New Colossus Academy Faculty and Staff

Head of School

headofschools@newcolossusacademy.org

Assistant Head of School

tprice@newcolossusacademy.org

Tambi Langford Price has over 33 years of knowledge of curriculum, exuding enthusiasm through teaching, and exhibiting compassion and understanding as she mentors, coaches, and trains fellow educators. She is a TTU graduate with a Bachelor's in Arts in Early Childhood Education with work towards a Master's in Instructional Leadership. A native of Cookeville, Tambi is the mom to Drew, the sister to Sharon, Andy, John, and Mike, and the friend and sister to those who call Jesus Christ their Savior and Lord.

Office Manager

hkistler@newcolossusacademy.org

Hannah Kistler was born and raised on a farm in Jackson County, Tennessee where she was homeschooled from 2nd grade onward. She graduated from Homelife Academy in 2006 and has worked in administration in multiple businesses and ministries since that time. She is excited to be beginning her 3rd year on staff at NCA. She and her husband, Dan, have three sons - Timothy (6th grade), Josiah (4th grade), and David (1st grade). The Kistler family loves reading good books, camping, hiking, playing board games, or watching a good action movie in their spare time.

Building and Grounds Supervisor

tlewis@newcolossusacademy.org

Tabatha Lewis grew up in Livingston, Tennessee where she graduated from Livingston Academy in 2003. She joined the Army in 2005 and was deployed with the 304th MP BN in 2008 in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom she was deployed from 2008 to 2009 as a Military Police Officer. Later she took advantage of her GI bill and received a bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix. She then received a job as a Probation and Parole Officer with the State of Tennessee and was an officer for 7 years. While working that job she received her master's degree in professional studies with a concentration in Public Safety from Tennessee Technological University. She is also a Judicial Commissioner for Jackson County, TN currently.

Website Coordinator

algentry@newcolossusacademy.org

Amy Lou Gentry has a degree in geology, a passion for marketing and logos and a small knack for photography. She is proud to have been a part of the first foundational years and growth of New Colossus Academy. She utilizes these skills to oversee the website, photography the school's student yearbook portraits, and occasionally answer "what rock is this from my backyard." Amy is the proud and underserving wife of Joshua Gentry (geologist and surveyor) and mother to two beautiful and amazing boys. A follow of Jesus Christ, she hopes to build His Kingdom the best she can every day by pointing to Jesus and loving on those around her. She loves to laugh and hug and be sassy/sarcastic.

High School Guidance Counselor

Assistant STEM Coordinator

Pre-K 4

Kindergarten

aphillips@newcolossusacademy.org

Mrs. Phillips received her bachelor's degree in accounting in 2009. After graduation she worked at the hospital in the billing department for 6 years. She felt this wasn’t her real passion because she had always had a love for children. She decided to be a stay-at-home mom while helping in various areas working with children. She heard of an opportunity as a Kindergarten teacher New Colossus Academy was hiring for in 2020. This will make her fifth year and her daughters Logan and Charlee third year. She has been married for 14 years and has 3 children.

1st Grade

sallen@newcolossusacademy.org

Sandy is returning for her second year at NCA as the new 1st grade teacher!   Her 30 year teaching experiences range from public and private school, 1 day a week tutorial schools,  private tutoring, and home-schooling her 3 children.   She hopes to foster a fun- loving environment where students can learn and grow in the Kingdom, academics, and relationships.  In her spare time, Sandy enjoys going to McKay’s with her 3 daughters, who all love books and to read.  Gathering around the table for food and games with all her Grands and their families fills her mama’s heart.  Other hobbies include coffee with friends, gardening, being outdoors with her dogs, and reading, if she can stay awake.  Sandy continues working part time at the Cookeville Pregnancy Center each week advocating for the clients that the Lord sends her way.

2nd Grade

rstout@newcolossusacademy.org

Rebecca has served in the field of elementary education for 30+ years. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, emphasizing Curriculum and Instruction. She has held teaching certificates in Oregon, Washington, and currently, in Tennessee. Her service has been in teaching various grades, Literacy Coach, Art Teacher, Principal, and Tutoring. Small group and private art lessons in her home studio are a beloved part of her teaching as well. Most of Rebecca’s work has been in lower grade classrooms, primarily at Christian schools. She is passionate about integrating Biblical truths in all teaching and discipleship, and leading children to love and value learning and a relationship with Christ. The potential and uniqueness of each child is respected and enjoyed.  Personal experiences that children love to have her share about include sheep ranching, traveling on a sailboat with her husband as a missionary, and writing, illustrating, and publishing a children’s picture book.

3rd Grade

mbrewer@newcolosssacademy.org

Maura Brewer graduated with her bachelor's in Special Education in May of 2022 from Tennessee Tech. She has completed Foundations of Literacy and Integration of Literacy courses through SMILA (Simultaneous Multisensory Institute of Language Arts). She is a certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist. Maura is excited to teach third grade this year at NCA. Maura lives in Cookeville, TN with her husband, Noah. They take advantage of all the  parks in the area and love to hike and camp.

