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Faculty Directory

Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School’s expert faculty provide individualized attention to help students make the most of their abilities.

TJ’s Expert Faculty

Dedicated and supportive faculty challenge, nurture, and guide all students at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School. These highly qualified professional educators, most of whom hold advanced degrees, are experts in the subjects they teach. They exemplify intellectual curiosity, a dedication to truth, and the advantages of living the examined life.

By modeling TJ’s Mission and Honor Code, our faculty hold students accountable for their progress, and help each one of them develop a strong moral compass. These compassionate individuals encourage and support students as they learn to navigate transitions, develop self-discipline, and think critically.

Thanks to TJ’s impressive teacher-student ratio, all students receive the individualized attention they deserve so that they can achieve their full potential—academically, artistically, athletically, and personally.

Tutorial Sessions

TJ faculty members are available after school until 4 p.m. every day to provide their students with extra help, as well as to engage in enrichment. These sessions can help boost each child’s confidence, strengthen subject comprehension, and develop important learning skills.

Teacher Professional Development

Teacher Professional Development

TJ faculty are dedicated to improving and building their skills so they can inspire all of their students. Toward that goal, they continuously participate in professional development, taking courses, and attending conferences, seminars, retreats, and workshops.

70%

Approximate number of faculty who hold advanced degrees.

18

Advanced Placement courses.

14

Years your child can study foreign languages.

Leaders

“I’m confident I am teaching the local, state, and nationwide leaders of tomorrow. I want to impress upon them the type of people they can become.”

Mr. Clayton Carnahan, Lower School Language Arts teacher

  • Stephanie Myers

    Pre-Kindergarten
    smyers@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Southwest Baptist University.

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  • Michele Dunker

    Kindergarten
    mdunker@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University and training through Gesell Institute of Child Development.

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  • Amanda Beard

    Kindergarten,
    Upper School Cheer Coach
    abeard@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Pittsburg State University.

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  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

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  • David DeWelt

    Pre-K – 5th Grade Spanish
    ddewelt@tjeffschool.org
    BBL Ozark Christian College
    M.Ed. Hope International University

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  • Amanda Almich

    Pre-K to 4th Grade Art, Theater
    aalmich@tjeffschool.org
    B.F.A. William Woods University.

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  • Jerome Eldrige

    Jerome Eldridge

    Jerome Eldridge

    EC/LS Physical Education

    Asst. US Basketball Coach

    Track and Field Coach

    jeldridge@tjeffschool.org

    B.S. Southwestern Oklahoma State University

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  • Jessi Vacca

    Jessi Vacca

    Pre-K Assistant

    jvacca@tjeffschool.org

    B.A. Michigan State University

     

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  • Stephanie Francis

    1st Grade
    sfrancis@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.S. Missouri State University

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  • Kerri Myers

    2nd Grade
    Middle School Tennis Coach
    kmyers2@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Clayton Carnahan

    3rd-5th Grade Language Arts,
    MS/US Track and Cross Country Coach
    ccarnahan@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.A. Missouri State University

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  • Mary Arnold

    3rd-5th Grade Social Studies
    marnold@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University, M.S. Southwest Missouri State University.

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  • April Billings

    3rd-5th Grade Math
    abillings@tjeffschool.org
    A.A. Ozark Christian College,
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University
    M.A. Walden University

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  • Margot Patterson

    Lower School Science
    mpatterson@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Drury University, M.L.I.S. Dominican University.

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  • David DeWelt

    Pre-K – 5th Grade Spanish
    ddewelt@tjeffschool.org
    BBL Ozark Christian College
    M.Ed. Hope International University

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  • John Atteberry

    Vocal & Instrumental Music
    Concert Hall Director
    jatteberry@tjeffschool.org
    B.M. University of Missouri, M.M Rutgers University.

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  • Rebecca Cutler-Metzger

    Lower, Middle, & Upper School Strings,
    3rd and 4th grade General Music
    rcutler@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University, M.M Illinois State University.

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  • Amanda Almich

    Pre-K to 4th Grade Art, Theater
    aalmich@tjeffschool.org
    B.F.A. William Woods University.

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  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

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  • Gretchan Moss

    LS Assistant Teacher
    gmoss@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Colorado Christian University

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  • Ursula Rincker

    Registrar and Librarian
    urincker@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. University of Kansas

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  • Jerome Eldrige

    Jerome Eldridge

    Jerome Eldridge

    EC/LS Physical Education

    Asst. US Basketball Coach

    Track and Field Coach

    jeldridge@tjeffschool.org

    B.S. Southwestern Oklahoma State University

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  • Shauna Tharp

    Director of Middle and Upper School,
    Middle and Upper School History
    stharp@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Michigan State University, MS.Ed. Baker University.

