The administration at Whitefield Academy has been very busy this summer, planning for school growth and interviewing applicants to fill open positions. Many qualified candidates applied for positions at the school and each application was meticulously reviewed in order to find the best possible fit for our community.
“A tremendous amount of thought and prayer was involved with every new hire,” said Dr. Bracher, headmaster. “The Lord watched over the entire process and I’m very excited about the new people coming on board at Whitefield. They are a group of talented and intelligent individuals who are committed to Whitefield’s mission.”
LOWER SCHOOL
Dorrie McKoy – First Grade Teacher
McKoy has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Gordon College in Massachusetts and a master’s degree in education from the University of New England in Maine. She has been teaching K-2nd grade for the past 13 years, mostly at Heritage Preparatory School, a small classical Christian school in the Atlanta area. She and her husband are actively involved in church and lead a weekly small group Bible study. Their son Alex (7th) is a Whitefield student.
“I am thrilled to become a part of the Whitefield faculty. I can’t believe how amazing the teachers are that I will be partnering with! I will also be teaching across the hall from the person who inspired me to be a teacher in the first place – Vesta Jones.”
Troy Pruett – Lower School PE Teacher,
Offensive Coordinator (Varsity Football), Wrestling Coach
Pruett has an undergraduate degree in health and physical education from Jacksonville State University. He has over 20 years of experience as a coach and PE teacher, coaching football, golf, softball, and wrestling. He has led several teams to championships, both regionally and at the state level. Pruett has also led many summer camps and vacation Bible schools for young children.
“I’m excited about the chance to work with a group of Christian teachers and coaches. I want to help build the athletic program here and look forward to developing a lot of great relationships with the faculty, staff, students, and parents.”
Sherry Washington-Fair - Second Grade T.A. and Club Cub Director
Washington has a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She already is well-loved in the Lower School as she has served as a substitute teacher on several occasions. She has loved the mission of Whitefield since its earliest days and even prayed to be a part of Whitefield “one day” before the Lower School was ever built. She has served as the director of a local learning center in the past and is a member of the praise and worship team at her church.
“I’m so excited about working here. Just to be part of a wonderful family of believers and share the gifts God has given me with these children is a great blessing.”
Lindi Simmons – Second Grade Teacher
Simmons has been added as a second grade teacher because of Lower School growth. Her high school’s valedictorian, she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (with a music minor) from Indiana Wesleyan University. Simmons is a world traveler – student teaching in New Zealand, teaching English in Indonesia, and participating in mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Costa Rica. As the daughter of a former president of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), Simmons grew up with a deep understanding of the importance of Christian education.
“It’s very exciting to be working in a place that unites my profession and my faith. The philosophy and mission of Whitefield drew me to the school and I’m very happy to be here.”
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Carter (Chambliss) Fawcett – Fifth Grade Teacher
No stranger to Whitefield, Fawcett is an alumna who graduated in 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education from Samford University. Fawcett has taught all subjects in fourth and fifth-grade, most recently at a math/science charter school. In addition to teaching, Fawcett has been a camp counselor for many years, is heavily involved in the children’s ministry at her church, and has been on mission trips to Thailand, Guatemala, and Romania.
“I began attending Whitefield in 1999 during its third year. My husband, Will, graduated from Whitefield in 2005, and three of my siblings are alumni. In fact, most of the people I talk to on a regular basis are Whitefield alumni. What can I say? I’m a total Whitefield nerd and a true Pack Backer!”
Michael Bailey - History and Bible Teacher, Varsity Baseball Coach
Bailey has an undergraduate degree in history as well as a master’s degree and specialist degrees in education. He has taught Middle School history and Bible for the past six years. At Whitefield, he will be teaching eighth-grade world cultures and seventh-grade Bible. In addition to his teaching experience, Bailey has been a varsity level coach in baseball, basketball, and softball. His love for students reaches outside the classroom into his personal life where he has served as a Christian camp counselor and small group leader for middle and high school students.
“I’m excited about this new opportunity to impact the lives of kids and reach others for the Lord. Whitefield is truly a great school and I can’t wait to start.”
MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL
Christian Cuthbert – Humanities Teacher, Varsity Cross Country and Track Coach
Cuthbert has a master’s degree in theology and church history from Gordon Conwell Seminary. He has finished his coursework for a PhD in historical and theological studies from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is currently completing his dissertation. Cuthbert will be teaching Middle School Latin and Upper School history and Bible. Cuthbert has spent the last six years teaching in Christian schools and a total of 12 years teaching and tutoring Bible, history, government, humanities, religion, and Latin on a high school and college level. He also served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves, during four of those years he served as an officer and chaplain.
UPPER SCHOOL
Mary Lynn Huett – Chemistry Teacher
Huett has an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Houston. She has also completed graduate work in education at George Mason University. Huett first began working as an attorney but sensed a call to teach high school students and began teaching high school chemistry. She has extensive experience in youth ministry; she is involved with leading worship and teaching Bible study at her church, where she serves together in ministry with her husband.
“I am excited about joining the Whitefield community because I have the sense that something amazing is happening here. The opportunity to combine a Christian foundation and a college prep education is rare and wonderful.”
Millie Turek – Choral Teacher
Turek has her undergraduate degree in music education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in music from Georgia State University. She has over 30 years of experience teaching chorus and working with school and community musical theater productions. Turek serves as an accompanist and teacher with the Atlanta Young Singers of Callonwolde.
“I am looking forward to being able to more explicitly exercise my Christian faith in my work.”
STAFF
Christy Cella - Campus Store Assistant
Cella has an undergraduate degree in math from Wake Forest University where she also played volleyball on the women’s team. She is a Pace Academy alumni (don’t hold it against her – Whitefield wasn’t available yet) and has 12 years of human resources experience at Aon Hewitt. Cella is actively involved at Christ Church Presbyterian and a Whitefield parent (Katie – 8th grade).
Lindsey Enright – Campus Store Manager
Enright has been on campus the entire summer, popping in and out of the Campus Store as it takes up its new residence in the 100 Modular unit on campus. She has over 20 years of commercial interior design experience and has served as the money manager for the Atlanta Ballet’s retail store. A graduate of Pace Academy (Whitefield wasn’t around!), Enright played tennis and field hockey on a collegiate level. She is a Whitefield parent to Cole (Class of ’12) and Merritt (10th).
Cindy Fennel - Advancement Data Assistant
Fennel has an undergraduate degree in history and telecommunication from Indiana University. Her high school valedictorian, she worked for 12 years as vice president of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. In her new position at Whitefield, Fennel will be assisting Advancement Director Tom Wood with the Annual Fund and other services. Fennel is an active member of First United Methodist Church of Marietta. She is married to Ron Fennel, Smyrna City councilman and has two boys at Whitefield.
Amanda Kieck – Assistant to the Headmaster
Kieck will be assistant to the Headmaster, Dr. Kevin Bracher, and has worked for the past three years at Atlanta Classical Christian Academy. During her time there, she served as assistant to the headmaster, office manager, and admissions director. She is a highly competitive tennis player and middle school tennis coach. She played soccer at Lovejoy High School and was also a cheerleader at Clayton State University. She is actively involved in Vinings Church as a Sunday School teacher and VBS leader.
Jennifer Peterson - College Counseling Assistant
Peterson will be replacing Becky Bracher as Adrienne Gilbert’s assistant in the college counseling office. A long-time member of the Whitefield community, Peterson voluntarily organizes the Book Exchange at the end of every year and last year worked as assistant in the Campus Store. Peterson has an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in higher education administration from UM as well. She has several years of experience overseeing a national sorority chapter on multiple campuses and is actively involved at The Church of The Apostles. Peterson and her husband, Dane, have two children at Whitefield, Dane Jr (12th) and Anna Kate (9th).
ADMINISTATION
Jason Van Bemmel – Upper School Principal
For a detailed description of Van Bemmel’s background and experience, click
here.
Michael Fernandes – Academic Dean
For a detailed description of Fernandes’s background and experience, click here.
