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Tillery Christian Academy
TCA Staff
2023-2024
Tillery Christian Academy strives to hire educated, caring staff. Staff are dedicated to pursuing continued education. Staff enjoy working in a small, Christian, close-knit environment.
Pictured Left to Right: Melissa Larsen, Jennifer Keely, Bonnie Almond, Karlyn Cox, Susan Ulrick, Tonya Hollis, Amy Harris, Misty Nordan, Aimee Burleson, Starla Morris
Jennifer Keely
Headmistress
Mrs. Jennifer Keely is coming back for her third year at TCA as headmistress. Mrs. Keely has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Mrs. Keely has a background in mental health services, but has always had a passion for education. She has been married for almost 12 years. They have two children, Dalton, who is in second grade at TCA, and Mason, who will be 1 in August. Mrs. Keely is a member of Porter United Methodist Church, where she is active in children's ministry. In her free time, Mrs. Keely enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, and making crafts. Mrs. Keely is actively involved in our school’s PTO and sits on the school board as well.
Misty Nordan
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Misty Nordan is the Administrative Assistant at TCA. Mrs. Nordan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Mrs. Nordan has a background in finance, but has worked in education for the past 7 years. She has been married for 17 years. They have 3 children. The oldest, Casey, works in management at Walmart in Pitt County. Collin is a high school English teacher in Harnett County. Lastly, Madison is in third grade at TCA. Mrs. Nordan is a member of Porter Baptist Church, where she is the Clerk, a Sunday school teacher, and VBS co-director. In her free time, Mrs. Nordan enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Nordan also sits on the school board.
Amy Harris
K-1 Teacher
Ms. Amy Harris is coming back for her sixth year at TCA as the Kindergarten-First grade teacher. Ms. Harris has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Theory and Practice. Ms. Harris has been teaching for 24 years. Ms. Harris is a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, where she is active in children's ministry. In her free time, Ms. Harris enjoys reading and collecting angel figurines.
Aimee Burleson
2-3 Teacher
Ms. Aimee Burleson will be returning for her 2nd year at TCA as the 2nd and 3rd grades teacher. Ms. Burleson has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education,and has been working in childcare for the last 13 years teaching a variety of ages. She is eager to pursue her teaching certification, as she has a passion for working with children. Ms. Burleson has 2 children, Addyson is in 9th grade and Reed will be in 1st grade this year at TCA. Ms. Burleson attends church at Hillside Baptist Church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, going to the beach, being outdoors, and reading. Ms. Burleson is eager to get started and meet her students.
Starla Morris
4-5 Teacher
Ms. Starla Morris is in her first year at TCA, and is the 4th and 5th grade teacher. Ms. Morris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Middle Grades and Secondary Education, with a concentration in social studies.Ms. Morris has been teaching for 30 years and retired from Stanly County Schools in December 2021. Ms. Morris lives with her mother and helps take care of her. Ms. Morris has one daughter, Carrie, a son-in-law Johnathan, and a grandson, Jesse. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking and traveling. Ms. Morris is a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church family.
Karlyn Cox
6-8 Teacher
Ms. Karlyn Cox is coming back for her fourth year at TCA as a teacher for our 6th-8th graders. Mrs. Cox has her teacher certification in Spanish but has enjoyed teaching middle school math, science, social studies, and English language arts at TCA. Ms. Cox has eight years of experience teaching swimming lessons and enjoys working outside in her gardens as well. She has two wonderful, smart, and kind children: Natalie, who is a rising senior, and Calvin, who is a rising 1st grader at TCA. Ms. Cox attends First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle and is thankful for all the Lord’s blessings in her life.
Tabatha Cox
High School Facilitator
Mrs. Tabatha Cox is excited to join the TCA Family! She has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working in childcare for 16 years. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 15 years and they have two children, Marley, age 14 and Merrick age 8. They are active members at Prospect Baptist church in Albemarle. In my free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and cooking. She is excited for this new opportunity at TCA!
Tonya Hollis
Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Tonya Hollis is beginning her 1st year with TCA as the High School Learning Facilitator. Mrs. Hollis has 12 years of education experience with the past 4 years as a full-time high-school Teacher Assistant and nearly 8 years as a substitute teacher supporting all grade levels. Tonya’s education background includes Medical Assisting where she worked as a clinical assistant for 6 years prior to transitioning to education. She has been married to her husband Michael for 28 years, and they have 3 children: Alan Michael , Landon, and Kiersten. Her family enjoys camping at the beach and hiking with her dogs whenever she gets the opportunity. Tonya attends Uwharrie Community Church in Albemarle and is an active volunteer with the Children’s Ministry program.
Susan Ulrick
EC Teacher & Interventionist
Mrs. Susan Ulrick is returning for her third year at TCA as an Exceptional Children's Teacher & Interventionist. Mrs. Ulrick has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Degree in Special Education She retired in June 2021 from the State of NC after teaching in the public school system for 29+ years. She has been married to her husband, Michael, for 33 years. They have two children, William age 30 of Herndon Virginia and Hailey age 27 of Leland, N.C. The Ulricks’ welcomed their first grandchild, Jack Ross Stanbery on July 9th 2023! They are active members of Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe where Mrs. Ulrick teaches a K-1 Adventure Kid's Class. The Ulricks' built their retirement home on Lake Tillery in 2021, where they enjoy boating, kayaking and fishing with their 3 dogs.
Melissa Larsen
Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Melissa Larsen is returning to TCA for her third year. This time her job title has changed from teacher assistant to school staff support. Last year Melissa worked in the classroom which included grades four through six. She lives with her husband Patrick and their Newfoundland dog, Bella. She's a member of Memorial Baptist Church. Her hobbies are outdoor activities: kayaking, swimming, hiking and she enjoys indoor activities like crafts and board games. Melissa is anticipating her return with the familiar students in addition to all new children!
Tom Gray
PE Teacher
Mr. Gray volunteers as TCA's PE teacher, conducting PE for all grades. Mr. Gray has been a TCA board member since inception in 2015. He was the Board Chair from 2015 until 2019. He also oversees the building and grounds for TCA and Memorial Baptist Church. Tom has been the Physical Education Teacher for TCA the past two years. He also serves as a deacon at Memorial Baptist as well as a member of the new building committee. He retired from the United States Postal Service with 33 years of service. He was Postmaster of Norwood the last 15 years of his career. He was the high school volleyball coach at South Stanly High School for seven years. Tom is the Director of Ultra Volleyball Club in Stanly County. He also coaches at his club at the 18 year old division. Tom is married to Robin Gray, a retired teacher of 33 years. His oldest son, Jake, is a teacher at Bolger Elementary in Concord. Jake's wife is the principal at Graystone Middle School. Tom's daughter is an Occupational Therapist in Asheville. Tom's youngest son Hunter is in his second year of medical school at MUSC. Mr. Gray has 2 children and several family members are in education.
Brenda Lilly
Librarian
Mrs. Lilly serves as TCA’s librarian conducting library classes on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Mrs. Lilly has served on our board since 2019. She has volunteered as our school librarian since the school was established. She is a graduate of South Stanly High School and Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While living in North Wilkesboro, she was a library assistant and tutor in the Wilkes County schools She and her husband, Richard, attend Memorial Baptist Church. They have two children.
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