top of page
Tillery Christian Academy
TCA Staff
2024-2025
Tillery Christian Academy strives to hire educated, caring staff. Staff are dedicated to pursuing continued education. Staff enjoy working in a small, Christian, close-knit environment.
Pictured Left to Right Front Row: Susan Ulrick, Tabatha Cox, Aimee Burleson, Kristy Peralta, Misty Nordan
Pictured Left to Right Back Row: Jennifer Keely, Blair Threadgill, Amy Harris, Starla Morris, Tonya Hollis, Karlyn Cox
Jennifer Keely
Headmistress
Mrs. Jennifer Keely is coming back for her fourth year at TCA as headmistress. She is actively working on her Head of School Certificate from ASCI (Association of Christian Schools International). Mrs. Keely has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Mrs. Keely has a background in mental health services, but has always had a passion for education. She has been married for almost 13 years. They have two children, Dalton, who is in fourth grade at TCA, and Mason, who will be 3 in August. Mrs. Keely is a member of Porter United Methodist Church, where she is active in children's ministry. In her free time, Mrs. Keely enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, and making crafts. Mrs. Keely is actively involved in our school’s PTO and sits on the school board as well.
Misty Nordan
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Misty Nordan is the Administrative Assistant at TCA. Mrs. Nordan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Mrs. Nordan has a background in finance, but has worked in education for the past 8 years. She has been married for 18 years. They have 3 children. The oldest, Casey, works in management at Walmart in Pitt County. Collin is a high school English teacher in Harnett County. Lastly, Madison is in fourth grade at TCA. Mrs. Nordan is a member of Porter Baptist Church, where she is the Clerk, a Sunday school teacher, and VBS co-director. In her free time, Mrs. Nordan enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Nordan also sits on the school board.
Amy Harris
Teacher
Ms. Amy Harris is coming back for her seventh year at TCA. Ms. Harris has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Theory and Practice. Ms. Harris has been teaching for 25 years. Ms. Harris is a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, where she is active in children's ministry. In her free time, Ms. Harris enjoys reading and collecting angel figurines.
Kristy Peralta
Teacher
Ms. Kristy Peralta is excited to be joining the TCA family for the 2024-2025 school year. Ms. Peralta holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Elementary Education. She obtained her Birth-Kindergarten add-on for her license from East Carolina University. Ms. Peralta has taught NCPK with CMS since 2012. Her son, Owen, is in 1st grade at TCA. Ms. Peralta attends the Norwood Church of God. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and relaxing.
Kathy Thorpe
Teacher
Ms. Kathy Thorpe is joining us for her first year at TCA! Kathy came to North Carolina from Maryland. She has enjoyed working with school children for the last two years at Wescare Christian Academy. She attends Prospect Baptist Church in Troy. She has been married for 24 years with 6 children and 9 grandchildren. She loves flowers and gardening in her spare time. Her summers are spent with her grandchildren..
Aimee Burleson
Teacher
Ms. Aimee Burleson will be returning for her third year at TCA. Ms. Burleson has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and has been working in childcare for the last 14 years teaching a variety of ages. She is eager to pursue her teaching certification, as she has a passion for working with children. Ms. Burleson has 2 children, Addyson is in 10th grade and Reed will be in 2nd grade this year at TCA. Ms. Burleson attends church at Hillside Baptist Church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, going to the beach, being outdoors, and reading.
Brenda Tyson
Teacher
Ms. Brenda Tyson is joining us for her first year at TCA. Ms. Tyson has a Bachelor of Science in General Studies: Social Sciences, with a criminals justice certificate. She has previously been at another private Christian school as a classroom teacher before coming to TCA. Her profound dedication to the great commission and her love for the Lord is underscored by her extensive and diverse career in the education sector. Over the course of 20 years, Brenda has occupied numerous roles, each contributing to her profound understanding of child development, multi-intelligence, and, most notably, social-emotional learning. She is a certified trainer in two social and emotional learning curriculums and an ordained Minister.
Starla Morris
Teacher
Ms. Starla Morris is coming back for her second year at TCA. Ms. Morris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in Middle Grades and Secondary Education, with a concentration in social studies. Ms. Morris has been teaching for 31 years and retired from Stanly County Schools in December 2021. Ms. Morris lives with her mother and helps take care of her. Ms. Morris has one daughter, Carrie, a son-in-law Johnathan, and a grandson, Jesse. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, cooking and traveling. Ms. Morris is a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church family.
Karlyn Cox
Teacher
Ms. Karlyn Cox is coming back for her fifth year at TCA. Mrs. Cox has her teacher certification in Spanish but has enjoyed teaching middle school math, science, social studies, and English language arts at TCA. Ms. Cox has eight years of experience teaching swimming lessons and enjoys working outside in her gardens as well. She has two wonderful, smart, and kind children: Natalie, who just graduated high school, and Calvin, who is a rising 2nd grader at TCA. Ms. Cox attends First Presbyterian Church in Albemarle and is thankful for all the Lord’s blessings in her life.
