Faculty

Our teachers are the heart of our school.

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Primary School Faculty

Dawn Hultstrom

Dawn Hultstrom

Kindergarten

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Hultstrom grew up in Michigan and while attending her Christian high school realized teaching was her calling. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Pensacola Christian College and subsequently taught in Christian schools for six years – three in kindergarten, and three in first grade – prior to joining the faculty of CCS as a Kindergarten teacher in 2005. She worships at Sojourn Woodstock and has a daughter (Alexandra) who graduated from CCHS. Her husband, David, has a wealth management firm in Woodstock. Dawn is also an avid runner and has competed in numerous marathons including the prestigious Boston Marathon.

Education:  B.S., Elementary Education, Pensacola Christian College

Julie Garland

Julie Garland

1st Grade

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Garland graduated from Concordia University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She taught first grade at a Christian school in Texas for seven years until her first daughter was born. After being a stay-at-home mom for several years, Mrs. Garland resumed her teaching career at CCS in 2017. She and her husband, Steve, have two daughters, Kaitlyn and Kassandra.  Both daughters were blessed to attend CCS since Kindergarten. In her free time she enjoys gardening, hiking, camping and jeeping. The Garland family worships together at Living Hope Church in Kennesaw.

Education:  B.S., Elementary Education, Concordia University

Mindee Young

Mindee Young

2nd Grade

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Young grew up in Texas and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M University.  She later earned her Texas State Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education and Special Education. In May 2021, Mrs. Young also earned her Masters of Education in Reading from Kennesaw State University. In Dallas, she taught Special Education classes in the Dallas ISD for a couple of years before deciding to stay home and raise her family.  She resumed her teaching career at CCS and is loving every minute of it.  She and her husband, Jeff, have two boys, Thomas and Ryan.  She and her family have lived in Georgia for over 10 years now and they love hiking, camping and being outdoors.

Education:  B.A., Texas A&M University; M.Ed, Kennesaw State University

Lecia Anderson

Lecia Anderson

3rd Grade

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Anderson was born and raised in Georgia.  She grew up in the Alpharetta area and attended college at Kennesaw State University, where she received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education.  She taught in the Fulton County School system for 6 years.  After her first child was born, she made the decision to be a stay-at-home mom.  Lecia returned to full-time teaching at CCS in 2014.  Her family has lived in the Canton area for 20 years, and she has two children, both of whom graduated from CCS.   She enjoys hiking, horseback riding and participating in other outdoor activities with her family.

Education:  B.S., Early Childhood Education, Kennesaw State University

Emily Goff

Emily Goff

4th Grade

Teacher Bio

Miss Goff has been a part of the CCS family since she began attending the school as a 3rd grade student. After she graduated from our high school in 2016, she went on to attend Covenant College on Lookout Mountain. While she was a college student, Emily served as a summer intern, working on curriculum development in our high school. She also assisted the Athletic Department with various sports camps and practices. Emily graduated from Covenant with honors in 2020, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. In addition to teaching 4th grade, she is the assistant coach for the Lady Warrior volleyball teams. In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, drinking Dr. Pepper, and playing with her dog, Luna. She is a member of Faith Community Church in Woodstock.

Education:  B.A., Elementary Education, Covenant College

Vinny Loccisano

Vinny Loccisano

5th Grade

Teacher Bio

Mr. Loccisano was born and raised in Acworth, Georgia. He began his studies at Georgia Highlands College where he completed his A.S. Degree and is finishing up at Liberty University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Education. In his spare time, Mr. Loccisano enjoys playing sports and musical instruments. He and his wife, Ashleigh, are members at Faith Community Church.

Education:  A.S., Georgia Highlands College; B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies –  Education Concentration (12/22), Liberty University

Lynn Jerguson

Lynn Jerguson

6th Grade

Teacher Bio

Ms. Jerguson has been teaching since 1983, and joined the faculty of Cherokee Christian School in 1986 as the founding teacher. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and a Masters of Christian Education from Reformed Theological Seminary. She attends Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church of Woodstock. She enjoys reading, knitting, and quilting in her free time.

