MA, Holistic Education and BS, Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies, Johnson Bible College; Endorsement in English as a Second Language. Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“My husband Jerry and I have two lovely daughters. I taught in public schools for ten years in Knox County, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, and Raleigh, NC, as well as a year in a private school in China. After I had my first child, I took time off from formal teaching, but continued teaching preschool-aged kids at Bible Study Fellowship for several years. I have also enjoyed being a substitute teacher and room mom at Paideia. I am so excited and privileged to be able to teach the youngest learners here. I pray God would use me to plant and water seeds of His truth in little hearts and watch them continue to grow. ‘Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water…not bothered by the heat or drought…they never stop producing fruit’ (Jeremiah 17:7-8).”

BS, Sports Management, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I have been serving Paideia Academy since 2024.

MS, Agriculture in Food Science, University of Tennessee; BS, Agriculture, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2015.

“I am privileged to support the teachers who will educate each child in this classroom through the exemplification of Christ’s love. It is my purpose to seek God and to be a resource in His provision, and I am honored to serve His children. I worked as a food scientist overseeing the research and development of new food products for 17 years and worked as a substitute teacher before coming to Paideia. My husband Max and I have three boys – Josh, Alex and Magnus.”

BA, Psychology, Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“I have always had a heart for children and training them up in the way of the Lord. I met my husband, Art, in college, and we got married my junior year. Having our children, Tovi, Malachi and Ramey, started my wonderful journey of motherhood and intermittent homeschooling. In 2020, our family felt called by God to move to Tennessee, so in a huge leap of faith we sold our home and moved our family of five across the country in a very short time-frame. In addition to my homeschooling experience, I have worked for preschools and most recently served as a Kindergarten teacher for Heart Christian Academy. I am excited to answer God’s call to serve this year as the 1st grade teacher”.

MS, Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University; BA, Liberal Studies, Southern California College. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“I began my career journey as a Kindergarten teacher, then worked as a therapist for 11 years with children, teens, couples, families, and people with severe mental illness. I simultaneously taught psychology for almost a decade at the university level. My husband Mark and I have two daughters, Aaleyah and Savannah. We joined the Paideia community in 2017 when my oldest daughter started Pre-K. Classical, Christ-centered education has been an incredible blessing and gift to our whole family. What a joy that God has opened the door for me to return to the classroom! When I’m not teaching I love to cook, spend time with my family, go on adventures, and relax at the beach.”

BS, Communications, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Serving Paideia Academy since 2024.

BS, Elementary Education, Tennessee Tech University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2021.

“My family has been blessed to be a part of the Paideia community for several years, so is a joy and an honor to step into teaching here. I have 8 years of elementary teaching experience. Most recently, I served as the director of children’s ministry at my church. My heart’s desire is to partner with parents in helping their children to know and serve Christ as they grow in their knowledge of Him. My husband,JJ, and I have been married 21 years and have three children, Carter, Isaac, and Evelyn. We are originally from middle TN, but we have called Knoxville home since 2006 (our blood runs orange!) We love taking full advantage of living in beautiful East Tennessee. Our family enjoys camping, biking, and hiking. When not in the classroom, I enjoy reading a good book, watching football, and cheering for my kids in their various sports activities.”

BS, Kinesiology, Vanguard University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“My desire is to honor God in all I do. I am extremely blessed that I get to be a part of something where we all share that same common goal. I hope and pray that I can make a difference in the lives of staff, students, and families. I enjoy being able to fellowship together knowing that our joy is based on the sacrifice that Jesus made for each and every one of us. I am married to Kristy and have three children, Tovi, Malachi and Ramey. I have always had a strong desire to teach and be around kids and have an extensive background teaching in both public and private Christian schools. I also have coached baseball, basketball, football, and softball, and worked as both an EMT and CPR/First Aid instructor.”

MDiv, Christian Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (in progress); BA, Classics, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“I was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Classics. I met my wife Beth working at an after-school ministry here in Knoxville called Thrive. We currently live in Fountain City with our son Charlie and dog Annie. I love good coffee, reading, hiking, camping, and the Vols! I became passionate about both classical Christian education and teaching while teaching at a classical Christian school in Louisville, KY for the first two years of our marriage. God has blessed me with many great teachers throughout my life (the most important of which have been my parents). Each of these teachers have taught me, in their own unique way, that learning is a precious gift from God and that its ultimate purpose is to help us to fear, know, love, and glorify God. I’m honored to partner with parents and my fellow teachers and administrators at Paideia to share this gift with the next generation.”

