Faculty and Staff
Over half of Hilger Higher Learning’s faculty and staff have 10+ years of teaching and administration experience at Hilger Higher Learning! In addition, our faculty and staff have well over 275 years of combined teaching and administration experience, in private schools, public schools and at Hilger Higher Learning. Our faculty and staff’s consistent longevity and experience teaching homeschool students demonstrates why our program is considered the premier homeschool tutorial in Chattanooga. Our teachers and administration consider it a privilege and honor to teach students and work with families who are in the process of homeschooling. While most of our teachers have vast teaching experience, many of our faculty and staff have also homeschooled their own children, so they understand how to best help homeschool students in the learning process. Teachers provide weekly accountability of assigned and turned-in homework, as well as feedback on graded assignments. Also, tests and quizzes taken in the classroom are graded and handed back with comments. Our teachers love helping students learn and fully understand what is being taught in and out of the classroom. We invite you to learn more about our faculty and staff by reading over their short biographies.
Eddy & Carlee Hilger
Administrators
Eddy and his wife, Carlee, are the founders of Hilger Higher Learning, Inc. In 1995, Eddy graduated from Covenant College, with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, with emphases in Biology and Physical Education. After helping start Clumpies Ice Cream Co., he coached the cross country team and worked in the admission’s office at Covenant College. In 2004, Eddy realized his life-long dream of becoming a professional athlete when he signed his first contract to race as a professional cyclist. After riding for 3 professional teams and racing in 10 countries around the world, he retired in 2007. His foresight and academic vision for the homeschool community aided Carlee in the development of Hilger Higher Learning since its inception. Over the years, Eddy’s desire to serve the homeschool community has grown more and more. Now he serves full time as the President and head administrator for Hilger Higher Learning.
Carlee teaches Biology and Anatomy and Physiology. She graduated magna cum laude from Covenant College, with a B.A. in Natural Science in 1995. For the next three years, she taught high school science and coached both basketball and tennis at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon her return to the Chattanooga area in 1998, she created what is known as Hilger Higher Learning. Her passion for homeschooling, her out-going personality, and her love for teaching Biology and Anatomy was the catalyst behind HHL. After 25 years, her goal is still the same as it was at the outset: to offer quality education classes with a biblical worldview to homeschooled students…and to make those classes FUN! Eddy and Carlee have 4 children: Jackson, Kenzie, Brooks, and Kervens.
After 30 years of teaching, Carlee Hilger is transitioning to an administrative role at Hilger Higher Learning in the 2024-2025 school year. We will continue to offer Biology and Anatomy & Physiology classes with the same quality and legacy that began Hilger Higher Learning almost 26 years ago!
Director of Operations and Event Coordinator
Maddy Haar
Maddy is a native of Dunlap, Tennessee. She is an alumna of Hilger Higher Learning, attending from 7th-11th grade. She then served HHL as a teaching assistant for two years after graduating high school. Maddy graduated summa cum laude from Lee University in 2018 with a degree in English Literature. At Lee, she worked with incoming freshman as well as families and students who were interested in visiting or attending the university. After graduation, she spent three years working for a local non-profit as a project manager and executive assistant. She and her husband, Tyler, have been married since 2018 and enjoy spending their time traveling, hosting, reading, and exploring interesting cities. Maddy loves planning events that bring joy and connection to students, families, and the Hilger community as a whole. Finding exciting and fun ways to bring people together is one of her passions, and she loves getting to do this for Hilger Higher Learning families!
Jennifer Welsh
Office Manager & Visitor Coordinator
Jennifer grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, only three blocks from Wheaton College. When considering colleges, she decided that Wheaton was too close to home, so she came to Covenant College and graduated in 1992 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught for three years before starting a family with husband, David, a native Chattanoogan. In 2002, they moved to Budapest, Hungary, with their three children, and served at the International Christian School of Budapest for 16 years. While there, Jennifer wore many hats over the years: teacher, receptionist, recruiter, events coordinator, class sponsor, and admin assistant to the middle school principal. They moved back to Chattanooga in 2018 to care for their aging parents. Jennifer has since been the Office Manager at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church for the last four years. She is very excited to be back in a school setting and to be serving the HHL community!
