Academic Dean
Imago School Board Member, Ex Officio
Nature Studies, Grades 1 and 3 

Diana McKee is a New Englander, having grown up in Bedford, MA and graduated from the University of Vermont with a double major in Elementary and Special Education. She taught in NH public schools for a couple of years before the first of her three sons was born, at which point she joyfully jumped in full-time as Mom and then as home school teacher. Diana’s Imago adventure began when her sons were 11, 10, and 7, when all four of them joined the school together. She spent her first 15 years teaching in the Upper School (8th English, 7/8th Science) under founder Linny Dey, and was the Upper School Activities Director. She also taught 5th and 6th Grade Science for a number of years, and as the current Head of School she still enjoys leading the 1st and 3rd graders in Nature Studies!

She and her husband Blair have been married for 33 years and enjoy frolicking with their 4 grandchildren. Some of her other delights are reading wonderful books, water skiing, hunting for frogs and turtles, and taking fish off hooks for Imago students during recess. Diana believes that there is no school as precious as Imago because of our students and their families, the faculty and staff, and the joy that is found here!

Operations, Development, & Finance
Eden’s Children Director

Debbie Parks joined the Imago School staff in 2023 and currently serves as Assistant Director of Operations, Development, and Finance. Debbie helped to develop and implement Imago’s afterschool program — known as Eden’s Children — and currently serves as its Director.

A native of New York City, Debbie holds a B.S. in Political Science and was formerly a Business Analyst in the financial services industry. Her business background, paired with her passion for learning and her conviction that everyone has unique gifts to offer, has been the driving force behind her projects and work at Imago.

Debbie and her husband, Ian, are the proud parents of two sons and two daughters, most of whom were homeschooled at some point by Debbie, but are now all current Imago students. Although only one of four was born in New York, all of the kids somehow ended up Yankees fans.  

Lauren McDonnell joined The Imago School as Office Administrative Assistant in 2025 with a degree in social work and a background in quality assurance and special education support. She’s known for her calm, organized approach and her ability to juggle multiple tasks while keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. Lauren brings empathy, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for helping others into everything she does. As a mom to two energetic boys in first and second grade, she understands the value of patience, flexibility, and teamwork—both at home and at work.

Outside the office, Lauren enjoys gardening, spending time in God’s creation, and cooking from scratch with whole, nourishing foods. These passions reflect her belief in slowing down, staying grounded, and creating a healthy, balanced life.

Latin III & IV

Marcos Gouvêa joined Imago in 2023 as Latin II instructor, and will be Academic Dean of the high school beginning in fall of 2025. 

Marcos was born in Brazil but has lived for most of his life in New England. His love of literature and desire to love God with all his mind has led to earning a BA from Williams College, an affiliate BA from Emmanuel College Cambridge, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and an MA and PhD from the University of Chicago in Classical Languages and Literatures. Marcos and his wife Devin have three daughters, all current Imago students. He enjoys cooking, reading aloud, watching and playing soccer, and talking theology and philosophy with his wife. They attend Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Marlborough.

Some of the greatest lessons he learned in Chicago were discovered in the university’s residence halls, where the Gouvêa family lived for seven years as Resident Heads. Those were days for learning to listen, to speak gently and firmly, to endure by the side of those suffering. While in this position, Marcos frequently reflected on what his students had brought in from their high school experiences. He feels having been given much, the Lord is now allowing him to share the treasures with others through the growth of a high school at Imago. May he be worthy of the task!

Language Arts Director, Grades 1–2
Curriculum Development, Grades 1–3

Karin Heikkila has a degree in Elementary Education.  She was born and raised in Massachusetts, but taught in New Hampshire and Virginia before coming to teach at Imago more than 25 years ago.  She began her Imago teaching career in the second grade but was asked to make the switch to the first grade when Imago’s original first grade teacher stepped down.  She is always amazed, but grateful, that she gets paid to do a job that she loves. She enjoys spending time by the ocean, exploring new places, and hanging out with her seven nieces and nephews. 

Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher
P.E. Co-Teacher, Pre-K – Grade 4

Denise Kinney is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts. As an Imago High School graduate, she was immersed in classical, Christian education from an early age, but it was not until she became a teacher and parent that her passion for classical, Christian education became fully ignited.

Denise began teaching kindergarten at The Imago School in 2015. As a Kindergarten teacher and parent of two Imago students, she is truly blessed. Having a heart for all learners and many years of experience in the special education field, Denise is also the Student Support Specialist at the Imago School. Denise holds a master’s degree in education and is a certified Orton-Gillingham dyslexia practitioner.

