ADMINISTRATION
Jon Farra
HEAD OF SCHOOL & INTERIM UPPER CAMPUS PRINCIPAL
Corban Ogle
UPPER CAMPUS DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LIFE
Suzanne Newman
UPPER CAMPUS DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS &
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Corban has been teaching at Berean since 2019. After receiving both a Bachelors (History & Bible and Theology) and Masters (Secondary Education) degree from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN, he accepted a position at Berean as a middle and high school social studies teacher. Corban believes that when done well, the study of history is a powerful tool for shaping students into becoming better thinkers, citizens, and followers of Christ. He and his wife Hannah have two children, Lenora and Abram.
Suzanne Newman holds a Master’s degree in Professional School Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Carson-Newman University. She believes that the key to helping students reach their full potential involves nurturing the whole child: academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually and that this is best achieved through fostering positive and encouraging relationships. Suzanne and her husband, Joe, have two children Carson and Georgia.
Mary Randolph
HS BIBLE
Mary Randolph graduated from Columbia International University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters in Bible Teaching. She came to Berean in 2011 and is now the Bible department head. She teaches 9th and 10th Grade Bible and 9th Grade Health and Wellness at Berean. Mary loves UT football, hiking, running, and the outdoors.
Scottie Adams
HS BIBLE
Scottie has been a teacher for 10 years and joined Berean in 2020. Before his career in education, he served for 10 years in youth ministry, also serving as Teen Challenge Program Director. He has a degree from Dallas Baptist University in Biblical Studies/Christian ministry. He is expanding Berean's electives by teaching a weight training course beginning in the 21-22 school year, and serving as a sponsor for Student Government.
Tab Jordan
MS BIBLE | GRAPHIC DESIGN
Tab graduated in 1986 with a BFA from the University of Tennessee majoring in Graphic Design. He obtained the 2016 Standard Secondary Teacher Certification Association Christian Schools International. Postgraduate studies: Walden University and Fresno University. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Graphic Design he worked in that field for ten years until God placed on his heart to pursue a full-time youth ministry position at Berean Bible Church, which he held for fifteen years. He has taught bible, history and graphic design at BCS since 2006, and serves as Marketing Director.
Josh Duncan
MS BIBLE | HISTORY
Josh earned his BS degree in education from Tennessee Tech University and Master's degree in Religious Studies from Liberty Theological Seminary. Josh has been a classroom teacher, youth pastor, church planter, leadership coach, and lead pastor. Josh serves as the assistant middle school boys' basketball coach and middle school teacher. Josh and his wife Jennifer have two boys, Kaden and Kolton, who are Berean students. They are all sports fans of UT and the Atlanta Braves. They enjoy camping and are halfway finished with their family bucket list of visiting every Major League Baseball Stadium.
Connie Freed
MS SCIENCE
Connie Freed went to Belmont College, then to Tennessee Tech University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science. She went on to complete post graduate work through Fresno University and Walden University. Connie married her high school sweetheart Fred and has five daughters, five son-in-laws, eleven grandchildren and counting. She has been teaching at Berean since 2003 and currently is a lead teacher, teaching 7th-8th grade science. Connie loves spending time with family and friends - playing games, camping and sitting around discussing the Word, sharing life on life with them.
Phil Tharp
HS SCIENCE
Phil graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Biology. He has always loved Christian Education; Phil was the founding principal of Christian Life Academy in Kingsport, where he served from 1982 until 2005. He earned his MS in Educational Administration from Pensacola Christian College in 2002. Phil and his family moved to Knoxville, where he was a teacher and Department Chair for Knox County School System until Spring 2022. He earned his Ed S degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in 2012. Phil enjoys spending time in nature whether it is fishing, hunting, hiking, or SCUBA diving; and he brings his love of nature and the God that created it to the classroom.
JoAnn Martin
SCIENCE | IMPACT DIRECTOR
JoAnn Martin graduated from Baylor University with a BS in Environmental Studies. After college, she attended Covenant Theological Seminary, where she earned her MA in Educational Ministries. After seminary, JoAnn moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2016 to be a Youth Minister at Christ Covenant Church. Prior to joining Berean in the spring of 2021, JoAnn taught at Concord Christian School and Cornerstone Christian School. Currently, JoAnn serves as an upper campus science teacher. Beyond Berean, JoAnn loves to go on adventures with her husband and son, and her Australian Shepherd, Riley.
