Jack Exum received his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Auburn University Montgomery and his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Faulkner University located in Montgomery, AL.  He taught for 7 years and has been in educational administration for the past 5 years a PK-8 Principal, Secondary School Principal, and a Head of School.  Mr. Exum joined HVCS in June 2010 as the head of school after moving from Charlotte, NC.  He is married and has two children, an eight-year old daughter and a two-year old son.  He and his family worship at Hickory Valley Christian Church.

Debbie Aytes graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies: PreK-3.  She has been teaching Kindergarten at Hickory Valley Christian School for eight years. She is a native of Chattanooga.  Debbie is the wife of Travis Aytes and mother of Logan and Caleb.

Dara Bechtol received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Auburn University in 2001.  Dara has taught at Hickory Valley for nine years. She currently teaches 5th through 8th grade Math and 6th grade Science. She is a native of Chattanooga and attended GPS. Dara is the wife of Matt Bechtol and the mother of James and Davis. 

Mrs. Bechtol's Class Page

Maria Carlone received her M.A. from Middlebury College and her PhD. in Literature and Second Language Acquisition (language teaching and learning) from the University of Massachusetts.  Maria has taught elementary school, middle school, high school, and college.  This is her 21st year of teaching and her fifth year at HVCS. Mrs. Carlone, her husband Jim, and her son, William,  are members of Tyner United Methodist Church and are very grateful for their church family and friends. Maria teaches Spanish to K4 through 8th Grades.  She is married to Jim Carlone, who works at the McCallie School.  Her son, William, is now 15 months old!

Shelley Cupp is a graduate of Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. She has a Fine Arts degree in Visual Art with a focus in Art History, and Commercial/Graphic Design. She also holds a degree in  Floral Design and Floristry. Mrs. Cupp has held positions in business and manufacturing industries. She is a Beta Sigma Phi, member at large, and has belonged to the Society of Kentucky  Colonels. Mrs. Cupp is a native of the Cincinnati, Ohio area, and has lived in Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Mrs. Cupp is married to Brian Cupp and has one son, who is a student at HVCS. They are members of Hickory Valley Christian Church, and are involved in many of their ministries. Mrs. Cupp teaches our Art program. 

Adelia Derrick is a teacher in our K-4 program. She has been teaching at HVCS for nine years and loves working with young children. When Adelia is not here loving on our preschool students she enjoys spending time with her four children and her four grandchildren. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church and enjoys participating in Bible studies and fellowship.

Angela Frost graduated from UTC in 1993 with a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (state certification for K-8th grade). She has eight years of experience in elementary education and three years in early childhood. She currently teaches the Illustrated Classics in 3rd grade reading, 2^nd grade Singapore math, and 1st grade Bible, science, and social studies.  This is her fifth year of teaching at HVCS.  Angela has completed 21 hours of training with Lindamood-Bell in LiPS and training in Singapore math. This is Angela's third year as cheer coach at HVCS.  She currently coaches 3 squads: a junior varsity cheer squad, a junior varsity dance squad, and an elementary spirit team for 3rd and 4th grade. Angela is an active member in her church Grace Works.  She directs the Youth Choir andDrama Team at her church.  Angela was born in Austin, Texas. She is the wife of Bob Frost and mother of three wonderful children Tiffany, Hayden James and Preston.

Mrs. Frost's Class Page 

Debbie Grimes attended college at Tennessee Temple.  To avoid becoming a football widow, Debbie has become an avid Georgia football fan with her husband of nineteen years. She and Garry serve together in their church by ministering to the country of Belize and conducting a Vacation Bible School. She is married to Gary and they have a blended family of four children and five grandchildren. She was born and raised in Ohio. Debbie teaches 3rd and 4th grade math, 3rd and 4th grade Bible, and 4th and 5th grade science at Hickory Valley.

