Administration & Staff

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Paxton is thrilled to join Rivendell this year teaching Secondary Humanities! He holds two

master's degrees in Biblical Studies from Duke Divinity School and Nelson University. He has a

deep love for studying Scripture alongside the great Christian theologians and philosophers

who've wrestled with it before us.

He can't wait to learn alongside Rivendell's students, creating a classroom where every

question, simple or complex, is welcome. For Paxton, curiosity isn't just encouraged; it's at the

heart of learning, because the pursuit of knowledge is ultimately the pursuit of God.

A lifelong Columbus resident, Paxton lives with his wife, Mailee, and their two children. Whether

it's a family trip, a movie, or a game night, time together is what he treasures most. Paxton and

Mailee have built their life upon following God's leading. They are grateful He has brought them

to Rivendell and can't wait to grow with this community!

Beth is a veteran homeschooler with over 20 years of experience in classical education both in home and cooperative settings. For the past nine years, she has worked at a local Classical Conversations community in several roles: teaching grammar and writing to 9-12 year olds, directing the elementary program, and teaching the senior class. 

Due to her own children’s dyslexia, she has a heart for bright but struggling students.  She has nine years of experience with Orton-Gillingham methodology and was certified as a Barton Reading Tutor in 2021. She hopes to create a learning environment where all students thrive and discover their God-given strengths in spite of their struggles.

Abi is from Helena, AL, and moved here after college to be with my husband, a native of Columbus. She graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in ESEC (early childhood, special education, elementary and collaborative education). She taught 3rd grade at

Lakewood Elementary for two years and then spent 8 years at Brookstone School teaching 2nd grade and Pre-K. She has homeschooled her kids for two years now and looks forward to

getting back into the classroom!

Abi is passionate about connecting all learning to the handiwork of God as well as building a strong classroom community where students learn and respect each other’s individual needs

and interests. One of my theme verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

Her husband, Josh, have been married for 12 years and have three beautiful children: William, 10, Sadie, 7, and James, 3. As a family, we enjoy  traveling to the beach and going on road trips that involve camping in various places. We look forward to joining this wonderful school

community!

Jennifer is a native of Columbus, GA. She married her husband Blake,

whom she met at church as children. She graduated from Kennesaw State

University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. For the past six

years she has homeschooled their children using the Charlotte Mason

method and has thoroughly enjoyed teaching and serving on the

leadership team of their wonderful co-op. She is excited to bring her

experience into the classroom.

Jennifer is passionate about cultivating a love of learning through rich literature, the beauty of God’s creation, and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. She values a warm, orderly classroom where each child is known and nurtured, and where students are encouraged to grow in both character and scholarship within a Christ-centered community.

Jennifer and Blake have been married for 14 years and are blessed with six

children—four boys and two girls—ranging in age from 1 to 11. They attend St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, where they are grateful to raise their family in a loving covenant community.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading, painting, photography, gardening, antiquing, music, and playing pickleball. The Corcoran family delights in the simple joys of life together and looks forward with great anticipation to joining this classical Christian school community.

Gini is a native of Columbus and has been making music her whole life. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and spent seven years teaching choir, piano, and theater in public schools. She has served in music ministry for many years as a choir member,

pianist, and worship leader, and is currently the Director of Music at Pierce Chapel Methodist Church.

Gini is excited to join Rivendell and hopes to help students develop a love and appreciation for the music God has given us to worship Him.

When not making music at church, Gini often plays bluegrass and country music in a band with her husband, Dan. They have two children, Coralee and Max. She also enjoys spending time in nature through hiking, trail running, camping, and kayaking with her family.

Astrid Donovan was born and raised in New Hampshire, but after 20 years traveling the country as a military spouse, now calls Georgia home.  She and her husband Scott share a love of theology, history, and good literature. 

Astrid graduated from the University of Alaska with a Bachelor’s degree in English Rhetoric, and still loves to read whenever she gets a spare minute. She has been a Charlotte Mason home educator for 9 years, and is excited to share her love of the Humanities with students.

Lexie likes to say that she's from anywhere and everywhere, she has lived in many places from California to New York. If asked where home is she would say Tennessee! She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University, following the love she has for science and math!

As Lexie was growing up she developed a deep appreciation for science and math, seeing how both point to an intelligent, perfect, and wise creator.

She's eager to help foster a deep sense of wonder for God's world and see the harmony between order, logic, and

beauty. Along with nurturing a genuine love for the language of math!

She's passionate about helping students think for themself and disciplining the whole student. Being a newer teacher, Lexie is committed to cultivate a classroom of virtue and pursue what is true, good, and beautiful. She is devoted to seeing the world through God's word and education is no exception. She's  incredibly humbled to be a part of Rivendell's community and faithfully serve where the Lord has planted her!

