P.E. Teacher

 Phil Bevins

Phil Bevins received his B.S. in Biology from UT-Martin in 1990 and his B.S. in Physical Therapy from UT-Memphis in 1992. Mr. Bevins is married to Lynne, and they have three children - Parker, Pryce, and Meredith. As a marathon coach and physical therapist, Mr. Bevins is a firm believer in physical fitness because he knows that if kids develop good health habits early, they are much more likely to continue them when they are adults. His favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31 – “But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

 K5

 Amy Skeen

Amy Skeen graduated in 1993 from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. degree. She is certified Pre-K-8 and has eight years of teaching experience. She is married to Andy Skeen, and they have two sons - Drew and Aaron. She readily admits that each of her students touches her heart in a special way.  The K5 class is a busy place, full of laughter and learning!  Along with the academics and fun activities, Mrs. Skeen hope students recognize God’s love for them through the daily devotions and that they learn about putting others first, forgiveness, sharing, and showing God we love Him. Her favorite verse is Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

K5

Laura Greene

Laura Greene is the wife of Todd and mother of two boys, Tucker and Tate.  She has been teaching K5 at River’s Edge CA since 2008.  Prior to becoming a mother, she taught six years for the Sevier County School System.  She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees from Carson-Newman College.  In attempts at finding balance in life, her favorite scripture is Psalm 46:10a - “Be still and know that I am God.”

1^st Grade

Amy Johnson

Amy Johnson has been teaching first grade at River’s Edge CA since 2005. She comes with a total of 11 years experience in both the public and private settings. She received her career level license in Knox County through the State of Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University. She is certified in grades 1-8. Mrs. Johnson has two children – Emma and Chase – and is married to Kirk Johnson.

1^st Grade

Martha Rudder

Martha Rudder has been teaching first grade at River's Edge Christian Academy since 2005. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1980 with a B.S. in Education. She is a Career Level 1 teacher certified to teach grades K-8 with a specialization in grades K-3. She has taught in Knox County and Memphis City Schools. Overall, she has been a classroom teacher for more than seventeen years. She also volunteered to teach the Teen AIDS Awareness Program in Knox County middle schools for many years. Martha is married and has two daughters and a son-in-law.  

1^st Grade (WHPC)

Paula Knauss 

Paula Knauss taught Kindergarten at River's Edge CA in 2002-2003 and had her children enrolled as students. She has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education, which she earned in 1991, and is a certified K-8 teacher. She has also completed additional work towards her Master's degree in Bible and technology. She has over nine years of full-time teacher experience, including three years of teaching 6^th grade at Freedom Christian Academy in east. She has taught and administrated since 1991 in Knox County Schools, Christian schools, preschools, and other church organizations. Mrs. Knauss currently serves her church, Corryton Baptist, as part-time Children's Ministry Director. She lives in Corryton with her husband, Greg, and their two children, Tyler and Ryan.

2^nd Grade

Dana Strong 

Dana Strong is a Knoxville native. She earned her Masters degree from the University of Tennessee. Mrs. Strong is licensed to teach grades 1-8.  Prior to becoming a mother, she taught third grade in a local public school district. Dana and her husband, Brian, have two daughters.  She is active in her church and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.  One of her favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

2^nd Grade

Jennifer Shaw

Jennifer Shaw has been happily married to Billy Shaw for 12 years, and they have two small children - Ava and Jack. Mrs. Shaw loves being a wife, mommy, and teacher! She has been in education for seven years and has taught Pre-K4, second grade, and third grade. Mrs. Shaw graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree from the University of Tennessee and received her ACSI K-12 Teacher Certification from Johnson Bible College. She loves Jesus and is so thankful for all the blessings God has given to her. Her life verse is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever” (2 Peter 3:18).

3^rd Grade

Debera Harmon

Debera Harmon is a native of Kokomo, Indiana, and a graduate of Tennessee Temple University, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1980. Upon graduation she came to Knoxville to teach in a new Christian School at West Park Baptist Church. While there she worked with the deaf ministry. She began teaching a combined third and fourth grade class. Then as the school grew, she taught third grade only. After that school closed, Mrs. Harmon taught second grade at Temple Baptist Christian School, attended the church, and worked in the bus ministry for a year. When River’s Edge Christian Academy first opened its doors, Mrs. Harmon was hired and has remained on staff throughout the lifetime of the school. Debbie married Gene Harmon in December of 1989.  They have two boys, Samuel and Stephen. The family attends Oak Ridge Baptist Church. Romans 8:28 is a verse that has been a mainstay for Mrs. Harmon through the years:  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

3^rd Grade

Faith Pinkerton

Faith Pinkerton graduated from Crown College in 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education.  Faith was born and raised in Northern Virginia but has settled here in TN with her husband and two children.  She loves teaching.  When she is not teaching at River's Edge, she is teaching Piano lessons at home. 

4^th Grade

Heather Miller

Heather Miller has been teaching fourth grade at River's Edge CA since 2008.  She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Along with being licensed to teach, she is Highly Qualified in grades K-6 and ACSI certified.  While she is a native to Michigan, she and her husband have lived in Knoxville since 2008.  She loves teaching and loves living near the mountains.  Mrs. Miller and her husband both enjoy spending as much time as they can in the great outdoors.