Algebra I
P.E. Co-Teacher, Pre-K – Grade 4
Eden’s Children Staff

Mary Soto joined The Imago School in 2019, along with her daughter, Hannah, who attended first grade that year. She has had several roles in her years at Imago, including teaching second grade, being the Pre-K & Kindergarten Assistant, and substitute teaching, especially for Upper School math. When Imago formed a separate Pre-K class in 2024, Mrs. Soto helped set up the new classroom and stepped into her current role of Pre-K homeroom teacher. She is thankful to Mrs. Kinney, who taught her so much about teaching, and with whom she continues to collaborate. Mrs. Soto also teaches P.E. and Algebra I. She loves the people that she works with and is grateful for this remarkable little school.

Before coming to Imago, Mary was a nanny for over 10 years. She has a BA in Mathematical Science, with a minor in Education from Colby College. She got certified to teach 7th-12th grade math, but realized she loved being with younger children. Mary is married to Jose, and they live in Natick with their two daughters, Hannah and Maria. The girls have been described as identical twins… only 11 years apart! Baby Maria is well known and loved around The Imago School. Mary is conversational in Spanish and gets to practice regularly with her Dominican in-laws, who don’t speak English. Her other skills include juggling and solving the Rubik’s cube. She enjoys board games, audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family. She also loves volleyball, and used to pole vault over 10 feet (many years ago)!

Student Support Specialist
Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher
P.E. Co-Teacher, Pre-K – Grade 4

Denise Kinney is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts. As an Imago High School graduate, she was immersed in classical, Christian education from an early age, but it was not until she became a teacher and parent that her passion for classical, Christian education became fully ignited.

Denise began teaching kindergarten at The Imago School in 2015. As a Kindergarten teacher and parent of two Imago students, she is truly blessed. Having a heart for all learners and many years of experience in the special education field, Denise is also the Student Support Specialist at the Imago School. Denise holds a master’s degree in education and is a certified Orton-Gillingham dyslexia practitioner.

After growing up in Maryland, Lauren VanDixhorn moved to Massachusetts for college, earning degrees in Political Science and German Area Studies before completing a Master’s in Public Health. Although she once envisioned a career in the foreign service or international missions, God led her along a different path—from project management at Mass General to full-time motherhood. Since then, Mrs. VanDixhorn has served as the Children’s Ministry Director at her church, homeschooled her four children using a classical Christian curriculum, and most recently taught three-year-olds at Mt. Calvary Christian Preschool. She also holds a certification in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. VanDixhorn and her husband live in Acton with their four children—all Imago students—and their dog. Over the years, she has enjoyed serving in youth and children’s ministry, co-leading her church’s mom’s ministry, leading two Girl Scout troops, and becoming a licensed foster parent. Outside the classroom, she’s most likely to be cheering on the sidelines at her children’s sporting events, getting competitive during family game night, or reading a good book with her book club. 

Dana, a Tennessean by birth, studied at Vanderbilt University where she earned both a B.S. in Human Development and an M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling. After hearing about the Imago School’s classical Christian roots through a friend, she joined the faculty in 2008 as a part-time lower school teacher, in addition to substituting and working in the office. She currently serves as Third Grade Homeroom Teacher, where she delights in introducing her young students to U.S. geography and the beautiful diversity of our country. She especially enjoys seeing the childrens’ faces light up once they have grasped a new concept by way of hard work. Dana and her husband, Steve, are the proud parents of two Imago graduates and a yellow lab Mae, who is the unofficial “class pet” of the third grade. 

Julie Weitekamp joined the Imago School faculty in 2020 as an assistant in the first grade and the second grade history teacher.  The following year, she became Imago’s fifth grade homeroom teacher. This followed years of supporting the school as a parent of three Imago students and as an occasional substitute teacher.  

Julie has a B.S. in Biology from Wheaton College (IL) and an M.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Rhode Island.  She has worked for a biotechnology company and a medical research lab as well as for a refugee resettlement agency.  After many years of parenting, foster parenting, growing vegetables and operating a market garden and CSA, Julie was delighted to begin cultivating young hearts and minds in a classroom setting.  When not at school, Julie spends time with her family and in her garden.  She also loves reading, hiking in the White Mountains, and knitting.

Eden’s Children Staff

Katrina Jakubiak first heard of classical education 18 years ago when her son was crawling on the floor of the public library. She proceeded to read every book that was written on the subject – both good and bad while having 3 more children with her husband, David. All four children were classically home schooled from the womb, if such a thing is possible. They’ve lived in California, Washington State, Pennsylvania and now Massachusetts. Everywhere they’ve lived they have found a group of other classical education enthusiasts with which to join and do life together.

