ADMINISTRATION
Brad Neal
UPPER CAMPUS PRINCIPAL
Corban Ogle
Upper Campus Assistant Principal
Holds both a BA and MAT from Carson-Newman University. Teacher for 14 years at Karns High School. Principal for 10 years at First Baptist Academy. Calling and Career Ministry Coordinator and Director at Emerald Youth Foundation for 3+ years. Brad is married to Jennifer. We have three children: Allyson, graduate of Murray State, Eli,Veteren of the US Marine Corps and attends Univ. of Alabama, Sydney, attends​East Tennessee State University
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Holding both a BA Double Major in History and Bible and Theology, and an MA in Secondary Education from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN, Corban is dedicated to fostering an environment where students feel deeply valued, supported, and inspired to develop their God-given potential. He believes that a Christ-centered community is foundational for true growth, and he seeks to work alongside students, families, and faculty for the discipleship students.
Suzanne Newman
UPPER CAMPUS DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS &
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Suzanne Newman holds a Master’s degree in Professional School Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Carson-Newman University. She believes that the key to helping students reach their full potential involves nurturing the whole child: academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually and that this is best achieved through fostering positive and encouraging relationships. Suzanne and her husband, Joe, have two children Carson and Georgia.
Ethan Norman
HS BIBLE | HEALTH
Ethan Norman is thrilled to be a part of the Berean family along with his wife, Rachel, and his two sons. Ethan did his bachelor’s in Bible and Ministry Leadership at Johnson University. Along with teaching, he leads chapel worship music and coaches Cross Country. Mr. Norman is passionate about creatively articulating God’s story, exploring creation, and would always rather be outside (preferably running, swimming, surfing, or climbing something).
Isaias Vinales
HS BIBLE
Coming Soon
Tab Jordan
MS BIBLE | GRAPHIC DESIGN
Tab graduated in 1986 with a BFA from the University of Tennessee majoring in Graphic Design. He obtained the 2016 Standard Secondary Teacher Certification Association Christian Schools International. Postgraduate studies: Walden University and Fresno University. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Graphic Design he worked in that field for ten years until God placed on his heart to pursue a full-time youth ministry position at Berean Bible Church, which he held for fifteen years. He has taught bible, history and graphic design at BCS since 2006, and serves as Marketing Director.
Josh Duncan
HS BIBLE
Josh earned his BS degree in education from Tennessee Tech University and Master's degree in Religious Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. Josh has been a classroom teacher, youth pastor, church planter, leadership coach, and lead pastor. Josh serves as the assistant middle school boys' basketball coach and middle school teacher. Josh and his wife Jennifer have two boys, Kaden and Kolton, who are Berean students. They are all sports fans of UT and the Atlanta Braves. They enjoy camping and are halfway finished with their family bucket list of visiting every Major League Baseball Stadium.
Connie Freed
MS SCIENCE
Connie Freed went to Belmont College, then to Tennessee Tech University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science. She went on to complete post graduate work through Fresno University and Walden University. Connie married her high school sweetheart Fred and has five daughters, five son-in-laws, eleven grandchildren and counting. She has been teaching at Berean since 2003 and currently is a lead teacher, teaching 7th-8th grade science. Connie loves spending time with family and friends - playing games, camping and sitting around discussing the Word, sharing life on life with them.
Phil Tharp
HS SCIENCE
Phil graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Biology. He has always loved Christian Education; Phil was the founding principal of Christian Life Academy in Kingsport, where he served from 1982 until 2005. He earned his MS in Educational Administration from Pensacola Christian College in 2002. Phil and his family moved to Knoxville, where he was a teacher and Department Chair for Knox County School System until Spring 2022. He earned his Ed S degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in 2012. Phil enjoys spending time in nature whether it is fishing, hunting, hiking, or SCUBA diving; and he brings his love of nature and the God that created it to the classroom.
Keith Limper
UC MATH | SCIENCE
Having completed course work in a BA in Computer Science from Arcadia University and over 25 years in information systems design and engineering, during which Keith served as a certified volunteer firefighter and established a STEAM laboratory ministry for homeschoolers to experience the phenomenon that God created from the beginning so that we may subdue the earth and have dominion. Keith was a US Marine infantry instructor, Sunday school teacher and taught at his ministry for a total of 10 years. Having heeded the call to teach after learning that science confirms scripture through the revelation of apologetics the discipleship focus for your child will be an experiential armoring one that will foster passion and curiosity from which secular strongholds will be pulled down for Christ’s glory. Keith has been married for over 30 years to his loving wife Tracy with their three children. He is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University earning his BS in Education with goals of earning a MEd in secondary STEM. His hobbies include studying philosophy, apologetics, worldviews, scientific research, and loves projects that challenge the intellect.
Heather Duncan
HS HISTORY | CHOIR DIRECTOR
Coming Soon
Andy Minton
UC SOCIAL STUDIES
Coming Soon
Abbie Gottfried
ENGLISH
Having lived in ten states, Abbie grew up a little bit of everywhere. She always finds herself back in Tennessee, however, and now considers Knoxville to be home. She graduated from King University in 2011 with degrees in English and Spanish, and after a short stint as a children’s book editor at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, she found herself longing to be in the classroom. The Lord opened up the opportunity for her to begin teaching English about a decade ago, and in that time, she has taught every grade from 7th to 12th. One of her deepest passions is seeing the story of the Gospel unfold within the stories she reads with her students. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys being outside, reading, singing, and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Michelle Smith
ENGLISH
I love to help students discover the connections between history, literature, and faith. Middle school is such a pivotal time for students, and I am enjoy creating a fun classroom environment that inspires curiosity, deepens understanding, and encourages meaningful discussions. I’ve spent over 20 years in education as both a classroom teacher and school administrator. I hold a BA in History from California Lutheran University and a Master’s degree in School Administration from Regent University. I am passionate about bringing history and literature alive! I love helping students see God’s hand in both History and Literature—revealing His presence in the stories of the past and the truths found in the written word.
