First Assembly Christian School :: About FACS

About FACS

Elementary Teachers and Assistants

Classroom Teachers

Junior Kindergarten

Beth Allison

Beth Allison began co-teaching junior kindergarten at FACS in 2000. She previously served as an educational assistant for seven years in the Shelby County Schools and has several years’ experience teaching mother’s day out. “I’m very grateful to be given the chance to do what I love best—to love and care for children and to teach them that learning can be fun.”

Cindy Pillow

Cindy Pillow began co-teaching junior kindergarten at

FACS in 2006. She has been at FACS since 2003, and

previously served as an educational assistant. She holds

a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the

University of California at San Diego. “I’m so grateful

and blessed to have a great job that I love,” she said.

Lisa Ward

Lisa Ward joined FACS as a co-teacher for junior kindergarten in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Journalism from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She previously served as a substitute teacher at FACS. She also has substitute taught in the Shelby County Schools, has experience in preschool teaching and childcare, and worked in administration and development at another school.

Kim Wisdom

Kim Wisdom began her junior kindergarten co-teaching

position in 2006. She has studied at the University of

Memphis, Union University and the Baptist School of

Nursing. She previously served as an educational

assistant in the FACS kindergarten program. She also

has several years’ experience as a flight attendant. “It is a blessing to be working with such a wonderful staff,” she said.

Senior Kindergarten

Judy Bragg

Lisa Taylor

Lisa Taylor joined FACS in 2007. She holds a Bachelor

of Science in Early Childhood Education from the

University of Memphis, and previously taught

kindergarten in the Memphis City Schools for 11 years.

"My philosophy of Christian education comes from

Proverbs 22:6," she says. " 'Train up a child in the way

he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' As a Christian educator, it is my responsibility to see that students achieve academically and grow spiritually."

First Grade

Ellen Faulk

Ellen Faulk earned her Bachelor of Science in education

from the University of Memphis. Prior to coming to

FACS as a senior kindergarten teacher in 2001, she

taught for two years at Graceland Elementary, a

Memphis City School. She began teaching first grade at FACS in 2005.

Kathy Cooper

Kathy Cooper joined the FACS staff in 2008. She holds

a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of

Educational Curriculum and Instruction from the

University of Memphis. She previously taught first and

second grades and reading enrichment at Briarcrest

Christian School. "I feel so blessed to be part of the First

Assembly Christian School family, and especially to be working with first graders," she said.

Second Grade

Rebecca Reynolds

Rebecca Reynolds holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Memphis and joined the FACS staff in 2006. She student taught third grade at Riverdale Elementary and fourth grade at Brookemead Elementary. She has also served as a substitute teacher at FACS.

Christy Cleek

Christy Cleek joined the FACS faculty in 2009 after substitute teaching for us the previous year. She holds a Bachelor of Sciencce in education from Union University in Jackson, TN, and has seven years' teaching experience. Of teaching, she said, "it is not only my job, it is my calling." In addition to teaching at FACS, Ms. Cleek teaches Sunday School at Ellendale Baptist Church and has taught voice lessons in her home.

Third Grade

Missy Hughes

Missy Hughes joined the FACS faculty in 1999. She

earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education

at Mississippi State University and previously taught

kindergarten in the Memphis City Schools for seven

years and first grade in Greenville, Mississippi for four

years.

B.J. Carson

B.J. Carson began teaching kindergarten at FACS in 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from the University of Memphis. Previous experience includes work as a developmental technician with mentally challenged adults and as a VBS director. Her motto: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58.

Fourth Grade

Donna Henderson

Donna Henderson holds a Bachelor of Science in education with endorsements in elementary education and home economics from the University of Memphis. She has taught at FACS since 1992. She also serves in Sunday school and children’s ministry positions with her church. “It is a blessing to work in a Christian school where I can teach not only the academics but also about the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of all knowledge.”

Diane Scott

Diane Scott has served at FACS since 2004, joining us

with 30 years’ prior elementary teaching experience.

She also has written curriculum and conducted

numerous workshops for teachers in the areas of math,

science, computer technology and language arts. She

has been honored as Shelby County Teacher of the Year, Delta District Teacher of the Year, and as a finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Tennessee-Martin and a Master of Arts in audiology from the University of Memphis. Education coursework has included 45 hours above the master’s level.

Fifth Grade

Carolyn Tidwell

Carolyn Tidwell has taught elementary school at FACS

since the school was founded in 1972. She holds a

Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the

University of Memphis. In addition to her teaching

duties, she serves as elementary coordinator and SACS

facilitator. Mrs. Tidwell has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers every year since 1990. She also received the FACS Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994.

Jodi Vaughn

Jodi Vaughn is a graduate of Oral Roberts University

with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.

Mrs. Vaughn taught at FACS from 1988 to 1992,

worked in the Memphis City Schools from 1992-1995,

and returned to FACS in 2002, where she has taught

second and fifth grades.

