Every Student As Seen, Known, And Valued.

Ms. Allen was born in WA state and is the eldest of 7 siblings. She served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman for 13 years. Though not raised as a Christian, Ms. Allen was radically saved through seeking God in prayer and Bible reading in late 2016. Christ then led her out of the Navy and to Clayton, NC where she and her daughter have been living since 2019. She values the opportunity to serve the students of SCS and learn from their humility.

Mrs. Susan Alonso holds a B.S. degree in Christian education from Southeastern FWB College. She hopes to inspire a love for foreign languages in her students that might develop into a passion for spreading the gospel.

Mr. Bagwell, a native of Clayton, NC, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where he also pursued coursework in youth ministry. With a calling to serve the local church faithfully, he has served as an associate pastor for youth and is actively involved in a local church plant. Currently completing his master’s degree in Biblical Studies at Liberty University, he finds great joy in teaching young minds about the profound truths of God. Mr. Bagwell sees teaching as a humble act of service, aiming to foster the spiritual growth and Christlike development of his students. He and his wife, Mandy, have been happily married since 1995, cherishing their partnership in ministry and family life.

Mrs. Susan Barkley earned a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University, with a major in Horticultural Science and minor in Biological Sciences, as well as a Master of Science from NCSU. She is active in her church, teaching in children’s and serving as a facilitator in women’s ministry. She has homeschooled her four children for the past five years and is now overjoyed by the new direction of the Lord for the Barkleys to be a part of the Southside family. Mrs. Barkley has a strong passion to share her love of Jesus and His redeeming grace to anyone and everyone, but especially to the younger generation. She enjoys exploring God’s creation through traveling, hiking and gardening. Her hobbies also include baking, crocheting, reading and spending time with her husband and children.

Mrs. Tisha Beasley, from Four Oaks, NC, has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from NCSU and an NC teaching license for Business Information Technology Education through the NCSU teacher licensure program. She taught business education in Johnston County for five years, after serving as a substitute teacher for many years. She resides in the McGee’s Crossroads community with her husband, two young adult children and many pets and livestock. She is excited to help students learn and grow in a Christian school environment.

Mrs. Bennett is a Raleigh native with a B.A. in business from NC State University. For 16 years, she was a business owner and coach for a competitive all-star cheerleading gym with her husband. Their children have attended SCS since 2017. Mrs. Bennett has a love for children and is blessed to have joined the SCS team!

Mrs. Yisfalem Birtu, born and raised in Ethiopia, brings over a decade of rich expertise in the realm of data engineering, cloud technologies, and database administration. With a robust background in designing, implementing, and optimizing data pipelines, she has spearheaded numerous projects focusing on enhancing data accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Mrs. Birtu holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from HILCOE School of Computer Science and Technology, complemented by Associate degrees in Project Management and Secretarial Science and Office Management from Alpha University and Addis Ababa Commercial College, respectively. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, she continues to drive innovation and efficiency in the field of data engineering, making her a valuable asset to any organization she serves.

Mrs. Cari Braswell holds a bachelor’s degree in education from McKendree University and a M.Ed. from Walden University. She is a former public school teacher and left teaching five years ago to stay home with her son who is attending SCS. Mrs. Braswell is happy to be a part of a Christian school where Jesus is the focus of every aspect of the students’ education.

Mrs. Crystal Braxton holds a B.S. in early education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Liberty University. She creates a loving, nurturing environment in her classroom.

Mrs. Emily Cain has studied Business Administration at NC Wesleyan College and Medical Office Administration at Nash Community College where she earned multiple certifications in Medical Finance Administration. In addition to her cheerful and professional disposition, Mrs. Cain has served the SCS community for over seven years and brings over 18 years of experience in executive administrative assistance and organizational support to the Upper School.

Andrew Coffman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, FL and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Bob Jones University. He brings over a decade of education and coaching experience from both public and Christian schools. Mr. Coffman has also served as the Youth Pastor at his local church for 11 years. The most exciting part of working at Southside Christian School for Mr. Coffman is the opportunity to serve the Lord by impacting students for Jesus Christ.

Molly Corl studied Cross Cultural Studies at Toccoa Falls College. Molly and her husband, Dan, have served in the Christian and Missionary Alliance for the past 18 years. Mrs. Corl serves along side Dan as he pastors their church. Mrs. Corl has been in the public, charter and private school system in some sort of capacity for the past 10 years. She is excited to serve the students, parents, and staff of SCS as upper school secretary.

Mr. Matt Courtney was born and raised in Modesto, California. He moved to Rolla, Missouri where he earned his B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and then joined the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer with a Nuclear Propulsion specialty. After serving six years, he enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where he completed his MDiv. He and his wife serve actively as part of their church’s revitalization team and in leading worship. Mr. Courtney is excited to utilize all that has been developed in him to now serve the Lord by pouring into students at Southside.

