AJA GRIMES is a graduate of Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education.  Mrs. Grimes is licensed to teach in grades PreK-6 and is certified in Special Education for PK- 12th. Mrs. Grimes taught third grade in Rome, Georgia before coming to teach first and second grade at CCS in 2007. She has been involved in choir, praise team, children’s ministry, and drama.

MELISSA HART is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in Early Childhood Education and is licensed with both the State of Tennessee and ACSI. Mrs. Hart has over 11 years of teaching experience in grades K-2, her passion being the primary grades. She feels teaching truly is her calling. Mrs. Hart and her husband, Bob, have three children Emma, Anna, and Henry, who all attend CCS as elementary students. When Mrs. Hart isn't in the classroom, she likes to travel to her favorite places - the beach, big cities, and Walt Disney World - and cheer on the Tennessee Volunteers (GO VOLS!) and CCS Lions (GO LIONS!).

HOLLY LUSK graduated From Carson Newman University with a B.S in Early Childhood Education. I have over 5 years’ experience working with children in the Preschool classroom as an assistant. Born and raised in Knoxville, TN.  I enjoy traveling, hiking, watching Tennessee Football and spending time with family and friends. 

DENISE DUNHAM has sixteen years of experience with children in classroom teaching and directing children’s missions groups.  Mrs. Dunham graduated from Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri with a B.S. in Elementary Education and William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri with a Masters of Education in Administration.  She currently has an active Tennessee teaching license K-6.   She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jack.  She has two married daughters, Alanna and Sarah.  She has two grandsons, Ronin and Easton that also live in Tennessee. She also has one granddaughter that lives in Kansas City, Kansas. She enjoys doing mission work, being active outdoors and watching Tennessee and Missouri Football.

RENEE HALBERT has her degree in Biblical Education from Columbia International University.  She enjoys spending time with her husband Andy and her family. They have three sons, Andrew, Alex, and Aaron, and one daughter-in-law, Rachel. She also enjoys reading and traveling.

AMY RAINWATER grew up in a military family moving many times.  She is a graduate of Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She taught in Knox County for 8 years before joining CCS in 2003.  Amy has maintained Model Classroom in the Accelerated Reader program for over 15 years.   She enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael; son, Kyle, and daughter, Emily.  She loves traveling, watching Kyle and Emily play sports, and watching Vols sports, especially Lady Vols Basketball.

JENNIFER BISHOP received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Tennessee and her degree in Elementary Education from Crown College in Powell, TN. She has taught for over 20 years in Christian Education. Mrs. Bishop began her professional career implementing the National Institute of Learning Disabilities program since then she has enjoyed teaching in all Elementary grades ranging from Kindergarten through 5th grade. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve, and son, Will. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her family.

AMBERLEE DELANEY is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (K-5). Amberlee started her education at CCS through the 3rd grade, and grew up actively attending First Baptist Concord. She taught 1st grade in Knoxville before moving overseas to Thailand for the last 8 months, teaching a variety of grades. Outside of teaching, Amberlee enjoys traveling, spending intentional time with friends and family, hiking outdoors, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. 

KRISTEN GALLOWAY  is a graduate of The University of Tennessee. She holds a Master of  Sciences in Teacher Education and is licensed by the State of Tennessee. Ms. Galloway did her student teaching at Lenoir City Elementary in first grade. She is very active in her church and has participated in both domestic and international missions. Ms. Galloway was also a member of the UT Lady Vols Rowing Team for four years. Ms. Galloway’s enthusiasm and creativity will make her an excellent addition to our third-grade team. 

MURCEDES GUNSALLUS is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development as well as obtaining an ACSI teaching certification. She has 12 years teaching experience in grades first through fifth. Mrs. Gunsallus has taught in Christian education in both Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia.  She has previously taught at Concord Christian before having her three children, Grace, Everett and Elias, which will be attending CCS this fall. They are grateful for this amazing opportunity to be a part of a wonderful, and loving school. She is married to her husband, Eric who enjoys spending time as a family watching/playing any sports, specifically baseball and soccer,  traveling, and spending time with friends. Mrs. Gunsallus is thrilled to be part of the CCS family and is excited to share her enthusiasm for learning and the love of Christ with others.  

SCOTT GRAHAM  earned a double major in Teacher Education and Biblical studies in three years at Johnson University.  He recently received his Master’s Degree in Holistic Education from Johnson University.  He is teaching 4th grade and also coaching basketball.  While at Johnson University, Coach Graham played two years on the JU basketball team.  From October 2015 to March 2017 he was the Assistant to the Head Coach for Johnson’s varsity basketball team. Coach Graham and his wife, Tiffany, reside in West Knoxville.  They enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling when they can, and being outdoors as much as possible. Coach Graham and his wife are very excited to spend time in the Concord community and look forward to making a lasting impact in many ways. 