Tammy Bacon
Spanish I
Tammy graduated from Covenant College in 1995 with a BA in English and a minor in Spanish. She spent several months living in Costa Rica where she studied Spanish further, and has also spent time in Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Puerto Rico for various business, educational and mission trips. She has over 25 years of experience teaching Spanish at various levels in private and homeschool settings, and is excited to be back at Hilger after a 1-year hiatus. Before taking a break, Tammy taught Spanish at HHL for 20 years. She loves helping students learn to communicate with Spanish-speakers and to see aspects of God’s world they may not have thought about. Tammy and her husband Mike have lived in Chattanooga for 21 years, where they raised their 4 kids. They have 2 daughters in college and 2 sons in high school, one of whom is attending Hilger. They recently welcomed a new son-in-law to the family as well.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Bacon is teaching Spanish I & II
Elementary Immersive Program: Second Grade
Tricia Baney
Tricia grew up in Ormond Beach, Florida and has served in ministry and education for over 25 years. She earned a B.A.E. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida with a specialization in reading and phonics instruction. After college she worked in Atlanta, GA as a classroom teacher and a site coordinator for a national nonprofit focused on addressing the achievement gap in inner city schools. During this time she also served in five different countries providing tsunami relief work and missionary care. She then earned a Master of Arts in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis, MO where she met her husband. Following seminary Greg and Tricia served is Greenville, SC and relocated to Chattanooga in 2015. Tricia spent many childhood and college summers in Chattanooga and is overjoyed they are blessed to raise their family in such a diverse and beautiful city. Most recently she and her husband Greg began a multicultural church plant, Woodlands Gathering PCA, in Soddy Daisy, TN. Tricia and Greg have three children and have been homeschooling and serving in a local co-op for eight years. Tricia loves teaching and developing curriculum that infuses the core subjects with art, music, creativity and lots of fun! She is thrilled to be a part of HHL and is looking forward to partnering with you in your child’s educational journey!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Baney is returning to teach 2nd grade in our Elementary Immersive Program.
Julie Bingham
Physical Science and Chemistry
Julie graduated from Covenant College in 1995 with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. During college, she worked as a chemist at Taylor Laboratories. Upon graduation, she was offered a position as a research and development chemist at Alco Chemical Company where she worked for four years. Julie came on board with Hilger Higher Learning in 2001 and has steadily improved our Physical Science and Chemistry classes. Her experience as a chemist and almost 20 years of teaching enables Julie to teach her students the practical side of these rather challenging classes. Along with teaching at Hilger, Julie is an adjunct chemistry professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she teaches chemistry labs. Julie and her husband, Keith, who is also a teacher, have two children.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Bingham is returning to teach Physical Science and Chemistry.
Dabney Brock
Pre-Algebra
Dabney Brock is originally from Brentwood, Tennessee. She attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where she earned a degree in early childhood development and Elementary Education. There she met and married her best friend and husband, Hunter, and moved to his hometown, Chattanooga, to plant roots. She spent her first four years in education teaching 5th grade at Normal Park Museum Magnet School. Last summer they welcomed their first son and Dabney has spent the past year home with him. Dabney is eager to get back into the classroom, as teaching and investing in the lives of students is her passion. Her goal is to cultivate a love for learning in all her students and draw out their unique gifts that God has given them as lifelong learners. Dabney enjoys long runs with her dog, reading, and being on the lake!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Brock is returning to teach Pre-Algebra.
Elementary History and Bible (Grades 3-4 & 5-6), Middle School World History and Elementary Math Grade 3 & Grade 4
Kim Brock
Kim came to Covenant College from her hometown of Memphis, TN in 1994. While at Covenant, she played soccer all 4 years, met her husband of 23 years, Marshall, and she also played 1 year of basketball with superstar teammate Carlee Hilger. She majored in Biblical Studies where her love for history and her knowledge of God’s Word grew as she learned from incredible professors. She was also a bookkeeper for her family business for a season of life, which enhanced her love of numbers and math. She has homeschooled her six children at various times throughout their school years. She is well suited to teach all kinds of personalities as she has five boys and one girl who are very different learners. She has coached hundreds of kids (both boys and girls) in soccer over the last 20+ years. She began teaching at HHL in 2019 and has loved teaching history, Bible and math at Hilger.