A North Carolina native originally from Charlotte, Ms. Cureton has been in the Cary area now for many years. She received a degree in business from East Carolina University. In the past, Ms. Cureton worked at another Christian school as the business manager where she began realizing her love of children. In addition to online ESL classes, she has taught second grade at a small, private school for one year, and has been teaching elementary kids at church for several years.

Mr. Chris Dentel has a B.S. in business administration with a minor in history from Toccoa Falls College, a M.Ed. in teaching and Learning from Liberty University, and a M.B.A. from the University of Mississippi. He has been working in education since the 2004-05 school year and has filled different roles in schools in North Carolina and Qingdao, China.

Mrs. Melissa Dentel holds a B.S. in Middle School Education from Toccoa Falls College. She taught in public schools for six years before relocating with her family to China, where they lived for nine years. After returning to the United States, she, her husband, and their two children joined the SCS community. Mrs. Dentel served as the Upper School Administrative Assistant for four years and currently serves as the Facilities Director. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she enjoys coaching soccer.

Mrs. Fleeger holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Florida. She has spent the last 20+ years homeschooling her children, who have now graduated.

Mrs. Forster has a bachelor’s degree in child development from Meredith College and master’s degree in early childhood studies from Walden University. She loves to create a fun and nurturing environment for her students so they can learn and grow to the best of their abilities. Mrs. Forster loves meeting the students and families of SCS and serving with the SCS team.

Mr. Gatewood has a B.S. degree in history from Campbell University. He spent 11 years teaching individuals with disabilities in the Wake Tech Community College system. Mr. Gatewood enjoys being part of the Christian school environment that places God’s teaching at the forefront of educating children.

Mrs. Gentry has over 10 years of experience in the early childhood education field and a passion for creating engaging and supportive learning environments. She is a proud Navy wife and has a 6 year old daughter.

Mrs. Cindy Green holds a BA in history from California State University, M.Ed. from Louisiana Baptist University, and is currently pursuing a further graduate degree in the field of history at Liberty University. Mrs. Green is married and has two sons, whom she homeschooled and are now in college. With over 25 years of educational experiences, Mrs. Green is excited to be back full-time in the classroom, sharing her love of history and Jesus with the students of Southside.

Mr. Brad Grizenko is a follower of Christ, a husband to Makayla, and a father to two boys and one girl. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies, an M.Div., and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in education. After seminary, God led him into teaching at Southside Christian School where he has found great joy in teaching. He is the Bible and history teacher for sixth-grade students this year, where he is passionate about helping students see God’s truth, love, and grace in Scripture and His providence throughout history.

Mr. John Hernandez holds a B.S. in elementary education interdisciplinary studies and a M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction, leadership cognate, both from Liberty University. He has served in Christian education for 25 years in California, eight of those as a teaching principal. He and his wife moved to Clayton four years ago in order to help raise their two precious grandsons. Mr. Hernandez continues in his calling at Southside where he molds young lives for Jesus Christ.

Mrs. Ashley Hester holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Peace College and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. Prior to joining Southside, she taught public school for 12 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom and then returning to the classroom in 2025. Mrs. Hester lives in Clayton with her husband and 2 children who both attend Southside.

Matt Hillegass is one of the pastors at Tree of Life Church in Garner and is currently pursuing ordination in the Anglican Church. He brings over twenty years of experience as a teacher and school leader, including eight years at St. David’s School in Raleigh where he served as Head of School for the last five years before transitioning to full-time parish ministry. Mr. Hillegass has taught a wide range of AP math and science courses, including AP Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, as well as Algebra through AP Calculus.

He holds a B.S. in Physiology and Neurobiology from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Biblical Studies and Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mr. Hillegass loves to study and behold both the beauty and logic of God’s creation. He is deeply passionate about teaching, learning, and discipleship. 

Mr. Hillegass finds joy in awakening wonder in his students and sharing with them the tools and habits for worshipping God with their minds as well as they hearts, souls, and bodies. 

Outside of school, Mr. Hillegass enjoys baseball, fine woodworking, and adventuring with his wife, Sara, and their three children Sam, Mason, and Stella Jane.

Mrs. Emily Holley has a BS in science education and a BA in chemistry from East Carolina University. She taught chemistry and physical science to high school students after college and has worked as a chemical analyst. After being a stay-at-home mom, she taught at a church preschool and was a preschool director for eight years. Mrs. Holley loves the Lord and working with prospective SCS families. She and her husband have been married since 1999 and both of their children graduated from SCS. Mrs. Holley loves spending time with her family and visiting the beach.

Mrs. Christa Honeycutt received her B.S. in therapeutic recreation from Mount Olive College.  For five years, she worked in the Johnston County Public School system in positions ranging from reading resource to elementary teacher assistant. She is a part of the praise team at her church, enjoys leading others in worship, and loves to be an encouragement to others. She grew up in Zebulon and now lives in Four Oaks with her husband and two daughters where they attend Anthem Church.