BMusEd, minor in Sign Language Interpreting, East Carolina University. Currently a student of the Great Books Master’s Program at Memoria College. Serving Paideia Academy since 2021.

“I began learning about classical education in 2004 as I educated my children at home. One thing I have learned through classical education is that God glorifies Himself through words. I seek to guide my students in this love of words and reading and learning, and all the wonderful ways God shows Himself to us through the order and beauty of His world. ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).’ Some of the good works God has enabled me to do include roles as a band director, sign language interpreter, Latin teacher at a classical school, and a homeschool teacher. I’m so thankful to now find my place serving your children here at Paideia Academy.”

BA, Sociology and Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University. Serving Paideia since 2020.

“I’m married to Paul and our son, Andrew, has attended Paideia since Kindergarten.  We believe wholly in a Christ-centered education.  It’s truly my joy to have served as a volunteer mom at first, then as a substitute teacher, and then to become a Latin teacher here.  My journey at Paideia is truly a testimony of never knowing or expecting where God will take a person, but enjoying the ride. Praise be to God!”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2011.

“During our family’s homeschooling years our goal was to provide a Christ-centered education for our daughter. In 2008, we were ready to seek the aid of a school with the same aim, and in His kindness the Lord directed us to Paideia Academy. Its emphasis on a Christ-centered, covenantal, and classical education appealed to us immediately, and our family enthusiastically joined this precious community. Over the next three years I served frequently as a substitute teacher and experienced the unique blessing of having an inside glimpse of the environment in which our daughter was growing academically and spiritually in knowledge and grace. Since joining the staff I have tremendously enjoyed the privilege of shepherding, teaching, and learning along with our students for the ever-increasing glory of our Savior Jesus Christ!”

MS, Human Nutrition and Dietetic Internship, University of Alabama; BS, Family and Consumer Science Education, minor in Composite Science, Bob Jones University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2019.

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. Psalm 33:8 – As my journey as a classical, Christ-centered educator continues, it is a joy to be back in the classroom engaging with students in the realms of chemistry and astronomy. My 20+ years of teaching experience spans the spectrum of age as well as venues including homeschool, classroom, and the online environment. It is a privilege to be a part of this growing Paideia community. In addition, I am blessed to be a wife and mother. Doug and I have four full-of-life children: Hudson, Cooper, Morgan, and Brennan. Throughout the school year, my prayer is to lead our students to recognize truth, discover goodness, and behold beauty in all of God’s creation.”

BA, Psychology, with teaching certification in secondary Mathematics, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“Lover of Jesus, husband to Melanie and father to Caleb and Aidan (Paideia Academy class of 2016). I have spent the last 24 years mentoring and teaching children and young adults in various capacities including church and camp ministry and classroom teaching. Seeing young people step into their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God is one of my deepest desires. In light of that, I am excited that the integrated approach of classical education flows with my own style of teaching which centers on making connections from any subject to how our creator has shown His love for us through order, beauty and creativity. I love adventures of all kinds, and when not at school you might find me paddling, rock climbing, leading worship or roasting my own coffee.”

MS, Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee; BS, Geological Sciences, San Diego State University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2022.

“For the past nine years, I’ve been obtaining degrees in geology. I have a significant passion for the Earth and the blessings that God has given us here; it rocks! I originally intended to pursue a career in that field but found during graduate school that wasn’t my calling. I felt the need to teach, and specifically to be a mentor, for the next generations to come. While finishing my degree, I was a substitute teacher and was looking for a school where community and passion were displayed among the students and families. God blessed me with the opportunity to teach science at Paideia Academy, which provided exactly what I felt was missing from my career, namely Christ. I feel so blessed to be here and am delighted to help guide the next generations of Kingdom builders. My husband, Damian, stepson Draven, and I are ready to immerse ourselves into the Paideia family fully.”

MA, Christian Education and MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary; BA, Humanities, Belhaven University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2020.

