Hugh Harris: Headmaster

In 2004 Mr. and Mrs. Harris began Franklin Christian Academy. He serves as the Headmaster of the school and President of the Board of Trustees. He is the former President of the Middle Tennessee Athletic Conference. Mr. Harris received a Masters of Education in Administration degree and he graduated from Baylor University with a degree in accounting in 1978. After spending 20 years in business both as employee and owner, God called Mr. Harris to the world of education. He is committed to seeing students grow in the grace of Christ through knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. hharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

 

Lisa Harris has a passion for teenagers to know Jesus and walk with Him personally.  As Dean of Faculty, Mrs. Harris encourages the teachers to disciple students from a God-centered world view. She received her dental hygiene license in 1976 and worked in that capacity for 10 years. God called her into academic education as a second career and began teaching in 1986. She has taught all grades from kindergarten to 12th grade. She also recruits and trains teachers to serve at the School of the Medes in northern Iraq, a biblically based school in an Islamic environment. She has a B.S. from Baylor University and her M.A. in Education from TSU. lharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

Jim grew up in Philadelphia, PA and attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he met his lovely wife, Sheryl.  After getting his BS in Oceanography and a commission in the Navy, he and his growing family went on a twenty year odyssey around the world: Hawaii, Monterey and San Diego, Iceland, where he taught night school for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Gulfport, MS, and a final tour of teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.  Along the way, Jim earned his MS in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School and coached his kids in youth sports for 13 years. After retiring in June of 2010, Jim wanted to break into Middle and High School education. “After three years of their first public school in Maryland, my 7th and 9th graders really wanted to return to a Christian school.  I told them the only way that would happen was if I taught at one.  As soon as I met the faculty and leadership, I knew this was where God wanted me.” jtannahill@franklinchristianacademy.org

Stephanie Radbill was born into a military family and spent her early years traveling the world.  She spent her Jr High and High School years in St. Louis, MO.  She attended Covenant College and studied Elementary Education and minored in Spanish.  She taught elementary school in St. Louis for 3 years. In 2004, Stephanie moved to Bulgaria to work as a missionary with Mission to the World.  While there, she taught Middle School to missionary kids and did administrative work as well. She had wonderful opportunities to see much of Europe and travel. She loves reading, baking, gardening, traveling, and missions. sradbill@franklinchristianacademy.org

Katie is FCA’s Academic Advisor; she coordinates Learning Services and provides College Guidance Counseling. She graduated from Samford University with an English major, and from Vanderbilt University with a Master of Arts degree in American Literature. Katie has taught in China, Peru, and the United States and has worked with students from elementary school to college level. She has been with FCA since 2005. kzc@franklinchristianacademy.org

Melanie Sutton: Admissions Director, Discipleship Program Coordinator

Melanie loves working with teenagers.  She received her degree from Abilene University in Bible and Ministry in 2004 and joined FCA in 2009. She has had experience in education as well as youth ministry. Her hands-on approach to teaching serves FCA well as she develops and leads our discipleship program. msutton@franklinchistianacademy.org

Drew Robison: Athletic Director, Head Football and Basketball Coach, Economics, Finance

Drew Robison, a graduate of Montgomery Bell Academy and former quarterback and captain under legendary coach Tommy Owen, has been involved in Christian education coaching football, basketball, and tennis. He has served in the roles of Athletic Director and Admission Director in Maryland and South Carolina.  He was a QB walk-on at Vanderbilt in 1989 under Watson Brown, and then started for three years at Rhodes College in Memphis under Mike Clary. He was voted as the Offensive Most Valuable Player by coaches in the conference in 1992. Drew and his wife, Colyer, relocated back to the Franklin area from Annapolis with their 3 children. He has been with FCA since 2011. drobison@franklinchristianacademy.org

Paul Ellsworth: Director of Communications, Spanish Teacher

Paul has a love for the Spanish language and hispanic culture. When he was in high school, he felt that God was calling him to missions. After high school, Paul spent time studying with YWAM in Panama. From there he felt God moving his heart to Mexico.  He spent four years as a missionary in Mexico where he met his wife Clementina. Paul and Clementina live in Franklin, TN with their two boys. Paul’s desire is to teach students the Spanish language and how to appreciate the diversity of God’s creation through world cultures. Paul has a B.S. in Education from Liberty University. pellsworth@franklinchristianacademy.org

Rachel Harris: Office Manager and Umbrella Program Administrator

Rachel Harris is the Administrator of the Umbrella Program for homeschool families. She is also the office manager at FCA.  Ms. Rachel received her B.A. in Global Studies from Azusa Pacific University. She was also a member of the first class to receive a Graduate Certificate from Lipscomb University’s Institute for Sustainable Practice. She enjoys fostering a diverse community at FCA and has a passion for adoptees and the adoption journey. When not at school, she enjoys swimming, being outside, and collecting postage stamps. rharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

