Jessica was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA where she trusted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She later moved to Greenville, South Carolina to begin her journey as an educator because of her love for children and desire to make a difference in their lives through quality education. She earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Bob Jones University, an M. Ed. in Administration and Supervision, and is a National Board-Certified Teacher. She taught preschool, kindergarten, and second grade for almost 11 years at Brushy Creek Elementary School in Greenville, SC.
Jessica moved to Social Circle with her husband Tim in 2014 when he became an agent for State Farm Insurance and decided to open his agency there. At that time, she put her career on hold to support him and their growing family. Their daughters are Harper, Ryleigh, and Allie Grace. Jessica’s heart for Early Childhood Literacy led her to volunteer at the WH Stanton Memorial Library, where she started and has continued to lead the “Tales for Tots” program. She serves as a Board Trustee for the library. She and her family are actively involved at First Baptist Church of Social Circle. Jessica has a passion for providing a Christ-centered, stimulating, and safe environment for students to thrive as they grow academically and spiritually. She is looking forward to the incredible joy of joining the SCCS family and working together to make Social Circle Christian School a premier place of learning and a lighthouse to our community. |
Cherie Beck, Administrative Assistant
[email protected] Cherie is a Georgia native born and raised in Conyers and currently lives in Social Circle with her husband Carl and their two daughters Kaylee and Jaymee. She has homeschooled both her children and has worked in two other Christian schools. Cherie has an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia Perimeter College and a bachelor degree in Education from Liberty University. She has a strong desire to make sure that children get a solid, Christ centered education. In her free time, she loves crafting and spending time with family and friends.
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Selena Simpson, Receptionist/ Teacher Aide
[email protected] Selena has lived in Georgia since she was very young, raised in Covington and currently living in Madison. She enjoys spending time with her husband- Damian, and two children- Maddux and Alayna. Selena has been a part of the SCCS family since 2023 and appreciates having the opportunity to be involved. She is looking forward to witnessing each student grow their relationship with the Lord.
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Erin Graves, K2 Teacher
[email protected] Erin is a Georgia native and has lived in Social Circle for the past 9 years with her husband, Ronnie, and their 2 boys, Colin and Cash. Their family joined the SCCS family 5 years ago and they absolutely love it . Colin graduated from SCCS last year and Cash is in 7th grade this year. Erin has served on the SCCS PTO Board, as secretary and currently as Vice President. This is her third year teaching K2 and she is grateful for the opportunity. Erin is a master cosmetologist by trade, but has always had a heart for working with children. She is so excited to teach these sweet babies about Jesus this year, and to watch them grow in the Lord.
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Gail Rowland, K3 Teacher
[email protected] Gail has lived in Social Circle all her life. Gail and her husband Cleve have been married 29 years. They have a son Austin, who is a Junior in high school. Their oldest son Will is a Paramedic and is married to their sweet daughter in law Allison, who is a Teacher. Will and Allison have a precious baby boy Gunner, who is Gail's first grandchild. Gail has seminar training from Pensacola Christian College. She has worked in schools for 20 years as PreK Teacher and Teacher Aide. She loves children and enjoys teaching. She thanks God for the opportunity to touch lives and share his love. She is blessed!! |
Rachel Hawkins, K4 Teacher
[email protected] Rachel moved to Social Circle from Good Hope, Georgia with her husband Wade and daughter Sophia. This is her third year teaching as a K4 and kindercare teacher. She taught at Snellville United Methodist Preschool for 5 years before that and as a substitute teacher in Walton County for 1 year. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and helping her students become strong learners has been the biggest blessing to her. She also has 3 grown children, four grandchildren, 3 dogs, and 3 cats. Spending time at church and with family are her favorite activities. |
Christy Layson, K5 Teacher
[email protected] Christy grew up in Covington, Georgia where she accepted Christ at the age of 9. She has always had a passion for children. She worked in daycare during high school and college. Then she worked at Livingston Elementary School for 5 years as a Paraprofessional. After, her first child was born she became the Children’s Ministry Director at Harvest Baptist Church for 9 years. Later her and her family felt God leading them to serve on the mission field in Moldova. Christy has been married to her husband Kelly for 25 years. They have a son, Michael who graduated from SCCS in 2022. They also have a daughter, Mary who will be in 8th grade this school year at SCCS. Christy has a passion for seeing children grow in their relationship with Christ and watch as He directs their path. She is very excited to see how God will work this year at SCCS. |