“I have been teaching in classical Christian education for the past 17 years, and I am very excited to be teaching at Paideia. I have a passion for helping students understand the importance of ideas and worldview. My goal is to have all of my students express with C.S. Lewis, ‘I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.’ I can think of no greater calling than helping to prepare the next generation to live as faithful believers, modeling Christ-like behavior with confidence and winsomeness. The fact that I get to do all of this in the scenery of East Tennessee with my wife and two kids is just a bonus!”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2024.

“As a beloved adopted daughter of the King of Kings and a disciple of Jesus, I have been called to serve Him by teaching others in many capacities over the years. I have been a university English instructor, campus minister, high school ESL instructor, mother to three, and homeschool teacher. After teaching my children at home for 12 years, I am honored to be back in the classroom as a Latin and Omnibus teacher and hall dean at Paideia. I am passionate about passing on the faith to the next generation through education and mentorship. I love history, good books, and languages, and I enjoy sifting through all subjects to find the treasures of God’s glory displayed in His creation and our co-creation. It is a privilege to guide students to join in that treasure hunt and fall more in love with the originator of all that is good, true, and beautiful. I am wife to Kevin and mother to three Paideia students (class of 2025, 2027, and 2030). In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, hiking, and camping with my family.”

BA, Communications, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2013.

“I am thrilled to be able to assist our students to connect their God-given gifts and personal interests to the next steps they will take as they move into the larger world as Paideia graduates. My prayer is that they will bring the light of Christ into any place God leads them!”

DMin (ABD), Gateway Seminary; MDiv, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary; MA, Intercultural Studies, Union University; BS, Biology, California Baptist University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2022.

“I was trained in ministry at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m passionate about the people of God growing in their relationship with God and maturing as followers of Jesus. I long for students to be able to discern God’s voice in order for them to know Him deeply and join Him in what He is doing in the world. I am married to Stacey and we have two children: Olivia and Isaiah. When I’m not teaching I love to work out with my buddies at F3 and travel with my family.”

BS, Microbiology, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“My family and I love Paideia and its community and have enjoyed being a part of this lovely school for the past few years. My husband, Forrest, and I have three children who are students here, Annie Cate, Ford, & Markham. Upon graduating from UTK in Microbiology, I had plans to attend PA school, but the Lord called me in a different direction to college ministry. I loved my time working in college ministry, walking alongside students as they navigated living for Christ in the midst of college life. I’m honored that I now get to walk alongside high school students while teaching them about God’s wonderful creation through Biology. I pray that the students will grow in their awe & knowledge of God as we dive into studying this beautiful life He created with such design & purpose.”

BA, Communications, University of Tennessee. Serving Paideia Academy since 2013.

“I am delighted to shepherd the growing Upper School theatre program at Paideia Academy. My heart is to teach our students to be effective storytellers and use their creative gifts to God’s glory.”

Art Academy of Cincinnati and Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio. Serving Paideia Academy since 2015.

“I’ve been teaching art in a Christian school, homeschooling co-op, private lessons or in an after-school program at public schools for more than 30 years. My first passion is investing in each student’s walk in their relationship with Jesus Christ. My second passion is to teach the ‘how to’s’ of creating beautiful art. I’m very excited and thankful to be a part of the Paideia school family.”

MSc, Spiritual Guidance and Care/Mental Behavioral Health, Carson-Newman University; BM, Music and Religion, Carson-Newman University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“What a joy to be part of the Paideia family! I feel blessed to be able to share my love of music with students of all ages through private lessons and in the general classroom. My heart’s desire is to see God glorified in all that we do as children of God and to instill a love of music in the next generation. We read so much from the Scriptures about praising God with instrument and song; this will come to life as we experience and learn about music in our world during the school year. My husband and I reside in Knoxville and are both leaders in various music ministries in the area.”

BS, Music Education with Minor in Voice, UT Chattanooga. Serving Paideia Academy since 2023.

