Notes in the Margin Blog

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? 

Currently, I teach Geometry and Precalculus.  I have also taught Prealgebra and Algebra I.  At the college level, I have taught remedial mathematics, College Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, and Precalculus.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? 

Classical Christian Education.

What inspires you to teach year after year? 

My inspiration comes from a love of teaching and learning.  I especially enjoy seeing students develop an understanding of mathematical concepts. 

Tell us about your family:

My wife, Tracie, and I have three adult children.  Drew is a graduate of the University of Mobile.  He serves as the Student Pastor of Selma Baptist Church.  He and his wife, Kara, live in Dothan.    Sydney is a graduate of Auburn University.  She and her husband, Will, live in Huntsville along with our granddaughter, Addie.  Zac is completing his studies with Liberty University.  He and his fiancé, Sarah, will be married in April. 

What school / universities did you attend? 

Bachelor’s – Auburn University

Master’s – Troy University

Doctorate – Valdosta State University

Where have you lived? 

Other than living in Auburn while in college, I have always lived in the Wiregrass area.

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching?

I enjoy Disk Golf and visiting with our 2 ½ year old granddaughter.  We are thankful for FaceTime!

Three adjectives you aspire to:

Encouraging, humble, and trustworthy.

What is a favorite passage of Scripture? 

A favorite passage is Philippians 2:3-11. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.   Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.  Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.  And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.  For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? Currently I teach 1st grade PE, 2nd grade PE, 11th grade girls' PE, and 12th grade girls PE. I have taught all grade levels of PE!

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? First Presbyterian Preschool and PCS were recommended by a co-worker/friend. My son attended several years before I started working here; seeing the loving atmosphere as a parent, I knew I desired to be a part of this team!

What inspires you to teach year after year? The kids and my co-workers inspire me to continue to teach here.

Do you have children at Providence? All four of my children attended First Presbyterian Preschool and loved it! My son is a 2016 graduate of Providence, and I currently have twin girls in the 7th grade and a daughter in the 6th grade.  

What is something interesting about your family? Before I worked as a PE teacher at PCS, I was a helicopter pilot in the US Army for 9 ½ years.

What university did you attend? I attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Where have you lived? My childhood was spent in central Wisconsin. I have also lived in Enterprise, AL, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. We currently live in Dothan.

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? I like to read, and I love watching my children in their sports.

What is a special memory that you have? Attending the senior mission trip with my son’s class in 2016 was such a special memory. To see how the kids grew spiritually through the trip was amazing!

Three adjectives you aspire to: Loving, honest, and respectful.

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours? One of my favorite verses from Scripture is “Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” Ecclesiastes 7:8

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? Currently teaching 2nd grade and have taught 4th grade here at PCS.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? The loving environment that is displayed here to the students and families. 

What inspires you to teach year after year? The most inspiring thing about teaching to me is knowing that I am imprinting Christ in some way, in my students, each day.

Have you or do you currently have children at Providence? I have a Senior here at PCS and a 6thgrader at PCS.

What is something interesting about your family? We all have a strong love of our American History! Any family trip we go on will include as many historical stops or museums as possible. We all appreciate what our founding fathers established here, along with respect for those who have fought for our freedom. 

What university did you attend? Troy University

Where have you lived? I am from Cottonwood , Alabama and now reside in Headland, Alabama.

What is an activity you enjoy besides teaching? Gardening is an activity I can do alone and also with my family. I enjoy being outside in the wonderful world God has given us.

What is a special memory that you have? I enjoyed growing up on our family farm. My most favorite memory is riding with my dad on his tractor. My job was to watch out for arrowheads to add to his collection.

Three adjectives you aspire to: Grateful for everything God has given to me; Loving to all around me; Steadfast in my pursuit to know My Lord and Savior daily on a deeper level.

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours? Philippians 4:8 (NIV). "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? Geometry. (I also serve as the girls athletic director and the volleyball coach.)

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? Starting up and coaching the volleyball program is what first attracted me to PCS. The more involved I became, the more I realized it was a special place and that God was calling me to be here.

What inspires you to teach year after year? Building strong relationships with my students and players and making a difference in their lives.

Have you or do you currently have children at Providence? No; although, I do have a Providence graduate from the class of 2007.

What is something interesting about your family? My children are brilliant but polar opposites; my daughter is a chemical engineer and my son is an Anglican priest.