In the 2024-25 school year. Mrs. Brock is returning to teach Elementary History and Bible (Grades 3-4 & 5-6), Middle School World History, and Elementary Math Grade 3 & Grade 4
Elementary Immersive Program: Second Grade
Jenny Brown
Jenny grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee, and earned a degree in Early Childhood Development
and Elementary Education from Lee University. She has loved working with children for as
long as she can remember. As a teenager, she decided to organize a summer day camp filled
with fun activities and educational lessons. She promptly started each day with her “class” on
the front porch under the American flag as they all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. There is no
telling what the neighbors thought! After college, she gained valuable experience teaching first
grade in the local school system. Then, when she and her husband Andrew were blessed with
children, she knew the Lord was calling her to home education. Fifteen years later,
homeschooling still brings her so much joy and satisfaction. Being able to lay the foundation
for a lifelong pursuit of learning and to foster a child’s inquisitive mind is one of her greatest
passions. Jenny is delighted to be able to share her love of beautiful children’s books, history,
and hands-on learning with her students as they explore God’s amazing world.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Brown is returning to teach 2nd grade in our Elementary Immersive Program.
Middle and High School Physical Education
Chase Cochran
Coach Cochran grew up in Harrison, TN. He played a wide variety of sports as a child and teenager. God gave him a strong passion for coaching and teaching youth in the knowledge of Christ after his conversion in 2009. He received his BS in Health and Exercise Science Pedagogy K-12 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2015. Since graduation, he has been teaching in Hamilton County while also being very active in ministry and coaching. Wrestling, Cross Country, Track, Soccer, CrossFit, and Olympic Weightlifting are the main sports he has coached through the years. For the last year, Coach Cochran has felt led to serve the homeschool community with high quality Physical Education classes. He is super excited to have this opportunity and platform to spread the Gospel and teach from a biblical worldview at Hilger Higher Learning. He and his wife, Gracey, have four children Serinity, Charles, Rae, and Titus.
In the 2024-25 school year, Coach Cochran is returning to teach PE.
Sandra Coleman
American Sign Language I & II
Sandra grew up in Ooltewah, TN. After meeting a deaf person, Jesse, for the first time in 1988, she was motivated to learn sign language. She learned quickly from Jesse and his mother. In December 1992, she earned an Associates of Arts in Sign Language Interpretation from TN Temple University. In May 1993, she and Jesse were married. Since then, she has interpreted in various settings including doctor appointments, deacons' meetings, nonprofit board meetings, college classes, and church services to name a few. She took a break from work while their family grew to include 11 children. They have homeschooled all of the children with #6 graduating this past May. Sandra has worked for a video relay service interpreting phone calls for the deaf for the past 14 years. She has a desire to teach others to communicate with the deaf, which is a great need today. This skill can be used in the future regardless the career path the student chooses. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - I Corinthians 10:31
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Coleman is returning to teach ASL I & II.
Beginning Elementary Science (Grades adv 1 – 2)
Elementary Science (Grades 3-4 & Grades 5-6)
Kim Crossman
Kim graduated from Covenant College with a BA in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Upon graduation, she worked at Erlanger Hospital, as a chemist for the city of Chattanooga, and taught pre-K and science for 16 years. Kim loves to share with her students how all aspects of creation point to a Creator. It is a joy to see students wonder, discover and explore God's amazing world. Kim came on board with Hilger Higher Learning in 2009. She is incredibly nurturing with our elementary students, and her love for children is very evident. In addition, she creates a positive classroom environment with encouragement, excitement, control and a good listening ear. Kim and her husband, Brian, who is a retired professor from Covenant College, have three children.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Crossman is returning to teach Elementary Science.
