Shawn Wheatley, Principal of Highlands Latin School, has a B.A. in Biology from Transylvania University, an M.A. in Education from the University of Kentucky, and an M.S. in School Administration from Bellarmine. Shawn has taught algebra, chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science to middle and high school students since 1998. Often developing his own materials, he was nominated by his peers for the Aneon Award for Outstanding Science Teacher in Jefferson County. In addition to his administrative duties, Shawn teaches astronomy to 3rd graders. Shawn and his wife, Georganna, have three sons and a daughter.

Kelly Booker joined our faculty in 2007. She has the ability to foster children’s passion for learning through enthusiasm and an organized, caring, and stimulating environment. Kelly received her B.S. and M.A. from Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY, in Business Administration. Her children attend HLS, and she is an enthusiastic and creative addition to our school. She serves as the lead teacher at the Spring Meadows campus.

Martin Cothran is a writer and teacher who lives in Danville, Kentucky, with his wife and four children. He is the author of Memoria Press’ Traditional Logic, Material Logic, and Classical Rhetoric programs. Mr. Cothran also developed and manages Memoria Press’ online academy. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from the Simon Greenleaf School. He still serves, on a consulting basis, as senior policy analyst with The Family Foundation of Kentucky. He practices the art of rhetoric in frequent articles on public policy issues that have appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Louisville Courier-Journal, The Lexington Herald-Leader, and various other newspapers around the state. He has served on several state commissions dealing with state education policy and has been a frequent guest on KET’s “Kentucky Tonight” program.

Brian Lowe, son of Highlands Latin founder Cheryl Lowe, is a graduate of St. Xavier High School, a National Merit Finalist, with a B.A. in Physics and Mathematics from Transylvania University and a J.D., summa cum laude, from Vanderbilt Law School in 2002. He managed a rare achievement for a law student when his research project on predicting the outcome of the Supreme Court was cited by a MIT Mathematics professor and a UCLA Law professor in the Minnesota Law Review. Brian was classically educated by Cheryl Lowe as she developed many of the courses that are carried on by Memoria Press today. Brian is President of Memoria Press and CFO of Highlands Latin School and Vittitow Refrigeration.  He also runs the family’s property development firm, which owns 300,000 sq ft of commerical property.

Leigh Lowe, author of Memoria Press’ beginning Latin program, Prima Latina, is a writer and curriculum developer for Memoria Press and was one of the founding instructors of Highlands Latin School. Leigh holds a B.A. in Business with a minor in Computer Science from Transylvania University and an M.B.A. from the University of Louisville. She received the Newkirk-Moore Award for Female Entrepreneurs in 2000 and the Landrum Rotary Fellows Award for Leadership in 2001. Leigh was included in the “Forty under 40″ issue of Business First magazine, featuring young business leaders in the Louisville area. Leigh started her own business, the highly successful Campus Quilt Co., which has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, the Rachael Ray Show, the ESPN Espy Awards and in Real Simple, Washington Post and Courier-Journal.

Mary Lynn Ross is Director of Admissions and the Lower School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Lander University. Mrs. Ross is from Charleston, South Carolina, where she taught for six years before moving to Louisville. She has a wide knowledge of children’s literature and has written our literature guides for 1st and 2nd Grade. She and her husband, Gregory, have a daughter and son, both of whom are graduates of HLS.

Tessa Tiemann serves as Director of Instruction and has been with HLS since 2006.  Tessa earned a B.A. in music and a M.S. in choral conducting from the University of Kentucky. She brings years of teaching experience and a distinguished career in music to HLS. Her ability to capture and sustain the attention of a large choir group is remarkable. Tessa is married with three sons who attend HLS.

UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY

Joel Amunrud teaches Latin, Logic, and Geometry at HLS. He graduated summa cum laude from the Master’s College in California with a B.A. in Biblical Languages and is working on a graduate degree at Southern Seminary. Joel has studied abroad in Israel, learning Biblical history, geography, and archaeology. Joel received a rare perfect score on his SAT and leads our SAT prep classes at Highlands Latin.

Susan Akaydin teaches Pre-Calculus and Algebra at HLS.  She  previously taught mathematics at the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky as well as serving as an engineer at IBM. Mrs Akaydin is a graduate of the Speed School at University of Louisville with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, the University of Kentucky with an M.S. in Statistics, and the University of Louisville with an M.A. in Secondary Education.

