about our faculty

Head of School and Rhetoric Humanities Teacher

Thomas McDonald is a 4^th generation AZ native who grew up in Tempe. Although raised in Tempe he spent summers and winters working at his family’s ranch and farm. In 2011, Thomas graduated from Tempe Preparatory Academy; Arizona’s first and oldest classical school. After high school Thomas moved to Illinois and attended college and has worked professionally as a firefighter paramedic for the City of Tempe as well as a critical care nurse for the Southern Arizona VA Heathcare System. In 2015 he married his wife Elizabeth who also attended and graduated from Tempe Prep. In 2021, the McDonald family decided to leave the Phoenix metro area and raise their children in rural southeast Arizona. Thomas lives in beautiful Elgin with his wife Elizabeth and 4 children where they raise miniature beef cattle and dorper sheep. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management from Northern Arizona University, and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. The McDonald family attends church at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Christian Church in Tucson, AZ. 

Administrative Coordinator

Amber Maxwell is currently holding a volunteer administrative role at CCA-AZ. She and her husband Paul of 20 years and 15-year-old son Logan have called Elgin home for over 8 years. Amber comes to us with 16 years of school administrative experience. She enjoys bossing around anyone at the school that will listen. In her free time, she loves watching her cycling family race but when she gets to pick the activity you will find them all sitting quietly on the water fishing. 

Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Debra Fleckenstein, I am the kindergarten teacher for the 2023-2024 school year here at Crossroads Christian Academy AZ. My students are starting each day with a Biblical foundation from Old Testament stories, so I am coming alongside each parent according to Proverbs 22:6, as well as introducing them to the wonderful language of numbers, which God created! Not to mention, Phonics/Reading, Printing, and History. As well as enrichment activities, like art and nature, each afternoon.

My work background is in Payroll, with an associate in accounting degree. I worked in various jobs since graduating high school until I settled into Payroll accounting from 1987-1994, during which time I met my current husband. We were married in 1988, transferred to another State in 1994, and two years later I gave birth to our beautiful daughter, Emily. I began teaching her at an early age, until we felt that she needed to be with other children for socialization. She grew up to be a 4^th grade teacher for four years! She is now enjoying her job as a school librarian.

Since the beginning of CCA in August of 2023, I have been striving to set a Godly example to each of the children I teach, but to be honest some days have trials, then a new day comes, and we begin anew. I pray for guidance and God is there to help. So, I remind myself that all we do, we do to Glorify God for He is our Creator, our Lord, our Savior. In Him be all the Glory and Praise.

Grammar I Teacher

Ms. Barron moved to Sonoita, AZ from Texas immediately after attending her first Classical Christian teacher training at Logos School in Idaho in July of 2023. Ms. Barron felt led to Crossroads Christian Academy after seeing the potential of a Christ centered culture, where children can learn thrive academically but especially spiritually. Most importantly, she desired to be a part of helping, eager community and along with their children, grow to their fullest potential in Christ. Ms. Barron holds an associate’s degree in Arts which she obtained in 2023.  

Grammar II Teacher

Ashley Mathews earned her Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Pima Community College in 2009. She went on to work as a Pharmacy Technician for 10 years before their family moved to Sonoita. Her and Husband of 18 years have 5 beautiful children, and have been residents of Elgin for 11 years. They attend Canelo Cowboy Church and are involved with their community and church. Mrs. Mathews homeschooled their children for 3 years before enrolling them at Crossroads. Although this may be her first “official” year with the title of Teacher, her desire to teach has been evident since she was a child. She is very thankful to be part of the CCA family, and is excited to see what God will continue to do.

Logic Teacher

Mrs. Sarah Munguia-Abriola was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. She later moved to Santa Monica, CA before returning to Tucson. Mrs. Munguia-Abriola has an older siter and younger brother, a nephew in his mid-twenties and niece in her early twenties. Mrs. Munguia-Abriola and her husband have two twin English bulldogs (named Dyson and Kirby) who are 4 years old and love to socialize. She has been married to her husband for over 9 wonderful years and he is everything she ever wanted in a husband and man; and more! Mrs. Munguia-Abriola completed her master’s degree in social work in 2016 at the University of Southern California. Go Trojans! Mrs. Munguia-Abriola currently teaches Logic students at CCA and is here to support and serve the people God has place in her path. Her interests include: spending time with her husband, her dogs, her family, traveling, hiking, exploring, motorcycle riding, horseback riding, live music and much more.