World Geography, World History, US History, Government, and Economics
Pam Fields
Pam holds a B.S. and M.S. in Education with certifications in both Special Education and Reading. She has 43 years of experience as a teacher and educational diagnostician, including 10 years of homeschooling her 2 daughters. Pam teaches all high school social studies courses, has helped develop nearly all of the Social Studies and History classes and has chaired the Social Studies Department at Hilger Higher Learning since 2004. Pam also is the Faculty Director/Lead Teacher at Signal Mountain Christian Homeschool Co-op, where she teaches History, Latin, Bible, and Study Skills for a group of Middle School students. Additionally, Pam teaches high school Social Studies classes for Scenic City High School Tutorial on Signal Mountain and continues her part-time private practice as a Learning Specialist and Educational Diagnostician. Pam has been awarded the Chattanooga Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Distinguished Teacher Award and is a Faculty Fellow with the UTC Center for Reflective Citizenship. She serves on the board of Student Venture, the Middle and High School Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). Pam and her husband Jim have been married for 40 years and have two daughters and sons-in-law, 1 granddaughter, and another on the way! Pam enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. She has a passion for all things social studies-related, as well as missions and evangelism!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Fields is returning to teach all high school history courses.
Sherrie Forrest
Sherrie graduated from Arkansas State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education. She taught for a few years in Arkansas before starting a family with her husband Joey. She felt called to put her career on hold to stay home with her children for nearly 20 years. After renewing her teaching certification, she took a temporary position at Ooltewah High School. Since then, she decided to homeschool her daughter and has been involved at HHL. After substitute teaching Geometry a few times at HHL, she knew she would love to teach in a Christian environment. She again has felt a calling on her life; this time to mentor students and try to foster a love for mathematics in them. She loves to teach mathematics in creative ways, always referring students back to The One who created this geometric world. She loves running, being outdoors, volunteering in the youth program at her church, and spending time with her family. Sherrie started teaching at HHL in 2017 and loves to openly share her faith while teaching mathematics. Sherrie and her husband, Joey, have three children.
Geometry
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Forrest is returning to teach Geometry.
Middle School Literature & Composition and
High School Literature & Composition I-IV
Shelley George
Shelley is a 1995 cum laude graduate of Christian Heritage College (now known as San Diego Christian College), where she was voted Female Student of the Year in 1995 and earned a B.A. degree in English with a minor in Physical Education. She has been teaching English and coaching since 1995. She was voted Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1999 at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, GA. While Carlee Hilger and Shelley are best friends and grew up together, Landmark is where she and Carlee first began teaching together. Shelley also worked for 7 years at Providence Christian School in Dothan, AL. She served as the Girls Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and taught several English and Physical Education classes. She was voted Coach of the Year (1-3A) after her Varsity girls basketball team completed a 29-0 season in 2004. Shelley came to HHL in 2005 and has helped build an amazing English department in our Elementary, Middle and High School. Her passion to help students of all ages learn, along with her incredible knowledge and encouraging spirit are a delight. She enjoys encouraging students in the identification and development of their gifts. Shelley also enjoys any activity that is outdoors!
In the 2024-25 school year, Ms. George is returning to teach Middle & High School Literature & Composition.
Beverly Good
Algebra I
Beverly graduated from UTC with a master's degree in Environmental Science. During her time at UTC, she interned at the Chattanooga Nature Center working to develop educational programming and leading nature classes out on the beautiful Reflection Riding. She decided that teaching was the perfect way to pair her love for science and the natural world with her desire to share this knowledge with others. Upon graduation, she began working full time at the Nature Center as their volunteer coordinator and leading field trip groups. While working there, she met and married her husband, Norman, and soon after they started a family. This began their journey with homeschooling. These days, she and her husband have only one child at home. The two older children are grown and married, with their oldest son in the Coast Guard, he and his wife are in Oregon, and a daughter and son in law in Nashville. While their youngest, David, was in classes at Hilger, Beverly had the opportunity to substitute teach middle school math and pre-algebra and enjoyed rediscovering how math also is such great evidence for God’s creation and natural order. She felt at home being back in the classroom and loved getting to know the faculty and students there. She is looking forward to teaching her own class at Hilger this year.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Good is returning to teach Algebra I.