What university did you attend? Georgia Tech

Where have you lived? I grew up in Orange Park, FL. But as a former Military Officer, I was stationed in many places: Orlando, FL; Idaho Falls, ID; New London, CT; Portsmouth, NH; and Charleston, SC, to name a few.

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? Coaching Volleyball. I love to coach all ages. I get great satisfaction when my girls play this sport at a high level of skill. I love watching them grow in the sport and be successful.

What is a special memory that you have? Winning back-to-back state volleyball titles.

Three adjectives you aspire to: 1. Being more computer savvy. 2. Being more faithful. 3. Being more helpful.

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours? 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and buildup one another, just as you also are doing."

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? This is my fifth year to teach Biology and Anatomy & Physiology at Providence. Before Providence, I have taught sciences to all ages from 5th grade and up. Besides Biology and Anatomy, I have taught General Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Health.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? After we moved to the area, God led me to Providence to apply for a high school science position. Providentially, a position had just become available!

What inspires you to teach year after year? I love the material we cover and uncover in the biological sciences. It is amazing and awesome to attempt to understand and appreciate pieces of information that God has allowed us to comprehend; he created everything so intricately and perfectly -- and it is very good! I also love building relationships with the students who make my life full and purposeful.

Have you or do you currently have children at Providence? My children were in college when we moved to Dothan and are now graduated and working in their chosen professions.

What is something interesting about your family? My son, Benjamin, 27, is married to Caroline. They live in Marietta, GA. Benjamin works in marketing at Home Depot Corporate, and Caroline is a teacher’s assistant and works with autistic children. My daughter, Sylvia, 25, lives in Chattanooga, TN, and is an elementary school art teacher.

What university did you attend? I graduated from Auburn University.

Where have you lived? As a member of a military family, I grew up all over the United States. Since I have been married, I have lived in Auburn, Huntsville, Roanoke (VA), and we moved to Dothan in October 2010.

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? I enjoy playing games with friends, like Dominoes and Canasta. I find it relaxing and stimulating at the same time. I also love to watch movies!

What is a special memory that you have? Every year I enjoy adding a large paper tree to my classroom wall with all the names of the current students on leaves. Even after the students have graduated, I can still read their names and remember good times past.

Three adjectives you aspire to: positive, prepared, punctual

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours? "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? Band, mainly only private music lessons before Providence.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? The encouraging atmosphere.

What is something interesting about your family? I have two nephews (Noah and Micah) and they absolutely love music. They can sit and watch their uncles (my younger brother, Max, and me) play our instruments and have a strong desire to play as well, even at their young age.

What college did you attend? Baptist College of Florida

Where have you lived? Cottondale & Chipley, Florida

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? Being a part of a large music ensemble, like the Tri-State Community Orchestra.

What is a special memory that you have? When my two nephews watch me practice and enjoy listening to their uncle play and make music, well, seeing their desire to make music, too, inspires me.

Three things you aspire to: Building a strong love of music at Providence; creating a strong Band program that the school and the community are proud of; and, for myself, performing in an ensemble of an even higher quality to improve my own musical abilities.

What is a favorite quote of yours? “Do you know what Music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe; harmonic connection between all living things, everywhere, even in the stars.” Robin Williams as Maxwell "Wizard" Wallace in August Rush (2007)

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? This is my fourth wonderful and exciting year of teaching Third Grade at Providence. However, I consider myself a “jack of all grades." Since I have been involved in classical Christian education, I have taught second grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, pre-algebra in seventh grade, and Latin to a host of grades. In addition, I had the opportunity to be the Curriculum Coordinator at Bayshore Christian School in Fairhope, Alabama.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? In 2011 my family prayed about an opportunity to move back to the Wiregrass Area where I grew up. Finding the right school for our youngest son, who would be entering Seventh Grade, was essential to the decision. We knew of Providence and decided to visit in the spring. From our first visit we were hooked! I was fortunate to secure a position teaching Latin, so my son and I came to school together. I am happy to say that the last six years of commuting from Elba to Dothan each day have been well worth the time and effort and a blessing for our 2017 Providence Graduate.  

What inspires you to teach year after year? Quite simply, I am inspired to teach because I am called to teach. From Thomas Merton: “Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice ‘out there’ calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice in here [as a Christian--the Holy Spirit] calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God.”

Have you or do you currently have children at Providence? My son Brian is a senior at Providence this year.

What is something interesting about your family? I met my husband on a Girl Scout Field Trip to New York.

