Faculty & Staff

Troy received a bachelor’s degree and teaching licensure from Liberty University before continuing his education at UNC-Greensboro, where he graduated with a master’s degree in school administration. He most recently served as the Director of Development at Carmel Christian School and previously held the roles of Head of School at Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa, CA, and Principal at Hawk Ridge Elementary in Charlotte. As a 20-year educational veteran, Troy possesses experience in guiding school communities in curriculum and instructional methodology, individualized learning, elective expansion, and professional development programming for faculty. He has a passion for combining biblical worldview and educational excellence, in addition to social-emotional engagement and experiential learning. Troy and his wife, Jennifer, have three children and attend Calvary Church.

Skye has a degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has more than 20 years of experience in educational leadership and administration, school accreditation, school policy development, and faculty professional development and support. She and her husband, Jim, have a daughter, Weslie, and a son, James. Jim and Skye have been members of Calvary Church for more than 38 years.

A graduate of Miami University (Ohio) and Winthrop University, Dan has more than 10 years of teaching and administrative experience in both public and private schools. He previously served as Middle School Principal and High School Assistant Principal at Carmel Christian School. Dan also has experience teaching science and chaired that department at Ardrey Kell High School, being voted “Best All Around Teacher” and “Teacher of the Year” during his time there. Dan and his wife, Carrie, have three children, one of whom is enrolled at CCA.

Eden graduated from Washington and Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and from Johnson and Wales University with an Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry. She and her husband, Eric, have 2 boys who both attend CCA. Eden loves spending time with her family, baking, watching her boys play baseball and playing with her dog, Porter.

Kim grew up in rural, upstate New York and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Oswego. She later attended SUNY Cortland, where she earned a master’s degree. Kim realized her love for children when she started babysitting in Sixth Grade. She and her husband have three young adult children. Kim brings more than 20 years of elementary school teaching experience to her position.

Matt received his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Appalachian State University before completing a master’s degree in sport management from East Carolina University. He has more than 10 years of coaching experience and previously worked with the Charlotte Eagles. Matt and his wife, Lauren, have five children, two of whom are enrolled at CCA.

Kim received a bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University (Ohio) and a master’s degree in reading specialization from Kent State University. She has 12 years of teaching experience and previously served as a second grade educator at Union County Public Schools. Kim enjoys walking, spending time with family, and playing pickleball!

Alison Blair graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of South Carolina. This will be her 14th year teaching. Prior to CCA, Alison taught at an international school and in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In her free time, Alison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and working out.

Quinn received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Elon University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Winthrop University. Quinn comes to CCA with 18 years of teaching and administration experience. She enjoys spending time with her three children, Evan, Collin, and Vivianne, and her husband, Paul, as well as traveling and being outdoors.

Caylene Brown is excited to be a part of the CCA family this school year as a 3rd Grade Homeroom Shepherd. Before joining CCA, Mrs. Brown worked as the Communications & Marketing Manager for a local Charter School. Prior to entering education, Mrs. Brown enjoyed a 15 year career at Forest Hill Church in various roles, including Local and Global Missions, Communications & Community Engagement.
Mrs. Brown lives in Pineville, NC with her husband, Russell, 2 boys (Winston, 10yo, and Ethan, 7yo), and their sheepadoodle, Teddy. In her free time she enjoys hiking, cooking, traveling & reading.

Laurie received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Moody Bible Institute and a master’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Columbia International University. She has 10 years of teaching experience at schools in the US and abroad. Prior to her role at CCA, Laurie worked as a first-grade teacher in Bangkok, Thailand.

Briandria received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina (Greensboro) and a master’s degree in teaching and elementary education from the University of North Carolina (Charlotte). She has 10 years of teaching experience and was named Teacher of the Year at Berewick Elementary School in 2018. When she’s not teaching, Briandria enjoys reading, going to concerts, and playing pickleball with her family!

Kristin earned an undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon College and a master’s degree from Queens University. She fell in love with teaching in college while doing research for a psychology class in a local elementary school. Kristin brings many years of multi-grade teaching experience to her role and has also served as an administrator in public and private schools. When she’s not working, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, Dave, their three grown children, and their sweet Lab-mix puppy, Bella.

Jared received a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry and Bible from Cornerstone University and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity after serving in pastoral ministry for 11 years. He and his wife, Cali, have three children who are currently enrolled at CCA. In his spare time, Jared enjoys being with family, sports, reading, and playing board games!

Nicole earned a degree in inclusive education from Syracuse University, earning certifications in both regular and special education. She has 25 years of experience working with students of all ages with a variety of learning differences. Her favorite part of teaching is developing relationships with her students and watching them grow academically, spiritually, and emotionally. Nicole and her husband, John, have two children together. In her spare time, she loves to read, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.

Heather received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Marymount University. She has eight years of volunteer experience in children’s ministry at Calvary Church. Heather is married to Steven and they have three children together. She and Steven have been members of Calvary Church for more than 15 years and enjoy spending time with family and friends in their free time.

Emily Gramer earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and received her teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Emily realized her love for teaching young children while she was working in the children’s ministry at her home church in Kentucky. She currently lives in the South End area and enjoys traveling around the world, working out, spending time with family, as well as baking.

