Staff

Mrs. Julie Cavan is delighted to begin her role as ACA's on-campus Speech-Language Pathologist in November 2025. She is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and a graduate of Briarwood Christian School, where she completed her K–12 education. Julie went on to attend the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders in 2011 and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2013.

She and her husband, David—a graduate of ACA and a firefighter with Northport Fire Rescue—are proud parents of three children: David Jr., Elsie, and Rose, all of whom attend ACA. Their niece, Stella, also attends ACA and holds a special place in their family.

Julie brings over a decade of expertise in speech-language pathology. For the past ten years, she has served in the Tuscaloosa County School System at Brookwood Elementary School, providing therapy to children from preschool through fifth grade. Before serving in the school system, she completed her Clinical Fellowship Year in skilled nursing and rehab facilities, where she assessed and treated communication, cognition, and swallowing disorders.

Julie holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice in Alabama through the Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (ABESPA).

I have held the position of Admissions Director at American Christian Academy since 1994. I love my job as Admissions Director because I have the opportunity to meet new and interesting people on a regular basis. I truly believe ACA has something very special to offer families and students. We have an outstanding facility,a challenging academic curriculum which prepares students for college, an excellent athletic program, and a caring, loving, envrionment. I also love coming to work each day because the atmosphere is Christ-centered, upbeat, and the faculty and staff are fun loving and great friends. I love ACA! GO PATRIOTS!

I grew up in Radford Virginia until my family moved to Winfield AL in 1996. I then moved to Tuscaloosa the summer after graduating to attend the University of Alabama. I met my husband, Randy in 2003 and we married in 2005. Most of the time we have to be reminded that it’s our anniversary. We have two beautiful daughters who have attended ACA their whole lives. I began volunteering at ACA in 2016 and have been doing so ever since. I am excited to be able to step into a full-time position at the Elementary desk where I get to witness our students grow. 

Tori graduated from Liberty University with her master’s degree in
Elementary Education in 2022 and has been teaching at Valley
Fellowship Christian Academy in Huntsville, Alabama since 2021. She
has taught 3rd and 6th grade and assisted administrators during the
past two years. In Co-curriculars she coached the elementary and
varsity Cheer and began VFCA’s STEM Club. She is very excited to step
into the STEM classroom full time this year at ACA!
Josh, Tori, and Ruby (their Australian Shepherd) are very excited to
start at ACA in the Fall! Go Patriots!

Marla Shaw graduated from Hillcrest High School and attended the University of Alabama School of Business.  She is married to David and they have two children, Kristin (20) and Will (16).  They currently attend Church of the Highlands. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.  Roll Tide! and Go Patriots!

My name is Ashley Tunnell. I taught at ACA for 13 years and now serve as the School Guidance Counselor.  

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama, and I received my Master’s degree in the same field from the University of West Alabama. Previous to teaching at American Christian, I taught, third, sixth, and second grade in the Tuscaloosa County School System.

I received Christ as my personal savior when I was 22 years old. It has been a blessing to feel and see the leadership of the Holy Spirit in my life and in my career. My family and I are faithful members of Five Points Baptist Church in Northport. My husband, William, and I have 5 children: Colton, Tanner, Olivia, Ryleigh and Lane.

In my free time I love to read books, make smocked clothing for children, and take long walks. As a family, we love to go to the beach and go camping in our travel trailer. It is such a blessing to be at ACA!

Justa graduated from ACA in 1998, and graduated from The University of Alabama in 2004 with a degree in Criminal Justice and Forensics Science. She has been employed at ACA since 2009 and has served in many roles and currently works in the front office. She has 3 children: Gentry, Jackson, and Jodi Caroline.