What universities have you attended? University of Alabama, Auburn University, Defense Language Institute, Belhaven College, and Mississippi College

Where have you lived? Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Monterey, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Birmingham, Alabama; Annapolis, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; Miami, Florida; Germantown, Tennessee; Madison, Mississippi; Daphne, Alabama; and Elba, Alabama

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? Walking or hiking in God’s house with my family and dogs because it energizes my mind and spirit and enlarges my view to look beyond -- up and out, not within.

What is a special memory that you have? Time with my family is always special. However, one especially fun time was hiking with my whole family to the top of the hill on the family farm at dusk, building a fire, and sitting around the campfire telling stories and looking at the stars and finding the different constellations.

Three adjectives you aspire to: A faithful, gracious, and diligent servant of my King.

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours?

Psalm 73:21-26 (ESV)

When my soul was embittered, 
  when I was pricked in heart,  
I was brutish and ignorant; 
  I was like a beast toward you. 
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; 
  you hold my right hand. 
You guide me with your counsel, 
  and afterward you will receive me to glory. 
Whom have I in heaven but you? 
  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 
My flesh and my heart may fail, 
  but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? 6th Grade History and Grammar/Writing; 5th Grade

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? We moved to Dothan several years ago. My niece attended PCS, and I heard wonderful things about it from my family. Being able to teach in a Christian environment and openly worship the Lord and express my faith appealed greatly to me.

What inspires you to teach year after year? Seeing students succeed and stretch themselves beyond what they imagined they could accomplish inspires me.

Have you had children attend Providence? Yes, Laurin 26; Layne 25; Zachary 22.

What is something interesting about your family? My husband is adventurous, so I am constantly being challenged to try new things like snow skiing, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing.

What universities did you attend? Samford University and UAB

Where have you lived? Birmingham and Dothan

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? Going to Disney World!

What is a special memory that you have? Every memory of my grandparents.

Three adjectives you aspire to: organized, understanding, and courageous

What is a favorite passage of Scripture? Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV): "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."

What do you currently teach and what have you taught in the past? I currently teach 9th grade Humanities. In the past I have taught Spanish and 9th, 11th and 12th Grade Literature.

What attracted you to teaching at Providence? In 2005, Gary Waddell “overheard” me say I was a teacher while I was in the adorable “cottage” offices waiting to pick up Troy (who was in 2nd grade at the time). Mr. Waddell strongly “encouraged” me to apply and then the Lord opened the doors and made it exceedingly and abundantly clear that HE, God (not Gary), wanted me to work at Providence. And I’ve been here ever since.

What inspires you to teach year after year? This year I have been especially inspired by the content of the curriculum for Humanities III. I love teaching my students about the foundation of the United States of America and reading incredible American Literature! In addition, the material from my coursework at Faulkner University, where I am working on a Master’s in Humanities, inspires me to want to share everything I learn with my students. Finally, meeting with my HumaniTEAM inspires me to be a better teacher!

Have you or do you currently have children at First Presbyterian Preschool and/or Providence? My oldest son Troy is a 2015 graduate of PCS and attends Birmingham Southern College. My son Grant is a junior, and my daughter Faith in an 8th grader here at PCS.

What is something interesting about your family? My husband’s grandfather, Eugene Adams, was a radio man on one of the first PanAmerican flights from Miami to Cuba. While in Cuba, he met and married Lucy Inclan. Lucy did not speak English, and Eugene did not speak Spanish; yet, they married and stayed married for 60 years and later died within weeks of each other. In addition, they agreed early in their marriage not to teach the children Spanish so that they could argue (I mean discuss things), without the kids knowing what they were talking about.

What university did you attend? Florida International University, home of the Golden Panthers.

Where have you lived? Miami, Florida; Stuart, Florida; Dothan, Alabama

What is an activity you especially enjoy besides teaching? Why? My favorite activity is going to the beach with my family, eating delicious snacks that we picked up at Publix on our way, and reading a book by my favorite Southern Women’s Literature author, Eudora Welty.

What is a special memory that you have? I have too many special memories to list just one: taking my class on a “field trip” to the new Target so that we could get Starbucks, directing Mrs. Nelson (formerly Hannah Maxwell) in Cinderella, and the annual zoo field trip with Mrs. King in the spring, when nature is blooming all around us.

Three adjectives you aspire to: joyful, peaceful, alert

What is a favorite passage of Scripture or a favorite quote of yours? “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15