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
Matthew Mercer (2018), President/Headmaster
B.S. – Human Ecology/Business Education Emphasis, University of Tennessee
M.A. – Instructional Leadership, Tennessee Technological University
Kelly Sullivan (2018), Elementary School Principal
B.S., Tennessee Wesleyan
M.Ed., Lincoln Memorial University
Ed.S., Administration and Supervision, Lincoln Memorial University
Michelle Zavoli (2019)
Guidance Counselor
Certified College Counselor
Certified Christian & Crisis Counselor
B.A., Psychology, Liberty University
Near completion of M.Ed. – Behavioral Sciences in School Counseling
Active member of the:
National Association for College Admission Counseling
American Counseling Association
Marc Weekly (2012), VP of Development
B.A., Pacific Lutheran University
M.A., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
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
Brent Frazier (2017)
Boy's Dorm Director
B.S.. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
M.S.O.L., Philadelphia Biblical University
Toni Gioioso (1999), Administrative Assistant to the Elementary and Middle School
B.A., University of Alabama
Michael Gunter (2007), Executive Chef, Director of Food Services
Samantha Houser (2017)
Administrative Assistant, Business Office
B.A., Berea College
Kim Lovelace (2010), Business Office Manager
B.S., Murray State University
B.S., Wichita State University
Shannon Moore (2011), Asst. Business Office Manager
Don Rector (2011), Director of Information Technology
A.S., Tennessee Institute of Electronics
Cheryl Weekly (2012), Assistant to the President
B.A., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
David Whaley (2018), School Resource Officer
B.A., University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Shelly Benson (2006), Elementary Music; Orchestra
B.S., Johnson Bible College, Cum Laude
M.A., Carson-Newman University, Cum Laude
Ed.D., Carson-Newman University
Emily Carlisle (2012), Upper School English
B.A., Lee University
Graduate Studies, English Literature, Wake Forest University
Jackie Castle (2016), 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
Katherine Eisenback (2010-2011, 2017)
B.A., Lee University
M.A., University of Tennessee, Cum Laude
Andrew Fultz (2012), History; Bible
B.S., Johnson University, Magna Cum Laude
M.A., Johnson University
M.A.T.S., Liberty University
Doctoral Studies, Carson-Newman University
Rhonda Garbett (2009), Reading Specialist
B.A., Marshall University
M.A., Marshall University
Angela Griffin (1999), Computer Technology; Personal Finance
B.B.A., Ohio University
Graduate Studies, Johnson University
Belinda Hoffman (2011), Grade K4
B.S., Texas A & M University, Kingsville
M.S., Texas A & M University, Kingsville
Leena Leiniainen (1998-2004, 2010), Middle School Bible
B.A., Finland Bible College
B.A., University of Jyväskylä
M. Div., Christian Education, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jeanne Leiser (2013), Teaching Assistant
B.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Julie Littleton (2011), Choral Music
B.M., University of Memphis, Summa Cum Laude
Leland Lyon (2006), Upper School Bible
B.A., Carson-Newman College
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Erin Mobley (2010), Director of Learning Center; Educational Therapist
B.A., Berea College, Magna Cum Laude
M.Ed., American Intercontinental University, Summa Cum Laude
David Mosher (1985), Upper School Spanish and Drama
B.A., Carson-Newman College, Summa Cum Laude
M.S., University of Tennessee
Kari Polk (2012), Grade 2
B.S., Carson-Newman College
Graduate Studies, Lincoln Memorial University
Lisa Quesinberry (2006), Grade 5
B.S., Johnson University
M.A., Johnson University
Tonya Rollins (2003), Grades 4 and 5
B.A., University of Tennessee
M.S. (Magna Cum Laude), University of Tennessee
Amanda Russell (2012), Grade 2
B.S., University of Tennessee, Cum Laude
Graduate Studies, University of Tennessee
Angie Shaffer (2011), MS Mathematics, Language Arts
B.A., Virginia Intermont College
Th.M., Cathedral College
Melissa Spong (2012), Resident Life Assistant Director
A.A., Johnson University
B.S., Johnson University
Dustin Stokes (2014), Boys' Dorm Faculty
B.A., Tusculum College
M.A., University of Denver
Nicholas Swarthout (2017), Chaplain and Boys' Dorm Faculty
B.A., Baptist College of Florida
M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Lincoln Thomas (2019), Strength & Conditioning; 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
Lori Wallace (2013), Grade 1
B.S., Carson-Newman University
M.Ed., Carson-Newman University