When not in the classroom you can find her spending quality time with family & friends, walking, listening to theology podcasts, watching shark documentaries, thrifting, or in a bible study! She loves too many verses to choose a favorite but one she continuously goes back to is Mark 12:30 "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and

with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." She is looking forward to an incredible school year and what God has in store for Rivendell.

Bethany Gunnels is a Columbus, Georgia native. She grew up with a love of learning, creating artwork, and exploring the natural world. She earned a BFA in studio art with a concentration in drawing from the University of Montevallo and went on to earn a M. Ed. with a concentration in K-12 art from the same university. She has been teaching art in private Christian schools since 2007. In her teaching practice, she focuses on exposing students to a wide range of art styles and historical artists, while also developing their knowledge and skills with different art media and

techniques.

Bethany has been married to her husband, Kevin, since 2012 and they

have two children, Emma and Ethan. She enjoys spending time with her

family, cooking, creating and viewing artwork, and keeping a range of

interesting pets including tropical fish and reptiles.

Marion is a Columbus, Georgia native who has been married to Wesley for over 20 years. They have 5 children and just completed their 18th year homeschooling. She is skilled at teaching all ages and subjects, though literature and American History are her favorite! Marion graduated with honors from Columbus State University with a Bachelor of Business degree in Marketing and Finance. She has been a professional photographer for the past 14 years and loves to use her camera as a ministry tool to show the love of Christ and bring Him glory.

Marion understands that there are only a few years to teach students how to be grounded in Truth so that they can be prepared to face the culture and temptations that the world presents. She is excited to assist students to learn how to think for themselves based on what is really true. She is gifted at developing relationships as she’s teaching and creating opportunities to help others go on adventure with Jesus. She is very excited to be a part of this inaugural year of Rivendell Academy and hopes to contribute to making it a school of excellence.

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."-Proverbs 4:13

Danelle is the Equipping Minds Education Coordinator at Rivendell Academy and will be working with students that have special needs academically. A native of South Florida, Danelle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies/Psychology from Samford University, where she met her husband, D.R. They've been married for 18 years and, since moving to Columbus in 2010, have found a welcoming community at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church.

Danelle has a background in fitness, spending many years as a personal trainer, driven by a desire to help others reach their fitness goals. She has three children—Ryder, Campbell, and Reagan and for the past nine years her main focus has been managing her home and supporting her busy military husband.

Danelle is thrilled to apply her nurturing spirit and love of connection to helping students at Rivendell discover their God-given strengths, even amidst learning challenges. She loves to go on a long run, listen to music of all kinds, be near the ocean, read anything by C.S. Lewis,  and make homemade guacamole. "I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

Charlotte is joyful to join the Rivendell family for the new school year and to serve alongside this

community in faith. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from East

Tennessee State University and will complete her Master’s in Reading and Literacy Instruction from

the University of West Georgia this summer.

For thirteen years, Charlotte and her husband, Mitch, served as missionaries with a faith-based

organization, ministering in places near and far—from East Asia and Argentina to New York City and

Sweden. She brings eight years of classroom experience and a deep spiritual commitment to

creating a year of meaningful learning rooted in Christian values. Charlotte’s passion is to reveal the

beauty and creativity of God in the world around us and to help students see God’s handiwork in

everyday learning.

Charlotte and Mitch have been married for twenty years and are the proud parents of Bennett and

Lena. They moved to Georgia seven years ago while Mitch serves at Impact 360 Institute. Charlotte

is an active, faithful member of Midtree Church. Her life verse is: “I have fought the good fight, I have

finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2Timothy 4:7

TimAyn Stack was born and raised in a small rural town in Alaska. After graduating from high school she attended the University of Alaska Anchorage where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Early Childhood Development.

TimAyn has 5 children and was a homeschool Mom in both Alabama and Texas through her kids' elementary years. In 2019 she felt called to pursue her Masters in Science and graduated from the University of Bridgeport Connecticut with her MS in Human Nutrition in 2022. Nutrition continues to be a part of her ministry to others of all ages.

Beyond homeschooling her own kids and teaching homeschool coop groups, she has taught at a Classical charter school for the past 4 years. Her experience includes, 5-9 grade computers, 6 grade English and History, High School Chemistry, High School Anatomy and Physiology, 6 and 8 grade Latin.

TimAyn is overjoyed to be teaching Primary D at Rivendell and looks forward to being the hands and feet of Jesus in her classroom. Teaching is an invitation to go on an adventure with students. “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19