Sherri Barnhart: Middle and High School English Teacher

Sherri has over 20 years of a variety of teaching experience. She graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. Her teaching certification is English, grades six through twelve. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school. Sherri has also assisted in college English programs and administrated college tutorial programs. She has led SAT/ACT English preparation classes, as well as GED adult education preparatory classes. Her goal is to have the students learn to be self – motivators as they engage in new material. Sherri and her husband traveled to China on two occassions: the adoption of their two daughters! sbarnhart@franklinchristianacademy.org

Dawn Hoesel: Math Department Head, Chemistry

Dawn has a passion for students and guiding them to a greater understanding of God’s universe through Math. Dawn has a gift of explaining complicated concepts in a way anyone can understand. As our Math Department Head she overseas all facets of our Math curriculum and instruction. Dawn Hoesel has been teaching at FCA since 2006.  She is married to Don and has two children. Dawn received her degree from Taylor University in Spanish and Math education. dhoesel@franklinchristianacademy.org

Mimi Johnston: Fine Arts Department Head

Mimi comes to FCA with a lifetime of experience in the performing arts and arts administration. She is excited to share her love and knowledge of music, theatre, literature, and Bible, and to help develop a strong and balanced performing, visual and technical arts program. She spent several years in the music and theatre scene in Chicago. After leading Saturday night songwriter rounds at the Bluebird Cafe, she co-founded and developed the live music venue Puckett’s Grocery, and started the “…in the Fork” concert series in Leiper’s Fork. Mimi helped Grace Chapel build its Kids’ Chapel program and spent several years on the Grace Chapel Worship and Women’s Ministry teams, where she wrote the score and musical directed the original “Magdalene” theatre production. She joined Kids On Stage as an instructor in 2003, becoming the program’s executive director in 2007. Mimi has been with FCA since 2012. She received her B.A. in piano performance, minor in theatre and vocal pedagogy. mjohnston@franklinchristianacademy.org

Kristi Marsh: Bible Teacher, Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach

Kristi comes to FCA with a Masters Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a desire to mentor students. She is passionate about teaching the Word, living it out, and and making it relevant to teenagers. Se loves challenging and encouraging young people to pursue God and live out their relationship with the Lord. She is also the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and has lead the Lady Falcons to finish at the top of the Conference every year. She loves pouring her time into teaching and coaching as a way to serve the Lord and make disciples. kmarsh@franklinchristianacademy.org

Tammy McDonald: Art Teacher

Tammy graduated from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC with a degree in art and K-12 education. She later studied music at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.  She has a lifetime of experience in the United Methodist Church as a pianist and children/youth choir director.  After graduating from college, she began working in advertising with Maxway.  She also started her own studio for private piano and art lessons.  In 2000, she joined the staff at Cape Fear Christian Academy in Erwin, NC as an art and music teacher, and eventually served as Fine Arts Director until spring of 2011.  Since moving to Nashville, she is excited to be part of the FCA family, and is very passionate about the arts.  Her goal is to help students see the beauty of God’s creations through the exploration of various mediums, styles, self-expression, and problem solving skills. tmcdonald@franklinchristianacademy.org

Courtney Ploski: History and Biology Teacher

Courtney Ploski grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and graduated from Hillsdale College with a B.A. in History and a minor in Biology. She had the opportunity to study in Oxford during the summer of 2011 and loves experiencing History through travel. Courtney enjoys challenging students to learn from the past and see the work of God throughout History as well as exploring the intricacies of His present world in Biology. She recently moved to Nashville with her husband Mark and enjoys playing sports, music, and spending time with family. cploski@franklinchristianacademy.org

David Stengele: High School English Teacher, Yearbook Advisor

David teaches English for High School, and Yearbook. He grew up in India with his missionary parents, and then returned to the States for higher education. He has a B.A. in Literature and Writing (double major) and an M.A. in English. He has worked in a graphics company for New York publishers; taught Freshman English at the community college and university level; trained English teachers in Sichuan Province as part of the first Peace Corps team into China; taught ESL in Japan, where he met his wife, Akiko; taught I.B. English for six years at Kodaikanal International School in India, where he himself went to school; and, for seven years, taught High School English at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia. David has been with FCA since 2012. dstengele@franklinchristianacademy.org

Daniel Wallace: Math Teacher

Daniel comes to FCA with a B.S. in Applied Mathmatics from Coastal Carolina University. He has true heart for discipleship. Concerning education Daniel says, “Education based on biblical principles, not only enlightens, but empowers. We serve a living God that loves his people, and we are called to raise them in His ways.” dwallace@franklinchristianacademy.org