Natalea Waller
HS HISTORY
Natalea began teaching at Berean in 2009 after she graduated from Covenant College with a Bachelors in English and a minor in Secondary Education. In her time at Berean, she has taught literature, grammar, technology, and history. She’s also taught every grade 6-12 at some point and enjoys weaving God into her lessons and having her two children with her on campus. In 2021, Natalea and Emily McKeehan, Berean's middle school English teacher, published the novel Mapkeeper: Journey Through the North. When she’s not in the classroom, Natalea loves spending time with her family, reading books, playing video games, and watching sports.
Miranda DeFluiter
HS ENGLISH
Miranda graduated from Southern Adventist University in 2003 with a B.A. in English and began her teaching career with Metro-Nashville school systems at McGavock High School. Later, she taught for a number of years with Williamson County Schools while working on her M.A. in English at Tennessee State University. When she and her husband relocated to Knoxville in 2009, she taught for Anderson County Schools until the birth of her son. She has taught 9th-12th grade English as well as freshman composition on the collegiate level. She is thrilled to share her love for English with her students in a loving, Christian environment. Psalm 23
Abbie Gottfried
ENGLISH
Having lived in ten states, Abbie grew up a little bit of everywhere. She always finds herself back in Tennessee, however, and now considers Knoxville to be home. She graduated from King University in 2011 with degrees in English and Spanish, and after a short stint as a children’s book editor at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, she found herself longing to be in the classroom. The Lord opened up the opportunity for her to begin teaching English about a decade ago, and in that time, she has taught every grade from 7th to 12th. One of her deepest passions is seeing the story of the Gospel unfold within the stories she reads with her students. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys being outside, reading, singing, and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Heather Dyke
ENGLISH
Heather began teaching at BCS many years ago, but took time off to stay home with her two daughters, Kaylynn and Rebekah, who are now students at Berean. She is a graduate of Berean Christian School and a lifelong member of Berean Bible Church. After attending Columbia International University for two years as a psychology major, she completed her B.A. in English Literature at the University of Tennessee. She enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking, and reading books.
Emily McKeehan
ENGLISH
Emily McKeehan grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Bryan College with a Bachelors in English Literature and a minor in writing. She began teaching at Berean in 2013 and has since completed her Master of Education degree. In 2021, Emily and Natalea Waller, Berean's high school history teacher, published the novel Mapkeeper: Journey Through the North. Emily teaches sixth and seventh grade grammar and eighth grade literature classes, and while she loves teaching middle school English, her deepest passion lies in building relationships with students and showing them the love of Christ. Emily is a self-proclaimed nerd and coffee addict.
Samantha Fair
MATH
Samantha graduated from Johnson Bible College in 2004 with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Bible and in 2005 with a Masters in Holistic Education. Since beginning in Christian education, she has gained a deeper passion for helping students view themselves as individuals created with unique strengths that can each be used to benefit one another. Immediately after joining the Berean family in 2020 she knew she was home. Samantha loves family game and movie nights with her husband and two children as well as sudoku, crafting, and singing!
Tiffani Keyes
MATH
Tiffani wanted to be a teacher from the time she was a small child. After graduating from Louisiana Tech University, she and her husband Mark moved to Ft. Worth, TX where she began her teaching career. Four years later she made the decision to stay home and raise her boys. After 17 years of homeschooling, she re-entered the classroom and is loving being able to teach in this setting again, especially here at Berean. She enjoys all things outdoors: camping, fishing, hiking, and kayaking with her family.
Craig LeMak
ASL
Craig currently serves as an Advocate at Disability Rights Tennessee, where he has been actively engaged in the Client Assistance Program (CAP) and Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) for the past two years. He remains closely connected to the deaf and hard of hearing community, maintaining a relationship with the City of Knoxville’s On Disability Issues (CODI). Craig's wife is a sign language interpreter for deaf and hard of hearing students in Knox County Schools. Together, they prioritize family time with their two teenagers. Craig has been a member of Buffat Heights Baptist Church for 11 years, actively participating with his family. In his spare time, he enjoys repurposing wood for various projects and has served as an Adjunct at the University of Tennessee, teaching American Sign Language for nearly 11 years.