Education:  B.S., Early Childhood Education, Georgia State University; M.A., Christian Education, Reformed Theological Seminary

Glenda Marshall

Glenda Marshall

Director, The Bridge Program

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Marshall graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Glenda is currently serving as our Bridge Program Director. She specialized in Early Childhood Education, K-3. She began teaching at Cherokee Christian School in 2005 and previously served on the leadership team as Lead Teacher over K-2. Her career started in 1979 and consists of teaching in both private and public schools, and directing Children’s Ministry. She has 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Glenda and her husband, Curt, attend Woodstock City Church.

Education:  B.S., Elementary Education, Southeast Missouri State University

Amy Peacock

Amy Peacock

Visual Arts

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Peacock started teaching at CCS in 2015.  She previously taught art at Jasper Elementary School and Timothy Ministries, as well as private art lessons.  She has a degree in Art Education from Mars Hill University in North Carolina and has a love for children.  Her son, Andrew, is a CCS graduate, and her daughter, Avery, currently attends CCS. Amy is a member of Faith Community Church in Woodstock.  She and her husband Ben enjoy working with the youth and staying involved with church ministries.

Education:  B.A., Art Education, Mars Hill University

Amy Hanenburg

Amy Hanenburg

Music

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Hanenburg is the Primary School Music Teacher. She grew up in Minnesota and married her high school sweetheart, Travis, who also teaches at CCS. She graduated from Dordt College in 1995 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music. She taught in Louisiana, and Texas, for three years before coming to CCS in 1998. After teaching fifth grade for one year, she spent 22 years homeschooling and raising her four children. She rejoined CCS in 2021 as the part-time music teacher. During her “time off,” Amy held the position of music teacher and administrator at Grace Classical Academy, a homeschool co-op, for sixteen years. She also enjoyed musical pursuits in the Cherokee Chorale, American Patriot Winds, piano, organ, trumpet, giving piano lessons, and leading the praise team at church. In her spare time, she is a volleyball/soccer mom and enjoys digital scrapbooking, reading, singing, and playing piano.

Education:  B.A., Elementary Education/Minor in Music, Dordt College

Grayson Rogers

Grayson Rogers

Physical Education

Teacher Bio

Coach Rogers came to CCS in 2016 and serves as the Physical Education teacher for both the primary and secondary schools. He attended Georgia Southern University and graduated in 2011 with a degree in Business Management. Grayson has always had a passion for sports and has always seen them as a great tool for mentoring, discipleship, and growing relationships. His current coaching duties include Varsity Football Assistant Coach, JV Boys Basketball Head Coach, and Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach. He married his wife, Brooke, in 2016 and they now reside in Woodstock with their sons, Henry and Levi. They are members of Revolution Church in Canton.

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration, Georgia Southern University

Titus Hanham

Titus Hanham

Tech Lab

Teacher Bio

Joining CCS in 2016, Mr. Hanham currently serves as our Tech Lab Instructor as well as assisting in our IT department. Mr. Hanham began teaching computer science in 1986 at a Christian school in Miami, Florida, the city where he was born and raised. He has a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Bryan College and an MA in Biblical Studies from Dallas Seminary. He is fluent in Russian, having served overseas with his family in student ministry during his 22 years with The Navigators. He enjoys camping, travel, music, exercise, languages, and time with family. He is married to Anna, a designer/florist/seamstress. Together they have three sons, one now attending CCS and two who previously graduated from CCS. They also have one lovely, little cat. His family attends New Covenant Bible Church in Canton, Georgia, where they actively support the youth program.

Education:  B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, Bryan College; M.A. in Biblical Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary; Computing Technology Industry Association A+ Certification

Megan Wesely

Megan Wesely

Physical Education

Teacher Bio

Coach Wesely is new to CCS this year and joins us after previously working at the Atlanta Speech School where she taught 3&4 Pre-K. In addition, she coached volleyball at Whitefield Academy.  Coach Wesely will serve as a part time Athletic Assistant which includes administrative support, teaching P.E. and coaching volleyball.  She attended Kennesaw State University and graduated in 2015 with a degree in English and a minor in Film Studies. She loves working with children and has a passion for volleyball. Coach Wesely and her husband, Ross, reside in Woodstock and are members of Sojourn Church where they currently teach 5th grade Sunday School.