Dr. Louie L. Bailey is minister of music at Crescent Hill Baptist Church where he administers a music program of eleven musical groups for all ages, including choirs, handbells, voice classes, and orchestra. Dr. Bailey, a native of Decatur, Georgia, is a graduate of Georgia State University with a B.A. in Music (Piano and Music Education). He earned a M.A. in Church Music and a Ph.D. in Musical Arts (Voice and Music Education) from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Bailey works with the Louisville Youth Choir as director of the Louisville Children’s Choir and is assistant director of the Preparatory Choir. Dr. Bailey’s musical experience is extensive, having conducted such diverse works as Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and Mozart’s Requiem. Dr. Bailey’s wife, June, is also a gifted music teacher. The Baileys have two grown sons who live here in Louisville.

Cooper Boldrick has earned a B.S., and an M.A. Chemistry from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Boldrick teaches Chemistry at HLS.

Jim Brooks received a B.S. in Mathematics from Central Washington University, a M.Div. and ThM. in Biblical Studies from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary.  Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  In his career, he has worked with Campus Crusade for Christ, was the pastor of two churches, and taught high school mathematics.

Sean Brooks received a B.A. in Religion from Missouri Baptist University where he majored in Biblical Languages. He and his wife moved to Louisville in 2007.

Neill Brown teaches Greek and Latin at HLS.  He holds a M.Div. from Southern Seminary and a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Union University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor.

Dr. Dave Charlton received a B.A. in Theology from Milligan College, as well as an MDiv, and DMin from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Charlton teaches Augustine and Christian Studies at HLS.

Ken Dennis taught 6th grade Social Studies and Reading at Jefferson Country Traditional School for 16 years and middle school science at St. Leonard School for 3 years. With 21 additional years of teaching and private tutoring, Mr. Dennis brings a wealth of experience to Highlands Latin. Mr. Dennis was twice named Outstanding Teacher of History in Kentucky (1986 and 1989), as well as being honored as the Outstanding Teacher of Social Studies in 1986. His numerous other awards include the Campbellsville University Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2002. Mr. Dennis is collector of both facinating anecdotes and historic memorabilia, both of which he uses to enrich his high school classes in American and Modern European history.

Miguel Echevarria teaches Latin at HLS. He received a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Bellarmine University, a Th.M. in New Testament Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Miguel has also served as Instructor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary. He is married to Hollie and has two girls: Miriam Fiel (age 2) and Esther Hosanna (3 months).

Tony Hernandez graduated with a M.A. in Mathematics and a B.S. in both Mathematics and Physics from Marshall University.  He is married and recently moved to Louisville to begin Missiological Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Shannon Hunsucker teaches 7th and 8th Grade Literature and Grammar.  She received a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Secondary English Education at the University of Kentucky and later earned her M.A. in Secondary School Counseling from Western Kentucky University.  After teaching AP Senior English in the Jefferson County Public School system for 10 years, Mrs. Hunsucker brings experience and passion for classical literature to the classroom.

Robert Hublar has a B.A. in Physics from Bellarmine College and a M.A. in Physics and Math Education from Indiana University. He joined Highlands Latin after retiring from Louisville’s Trinity High School, where he taught physics for 39 years. Mr. Hublar is a master teacher who was taught by master teachers himself, the Xaverian brothers at the old St. Xavier High School on Broadway. He is always available to give extra help to students, and he makes physics a challenging but enjoyable experience for students.

Kate Janke joined the HLS faculty in 2010. She has a degree in history from Hillsdale College and has also completed her MA in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She teaches Geography and Classical Studies in the Upper School and teaching private piano lessons to many students.

Kyle Janke received his B.A. in English from Hillsdale College and his M.A. in English Literature from Eastern Michigan University.  The practice of reading and writing continues to be a part of his daily life.  He teaches Literature and Classical Studies in the Upper School.

Cody King received a B.A. in Christian Studies and Philosophy from Union University. Cody teaches Classical Studies, Greek, and Latin at Highlands Latin and leads many after school events.

Steven Lange, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Louisville, teaches Latin IV in both the Upper and Lower Schools. He received his B.A. from Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, and a M. Div. from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1997. His previous teaching experience includes teaching Greek at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. He and his wife, Krista, have three children, all of whom attend HLS.