Jessica Marrero
STEM
Jessica Marrero earned a bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College becoming certified to teach grades K-8th. Jessica left the public school system to begin teaching at Berean in 2015. In addition to being a classroom teacher, she also leads after school science club meets for first through fifth grades. Jessica and her husband, Ricardo, have been married since 2006 and have two sons, Cruz and Alec, who attend Berean. Outside of school, Jessica loves to spend time with family and two rescue dogs. She enjoys reading, traveling, and thrifting.
Mike McDonald
PE | BEREAN BLESSINGS
Mike McDonald has 37 years coaching and playing experience in both the USA and the U.K. Before moving to the States, he was part of the Watford FC School of Excellence. Mike has coached and trained many teams in the East TN area and coached for the Olympic Development Program. Coach Mike runs the Mike McDonald Academy during Spring and Fall for 4-9 year olds. He is the Berean High School boys soccer coach and a children’s church leader at Compassion Church in Morristown.
Mario Viera-Rodriguez
SPANISH
Mr. Mario Viera – Rodriguez was born in Manhattan, New York, but raised in Puerto Rico. He married a beautiful and wonderful lady, Ruth, over 20 years ago. He has taught Spanish for over 30 years and has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Linguistics applied to Spanish. He also graduated from the Instituto Biblico Misionero with a seminary degree and is an ordained pastor in Puerto Rico with Missionary Fountain of Salvation Churches. He now serves as the Hispanic pastor at the Christ the Rock Church of God, co-laboring and serving with Steve Gardner. He gives thanks to God for giving him this job at Berean and the opportunity to continue to teach Spanish in the United States.
Becky Poling
Math | Geometry
Becky graduated from Johnson University in 2006 with her BA in Counseling and Bible and in 2008 with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy/Professional Counseling. After working with students in a residential facility, she realized her love for the classroom and returned to Johnson University to graduate with her Post Baccalaureate Teacher Education Masters in 2011. Becky taught math for 12 years in Knox County Schools and worked with her church's high school youth for 15 years. She enjoys camping, going to the beach, and a good book. She is excited to be joining the amazing team at Berean Christian.
Jeanne Alexander
ART
Mrs. Alexander has been nurturing student’s creative pursuits at Berean since 2010. Her desire is for them to have a better understanding of their Creator through their daily explorations in Art. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Newcomb College of Tulane University. Mrs. Alexander and her husband Mark have four children. Three are graduate “lifers” of BCS, with the youngest following suit in May 2022. In her “spare” time, she enjoys travel, museums, baking, pottery and exploring new media.
Heather Duncan
Choir Director
Heather Duncan is a choir director with over 30 years of experience with church, traditional school, and homeschool choirs. She has a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Voice and a Masters of Music in Music Education, from UTK. Ms. Duncan is an active member of two professional music groups, the Palmetto Voices Spirituals Ensemble, and Rich Mountain Celtic in which she sings and plays bodhrán and mandolin. Ms. Duncan loves working with young voices, and is committed to not only teaching musicianship, but hopes to enrich the lives of her students by introducing them to diverse music from different cultures and different genres, to foster a life-long love of singing, and to encourage them to use their gifts to serve God and others.
Rachel Norman
Fine Arts Director/MS HS Theatre
Rachel is a passionate and dedicated theatre professional who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Berean's Fine Arts program through Drama. Graduating in 2008 from the University of Tennessee with a BA in Theatre, she has spent the past decade enriching the Knoxville community with caring, Christ-centered performances and education through her work with The WordPlayers, a renowned local Christian Theatre Company. Rachel is thrilled to be a part of her team as the Director of Fine Arts at Berean and the exciting journey, nurturing and inspiring young artists. Rachel loves spending quality time with her husband, Ethan Norman, the High School Chapel music leader, and their two sons, Bode (10) and River (6).