4th Grade

aelzy@newcolossusacademy.org

Kindergarten Assistant

cromine@newcolossusacademy.org

Courtney Romine was born and raised in Jamestown, Tennessee by her parents and her small Southern Baptist church. She attended Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University) and received her bachelors in Children’s Ministry and her Master’s in Education. She met her husband Kyle there and they were involved in full-time ministry the first four years of their marriage. Courtney and Kyle moved to Cookeville six years ago to be closer to family and now attend The Oaks church. They have three children together, Anna (8) Josephine (6) and Noah (4). Courtney has been a stay at home/ homeschool mom for eight years. In their spare time, the Romine family likes to read, do puzzles, go camping, and spend time with family and friends. 

2-4th Teacher’s Assistant

bbennett@newcolossusacademy.org

Brittney Bennett is in her second year as a teacher’s assistant at NCA where she enjoys helping others in any way she can. She is married to Derek and has a son in the second grade. Brittney also holds a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and works part-time as a nurse, with both of her jobs fulfilling her servant heart. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family, watching her son play baseball, camping, and appreciating the little things in life.

Teacher's Assistant

5th-6th Grade Science

asheumaker@newcolossusacademy.org

Alicia (Ray) Sheumaker is a Cookeville native and graduated from Cookeville High School in 1992. She earned a bachelor’s  degree in Science and Math Education in 1997 and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in  1998, both from the University of Tennessee. After graduating, Alicia began teaching 5th grade math and  science in the Putnam County School System, and continued in that position for 5 years. In 2002, Alicia married Jonathan Sheumaker, who is from Portland, Tennessee. The delight of her life is raising her own children in the same town she grew up in with childhood favorites, like Ralph’s Donuts, TTU sports, and nearby family. The Sheumaker children were home educated until NCA opened in the fall of 2020. Samuel graduated from NCA in 2024. The youngest 4 are NCA students: Elsie (12th grade),  Annabel (10th), Lucy (7th), and Micah (4rd). The Sheumaker family attends Oaks Church in Cookeville. They enjoy playing and watching sports, traipsing through the woods, backyard fires, road trips, good books, friends & family,  and are usually up for a feisty game of driveway pickleball. 

5th-6th Grade History

adill@newcolossusacademy.org

Andrea Dill has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in International Business from Bowling Green State University. Andrea has 5 years experience homeschooling her 3 children.  Andrea has taught History and Science at Peachtree Learning Center. 2024 -2025 will be her second year teaching middle school history at NCA. She has found it surprising how much she enjoys teaching history, “the best subject”, to young minds. Married for 16 years, the mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter, she finds great joy in family time, cooking, gardening and trying new things.

5th-6th Bible & H.S. Apologetics

bvaughn@newcolossusacademy.org

Bryan Vaughn is entering his first year as a middle school teacher in Bible and History at NCA. Bryan graduated from Tennessee Tech with a B.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies in the College of Education, and has done graduate work at Southern and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminaries. He has served in churches and ministry for 28+ years, including five years with his family living out their faith in Central Asia. In addition to teaching at NCA, along with his family and several close friends, Bryan is starting a new church family in Cookeville, called Oaks Church, where he is serving as the lead Pastor. When he isn’t teaching or working, Bryan enjoys spending time laughing and doing life with his wife of 26 years, Meredith (a nurse at the Cookeville Pregnancy Clinic), and their kids, Carson (22 yrs old and married to Abby), Eli (21 yrs old and married to Kate), Luke (19 yrs old and a nursing student at TTU), Kaylyn (18 yrs old and rising freshman at TTU), and Joel (9 yrs old and 4th grader at NCA). As a family they love sharing meals around the table, biking, camping and hiking, and pretty much anything outside.

7th-8th Grade Science & History

troper@newcolossusacademy.org

Tracy Roper was born in Columbia, TN.  She now resides in Baxter with her husband Randy, who is a minister, and their two dogs.  She has two sons and five grandchildren. She just retired from the public school system after thirty years of service.  She has been a follower of Christ since 1979.  She enjoys gardening, shopping, and working in her church. She is looking forward to a great year at NCA.

M.S. Math

vdavis@newcolossusacademy.org

Veleka Davis is starting her first year as a middle school teacher in Math at NCA.  Veleka graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Finance. She then spent time working at a local bank, nursing home and the state of Tennessee.  Then she stayed home with her children and started home educating them. In addition to teaching at NCA, she is an event coordinator and parent support specialist for TTA. When she isn’t teaching or working, she enjoys spending time with her family and working in her garden. She has been married to her husband, Shannon (IBEW international representative), for 23 years and they have 5 children Lincoln (16 years old), Davalynn (12 yrs old), Zander (10 yrs old), Emberlynn (7 years old), and Crimson (4 yrs old). In her spare time she loves to preserve food, and cook all things!

