AMANDA HICKMAN
LOWER CAMPUS PRINCIPAL
I am thrilled to be your lower campus principal! Please join me as we work together as a school family to achieve more, serve others, and honor God. Amanda earned her bachelor’s degree with a K-8 licensure from Carson-Newman University in 2004. Having taught in both the public and private school settings, Amanda has been at Berean for much of her teaching career. As a classroom teacher, lead teacher, and now elementary principal, Amanda feels that Berean has also given her a wonderful opportunity to grow as a professional educator. Christian education is very important to both Amanda and her husband Corey, and they feel very blessed that their children Benson and Amelia attend Berean. The whole family appreciates the strong Christian foundation that Berean offers. Amanda also enjoys family time, road trips, shopping, and cooking.
Becky Jordan
KINDERGARTEN
Becky earned a bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman University and went on to complete postgraduate work at Cumberland, Walden, and Fresno University. Since 1987 she has been teaching Early Childhood/Elementary Education, she has gained valuable experience with pre-k and elementary students, as well as abused and neglected children. She believes that her purpose in Christian education is to begin building a foundation for the appropriate wealth of knowledge so students will know who and what they are intended to be within the plan of God. Becky and her husband, Tab, fellow BCS teacher, have two sons, Isaac and Noah (both BCS Graduates).
Sarah Bailey
KINDERGARTEN
Sarah is originally from Virginia. She and her husband Brian served as foster parents until adopting their two daughters in September 2022 making their family complete. The Bailey family is a testimony to the Truth that
“...whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."
Mathew 18:5
Shelby Prince
FIRST GRADE
Shelby has a bachelor's degree in multi-disciplinary studies from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Shelby has taught public school for 6 years, both in Texas and Tennessee. Shelby and her husband William have 4 children. Shelby enjoys painting pictures, reading, and serving children at her church. The move from Texas involved a call to faith from the Lord that landed her in Knoxville.
Amber Chiles
FIRST GRADE
Amber was born and raised in Knoxville TN, and she and her husband, Parker, are huge Vols fans. Amber received a Bachelor's degree from Lee University, after earning an Associate's degree from Pellissippi State. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, and cooking. Amber is thrilled to be at Berean!
Win Weldon
SECOND GRADE
Win Weldon has a B.S. from William Carey University, a B.A. from Frostburg State University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary. Over the years he has taught various grades and also instrumental music at several Christian schools. He has been teaching at Berean since 2015. Besides teaching, Win enjoys walking, playing musical instruments, being involved in church, and spending time with his family. Win and his wife, Penny, have a son and a daughter, Frank and Phoebe. Two of his favorite verses are Psalm 84:11 and Psalm 138:8.
Lori Dale
SECOND GRADE
Lori Dale is from Minnesota where she graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul. There she earned a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Bible and elementary education and a minor in psychology. While living in Texas and Tennessee, she has taught various elementary grades in public and private schools. Lori and her husband Tim were married in 1994 and have two sons, Nathan and Alex. Together they enjoy camping and are very involved in their church, where Lori has served in children’s ministry for over twenty years. One of her favorite verses is Deuteronomy 31:8.
Heather Waggoner
THIRD GRADE
Heather Waggoner graduated from Johnson Bible College (Johnson University) in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Focus on Elementary education and then earned her Master’s degree of Holistic Education in 2005. She has gained valuable experience teaching multiple grades throughout her teaching career. Heather and her husband, Jayson, say they are blessed to have found Berean in 2019 because it feels like family. They are thankful that their 3 children, Caden, Cameron, and Livy get to attend a school where they will not only receive a strong academic education but most importantly they will be mentored in their Christian walk.
Jenna Martin
FOURTH GRADE
Jenna Martin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Music minor from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and her Master’s in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. She and her husband Terence have 2 children, Charlotte and Connor. Jenna has taught preschool for over 15 years and also has enjoyed teaching private violin and viola lessons. Her family is so thankful to have found Berean’s Soar program for their son and along the way discovered a wonderful community of believers.
Jamie Creswell
FOURTH GRADE
Jamie Creswell earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University in 2015 and master’s degree in elementary education, K-5, from Johnson University in 2017. Jamie spent many years in the electrical field before attending college. After completing a semester internship in children’s ministry at a local church, he was drawn to helping students prepare for life through holistic education that includes building character and growing spiritual needs to help them actualize purpose and worth in Christ Jesus. Jamie enjoys singing, sports, outdoor activities and leading students at his church. He and his wife Melanie and have four children; Blaise, Isaiah, Lillie and Josiah. They are so proud to be a part of the Berean family.
Isaiah 6:8 ESV
Lisa Blumberg
FIFTH GRADE
Lisa holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Bible from Cedarville University. She had the privilege of attending Christian schools from kindergarten through college. She began teaching in 1991, and she has been at Berean Christian School since 2007. Lisa and her husband, Ed, have been married since 1994 and have two daughters, Betsy and Jenna. Some of her interests include playing board games, watching movies, and serving on the Media team and the Worship team at White Stone Church. Her two favorite verses are Proverbs 22:6 and Jeremiah 29:11-13.
Megan Rankin
THIRD GRADE
Megan Rankin graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She has experience teaching in public, private and homeschool settings. Megan and her husband, Kevin, have 2 children, Lochlyn and Harrison, who attend Berean. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and traveling.
Katie Ball
FIFTH GRADE
Katie Ball earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Florida. As a classroom teacher, Mrs. Ball has gained valuable experience teaching upper elementary grades throughout her teaching career. Katie is originally from Florida, but she now lives in the Corryton area with her husband, Jacob and their three daughters, Alli, Lily, & Maci. The whole family is excited to be at Berean!
Jessica Marrero
STEM
Jessica Marrero earned a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College becoming certified to teach grades K-8th. Jessica left the public school system to begin teaching at Berean in 2015. In addition to being a classroom teacher, she also leads after school science club meets for first through fifth grades. Jessica and her husband, Ricardo, have been married since 2006 and have two sons, Cruz and Alec, who attend Berean. Outside of school, Jessica loves to spend time with family and two rescue dogs. She enjoys reading, traveling, and thrifting.
Mike McDonald
PE | BEREAN BLESSINGS
Mike McDonald has 37 years coaching and playing experience in both the USA and the U.K. Before moving to the States, he was part of the Watford FC School of Excellence. Mike has coached and trained many teams in the East TN area and coached for the Olympic Development Program. Coach Mike runs the Mike McDonald Academy during Spring and Fall for 4-9 year olds. He is the Berean High School boys soccer coach and a children’s church leader at Compassion Church in Morristown.
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.
Amy Churchwell
MUSIC
Amy Churchwell is a graduate of Carson Newman University with a degree in Music Education. She and her husband Josh have three children, Levi, Zoe and Eden. After teaching in public schools for the past 14 years, God opened a door for her to come to Berean. She is most excited about getting to know the students and families, and seeing what the Lord has in store for the future. Her favorite verse is 1 John 3:18 “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth”.