3 DAYS ON CAMPUS AND 2 SATELLITE DAYS AT HOME
"THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS"
since 1997
Meet Our Administrators
Head of School
Brian Beemer graduated from Tennessee Temple University with a Bachelor’s in Pulpit Communications and from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with his Master’s in Divinity. He spent 5 years as the Teaching Pastor at Chapman Grove Baptist Church in Kingston, Tennessee and 8 years in the cell phone industry primarily as a store and district manager. He is married to Jessica and has four children and several grandchildren. They have homeschooled all their children and 2 have graduated from River’s Edge. Brian is currently an elder at Crossway Bible Church. He loves the Church and is passionate about it and the Word of God. He desires others to have the same high view of the Church and the Word that God does and expresses in His Word. If and when time allows he enjoys gardening and tinkering with wood projects. One of his favorite chapters in the Bible is Colossians 3 that begins with, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” Brian has been our Head of School since the Summer of 2015.
Lori Major has been principal of our West Towne campus since 2011. Prior to that she worked in many capacities with children in Knox County including classroom teaching, preschool computer instruction, and was a science outreach teacher for many years at the Muse Children’s Museum. Mrs. Major holds a Tennessee Teaching Certification for K-8 and taught 2nd grade at Cedar Bluff Primary. She also owned her own company instructing preschoolers in computer skills for several years. Mrs. Major is married to Michael Major and has two grown children, and two grandchildren! The Majors are members of First Baptist Church Knoxville where they serve in mission outreach. Mrs. Major also helps in Children’s Ministry there. Her favorite scripture verse is Isaiah 41:10 where she claims the promise of God holding her hand daily as she guides her families at both the West and Main Campuses.
West Towne Campus
Elementary Principal
Christie Miller serves as our Buffat Elementary Campus Principal. She has also served as a classroom teacher at the West Campus since December 2013. She received a Bachelor of Science in the Human Ecology of Child Development from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts degree in the Art of Teaching Elementary Education from Liberty University. Mrs. Miller holds a Tennessee Teaching Certification for K-6 and an ACSI elementary certification. She is married to Eric and has two children, Christian, a graduate of River’s Edge, and Callie, who currently attends River’s Edge. The Millers have served in church leadership roles which include: teaching Bible studies, children ministries, youth leaders, and church administrative teams, and are currently members of North Star Church. Her favorite verse is Phillippians 4:7 because it reminds us that the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Buffat Heights Campus Elementary Principal
Cumberland Campus
Middle School Principal
Zach Wishart graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Education in Christian School Administration from Bryan College. Before coming to River's Edge, Mr. Wishart served in public and private schools. Most recently he developed a comprehensive school counseling program at one of the largest Christian schools in East Tennessee after implementing restorative practices at the elementary level in the public school system. Mr. Wishart also works with education policy groups and legislators to advance school choice policy that will enable every child to have access to a high quality education regardless of zip code or socio-economic status.
Mr. Wishart is passionate about partnering with parents to develop kingdom-minded students who are deeply rooted in biblical truth and is excited to see how the Lord works through the ministry of River's Edge.
Cumberland Campus
High School Principal
Laura Rose served as the original administrator of RECA (formerly called ‘Christian Family Cooperative’) during its first four years, from 1997-2001. She worked alongside the founding board and visionaries to clarify its original mission and develop policies and procedures to meet or exceed state standards and requirements. In addition to this experience, she has extensive experience as a teacher in both public and private schools, including Concord Christian School, Grace Christian Academy, and Morgan and Knox County Schools. She has over 25 years of classroom experience teaching all core subjects, with an emphasis in science and the language arts. She has served beyond the classroom, helping students achieve excellence through service in extra-curricular activities including providing leadership as a sponsor of the National Junior Honor Society, Science Bowl, and Science Olympiad teams and Teens for Christ Bible Club.
Ms. Rose holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Technological University and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a validation in Reading Instruction through Ashland University. She holds a TN Professional Teacher License as well as ACSI Professional Teacher Certification. She enjoys spending time with her two adult children, Erika and Alex, and granddaughter. One of Ms. Rose's favorite scripture passages is Philippians 2:5-11, in which Chirist is exalted as the ultimate servant-leader. It is her goal to serve RECA by partnering with parents and staff to encourage and edify each unique student God has placed in our care.
Cumberland Campus
Elementary Principal
Faith Pinkerton graduated with a Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2006 and began teaching at River’s Edge that same year. She has taught in our elementary school for 12 years, both in first and third grade. Faith is married to Joe and together they have four children who also attend River’s Edge. Faith serves alongside her husband at Oak Ridge Baptist Church where he is the Worship Leader and Children’s Pastor. Together they lead the College and Career Sunday School class and run the Wednesday night Kids Club program. Faith loves her local church, especially the children in it. She desires that every child in Oak Ridge hears the gospel in some form, through the ministry of her local church.
Faith loves ALL things sparkly, and so it stands to reason why her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 40:3. “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” She desires to be a shining light that draws others toward Christ.