Michelle Luoma initially learned Latin from Mrs. Cheryl Lowe before the inception of HLS, she continued to study Classics in college and received a B.A. in Latin from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. In college she was also on the swim team and the softball team. As an undergraduate she studied abroad in Athens, Greece, and her enthusiasm for integrating archaeology into the study of history is largely the result of that experience. She taught Latin in public schools in Roanoke, Virginia, for two years and then returned to Louisville, working several years in a publishing house. She is very excited to be returning to teaching, especially at HLS.

Kellen Owens received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He taught all levels of high school Mathematics for five years in Georgia before moving to Louisville to pursue a M.Div. at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Rebecca Shelburne graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan and continued her studies at the Chiropractic College of Life University in Marietta, Georgia.  In 1990 she went into private practice in Oldham County where she and her family reside.

David Thomas teaches 7th Grade Geography at HLS.  He grew up in Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.  Mr. Thomas studied History and Government at Berry College before moving to Louisville.  He currently attends the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary pursuing an M.Div..

Brett Vaden is currently an instructor at The Highlands Latin School. He is a 2004 graduate of The Moody Bible Institute in Chicago with a degree in Biblical Languages. He brings several years of teaching experience from both The Highlands Latin School and substitute teaching with Jefferson County Schools. At Southern, Brett earned a Advanced M.Div. in Biblical and Theological Studies and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology.

K-6 FACULTY (BY GRADE)

KINDERGARTEN

Teresa Brittain is excited to join the HLS faculty as a Kindergarten teacher. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisville. She has eight years of classroom experience teaching in Kindergarten and first grade Christian school classrooms. Her young students benefit from her daily use of children’s literature, her commitment to effective phonics instruction, and her ability to create and maintain a nurturing classroom environment.

Jill Frawley  Jill Frawley comes to Highlands Latin School after teaching for five years in the Jefferson County Public Schools. She graduated from Spalding University cum laude with a B.S. in Elementary Education and received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisville, with an academic emphasis in reading. After becoming a mom, Jill stayed home to raise her three children, all of whom now attend HLS.  Jill has always had a passion for teaching and has looked forward to returning to the classroom.  She is excited to be joining the HLS staff to teach kindergarten.

Chandra Howard graduated from The Master’s College in Southern California with a B.A. in Music Education and did post-graduate studies at the University of Texas.  She taught music for four years and kindergarten for two years following her education.  Having recently relocated to Louisville, Chandra has joined the HLS faculty as a Kindergarten teacher.  She has studied the classical education method extensively and is excited to teach our youngest students!

Lyndsay Magar graduated from Harding University with a B.A. in Fine Arts and went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Special Education at the University of Louisville. Lyndsay and her husband, Jason, have 3 children and are members of Soujourn Community Church.

Sarah Rueff earned a B.S. in Biology and a Secondary Teaching Certification from Centre College and an M.A.T. in K-4 Education from Bellarmine University. She has experience teaching grades 10, 7, 2, and 1, and has taught Kindergarten in Louisville-area Christian schools for the last 5 years. Sarah, her husband, and their 2 children are members of Fern Creek Christian Church.

Michelle Tefertiller graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a B.S. in Education with an emphasis in Language Arts. She also has attended graduate school at George Fox University in Portland, OR. Michelle taught first grade in public and private schools in Oklahoma before moving to Kentucky.

FIRST GRADE

Krista Lange graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN, with a B.S. in Elementary Education and taught Kindergarten and first grade for several years. In recent years, Krista has been raising her three children, all of whom now attend HLS. She also has taught Sunday school and early childhood music classes.

Kimberly Miller taught 1st Grade, Physical Education, and 6th Grade Language Arts and Reading in Texas and Ohio for several years after graduating from Southern Methodist University with a B.A. in Political Science.  She and her husband, Greg, have three  children who are students at HLS.  Mrs. Miller has a passion for watching children grow both academically and spiritually and is thrilled to be past of the HLS staff.

Liz Taylor joined our faculty in 2007. She has six years of formal teaching experience and maintained a highly creative classroom atmosphere at several schools. Mrs. Taylor holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lambuth College with additional courses in art education. She is a seven year art business owner of Lizzart, which specializes in calligraphy artwork.

