FCA Faculty

Billy Borre, Coach and Faculty

Lori Boyd, Office Manager

Lori Boyd infuses the office at FCA with her quick sense of humor and knack for organization.  She serves as Office Manager at FCA and is married to Alan.  They have 2 children.

lboyd@franklinchristianacademy.org

Rona Branson - Academic Dean, Biology

Rona Branson grew up in Lubbock and Midlothian, Texas with her older sister and older brother. She went to Corpus Christi State University and Western College in Oregon. Rona taught at a Christian school in Texas for six years and at Franklin Classical School for a year after moving to Tennessee. When Hugh and Lisa Harris started FCA, she believed in their vision for the school and their compassion for students, and came to teach here.   She has since become the Academic Dean in addition to teaching classes. Rona has an amazing passion for students and says that in a learning environment, relationships are vital: “I don’t think real learning can happen in the absence of relationship.” She loves and believes in the community aspect of the school, and also loves “the way the students accept and love one another.” She and her husband Keith have three children: Joanna (21), Emily (19), and Mitchell (15). Outside of school, Rona enjoys reading, baking, watching movies, gardening, and learning. Some of her favorite movies include Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Some of her favorite bands are Guster, Caedmon’s Call, and Nickel Creek.
rbranson@franklinchristianacademy.org

Deanna Chambers, Head Women's Volleyball Coach

Deanna comes to FCA with a desire for girls to work as team to accomplish their goals on the court. 

dchambers@franklinchristianacademy.org

Kimberly Cook, Director of Communication and Development

Kimberly has a background in communications, marketing and development.  She graduated from Texas A&M in 1990.  Ms. Cook is working on the capital campaign to raise the funds for the new building off of Highway 96.  In addition to that, she keeps the website current, and coordinates all communication efforts with the school family and the community.

kcook@franklinchristianacademy.org

Paul Ellsworth, Spanish II 

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 highschool, 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 and attend a bilingual church called "La Casa de Mi Padre." They had their first son, Pablo David, this past summer. Paul's desire is to teach students the Spanish language and how to appreciate the diversity of God's creation through world cultures. 

pellsworth@franklinchristianacademy.org

Katie Gordon - College Counselor, IEP Coordinator, English

 Katie Gordon is FCA's College Counselor and IEP Coordinator, and she teaches Junior and Senior English. Katie grew up in Dickson, Tennessee with her two younger sisters. 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 at The Country Garden School in Shunde, China; Vanderbilt University; San Agustin Language Institute in Trujillo, Peru; and the Carraway Center for Teaching and Learning in Nashville. Katie has chosen to teach at FCA because “I wanted a Christian environment with strong academics in a small, relational setting.” Katie says, “Teaching here has deepened my view that education is about affection: loving and believing in what I teach, striving to impart that love to my students, and loving the individual kids who walk into my classroom.” She adds, “I love observing my students in and out of class, trying to understand who they are, where they’re coming from, how they think… It’s about talking with them throughout the day, reading their writing, and hearing what they think that have really deepened these relationships.” Katie enjoys reading, being outside, and making things. Her favorite movies are Casablanca and The Royal Tenenbaums. Her favorite bands are Wilco, The Flaming Lips, and Bob Dylan.

kgordon@franklinchristianacademy.org

Hugh Harris, Headmaster

In 2004 Mr. and Mrs. Harris began Franklin Christian Academy and he serves as the Headmaster of the school and President of the Board of Trustees. He serves as the President of the Middle Tennessee Athletic Conference and sits on the Board of the National Christian Sports Conference. Mr. Harris received a Masters of Education in Administration degree and he graduated from Baylor University in 1978.  He is committed to seeing students grow in the grace of Christ through knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

hharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

Lisa Harris, Dean of Faculty

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 as they teach them from a God-centered world view.  Mrs. Harris has been in education for over 30 years.

lharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

Rachel Harris, Umbrella Program, Office Administration

Rachel Harris is the Administrator of the Umbrella Program for homeschool families. She also assists in the office at FCA.  Ms. Harris 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. When not at school, she enjoys swimming, being outside, and collecting postage stamps.

rharris@franklinchristianacademy.org

Dawn Hoesel, Geometry, Algebra II, Chemistry, Adv. Math, Calculus

Dawn Hoesel has been teaching at FCA for over 5 years.  She is married to Don and has 2 children.

dhoesel@franklinchristianacademy.org 

Mimi Johnston, Art and Music

Mimi comes to FCA with extensive experience in theatre and music.  She developed "Kids On Stage" here in Franklin. 