“I am excited to be able to be God’s instrument in helping to build a choral program for 5-11th grades. My vision is for these precious ones to go to a deeper level of loving our Lord through using the instrument of voice. I was born in Johnson City, TN, graduated college from UT Chattanooga and went with my hubby to seminary in Louisville, KY. After that we moved to the DC area for 7 years and then came back to East Tennessee. In all of those years, at one time or another, I’ve taught music from preschool through high school in private and public schools, as well as church settings. I started singing before I talked, and when a day in the life of elementary school ended, I would come home and play school. The Lord has a wonderful way of letting us enjoy our passions even from the youngest age. My husband Mark and I have two grown children who live nearby with their families. I enjoy hiking, biking, walking, reading and singing. We are also highly involved serving in and outside of our local church. On Saturdays you will find us at a baseball or soccer field rooting on our grandsons, where we are, of course, wearing orange.”

BM, Music Education, Grove City College. Serving Paideia Academy since 2019.

“I have had the privilege of starting Paideia’s band program, a program that is focused on discipleship, musical excellence and music ministry.  As a high school and college musician, I was deeply inspired by my high school band director and consequently pursued a degree in Music Education. As a high school and college musician, the Lord providentially opened doors of opportunity for me to work under some of the country’s top band conductors at state and national honors bands. I view all of these experiences as a deposit that was entrusted to me by the Lord to be invested into my students. After teaching band and general music from 2001-2009, I took a break from teaching to become a mother to George, Lily, Charlie and Rosie, and now I am following the Lord’s leading as I return to my passion of teaching band. My goal is to develop kingdom musicians who are fully equipped as both classically-trained musicians and also as artists who are capable of creating their own music as they play by ear. My other passions are for women’s ministry, tennis, and healthy living.”

Harding University, Liberal Arts. AS, Radiologic Technology, Daytona State College; Advanced Certification in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), ARRT. Serving Paideia Academy since 2010.

“It is a joy to provide business and operational support to the Paideia community each day! My husband, Kyle, and I, are especially grateful for the gift of a Christ-centered, classical education that God has provided for our son, Cory (Class of 2015), through the wonderful faculty and staff of Paideia Academy.”

BS, Business and Marketing, University of Phoenix. Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“I started my career in the insurance field. As my husband and I began having a family, I felt God giving me a desire to work with children. I taught at a preschool program for three years, volunteered at a homeschool co-op, taught children’s Sunday school classes, and substituted at my boys’ schools regularly. I thought I understood ‘classical education,’ until I found Paideia Academy. I was impressed at the level of the students’ knowledge and by their passion for learning how history, literature, and science are connected to the Bible. I wished that I had the privilege of this type of classical education in my life! Teaching at Paideia has been both a blessing and privilege to me. I love the relationships I get to build with the students and their families. My desire is to help foster a love for learning and a greater appreciation of the God who is woven through each of our lessons. My husband Jeff and I have three boys who all attend Paideia Academy as well: Peyton, Brayden, and Dawson.”

MS, Nursing and BA, Psychology, University of Tennessee; Board Certified Nurse Practitioner. Serving Paideia Academy since 2020.

“My husband, Stephen, and I have six children: Ella, Harper, Lola, Annalise, Vivian, and Bennett. Before my children reached school age, I spent six years as a Nurse Practitioner with Hope Resource Center in Knoxville, TN. With a desire for an education centered on Christ, we began our homeschooling journey with my first Kindergartner. Several years later, we began to look at Christian schools to partner with for our older children. As our family explored options for Christian schools in the area, we fell in love with the classical education at Paideia that truly keeps Christ as the center of everything and decided to enroll all six! I am thrilled to be a part of the Paideia community both as a faculty member and as an attending family.”

BA, Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology, Mississippi State University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2019.

“My family dove headfirst into classical Christian education through homeschooling when my son went into fourth grade. It was amazing to watch the world expand for him and to help him grow in an understanding that all knowledge is intertwined and that Christ is the center of it all. When we moved to Knoxville in the fall of 2016, we were so excited to find Paideia and have the option of a five-day classical school. I have enjoyed being a part of the Paideia community; first as a volunteer, then as a substitute, and now working in the office and with our homeschool umbrella community.”