Elementary Choir, Middle School Choir, Ladies Ensemble and High School Choir & Music Appreciation
Tina Holcombe
Tina received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Temple University in 1987. She holds a degree in Christian School Music Education and has taught music in some form or fashion ever since graduating from college. Teaching alongside her husband for 5 years before starting a family, Tina taught at Stone Mountain Christian School as the general music teacher, private piano instructor, and band director. The band won several awards in the state of Georgia’s Christian School Association while under her direction, as well as 2nd place on the national level. After moving to Chattanooga so her husband could take a full time position as Worship Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Tina created the Chattanooga Homeschool Band in 1995, and consistently has 55-60 students each year. Tina also directed the middle and high school choirs of Grace Academy from 2001-2014, where the choir consistently received superior ratings at choral events. Teaching music is a great joy for Tina, and after coming to HHL in 2016, she is thrilled to be working with the students at Hilger Higher Learning. She believes that music is a beautiful creation of God that brings glory to Himself, while simultaneously blessing the music makers with the thrill of creating and participating in an art form. Tina will lead the choirs with this truth at the forefront. She believes that singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord is an act of obedience for those who love the Lord. Plus, it is just a ton of fun! Tina and her husband, Fred, have three older children.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Holcombe is returning to teach all sections of Choir.
Middle School & High School Literature and Composition I & II,
Writing Intensive Workshop, and ACT Workshop for Rhetoric Skills
Olivia Oster
Olivia graduated from Covenant College with a B.A. in English in 2000. After college, she spent a year teaching English as a Second Language in China before marrying her college sweetheart and settling on Lookout Mountain. From 2001-2003 she enjoyed teaching middle school English at East Lake Academy in Chattanooga. From 2003 until now, she has taught at various homeschool tutorials, and for the past seven years she has taught her own five children at home. She has taught ESL to Chinese children online and thoroughly enjoys teaching English at Hilger Higher Learning. She loves writing curriculum and preparing for multi-sensory, interactive lessons that challenge and draw in the student. In her free time, Olivia loves to read, bake, travel, practice yoga, hike, and go on dates with her husband. She is constantly in awe of her Father God and His provision and love.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Oster is returning to teach Middle and High school Literature & Composition, the Writing Intensive Workshop, and the ACT Workshop for Rhetoric skills. Mrs. Oster will also teach our new Middle & High School Bible class.
Pre-Calculus, Physics and ACT Math Workshop
Speight Overman
Speight Overman has his roots in eastern North Carolina and spent most of his youth on a Navy base in Northern Virginia. Speight returned to NC, after graduating from James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, VA, in 1966 to attend NC State University, where he received a BS and MS in mechanical engineering. Following this, he attended Colgate Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, where he earned an MBA in 1973. Shortly after graduation he married Trudee, who he met on a blind date a few months earlier! Speight started his “official” work career with GE in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he embarked on a military-like career of moving 5 times in 12 years. He held several positions in strategic planning, business operations, marketing, and sales. He left GE in May of 1988 to pursue his own business, Tropical Forest, Inc. in Chattanooga. Speight transitioned from business owner to part-time, then full-time teaching in 2005 and ended that phase of his full-time work after 9 years at Silverdale Baptist Academy. He retired in 2018 as head of the Math Department, while also teaching Honors Physics. He now teaches part-time in upper-level High School math courses and Physics. He and Trudee have had three children, all now adults, and have five grandchildren. Speight is a member of Signal Mountain Bible Church, where he serves on the elder board and is involved in the tech side of A/V. Speight is also an active member of Gideons International. He spends his “spare time” on projects around the house, which are in a perpetual state of “almost done.”
In the 2024-25 school year, Mr. Overman is sadly not returning to teach at HHL. Mrs. Carla Stevenson will teach the ACT Math Workshop, and Mrs. Heather Taylor has been hired to teach Pre-Calculus next year.
Aimee Penland
Spanish II
Aimee was born in southern California, grew up middle TN, and moved to Chattanooga in 2007 to study at the University of TN. She graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in humanities. During that time at UTC, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica which is where she fell in love with the Spanish language and culture. Over the last decade, she’s had the opportunity to spend time in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Guatemala where she served alongside different churches and organizations. Those experiences were used to deepen her walk with Jesus and strengthen her language skills. In 2019, Aimee received her Masters in Elementary Education from UTC. She has spent the last six years teaching Spanish at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. She’s a wife to Jake and a new mom to baby Jack. Aimee looks forward to sharing her love of the Spanish language with her students!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Penland is sadly not returning to teach at HHL. Mrs. Tammy Bacon will teach Spanish II.
