Introducing our Newest Members of the Community
General
8/2/2019
Be sure to say hello to our new faculty and staff members when you see them, and make them feel welcome!
Barry Cook, US Bible Elective
Mr. Cook will join the Westminster community as the teacher of a new class called, Christian Business Economics where students will engage in a project to create their own company. Mr. Cook is a graduate of Augusta University with a B.S. in Math and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. When he retired from the corporate world, Barry began teaching math and science at Aquinas where he developed a true love for teaching and learning. Barry loves teaching God's word at Warren as a Sunday school teacher and enjoys ministering to young people at church and in schools.
Lupe Fernandez, PK3 Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Fernandez has been in the Westminster Family for many years as a part of the after-school program but we are excited to welcome her as an official faculty member this school year! Mrs. Fernandez will be the PK3 Teacher Assistant and will also help with our new after-school enrichment program, Westminster XD.
Laura Hanley, Director of College Counseling & MS English Teacher
Originally from Statesboro, Georgia, Mrs. Hanley graduated from Samford University with a BA in Psychology and an MSEd in English and has since been in Augusta for five years. A newlywed, Mrs. Hanley tells everyone how thankful she is for the many new blessings in her life including her chance to join the WSA team. Working formerly as a Middle School English teacher and the Coordinator of Secondary Placement at a local independent school, Mrs. Hanley is excited to continue teaching English in the middle school classroom and is excited to begin working with students and their families as Westminster's new Director of College Counseling.
Jon Maish, MS Bible Teacher
Jon Maish will be the new Middle School Bible Teacher and Middle School Golf Coach here at Westminster. He is an Augusta native who graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in Christian Education and Biblical Languages. He has experience serving in college and career ministry in a local church and on two college campuses, serving in student ministry in local churches, teaching physical education, and coaching high school girls soccer. His most recent place of service was serving as a student pastor at Big Stevens Creek Baptist Church in North Augusta. He currently serves as a volunteer Groups Director at River Rock Church. Jon and his wife Ashley have two children; Hannah, who will be starting Kindergarten, and Zach, who will be starting 3K. Jon likes spending time with his family, playing golf, being outdoors, reading and watching college football.
David McElhannon, MS/US Bible & History Teacher
Mr. McElhannon is a master educator with more than 18 years of classroom and administrative experience in Christian education. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science at Cumberland University and earlier this year, received his Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Mr. McElhannon was most recently the Headmaster at Nathanael Greene Academy in Siloam, Georgia and has worked with both middle and upper school students over the years.
Chris Parham, US Physics Teacher
A graduate of Augusta University with a BS in Physics and a Master's in Teaching, Mr. Parham most recently taught AP Physics, Conceptual Physics, Robotics and 3-D Design at Aquinas High School. He will continue in that capacity here at Westminster. Also, he hopes to work with the Robotics club to start a robotics league with other schools in the area. In his free time, Mr. Parham enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa and two children, 7-year-old Abigail and 4-year-old Amanda as well as train and perform in the Martial Arts.
Megan Perry, Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Perry will be joining the Lower School and teaching third grade this year at Westminster. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a BS in Childhood and Special Education and received her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia Southern University. Most recently, Mrs. Perry has been teaching third grade in Savannah, GA. Prior to that, she taught second grade in Dubai, U.A.E. Mrs. Perry is a newlywed and in her free time loves to take photos.
Adell Poss, US Math Teacher
Mrs. Poss is a graduate of the University of Georgia and has a Bachelors of Science in secondary math education. She just retired from the public school system after 30 years of teaching and learning, with 27 of those being at Evans High School where she served as a math teacher and the math department chair. Mrs. Poss is a mother of five children and her youngest will be joining us here at Westminster this year as a freshman!
Abigail Ralph, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Miss Ralph is a recent graduate of Georgia College with a BA in Mass Communication. In the summer of 2017, she fell in love with the vision of Westminster and met her now fiance when she served as a summer youth intern with First Presbyterian Church. Two years later she moved to Augusta and will become Mrs. Jessee in January 2020. Miss Ralph will be coordinating Wildcat Scratch and will assist with social media.
