First Assembly Christian School

About FACS

• Overview
• History & Governance
• Faculty & Staff
• Calendars & Schedules
• Employment
• Development

Elementary Teachers and Assistants

Classroom Teachers

Junior Kindergarten

Beth Allison

Beth Allison began co-teaching junior kindergarten at FACS in 2000. She previously served as an educational assistant for seven years in the Shelby County Schools and has several years’ experience teaching mother’s day out. “I’m very grateful to be given the chance to do what I love best—to love and care for children and to teach them that learning can be fun.”

Cindy Pillow

  Cindy Pillow began co-teaching junior kindergarten at

  FACS in 2006. She has been at FACS since 2003, and

  previously served as an educational assistant. She holds

  a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the

  University of California at San Diego. “I’m so grateful

  and blessed to have a great job that I love,” she said.

Lisa Ward

Lisa Ward joined FACS as a co-teacher for junior kindergarten in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Journalism from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She previously served as a substitute teacher at FACS. She also has substitute taught in the Shelby County Schools, has experience in preschool teaching and childcare, and worked in administration and development at another school.

Kim Wisdom

  Kim Wisdom began her junior kindergarten co-teaching

  position in 2006. She has studied at the University of

  Memphis, Union University and the Baptist School of

  Nursing. She previously served as an educational

  assistant in the FACS kindergarten program. She also

  has several years’ experience as a flight attendant. “It is a blessing to be working with such a wonderful staff,” she said.

Senior Kindergarten

B.J. Carson

B.J. Carson began teaching kindergarten at FACS in 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from the University of Memphis. Previous experience includes work as a developmental technician with mentally challenged adults and as a VBS director. Her motto: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58.

Lisa Taylor

  Lisa Taylor joined FACS in 2007. She holds a Bachelor

  of Science in Early Childhood Education from the

  University of Memphis, and previously taught

  kindergarten in the Memphis City Schools for 11 years.

  "My philosophy of Christian education comes from

  Proverbs 22:6," she says. " 'Train up a child in the way

he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' As a Christian educator, it is my responsibility to see that students achieve academically and grow spiritually."

First Grade

Ellen Faulk

Ellen Faulk earned her Bachelor of Science in education

from the University of Memphis. Prior to coming to

FACS as a senior kindergarten teacher in 2001, she

taught for two years at Graceland Elementary, a

Memphis City School. She began teaching first grade at FACS in 2005.

Sarah Womack

  Sarah Womack joined the elementary staff in 2007 as a

  first grade teacher, after getting to know many of our

  families through her work with the First Assembly of

  God Church Mother's Day Out program. She holds a

  Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from

  Bethel College, where she earned the Delta Kappa Gamma Award for Education. She previously taught physical education at Christ Classical Academy in Dyersburg and also has taught at Dyersburg State Community College.

Second Grade

Rebecca Reynolds

Rebecca Reynolds holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Memphis and joined the FACS staff in 2006. She student taught third grade at Riverdale Elementary and fourth grade at Brookemead Elementary. She has also served as a substitute teacher at FACS.

Jacy Taylor

  Jacy Taylor joined the FACS faculty in 2007 as a

  second grade teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in

  Elementary Education from Harding University. She

  previously taught for five years at Shelby Oaks

  Elementary, for two years at Kids Life Academy,

  for one year at Lausanne, and for one year at Kate Bond Elementary.

Third Grade

Kathy Davis

Kathy Davis received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. She began teaching first grade at FACS in 1999, moving to third grade in 2007. She previously taught at a school in Virginia, in the Memphis City Schools, and at St. Mary’s Episcopal School.

Missy Hughes

  Missy Hughes joined the FACS faculty in 1999. She

  earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education

  at Mississippi State University and previously taught

  kindergarten in the Memphis City Schools for seven

  years and first grade in Greenville, Mississippi for four

  years.

 Fourth Grade

Donna Henderson

Donna Henderson holds a Bachelor of Science in education with endorsements in elementary education and home economics from the University of Memphis. She has taught at FACS since 1992. She also serves in Sunday school and children’s ministry positions with her church. “It is a blessing to work in a Christian school where I can teach not only the academics but also about the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the foundation of all knowledge.”

Diane Scott

  Diane Scott has served at FACS since 2004, joining us

  with 30 years’ prior elementary teaching experience.

  She also has written curriculum and conducted

  numerous workshops for teachers in the areas of math,

  science, computer technology and language arts. She

  has been honored as Shelby County Teacher of the Year,  Delta District Teacher of the Year, and as a finalist for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the University of Tennessee-Martin and a Master of Arts in audiology from the University of Memphis. Education coursework has included 45 hours above the master’s level.

Fifth Grade

Carolyn Tidwell

Carolyn Tidwell has taught elementary school at FACS

since the school was founded in 1972. She holds a

Bachelor of Science in elementary education from the

University of Memphis. In addition to her teaching

duties, she serves as elementary coordinator and SACS

facilitator. Mrs. Tidwell has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers every year since 1990. She also received the FACS Excellence in Teaching Award in 1994.

Jodi Vaughn

  Jodi Vaughn is a graduate of Oral Roberts University

  with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.

