PROVIDENCE CLASSICAL SCHOOL
Faculty
Pattie Steward, Principal
Mrs. Steward was one of the founders of Providence Classical School in 1996. She began serving as the administrator of PCS in 2004. She holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Mrs. Steward also holds a Professional Lifetime, All Levels Principal, Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International. She was named “2014 Administrator of the Year” from a field of 1,000 Christian schools by the Nehemiah Institute, a biblical worldview ministry.
Jon Swanner, Assistant Principal
Mr. Swanner holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Covenant College as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of Mobile. He has been teaching at PCS since 2007 and now serves as an administrator. Mr. Swanner holds a Professional Lifetime, All Levels Principal, Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Kimber Killough, Kindergarten
Mrs. Killough graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Previously, she taught in the Huntsville City Schools where she was awarded a “Teacher of the Year” distinction. Mrs. Killough was the first PCS kindergarten teacher in 1996 and has been teaching kindergarten since 2007. Mrs. Killough holds a Standard Elementary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Melissa Skinner, Kindergarten
Mrs. Skinner graduated from the University of Tennessee-Martin with a Bachelor of Education in Special Education K-12. She holds additional degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. She has a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lipscomb University. Mrs. Skinner began teaching at PCS in 2020.
Kelly Hough, First Grade
Mrs. Hough holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Athens State University as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in English from the University of Tennessee. She has taught at PCS since 2010, and has previous experience teaching kindergarten at a classical school. Mrs. Hough holds a Standard Elementary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Annie Padgett, First Grade
Mrs. Padgett received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University. She is in her 20th year of teaching. Mrs. Padgett holds a Standard Elementary Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Laura Shirley, Second Grade
Mrs. Shirley graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She has ten years of teaching experience and began teaching at PCS in 2017. Mrs. Shirley holds an Elementary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Anne Swanner, Second Grade
Mrs. Swanner graduated from the University of Mobile with dual Bachelors of Arts degrees in Religion and Sociology. She has been teaching at PCS since 2008. Mrs. Swanner holds an Elementary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Missy Nettles, Third Grade
Mrs. Nettles received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi College. She taught for nine years in both public and private schools before returning to PCS full-time in 2015. Mrs. Nettles holds a Standard Elementary Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Pam Raper, Third Grade
Mrs. Raper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and went on to study Elementary Education at Athens State University. She began teaching at PCS in 2010. Mrs. Raper holds a Standard Elementary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Kendall Branscomb, Fourth Grade
Mrs. Branscomb holds a Master of Education degree from Auburn University Montgomery as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Alabama. She has 9 years of teaching experience and currently teaches 4th grade at PCS. She also serves as assistant coach for the PCS Lady Knights basketball team.
Michelle Giers, Fourth Grade
Mrs. Giers received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University in 1996. She homeschooled her two older children through graduation. During her family's homeschooling years, she co-founded and taught at Cross Roads Christian Academy, a homeschool co-op. She also worked for Classical Conversations as both a Director and Tutor. She currently teaches 4th grade at PCS.
Daralyn Elkins, Fifth Grade
Mrs. Elkins graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a specialty in Rehabilitation and Vocational Services. She began teaching at PCS in 2002. In addition to teaching, she also coaches the cross country team and track team. Mrs. Elkins holds a Standard Elementary Teacher Educator Certification and a Special Education Specialist Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International.
Kristin Claxton, Fifth Grade
Miss Claxton holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Education in Reading Education K-12 from the University of Florida. She has 10 years of classroom experience teaching pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and as Reading Coach for K-8 school.
Kelli Johnson, Fifth Grade
Mrs. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, Secondary Education, from the University of Southern Mississippi. She taught on the fourth grade team at PCS in 2018-2019 and is a fifth grade team teacher this year.
Kim Buening, Sixth Grade
Mrs. Buening graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in math and music. While homeschooling her children, she led many classes as her family moved all over the world with the US Air Force. This is her third year teaching sixth grade at PCS while homeschooling her children for 14 years.
Michelle Britt, Sixth Grade
Mrs. Britt graduated from Athens State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a specialty in Social Science. This is her third year of teaching sixth grade and her family's 12th year at PCS.
Allison Kirkland, Third-Sixth Grade Curriculum Lead
Mrs. Kirkland holds a Masters degree in Secondary English from Auburn University. She taught in Auburn City Schools for seven years before coming to PCS in 2016. She is currently the Curriculum Director Lead for third through sixth grades.
Paula Bates, Secondary
Mrs. Bates is a graduate of Auburn University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Mrs. Bates teaches secondary Latin, Math, and Chemistry at PCS.
Megan Brown, Secondary
Mrs. Brown earned her Master of Arts degree in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Central Florida, and her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She currently teaches Secondary Latin courses.
Jason Cherry, Secondary
Mr. Cherry holds a Master of Arts degree in Religion from Reformed Theological Seminary as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Athens State University. He began teaching at PCS in 2014 and teaches history, economics, and Omnibus to secondary students. Mr. Cherry holds a Lifetime Secondary Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International. His writings have appeared in Salvo Magazine, Evangelicals Now, Biblical Perspective Magazine, Theopolis Institute, Circe Institute, and the Classical Difference.
Gage Crowder, Secondary
Mr. Crowder holds degrees in English and biblical studies as well as professional credentials through ongoing work as a member of the Academy of Philosophy and Letters and a fellow at the Theopolis Institute. He teaches Omnibus I, Omnibus II,
and Philosophy.
Christine Darulla, Secondary
Mrs. Darulla has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Bob Jones University. She has more than 23 years of critical care nursing experience and has taught in classical schools for six years. She teaches General Science, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Alan Pope, Secondary
Mr. Pope holds a Secondary Mathematics and Science Teacher Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University. Arriving at PCS in 2007, he teaches Advanced Science, Physical Science, Physics, and Old Testament.
Janelle Smith, Secondary
Mrs. Smith holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Liberty University as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Mathematics from Trinity Baptist College. She began teaching at PCS in 2011 and teaches Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. Mrs. Smith holds a Lifetime Professional Secondary Mathematics Educator Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International. She is also the Yearbook sponsor.
Cathy Rosema, Secondary
Miss Rosema holds a Master of Education with a specialization in English degree from Grand Valley State University. She has twelve years of prior teaching experience in grades 5-12. Miss Rosema teaches 7th grade English, 7th grade history, 8th grade English, and 9th grade Omnibus.
Leslie Watts, Secondary
Mrs. Watts holds a Master of Education in Special Education from Alabama State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Faulkner University. She is in her twentieth year in Christian Education. She currently teaches Introductory and Intermediate Logic, Health, Physical Education, College and Career Studies, and Computer Applications. She also serves as Student Council Advisor and House Council Advisor.