April Hegwood, 1st Grade Teacher
[email protected] April was born and raised in Covington Ga., where she has been involved in church and children’s ministries her whole life. She has always had a passion and heart for children and teaching them about the Lord and helping grow their relationship with Him, even at a young age. She and her husband of 16 years are raising their 4 children in Covington. Their children attend SCCS in 2nd grade, 5th grade, 7th grade and 9th grade this year. Her husband and children are the light of her life and she enjoys serving the Lord with her husband at their church, in the Music and Children’s ministries, and any other aspect where they are needed. This will be her family’s 6th year at SCCS. She has also served on the PTO Board. She is excited and thankful that the Lord lead her family to SCCS and is looking forward to growing more relationships within the school this year. This is her 3rd year on Staff at SCCS, and this will be her first year in 1st grade! |
Azilee Richardson, 2nd Grade Teacher
[email protected] Azilee is new to Social Circle Christian School this year. She is very excited to get the opportunity to work with the students and is looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do this year. Azilee grew up in Cumming, Georgia, and settled in Rutledge after graduating from Georgia College and State University in 2023 with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she enjoys singing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. |
Kelley White, 3rd/4th Grade Homeroom Teacher
[email protected] |
Amy Wade, 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher
[email protected] Amy was born in New Orleans, LA but was raised in Oxford, GA. Amy is a Preacher’s Kid/Missionary Kid and at the age of 19, Amy surrendered to a call that God placed on her life to serve the Lord in ministry to women and students in whatever capacity He would have her to serve. For the past 24 years, she has served as both church and association staff, taught at the Newton County CLC, and served alongside her husband, Kevin, in student ministry in their local church. Amy and Kevin have been married for 19 years, and they have a son, Ashton, who is a senior in high school. Amy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Shorter College and has numerous hours of continuing education in the same field from her years of working for the Department of Family and Children Services before her son was born. In addition to her Bachelor’s Degree, she is currently working on her Masters of Teaching at Georgia Southern University and should graduate in the spring of 2025. Aside from teaching, some of her favorite things are cheering on her favorite teams: GA Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves, cooking, reading, traveling, especially to the beach, and spending time with family & friends. She also loves watching her son play percussion in his high school band. |
Christi O'Neal, Upper School Math Teacher
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Christy Barnett, Upper School Language Teacher
[email protected] Christy Barnett lives in Monroe with her husband Ben and their 19 year-old daughter, Andrea, who graduated from SCCS. Mrs. Barnett grew up in Indiana and attended Indiana State University, graduating with both a B.S. in Elementary Education and in English. She moved to Georgia in 2000, and began teaching. She has taught 2nd through 12th grades, as well as having done remediation and enrichment. This is her 18th year here at Social Circle Christian School and her 21st year teaching. When she is not teaching, or planning awesome things to do here at school, Mrs. Barnett enjoys reading. She has a huge library that she loves to share. She also really enjoys spending time with family and friends, but because most of her family lives in other states, she doesn’t get to spend as much time with them as she would like. Mrs. Barnett always looks forward to seeing previous students and is looking forward to meeting new ones this year. As she says, “Once they are in my class, your children become my children forever!” |
Yolanda Torres-Plaza, Spanish and Computer Teacher
[email protected] Yolanda was born and raised in the town of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. She served in the children ministry of her local church in Cabo Rojo, PR as a bible teacher for more than 10 years. She completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Puerto Rico. She has worked in several areas, including as a monitor/teacher at a Christian School in Puerto Rico. She is happily married, and has a beautiful daughter named Ana Laila. In 2019, she and her family decided to move to Georgia, seeing this as a door that God opened. She is very grateful for the opportunity of teaching Spanish, her native language, at Social Circle Christian School and to be able to contribute to the development of students in this area. |