4^th Grade

Pamela Shields

Pamela Shields has been married to her husband, Robert, for 13 years, and they have two children attending River’s Edge Christian Academy.  She and her husband are members of Christ Covenant PCA. Mrs. Shields is highly qualified status and certified to teach K-6^th grades.  Additionally, she has many years of experience in children’s ministries, is co-owner of Club Z In-Home Tutoring, as well as a tutor for elementary age students. Mrs. Shields graduated from Pitzer College in 1991 with a B.A. in Sociology and Education minor. She has also spent many years working with elderly and developmentally disabled adults. She recently completed the post baccalaureate TEACH program at South College and particularly enjoys teaching fourth grade. Mrs. Shields is so thankful the Lord has brought her to River’s Edge Christian Academy.  A favorite verse of hers is, “Since you are my rock and my fortress, Lord, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”  - Psalm 31:3

5^th Grade

Angie Wilkinson

Angie Wilkinson has been teaching for over four years.  She is currently teaching 5th grade at River's Edge Christian Academy.  She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee with a minor in Education in 2004 and received her Master in Education from the University of Tennessee in 2006.  Angie is certified to teach K-8 and is highly qualified in grades K-6.  Angie has been married for 15 years and has three biological sons.  She and her husband are also foster parents.  One of her favorite quotes is, "Do not be consumed by fear of being hurt, but instead offer your love freely and replenish from God's wellspring."

 5^th Grade

Tammy Logan

Tammy Logan graduated from Bob Jones University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has 12 years of experience in teaching in the states of Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee and has taught at River’s Edge since 2008. She was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. Mrs. Logan is married and has two children.

Middle School Science

Tammy Puckett

Tammy Puckett has extensive experience in initial accreditation for Christian schools as well as experience teaching in Christian schools.  Mrs. Puckett has earned a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction, in addition to having earned her certificate as an educational specialist in Administration and Supervision.  She is an ACSI certified teacher with 14+ years of experience teaching in Christian schools including First Baptist Academy (Powell), Grace Christian Academy, and Kings Academy.  She has taught middle school science using the Bob Jones curriculum and has served as science department head at a previous Christian school.  She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in educational administration. 

Middle & High School Math

Joan Meletiou

Joan Meletiou is a sixth grade math teacher at River's Edge Christian Academy. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She did additional work toward a Master of Science degree from both the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and East Tennessee State University. Her teaching certification is in Mathematics (013), grades 7 - 12. She taught for over 30 years in the public schools before coming to teach at River’s Edge CA. She also has experience teaching at the college level at Pellissippi State Community College. Mrs. Meletiou is married and has two adult children, Mary Raney and Michael Meletiou. She is a musician and plays keyboard and organ for her church. Her favorite scripture verse is I John 4:16. 

Middle School History

Dee Dee Burnette

Dee Dee Burnette is our middle school history teacher. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management/Marketing from Tusculum College and graduated from Carson-Newman College with a Master's Degree in Teaching. Her favorite past time is being with her husband, Travis, and their two children, Caroline and Carter. Her goal is not only to teach history, but to encourage students to see the connection between the past and current events.  A favorite verse is, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Middle School Language Arts

Heather Melton

Heather Melton received a Master's of Science Degree (Education and Reading) from The University of Tennessee. She is married and has two beautiful children. She loves teaching at River's Edge Christian Academy. She affirms that the relationships she has developed with the students and families have played a vital role in helping her to become a better Christian, teacher, and mother.

Middle & High School

Science

Carolyn Burris

Carolyn Burris has a Masters degree from the University of Tennessee in the field of science, with a major in nutrition. She successfully taught her own children, who were home schooled through high school and now attend college. Her son, Jared, is pursuing a degree in a science-related field in the area of computer technology. Mrs. Burris has taught health and nutrition classes in public and school settings and currently works part-time at Cedar Springs Christian bookstore as a home school curriculum consultant. She also works in the children’s ministry at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and served for three years at Thursday Connection as a break room supervisor. Her other interests include piano, reading, walking, 4-H Club, equine management, Christian Youth Band, church, and volunteer activities.

High School History

Sondra Cofer

Sondra Cofer comes to us with extensive home school experience and has taught a number of social studies and history courses to home schoolers through local home school cooperatives, including Thursday Connection and Higher Ground Academy.  Ms. Cofer holds a Masters degree, with a major in Social Work and a minor in English. Her son Ryan, who she home schooled through high school, has successfully graduated having completed two years at Pellissippi State. He is now currently enrolled at the University of Tennessee as a pre-med student.  Ms. Cofer also has a son, Matthew, who is home schooling as a junior, and a daughter, Sarah, a student in our high school program. Ms. Cofer attends Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church and works as a volunteer in the church library. She brings a variety of knowledge to the classroom through her background in literature and fascination with things scientific in nature. She exhibits an insatiable curiosity for learning and exploring and will inspire interest in her students as they study history as well as challenging them to think critically.

Chris Francis received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics from UT and a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. Along with 10 years of experience as a nuclear engineer, Mr. Francis has also accumulated over 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher. He has spent more than 25 years as a pastor and is currently the pastor of New Sevier Home Baptist Church in Knoxville. Mr. Francis has been married to Linda for 39 years and has three grown children and six grandchildren.

Linda Nordmoe is a graduate of Wheaton College and has recently retired from Knox County Schools after 20 years teaching in the high school classroom. She has taught Spanish at levels I thru AP. She has taken four overseas trips to Europe with her students and five missions trips to the Dominican Republic. Teaching high schoolers has been her passion and ministry.