Elementary Creative Writing & Grammar (Grades 3rd-4th)
Angela Powell
Angela's passion is writing and teaching students of any age. She is a Christian faith-based writer, with a degree in Computer Information Systems, at rootsandlight.com, and she is the author of two studies: Ephesians: A Guided Reading Plan (June 2022) and Philippians: A Guided Reading Plan (August 2023). She has written and edited fiction, non-fiction, and informational content for the better part of fifteen years as a part of professional writers' groups. She delights in watching a writer's work come alive from imagination, through revision and the excellent use of the English language, to the final draft. At an Elementary level, Angela believes building early foundations for strong communication skills prepares students to engage with others at increasingly complex levels, impacting their ability to advocate and care for themselves and their communities. As a teacher, she likes to bring fun to the classroom and incorporates a variety of learning styles to keep students engaged with and excited about what they are learning. She utilizes discussion, hands-on activities, games, and partner work to drive home concepts and give students a chance to discover and work through their own strengths and challenges. Angela currently serves on the Women's Ministry teaching team at Grace + Peace Church. She and her husband live in Ooltewah and have three multi-exceptional children ages 23, 16, and 11.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Powell is sadly not returning to teach at HHL. A Creative Writing teacher for 3rd-4th grade has not been selected yet.
Caroline Rowell
Drama - Theater Arts
Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Tennessee Temple University and a Masters of Arts from Regent University. In addition to teaching theater and speech to all ages from kindergarten through high school, Caroline has also acted professionally in theater, musical theater as well as television. Caroline and her husband David have homeschooled for the past six years and she is humbled, honored and excited for the opportunity to teach theater arts at Hilger Higher Learning. She is thrilled to share her Biblically based philosophy of studying the arts. Caroline believes that we have been made in the image of God (Imago Dei) and that we are God’s masterpiece created for good works to bring Him all glory and praise (Ephesians 2:10; Psalms 115:1).
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Rowell is returning to teach Theater Arts. She will also teach Personal Finance and Health & Wellness.
Rachel Scott
Algebra I and Algebra II
Rachel grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee, and graduated summa cum laude from Tennessee Technological University in 1995 with a BS in Civil Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. After teaching a year of high school math near Nashville, she relocated to Ohio and she worked with a mutual fund company. When her first child was born, Rachel stayed home to be a full-time mom and began homeschooling five years later. For more than 15 years, Rachel has been homeschooling her three daughters and tutoring many students in math. Since coming to teach at HHL in 2012, it has been evident that Rachel’s desire is to help students learn and understand math, while seeing the orderliness of God in His creation. She attends church with her family at Woodland Park Baptist Church, where Rachel serves in their youth and student department.
In the 2024-25 school year, Ms. Scott is returning to teach Algebra I & II.
Elementary Immersive Program: First Grade
Rachel Shields
Rachel is originally from Franklin, Tennessee where she grew up the second of nine children. She attended Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. After graduating, she married her husband, Corby Shields. They spent two years in Boston and eight years in Philadelphia where Rachel worked as a preschool teacher at a community center and for an educational non-profit, The Children's Jubilee Fund. She and Corby and their four children moved to Lookout Mountain almost 10 years ago. In 2016, she began teaching at LMPC Mothers Day Out and in 2019 transitioned to teaching a one day per week preschool out of her home. She has also volunteered and substitute taught at her children’s schools. Her family recently moved to Highland Park to serve in a young church plant where her husband serves as the pastor. Rachel loves to travel and explore the outdoors. She loves learning and teaching and is thrilled to join the Hilger Community!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Shields is returning to teach 1st grade at the Elementary Immersive Program. The teacher for the second section of 1st grade has not been announced yet.