In 2016 they discovered The Imago School and slowly transitioned from the homeschool life to Imago life. Beginning with teaching Nature Studies for 1st-3rd grade, she then helped by substitute teaching and then tried her hand at being a Kindergarten Assistant and the Second Grade teacher before finding her calling as the Sixth Grade teacher.

In 2020 and then 2022 their two oldest children graduated from Imago. The younger two are in 6th and 8th grade and are looking forward to graduating from the Imago High School!  P.S. Mrs. Jakubiak was the first Imago teacher to keep a hedgehog as a class pet 😉

Worship Leader, Lower School Chapel
Upper School Activities Coordinator
Science, Grades 6-8
Pre-Algebra
Algebra II 

Nathaniel de Vries has been teaching various mathematics and science classes at the Imago School since 2020.  From 6th grade to the Upper School, he loves showing students beautiful mathematical concepts and captivating their wonder with the intricate design found in God’s creation, teaching them about His “two books” of revelation.  In 2020, Nathaniel received a Bachelor of Science in traditional mathematics with minors in physics and music from Worcester State University.  Outside of school he enjoys time with his wife and family, growing vegetables, observing stars, planets, and other astronomical phenomena, and walking in the woods in search of ferns and fungi.  

Zoe lives in Worcester with her husband Jai, who is a filmmaker. Together, they are preparingfor a new chapter in life as they are expecting their first baby boy.  Zoe moved to the Worcester area with her family as a freshman in high school and has called the city home ever since. She studied at Worcester State University, and got her Bachelor’s in Public Health with a minor in
Art.

Creativity has always been an important part of Zoe’s life and is something she shares with both sides of her family. Several members of her family have pursued fashion design, while her husband’s family is also full of creative people, and everyone has encouraged her own love for creating. Zoe enjoys drawing and fell in love with ceramics during high school. She also loves
floral arranging, baking (especially sourdough), and gardening as other creative outlets.

Outside of her creative pursuits, Zoe works at her church, and as a Birth Doula. She enjoys finding ways to serve others, be creative, and connect with the community around her.

Imago School Board Member
Teacher Mentor 

Jenifer Christensen received her B.A. in English at Wheaton College, IL, in 1990, and an M.A.T. in English 9-12 from Tufts University in 1992. She is the proud parent of five Imago graduates, and hopes to make that six in 2025!! She loves her work at the Imago school, where she has been serving in different capacities since 2010. Currently she teaches English and history in the  Upper School, where she is grateful every day for the chance to explore deep truths with her students, both in great literature and in tracing the course of history. It is a great privilege to share treasures of knowledge and beauty with young people, who have such lively minds and honest questions, along with a desire to understand what it means to know and love Christ. When she is not at school, Mrs. C. can be found cooking, talking to one of her many children, hiking, sailing, going to art museums, walking her large dog, and occasionally house-cleaning.

Both Ellen and I have been Imago parents to our 4, now married children; 2 boys 2 girls (the score is tied) as well as teachers here at Imago. 

I have been the Imago Upper School PE Teacher for over 20 years and really love that role, mainly because I love the kids and want to build them up. 

In my view, groups of people working together towards a common goal are very much like a sports team. Think about it – family, classroom, workplace, community are all teams in many ways. My ultimate purpose as a follower of Christ, however, is that our Imago teams will represent Jesus well as His body.  We each have our own gifting and every member matters. It’s no secret that I approach each game with a vision of victory, but whether we win or lose, we compete with grace. 

I’m proud to let you all know that over the years, the kids have taught me and confirmed this principle:

They can do more than they thought they could, and that they enjoy more than they thought they would. 

High School Academic Dean

Marcos Gouvêa joined Imago in 2023 as Latin II instructor, and will be Academic Dean of the high school beginning in fall of 2025. 

Marcos was born in Brazil but has lived for most of his life in New England. His love of literature and desire to love God with all his mind has led to earning a BA from Williams College, an affiliate BA from Emmanuel College Cambridge, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, and an MA and PhD from the University of Chicago in Classical Languages and Literatures. Marcos and his wife Devin have three daughters, all current Imago students. He enjoys cooking, reading aloud, watching and playing soccer, and talking theology and philosophy with his wife. They attend Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Marlborough.

Some of the greatest lessons he learned in Chicago were discovered in the university’s residence halls, where the Gouvêa family lived for seven years as Resident Heads. Those were days for learning to listen, to speak gently and firmly, to endure by the side of those suffering. While in this position, Marcos frequently reflected on what his students had brought in from their high school experiences. He feels having been given much, the Lord is now allowing him to share the treasures with others through the growth of a high school at Imago. May he be worthy of the task!

