He began his public education at Woodlawn High School (class of 1982), and began his formal education at Southern University Shreveport-Bossier, where he received an Associate of Fine Arts degree. He then transferred to Louisiana State University-Shreveport where he received his Bachelor of Arts-Fine Arts, where he was also commissioned as an Officer in the United States Army. After completing his term of Active-Duty service, he worked several jobs, until God opened the door for him to begin his passion of teaching and educating youth. He had worked for almost thirty years with both youth and adults from Pre-K to College as an instructor, coach, and sports official. He later obtained his Master of Art in Teaching, Secondary Education, from Centenary College and a Master of Fine Arts degree from North Western State University of Louisiana. Mr. Evans cherishes most the acceptance of his “calling” and becoming an Ordained Elder within the COGIC community. Local Artist/Art Teacher/Instructor and native of Shreveport, Louisiana. He has always displayed a compassion for working with and teaching others about the fruit of the spirit and helping them to understand the importance of obtaining a quality education and setting values that should lead to individual change.

Nick was born and raised in St. Louis, MO where he attended parochial schools as a lifelong learner  from preschool through college.  At Concordia University Chicago, he studied to become a Director of Christian Education and is currently attending college in pursuit of a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education.  He has been working with kids ages 3 - 15 years old for over 7 years in various settings including Summer Camps in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa as well as through a preschool program where he taught at Headstart. Nick has led Vacation Bible School, and worked for Before-Care and-After School programs.  He is excited to be a part of Ignite Classical School as a Teacher Aide. Three years ago, he and his wife moved to Shreveport where she started a position working at a Chimpanzee Sanctuary.  They love being in Louisiana and spending time with new friends during their off time.

Jackie Bennett is a veteran retired educator with over 30 years of teaching experience.  Her academic accomplishments includes a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Grambling State University Grambling, a Master of Education in Education Leadership from Centenary College of Louisiana and an Education Specialist Degree in Reading from  Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She also has certification courses in Reading from Louisiana Tech University. She has experience in educating students in a self-contained classroom as well as in a departmentalized setting. She believes that Ignite Classical School is a wonderful learning community for a child to continue their educational journey beyond the home. She believes that the idea of having the word of God embedded into the daily curriculum is a great accessible tool and life guide for the parent, student and teacher because life is a continuous learning process. She believes the words of Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. She is looking forward to helping to build a foundation for a life-long journey of learning and making a difference in the lives of children, families and the community.

Mary Thomas is the Community Liaison for the 2023-2024 school year. She has retired from the Caddo School System after 28 years of service as a bookkeeper. Mrs.Thomas worked in the banking industry as a Commercial Loan Secretary for 10 years. Her academic accomplishments are an Associate Degree in Accounting from Southern University Shreveport/Bossier and a Bachelor’s Degree in
Business Administration from Wiley College. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church where she services as Youth Leader and a Sunday School Teacher. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11. She believes that education and having a relationship with God is the most essential part of a child’s life. Mary believes the God-centered aspect to this classical education will help to develop academically strong and capable students in this ever changing society.
She plans to prayerfully seek out community leaders and dedicated volunteers to assist in the vision of the Ignite Classical School to help create visionaries who have a heart for service and will be able to
visualize their God-given purpose.

I am LaSondra Sparks, the administrative assistant here at Ignite for the 2023-2024 school year. I have been working with children since 2009. I currently have my CDA in early childhood education. I'm also in the process of completing my associates degree in Accounting. I'm a graduate of C.E. Byrd and Remington College. I attend Springs of Grace Baptist Church. I'm excited to see what God does this school year at Ignite.

Adia Garrick Wells (Ignite Head of School) has been in education since 2011 after completing medical school. She worked at Esperanza College of Eastern University as a department head. This open-door led to a Lead Clinician/Behavioral Health position working in the Philadelphia School System where she counseled children and families from Kindergarten to age 19. Since working towards starting a school, Mrs. Wells has taught in the Shreveport-Bossier area a 6th grade class at a Christian, Classical School, and taught K - 3rd Special Education, completed state certification requirements, started a doctoral program in Christian Education, and started a classical apprenticeship program in preparation for launching Ignite Classical School.  Adia and her husband Robert are members of Springs of Grace Baptist Church. They have two sons.