Middle School Science & Elementary Creative Writing & Grammer (Grades 5th-6th)
Natalie Slaton
Natalie graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1998 with a lifetime teaching certificate in Texas for grades 6-12. While her husband was in seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary, she also earned several Bible class credits with him. Since then, she has taught several different grade levels, mainly in the field of Literature and Writing. More recently, she has spent 12 years at home raising children and partnering with her husband in ministry, mentoring students and teaching Bible studies. Relationships are Natalie’s passion, no matter the teaching context. She loves learning about God’s creation, well written literature, and the writing that unlocks many children's creative mysteries. In teaching science, she hopes students become more amazed by our Creator, who made all things, and leave her class with a desire to learn more about God’s creation. She has always had a passion for literature and creative writing, so she is excited to embark on a journey of creativity and fun with her students in those classes as well. Natalie and her husband, Benjie, who is the lead pastor of Grace + Peace (PCA) Church in Ooltewah, have three children.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Slaton is returning to teach Middle School Science. She will not teach Creative Writing & Grammar next year. We have not yet selected a Creative Writing & Grammar teacher for 5th-6th grade.
Elementary School Math Grade 5, Middle School Math Grade 6 and Grade 7, and Pre-Algebra
Lisa Tolson
Lisa graduated from Covenant College in 2000 with a B.A. in Middle School Education, with a focus on math and social studies. She taught science and pre-algebra for two years at a Christian school in St. Louis before moving to Lookout Mountain. Since then, she has taught 5th grade, substituted in several schools, and taught elementary science for two years at Hilger before Kim Crossman! She also homeschooled her four children for eight years. Two of her favorite things are math and middle schoolers, and she has loved the privilege of working at Hilger again! Lisa has been at HHL for many years and lives on Lookout Mountain with her kids and husband, Aaron, who is the youth pastor at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Tolson is returning to teach Middle School Math Grade 6, Middle School Math Grade 7, and Pre-Algebra. Mrs. Cathy Youngblood will teach Elementary School Math Grade 5.
Elementary Immersive Program: Kindergarten
Amy Tolson
Amy graduated from Covenant College with a degree in Sociology and then stayed on at Covenant working as a Regional Director of Admissions. She met her husband, Clay, while at Covenant and was married in 2000. While Clay was in the Navy, Amy continued at Covenant as a remote recruiter while they lived in Virginia, California and DC. Amy and Clay moved back to Lookout Mountain in 2007 when Clay joined the Chattanooga Police force. That is when Amy fell in love with little children and began working in a Mother’s Day Out program. More recently, she has been teaching Kindergarten for the last 9 years as an Educational Assistant at the Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Kindergarten is her favorite age because the children are so eager to learn!! She hopes God will use her presence in their young lives as a tool to share the love of Jesus and the love of learning with them. Amy and Clay live on Lookout Mountain with their three children.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Tolson is returning to teach Kindergarten at the Elementary Immersive Program.
Elementary Immersive Program: Kindergarten
Meghan Tholken
Meghan grew up in Hixson, TN, and is a Hilger Alum - having attended from 2nd-12th grade as one of the founding HHL families. She graduated from Bryan College in 2012 with a degree in Theatre, and this is also where she met her husband, Will. After graduating, Meghan worked as an insurance agent before becoming a preschool teacher. Meghan has always had a passion for working with kids, whether it be in a classroom setting or a more laid-back environment, and she has enjoyed homeschooling her two wonderful children. Meghan loves the Kindergarten age, and she is extremely excited about being able to invest in the lives of the children in her class. Being the second of four kids in her family to go through the HHL program, she feels like getting to work for HHL feels like coming home!
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Tholken is returning to teach Kindergarten at the Elementary Immersive Program.
