Elaine Mayberry

By Meredith Knight

When Elaine Mayberry meets with parents who are considering enrolling their child in McKinney Christian Academy, it’s less about convincing them to choose MCA and more about helping them find the school that’s the best fit for their family. “I love letting families know about MCA because I’m passionate about all we have to offer,” she said. “But ultimately, I want to help them realize what exactly they’re looking for in a school.”

Elaine is uniquely qualified to do so. Growing up an “army brat,” she lived and attended school in several states and even, for a time, in Germany. As a teacher, she taught in private and public school and served as dean of students at a charter school. The first time she visited MCA was on behalf of a student. “I wrote a recommendation for one of my students and the parent was worried the mail wouldn’t get it to MCA in time,” she explained. “So, I offered to deliver it to the school myself. Once I was here and chatted with the administrator, I found myself filling out an application for my daughter.”

Elaine experienced what many first-time MCA parents have, when they step on campus and say they can just feel the love of the Lord. “Faith comes before anything at MCA,” she said. “We’re all about pouring into our students spiritually then building on academics from there.” Elaine was an MCA parent and classroom teacher for five years before taking on the role of admissions director.

“I have experience as an MCA parent, teacher, and administrator, and now that my daughter is in college, as an alumni parent,” Elaine said. Like hundreds of parents before her, Elaine was delighted to see how prepared her daughter, Scout, was for the world beyond MCA. “Our whole mission is to grow our students spiritually,” she said. “They leave us knowing who to lean on when times get tough in college and life after MCA. They learn not to put their worth in material things or worldly accomplishments but to put their faith in God.”

Head of School Bob Lovelady is quick to praise the contribution Elaine makes to the MCA family. “Elaine radiates pure awesomeness,” he said. “She’s the most positive person I know. Having her on our team makes a huge difference.”

When not on the job, Elaine is an active member of Fellowship Church where she works in the nursery. She and her husband, Mike, have been married for 25 years. “He’s a creative director and improv comic, so our free time is usually spent doing something within the arts and music arena,” she said. The Mayberry’s support Love Life Foundation and Save our Stages. Mike and Elaine can often be seen cheering on their son, Sutton, who plays football and runs track at MCA, or in the front row at one of their daughter Scout’s performances as she’s pursuing a BFA in Acting at Missouri State University.