Tillery Christian Academy
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. Meet our 2026-2027 school team!
Jennifer Keely
Head of School
Mrs. Jennifer Keely is coming back for her sixth year at TCA as Head of School. She has 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 15 years. They have two children, Dalton, who is in 6th grade at TCA, and Mason, who will be in Kindergarten at TCA. 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
Office Administrator
Misty Nordan is the Office Administrator at TCA, and has been with the school for 5 years. Mrs. Nordan has her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Gardner Webb University. Mrs. Nordan has an extensive background in finance and has worked in education for the past 10+ years.Mrs. Nordan handles the finances at TCA as well as the day-to-day operations in the office arena. Mrs. Nordan also serves on the TCA school board and is the board secretary. She has been married for 20 years and has 3 children. The oldest, Casey, works in management in Pitt County. Collin is a high school English teacher in Harnett County. Lastly, Madison is in the 6th grade at TCA. Mrs. Nordan is a long-time 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.
Amy Harris
Teacher- Kindergarten
Ms. Amy Harris is coming back for her ninth 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 27 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
Lead Teacher- 1st Grade
Ms. Kristy Peralta is returning for her third 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. She previously taught Pre-K with CMS Schools for 12 years. Her son, Owen, is in 4th 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- 2nd Grade
Lea Curlee will be returning for her second year at TCA this year. 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 were 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 23 years, Michael Curlee. Over time they migrated to Stanly County and have lived in Norwood for almost fourteen years. They have three children: Connor (22), Emma (20), and Jack (19). She is a member of Memorial Baptist Church and she absolutely loves her church family. This will be her second year at TCA and she is looking forward to meeting the families and students she will be working with this year.
Aimee Burleson
Teacher- 3rd Grade
Ms. Aimee Burleson is excited to be returning to TCA for her fifth year! She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent the past 15 years working in childcare, teaching and caring for children of all ages. This year, she is excited to take another step in her educational journey by completing her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Teaching has always been Ms. Burleson's passion, and she loves building relationships with her students while helping them learn, grow, and gain confidence each day. She feels blessed to be a part of the TCA family. Ms. Burleson is the proud mom of two TCA students, Addyson, who will be a senior this year, and Reed, who will be in 4th grade. She attends Hillside Baptist Church, where she enjoys teaching Sunday school and serving during Vacation Bible School. She enjoys spending quality time with her family. In her free time, she loves shopping, reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories at the beach.
To Be Announced Soon!
Teacher- 4th/5th Grades
We can't make it public yet, but we are so excited about the person joining us for our 4th and 5th grade position!
Alesha Reeves
Teacher- 4th/5th Grades
Mrs. Alesha Reeves is returning to TCA for her second year and is excited to be teaching 4th and 5th grade science and social studies. Mrs. Reeves has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Environmental Science and has worked in various facets of education over the last 14 years - her favorite experiences being hands-on science lessons with students! She and her husband, Chris, have been married for 13 years and have a 10 year old daughter, Laurel. Mrs. Reeves and her family are members of Memorial Baptist Church. In her free time Mrs. Reeves loves spending time with her family, gem mining, cooking, and singing.
Starla Morris
Lead Teacher- Middle School
Ms. Starla Morris is coming back for her fourth 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 34 years and retired from Stanly County Schools in December 2021. She loves teaching middle school, especially science, reading and language arts. Ms. Morris lives in Aquadale, 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 is excited to announce a second grandson is coming in September, who will be named Luke. She enjoys spending time with her family,Christian music, reading, cooking and traveling. Ms. Morris is a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church family.
Teresa Jarman
Teacher- Middle School
Coming back for her second year at TCA is Mrs. Teresa Jarman. She will have a 7th/8th grade homeroom and teach both math and social studies to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Mrs. Jarman has many years in education and has her National Board Certification in Adolescence Math, a BA in Middle Grades Education, and a Master of Education Degree. Mrs. Jarman served as an Instructional Coach in both Stanly and Brunswick County during her 29 years in education. She has also mentored new teachers as well as facilitated teacher interns. She is eager to continue sharing her experiences in professional development, educating academically gifted students, and data analysis.