Personal Finance, Health & Wellness, Middle School Ancient Civilization, and Middle School American History
Beth Warren
Beth’s fascination with people and places began early. The introduction of Ancient Egypt in elementary school, a high school class on American History and everything in between set her on a path to earn a BS in Economics and a Master in Secondary Education with certifications in History, Geography, Economics and Math. Besides a strong affection of all things “American,” such as the US Constitution, the sacrificially brave men and women from the generations who built the nation, and the beautiful land which holds the two together, Beth has a deep respect for all the created. People, their cultures, their locations, their governments and how they “do” commerce intrigue her and are the areas in which she has invested her education. During the summer of 2016, she had the awesome opportunity for the adventurous, educational and life-changing experience of traveling to Egypt and Israel basically following the journey of God’s people out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land! Further travel led her to Athens and Rome, pivotal locations of cultural achievements which laid the foundation for western civilization. After a second trip to Rome (in March 2019) with its amazing history and artifacts, a climb up Mt. Vesuvius, a visit to Herculaneum and Pompeii, Beth returned with an increased excitement for history and cultures. Beth has been at HHL since 2019 and loves share her passion and eye-witness experiences to make HISTORY come alive! She is excited to be going from the “big picture” perspective of history to the “individual and specific” aspects of personal finance and health. God’s Word, coupled with the lessons of human history, offers much needed guidance and wisdom as we navigate our personal lives through our culture. During free time, Beth enjoys exercise of all varieties with an emphasis on outdoor activities. Spending time with her husband, Michael, 4 adult daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 5 grandchildren complete her full and blessed life.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Warren is sadly not returning to teach at HHL. Mrs. Caroline Rowell will teach her Personal Finance and Health & Wellness classes, and the teacher for Middle School Ancient Civilization and Middle School American History has not yet been selected.
Elementary, Middle School and High School Art
Emily Ann Young
In 2nd grade, a peer asked Emily Ann what she wanted to be when she grew up. As she was putting the finishing touches on a “Rainbow Fish” art project, she said, “An artist, of course!” Her love for the arts became more apparent as she drew in the dirt on the softball field instead of playing short stop, and sang My Heart Will Go On from Titanic on the soccer field instead of playing defense. In high school, under the instruction of Sandra Kandros, she was challenged to push past her comfort zone with new materials and ideas. She and Kandros shared a faith in Christ, love for art, and love for people. Kandros was ultimately the one who challenged Simpson to become an art teacher – an idea she had never considered. In 2012, Emily Ann traveled to NYC for 3 weeks on the NYC Tribeca Arts Summer Project where she realized her passion for the integration of art and faith. Post-summer project, the hunt was on for ways to use her art to share Christ with others. The art department quickly became her mission field as well at Life Care Center of East Ridge, where she worked as an Art Therapy intern. In 2014, she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Art Education from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During her first three years, Emily Ann taught art at Barger Academy of Fine Arts and Normal Park Museum Magnet. Since 2017, she has been excited to make a mess and have fun with Hilger students. She loves nurturing and guiding students as they play a part in the redemption of creativity that the world has so skewed. She hopes to inspire a love of art in her students and to show them how it can be used in relating to and glorifying God. She is also looking forward to helping students see the power that art has in helping us to understand the Bible, and how art can be a tool in sharing the good news.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Young is sadly not returning to teach at HHL. Mrs. Rebecca Kincer has been hired to teach all art classes at Hilger next year.
Elementary Math – Grade 5 and Elementary Literature (Grades 3-4 & 5-6)
Cathy Youngblood
From the earliest days of her Signal Mountain upbringing, Cathy Youngblood has been drawn to children’s literature. Whether from her mother’s playful reminder from a book to be a “polite little elephant” or helping a childhood friend who insists that Cathy taught her to read when they were girls, children’s books and their influence have always been an integral part of her life. After graduating from Girls Preparatory School, that fondness only continued and thrived at Vanderbilt University where she received a BS in Education and a MEd in Language and Literacy. She has served as an elementary school teacher in Nashville and in Orlando, always aspiring, among other things, to cultivate a love of literature and reading within the children she was entrusted to nurture and teach. That aspiration became more focused upon the arrival of her first child, when she left the classroom to stay home to nurture her family and children as a mother. Cathy has been teaching at HHL for several years and is a member of Rock Creek Fellowship on Lookout Mountain where her husband, Eric, is the senior pastor. And she is the privileged mother of two boys who (thankfully) love to read. She is eager to share her joy and passion for children’s books with the elementary students at Hilger.
In the 2024-25 school year, Mrs. Youngblood is returning to teach all sections of Elementary Math Grade 5 and Elementary Literature.