  Mrs. Vaughn taught at FACS from 1988 to 1992,

  worked in the Memphis City Schools from 1992-1995,

  and returned to FACS in 2002, where she has taught

  second and fifth grades.

Sixth Grade

Sarah Bills

Sarah Bills joined the FACS staff in 1999 and has taught second, third and sixth grades for the school. She currently teaches math, science and Bible in the sixth grade. Previously, she taught for 10 years at Briarcrest Christian Schools and for four years in the Shelby County Schools. Mrs. Bills received her Master of Science in education from the University of Memphis.

Terri Downing

  Terri Downing began her service to FACS in 2001, and

  specializes in English, reading, spelling and social

  studies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary

  education from Crichton College.

Specialized Instruction

Gwen Copeland, Resource/Enrichment

Gwen Copeland works with academically talented elementary students as well as with those who need additional time to acquire key skills. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a special education endorsement. She has taught for 26 years. “FACS is a wonderful role model for other schools to follow because the teachers truly care about the academic achievement and spiritual well-being of all types of students,” she said.

Lisa Carter

  Lisa Carter moved to the enrichment/resource area in

  2007, after teaching third grade at FACS since 2001.

  She holds both a Bachelor of Science in education with

  a minor in early childhood education from the

  University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a Master of

  Teaching and Learning from NOVA Southeastern,

Florida. She previously taught for eight years at Grahamwood Elementary, a Memphis City School.

Lori Cook, Visual Arts

Lori Cook began providing art lessons weekly for students in grades one through six in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine art from the University of Memphis.  Previously, she taught art in camp and group lessons at Germantown Baptist Church. “I’m having a great time working with many talented young artists,” she said.

Tammy Johnson, Music

  Tammy Johnson began teaching music at FACS in

  2006, and had previously taught junior kindergarten

  at the school for seven years. Prior to that, she taught

  junior kindergarten in Nixa, Missouri. She holds a

  three-year degree in Christian education

  administration with a major in Bible and an associate’s degree in music from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. “Our students are truly loved, cared for, and discipled while preparing for their futures both spiritually and academically,” she said of FACS.

Brigette Moore, Physical Education

Brigette Moore began her work at FACS in 2001. In addition to elementary P.E., she also teaches wellness to freshman girls. She holds a Bachelor of Science in family development from Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee and a Master of Science in human sciences from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She also has completed SPARK training in physical education through the UT Medical School. “This is a positive environment. It’s fun watching our students grow each year,” she comments.

Esther Rostro, Spanish

  Esther Rostro provides Spanish instruction each week to

  all students in first through sixth grades. She is a

  native of Mexico, where she previously served as an

  administrative assistant. She also has served as a

  church children’s director for three years and in youth

  ministry for 10 years. Her classes at FACS provide young students with a general understanding of the language, concentrating on basic conversational Spanish along with games and activities.

Educational Assistants

Ashley Beers

Ashley Beers joined us in 2006 and serves fifth and sixth grade teachers.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in preaching, evangelism and Bible from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. In addition to her work at FACS, she is the associate pastor of youth and children at Family Harvest Church in Memphis.

Holly Estes

  Holly Estes joined the FACS staff in 2007 and serves as

  an educational assistant to our second grade teachers.

  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast

  Communications from the University of Memphis. She

  previously worked for the FOX affiliate in Eugene,

  Oregon, for AT&T Wireless Communications in Eugene, and for a real estate appraisal firm in Memphis.

Libby Bizzle

Libby Bizzle joined FACS in 2007 as an educational assistant to the third and fourth grade teachers. She attended the University of Memphis and graduated from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. She has served as a registered nurse for 22 years, the last 13 at East Memphis Surgery Center. "I am blessed and thrilled to be working with the great teachers and students here at FACS," she said.

Kathy Jacobs

  Kathy Jacobs began her work as educational assistant

  to our first grade teachers in 200. She is a graduate of

  Memphis Area Vocational School and a certified

  surgical technologist. She previously served as a

  surgical technician in labor and delivery at Methodist

  Hospital. She also has worked in children's ministry at Bartlett Baptist Church.

Jennifer Mills

Jennifer Mills began her work at FACS in 2005 and

serves our fifth and sixth grade teachers. She holds a

Bachelor of Science in business administration from

the University of Mississippi.

Tiffany Tidswell

  Tiffany Tidswell joined FACS in 2006. She serves as an

  educational assistant in senior kindergarten. She

  majored in Christian education with a minor in

  physical education at Central Bible College. She served

  for six years as a co-pastor to youth at a church in

  Melbourne, Florida. She has taught physical education and assisted with preschool and kindergarten classes. “I love children. I love sports. But first and foremost, I love Jesus,” she said.

Jodi Williams

Jodi Williams has served at FACS since 1988. Prior to

moving to kindergarten duties in 2004, she worked as

school office secretary for 14 years. She also has

experience with data skills and educational assistance

for the Memphis City Schools and secretarial

experience at the Peabody Hotel and for a local automobile dealership. In addition to her work experience, she has volunteered in various children’s ministry positions for more than 30 years, and frequently quotes Galatians 6: 9--“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”