The King’s Academy seeks to provide spiritual growth and academic empowerment for promising students. Our students come from around the globe—an average of 17 countries are represented—and they leave profoundly changed by the welcoming culture that we call “family.”
Faculty Directory
Dr. Walter Grubb (1987)
Interim President/Headmaster
B.A. California Baptist College
M.S., California State University
Graduate Studies, University of Tennessee and Azusa Pacific University
Fellow, Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in Christian Schools
D. Litt, Carson-Newman University
Rhonda Auberle (2020)
Director of Finance
A.A.S., Accounting, Yavapai College, Cum Laude
A.S., Business, Brookline College, Cum Laude
QuickBooks Pro-Advisor Certification
Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), issued by the IRS
TN Department of Insurance Producer License
Blake Fuller (2019)
Middle & High School Principal
B.A., Psychology, Saint Leo University
M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Saint Leo University
Rich Lowell (2018)
Athletic Director
B.S., Physical Education, Pensacola Christian College
Kelly Sullivan (2018)
Elementary School Principal
B.S., Tennessee Wesleyan
M.Ed., Lincoln Memorial University
Ed.S., Administration and Supervision, Lincoln Memorial University
Nick Swarthout (2017)
Chaplain
B.A., Baptist College of Florida
M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Lincoln Thomas (2019)
Dean of Students
B.A., University of Tennessee
M.A., Lipscomb University
Janet Hatmaker (1996-2013, 2021)
School Counselor
B.S., King University
M.Ed., Lincoln Memorial University
Licensed Professional Counselor
Wendy Anderson (2020)
Administrative Support
Lori Campbell (1997-2002, 2004)
Director of Admissions
B.S., Carson-Newman University, Magna Cum Laude
M.Ed., Carson-Newman University
Bill Cupp (2010)
Supervisor of Plant & Facility
Toni Gioioso (1999)
Administrative Assistant,
Elementary School
B.A., University of Alabama
Angie Griffin (1999)
Administrative Assistant,
Middle & High School
B.B.A., Ohio University
Graduate Studies, Johnson University
Michael Gunter (2007)
Executive Chef
Director of Food Services
Janice Mink (2007)
Director of International Admissions
Shannon Moore (2011)
Administrative Assistant,
Finance Office
B.S., Secondary Ed., Western Governors University
Don Rector (2011)
Director of Information Technology
A.S., Tennessee Institute of Electronics
Jonathan Sellers (2016)
Asst. Athletic Director; Head Football Coach
A.S., Pellissippi State Community College
Cheryl Weekly (2012)
Assistant to the President
Director of Communications
B.A., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Cum Laude
Judi Addison (2020), Grade 3
B.A., Elementary Education, Johnson University
M.A., Holistic Education, Johnson University
Marcelete Ailor (2020), High School Math
B.A., Mathematics & Computer Science, Maryville College, Summa Cum Laude
M.S., Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Shelly Benson (2006), Music: Choir & Orchestra
B.S., Johnson Bible College, Cum Laude
M.A., Carson-Newman University, Cum Laude
Ed.D., Carson-Newman University
Iyrna Brooks (2018), Middle School Math, ESL
B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies, Western Governors University
Tony Carmody (2016), Middle School Bible; Worship Arts
B.A., Johnson University
M.A., Johnson University
Jackie Castle (2016), High School Science
B.S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Graduate Studies, Biology, East Tennessee State University
Jennifer Connatser (1998-2005, 2007), Grade K4
B.S., University of Tennesse
M.A., University of Tennessee
Lee Daft (2001), Middle School Social Studies
B.S., Johnson Bible College
M.A., Johnson Bible College
Laurel Durham (2015), Librarian
B.A., Carson-Newman University
M.S., University of Tennessee
Rhonda Garbett (2009), Reading Specialist
B.A., Marshall University
M.A., Marshall University
Jennifer Hamilton (2019), Grade 4
B.S., East Tennessee State University
M.E., Lincoln Memorial University
Ed.S., Lincoln Memorial University
Jennifer Huskey (2019), Kindergarten
B.S., Carson-Newman College
M.Ed., Touro University International, Summa Cum Laude
Ed.S., Lincoln Memorial University, Cum Laude
April Kandel (2016), High School Math
B.A., Milligan College
M. Ed., Milligan College
Leena Leiniainen (1998-2004, 2010), Middle School Bible, ESL
B.A., Finland Bible College
B.A., University of Jyväskylä
M. Div., Christian Education, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Erin Lowell (2018), Middle & High School Art
A.A., Interior Design, NEMCC
B.S., Art, University of North Alabama
Leland Lyon (2006), High School Bible
B.A., Carson-Newman College
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Shannon Moore (2019), High School Math
B.S., Secondary Ed., Western Governors University
David Mosher (1985), High School Spanish; Drama
B.A., Carson-Newman College, Summa Cum Laude
M.S., University of Tennessee
Drew Payne (2020), High School Social Studies
B.A., History, Lincoln Memorial University
B.A., Religion/Philosophy, Lincoln Memorial University
Kari Polk (2012), Grade 2
B.S., Carson-Newman University
Graduate Studies, Lincoln Memorial University
Lisa Quesinberry (2006), Grade 5
B.S., Johnson University
M.A., Johnson University
Tonya Rollins (2003), High School Computer & Personal Finance
B.A., University of Tennessee
M.S., University of Tennessee, Magna Cum Laude
Amanda Russell (2012), Grade 2
B.S., University of Tennessee, Cum Laude
Graduate Studies, University of Tennessee
Sarah Sasscer-Neuhart (2010), Middle School Science
B.S, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education – Elementary Education, East Tennessee State University, Summa Cum Laude
M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Carson-Newman University, Summa Cum Laude
Angie Shaffer (2011), Middle School Language Arts
B.A., Virginia Intermont College
Th.M., Cathedral College
Josh Smith (2019), High School English
B.A., English Literature, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
M.A., Secondary English Education, Johnson University
Nicholas Swarthout (2017), High School Bible, Boys' Dorm Faculty
B.A., Baptist College of Florida
M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Lincoln Thomas (2019), Strength & Performance; Wellness
B.A., University of Tennessee
M.A., Lipscomb University
Eileen Thornton (2018), Homeschool Coordinator
B.S., Arizona State University
Spec.Ed.Lic. K-12, San Juan College
Anna Wade (2020), Teachers' Aide & Tutor; Girls Dorm Staff
Lori Wallace (2013), Grade 1
B.S., Carson-Newman University
M.Ed., Carson-Newman University
David Whaley (2018), High School Criminal Justice
B.A., East Tennessee State University
JT Zavoli (2019), High School Science
B.S., Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles
MAT, Secondary Education Endorsement, Liberty University
Ed.S., Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
Cynthia Collins (2016), Food Services
Tammy Creswell (2019), Custodian
Johnny Cupp (2012), Maintenance
Christy Logan (2014), Chief Custodian
Angela Sullivan (2013), Food Services