Benjamin Hood completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2022. He has been serving on staff at Pearce Baptist Church as a student pastor since May 2022. He and his wife, Emily, live in Wake Forest with their cat, two birds, and his excessive library of history books. He is thrilled to be able to impart to the next generation his passion for history, and the manifold ways in which knowing the past can help glorify God in the future.

Mrs. Dahl Johnson was born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and spent much of her childhood moving with her family. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Tabernacle Baptist College. Mrs. Johnson previously taught at Southside Christian School from 2008 to 2019 before stepping away to focus on her growing family. She is a devoted wife and mother of two young children who also attend Southside Christian School. Mrs. Johnson is grateful to be back and is excited to once again be part of the SCS community.  

Mrs. Jessica Knott is a native of Johnston County and currently resides in Clayton with her husband and two children. She has a BS in Elementary Education from East Carolina University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Mississippi College. Before joining the Southside family, her previous experience included public education, homeschooling her own children, and working in the preschool setting. Jessica and her family are members of Cross Point Community Church of Knightdale. There she serves on the Women’s Ministry Team, helping to plan and facilitate events for the women of the church and surrounding community. She also serves their First Time Guests.

Mrs. Rebecca Lambert has a B.A. in mathematics with an emphasis in secondary education from Cedarville University. She brings over 30 years of experience in teaching math and science from a Biblical perspective. She looks forward to fostering a love of learning in her students each year at Southside Christian School.

Mr. John Larry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, with a minor in Health Education, from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, and a Master of Science degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy.  Coach Larry started his education and coaching career in 2003. He and his wife Joanna have two children, Isaac and Hannah. He is excited about serving families at Southside Christian School. His goals are athletic excellence and developing Christian character to impact the world for Christ.

Mrs. Sherry Lattin holds a B.M. degree from the University of South Carolina and a M.M. degrees in music history and violin performance from Bowling Green State University. Her teaching experiences include elementary and high school ensembles, private lessons, and AP music theory. Mrs. Lattin is excited to share her love of music and the Lord with the students at Southside.

Mrs. Jeanmarie Masters received her B.S.B.A. in marketing from Coastal Carolina University. She is currently a graduate student at East Carolina University and is working towards her M.Ed. in Mathematics Education with a focus on middle school mathematics. She was raised in Myrtle Beach, SC and moved with her husband and two children to the Clayton area in 2019 where they joined the Southside family. Mrs. Masters has a strong passion for serving the Lord by instructing and loving on students. She strongly believes in using the classroom for not only education, but training and raising up new disciples for Christ. In her free time, Mrs. Masters enjoys spending time with her family, serving in her church’s youth ministry, fitness, and any activity that can get her outdoors.

Mrs. Samantha McKenzie earned her B.A. and M.A. in Communication from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Mrs. McKenzie is married with three children, one of whom attends Southside. Her family is active at Mount Moriah Baptist Church.

Mr. Josh McLean studied sports management and business at Bob Jones University. Mr. McLean graduated from Southside Christian School in 2019 and was married in the fall of 2023.

Mrs. Jennifer McLean holds a B.S. degree in office administration from Bob Jones University. Mrs. McLean enjoys reading and is excited to share that joy with her middle school students. In her spare time, Mrs. McLean enjoys working with plants and thrift shopping. She has three children that have graduated from SCS.

A native of Fuquay-Varina, Mr. Jacob Medlin is a graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Coaching and a minor in Business Administration.  Mr. Medlin enjoys coaching high school and middle school sports.

Mrs. Kellie Nothstine has a B.A. of Arts in Political Science & History from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Mrs. Nothstine also has her Masters in Education Policy from the University of Loyola-Chicago and previously worked for the United States Department of Education auditing schools to ensure compliance with state and federal law.

Mrs. Nothstine served as a founding board member for Carolina Charter School in Fuquay Varina and was a chief policy writer on their board for years. Mrs. Nothstine also holds her Juris Doctorate from University of Loyola Chicago School of Law. Mrs. Nothstine worked at Campbell University as Associate Vice President for a decade overseeing compliance, was a chief policy writer for the university, and coordinated human resources for the division of student life.

Mrs. Nothstine brings years of experience in staff management, employment rights and responsibilities, and education best practices with her to serve at Southside Christian School. Mrs. Nothstine and her husband have three young boys, two of which attend Southside, James, Henry, and Charles.

Mrs. Park has been an educator for more than 20 years and at SCS for more than eight years. She holds a B.S. in biology education from Purdue University and a M.A. in TESOL from the University of South Florida.  She enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking. She also enjoys reading and making delicious desserts. Her desire is for students to know more of who God is and for her students to love Him more and more each day!

