Middle and High School Teachers

Hannah Acton graduated from ACA in 2012 and continued her education and athletic career at Stillman College. She played both volleyball and softball throughout her time at Stillman, met her Husband, and graduated in 2016. Hannah and her husband, Connor spent their first years married serving students in Orlando, Florida and have moved back to Tuscaloosa in 2020. Both Hannah and her husband are passionate about serving this generation of students and those coming up. They also have two children, Tatum and SJ, who attend ACA . Hannah currently serves as the varsity volleyball head coach and the varsity softball assistant coach. 

Josh was born and raised in the Heart of Dixie. Raised by two missionaries, Josh was forced to eat butter-beans and play "Non-American" sports. He became a Christian at the ripe age of 21 while attending Jacksonville State University. He soon swept his future wife off her feet with his smooth moves and dashing good looks. He and Jamie traveled the world for a couple of years; riding bulls, feeding crocodiles, surfing waves, singing karaoke before they moved to Louisville, KY (the greatest city in the world) for Josh to attend Seminary. Josh's fancy piece of paper that he earned in seminary that says he is super-smart has taken them to Atlanta, Ga, St. Louis, MO and finally Tuscaloosa, AL. Josh and Jamie have two children, Oswyn and Luella, both are currently training for the circus. 

Brittnay Bigham graduated from ACA in 2011, and continued her education and athletic career at Faulkner University. She has been teaching and coaching at ACA since 2018. She married her husband, Luke Bigham, in 2021, and they have two children, Hosanna and Lazarus.

Jill is so excited about joining the ACA Family. Jill graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama in English. Jill also has a degree in Photography and has owned and operated her own photography business for 20 years. Jill brings with her a lot of knowledge in the field of English because she has taught in 3 different states in both the private and public sector for a combined number
of 16 years. Jill loves working with a team, believing that shared knowledge amongst colleagues encourages growth in the students academically. For instance, Jill loves IXL that she learned to use with the students and GA. In return, her students came in 2nd in
the county out of 8 other schools on Georgia state testing. She also loves Khan Academy. She used this with her Seniors last year as a review and saw numerous ACT English scores rise because of it. She is an advocate for AR reading because it allows students to read books they enjoy while being tested on their comprehension. Writing is also a big love of Jill’s as this was a focus of hers in college. She is amid writing her ongoing devotional book upon which she hopes to publish one day. Finally, Jill has a heart for the students. There is not one student that won’t be loved as she tries to bring the best out in them. Jill also has coached Cheer over the years as she cheered from the age of 4- her Senior year in high school. She chose not to cheer in college because she was on an academic scholarship.
Jill is married to Jason Bowman. Jason has been in the ministry for 30 years. He is currently the pastor at Grace Community in West Alabama. They have one daughter Adasyn who will be an incoming Sophomore at ACA. As a family they love to travel, spend time with family, play board games, and by all means yell for all things Alabama! 

Josh was the head cross-country and track and field
coach at Bryan College in Dayton, TN for 10 years. He
coached at the middle and high school levels before and
after that. Coach Bradley has coached athletes to state
and national qualifiers, which includes All-Americans in the 400m and 10k. Before beginning his teaching and coaching career Coach Bradley ran in
college and was a 4 time All-American himself. Coach Bradley has taught
history and ACT Prep at the middle and high school levels.
With the most recent being ACT Prep, with his focus on College and
Career readiness for 10-12 graders.

I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa.  I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1985 with a degree in Physical Education, K12. I taught PE for 3 years and then went back to school to get my elementary certification.  I have been teaching for a total of 24 years in Tuscaloosa City,Tuscaloosa County, Briarwood Christian, in Mississippi and ACA.  I am married to Mark, who teaches in the Music department at Shelton State. I have a daughter, Meredith, and a son, John Mark. I am very thankful for my family.

I was blessed to be born into a Christian home. At age 9, I trusted Jesus as my Savior and continue to be thankful for all that Christ did for me on the cross. It is because of my love for Him and out of appreciation for all He has done for me that I want to share my faith and what it means to live that out with my students here at ACA. I am thankful for ACA and the ministry it has to my family and look forward to seeing God work in the lives of our students.