Wilson Moore
High School Facilitator
Reverend Wilson Moore is joining TCA for his first year as High School Facilitator. Mr. Moore has been a Pastor in Cabarrus & Stanly County for 20 years. He is the Lead Pastor of Rekindled Church in Albemarle. He graduated from Grace Christian Academy and went on to receive his associate degree in biblical studies from Fruitland Baptist Bible College. Wilson has taught music for All Star Learning Center for the past six years & also has worked with the school age classroom for the same duration of time. Before his time teaching, Mr. Moore spent 24 years working for Food Lion, holding many positions within the stores all over North Carolina. Wilsons greatest passion however is for Evangelism, preaching, teaching, and ministering to people who need Jesus. There is nothing more special to him than sharing Jesus with the lost around him. In addition to being the Pastor at Rekindled, Wilson frequents preaching at Monarch services in Albemarle, and several local rehabilitation centers. As a Pastors Kid, Mr. Moore moved all over NC, but settled in Albemarle where he married a Norwood native, Tessa “McIntyre” Moore, and they minister together at their church. They have a dog named Tac, and Tessa is a teacher in the private preschool setting at All Star Learning Center and has taught for 23 years. Mr. Moore is very excited to work at TCA and is ready for a
wonderful school year and is ready to work with a welcoming staff and board.
Tabatha Cox
High School Facilitator
Mrs. Tabatha Cox is excited to return for her first full year at TCA! She has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working in childcare for 16 years. She has been married to her husband Daniel for 15 years and they have two children, Marley, age 14 and Merrick age 8. They are active members at Prospect Baptist church in Albemarle. In my free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and cooking.
Susan Ulrick
EC Teacher & Interventionist
Mrs. Susan Ulrick is returning for her fourth year at TCA as an Exceptional Children's Teacher & Interventionist. Mrs. Ulrick has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Degree in Special Education She retired in June 2021 from the State of NC after teaching in the public school system for 29+ years. She has been married to her husband, Michael, for 33 years. They have two children, William age 31 of Herndon Virginia and Hailey age 28 of Leland, N.C. The Ulricks’ welcomed their first grandchild, Jack Ross Stanbery on July 9th 2023! They are active members of Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe where Mrs. Ulrick teaches a K-1 Adventure Kid's Class. The Ulricks' built their retirement home on Lake Tillery in 2021, where they enjoy boating, kayaking and fishing with their 3 dogs.
Blair Threadgill
Teacher Assistant
Miss Blair Threadgill is joining TCA for her first year as a teacher assistant. She is currently attending Western Governors University to work towards a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She graduated high school while also graduating from South Piedmont Community College with an Associate in Arts Degree in 2023. She just finished coaching her first year of volleyball for Stanly Extreme Volleyball Club, and hopes to bring her passion for this sport to TCA. Miss Threadgill has always had a passion for the education field, as her mother has been working in education for 24 years. She is excited to start this journey at TCA!
Tonya Hollis
Teacher Assistant
Mrs. Tonya Hollis is beginning her 2nd year with TCA as a teacher assistant. Mrs. Hollis has 12 years of education experience with the past 4 years as a full-time high-school Teacher Assistant and nearly 8 years as a substitute teacher supporting all grade levels. Tonya’s education background includes Medical Assisting where she worked as a clinical assistant for 6 years prior to transitioning to education. She has been married to her husband Michael for 28 years, and they have 3 children: Alan Michael , Landon, and Kiersten. Her family enjoys camping at the beach and hiking with her dogs whenever she gets the opportunity. Tonya attends Uwharrie Community Church in Albemarle and is an active volunteer with the Children’s Ministry program.
Tom Gray
PE Teacher
Mr. Gray volunteers as TCA's PE teacher, conducting PE for all grades. Mr. Gray has been a TCA board member since inception in 2015. He was the Board Chair from 2015 until 2019. He also oversees the building and grounds for TCA and Memorial Baptist Church. Tom has been the Physical Education Teacher for TCA the past two years. He also serves as a deacon at Memorial Baptist as well as a member of the new building committee. He retired from the United States Postal Service with 33 years of service. He was Postmaster of Norwood the last 15 years of his career. He was the high school volleyball coach at South Stanly High School for seven years. Tom is the Director of Ultra Volleyball Club in Stanly County. He also coaches at his club at the 18 year old division. Tom is married to Robin Gray, a retired teacher of 33 years. His oldest son, Jake, is a teacher at Bolger Elementary in Concord. Jake's wife is the principal at Graystone Middle School. Tom's daughter is an Occupational Therapist in Asheville. Tom's youngest son Hunter is in his second year of medical school at MUSC. Mr. Gray has 2 children and several family members are in education.
Brenda Lilly
Librarian
Mrs. Lilly serves as TCA’s librarian conducting library classes on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Mrs. Lilly has served on our board since 2019. She has volunteered as our school librarian since the school was established. She is a graduate of South Stanly High School and Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While living in North Wilkesboro, she was a library assistant and tutor in the Wilkes County schools She and her husband, Richard, attend Memorial Baptist Church. They have two children.
bottom of page