TCA Staff

2024-2025

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.

Jennifer Keely

Headmistress

Mrs. Jennifer Keely is coming back for her fifth year at TCA as headmistress. She is actively working on her Head of School Certificate from ASCI (Association of Christian Schools International). 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 14 years. They have two children, Dalton, who is in fifth grade at TCA, and Mason, who will be in our first K-4 class. 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 9 years. She has been married for 19 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 fifth 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

Teacher

Ms. Amy Harris is coming back for her eighth year at TCA. 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 26 years. Ms. Harris is a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where she is active in children's ministry. In her free time, Ms. Harris enjoys reading and collecting angel figurines.

Kristy Peralta

Teacher

Ms. Kristy Peralta is returning for her second year at TCA. Ms. Peralta holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Elementary Education. She obtained her Birth-Kindergarten add-on for her license from East Carolina University. Ms. Peralta has taught NCPK with CMS since 2012. Her son, Owen, is in 3rd grade at TCA. Ms. Peralta attends the Norwood Church of God. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and relaxing.

Lea Curlee

Teacher

Lea Curlee is joining the TCA staff for her first year at TCA. After thirty-one years of teaching in the public school system, she finally retired in June 2025. She holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education/Exceptional Children (K-12) from Appalachian State University. For the first twenty-two years of her teaching career, she worked with students at the high school level. The last nine years have been spent in elementary schools. She grew up in the foothills of North Carolina but after graduating from ASU in 2002, she moved to Greensboro, NC to take a teaching position. That is where she met her husband of almost 22 years, Michael Curlee. Over time they migrated to Stanly County and have lived in Norwood for almost thirteen years. They have three children: Connor (20), Emma (19), and Jack (18). She is a member of Memorial Baptist Church and she absolutely loves her church family. This will be her first year at TCA and she is looking forward to meeting the families and students she will be working with this year.

Aimee Burleson

Teacher

Ms. Aimee Burleson will be returning for her fourth year at TCA. Ms. Burleson has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and worked in childcare for the last 15 years teaching a variety of ages. She is working towards her teaching degree. She has had a passion for working with children. Ms. Burleson has 2 children, Addyson who is in 11th grade and Reed who is in 3rd grade this year, both 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.

Teresa Jarman

Teacher

Mrs. Teresa Jarman is joining us for her first year at TCA. She has a Master of Education Degree, a BA in Middle Grades Education from UNC-Wilmington, and National Board Certification. She has 28 years of experience as a middle school math teacher and/or instructional coach. Mrs. Jarman has mentored new teachers and facilitated teacher interns during her career. Mrs. Jarman previously taught in Brunswick county as well as Stanly County where she retired in 2023. She comes to us from Ten Oaks Middle School in Myrtle Beach, SC. She returned to her home at Lake Tillery to be closer to her family. Mrs. Jarman is a life-long learner and strives daily to gain new insights in ways to grow as an educator and Chrstian. She is excited over the ability to now share her experiences and faith through instruction and rapport with students. Mrs. Jarman brings experiences in professional development, educating academically gifted students, and data analysis. She is anxious to integrate this knowledge in a Christian environment. Mrs. Jarman sets high expectations for herself and her students and works diligently to ensure instruction is diversified so that all students are successful without compromising standards. Mrs. Jarman plans to attend Canton Baptist church with her family. She previously attended Beach Church in SC.

Starla Morris

Teacher

Ms. Starla Morris is coming back for her third year at TCA. 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 33 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.

Kathy Thorpe

Teacher

Ms. Kathy Thorpe is coming back for her second year at TCA! Kathy came to North Carolina from Maryland. She has enjoyed working with school children prior to TCA at Wescare Christian Academy. She attends Prospect Baptist Church in Troy. She has been married for 25 years with 6 children and 9 grandchildren. She loves flowers and gardening in her spare time. Her summers are spent with her grandchildren.

Karlyn Cox

Teacher

Ms. Karlyn Cox is coming back for her sixth year at TCA. Ms. 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 nine 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 just graduated high school, and Calvin, who is a 2nd grader at TCA. Ms. Cox attends First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle and is thankful for all the Lord’s blessings in her life.

High School Facilitator

Tabatha Cox

High School Facilitator

Mrs. Tabatha Cox is excited to return for her second full year at TCA! She has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working in childcare for 16 years. She has also recently enrolled in a Bachelor's program for secondary education. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 15 years and they have two children, Marley, age 16 and Merrick, age 9. They are active members at Memorial Baptist church. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and cooking.

Genia Stephens

High School Facilitator

Mrs. Genia Stephens is joining us for her first year at TCA. Mrs. Stephens has an Early Childhood Associate Degree and several technology certificates. She brings 29 years of elementary education and technology experience to us. She retired from the Public Schools of Robeson County in July. Genia served on many committees during these years. To name a few: served all offices on the PTA, served as chairman of the Hospitality Committee, served on the Safe Schools Committee and helped adopt and write the plan, have also served on the School Improvement Team and many more. Secured several grants and donations for the staff and students at Rowland - Norment Elementary School. Mrs. Stephens married her high school sweetheart, Charlie, and have been happily married for 39 years. They share a beautiful daughter, Ashleigh and a son-in-law, Garrett. Attended East Lumberton Baptist Church for 40 plus years. Recently moving to the area she and her husband are in prayer to call White Crest Baptist Church in Mt Gilead their church family.

Susan Ulrick

EC Teacher & Interventionist

Mrs. Susan Ulrick is returning for her fifth 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 34 years. They have two children, William age 32 of Herndon Virginia and Hailey, age 29 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.

Tonya Hollis

Teacher Assistant

Mrs. Tonya Hollis is beginning her third year with TCA as a teacher assistant. Mrs. Hollis has 13 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 29 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.

Tom Gray

Alesha Reeves

Teacher Assistant

Mrs. Alesha Reeves is joining TCA for her first year, though you may have seen her volunteering at the school or assisting with PTO events. Mrs. Reeves has a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science and has worked in various facets of education over the last 13 years - her favorite experiences being hands-on science lessons with students! She and her husband, Chris, have been married for 12 years and have a daughter, Laurel, who is in 4th grade at TCA. Mrs. Reeves and her family attend Memorial Baptist Church. In her free time Mrs. Reeves loves spending time with her family at Norwood Campground, swimming, cooking, and singing.

Brenda Lilly

Librarian

Mrs. Lilly serves as TCA’s librarian conducting library classes for grades K-3. 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.

Tom Gray

PE Teacher

Mr. Gray volunteers as TCA's PE teacher, conducting PE. 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 medical school. Mr. Gray has 2 children and several family members are in education.

Caleb Ferguson

Custodian

Mr. Caleb Ferguson is returning to the TCA team as our part-time custodian. He is in his second year at Stanly Community College and working towards his degree in finance. He is a pastor's son, and just like his father, he has a passion in sharing the word of God. In his free time he likes to read and research a variety of topics. He enjoys spending time with my family, and listening to music as much as I can.