Meet Our Administration Team
Preschool Principal
Laurie Dixon
Hola, from Sra. Dixon, the preschool principal and part-time preschool and lower school Spanish teacher here at Unity Christian Academy! I come from Greenville, NC, but I consider myself a Chocowinity/Beaufort County transplant since I married my husband, Tavner, over 31 years ago. I attended Pitt Community College and East Carolina University, taking classes in Administrative Technology and Exercise Sport Science.
I have been teaching in Christian education for over 24 years, and this year marks my fifteenth year at Unity Christian Academy. I find great joy in witnessing children learn to love Jesus and showing them how much Jesus loves them.
I actively attend Union Chapel FWB Church in Chocowinity and serve in the music and children’s programs. Together with my husband, Tavner, we have two adult children, Holden and Jared, both graduates of Unity Christian Academy.
Email Mrs. Dixon at ldixon@ucawarriors.com
K-12 Principal
Mandi Stone
Hello everyone! My name is Mandi Stone, and I am honored to serve as the K-12 Principal at UCA. I was born and raised in Chocowinity, NC, and I spent a significant amount of time with our Haw Branch church family in Sunday school, youth group, and church events at 1501 Haw Branch Rd.
I graduated from North Carolina State University as a Teaching Fellow with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education. During my time at NC State, I was actively involved in Campus Christian Fellowship (CCF), serving on the student leadership and worship teams. It was through CCF that I met my wonderful husband, Cody. We were married at Haw Branch and will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary this June!
After teaching at Chocowinity Middle School for four years, I joined UCA in the 2018-2019 school year. Now in my 7th year at UCA and celebrating my 11th year in education, I find joy in reading the classics, engaging in enriching conversations with my students, mentoring teachers, helping families, playing basketball with my students, and coaching volleyball. My husband and I are active members of Haw Branch Church of Christ, where he serves as a deacon, and we both serve on the worship team. We are blessed with two children, Zoey (8) and Russell (5), who both attend UCA.
Reflecting on my life, I see God's guiding hand leading me to where I am today. UCA is more than a school to me; it is my home away from home. I am humbled and honored to dedicate my energy and efforts to our staff, students, and families as we journey together in faith.
Email Mrs. Stone at mstone@ucawarriors.com
K-12 Assistant Principal
Whitley Craft
Hi all! I’m Whitley Craft, and I have the pleasure of serving as the Assistant Principal of Unity Christian Academy. With the desire to dedicate my life to ministry, I pursued my Bachelor’s in Biblical Exposition at Mid-Atlantic Christian University, located in Elizabeth City, NC (which is also my hometown). It was there that I met my husband, Joey Craft, and we will celebrate 7 years together in August. One of our greatest joys in life is our one-year-old daughter, Holland.
Beyond my role at UCA, my focus revolves around Haw Branch Church of Christ, where my husband serves as the youth minister and I help to lead worship during our Sunday services. Together, our aim is to deepen our community’s love and desire for Christ.
I’ve been on staff at Unity Christian Academy for eight years and am wholeheartedly committed to its mission of producing Authentic Christian leaders. Every day, I wake up with enthusiasm to work here, cherishing the opportunity to minister to families, students, and staff, guiding them to Jesus in every aspect of life.
Email Mrs. Craft at wcraft@ucawarriors.com
Office Administrator
Ashley Carlson
My name is Ashley Carlson and I am from Chocowinity, NC! I attended East Carolina University and received my Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in mathematics. Before accepting the position of Office Administrator, I taught for nine years. My family attends Haw Branch Church of Christ and my husband, Nathan, is the worship leader. Together, we have three children: Noah, Lucas, and Oaklyn Kate who all attend UCA as well!
Email Mrs. Carlson at acarlson@ucawarriors.com
Athletic Director
Joey Craft
My name is Joey Craft and I was born and raised in Plymouth, NC. In following my passion for leading youth to Christ, I attended Mid-Atlantic Christian University where I earned my degree in Youth & Family Ministry. Since May 2016, I've been serving as the youth minister at Haw Branch Church of Christ, alongside my wife, Mrs. Craft. Our one-year-old, Holland, is destined to become a little warrior in just a couple of years.
In addition to ministry, I have a passion for athletics and I’m honored to serve as the Athletic Director here at UCA. Our athletics program is growing quickly and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for it.
Contact him at jcraft@ucawarriors.com