Kindergarten
Teacher: Ashley Murray
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: Auburn
Church Name: Peachtree Corners Baptist Church
Why I love teaching: I discovered my love of teaching when I became a mother! I realized then that to explore and introduce my children to God’s great creation came very naturally to me. When I see a child’s face light up after understanding something new, it gives me absolute joy! I am a lifelong learner, and it is my passion to learn alongside my children and my students.
Grade 1 / 1st and 3rd Math
Teacher: Rachel Stewart
Grade Level: 1st grade / 3rd Grade
Subject(s): 1st grade Humanities / 1st and 3rd Math
Education: Georgia Southern University
Church Name: The Grove Church
Why I love teaching: I became a teacher because some of my favorite memories were made at school all because of the impact my teachers had on me. I realize not all students are as fortunate as I was and for that, I wish to create those sorts of memories with any student that comes through my door. I realize the great responsibility that comes with teaching, and I hope to use that to show Christ’s light to each student and to instruct them well so they may thrive in their future endeavors.
Grade 2
Teacher: Blaire Smith
Grade Level: 2nd Grade
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: Erskine College
Church Name: Roswell Community Church
Why I love teaching: God has given me the gift of teaching, and I absolutely love working with children. It is a joy to explore God’s creation with them and to encourage them in a lifelong love of learning. My desire is for children to come away from my class feeling built up in their gifts and abilities, excited to continue studying the world around them, and with a knowledge of the Lord’s deep love for them.
Grade 3
Teacher: Terry Thompson
Grade Level: 3rd
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: Florida State University
Church Name: Canton Bible Church
Why I love teaching: I love children, and I particularly enjoy fostering their God-given hunger to learn.
Grade 4
Teacher: Ashley Deighton
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: University of Alabama
Church Name: Old Peachtree Presbyterian Church
Why I love teaching: I love working with children and teaching students how to love learning.
Grade 5
Teacher: Renae Reese
Grade Level: 5
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: Toccoa Falls College
Church Name:Christ Church in Suwanee
Why I love teaching: I teach because I love the group and one-on-one interaction with students. I love to find creative, out-of-the-box ways for students to learn and I love to see their eyes light up with the realization that they own that knowledge.
Grade 6
Teacher: Jamie Mehaffey
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Subject(s): Humanities
Education: Biola University
Church Name: First Baptist Woodstock-- Shallowford
Why I love teaching: I love watching the students fall in love with life, education, and God. I like the conversation and interaction that education creates, and more than anything, I love learning from the students!
Grades 7-8
Teacher: Laurie Blackwell
Grade Level: 7th & 8th Grades
Subject(s): English
Education: North Georgia College (B.A. in English Education),
Clemson University (M.A. in English)
Church Name: Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Why I love teaching: Great literature not only inspires us to improve ourselves but also serves as a warning about mankind’s sinful nature. I love sharing the timeless messages of classic works with young people. Equally rewarding is witnessing students mature in their writing ability as the year progresses.
Grades 7-8
Teacher: Landon Glenn
Grade Level: 7-8
Subject(s): History, Bible, and Logic
Education: The King's College
Church Name: Grace Church at Town Center
Why I love teaching: There is an incredible degree of useful knowledge densely packed in the sprawling collections of Humanities. I love teaching humanities because students approach the same historical text from different perspectives, requiring a collective effort from all students to best understand. Most importantly, the complexities of humanities reveals a divinely inspired narrative constantly reaffirming its purposeful creation and begging to be explored.
Grades 9-12
Teacher: Anna Wells
Grade Level: High School
Subject(s): English
Education: University of Georgia
Church Name: Perimeter Church
Why I love teaching: I teach because it’s fun! I love helping develop the minds and hearts of students into lifelong learners who think critically.
Grades 9-12
Teacher: Sondra Sparks
Grade Level: High School
Subject(s): English
Education: University of California
Church Name: Genesis Bible Church in Dunwoody
Why I love teaching: I love teaching! I love to see the faces of students when something they have learned finally makes sense. I love to see vast improvement in student’s writing papers. I love to have fun with the students in learning. I also love to be able to share my faith with the students.
Grades 9-12 / Guidance Counselor
Teacher: April Murphy
Grade Level: High School
Subject(s) /AP English/AP Seminar/ Guidance Counselor
Education: Memphis State University, B.A.; University of Memphis, M.A.T.
Church Name: Living Hope
Why I love teaching: Teaching repeatedly reminds me of the depths of the Christian faith—our connectedness to God, to the Word, and to each other. We embody our faith in profound ways when we gather together and learn.
Grades 9-12
Teacher: Jason David
Grade Level: High School
Subject(s): History, Bible, Rhetoric, AP Psychology, AP History
Education: Florida State University
Church Name: Roswell Community Church
Why I love teaching: Having become a Christian as an adult, I have a deep passion concerning the need for people - especially young people - to understand the larger context of their lives in hopes that they take hold of their faith. My desire is to empower, challenge, and shepherd these young people - through the lens of various subjects - to seek for the knowledge of God and discern what part he has for them in this incredible Story of Redemption.