Jill Zamiska graduated with a degree in Radiologic Technology from Northern Kentucky University. She has worked as an X-Ray Tech and a flight attendant and has been a substitute teacher, reading tutor, preschool teacher, and Sunday school teacher. Jill has always had a passion to teach and feels blessed to be a part of the amazing teaching staff at HLS.

SECOND GRADE

Joyce Aspatore brings 29 years of teaching experience to our Primary Program as the 2nd grade teacher. Joyce received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University, after which she began her long tenure with Jefferson County Schools, from which she retired several years ago. Offering both expertise and enthusiasm, routine reading and arithmetic lessons are turned into memorable events in her classrooms, where a love of books and learning is carefully nurtured. Joyce and her husband have two grown daughters.

Therese Dickert brings a wealth of teaching experience to Highlands Latin School. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisville and received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indian Wesleyan University.

Joy Herbert graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Business Marketing.  She went on to further her studies towards a Master’s in Education at the University  of Louisville.  Mrs. Herbert taught 3rd Grade at HLS before leaving for six years to raise her family.  She is currently back at HLS teaching 2nd Grade.  The oldest of her three children is a student at HLS.

Jennifer Price received her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Louisville and her M.A. in Elementary Education from Bellarmine University. She has taught third grade in Oldham County and also brings experience from substituting for two years in Jefferson County Public Schools. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters.

THIRD GRADE

Brenda Janke graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire with a major in Elementary Education. Before coming to HLS in 2006, she gained wide teaching experience at several schools where she taught Latin and 4th-6th grades. Brenda’s organizational skills, gentle nature and experience in the classroom are appreciated by students and parents alike. She is married, has two grown children, and has a special love of children’s literature.

Maureen Melchior attended The University of Louisville where she earned her B.A in Fine Arts with a minor in Art History. She also graduated from the University of Missouri St. Louis with a Master’s degree in Special Education.  She has experience teaching middle school students and students with special needs.

Anne Parry teaches 3rd grade at HLS where she is an extraordinarily organized and conscientious teacher. Anne earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Georgia, and though she was tempted to attend vet school, she opted to pursue her family’s traditional craft of teaching. Anne had teaching experience in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 2nd grade before she came to HLS where she uses her skills to assist our 3rd graders in the transition from primary to grammar school.

Jessica Watson transitioned with her family to Louisville from Boston, Massachusettes, so her husband could attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jessica graduated from Northland International University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Prior to joining the HLS faculty, Jessica spent several years teaching at a Christian school in Massachusettes and homeschooling her son.

FOURTH GRADE

Jason Borah joined our faculty in 2011 to teach fourth grade.  He brings four years of teaching experience from classical schools in Oklahoma where he has taught both fourth grade and upper school History, Government, and Logic.  Jason earned his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and his M.A. (magna cum laude) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Lu Elliott joins the HLS faculty as a fourth grade teacher. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Alabama in Human Environmental Sciences and an elementary teaching certificate from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. She and her husband, John, have two children who attend Highlands Latin School.

Deborah Mangione holds a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University where she majored in Botany and minored in Humanities/Classics. She has worked in medical sales and as a Medical Laboratory Technician. After a year of substitute teaching in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, she joins the HLS faculty as a 4th grade teacher.

Anna Waldy received her B.A. in English and in Latin from Hillsdale College. Before coming to teach fourth grade at HLS, Miss Waldy gained experience through student teaching and private tutoring. Having received a classical education, she greatly looks forward to giving that gift to others.

FIFTH GRADE

Julia Dell’Aira received a B.A. in History and a minor in Classics from Hillsdale College.  She moved from Cincinnati, OH to Louisville and now teaches 5th Grade at HLS.

Kelsey Klingenfus is a 2008 graduate of Asbury University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in Latin. As of this May, she completed training to receive her teaching certification from Indiana University Southeast.

Robert Lewis graduated from Perdue University with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2003.  He later earned a M.A. in Theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2009.  In addition to teaching 5th Grade at HLS, Mr. Lewis works part-time at St. Louis Bertrand Church.  He lives in Louisville with his wife, Ashley, and son, Benedict.

Abigail Rudibaugh graduated from Miami University in 2009 with a B.S. in Integrated Language Arts, and is currently teaching 5th Grade at HLS.  She recently moved to Louisville from Dayton, OH where she taught American and English Literature for three years.