Tim Brown received his B.S. in Mathematics Education from University of Alabama in May 1988. He taught math and coached football at Northport Junior High 1988-1993. Tim married to Dr. Denise Brown March 1992, his two children are Timothy Nelson and Rebekah Joy. He has been teaching at ACA since the fall of 1993.

After growing up in West Virginia and Louisiana, I moved to Alabama to study English and play volleyball at Samford University. In 2006, I earned a Masters in Theological Studies at Duke Divinity School and then studied Renaissance literature at Florida State University. As a writing composition instructor at FSU, I fell in love with teaching! I became passionate about engaging students and preparing them for college-level work. I married my husband Eddie in 2008, and we moved to Nashville, TN where I taught sophomore and senior English classes at Ravenwood High School for six years. We moved to Tuscaloosa in 2014, and I taught the UAEC 200 College Readiness course at UA Early College for eight years. In 2017, I also became an adjunct English instructor for California Baptist University, hoping to fully “land” at a faith-based institution one day.

In 2023, I became the Associate Director of Academic Development and Engagement at Culverhouse. I enjoyed equipping business students with the career-readiness skills needed for long-term success. During the various twists and turns in my journey, I continue writing and publishing poetry. After seventeen years of serving in public institutions, I am thrilled to teach English at a Christian
school: where faith and reason are not mutually exclusive, and where God’s truths can be both explored and celebrated. I am also grateful to have my four children—Anna Clare, Eliza, Louise, and Edward—at ACA with me. Go Patriots!

Eliz received her bachelor's from the University of Iowa and Masters from Grace Theological Seminary.  She has taught and/or administered over 30 years in Christian school education, most outside of the USA. Emmanuel Baptist remains her church home since marrying into the Carden family and making Alabama her residence.  Her love for science has moved her through teaching many of the middle school and high school sciences offered at ACA. Currently she heads the science department, teaches all juniors chemistry and guides the AP computer science students.

Hannah Crawford was born and raised in Arkansas. Woo pig! She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with degrees in Spanish and Christian Studies. During her attendance there, she served as a missionary for 5 months in Spain where her passions were solidified for life in ministry. She then worked in student ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas while working on her Masters of Theological Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. There she met her husband Matt Crawford. They moved to Tuscaloosa in 2016 and she has called ACA home ever since! She now has 2 sons that attend ACA daycare, Easton and Jonah. She teaches 9th Grade Bible and loves fulfilling the calling God has placed on her life!

I graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelors in Advertising. After working with the national and regional levels of automotive advertising in Detroit and Atlanta, I moved back to marry my college sweetheart, Dan.  :)

I've always been involved with children from babysitting in my earliest days, to Sunday School teacher, children's church leader, preschool teacher, substitute teacher, and 6th grade art teacher. I have also served as a children's director. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, cooking and spending time with my family.

I love pointing out the day-to-day reminders of the original artist, God, to our 3 kiddos and anyone else around! (Have you ever named all the colors of a sunset or investigated a caterpillar?! -crazy!) Come check out the elementary and high school halls any time to see our discoveries of color, line, balance and more! 

Jenae Wyrtzen Edwards is from a little town near Dallas, Texas. She graduated with a degree in English and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin and got her Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. During her undergrad, she studied abroad in Argentina and spent a summer in New York City. These trips embedded her love for the Spanish language and culture in her heart. She has a passion to give students a picture of the world outside of their own and hopes that her class will help them see the creativity of God as they learn to see through the eyes of people from a different culture. She loves that she gets to teach a class that enables students to think beyond their little worlds and into the greatness of a God who loves people from all nations. She met her husband, Harvey Edwards, while getting her Masters Degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She and their sons now serve alongside him as he pastors Anchor Church, a church plant that meets together at ACA each Sunday.

Luke has lived in Tuscaloosa his whole life. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2014. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Hannah, since 2018. They have two children, John Luke and Annie Bea. He has worked as an RN and Team Leader in the DCH operating room for 6 years, but is excited about starting a new adventure in education at ACA. He will be teaching Anatomy and Biology, as well as coaching varsity football and middle school baseball. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting, and watching sports. He is excited about being a part of the Patriot family.