Education: B.S., English with a Minor in Film Studies, Kennesaw State University

Secondary School Faculty

Heather Akins

Heather Akins

Mathematics

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Akins has been teaching since 1994 and joined CCS in 2013. She has taught math from 5th grade through 12th grade levels while at CCS. She is married and has four children, two of whom attended CCS. She and her family attend Faith Community Church and are active in various ministries there, including the young adults College and Career ministry, where they lead small groups. When not working or serving, she enjoys watching football, playing board games or cards and taking care of her family.

Education:  B.S., Education, Kennesaw State University

Dr. Shreyas Athavale

Dr. Shreyas Athavale

Science

Teacher Bio

Dr. Athavale joined the faculty at Cherokee Christian Schools in 2015. He teaches chemistry and biology at various grade levels. Dr. Athavale earned his Bachelor of Technology in chemical engineering from the University of Mumbai, India in 2005. He then moved to the United States and earned his PhD in chemistry from Syracuse University in 2010. He was involved in higher research at Georgia Tech (2010-2014) and University of California Santa Barbara (2014-2015). Much of his work was published in renowned scientific journals and some of his work was featured in a NASA press release. Shreyas and his wife Rachel have three daughters, Alisha, Abigail, Aviva and one son, Luke. They are members at Faith Community Church. He is an avid follower of the sport, cricket, and enjoys reading.

Education:  Bachelor of Technology, Chemical Engineering, University of Mumbai, India; PhD, Chemistry, Syracuse University

Jamie Basso

Jamie Basso

Science

Teacher Bio

Mr. Basso began his teaching career in 1988 and joined the team at CCS in the fall of 2016. He teaches science and Bible courses in our Secondary School. After graduating high school in Georgia, he attended Auburn University and graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1985. He then changed his career plans to education and obtained an additional degree in education with an emphasis on chemistry and math education in 1986. He remained at Auburn to work on his Masters in Chemistry Education which he completed in 1987.  He later went on to obtain an Education Specialist degree (Education Leadership and Curriculum) in 2000 from Lincoln Memorial University. He resides in Waleska, Georgia with his wife, Laurel, and four of his five children., with one now in the military. His family attends New Covenant Bible Church in Canton, Georgia where he serves as a deacon. His interests include walking, golfing and working out in the yard with his kids.

Education:  B.S., Chemical Engineering, B.S., Education, M.Ed. Chemistry Education, Auburn University

José Hechavarría

José Hechavarría

Science

Teacher Bio

Coming soon.

Travis Hanenburg

Travis Hanenburg

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Mr. Hanenburg has been teaching at CCS since 1998, serving in many different capacities. His primary areas of teaching are history, Bible, and our senior year Worldview class.  Originally from Minnesota, he graduated from Dordt College in 1995 with a degree in elementary education and coaching.  He and his wife, Amy, have four children – Alexis, Seth, Danielle, and Mackenzie – and they attend Grace Presbyterian Church in Canton.  In his spare time, he enjoys knife-making, handyman work, playing sports, and making music with his family.

Education:  B.A., Elementary Education, Dordt College

Thomas Jenkins

Thomas Jenkins

Humanities/Academic Counselor

Teacher Bio

Mr. Jenkins graduated from Samford University with a B.A. in History and went on to get his Master’s in the same field from the University of Alabama. He currently teaches humanities classes in our Secondary school and also serves as Academic Counselor. Previously, he taught history classes at the high school and college levels in Alabama. Mr. Jenkins resides in Kennesaw with his wife and two children. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching basketball, and spending time with his family. Mr. Jenkins worships with his family worships at Rivercliff Lutheran Church in Sandy Springs.