Maria is honored to serve as the Artisan Trades Teacher at the Imago High School. She is passionate about empowering students to harness their God-given creativity and craftsmanship through hands-on learning. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Community Planning and professional experience in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Maria brings the experience of being a licensed Construction Supervisor, property manager, real estate broker, and business owner to the classroom. Her prior experience in social work and ministry further fuel her passion for nurturing students’ skills and character in a Christ-centered environment.

Guided by Colossians 3:23—“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord”—she integrates faith and practical instruction to inspire students in woodworking, multi-media design, homesteading, drafting and tools for industry and innovation. Maria’s teaching philosophy emphasizes stewardship, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and excellence; encouraging students to see themselves as the active, powerful, interactive beings God has created them to be. 

In her personal life, Maria is blessed to be married to a Superman-like husband (as any horse-farm&family-father is) and mother to two lively, wonderful children. In her spare time, she plays with animals and with instruments. 

Maria is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Imago and to walk with the high school students alongside their life journey. 

Kathy and her husband Stan reside in Westford and have two daughters who were well educated at Imago. Kathy grew up learning commercial art in her father’s printing business and earned a B.A. in Art and Psychology from Bates College, where she was able to study in Paris for a short term. With teaching certification and an M.Ed., she taught elementary and middle school Art for 11 years in NH Public Schools as well as continuing education for adults. After establishing an Art program at Dayspring Christian Academy, Kathy came to Imago, and has taught Art for 25+ years. She has had articles published in Arts & Activities (now School Arts) magazine; the last featuring the work of an Imago student. Kathy’s students have been successful in national as well as regional Art competitions, and several have gone on to have careers in Art.

P.E. Teachers, Grades 5&6

Coleman Rafferty taught a variety of subjects for three years in a classical parochial school in Dallas before moving to Boston to commence a graduate program in theology at Boston College. Although born in Massachusetts, Coleman grew up in Northern Virginia. He is happy to be back in the place of his birth and to experience once again the manifold beauties of the New England seasons. When he is not reading theology — preferably in Latin! — he enjoys going on hikes with his wife and newborn daughter, reading fiction, and playing any and all manner of sports.

Assistant Teacher

Annelies Rafferty received her Bachelor’s degree in History from Grove City College with a minor in Philosophy. She received her Latin training as a student in a classical school. Annelies is a cradle Anglican and was formed by the Anglican sacred music tradition. She sings and plays the cello. Her favorite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach. She is excited to learn about the rich musical tradition at Imago and to co-teach Latin with her husband.

Classroom Helper, Pre-K & K 

Monica Wang and her son Joseph joined the Imago School in 2023: Monica as a Pre-K Assistant Teacher and Joseph as a preschooler. Monica primarily works as a student aide, but sometimes also helps in the classroom when needed. Monica previously worked as an English teacher in China and loved the young children whom she taught. She thanks the Lord for hearing and answering her prayer by providing her with work at the Imago School.

Music, Grades 4-8
Drama, Grades 7-8
Latin I 

Steven James Weibley began directing music and drama at the Imago school in 1996, with four years off when his responsibilities as pastor required more of his time. He graduated with a B.S in Music from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, teaching music in the Lancaster, PA city schools, and later continuing his studies in preparation for ministry as a Byington Fellow at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He took post-graduate courses at Reformed Theological Seminary (ABD) under RC Sproul among others. His two sabbatical terms at Cambridge University enabled him to take theology, exegesis, and advanced Hebrew in the British context, and theology of music under Jeremy Begbie.  Upon retirement, after 35 years as Associate Pastor and then Senior Pastor at Carlisle Congregational Church in Carlisle, MA, he was blessed to return and take on additional hours as our Latin I teacher.

Steve Weibley has delivered and published papers on the writings of his favorite author, the British Congregationalist John Owen, and serves on the Executive Council of the New England Reformed Fellowship, leading music at their annual Bolton Conference. 

He and his wife Deb have been married for 41 years in 2024 and live in Clinton (he finds Deb to be God’s very greatest blessing to him). They enjoy visiting their son Joshua Caleb, an Imago graduate, in Brooklyn, where he works as a professional artist.  

He is a composer of several orchestral works, orchestrator and arranger of the music for our Lessons and Carols program, author of some 20 choir anthems and 50 scripture songs, announcer and third clarinetist for the Chelmsford Community Band, and creator of intricate Scherenschnitte (paper “scissors cuttings”), a 17th century Pennsylvania German folk art.