Sixth Grade

Sarah Bills

Sarah Bills joined the FACS staff in 1999 and has taught second, third and sixth grades for the school. She currently teaches math, science and Bible in the sixth grade. Previously, she taught for 10 years at Briarcrest Christian Schools and for four years in the Shelby County Schools. Mrs. Bills received her Master of Science in education from the University of Memphis.

Terri Downing

Terri Downing began her service to FACS in 2001, and

specializes in English, reading, spelling and social

studies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary

education from Crichton College.

Katie Roberson

Katie Roberson joined the FACS faculty in 2008. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. She previously taught second grade at FACS. "I am thrilled to be here," she said, "to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of my students each day, and hopefully make a life-long impact on them in a positive way."

Specialized Instruction

Gwen Copeland, Resource/Enrichment

Gwen Copeland works with academically talented elementary students as well as with those who need additional time to acquire key skills. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a special education endorsement. She has taught for 26 years. “FACS is a wonderful role model for other schools to follow because the teachers truly care about the academic achievement and spiritual well-being of all types of students,” she said.

Lisa Carter, Resource/Enrichment

Lisa Carter moved to the enrichment/resource area in

2007, after teaching third grade at FACS since 2001.

She holds both a Bachelor of Science in education with

a minor in early childhood education from the

University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a Master of

Teaching and Learning from NOVA Southeastern,

Florida. She previously taught for eight years at Grahamwood Elementary, a Memphis City School.

Lori Cook, Visual Arts

Lori Cook began providing art lessons weekly for students in grades one through six in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine art from the University of Memphis. Previously, she taught art in camp and group lessons at Germantown Baptist Church. “I’m having a great time working with many talented young artists,” she said.

Tammy Johnson, Music

Tammy Johnson began teaching music at FACS in

2006, and had previously taught junior kindergarten

at the school for seven years. Prior to that, she taught

junior kindergarten in Nixa, Missouri. She holds a

three-year degree in Christian education

administration with a major in Bible and an associate’s degree in music from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. “Our students are truly loved, cared for, and discipled while preparing for their futures both spiritually and academically,” she said of FACS.

Tiffany Tidswell, Physical Education

Tiffany Tidswell

Tiffany Tidswell joined FACS in 2006. She began

teaching physical education in 2009, having

previously served as an educational assistant in senior

kindergarten. She majored in Christian education with

a minor in physical education at Central Bible College.

She served for six years as a co-pastor to youth at a church in Melbourne, Florida. "I love children. I love sports. But first and foremost, I love Jesus,” she said.

Ashley Beers, Chapel and Bible

Ashley Beers joined us in 2006 and oversees chapel and Bible instruction for upper elementary. She also serves as an assistant to sixth grade teachers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in preaching, evangelism and Bible from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. In addition to her work at FACS, she is the associate pastor of youth and children at Family Harvest Church in Memphis.

Esther Rostro, Spanish

Esther Rostro provides Spanish instruction each week to

all students in first through sixth grades. She is a

native of Mexico, where she earned an associate's degree

and served as an administrative assistant. She also has

served as a church children’s director for three years

and in youth ministry for 10 years. Her elementary

classes at FACS provide young students with a general understanding of the language, concentrating on basic conversational Spanish along with games and activities. "Young kids are fresh cement," she said. "You can still write on them."

Educational Assistants

Holly Estes

Holly Estes joined the FACS staff in 2007 and serves as

an educational assistant to our second grade teachers.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast

Communications from the University of Memphis. She

previously worked for the FOX affiliate in Eugene,

Oregon, for AT&T Wireless Communications in Eugene, and for a real estate appraisal firm in Memphis.

Libby Bizzle

Libby Bizzle joined FACS in 2007. She serves as educational assistant in Lisa Taylor's Senior Kindergarten class. She attended the University of Memphis and graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She has served as a registered nurse for 22 years, the last 13 at East Memphis Surgery Center. "I am blessed and thrilled to be working with the great teachers and students here at FACS," she said.

Kathy Jacobs

Kathy Jacobs began her work as educational assistant

to our first grade teachers in 2008. She is a graduate of

Memphis Area Vocational School and a certified

surgical technologist. She previously served as a

surgical technician in labor and delivery at Methodist

Hospital. She also has worked in children's ministry at Bartlett Baptist Church.

Jennifer Mills

Jennifer Mills began her work at FACS in 2005 and

serves our fifth grade teachers. She holds a

Bachelor of Science in business administration from

the University of Mississippi.

Susan Frogue

Missy Skinner

April Spain

Jodi Williams

Jodi Williams has served at FACS since 1988. She has seved in various secaretarial and educational assistant positions. She also has experience with data skills and educational assistance for the Memphis City Schools and secretarial experience at the Peabody Hotel and for a local automobile dealership. In addition to her work experience, she has volunteered in various children’s ministry positions for more than 30 years, and frequently quotes Galatians 6: 9--“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

First Assembly Christian School

Scholarship for Life. Values for Eternity.

About FACS

Elementary Teachers and Assistants