Education:  B.A., History, Samford University; M.A., History, University of Alabama

David Jennings

David Jennings

Mathematics

Teacher Bio

Mr. Jennings teaches secondary-level Math classes and serves as the Math Department Chair for CCS and the Lead Teacher for the Secondary School. Mr. Jennings grew up in nearby DeKalb County. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he earned a B.S. from the School of Engineering, completing a double major in Computer Science and Math.  He then received an MBA at Indiana University, majoring in Marketing with a concentration in Decision Sciences.  During 15 years in the corporate world, Mr. Jennings did work in Systems Support, Economic Forecasting, Market Research, New Product Development, Pricing, Sales, Revenue Management, and Corporate Planning.  Since coming to CCS in 2002, Mr. Jennings has taught math classes ranging from 6th Grade Math to AP Calculus, as well as Business and Computer classes. He attends Perimeter Church and enjoys traveling in his free time.

Education:  B.S., Computer Science & Math, Vanderbilt University; MBA, Indiana University

Robin Kearney

Robin Kearney

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Coming soon.

Dilawar Khan

Dilawar Khan

Humanities/Administration

Teacher Bio

In addition to his responsbilities as Director of Academics & Instruction, Mr. Khan also serves as the head of the Humanities Department and teaches high school level Humanities classes. He has been teaching full time since 2007. He graduated from the King’s College with a degree in English Education and then later completed a Master’s Degree in Ancient and Medieval History from the American Military University. Mr. Khan’s three children are currently at CCS and he and his family attend New Covenant Bible Church. When he is not teaching and administrating, Mr. Khan enjoys board games, painting miniatures, and finding exotic restaurants.

Education:  B.A., English Education, The King’s College; M.A., Ancient and Medieval History, American Military University

Caitlin Khan

Caitlin Khan

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Khan has been working in a variety of capacities at CCS since 2015. She currently teaches Humanities at the secondary school. Her three children attend CCS in both the primary and secondary schools. Mrs. Khan and her family attend New Covenant Bible Church. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys reading, writing, and crafting.

Education:  B.A. in History with a minor in English Literature, American Military University; currently pursuing an M.A. in the Humanities.

Areli Nuñez

Areli Nuñez

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Mrs. Nuñez joined CCS in 2017 and began teaching Spanish to 9th-12th grade students. She has been a teacher since 2002 in various school settings, primarily in middle and high schools. She was born in Mexico City, making Spanish her first language, but grew up in Rhode Island. Mrs. Nuñez is married and has three children who all attend CCS. Her family worships at First Baptist Church of Woodstock and she and her husband serve in the children’s department. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, and photography.

Education:  B.A., Linguistics with a Teacher Endorsement in Spanish and TESOL

Brian Schembari

Brian Schembari

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Mr. Schembari is new to CCS this year and joins us after previously working in student ministry in North Carolina. He will serve as the middle school Bible teacher and will also be on the coaching staff for middle school football.  Mr. Schembari attended Johnson University and graduated in 2017 with a degree in Bible and Youth Ministry. He has a passion for working with middle school students and is looking forward to using his gifts and experience at CCS. Mr. Schembari is married to Rachel, and they have two sons, Brody and Logan. He and his family attend Journey Christian Church where Mr. Schembari is on the preaching rotation.

Education: B.A., Bible & Youth Ministry, Johnson University

Courtney Thompson

Courtney Thompson

Humanities

Teacher Bio

Miss Thompson  joined CCS from Augusta, Georgia where she attended Augusta Christian School for 13 years. She then went on to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in history and Christian Studies. She has been in Christian education since 2017, when she began teaching AP U.S. History and World History courses in Augusta. She currently teaches history for CCS in the 7th and 8th grades. Her passion for education started when she had the opportunity to teach ESL and the Bible in La Gonâve, Haiti where she has served since 2012. She is a member of Churchome and in her free time enjoys seeing live shows, watching nature documentaries, traveling with friends and experiencing new cultures.

Education:  B.A., English with a Minor in History, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary