New Staff Bring a Broad Range of Expertise and Experience to Wesleyan

I imagine some of you may be counting down the days until the start of school – just two more weeks! It has certainly been a very busy summer around campus and you will soon see some of the great things we have in store when your children come back to school. 

Among many other good things, the Lord continued to bless the school these past few months by providing a number of outstanding staff to carry the mantle as we’ve had a handful of retirements and new positions created this year. Each new staff member brings to us a wealth of knowledge and experience.  With great excitement for the year ahead, it’s my privilege to briefly introduce this gifted group of professionals.
 

Cayla Cecil  – Second Grade Teacher

Ms. Cayla Cecil graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tusculum University in TN where she also pursued a Master’s in Curriculum Instruction. Shortly after graduating, Ms. Cecil began her teaching career in Tennessee and then worked her way back to North Carolina where she started substituting for Wesleyan last Spring. Ms. Cecil passionately believes in an educational philosophy that aligns with Wesleyan’s outcomes to create self-directed learners and students who desire to glorify the Lord. It may come as no surprise that she is a graduate of Wesleyan as well.
 

Tammy Hall – Elementary Assistant Teacher

As a former Wesleyan 2nd grade assistant teacher, Mrs. Tammy Hall is a familiar face to many, as well as a skilled teaching assistant. Mrs. Hall believes that Christian education, “is very important” because it “instills God’s Word into every aspect of (children’s) lives” and “allows consistency between home and school.” We are grateful that she will be joining Mrs. Susie Cates in her Kindergarten classroom as an Assistant Teacher this year.
 

Sarah Gray – Elementary Music Teacher

After receiving her BA in Music Education at Southern Wesleyan University, Ms. Sarah Gray taught elementary music education in Horry County, S.C. until the Lord brought her to Wesleyan this year. Ms. Gray possesses a broad background in musical theatre, as well as general music education. She is also a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). As God would have it, Ms. Gray hails from a Wesleyan family of her own, as the daughter of a Wesleyan pastor and school teacher, and we are pleased to welcome her.
 

Beth Matzinger – Elementary Latin Teacher

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Psychology and Latin, Mrs. Beth Matzinger will join us this fall as our new Elementary Latin teacher. With more than 13 years’ experience teaching Latin at Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, she is a seasoned teacher who loves the Lord and is ready to invest in Wesleyan’s children. Among other accomplishments, Mrs. Matzinger co-authored a Latin book titled Latina Classica, a textbook for middle and high school students.

Heather Toth – 5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Heather Toth holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Towson University in Maryland and has been teaching for more than 16 years in both public and Christian schools in South Carolina and North Carolina. She possesses a strong background in Middle School Language Arts and is passionate about the importance of Christian education. Mrs. Toth believes that “by teaching faith and security in Jesus as our Savior, along with high-standards of education, students can gain confidence and achieve personal successes …” And we couldn’t agree more. Welcome to the team Mrs. Toth. 
 

Vickie Luther – MS and HS Art Teacher

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Vickie Luther to Wesleyan. She received her undergraduate degree in Art from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Art Education from Boston University. Ms. Luther has spent more than 20 years teaching art, including four years at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, and 10 years at Asheville Christian Academy. There’s no doubt her gifts and talents will be a blessing to Wesleyan as she leads our middle school and high school students in developing their artistic skills.
 

Shannon Hoots – High School AP History Teacher

We are thankful and blessed to be welcoming back Mrs. Shannon Hoots to Wesleyan as our AP History teacher. Mrs. Hoots is a graduate of Appalachian State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in History and Secondary Education. From 2002-2004, she served as WCA’s World History and Honors World History teacher and made a tremendous impact on the students she taught. Welcome back Mrs. Hoots.

Hayley Turman – 9th Grade English Teacher

A Wesleyan alumnus, Mrs. Turman graduated with Honors from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and a Master’s in History. During her time at ASU, she served as the Associate Editor of the History Matters Undergraduate Research Journal and was a recipient of the NC Council for the Social Studies Student Teacher of the Year award, among many other honors. Since graduating, Mrs. Turman has served as a public school teacher as well as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at ASU. 

Mrs. Janie Murray – High School Math Resource Teacher

Mrs. Murray comes to Wesleyan with more than 20 years of teaching experience in the Triad, and certification in Math and K-12 AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted Students). In addition, she completed her Master’s in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Bachelors in Elementary Education from High Point University. We are grateful to have Mrs. Murray joining us this year.

Dr. Nathaniel Jarrett – K-12 Computer Teacher

After graduating with Honors from High Point University with a double major in Math and History, Dr. Jarrett pursued his Master’s of History and Doctorate in European History at the University of North Texas. A 2007 graduate of Wesleyan, Dr. Jarrett served as a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of North Texas.  

While teaching, he was blessed with the opportunity to participate in two fellowships, the Masséna Society Dissertation Research Fellowship and the West Point Summer Seminar Fellowship, both in 2016. As part of his new job as K-12 Computer Teacher, Dr. Jarrett will
be working in concert with WCA’s IT Director, Jonathan Ruble, and the principals, to develop and expand this new position to maximize Wesleyan students’ opportunities in the years ahead.
 

Marie Bowles – Assistant to Dr. Brown and School Board

Mrs. Marie Bowles joins Wesleyan as the new assistant to Dr. Brown with responsibilities to the school board and special projects for the administrative team. A graduate of Liberty University in Interdisciplinary Studies, Mrs. Bowles has extensive experience in executive administration. Her husband Alex is a 2007 Alumnus of WCA – and we’re delighted to have her in the Wesleyan family.

Dianne Stone – Marketing and Admissions Coordinator

Mrs. Dianne Stone has been a Wesleyan parent since 2012, and we are excited to have her join us as the new Marketing and Admissions Coordinator. Her primary role will be to support Admissions Director Angel Taylor with marketing, website management, social media, and admissions. Mrs. Stone worked as an account executive for more than a decade in advertising and public relations agencies and is a skilled project manager who brings a strategic mindset to the Academy.
 

Addie Bean – Media Center Assistant
We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Addie Bean, a former WCA Teaching Assistant, back to school this year as our new Library Media Assistant. Mrs. Bean brings many gifts and talents to this position, and she will be a great support to Mrs. Amanda Cassetta, Wesleyan’s Media Center Specialist.

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We are very excited about who the Lord chose to bring to the school this year, so please join us in welcoming these wonderful new staff members to our Wesleyan family!  
 

Dr. Rob Brown
Head of School