First Assembly Christian School

About FACS

• Overview
• History & Governance
• Faculty & Staff
• Calendars & Schedules
• Employment
• Development
• Give to FACS

Administration

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 at 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.

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.”

Robby Donaldson, Dean of Students, High School

Robby Donaldson joined FACS in 2009 and serves as Dean of Students and varsity football coach. Coach Donaldson holds a Bachelor of Science in physical education from the University of Memphis. He previously taught Bible and served as a coach at Briarcrest Christian School. "I look forward to all the good things that God is going to do through FACS," he said, adding a favorite scripture, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Jason Hall, Dean of Students, Junior High School

Jason Hall serves as Dean of Students for junior high and as junior varsity football coach. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and missions from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He also has studied history at the University of Memphis and commercial aviation at Delta State University. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, and served for seven years as a youth pastor before coming to FACS in 2005. “I’m thrilled to be at FACS because I believe in the school’s purpose and mission,” Mr. Hall said.

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, Curriculum Coordinator

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.”

Lisa Pruett, Scholarship Coordinator

Lisa Pruett works one-on-one with secondary students to assist them in setting postsecondary academic goals, selecting and applying to colleges that fits their individual goals and requirements, and accessing appropriate college funding sources. She came to FACS in 2008 and previously taught a college and career preparation/life skills class to FACS high school juniors and seniors. Mrs. Pruett holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a merchandising concentration, along with minors in business and art from the University of Memphis. She has five years of corporate experience at Federal Express and ten years of medical industry professional placement experience.

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.

Judy Meadows , Accounts Payable                                                          Judy Meadows returned to the FACS Bookkeeping staff in January, 2011, to fill an unexpected opening. She previously served on the Bookkeeping staff from 1996-2009. "I am enjoying my time back," she said. "Working in the Christian school setting has always been a ministry to me. I have spent 36 years working in Christian schools across the country."

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.

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 Assistant                                                           

Mrs. Bramlett serves as administrative assistant to the Athletic Director. She also is in her third season as head coach of varsity softball. She began work at FACS in 1999 as a substitute teacher and has worked at FACS as an elementary educational assistant, junior high physical education teacher, freshman girls' wellness and physical education teacher, and varsity volleyball coach.