High School Faculty

	Beth Anderson, Social Sciences banderson@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2008; Years in Education 3 Education: M.S, B.A., University of Tennessee Professional Memberships: Tennessee State Teacher's License Interesting Fact:  Miss Anderson is an avid figure skater. Professional Experience: Student Government Advisor; Certified to teach AP European History and AP US History.
	Darryl Andrist, Bible dandrist@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011; Years in Education 22 Education: B.A., Northland International University, M. Div., Central Baptist Theological Seminary Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Ally Blaschke, Science ablaschke@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011; Years in Education 3 Education: B.S., Bryan College Professional Memberships: Tennessee State Teacher's License, ACSI Teacher Certification
	Polly Brake, Technology pbrake@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: January 2005; Years in Education: 15 Education: B.A.S., ITT Technical Institute; A.A.S., ITT Technical Institute Professional Membership: ACSI Technology Teacher Certification, Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society Member, Women Marines Association Member Professional Experience: Treasurer,East Tennessee Softball Coaches Association, Director of Computer Camps for Elementary and M.S.; Director of GCA Technology Clubs; Student Mentor at ITT Technical Institute; Administrative Assistant at Christian Family Cooperative School Interesting Fact:  Mrs. Brake served in the United States Marine Corp.
	Melissa Cleveland, Vocal Music mcleveland@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2002; Years in Education: 16 Education: B.M., Carson-Newman College Professional Membership:  ACSI  Teacher Certification, TN State Professional Teacher Certification, Career Ladder I, East Tennessee Vocal Association and MENC Professional Experience: Kindermusik instructor, Worship leader for women’s conferences, ACSI Seminar Leader, Director of GCA’s 2010 MS Carnegie Hall Ensemble, Director of GCA High School touring and competitive choral ensemble, Creator and faculty director of GCA’s Worship Arts classes and ministry Interesting Fact:  Mrs. Cleveland is a former Miss Knoxville and Miss Carson-Newman that competed in the Miss America Scholarship Pageant.
	Laura Cline, English lcline@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2010; Years in Education: 2                                             Education: M.A. University of Tennessee; B.A. Presbyterian College Professional Experience: ACSI Teacher Certification Interesting Fact:  Miss Cline is a committed coffee drinker.
	Jason Cobb, Science jcobb@gracebc.org Began Teaching at GCA: August 2010; Years in Education: 1 Education:  B.S. Biology, University of Tennessee; Lincoln Memorial University Teaching Certification Professional Experience:  7 years as a Technical Analyst at TVA Interesting Fact:  Mr. Cobb and his wife like to run and compete in races.
	Johnny Cox, Athletic Director jcox@gracebc.org Began Teaching at GCA:  June 2010; Years in Education: 32 Education:  M.A., Tennessee Tech; B.S., Lincoln Memorial University Professional Experience:  Coached football for 18 years, Coached Basketball for 20 years, PrepXtra Coach of the Year in Golf. Interesting Fact:  Mr. Cox has been to a state tournament with a player or team for the last 8 years.
	Brandi Dabbs, Mathematics bdabbs@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011; Years in Education 1 Education: B.S., Shorter College Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Scott Firebaugh, Mathematics sfirebaugh@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2006; Years in Education: 35 Education: M.A., Grace Seminary; B.A., Grace College Professional Experience: 30 years as spelling bee coordinator or coach at local, regional, and national bees, 12 years as ACSI activities coordinator (math, spelling, speech), district ACSI spelling bee coordinator for 3 years, Scholar’s Bowl coach. Interesting Fact:  Mr. Firebaugh won the AARP’s National Spelling Bee in the summer of 2010.
	Bennett Giles, English bgiles@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011 Education: B.A., King College Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Peni Hirt, Science phirt@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2006; Years in Education: 18 Education: Ph.D., M.S., B.A., University of Tennessee Professional Memberships: Professional Educators of Tennessee, National Science Teachers’ Association, American Association of Cancer Researchers rofessional Experience:  Tutor: UT Vols Sports Teams, Senior Research Associate: Thompson Cancer Center, Construction and Soil Analyst: Edge Engineering Firm, Professor: Pellissippi State Community College. Interesting Fact:  Dr. Hirt’s college was paid for by a music scholarship in flute.
	Brian Hochevar, Physical Education, Varsity Baseball Coach bhochevar@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: 2009; Years in Education: 30 Education: B.S.University of Southern Colorado Professional Memberships: Colorado State Teaching License; ACSI Professional Certification; CO and TN Coaches Association Professional Experience: 30 years coaching experience; Eleven times Coach of the Year; inducted into Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (as player and coach); coached basketball and baseball, with more than 500 career wins, with nine players drafted by Major League Baseball. Coach Hochevar is addicted to river/stream fishing and hot Italian sausage and spaghetti.
	Shannon Johnson, Art & Yearbook sjohnson@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2001; Years in Education: 12 Education: B.A., University of Tennessee Professional Memberships: National Scholastic Press Association, Knoxville Watercolor Society, ACSI Teacher Certification Professional Experience:  Exhibiting Artist in: Dogwood Arts Show, City Council Building, Artist Colony, Ewing Gallery, Variation by Victoria, Belleza Salon, Art Market, Missions to Honduras, Coordinated Art Camp, Art Instructor at the Oak Ridge Art Center, Yearbook Sponsor. Interesting Fact:  Mrs. Johnson likes to cook and eat International Foods.
