Senior Administrators
Wendell Meadows, Head of School
Wendell Meadows assumed his duties as head of school at FACS in1996. His resume includes more than three decades of experience in Christian education. He has served as head of school in Christian schools in Georgia, California and Tennessee. Mr. Meadows holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a double major in history and Bible from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He earned his Master of
Science in education from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. “To be able to interact with and develop relationships with students and point them toward Christ is an awesome privilege,” he said.
Ernie White, Elementary Principal
Ernie White has served as FACS elementary
principal since 1996, a position that also
includes oversight of our satellite preschool,
Cordova Learning Center. He holds a Master
of Science in educational administration and
supervision from the University of Memphis
and a Bachelor of Arts in sacred music from
Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.
He also studied at Southern Methodist
University, Dallas, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, and The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Prior experience includes secondary choral music instruction at FACS, teaching assignments at a Christian college and at various national clinics and conferences, 20 years’ service to churches as minister of music, and three years’ work as a member of the United States Continental Army Command Band and Chorus at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Joe Newman, Secondary Principal
Joe Newman, Ph.D., began teaching history
at FACS in 1998 and became our dean of students in 2004. In 2006, he accepted his
current position as secondary principal,
overseeing personnel, course content,
classroom instruction and student discipline.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in philosophy
and theology from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Memphis, and a Ph.D. in U.S. history after 1877, also from the University of Memphis. Prior to coming to FACS, he served as a pastor in Texas, Louisiana and Tennessee, taught history in Louisiana and Tennessee, and served as headmaster at Frayser Assembly Christian School, Memphis.
Directors
Deborah Wade, Director of Development
Deborah Wade directs the school's advancement
efforts and oversees business and marketing
communications functions. Mrs. Wade graduated
with honors from Kansas State University with a
Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a minor in speech.
She also has completed development training with
the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and certification in grantwriting from The Grantsmanship Center Inc. She has previously worked as education reporter for a Midwestern metro daily, creative supervisor for a regional advertising agency in the Northeast, and communications director for a national consumer finance company.
Jeannie Smeltser, Director of School Counseling
Jeannie Smeltser coordinates testing for students in
K-12, directs college and career planning activities,
disseminates scholarship information, develops
secondary student and master schedules, and
coordinates senior graduation. Her department also
conducts parent workshops, oversees character
education activities, and provides personal counseling to secondary students. She received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and Master of Science in Education (with elementary and secondary school counseling endorsements) from the University of Memphis. Ms. Smeltser taught at FACS for nine years early in her career. She then worked in education in Texas and in counseling ministry in Indiana before assuming her current position with FACS in 1994.
Philip Spain, Director of Athletics
Philip Spain directs all FACS athletic programs. He
also teaches freshman boys’ wellness classes. He began
teaching and coaching at FACS in 1977. He taught
Tennessee history for more than 20 years. He
assumed the school’s athletic directorship in 1983.
Coach Spain holds a Bachelor of Science with degrees
in health and physical education and history from the University of Tennessee-Martin.
Don Purvis, Dean of Students
Don Purvis came to FACS in 2004 as a history teacher and assistant football coach. He currently serves as Dean of Students and head varsity football coach. Under his leadership, FACS has conducted a number of community service projects and reached out to coaches throughout the Memphis area to host area-wide Bible studies. He is also involved in leadership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Coach Purvis holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from
Rhodes College a Master of Science in education from Union University.
Ellen DiGirolamo, Director of Admissions
Ellen DiGirolamo coordinates all FACS admissions
activities. She received her Bachelor of Science in
business administration from Evangel College in
Springfield, Mo. Mrs. DiGirolamo has served in
admissions at FACS since 2000. Previously, she
worked as a sales representative for a major soft lines
company. “I feel this is a continuation of experiencing and enjoying new relationships,” she said of the transition from business sales to admissions. “One of the very special times of my job is when I am able to sit in my office and pray with parents and students. I love being able to share that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything we ask or think.”
Ronnie Clark, Director of Security
Ronnie Clark serves as Director of Security. He joined the FACS staff in the fall of 2009 after retiring from Shelby County government where he served as Deputy Director at Juvenile Court. He is a former member of the FACS Board of Directors and has been active in leading FACS Booster Club activities for many years. “I'm very pleased to be able to continue helping and supporting FACS,” he said.
Carrie McDaniel, Director of Media Services
Carrie McDaniel, FACS class of 2001, joined the FACS administration as Media Services Director in 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (emphasis in English) at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and her Master of Science in Library and Information Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Under her direction, the FACS library has become fully automated.
Sharon Schaade, Elementary Counselor
Sharon Schaade has served FACS in various
teaching and administrative capacities since 1976.
She assumed her present duties in 1996. In addition
to curriculum coordination, she serves as
elementary school counselor. She holds a Bachelor of
Science in elementary education from Evangel
University and earned her Master of Arts in counseling from Liberty University. Of her time at FACS, she says, “It’s a privilege to lead children to become all God intends them to be.”
Business Staff
Marilyn White, Office Manager
Marilyn White has served as FACS office manager
since 2001. She previously served FACS for several
years as a substitute teacher and kindergarten
assistant. Her background also includes business
experience in health care, finance, transportation and
light industry. Her postsecondary studies were at
Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.
Karen Currey, Accounts Payable
Barbara White, Accounts Receivable
Barbara White joined FACS in 2006 after retiring from
her position as advertising operations manager (retail)
for the Commercial Appeal, where she supervised a
special publications sales team responsible for new
business development. “It’s exciting to see where the
Lord leads us,” Mrs. White said of her previous plan to
retire.
Karen Lane, Office Receptionist
Karen Lane has welcomed our parents and students in
the school office since 2004, and now welcomes them to the office in our new educational building. Prior to moving to the office position, she taught junior kindergarten here for one year. She also worked as an educational assistant at Altruria Elementary School. “I love the students and enjoy getting to know their parents,” she comments.
Susan Gilmore, Office Receptionist
Susan Gilmore joined the FACS staff as an
administrative assistant in 2007. She completed four
years of childhood education at the University of
Memphis. She has worked for more than five years as
an administrative assistant, with experience at Christ
United Methodist Church, Bellevue Baptist Church and
Capital Investment Realty. "FACS does a fantastic job of pairing Biblical truth with all academic subjects," she comments.
Carolyn Long, Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Long joined the FACS staff in 2008 and serves as administrative assistant in the Guidance Office. She also assists with coaching girls' athletics. Mrs. Long has been active on Memphis-area worship teams for the last nine years. As an independent artist, she has released two CDs.
Briggette Moore, Administrative Coordinator
Dana DeLisle, Library Assistant
Dana DeLisle has served as library assistant since 2005.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in multidisciplinary studies with a dual degree in English and Bible from Liberty University. “I have really been
blessed to be part of this school,” she said. “I love kids and enjoy investing in their lives.”
Judi Bramlett, Athletic Secretary
Cindy Winston, Attendance Secretary