Emily has a long history of volunteering in youth ministry at Calvary Church and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Appalachian State University. Emily met her husband, Yosuke, on the mission field, and they have two children, Jayden and Hallie. In her free time, Emily enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts, and doing puzzles with her family.

Mandi received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Liberty University. A recent graduate, Mandi has experience as a fourth grade student teacher as well as volunteer experience in children’s ministry.

Prior to her role at CCA, Melanie served as the Co-Director of Next Level Preschool at Next Level Church of Charlotte and Director of The Lighthouse at Matthews United Methodist Church. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health fitness and kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Melanie’s hobbies include photography, reading, and crafting. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in nature, being with her family, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs!

Kelly-Jane earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. She has served in children’s ministry at her church for more than 10 years and has also enjoyed leading Bible studies and serving her community in various ways. Kelly-Jane and her husband, Stephane, have two children enrolled at CCA. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, baking, art, being outdoors, and traveling.

Olivia has an associate’s degree in Liberal Studies from Diablo Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in English from Simpson University. She moved to Charlotte from San Francisco and has taught in both public and private schools since 2007. Olivia loves photography, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her Golden Retriever, Flynn!

Cate earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi and a bachelor’s degree in education and art education with a painting concentration from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. Cate loves cultivating a safe space for creative expression in the arts and is excited about the opportunity to develop that creativity in a Christian environment. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy hikes with their two dogs, Harvey and Hoagie, and spending time with their families.

Lisa comes to CCA with 31 years of experience as an elementary school teacher. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a National Board Certified Teacher who has a passion for working with kids. For the past 11 years, Lisa engaged students through innovative lessons involving the engineering design process, technology, coding and robots as a K-5 STREAM Teacher at Elon Park Elementary School in Charlotte. Lisa loves spending time with her husband who is a veterinarian, two daughters who are in college, their dog and two cats.

Jan received her BSN from the University of Michigan and her MPHA from Grand Valley University. She is certified as a FACHE Board of American College of Healthcare Executive Fellow, NEA BC Certified Nurse Administrator (ANA American Nurse Association), CPHQ Certified Professional by the Healthcare Quality (Healthcare Quality Certification Board), Six Sigma Blackbelt, and NC State Baldrige Examiner (2011-2015).

Ben received his bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity. Prior to his role at CCA, he worked in a polymer lab as a Quality Assurance Specialist and a Sample Manager. Ben also has experience tutoring math, physics, and chemistry and was previously a campus minister for Cru. In his spare time, he loves studying God’s Word, reading theology, cooking, and watching sports.

Naphtali earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Messiah College. Prior to her role at CCA, she was a teacher in Pennsylvania and Florida. Naphtali has held leadership roles in children’s ministry programs, and she also developed a Bible-based experiential learning curriculum. She and her husband, Nathan, have four children who are enrolled at CCA. Her interests include cooking, gymnastics, and international travel. She is excited to bring her passion for learning about other cultures to the classroom.

Sarah received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pensacola Christian College. She has nine years of elementary teaching experience in Christian schools and previously taught preschool and kindergarten at the Calvary Child Development Center. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys thrifting, playing disc golf with her husband, and doing DIY projects.

Emily graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science. While living in Chicago, Emily received certificates from the Protocol School of Washington and the Etiquette and Leadership Institute. As a certified instructor, she began to partner with organizations in the city, having the opportunity to serve over two thousand students during her time there. In 2019, the Lord moved Emily, her husband, and son home to Charlotte, where they enjoy warmer weather, attending Calvary, and traveling to the coast and mountains.

Haanah graduated in 2024 from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, after working in Christian elementary and preschool schools for almost 5 years. After growing up in New Mexico, Haanah met her husband while at college, and moved to North Carolina in 2022 to be married! In her spare time, Haanah enjoys baking, cooking, and shopping!

Maudie earned her teaching certification from UNC Charlotte and has been teaching for seven years. She loves teaching and has spent most of her career in fourth grade. In her spare time, Maudie enjoys spending time with her husband JP and baby boy, Henry.

Emily graduated from Elon University with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and photography. After working for Campus Outreach Charlotte, she received her graduate certificate in elementary education from UNC Charlotte. Prior to her role at CCA, she taught Second Grade and Kindergarten for 12 years in the public school system. Emily enjoys spending time with small family groups through church, as well as growing potted gardens, working out, and trying new restaurants with friends.

Karin received her elementary education degree from UNC-Charlotte and has taught for more than 20 years. She started her career in Berlin, Germany, teaching at a German-American school. Karin loves teaching in the Christian school setting, helping her students to strengthen their faith. She also enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Megan studied at Liberty University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Megan brings 9 years of teaching experience at both private and public schools to her role at CCA. She and her husband are proud parents to 4 daughters, 1 son, and 2 labradoodles. In her free time Megan enjoys going on walks, reading, baking, and serving in children’s ministry.

A graduate of The University of Texas in Arlington, with a degree in English and a minor in Spanish, Shawna has more than 16 years of teaching experience ranging from early childhood, upper school, and the primary focus being in middle school English. She previously taught in her home state of Texas, in both private and public schools. Shawna and her husband, Jeremy, have three children, twins enrolled in 6th grade at CCA, and a senior in high school. She enjoys writing, event planning, and spending time with her family.