SIXTH GRADE

Andrea Cavanaugh teaches 6th grade at HLS. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in English and has six years of teaching experience, four of which were in a classical school in Virginia where she taught a variety of upper school literature and writing courses.

Matthew Norton teaches 6th Grade at HLS.  He received his B.A. in Romance Languages and Religious Studies fro PePauw University in Greencastle ,IN.  He is also the head coach of the HLS soccer team.

Greg Ross comes to HLS with classroom teaching experience in both public and private schools.  He is retired U. S. Army after having served four years Active duty and seventeen in the S. C. Army National Guard.  Most recently, Mr. Ross was employed as Assistant to the Associate Dean for Music and Worship and an instructor of Music and Worship at Boyce College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lander University in Greenwood, SC (where he met his wife Mary Lynn) and a Master of Arts in Worship from SBTS.  Both of his children are graduates of HLS.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, and MUSIC

Jim Ashby received a B.S. from Murray State in Health and Physical Education. He teaches Physcial Education at the Crescent Hill Campus, manages the House System Club Sport competitions, and serves as the Athletic Director for the school. He is also the head coach of all the boys’ basketball teams at HLS. He is currently attending Southern Seminary as a candidate for the M. Div. in Christian Ministry.

Jennifer Gilcreast earned a B.M. from Asbury College and a M.M. from the University of Notre Dame both with an emphasis in piano performance.  She taught for six years in public schools as a general music teacher, serving preschool through fifth grades in general music, band, and choir.  During that time she became certified in Orff Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky.  With the birth of her four children, she stayed home and began teaching early childhood music and private piano lessons.  Most recently, she is thrilled to come back into the classroom and share the joy of music with primary school students at HLS.

Rhonda Hibdon graduated in 1980 from Judson College in Elgin, Illinois, with the Bachelor of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in Organ. Since that time she has worked extensively in church music as an organist/pianist, and has directed preschool, children’s, youth and adult choirs, as well as youth and adult handbell choirs. She has also accompanied many choral groups in both Illinois and Kentucky. She is an accompanist for the Louisville Youth Choir, serves as Director of Music and Youth at New Goshen Presbyterian Church, teaches K-2 music at the Highlands Latin School, and teaches piano at Calvin Academy of Music.

Janice Murdoch teaches Art in the Primary and Lower Schools at HLS. She earned a B.A. in Dance and Exercise Training from California State University, Sacramento and a M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy from Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire. Her passion for exercise and dance has opened many doors, including the opportunity to teach adult fitness classes in various forums (currently at Baptist/East Milestone Wellness Center) and to teach worship dance to K-12 children for nine years in Fairfax, Virginia. Her lifelong enjoyment of art blossomed when she taught art as part of a home school cooperative. She is pleased to have the bonus of teaching at HLS where her two children now attend.

Fernanda Trocan is a native of Quito, Ecuador.  She came to the United States to study Piano Performance with the renowned artist, Lee Luvisi.  After obtaining her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Louisville, she earned a D.M.A . in Music Performance with a secondary area in Choral Conducting at the University of Minnesota.  Mrs. Trocan is on faculty at St. Francis in the Fields where she teaches piano to students from ages 6 to adult.  Two of her three children are students at HLS.

Steve Walrad received a B.S. in Plastics Engineering Technology from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. He joins the HLS Spring Meadows staff as a P.E. teacher and is excited to be working with the children. In addition to teaching, he is a Senior Injection Molding Engineer for Ichikoh Manufacturing in Shelbyville, KY. Steve and his wife Hope have been married for 14 years and have two children. Steve also serves as a coach of Highlands Latin School’s cross country team.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Mary Melchior serves as the Administrative Assistant at our Crescent Hill campus on Frankfort Avenue. She graduated with an A.D.N. from Purdue University and comes to Highlands after serving as an Emergency Room nurse for 15 years. Mary is married with 4 children and enjoys cooking in her spare time. She loves her job at HLS and enjoys seeing the students every day. As an extra bonus, she is still able to use her nursing skills on a regular basis.

Tom Getman graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He holds a degree in Social Sciences as well as a K-8 teaching certificate. Tom retired in 2009 after working as a counselor and data analyst for grant projects funded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor. He also worked as the facility coordinator of the Iroquois Amphitheater. Tom currently serves as our Administrative Assistant at our Spring Meadows campus on Shelbyville Road.