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  • John Atteberry

    Vocal & Instrumental Music
    Concert Hall Director
    jatteberry@tjeffschool.org
    B.M. University of Missouri, M.M Rutgers University.

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  • Lia Wu

    Middle and Upper School English
    US Scholar Bowl Coach
    lwu@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Rice University
    M.A. Western Colorado University 

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  • Paula Bohm

    Middle & Upper School Mathematics
    pbohm@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. University of Texas-San Antonio, M.S. Pittsburg State University.

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  • David Harris

    Middle & Upper School History
    High School Debate Coach
    dharris@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Hendrix College,  M.A. University of Central Arkansas.

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  • Christopher Rupar, Ph D.

    Middle & Upper School Science
    crupar@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University, Ph D. University of Arkansas.

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  • Charles Curtis, Ph D.

    Middle and Upper School Math
    ccurtis@tjeffschool.org
    B.S., M.S., Ph. D., University of Washington

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  • Syeda Greenlee

    Middle and Upper School Mathematics
    sgreenlee@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri State University,
    M.S. Arkansas State University,
    Ed. Specialist Southwest Baptist University

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  • Katherine Lynch

    Middle and Upper School Mathematics
    klynch@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.S. Pittsburg State University

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  • Chloe Spencer

    MS/US History
    cspencer@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Beloit College, M.Ed. University of Bath, M.Ed. Wisconsin Lutheran College

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  • Shannon Bickford

    Middle & Upper School Science
    MS Academic Bowl Team Coach
    sbickford@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Erin Fledderman

    Middle & Upper School Science
    efledderman@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Marian College.

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  • Daniel Tharp

    Middle & Upper School English
    Director of Summer Discovery Academy
    dtharp@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. and M.A. Pittsburg State University, M.F.A. University of Notre Dame.

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  • Gelmis Cole

    Middle & Upper School Spanish Language
    gcole@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University.

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  • Zina Lewis

    Middle & Upper School Latin
    zlewis@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Monmouth College, M.A. University of Iowa

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  • Johhny Wu

    Middle & Upper School Chinese Language
    jwu@tjeffschool.org
    M.A. University of Manchester,  M.A. Michigan State University,
    B.A. Chengdu University

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  • Natalie Wiseman

    Middle and Upper School Art
    nwiseman@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Rebecca Cutler-Metzger

    Lower, Middle, & Upper School Strings,
    3rd and 4th grade General Music
    rcutler@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University, M.M Illinois State University.

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  • Amanda Almich

    Pre-K to 4th Grade Art, Theater
    aalmich@tjeffschool.org
    B.F.A. William Woods University.

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  • Lindsey Showalter

    MS/US Physical Education, Volleyball Coach and
    Basketball Coach
    lshowalter@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Kerri Myers

    2nd Grade
    Middle School Tennis Coach
    kmyers2@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

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  • Clayton Carnahan

    3rd-5th Grade Language Arts,
    MS/US Track and Cross Country Coach
    ccarnahan@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.A. Missouri State University

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  • Kimberly Gray

    MS History
    kgray@tjeffschool.org
    M.Ed. University of Kansas

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  • Shauna Tharp

    Director of Middle and Upper School,
    Middle and Upper School History
    stharp@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Michigan State University, MS.Ed. Baker University.

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  • John Atteberry

    Vocal & Instrumental Music
    Concert Hall Director
    jatteberry@tjeffschool.org
    B.M. University of Missouri, M.M Rutgers University.

    Read More
  • Lia Wu

    Middle and Upper School English
    US Scholar Bowl Coach
    lwu@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Rice University
    M.A. Western Colorado University 

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  • Paula Bohm

    Middle & Upper School Mathematics
    pbohm@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. University of Texas-San Antonio, M.S. Pittsburg State University.

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  • David Harris

    Middle & Upper School History
    High School Debate Coach
    dharris@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Hendrix College,  M.A. University of Central Arkansas.

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  • Christopher Rupar, Ph D.

    Middle & Upper School Science
    crupar@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University, Ph D. University of Arkansas.

    Read More
  • Charles Curtis, Ph D.