Outside of the classroom, I love traveling, exploring new places, and experiencing different cultures. I enjoy kayaking, playing piano and painting/crafting. And of course, I love to shop- I never turn down a good shopping adventure! I’ve been happily married to my husband, Mike, for 32 years, and his career with the U.S. Border Patrol has taken our family all over the country—from California, Texas, Virginia, Maine, Washington, and most recently, to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada. We have two children; our daughter, Mikaela, is a lawyer in Knoxville, and our son, Justin, works as a trainer for a restaurant company in Nashville. Family is one of God’s greatest blessings, and I cherish every moment we share together.
Emily McKeehan
ENGLISH
Emily McKeehan grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Bryan College with a Bachelors in English Literature and a minor in writing. She began teaching at Berean in 2013 and has since completed her Master of Education degree. In 2021, Emily and Natalea Waller published the novel Mapkeeper: Journey Through the North. Emily teaches sixth and seventh grade grammar and eighth grade literature classes, and while she loves teaching middle school English, her deepest passion lies in building relationships with students and showing them the love of Christ. Emily is a self-proclaimed nerd and coffee addict.
Samantha Fair
UC MATH
Samantha graduated from Johnson Bible College in 2004 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Bible and in 2005 with a Masters in Holistic Education. Since beginning in Christian education, she has gained a deeper passion for helping students view themselves as individuals created with unique strengths that can each be used to benefit one another. Immediately after joining the Berean family in 2020 she knew she was home. Samantha loves family game and movie nights with her husband and two children as well as sudoku, crafting, and singing!
Julie Durham
UC MATH
I live in East Knoxville with my husband, Scott, and 2 boys, Owen and Luke. East Knoxville is the community that raised me.
I am honored to be able to invest in the community that has invested so much in me! I have 8 years experience working in church pre-k programs. I have worked for Knox County Schools the past 3 years. It was during this time that I realized God was calling me to return to school to be a teacher! I received a B.S. in mathematics education from Western Governors University. I am working on my master's in curriculum and instruction, also at Western Governors University. I enjoy showing my students God's order and glory through math and science!
Shaynie Palisano
ASL
Originally from Niagara Falls, NY, Shaynie moved to Knoxville from Florida in 2009 to attend Maryville College. She received her bachelor's degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting and Deaf Studies with a minor in psychology in 2013. Although Shaynie graduated with a degree in interpreting, her life-long passion and love for teaching led her to teach ASL as a second language to students of all ages. The thing she loves to do most is learn, talk, and teach about Jesus and the Bible. Besides that and teaching, Shaynie also enjoys playing the piano, singing, reading, and watching her chickens roam around the back yard.
Jessica Marrero
STEAM
Jessica Marrero is a graduate of Tusculum College with a degree to teach grades K-8th and also holds a Stem Teacher Certification from the TN Department of Education. Jessica and her husband, Ricardo have been married since 2006 and are parents to two sons that attend Berean. She enjoys volunteering at Young Williams Animal Center and spending time with her family. Matthew 6:34 is one of her favorite rehearsed verses, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
Brayden Taylor
PE
I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. I recently graduated from Johnson University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education K-12 and a degree in Bible and Theology. During my college years, I played baseball for four years. After graduating, I accepted a position as a Baseball Assistant Coach for the Madisonville Miners in Madisonville, Kentucky. Throughout my life, I have been an avid athlete, which led me to develop a passion for teaching and coaching. I enjoy engaging in outdoor activities, particularly fishing, and spending time with my friends and family. I am engaged and we are set to get married in May 2026!
Mario Viera-Rodriguez
SPANISH
Mr. Mario Viera – Rodriguez was born in Manhattan, New York, but raised in Puerto Rico. He married a beautiful and wonderful lady, Ruth, over 20 years ago. He has taught Spanish for over 30 years and has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Linguistics applied to Spanish. He also graduated from the Instituto Biblico Misionero with a seminary degree and is an ordained pastor in Puerto Rico with Missionary Fountain of Salvation Churches. He now serves as the Hispanic pastor at the Christ the Rock Church of God, co-laboring and serving with Steve Gardner. He gives thanks to God for giving him this job at Berean and the opportunity to continue to teach Spanish in the United States.
Jeanne Alexander
ART
Mrs. Alexander has been nurturing student’s creative pursuits at Berean since 2010. Her desire is for them to have a better understanding of their Creator through their daily explorations in Art. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Newcomb College of Tulane University. Mrs. Alexander and her husband Mark have four children. Three are graduate “lifers” of BCS, with the youngest following suit in May 2022. In her “spare” time, she enjoys travel, museums, baking, pottery and exploring new media.
Rachel Norman
Fine Arts Director/MS HS Theatre
Rachel is a passionate and dedicated theatre professional who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Berean's Fine Arts program through Drama. Graduating in 2008 from the University of Tennessee with a BA in Theatre, she has spent the past decade enriching the Knoxville community with caring, Christ-centered performances and education through her work with The WordPlayers, a renowned local Christian Theatre Company. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of her team as the Director of Fine Arts at Berean and the exciting journey, nurturing and inspiring young artists. Rachel loves spending quality time with her husband, Ethan Norman, the High School Chapel music leader, and their two sons, Bode and River.