Mr. Daniel Rogers is a former Chaplain Assistant who proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 3rd Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) from 2012 to 2016. During his time in service, he supported the spiritual resilience and moral welfare of soldiers through compassionate care and steadfast commitment to his calling. A devoted husband and strong believer in Jesus Christ, Daniel’s life is centered on faith, family, and service. His passion for Christian education and discipleship fuels his involvement in both local ministry and broader community outreach. Whether mentoring others, studying theology, or building bridges in his neighborhood, Mr. Rogers lives out his calling to love God and serve others with integrity and heart. 

Mrs. Smith brings over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, having taught K4 and K5 at SCS for 3 years before transitioning into her administrative assistant role. With a strong background in organization, scheduling, and supporting teachers, she is passionate about creating a smooth and welcoming environment for students, staff, and families.

A North Carolina native originally from Charlotte, Melanie Stone is thankful to call Clayton home along with her husband and four children. She holds a M.A. in Executive Education Leadership from Gardner-Webb University, B.A in History and K-6 Education from UNCA, and K-12 certifications in Reading and ESL. Mrs. Stone taught many years in upper elementary, served as a missionary in Thailand, and taught English to students throughout Asia. She enjoys reaching out in the community for Christ with her husband who pastors Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. Joining Southside as a teacher is a blessing to her and she prays to be a blessing here to others. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas has a B.S. in early childhood education and a MDiv in Christian education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She served as a Director of Children’s Ministries for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mom.  Mrs. Thomas and her husband of almost 16 years have four children.  She has experience in homeschooling and has taught Pre-K at the weekday preschool at The Church @ Clayton Crossings.  She is actively involved in her church, The Church @ Clayton Crossings, and currently serves as the Director of the Special Needs ministry.  During her free time, Mrs. Thomas loves spending time with her family, camping, and hiking.

Mr. Tyler Timm was raised in Christian schools in Wisconsin. Mr. Timm received his B. A. in Secondary Education and Theatre from Concordia University Chicago. He also holds a B. A. in Theology and an M. B. A. from Concordia. With 13 years of experience teaching in Christian schools, Mr. Timm is thrilled to join the Southside family. 

He and his wife, Erin, with their two children, Molly and Owen, moved to Clayton from the Milwaukee area in 2022. Mr. Timm enjoys reading, cooking, and watching movies with his family.

Originally from Michigan, Mrs. Holly Valovick holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Albion College.  She worked for over 20 years as a business writer and editor, while also serving as a full-time substitute teacher in Michigan and as a K-5 music and art teacher at a Christian school in North Carolina.  She sees it as an incredible blessing to be able to blend her passions for English and teaching at Southside, and to have the opportunity to share the love of Christ with her students in doing so.  Mrs. Valovick has four children – two attend Southside, one is a teacher at Southside, and the oldest is married to a young man who was in the first class of Southside when it opened!

Ms. Valovick received her B.A. from Longwood University in 2022. She taught in a charter school and a pottery studio before joining the SCS team in 2024. Ms. Valovick’s love for God’s creation and for learning is something she strives to instill in all her students. In addition to teaching, Ms. Valovick creates and sells her own pottery online and at local craft sales. She attends Amplify Church with her family. In her spare time, she likes playing with her three kitties, riding her horse, gardening, and kayaking.

Jacqueline has an abandoned love for Christ and a passion for seeing people, especially children, come into the knowledge of their identity in Christ. Mrs. Walker is grateful for the opportunity to glorify the LORD while sharing her gifts, knowledge, and experiences at Southside Christian School. 

Mrs. Jenny Williams holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Meredith College and Master and Doctor of physical therapy degrees from Elon University. Mrs. Williams has worked with all ages ranging from children to seniors and is excited to use her knowledge of child development and education in her classroom.

Mrs. Wilson has lived in Johnston County her whole life. She lives in Wilson’s Mills with her wonderful husband, boy-girl twins and dog, Darcy. Mrs. Wilson loves to spend time with her family and read. They are members at Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church. Mrs. Wilson has a B.S. in elementary education with a concentration in reading from East Carolina University. Previously she taught in the public school system. Mrs. Wilson is excited to share her love for reading and Jesus in her classroom. She is so thankful God led her family to Southside.

Mr. Zebro is deeply versed in the ACSI Flourishing School Model, having served as an Accreditation Coordinator, a member of multiple accrediting teams, and an active participant in multiple ACSI national conferences. His academic credentials include bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in both Health Promotion and Physical Education, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University, a Leading with Finance certification from Harvard Business School Online, and he is currently pursuing a PhD in Christian Leadership and Strategic Christian Ministry through Liberty Theological Seminary. Mr. Zebro and his wife, Hannah, have been married for fifteen years and have three children. As a family, they enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and being active together. They consider serving alongside one another in ministry a tremendous blessing.