M.S. Language Arts

anorris@newcolossusacademy.org

Amy Norris is thrilled to be joining the New Colossus family this year as the middle school Language Arts and Literature teacher! She is a TTU graduate, military spouse, home-school educator, and Executive Function Skills Coach. Over the past 25 years, Amy has taught and tutored hundreds of students across the U.S., Germany, Mexico, and China. With her husband, Ward, and their four children, she has moved eleven times in the past twenty-two years, so she is delighted to now be settling down in Cookeville. Amy enjoys loving on her family, hosting story-time at local bookstores, and becoming genuinely awestruck by a variety of things.

STEM Instructor

asimcox@newcolossusacademy.org

 As a Cookeville native, I graduated from TTU in 2004 with a BS in Child and Family Studies - Child Development Family Relations. My past employment has primarily focused on working with disadvantaged youth, mental health case management, children’s ministry, and teaching. This is my second year teaching middle school at NCA. My favorite pastimes are reading, creative writing, and spending time with family and friends. I homeschooled my 3 children for 10 years before joining the NCA family last year. My husband, Matt, and I have been married for 20 years, and we have 3 children (Noble age 8, Fisher age 14, and Addison age 16). I firmly believe that writing is simply talking on paper, and if you do not like reading, it is only because you have not found the right book yet. A personal goal of mine is to help unlock and cultivate the inner resident writer and reader within each student. I am looking forward to working with you and your student in the year to come.

H.S. Department Head and Science

kwilcox@newcolossusacademy.org

Kristen Wilcox is excited to start her 3rd year at New Colossus Academy continuing her role as one of NCA’s enthusiastic Science Teachers. Her classroom is known for fostering curiosity, whether it be from trying to decipher her morning lecture before she has finished her first cup of coffee or observing students tackle challenging projects and experiments. When she is not in the classroom Kristen Wilcox can usually be found trying to keep up with her very energetic 2 year old, hunting for old board games at local thrift stores with her husband, or reading mystery novels.

H.S. History

bknowles@newcolossusacademy.org

Bryan Knowles graduated magna cum laude from Bryan College in 2020 with a B.A. in history and a concentration in politics and government. Mr. Knowles was homeschooled from K-12 and graduated from Daniel 1 Academy, where he met his wife through the high school basketball program. They were married in 2021, and welcomed a baby boy in March of 2023. The Knowles live in Sparta and attend Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville. This is Mr. Knowles’ third year with NCA. He enjoys coffee, outdoor activities, traveling with his wife and son, and reading books.

H.S. Math

cwilson@newcolossusacademy.org

Carey Wilson is thrilled to be with New Colossus Academy for her fourth year at New Colossus Academy. She facilitates high school mathematics. Her classroom is follows a non-traditional approach to learning mathematics that is student-centered. She encourages students to have fun learning mathematics first, and prioritizes students gaining an appreciation and deeper understanding for mathematics. When Carey Wilson is not teaching, she is finishing her final year at Tennessee Tech to get her doctorate in STEM Education. She loves to learn new things, and can typically be found at the STEM Center at Tennessee Tech working on STEM outreach projects with one of her mentors. In addition, she loves to hang out with Kristen Wilcox and her husband for fun game night! She also enjoys gardening with her husband, Steve Wilson, and enjoys spending time with her two dachshunds, Bug and Huckleberry.

H.S. Spanish

lwhitted@newcolossusacademy.org

Lidia Whitted is a native Spanish speaker from Guatemala who grew up in NY. She has always been fascinated by the power of language and its ability to connect with people. This fascination led her to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Disorders, becoming a board-certified Speech Language Pathologist. It will be an honor for her to be teaching such a beautiful language in the most natural and nurturing approach through immersion and interactive activities. 

H.S. Physics

jsheumaker@newcolossusacademy.org

Jonathan Sheumaker grew up in Portland, TN where his father was the minister of music and youth at the First Baptist Church.  He is the youngest of three children.  He attended Portland High School playing basketball and tennis and falling in love with the sciences, especially physics.  He graduated in 1993 and then attended Belmont University.  He graduated in 1997 with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics.  He moved to Cookeville and began working at Fleetguard as a product development engineer.  He has been with Fleetguard/Cummins Filtration/Atmus for 26 years and has worked in several different technical roles during that time including product development, technical project leadership, Design for Six Sigma and reliability.  He has worked for the last 12 years in research and technology, managing a team of researchers developing new filtration technologies.  He holds patents on various filtration technologies.  He has a love for science and engineering, solving problems and developing ideas into new technologies. In 2002 he married Alicia Ray and started the most incredible journey of his life.  Over the past 20 years, they have been raising and homeschooling five wonderful children and learning how God is always faithful and always provides.  They have served as deacons at Kainos Church and are a founding family of NCA.  Jonathan loves spending time with Alicia and their kids, riding and racing his bikes, and watching F1 and sports car racing.

H.S. Literature

ceveas@newcolossusacademy.org