Mrs. Grimes' Class Page 

Beky Howard graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, PreK-3. She previously taught K-4 and currently teaches 1st grade at HVCS. She grew-up in Chattanooga and graduated high school from CCS. She currently is a church member at First Presbyterian Church.

Debra McGhee is the Financial Manager for HVCS. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1987.  She received a B.S. degree in both Accounting and Marketing.  She is a native of Chattanooga. She lives in Ooltewah with her husband, Tom, and two children, Kelsey and Garrett. Kelsey is a college freshman and Garrett is a high school freshman.  Debra is an active member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. 

Connie Moss attended the University of West Georgia for four years as a major in Music Education. She was one of nine college students in the United States recognized by the Steinway Society for excellence in piano. After college she spent 17 years with the “Daisy of California” company as the Southeastern regional sales representative for Hang Ten sportswear. For many years, Connie served as the pianist as well as the carol, bell, and youth choir director at her church in Dallas, Georgia. Connie’s children attended Hickory Valley, during which time she volunteered frequently and coordinated the school’s musicals. The 2011-2012 school year is Connie’s second year as the K-3 teacher at Hickory Valley and her third year as the choir director.

Kelly Nichols is our computer/technology teacher, librarian, and website manager. She is also the Director of our HVCS Summer Day Camp and is trained in TN State Childcare Rules and Guidelines. Mrs. Nichols has many years of childcare experience that includes a position as the Children's Advocate for Flint Circuit Council of Domestic Violence and field work for the Girl Scouts of Concharty Council. She attends Christway Community Church with her husband Walt and her daughter Taylor. Taylor is a 3rd grade student at HVCS.

Meagan Poe  joined HVCS in May 2011 as a Summer Camp Counselor. She is now our P.E. teacher, Aftercare Director, and an aid in Mrs. Shultz’s K4 class. She has six years experience in childcare, including positions at Ringgold Primary School, Cherokee Ridge Elementary, and Rock Spring Elementary. Ms. Poe has also worked closely with many YMCA Athletic Programs. Meagan is a native of northwest Georgia and attended Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. She continues to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Poe thoroughly enjoys biking, running, playing guitar, and spending quality time with her family. She also loves to visit her sister, niece, and brother-in-law in Colorado, as well as take mission trips to Jamaica. She worships faithfully at Silverdale Baptist Church and enjoys connecting with friends in her Smallgroup.

Cathy Shultz, a native of Cookeville, TN, attended Carson-Newman College where she received a B.A. in Liberal Studies with Elementary Education.  As of May 2010, she also holds a M.Ed. in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning.  She has also met the state's gifted education employment standard through special education. Cathy began teaching in 2001 and joined the HVCS teaching body in 2004.  She currently teaches K-4.  She is married to Josh Shultz and has two children, Daniel and Emma.

Mrs. Shultz's Class Page

Lindsey Spalding, a native of Destin, Florida, graduated from Gulf Coast Community College with an A.S. Degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. Upon finishing her externship with accomplished Atlanta Chef Paul Albrecht, she left restaurants all together and began to work with Hilton Hotels and Resorts, first in Alexandria, Va then back in Destin, Florida with the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.   She has also worked with the Viking Range Corporation prior to becoming a mother. In 2001, she married Mark Spalding, who currently works with Cracker Barrel and in March of 2006 they welcomed their first child, Jackson, who is in Mrs. Aytes’ Kindergarten class. 

Loretta Stynchcombe graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has taught for thirty-three years.  The past twenty-six years have been spent teaching at HVCS. She currently teaches fourth grade reading and social studies and fifth grade reading, language arts, Bible, and chimes. She is a native of Salem, Illinois. Loretta is married to Lee and has one son and two grandchildren.She has had the opportunity of traveling as a missionary to Haiti, Austria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.  She is a member of Morris Hill Baptist Church and enjoys singing in the choir.  Other pastimes include workouts at the YMCA, spending time outside, walking, and time spent with her two grandchildren in Atlanta.” 

Mrs. Stynchcombe's Class Page