ASN, Roane State Community College. Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“In 2005, I began my career in nursing at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in the inpatient surgery department. Over the years, I have worked in every area of the surgery specialty from pre-op, to operating room, to post-op and recovery. When our children began attending Paideia in 2017, I joked with our headmaster that one day when Paideia hired a nurse I wanted it to be me. Little did I know what the Lord was doing! In 2019, I began volunteering as a school nurse two days a week. Since then, it has become more and more evident that a full-time nurse was needed (thank you global pandemic)! The Lord has provided an opportunity for me to serve full-time in this capacity as well as coordinating our volunteer efforts around campus. My husband Matt and I have 4 children: Annie, Ruby, Mabel, and Sam who all attend Paideia. Our family enjoys complicated (nerdy) board games, good food, camping, cheering for our kids on the sideline of their sporting endeavors, and any other fun things that come our way. We are members of Basswood Baptist church and love being part of the Paideia community. I am so thankful to be working with such an amazing staff and to be doing what I love where my kids are every day!”

BA, Business Management, Taylor University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2022.

“My first experience with classical education was through the Classical Conversations homeschool co-op group, which we were involved in for several years. When we began looking for more full-time support, we took two tours at Paideia; the rest is history. We enrolled the kids at Paideia Academy mid-year and were thrilled we did. My husband Luke and I have 3 children: Zoe, Jude, and Ezra. As of 2020, we are new to the Knoxville area, transplants from Wheaton, IL. My work experience before motherhood: I was a Facility Manager at a group home for the disabled and an Administrative Assistant at a large church in the Chicago suburbs. On the weekends, I enjoy exploring beautiful Tennessee with my family. I feel incredibly blessed to use my gifts in the school office and be a part of this unique community of believers.”

BS, Special Education-Modified, Tennessee Tech University. Serving Paideia Academy since 2022.

Serving Paideia Academy since 2004.

“Shannon and I have been blessed with almost 30 years of marriage and five children, John, Samuel, Emily, Claire and Anna. John is a Paideia graduate and a graduate of Covenant College. Samuel is a Paideia graduate and a graduate of Union University. Emily is a Paideia graduate and just started her junior year at Union University. Claire is a Paideia graduate and just started her freshman year at Johnson University. And Anna is a junior at Paideia. We are members of Christ Presbyterian Church. I work in captive insurance, helping business owners own their own insurance company, and Shannon pours her energy into blessing family and friends. We regularly thank the Lord for Paideia Academy and the wonderful staff, teachers, friends and families that He has brought into their journey on this terrestrial ball.”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2004.

“I work as a utilities engineer and am an elder at Christ Presbyterian Church where we have been members for many years.  My wife, Tisha, and I have six children: three who have gone on to college and beyond and three who are still attending Paideia. We have been a part of the school since its inception and are so grateful for both the unique education our kids have received and the godly teachers who have imparted it to them.”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2018.

“I am an Anesthesiologist at Parkwest Medical Center, and my wife Tara is a full-time homemaker, part-time massage therapist/exercise instructor. We have four children: Eric, Amy, Paul, and Benjamin. Our family attends Fellowship Church Middlebrook. Having been at Paideia for 12 years, what we like best about the school is the Christ-centered community. I appreciate serving on the board to lead by example for my own children and other families as well. Investing in a godly legacy and giving our children a firm foundation in truth is a top priority for our family.”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2022.

“I’m from a family of educators, and before coming to Paideia, I served six years as a board member for another private Christian school. I have been a regular Sunday school teacher and served as a deacon overseeing the adult education classes. My family and I presently attend Basswood Baptist Church. My wife, Rochelle, and I have been married for 22 years and have three daughters at Paideia: Elisabeth, Abbie, and Anna Leigh. We were drawn to Paideia for the Christ-centered, classical curriculum; since then, we have been blessed by the many great families in the school community. I am employed as an Electrical Engineer but have been known to guest lecture at Paideia from time to time. I look forward to continuing the mission of equipping the school and families in providing a classical education with a Biblical worldview.”

Serving Paideia Academy since 2024.

“I work as an estate planning attorney and have been a committed advocate for classical Christian education since 2018.  Tiffani and I have been married for 17 years.  We are blessed with four daughters, all of whom have attended Paideia since 2020.  Paideia is a school community firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, where all subject matter is viewed in light of God’s Word.  It has been my pleasure to serve as the middle school girl’s basketball coach for the past several seasons.  We are members of Grace Lutheran Church, where I also serve as a liturgist.  I am humbled to be a part of Paideia’s ongoing mission — coming alongside parents to raise their children in the training and admonition of the Lord.”