Mrs. Jarman taught in Brunswick County, Stanly County, and prior to coming to TCA in Horry County, SC. She returned back to her lake home last year to be closer to family but she and her husband still maintain a second home in Myrtle Beach. She considers herself a life-long learner and strives daily to gain new insights in ways to grow as an educator and Christian. She is excited to be returning to TCA where she can continue to share her experiences and faith in a Christian environment through instruction, daily Bible class and rapport with students. . Mrs. Jarman sets high expectations for herself and her students and works diligently to ensure instruction is diversified so that all students are successful. Mrs. Jarman attends Canton Baptist Church in Stanly County as well as Beach Church when she is visiting her home in SC.
Kathy Thorpe
High School Facilitator
Mrs. Kathy Thorpe is coming back for her third 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.
Tabatha Cox
High School Facilitator
Mrs. Tabatha Cox is excited to begin her third year at TCA as high school facilitator! She has an associate’s degree in education and has been working with children for over 20 years. Because of her love for working with our high school students, she is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University, where she is earning a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in English. She has been married to her husband Daniel for almost 18 years, and they have two children, Marley, age 17 and Merrick, age 11. They are active members here at Memorial Baptist church. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time outdoors with her family.
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Genia Stephens
Student Services Advisor
Mrs. Genia Stephens is joining us for her second year at TCA. She will serve as Student Services Advisor, splitting her time between media/library Coordinator and college/career support to our high school students. During her first year at TCA she worked as a High School Facilitator. She served on the fundraising committee as well as the Accreditation committee. Mrs. Stephens has an Early Childhood Associate Degree and several technology certificates. She brings 29 1/2 years of elementary education and technology experience to us. She retired from the Public Schools of Robeson County in July 2025. Mrs. Stephens married her high school sweetheart, Charlie, and has been happily married for 39 1/2 years. They share a beautiful daughter, Ashleigh and a son-in-law, Garrett. She and her husband 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 sixth year at TCA as an Exceptional Children's Teacher & Interventionist. Mrs. Ulrick has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology & 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 36 years. They have two children, William age 33 of Harper's Ferry, WVa. and Hailey, age 30 of Leland, N.C. They also have one grandchild, Jack, who is 3 yrs. old. They are active members of Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe, where they teach Adventure Kids 1st-2nd grade class. The Ulricks' built their retirement home on Lake Tillery in 2021, where they enjoy boating, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Melissa Black
Interventionist
Ms. Melissa Black is joining TCA for her first year. Ms. Black has an associate's degree in applied science. Prior to her career in education, she was a graphic designer for 10 years. She retired in July 2026 from the Union County Public School System with 20 years of experience. She attends Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill. She has been involved in student ministry as a youth leader throughout the years at various churches. She loves working with kids and excited about joining TCA. She grew up in Mint Hill, NC. She moved to her family's vacation home in Mt. Gilead 3 years ago. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors at the lake, relaxing and being involved in musical theatre.
Tonya Hollis
Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Tonya Hollis is beginning her fourth year as a Teacher Assistant at TCA. She brings more than 15 years of experience in education, including the past three years serving students and teachers at TCA. Before joining TCA, Mrs. Hollis worked with Stanly County Schools for four years as a full-time high school Teacher Assistant and nearly eight years as a substitute teacher, supporting students across all grade levels. Prior to her career in education, she worked for six years as a clinical assistant after completing her training in Medical Assisting.
Mrs. Hollis has been married to her husband, Michael, for 31 years, and they have three children: Alan Michael, Landon, and Kiersten. In her free time, she enjoys camping at the beach and hiking with her dog. She is a member of Uwharrie Community Church in Albemarle, where she actively volunteers in the Children's Ministry.