Elizabeth Gordon was born in Memphis and raised here in Tuscaloosa. Elizabeth went to Ole Miss and graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s in French and a minor in business. During college, she studied abroad in Paris and Nice, France. Elizabeth attended law school at the University of Alabama. She received her J.D. in 1999 and became an attorney at Burroughs & Guin, LLP.

Elizabeth continued to practice law part-time while pursuing her master’s in French at UA, which she received in 2003. During graduate school, she participated in several study and work abroad programs in Paris and Tours, France. Elizabeth taught French at UA as a graduate assistant, and later as an adjunct instructor. She also taught French at The Capitol School. In 2006, Elizabeth returned to the full-time practice of law, joining the firm of Rosen Harwood, P.A., where she focused on real estate, county/municipal, and juvenile law for the next nine years.  

In 2015, with great excitement to follow her true passion for teaching French, Elizabeth joined the ACA faculty. She and her husband, Grant, have three boys: Rooksby, David and Patrick. They are active members of Church of the Highlands. Elizabeth and her family love celebrating God’s creation with outdoor adventure and travel. Grant is from South Africa, so they enjoy spending time there with family and friends as often as possible.   

David Green was born and raised here in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from West End Christian High School and then received his B.S. in education and Masters degree in History from the University of Alabama. David taught 25 years in the Tuscaloosa County school system and then moved to Charleston , South Carolina where he taught and coached for six years before returning to Tuscaloosa. He married Dr. Kelley Green in 1992. They  have two grown children,Karlee and Gage. His granddaughter Linley keeps him busy with little league softball and other outdoor activities. David will be teaching World History and Economics/Government classes this year. He will be the Head football coach for the Middle school football team and help coach defensive backs on the Varsity  football team. He is thrilled to get the opportunity to work at ACA.

Hi, my name is Christal and I have lived in Tuscaloosa for the majority of my life. My husband, Joey, and I have 3 amazing kids! Hope is our oldest, she teaches math here at ACA. Hanna graduated from ACA in 2019 and is a reading teacher for kids with disabilities at Kings Daughter School in Columbia, Tennessee. Austin is our caboose and will be graduating from ACA in 2025. We are extremely proud of all three of our children! In my spare time, I love to watch all things sports! Softball, soccer, football, motocross racing and doing anything that involves spending time with my family.  Although I have been a part of the ACA family for a while, I am excited to be in the classroom with all the students!

I graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2016 and I have been an assistant softball coach at ACA since 2017. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 2021 and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree online at Liberty University. I am the oldest of three kids. My sister, Hanna, graduated from ACA in 2019 and my brother, Austin, will graduate from ACA in 2025. A few of my favorite things are taking my dog, Ellie, to the park, spending time with my friends, and all things sports!

Heather Henson has been the instrumental and choral director at American Christian Academy since 2008 where she conducts the Symphonic Band, Patriot Marching Band, Patriot Choir, Royal Bluezz Jazz Band, High School Chapel Worship Band, Intermediate Band, Beginning Band, and the Jubilare! elementary chorus. She also teaches a Music Theory class and is the advisor for the Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter.

Ms. Henson graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree in 1995. During her time at Samford she was a member of the A Cappella Choir, Wind Ensemble, Color Guard, Delta Omicron Music Fraternity, and served as the drum major for the Marching Bulldogs for two years. She began her teaching career in the Jefferson County School System as the Assistant Director of Bands and Choral Director at Oak Grove High School and Alliance Elementary School, and then as Director of Bands at Pittman Middle School in Hueytown, Alabama. She was the visual coordinator, drill writer, color guard director, and winter guard director for the Brookwood High School band program for twelve years and frequently still enjoys adjudicating drum majors and color guards around the Southeast.

Ms. Henson is a clarinet player and was a charter member of the Alabama Winds, an instrumental ensemble that seeks to promote high quality wind band music through performances.  Ms. Henson is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, the Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Vocal Association, Women Band Directors International, and the International Clarinet Association.  Ms. Henson is a member of Riverwood Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa.  She has three children, Caleigh, Chanley, and Gabriel, a.k.a. French horn, oboe, and trumpet.

