HVCS
Staff
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
Luke 6:40
Emma Veys
Headmaster
Emma Veys serves as Headmaster of HVCS. She and husband Joe reside in Chattanooga along with their four children Sophie, JT, Henry and Luci. They are members of St. Martin's Episcopal Church. Emma received her Bachelor’s Degree from Wellesley College and her Master’s Degree in Education from The Ohio State University. In addition to having taught for 4 years at HVCS, she has been involved with the school for 8 years and has well over 20 years of educational experience.
Admin Team
Amber Cruz
Administrative Assistant to Headmaster
Debra McGhee
Financial Manager
Debra McGhee is the Financial Manager for HVCS. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and received a B.S. degree double-majoring in both Accounting and Marketing. She is a native of Chattanooga. She lives in Ooltewah with her husband Tom and has two children Kelsey and Garrett. Kelsey is a newlywed and current HVCS K3 teacher. Debra happily welcomes Kelsey’s husband, Hunter as her “other son”. Garrett recently graduated from UTC. Kelsey and Garrett are HVCS alumni. Debra enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking and biking, reading, and cheering for the Tennessee Vols! Debra is an active member of Ridgedale Baptist Church and considers it a blessing and joy to be able to work in a Christ-centered environment at HVCS.
Kelly Nichols
Library Science and Art Teacher and School Technology Manager
Kelly Nichols is our Media Specialist and Compliance Coordinator. She manages our Pre-K State licensing procedures and teaches our art and library classes. Mrs. Nichols has worked in childcare for many years and has extensive training in TN State Childcare Rules and Regulations. Her previous work experience also includes a position as the Children's Advocate for Flint Circuit Council of Domestic Violence as well as field work for the Girl Scouts of Concharty Council. She attends Christway Community Church with her husband Walt and her daughter Taylor. Taylor is an HVCS Alumni.
Alisa Stipanov
Director of Admissions
Alisa Stipanov graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a BS in Nursing and Vanderbilt University with her Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She worked as a Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Practitioner at Vanderbilt before moving with her husband Mike to Chattanooga. Her 3 children, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Anna Kate, all graduates of HVCS keep her busy. She recently began a second career as our Director of Admissions. She is enjoying sharing and marketing a school she has loved for many years throughout the greater Chattanooga community.
Rose Williams
Financial Officer
Rose Williams is a Finance Officer for the school who began her time at HVCS as a volunteer when her older son began attending. She was offered a part-time reception/secretarial position when her youngest son began kindergarten in 1984. Many years later, she is grateful that God allows her to see and experience a new blessing each day. She is a native of Chattanooga who is married to Bill and has two grown children and four grandchildren
Grade Level Teachers
Kelsey Johns
K3 Lead Teacher
Kelsey has been part of the HVCS family for several years. She is an alumni of HVCS and enjoyed her years here as a student. While attending college, Kelsey worked as an assistant in our aftercare program and summer camp and then went on to be the Director of both of these programs. She also helped out as one of the K4 nap instructors while she was in college for a few years before becoming the K3 lead teacher! Kelsey graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) with a Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies. When Kelsey is not working, she enjoys staying active and spending time with the people she loves most. She is happily married to Hunter Johns since July 28, 2019. She is very happy to be teaching the wonderful kids in K3 and LOVES her job!!!
Misty McInnes
K4 Lead Teacher
Misty McInnes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She previously taught Pre-K while being a sub at HVCS. She is from Wisconsin originally but moved to Illinois before coming to Tennessee in 2013. She is married to Nate and has two children Makayla and Zachary. She enjoys crafting, running and hiking.
LeeAnne Viall
Kindergarten Teacher
LeeAnne Viall has taught everything from college writing to music to preschool. She's been teaching at HVCS since 2012 and absolutely loves seeing life through the eyes of kindergartners. An avid anglophile and animal-lover, Mrs. Viall enjoys reading, soccer, traveling, and all things Jane Austen! She is originally from South Carolina but moved to Tennessee in 1990. She and her husband Bobby have one daughter, now a middle-schooler, who also graduated from HVCS. The family are members of Christ United Methodist Church in East Brainerd. Mrs. Viall holds bachelor's and master's degrees from UTC.
Anita Smith
Teacher Aide
Coming Soon
Kathy Higley
1st Grade Teacher
Kathy Higley graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Masters in Early Elementary Education licensure to teach PreK through 3rd, with an endorsement in Special Education. She worked at Sylvan Learning Center and taught at Skyuka Hall. Previously, she attended UTC earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and worked at Tennessee Valley Authority as a Contracting Officer for 21 years. She is married to Art Higley and they have one son, Benjamin. Her husband also has three grown children and seven grandchildren. She is a member of Hixson Presbyterian Church and serves in the children’s ministry. She enjoys walking, hiking, biking, gardening, and taking care of her animals.
Amberly Smith
2nd Grade Teacher
Amberly Smith graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a BS in Child and Family Studies. She is certified to teach grades PreK-3rd and Special Education grades Prek-3rd. Before joining HVCS in the fall of 2016 Amberly taught for the Hamilton County Department of Education. She is married to Bradley Smith and they have 2 children, Mabry an HVCS graduate and Mason, who attends HVCS. Their family worships and serves at Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian church.
Meg Scott
4th Grade Teacher
Meg Scott graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from UTC in Elementary Education with both (k-4) and (5-8) certifications. She is the 4th grade homeroom teacher, additionally she serves as the reading specialist for HVCS having attended many specialized reading workshops. She has been at HVCS since 2002. She is a native of Chattanooga, and attended GPS.
Dara Bechtol
5th Grade Teacher
Dara Bechtol received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Auburn University in 2001. Dara has taught at Hickory Valley since 2002. She currently teaches 5th grade. She is a native of Chattanooga and attended GPS. Dara is the wife of Matt Bechtol and the mother of James, Davis and Tallulah.
Specials Teachers
Amie Brewster
Spanish Teacher
Amie Brewster received her Associate of Science degree from Chattanooga State and continued on to UTC studying Education. She says she is, "beyond blessed to be able to live my dream of teaching at such an amazing school." Prior to joining HVCS she turned a passion for event planning into a small business. She enjoys reading, crafts and planning children's events. She lives in Ooltewah with her husband Jason and two daughters, Chloe and Addelyn.
Misty McInnes
Physical Education Teacher and K4 Teacher
Misty McInnes received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She previously taught Pre-K while being a sub at HVCS. She is from Wisconsin originally but moved to Illinois before coming to Tennessee in 2013. She is married to Nate and has two children Makayla and Zachary. She enjoys crafting, running and hiking.
Meg Scott
Reading Specialist Teacher
Meg Scott graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from UTC in Elementary Education with both (k-4) and (5-8) certifications. She teaches second and third grade reading. She has attended many specialized reading workshops. This year, she also serves as a reading specialist for HVCS. She has been at HVCS since 2002. She is a native of Chattanooga, and attended GPS.
Bonny Shepard
Music
Bonny Shepard graduated from Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C. She and her husband, Bob, moved to Florida after their marriage and Bonny taught public school music in that state for 6 years. They moved to Chattanooga in 1975. Bonny received a Masters in Music Education from the University of Florida that same year. She was a district elementary music consultant with the Chattanooga city schools for 3 years and taught music for 1 year at St. Nicholas. Bonny has 2 daughters, a son, and two grandsons. After her children graduated, Bonny taught K4 classes and music for 5 years at her church’s CDC. Bonny taught Kindergarten and music here at HVCS from 2004-2019 and continues to enjoy teaching music to our K4-5th grade.