Chatoria Kent, Anatomy, Biology

I made the transition from industry to education because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people in a more tangible way. I am committed to the success of my students not only in my classroom but in life. I promote an atmosphere of respect and a pursuit of excellence in my classroom that prayerfully transfers into their various circles of influences. My goal is to build leaders that will succeed and go beyond merely blending in as productive members of society.
I am committed to the growth and development of my students.

ckent@franklinchristianacademy.org

Kristi Marsh, Bible, Assistant Athletic Director, Physical Education

Kristi comes to FCA with a desire for teenagers to be excited about God's Word and the community we live in.  She teaches students Bible Class with a passion for them to live out their relationship with the Lord.  She also is the Head Women's Basketball Coach.

kmarsh@franklinchristianacademy.org

Kyle Peterson, Head Boys Basketball Coach

Kyle leads the FCA Boys Basketball team!  He comes to FCA with a love for the game and a love for kids to work with their God-given gifts and leadership.

kpeterson@franklinchristianacademy.org

Stephanie Radbill, English 7th, 8th and 9th, Yearbook

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. While in Europe, she had wonderful opportunities to see much of Europe and travel.  She is excited to be teaching 7th, 8th and 9th Grade English and Yearbook at FCA.  She loves reading, baking, gardening, traveling, and missions.  She just married Scott Radbill in November!

sradbill@franklinchristianacademy.org

Susan Reese, Art

Susan Reese grew up in Nashville. She attended Peabody College and Vanderbilt University graduating Cum Laude with a degree in psychology and education. She has taught at University School in Nashville, at a DOD school in Frankfurt, Germany, and at a public school in Vicksburg, MS. She is certified to teach English as a Second Language and helped establish a school in Nashville's Iraqi immigrant community.  Susan has a lifelong love of art and sees creative stirrings as a reflection of the creative nature of God. She enjoys helping students expand their tools for expressing what God has put inside of them. She teaches at Firstlight Arts Academy as well as in the art program at FCA.  Susan and her husband, Andy, were founding members of FCA; he was on the board for several years. They are the proud parents of four wonderful grown children.

sreese@franklinchristianacademy.org

Drew Robison, Dean of Students, Admissions Coordinator, Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, 7th grade Math, 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, just relocated back to the Franklin area from Annapolis with their 3 children.

drobison@franklinchristianacademy.org

Reem Shamma, Pre-Algebra, 5th-6th Math, 5th-6th STEM

Mrs. Reem Shamma graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1996. Mrs. Shamma also holds a masters degree from Lipscomb University in Learning and Teaching.  She and her husband, Tom, have been married for 14 years and have two twin boys in First Grade at Grace Christian Academy.  They have served in the Church’s children’s ministry for the last eleven years and host a Bible Study at their house twice a month. 
Mrs. Shamma has taught all levels of Math from 5th grade to Geometry. With a background in Civil Engineering, she can teach what she has actually applied in the workplace and bring that real life experience to the classroom. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, reading, playing board games together, and going to the science center, the zoo, and the rec. center.
 
Her favorite Bible verse is from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, ”plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

rshamma@franklinchristianacademy.org

Melanie Sutton, Bible, English, Spanish, Theater

Melanie loves working with teenagers.  She has an education background as well as youth ministry experience.  She has a hands-on approach to teaching and working with students.

msutton@franklinchristianacademy.org

Jim Tannahill, STEM Dept Head, 7th - 8th Science, Physics, Algebra I, Soccer Coach

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.  Jim's wife was given the opportunity to command the Naval Reserve Center Nashville in Smyrna, so the family packed up for TN.  Two of his five children attend FCA.  "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

Pete Wittman, Head Baseball Coach

Pete has been coaching the FCA baseball team for 2 years.  He enjoys working with the students and building a foundation for baseball at FCA.  He and his wife have 3 children.

 pwittman@franklinchristianacademy.org