My name is Jesie Ingram, and I am so excited about this school year! I started teaching in 2014 where I spent 6 years teaching 6th grade English for the Tuscaloosa County School System before coming to ACA. I am so blessed to be teaching in Christ-centered school, and I have grown to love my ACA family. I graduated from The University of Alabama in 2013 with a degree in Elementary Education. In my last semester, I interned at a middle school, and I fell in love with teaching that age. I live here in Tuscaloosa with my husband and our daughter and son. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going to the beach with my family, fishing, and just being outdoors in general. 

As a teacher of middle-schoolers, my hope is to instill a love for God and a love for learning through this pivotal time of growth and change in their lives. 

Elizabeth Kelly is a native of Tuscaloosa and resides in Cottondale with her husband, John, who is a traditional artist, and three of the five children. Sarah, Mary and Cole and Karis have graduated from ACA. Caleb was born with Down's Syndrome and participates in Eagle's Wings program. Elizabeth earned a BA in Family and Child Development in the school of Human Sciences at Auburn University. After many years of being home with her family, in 2012 she joined the teaching staff at ACA. With a love for the study and memorization of scripture, teaching seventh grade Bible is a joy. . She also has a passion for cooking  fresh , unprocessed food and can pass that knowledge and practice onto the Home Ec. students. She believes these skills and practices will serve students their entire life.

Carolyn is from Miami, Florida where she attended a small private Christian school from 6th-12th grade. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and in 2022 with a MA in Communication Studies. She has lived in Tuscaloosa since 2008, married her husband Rand in 2012 and has three children (Finn, Betty-Sue, and Winnie Lew) who all love ACA.

Rand Nelson grew up the fourth of nine kids in Birmingham, Alabama. In high school, he wrestled and threw javelin at Vestavia Hills. While at The University of Alabama he met his wife, Carolyn, when they served together as RA partners in Mary Burke Hall. Since getting married, they stuck around Tuscaloosa where they are raising their two kids—Finley and Betty-Sue—and they have another little girl on the way in September.

Rand graduated in 2012 with an English Degree from Alabama and completed his master’s in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2019. He and his family attend Anchor Church.

Rebekah Pedram teaches mathematics. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Master's degree from the University of West Alabama, as well as, a degree in Educational Specialist in Leadership. She is a Tuscaloosa native. Her and Phillip have two boys, Andrew and Will. She attends First Assembly of God Church. Rebekah became a Christian at a young age but rededicated her life to Christ in her teens. She enjoys teaching preschool Sunday school classes, spending time with her family, and playing board games.

Rachael Reilly was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and came to the United States for college in 2009. After completing her undergraduate work at Gordon College in Massachusetts, she came to the University of Alabama and completed graduate degrees in Chemistry and Spanish Literature. Rachael lives in Northport with her husband, son Gabriel and their dog Hank. She and her family are excited to welcome a baby girl in December!

Hello! My name is Rachel Renfroe, and I am beyond excited to be returning to the American Christian Family. ACA holds a special place in my heart—it was where I built lasting memories during my high school years, and now, I’m honored to return and give back to the school that shaped me. After graduating from ACA, I went on to the University of Alabama, where I earned my Bachelor's degree. I’ve had
the privilege of coaching Middle School Softball and JV Volleyball here at ACA for the past four years. Coaching has allowed me to develop strong relationships with students, helping them build confidence, work together as a team, and strive for excellence both on and off the field. One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalm 23, which reminds me to trust in God’s guidance and provision. I hope to pass on this sense of peace and trust in God's plan to my students, encouraging them to approach challenges with faith, courage, and a positive attitude. On a personal note, I’ve been happily married for three years to my wonderful husband, Riley. We spend most of our free time traveling, eating, spending time with our families and growing in our faith together. I am excited to get to know each of you and to explore the wonders of science together while keeping Christ at the center of all we do! Go Patriots and Roll Tide!

