Faculty

The administration and faculty of Freedom Christian Academy profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and are active members of Bible-believing churches.

The entire faculty holds at least a bachelor's degree and are licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education. The administrative team all hold advanced degrees in education.

FCA Staff
	Melanie Stipes, Principal Melanie helped establish Freedom Christian Academy in 2002. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee. At UT, she was a member of the first class of Leadership 21, Preparing Principals for the Twenty-first Century. Melanie has more than 23 years experience in education on the elementary as well as college level.  She holds both a teaching license and an administrator's license from the Tennessee Department of Education and is a member of the International Association of Christian School Educators. She is a member of Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church.
	Leah Dailey, Director of Development Leah graduated from Milligan College with a BS in Human Performance & Exercise Science with a minor in coaching. She is also a certified personal trainer. Leah is a member of West Lonsdale Baptist Church where she helps coordinate VBS, Upward, block party, and high school interpretive movement. She is also involved in missions work.
	Nancy Troutt, Financial Secretary Nancy has been with the Academy since its inception in 2002. She currently serves as the financial secretary. She has been involved in Christian education for more than 15 years and had the privilege of being a charter school board member and helping to establish a Christian school in the Knoxville area. She is a member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church where she is an active member of the Celebration Choir. She has four children and three grandchildren.
	Jennifer Morris, Academy Secretary Jennifer joined the FCA staff in 2008. She is a member of Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church and has been active in the AWANA ministry for more than three years. She has two children who are enrolled at Freedom.
	Elaine Johnson, Director of Food Service Elaine has worked at FCA for five years and at CHBC for 17 years. She is a member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church where she volunteers in the kitchen and nursery.
FCA Faculty
	Ronna Gregory, 3-year-old Kindergarten Ronna graduated from Carson-Newman College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She is endorsed to teach PreK-3rd grade. She is a member of Fairview Baptist Church where she is a children's Sunday School teacher and the children's Cherub Choir leader.
	Sarah Elliott, 4-year-old Kindergarten
	Ms. Bond, Kindergarten
	Elizabeth Schwengels, Kindergarten Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from East Tennessee State University. She is endorsed to teach Pre-K through 4th grade. She is a member of West Park Baptist Church where she is active in the women’s ministry.
	Amanda Burnette, First Grade Amanda graduated from Johnson Bible College with a Master of Arts in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies and Bible. She has taught second grade at Spring Hill Elementary for the past two years. She is a member of Fairview Baptist Church where she serves in the children's ministry, AWANA and the youth ministry. She has also served in missions with FBC in Dundee, Scotland.
	Emily Dyer, First Grade Emily graduated from Johnson Bible College with a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is endorsed to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade. She is a member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church and has taught in the children's ministry.
	Katie Hayse, Second Grade Katie graduated from Johnson Bible College with a Masters in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and Bible. She is endorsed to teach K-6 grade. She is a member at Crossings Knoxville where she is active in the children's ministry, small groups and the Leadership Team.
	Heather Waggoner, Third Grade Heather graduated from Johnson Bible College with a Master of Arts in Holistic Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bible. She is endorsed to teach Kindergarten - 8th grade. She is a member of Fairview Baptist Church where she is active in the choir, nursery, and AWANA program.
	JoAnn Fussaro, Fourth Grade JoAnn holds a Special Education (K-12) and Elementary Education (K-8) degree from Carson Newman College. She is a member of West Lonsdale Baptist Church and is active in the praise & worship and nursery ministries.
	Samantha Fair, Seventh and Eighth Grades Samantha graduated from Johnson Bible College with a Master's in Elementary Education and a Bachelor's in Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies. She is endorsed to teach Kindergarten through 8th grade. She attends West Towne Christian Church with her husband and son where they are actively involved in the children's ministry along with Upward programs.
	Caleb Howard, Music, Band, and Choir Caleb is a graduate of Carson-Newman College where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching (2010). While there he served as Principal Bass for the Carson-Newman Wind Ensemble and Captain of the Marching Eagle Band. Caleb also performed with the CN Men's Chorus and the school's contemporary Christian ensemble, Redemption. He attends North Acres Baptist Church, where he is very active in the music industry, serving as guitarist for the adult choir and orchestra.