TKA Announces Personnel Changes as Enrollment Continues to Grow

The King’s Academy is on track to experience yet another record enrollment in the 2012-2013 school year, according to early registration reports.  President/Headmaster Walter Grubb says enrollment continues to rise about 4% annually. He also announces several administrative and faculty changes for the current school year.

Director of Admissions Janice Mink, in her thirtieth year of administrative service at TKA, says enrollment on the first day of classes was 443, up from 429 last year.  As the school began its seventh week of the fall semester enrollment reached 474, as compared to 452 one year ago.  Mink says the school is on track to achieve its goal of 500 at some point during the year.  The previous record of 473 students was reached during the 2011-2012 school year.

Among the most significant personnel changes, LeRoy Beam has assumed the role of principal for all grade levels following the resignation of Steve Sharp as upper school director.  Sharp served in a variety of roles at the academy over his twenty-two year career there, including teacher, coach, dorm director and dean of students. He completed his doctoral work at Vanderbilt University in May.  Beam was appointed TKA’s elementary and middle school principal in 2000.  Prior to coming to TKA, he previously served as teacher, coach and principal in Oklahoma. 

Dan Kirkpatrick has moved from his role as Athletic Director and Dean of Students to fill the newly created position of Director of Alumni Affairs and Special Events.  Kirkpatrick joined the academy administrative team in 1993.  He will continue in a limited role as classroom teacher and strength and conditioning coach.

Stepping in to fill some of the void created by Kirkpatrick’s transition will be veteran teacher and administrator Mark Koss. Koss will serve as Dean of Students, and continue to serve as teacher and coach.

Marc Weekly, Volunteer Coach with the University of Tennessee Lady Vols softball team, has accepted the position of TKA’s Athletic Director and Development Officer. Weekly is transitioning from his career in medical equipment sales.  He will be responsible for the academy’s total sports program, and, as time allows, assist in fund raising opportunities.  Weekly’s wife, Cheryl, is also working at the academy as Assistant to the President/Headmaster. Cheryl Weekly will assist with the academy’s capital campaign, donor relations/records, and central administration.

Melinda Thornton, previously Assistant to the President/Headmaster, has been named as the academy’s Director of Enrollment Management.  Thornton will work in conjunction with the Admissions Office, and will be oversee the academy’s web site, social media communications, marketing and promotions.

Sue Koss enters her third year in academy resident life administration. She has now been appointed as Director of Resident Life, giving oversight to the academy’s international program.  

Michael Gunter, in his fifth year of food services work at the academy,has been appointed Executive Chef.  Gunter’s previous culinary experience includes his work at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee.

New faculty for the 2012-2013 school year include two alumni.   Emily Carlisle and Michael Grubb, 2006 graduates, will be teaching high school English. Other new teachers are: Andrew Fultz, high school Bible; Leslie Mielke, art; Amanda Russell, kindergarten; and Kari Polk, second grade.

Home-School Coordinator Erin Mobley has added Educational Therapist to her responsibilities.  Maggie Wang, from Zhengzhou, China, is teaching Chinese Language and Chinese Culture as part of the academy’s Confucius Classroom program.

New support services staff members include Johnny Cupp in maintenance and Tom Simmons in food services.