My name is Andrea Shelton. I was born and raised in Heflin, Alabama. After high school, I attended the University of Alabama where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Science and added on a Middle School Endorsement. I am currently an Elementary Physical Education coach. I have taught at American Christian Academy since 2012. During this time, I have also coached golf and basketball and currently coach tennis. Prior to my time here, I taught 8 years at Tuscaloosa Academy and spent 6 years as a stay at home mom with my oldest two children. I met my husband, Mike, while in college and we married in 1998. We have 4 children: Anna Morgan, Davis, Oliver, and Lamar. We also have a dog named Max.

After growing up in a home that put a priority on attending church, I received Christ as my personal savior when I was 15 years old at Camp Sumatanga. My family and I are faithful members of North River Church in Tuscaloosa. In my free time, I love to spend time with my family and travel. It is truly a blessing to be able to work with such amazing students and families at ACA, and to be able to have my children here with me.

Bryan Tatum joined ACA in July of 2024 as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach following 18 years of collegiate coaching including positions at the University of Notre Dame, West Liberty University, Western Kentucky University, Western Carolina University, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, and the University of Tennessee. He's been blessed by contributed to 9 NCAA conference titles (Football, Basketball, Rifle, Soccer, Track & Field), 7 bowl games, (Auburn Football), 2 NCAA National Champions (NC State Wrestling), 33 NCAA All-Americans (Basketball, Football, Track & Field, and Wrestling), 3 Olympians (Rifle, Track & Field, and Wrestling), and over 100 athletes reaching professional ranks (NFL, WNBA, PGA, LPGA, CFL, XFL, IFL, XFL, TFL, UFC).

He is originally from Huntington, West Virginia where he was a 3-sport letterman (Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field) for Cabell Midland High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from West Liberty State College while playing in all 42 games of his Hilltopper career starting 27 at cornerback, contributing to the 2000 WVIAC title and earning numerous WVIAC weekly honors while serving as team captain during his Junior and senior seasons. He earned All-WVIAC honors as a defensive back and completed his last 2 academic years on the dean's list serving as exercise physiology class president. He also holds a master's degree in exercise physiology from Western Kentucky University in addition to 14 professional certifications (RSCC, CSCS, USAW, USATF, ISSC, SAQ, FMS, CES, MAT, RPR-2, FRCMS, TPI, PN1-NC).

He enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends. He is married to the former Alison Poe of Barboursville, West Virginia, and they have four children: Jaxson, Jett, Hensley and Jude.

I was born and raised in Elba, Alabama, where my family and I were actively involved in our church, Wise Mill Assembly of God. I moved to Tuscaloosa in 2002 to attend The University of Alabama where I earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education Language Arts and a master’s degree in Secondary Education Language Arts Curriculum and Instruction. I met my husband, Mark, in 2008, we married in 2012, and God blessed us with our son, David, in 2014. We are members at Valley View Baptist Church where we love attending worship services, Bible studies, and children’s activities. I became a member of the ACA family first as a parent in 2019 when David enrolled as a kindergartener; then, I joined the faculty in 2022. I taught for sixteen years in the English department at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa. I have taught AP Literature since 2012. I also worked as an adjunct instructor at The University of Alabama for three years, teaching first-year writing courses and modern American literature surveys. I have a passion for Jesus and the Bible, teaching young minds, and fostering in students a love of reading and writing. I am blessed to teach at ACA where my passions can be combined.

Brian Winters taught mathematics in Moundville in the 1990s before going into IT.  He is the owner of a technology consulting company, WinTek, and has taken care of the ACA network since the summer of 2022. The company continues to grow, but anyone who knows him knows how much he has missed teaching.   American Christian Academy gave him the opportunity to go back into the classroom this fall.

He has been married to his wife, Shawn, for 38 years, and they have one grown son, Chase. Shawn and Brian spend most of their weekends at their cedar log cabin in Sumter County, where Brian usually is barbecuing something.

Brian also spends almost a month every year in Uganda, where he teaches pastors, works with special needs children, and holds marriage conferences with his wife. He and Shawn attend Capstone Church, where Brian serves as an elder.