Jenn Romero, PK Teacher
Mrs. Romero will be teaching in the prekindergarten classroom this year. She graduated from Baptist Bible College with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education in 2001. In 2018 she finished her Bachelor of Arts degree from Baptist Bible College, with a major in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University. She is currently enrolled in Liberty University for her Master of Arts in Education and Administration. She taught in a prekindergarten classroom for 13 years in Virginia and also taught kindergarten through grade 3 art classes for 3 years. Mrs. Romero and her family moved to Augusta three years ago from Northern Virginia. Since then, she has taught Kindergarten. She loves working with little ones and looks forward to teaching in a four-year-old room once again! While she loves teaching in the early childhood department, Mrs. Romero also enjoys mentoring middle and high school students. One of the ways she reaches out to this age group is through sports, particularly her favorites; cross country and basketball. Mrs. Romero’s favorite race is a 10k and she is currently training for a half marathon in November.
Andi Strong, MS/US Counselor
Mrs. Strong and her family recently relocated from Atlanta, GA as an answer to prayer! Andi is originally from Augusta (graduated from Lakeside High School) and is loving being back home with family after living in Atlanta for over 20 years. Andi has a BS in Education from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama. Andi and her husband Scotty, have two miracle girls, Logan (7) and Evie (2). Before being blessed to stay home with her girls, Andi was a teacher, coach, and school counselor at a private school in Lilburn, GA for 13 years. Besides being an avid college sports fan, Andi loves to work out, run, and listen to audiobooks. She has a big passion for both mental and physical health.
Shannon Thomaston, TK Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Thomaston is the new Teacher Assistant in the TK classroom. She graduated from Valdosta State in 2005 with a Bachelors in ASL Interpreting and Interdisciplinary Studies. She has been married for almost 15 years and has three kids. Mrs. Thomaston has been homeschooling her kids for the past three years and has been working in ministry with youth. She and her husband work closely together in ministry and have since the day they met! Mrs. Thomaston and her family love the outdoors, the mountains, hiking, and spending time as a family. She and her husband secretly dream about living in Colorado one day! Mrs. Thomaston says she is looking forward to seeing what God has in store for her and her family this year as they embrace change and transition. v
Caitlin Vinson, LS Counselor & Academic Support Coordinator
An Augusta native and Westminster Alum ('06), Mrs. Vinson moved back last year along with her husband and boy-girl 18-month-old twins after spending the past 6 years in Greenville, SC. While there, she worked at one of the top private schools in the Upstate as the Achievement Center Assistant, Tutoring Coordinator, Middle School Homework Help Coach, and Upper School Learning Specialist. Mrs. Vinson holds a degree in Psychology from Georgia College & State University and a Masters in Community Counseling from North Georgia College & State University. She is also a nationally certified counselor and thrilled to be serving the school in this capacity, combining her degrees with her past work experience. Mrs. Vinson is looking forward to being a part of Augusta again with her family and joining the Westminster community once more.
Amy White, MS Math Teacher
Mrs. White graduated from Valdosta State University in 2000 with a Middle Grades Mathematics Education degree. Since then, she has worked with Campus Outreach Ministries, married Chris White, graduated from The Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, served John Piper meatloaf and mashed potatoes had three children (Georgia 12, Annie 10, and Abraham 7) and stayed home to care for them until the fall of 2016. At that time, she worked as the fifth-grade teachers' assistant at Westminster. After getting her teaching license reinstated, she briefly taught Algebra at Fox Creek High School. Mrs. White and her family enjoy family movie nights, bike rides, and bossing Alexa around all day. She thinks middle schoolers are the best age group on earth and is excited to teach them her favorite subject. She is grateful for the privilege to work at Westminster, where she can disciple her students in Christ for the glory of God.
Molly Wright, Assistant Director of Admissions
Miss Wright has lived in Augusta since 2002 and graduated from Augusta State University with a degree in Business Management. Previously, she worked at Heritage Academy as the Admissions Director and Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach. In her free time, she is a member of the Augusta Bible Study Fellowship group. She loves running, playing board games, spending time with her family, friends, and cat Kylo Ren. Miss Wright is excited about joining the WSA team and the upcoming school year. She will be working in Admissions as the Assistant Admissions Director.
Westminster Schools of Augusta