MACKENZIE HUGHES  is a  graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-6). After graduating from college, she moved to Knoxville and has been a resident for over 2 years. She is the JV volleyball coach and assistant varsity coach. She has assisted in taking the varsity team to the final four in the state championship for the past two years. When Ms. Hughes isn't the classroom, she loves any outdoor activity. Her favorites are running, hiking, and playing grass/sand volleyball. She loves spending time with family and friends, fellowshipping over good coffee, and traveling.  

JENNIFER KECK is a graduate of Bryan College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Classroom Instruction. She has a passion for children and creating exciting learning experiences. When Ms. Keck isn’t in the classroom, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, baking, and spending time with family. Ms. Keck is extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity to teach at a loving Christ centered school. 

DAWN MCGUIRE is thrilled to be teaching at CCS. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and elementary education from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York and a Masters of Education as a Reading Specialist from State University of New York at Buffalo. She taught in New York and Chicago before having children and homeschooling for ten years. She is married to her high school sweetheart Kevin, and they have 5 children.

DEBRA PEDDICORD earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lee University and a Master’s of Art Degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee Technological University. She taught in Roane County for thirty years before coming to CCS in 2006.  Mrs. Peddicord has two grown sons.   She enjoys reading, traveling, and scrapbooking.

LINDSEY SMITH is teaching fifth grade English Language Arts and Reading.  She recently graduated from Carson-Newman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Some of her hobbies include reading, drawing, and being outdoors. She loves traveling the world, experiencing new cultures and learning about new things. 

MICHELLE CASTLEBERRY is a graduate of Trinity International University with a BS in Elementary Education, emphasis of Social Sciences and English. She also possesses a Masters of Education in School Librarian and Information Technologies. Michelle has been a school librarian for 11 years; and served as a classroom teacher for 5 years.  Michelle is passionate about Theatre Arts. She assists with the CCS theater program whenever her schedule allows. She has acted, choreographed and directed in multiple productions. She has been married for 28 years to her husband, Richard.  She has two grown children, Colin and Megan.

JESSICA CONLEY is a graduate of Cedarville University in Ohio with a B.A. in Multi-Age Spanish Education. Mrs. Conley has studied abroad in Spain and has a heart for missions. Her hope is that her students will one day be able to use the Spanish that they have learned in order to bring others to Christ. Mrs. Conley is married and enjoys tennis, piano, reading, knitting, cooking, and her women’s small group.

KRISTA GADDIS graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and a Master’s of Science degree in Art Education.  She lives in Powell, TN with her husband, Tyler, and their cat, Karen. She is very active in the college/young adult and youth ministries at her church. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching television shows with her husband, archery, and making art.

CARMEN HOCHEVAR grew up in Wray, CO as a three-sport athlete. She was on her school's first-ever state basketball championship team, which still holds the state record of four consecutive championships. She went on to play volleyball and basketball at Northeastern Junior College and Southern Colorado University (now Colorado State University-Pueblo), and has coached volleyball for over 20 years including 6 years as a club coach. Hochevar has coached Division I, II and beach volleyball players. She and her husband Brian have three children: Brittany, who is on the FIVB World Volleyball and AVP Beach Volleyball Circuits and currently ranked among the top ten players in the world, and Luke and Dylan, who both played baseball at UT (Luke currently plays for the Kansas City Royals). She is also a grandmother to Laney and Lucy.

JENNIE PUSSER holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Murray State University, and a Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, with a specialization in Pediatric Aural Habilitation. She has over 13 years of experience working with children who have Speech/Language disorders within the early intervention, public school, and outpatient clinical settings. She and her husband have a daughter who attends preschool at CCS and are long-time members of First Baptist Concord. 

ANGELA THALLER is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary, and Early Childhood and Special Education. She began her teaching career in 2006 in Colorado Springs, CO where she and her husband lived for 7 years. In 2013, she moved to Knoxville to be closer to family. Since then, she has taught in both public and private schools and also spent a year writing curriculum for an online educational program. Angela and her husband have three children who all attend CCS Elementary and Preschool. They are grateful for the school family they have found at Concord. Angela is thrilled to be a part of the CCS team! In her free time, Angela enjoys working on home improvement projects with her husband, hiking and camping as a family, or just spending time with friends. 

JAMIE TUCKER “believes music and creative worship are unique and fun ways for children to learn both academic and spiritual concepts.” She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (K-8th) from Carson Newman College. She has served as Worship Leader, Youth Director at several area churches,  taught Drama at Crossroads Christian Academy and taught piano at CPAA.  Mrs. Tucker taught Kindergarten at Bearden Elementary and 2nd grade at Tate School of Discovery.  She has also been a part of several church worship teams and loves to plan creative worship services combining worship songs, dance and the arts to teach biblical truth.

JULIE WILSON received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Tennessee Technological University, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University and received her endorsement in English Second Language from Lipscomb University in 2017. She and her husband, Scott, live in Maryville, Tennessee. Her greatest joy comes from working with children and other educators. She also enjoys visiting National Parks and historic sites. One of her favorite passages of scripture is from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God”.