    Middle and Upper School Math
    ccurtis@tjeffschool.org
    B.S., M.S., Ph. D., University of Washington

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  • Chloe Spencer

    MS/US History
    cspencer@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Beloit College, M.Ed. University of Bath, M.Ed. Wisconsin Lutheran College

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  • Katherine Lynch

    Middle and Upper School Mathematics
    klynch@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.S. Pittsburg State University

    Read More
  • Johhny Wu

    Middle & Upper School Chinese Language
    jwu@tjeffschool.org
    M.A. University of Manchester,  M.A. Michigan State University,
    B.A. Chengdu University

    Read More
  • Syeda Greenlee

    Middle and Upper School Mathematics
    sgreenlee@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri State University,
    M.S. Arkansas State University,
    Ed. Specialist Southwest Baptist University

    Read More
  • Shannon Bickford

    Middle & Upper School Science
    MS Academic Bowl Team Coach
    sbickford@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

    Read More
  • Daniel Tharp

    Middle & Upper School English
    Director of Summer Discovery Academy
    dtharp@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. and M.A. Pittsburg State University, M.F.A. University of Notre Dame.

    Read More
  • Zina Lewis

    Middle & Upper School Latin
    zlewis@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Monmouth College, M.A. University of Iowa

    Read More
  • Gelmis Cole

    Middle & Upper School Spanish Language
    gcole@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University.

    Read More
  • Amanda Almich

    Pre-K to 4th Grade Art, Theater
    aalmich@tjeffschool.org
    B.F.A. William Woods University.

    Read More
  • Erin Fledderman

    Middle & Upper School Science
    efledderman@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Marian College.

    Read More
  • Natalie Wiseman

    Middle and Upper School Art
    nwiseman@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University

    Read More
  • Rebecca Cutler-Metzger

    Lower, Middle, & Upper School Strings,
    3rd and 4th grade General Music
    rcutler@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University, M.M Illinois State University.

    Read More
  • Matt Fussell

    Matt Fussell

    Interim Technology Coordinator,
    Upper School Computer Science
    mfussell@tjeffschool.org
    B.G.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Mark Cole

    Publications, Graphic Designer
    mcole@tjeffschool.org

    B.A. Missouri Southern State University, M.A. Pittsburg State University.

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  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

    Read More
  • Lindsey Showalter

    MS/US Physical Education, Volleyball Coach and
    Basketball Coach
    lshowalter@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University

    Read More
  • Clayton Carnahan

    3rd-5th Grade Language Arts,
    MS/US Track and Cross Country Coach
    ccarnahan@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University,
    M.A. Missouri State University

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  • Jeff Park

    School President
    jpark@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Lehigh University,
    M.A. University of Denver

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  • Laura McDonald

    Head of School
    Director of College Counseling
    lmcdonald@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Kenyon College, MSEd Missouri State University

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  • Georgia Beauchamp

    Director of Student Recruiting and Admissions
    gbeauchamp@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Asbury University

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  • Shauna Tharp

    Director of Middle and Upper School,
    Middle and Upper School History
    stharp@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Michigan State University, MS.Ed. Baker University.

    Read More
  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

    Read More
  • Chris Myers

    Director of Athletics & Campus Operations
    Boys Basketball Coach
    cmyers@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University.

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  • Debie Donica

    Business Manager
    ddonica@tjeffschool.org
    B.S. Missouri Southern State University.

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  • Jeff Almich

    Plant Manager
    jalmich@tjeffschool.org

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  • Terri Davidson

    School Receptionist
    tdavidson@tjeffschool.org

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  • Matt Fussell

    Matt Fussell

    Interim Technology Coordinator,
    Upper School Computer Science
    mfussell@tjeffschool.org
    B.G.S. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Lauden Baker

    Lauden Baker

    Lauden Baker

    External Relations Coordinator

    lbaker@tjeffschool.org

    B.A. Missouri Southern State University

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  • Amy Gimpel

    Amy Gimpel

    Communications Coordinator

    agimpel@tjeffschool.org

    B.S. Southwest Baptist University

    M.A. Maryville University

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  • John Atteberry

    Vocal & Instrumental Music
    Concert Hall Director
    jatteberry@tjeffschool.org
    B.M. University of Missouri, M.M Rutgers University.

    Read More
  • Molly Williams

    Director of Early Childhood & Lower School, Music
    mwilliams@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Northwestern University,
    M.Ed. William Woods University

    Read More
  • Rebecca Cutler-Metzger

    Lower, Middle, & Upper School Strings,
    3rd and 4th grade General Music
    rcutler@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Pittsburg State University, M.M Illinois State University.

    Read More
  • Natalie Wiseman

    Middle and Upper School Art
    nwiseman@tjeffschool.org
    B.A. Missouri Southern State University

    Read More
  • Amanda Almich

    Pre-K to 4th Grade Art, Theater
    aalmich@tjeffschool.org
    B.F.A. William Woods University.

    Read More

THOMAS JEFFERSON

PREPARATION FOR A MORE REMARKABLE JOURNEY

Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School delivers a rigorous liberal arts college preparatory curriculum in a supportive and nurturing environment.