	Heather Kelley, English hkelley@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2008; Years in Education: 14 Education: B.A., Carson-Newman Professional Memberships: Tennessee State Teaching License; ACSI Teacher Certification Professional Experience: Cheerleading Sponsor, Student Council Sponsor, Beta Club Sponsor, English Department Chair, Prom/Graduation Committee, Morale Committee, Faculty Advisory Committee, At-Risk Committee Interesting Fact:  Mrs. Kelley once played a statue in her school play.
	Elena Landa, Spanish elanda@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011; Years in Education 10 Education: Inca Saralza de la Vega, Degree:  Education Language and Literature Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Randy McKamey, Health, Varsity Football Coach rmckamey@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2007; Years in Education: 16 Education: M.S., University of Tennessee; B.A., University of Tennessee
	Deborah McConnon, Social Sciences dmcconnon@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011; Years in Education 25 Education: B.S., Tennessee Temple University Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Matt Mercer, Campus Pastor, Boys Varsity Basketball Coach mmercer@gracebc,org Began at GCA: August 2010; Years in Education: 8 Education:  M.A., Tennessee Tech University; B.A., University of Tennessee Professional Experience:  7 years teaching in Knox County Schools, Girls and Boys Basketball coach for Fulton, Central and Powell High Schools. Interesting Fact:  Coach Mercer likes to read.
	Angie Nordhorn, English anordhorn@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2002; Years in Education: 14 Education: B.A., Indiana University Professional Memberships:  AP Certified English Teacher, ACSI Teacher Certification Professional Experience:  AP English Teacher, National Honor Society Advisor, Partners in Education Advisor, South-Doyle High Principal’s Advisory Board Interesting Fact:  Mrs. Nordhorn has an extreme fear of snakes!
	Tony Pointer, Bible tpointer@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2005; Years in Education: 6 Education: M.A., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; B.S. Johnson Bible College; A.S., Pellissippi State Technical Community College Professional Memberships: ACSI Teacher Certification Professional Experience: Assistant Director in Childcare Supervision, Devotion Writer for Lifeway Christian Resources, Missions in Mexico, East Asia, Nicarauga, Thailand
	Paul Pridemore, Asst Athletic Director, Director of Development, Varsity Girls Basketball Coach ppridemore@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: 2009 Years in Education: 1 Education: B.S., Tennessee Temple University Professional Experience: Business owner for 20 years, Regional Sales Manager (Met-Life), Sales Manager (The Insurance Group)
	Deidre Randles, German drandles@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2003; Years in Education: 12 Education: B.A., Georgetown College Professional Membership: ACSI Teacher Certification, AATG (American Association of Teachers of German) Professional Experience: German school exchange program, sponsor of GCA chapter of National German Honor Society Delta Epsilon Phi, sponsor of National Junior Honor Society, Children’s Choir director, Choir/Praise team member.Taught in the Gwinnett Co. Schools, Sponsored two exchange trips to Germany, Hosted three exchange groups in Georgia and GCA. Interesting Fact: Mrs. Randles was born in Chicago, raised in KY, a Vol by marriage, who loves to quote movies.
	Joel Sampsel, Social Sciences jsampsel@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: 2009; Years in Education: 10 Education: B.S., Tennessee Technological University Professional Memberships: NSTA Interesting Fact: Mr. Sampsel suffers from two rare diseases known as fishing pox and hunting pox.
	Lincoln Thomas, Athletic Training lthomas@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2011 Education: B.A., University of Tennessee, M.A., Lipscomb University Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification
	Lecia Watson, Admin. Assistant to the Athletic Director, Varsity Softball Coach lwatson@grace.org Began at GCA: August 2010; Years in Education:  3 Professional Experience: 17 years of Secretary experience, Basketball Coach for 20 years, Youth Director Interesting Fact: Mrs. Watson is an identical twin.
	Greg Wilson, Mathematics gwilson@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: August 2008; Years in Education: 19 Education:  MBA, Liberty University; B.S., Tennessee Temple University Professional Memberships:  ACSI Teacher Certification; CompTia A+ Computer Hardware/Software Technician; Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Access 2003 Professional Experience: High School Math Teacher, College Computer and Accounting Teacher, Accountant, Computer Resource Coordinator
	Tonya Wilson, Speech and Drama twilson@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA: January 2008; Years in Education: 23 Education: B.A., Tennessee Temple University Professional Memberships: ACSI Certified, TACS Certified Professional Experience: Fine Arts Coordinator, Drama Coach, Workshop Speaker, Teacher in music, drama, Spanish 1, English and Yearbook in Kindergarten, First and Fourth grades. Interesting Fact: Mrs. Wilson worked at a television station in production before she started teaching.
	Dr. Brad Zockoll, Bible, Psychology/Sociology bzockoll@gracebc.org Began teaching at GCA September, 2020: ; Years in Education: 12 Education:  Ph.D., Newburgh Theological Seminary; M.A., Newburgh Theological Seminary; B.A., BJU Professional Experience: A published author of nine books, Christian Radio Talk Show Host for 3 years Interesting Fact: Dr. Zockoll wrote professionally for Focus on the Family Publications.