a heart to help each student that comes through her doors to achieve their goals in good academic standing and in strong character.
Bachelor's of English Education
Master's of Education Administration
Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration
15+ years in Education
Allison Clubb
Receptionist
Ms. Clubb has been with VLA for over five years. She loves utilizing the gifts the Lord has given her to serve the students, faculty, and staff.
Pastor Landon Heinen
Academy Pastor/VL Durant Assistant Pastor
Pastor Landon Heinen serves as the Pastor for Victory Life Academy. He has a love for The Word of God and a passion for seeing people transformed by Jesus. He has a father’s heart to encourage the gifts and callings that God has placed within people, and to help foster a lifetime desire to follow God, Learning about Him, all that He created. Landon and Jasmine have been married for over two decades and are raising five amazing kids.
Tamra Lindley
Academic Administrator
Ms. Tamra has been with VLA for 32 years. She has served in several capacities over the years but is most passionate about our concurrent enrollment program whether that be at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, or Kiamichi Technical Institute. Ms.Tamra hopes that all students feel equipped and supported for their next steps after high school graduation.
Cindy Bennett
Pre-Kindergarten/Coach
Ms. Bennett has a love and passion to see children be active. She has served as a coach at VLA for over 10 years and has been an influencer that students highly respect. Ms. Bennett is a mother of five children and a grandmother of seven.
Stacie Allison
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
I enjoy helping the little ones walk out becoming an individual in their start with education. I feel the early days out of the home are crucial in how they view their school career. I hope to be a tool in making that a success and giving them a love for their school days. I strive to show each student the great potential God has placed in each one of them.
Josie Amerson
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Amerson has been with VLA for over 20 years. She is an effective and successful teacher. Mrs. Amerson is known as a favorite among alumnus as she is a memorable teacher during such a crucial year of transition for young children entering into an education system. She has been a bride to her husband since 1980 and loves her role as Grandma.
Charity Scott
Third & Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Scott is has been teaching since 2009 and is well known for her skillset in intervention. She loves working with 2nd graders in their learning and understanding of reading, writing, and comprehension, and thrives in helping lay a foundation of helping a student understand how to learn. Mrs. Scott is a wonderful wife and mom.
Mark Turner
Third & Forth Grade Teacher
This year, Mr.Turner has been with VLA for 10 years and is excited about educating 3rd and 4th grades yet again. He has a strong love for Christian education and works hard to incorporate a biblical foundation in every subject he teaches. He is a wonderful husband and a loving father.
Lydia Eldridge
Music & Drama, 5 & 6 Grade English Teacher
Mrs. Eldridge is passionate about teaching and providing quality education. She is full of energy and creativity all the while knowing that God has given her an opportunity to impact the future of students for the Lord. She shares that she is “humbled and honored” to teach your student.
Rebecca Bolding
HS English Teacher – Principal
Mrs. Bolding is a seasoned teacher and administrator. She has taught in TN, AL, TX and OK. She has a firm belief that she is called to education and is extremely happy serving the next generation. Mrs.Bolding is a devoted mother and a committed member of the community.
Will Smith
JH History - Dean of Students
I look forward to partnering with families as Dean of Students and overseeing the discipline and spiritual welfare of our students at VLA. Conflict is an opportunity for us to grow. It allows us to think about who we are and who we want to be. As Dean of Students I will have the ability to lean in and to draw out of our students their God ordained purpose and calling and lead them into it!
Melissa Holder
Science Teacher
Ms. Holder has a God-given gift to share “Christian Science,” in a world full of secular education. She loves that at VLA she has the opportunity to share the truth of Creation Science with her students that not only gives them a firm and sound education but teaches them about the essence and character of God modeled by creation. She is passionate about her students having a thorough and centered educational experience.
Kalli Martin
First Grade Teacher
Ms. Martin has a firm belief that education is crucial for every child’s development in all areas of life. She has a heart and passion to see the light bulbs go off in the minds of each of her students and is incredible at meeting a child where they are at while maintaining clear and open lines of communication with parents. She views a child’s early education as a team effort and genuinely looks forward to partnering with the parents of her students.
Kim Morris
PE Director/Coach
Education is more than just books, computers, paper and pencils. It is receiving and giving instruction, learning, values, habits, beliefs, morals, and acquiring skills that facilitate the growth and development of individuals. My heart is for each and every student at VLA. I want to see them develop and use the talents that the Lord has given them to build the kingdom of God. There is something special about each student and as an Educator one needs to make sure that each student feels loved, appreciated, and special while focusing on their educational, emotional, spiritual, physical growth and development.
Connor Harrison
Bible Teacher
Connor Harrison attended VLA as a student from age 4 until his graduation in 2016. After high school, he attended Bethel School of Ministry in Redding, CA for three years. Connor is currently the Youth Director for the Victory Life Church Boswell location. He attends Southeastern Oklahoma State University in pursuit of a Psychology degree with the goal of becoming a licensed counselor. Connor is very excited to encourage and work with students as they develop their personal relationships with God.
Jessica Robison
JH/HS Math Teacher
Ms. Jessica Robison earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She has taught at the college level, but is excited to begin a new journey teaching at Victory Life Academy. She has a love of math and is passionate about the pursuit for children’s hearts and minds for the Lord. She is looking forward to learning and growing with the parents, students, and fellow staff at VLA.
Arielle Turner
Elementary/HS Spanish Teacher
As a recent VLA graduate, Arielle is excited to return and see all of the students! She is especially excited because not only does she care about the education of the students, but also about their spiritual well-being. As a Spanish teacher and native Spanish speaker, she has a heart for seeing students grow in their Spanish speaking and overall communication abilities so that they can have all the tools they need to witness and love a wider range of people.
Tammy Johnson
Library/Community Outreach Coordinator
My husband, Brandon, and I are firm believers in VLA. We are both alumni and are so thankful to have our 3 kids as part of VLA. We believe wholeheartedly in building a firm foundation academically and spiritually. We are blessed to have VLA as a partner in establishing these attributes in our children. I am thrilled to be on campus everyday speaking life into the VLA students. I believe they will all do great things in the years to come! World changers are being commissioned and sent out of VLA, and we are thankful to be a part!
Marisa Backues
Cafeteria Manager
Marisa truly loves serving the students, staff, and anyone who comes to the Fathers table to eat and fellowship! Getting to experience and see how the Holy Spirit impacts and transforms the students and staff year after year is a beautiful blessing! Marisa is honored to not only feed the physical needs at VLA, but also have an opportunity to sow seeds of truth and faith empowered by Holy Spirit to students and staff.
Susan Hill
Second Grade Teacher
My name is Susan Hill. I’ve been an educator for many years. I believe God orchestrated my move to Victory Life Academy. I feel extremely blessed to be able to teach in an environment where everything centers around God; His love for us, and our love for Him in return. My husband of 40 years is a pastor of a small Baptist church. We have 8 beautiful children and 14 grandchildren (so far). I taught my first Vacation Bible School when I was in the 6th grade. I was hooked. I loved it then, and still love it today.
Casey Green
5-11 Grade Geography and History Teacher
Mr. Casey Green is a recent college graduate earning his Bachelor of Art in History from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He is excited to put his degree to use at VLA as an educator, teaching 5th-11th Grade Geography and History. Mr. Green strives to teach these courses the way they should always be taught, through the lens of a Biblical Perspective. We were created by the Creator, now living in His Creation to know and see our Father’s hand at work. By looking back at History, we can move forward with the plans and purposes our good Father has for us.
Cindy Northcutt
Kindergarten Teacher
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Victory Life Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability in administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Important Links
Telephone No.1-580-920-0850