Rebecca Eaddy | High School Spanish
I am Rebecca Eaddy, and I am so excited and thankful that the Lord brought me to NRCA this year! I will be teaching ninth-grade Spanish 1 and am thrilled to share my love of language learning as the ninth graders start their high school journey. I am a Raleigh native and live here with my husband, Ellis, who is a City of Raleigh firefighter. We have three children and one son-in-law—Glory and her husband Noah, Aaron, and Abigail—and we cannot forget our little dog, Oliver. I graduated from NC State University (Go Wolfpack!) with a BA in Spanish Language and Literature, specializing in Education in 2007. Previously, I taught middle school in the public school system, but I am so excited to be in high school now, especially with the opportunity to openly share the love of Jesus Christ with my students! I have been blessed to be able to travel quite a bit, including multiple Spanish-speaking countries, two of those on short-term mission trips. This past April, I was blessed with leading a high school youth mission trip to Puebla, Mexico, with our church youth group, which included some amazing NRCA students! I am an avid reader and love to talk about and share music, food, and the best hiking spots in the area. I love the mountains and am always thankful for an opportunity to be outside, appreciating God’s wonder and creation.
We, the Eaddy family, are so happy and thankful to join the NRCA family this year!
Kelly Gainey | Second Grade
My name is Kelly Gainey, and I am thrilled to be a part of the NRCA family this year! I will be teaching second grade. I am a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in English Literature with a minor in psychology and certification in elementary education. I completed my Master of Education degree in the areas of curriculum and instruction. I moved to North Carolina from northwestern Pennsylvania in 2000 to escape the bitter cold winters. My husband, Matt, and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year. We have two boys, Christian (11) and Aaron (8). I have taught in both Durham and Wake County public schools over the years, as well as private schools in the area. Our family attends Hope Community Church, where we are very active in the children’s ministry. I love going to the beach, crafting, running, and studying the Bible. I look forward to an amazing year!
Zach Gallman | Middle School Science
I am Zach Gallman, and it is a joy to be the eighth-grade Physical Science teacher at North Raleigh Christian Academy. My wife, Michelle, and I have two sons, Braxton and Weston, who are in the seventh and second grades. Since graduating from Georgia Southern University in 2009, I have served in the education field in numerous capacities, including teaching, academic and athletic coaching, and principalship, in many different geographical contexts, including Savannah (Georgia), Dallas (Texas), the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. After graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2020, our family has been on a journey of faith and spent the last three years serving in pastoral ministry. While I have a passion for serving the church, I am equally enthusiastic about serving the students, families, staff, administrators, and greater NRCA community. I am looking forward to serving your families in 2023-2024 and inspiring the students to grow in their faith as well as challenge them to achieve personal and academic excellence to the glory of God!
Tripp Lilly | Athletics & Physical Education
My name is Tripp Lilly, and I am the new PE teacher and assistant athletic director at NRCA. I graduated from North Carolina State University in May of 2023 with a degree in Sport Management. I am a big NC State fan and worked for the basketball team while I was in college. I have always lived in the North Raleigh area and attended NRCA from kindergarten until I graduated in 2020. I am really excited to be back serving at NRCA and impacting the next generation for Christ the same way the teachers I had during my time impacted me! Go Knights!
April Savage | High School English
Greetings as we begin an exciting new academic year! I am April Savage, the new sophomore English teacher at NRCA. Let me share a bit about myself.
I love English and hold an undergraduate degree in English education from Gardner-Webb University, a master’s degree in English from Ohio, and I am currently completing my PhD at Columbia International University.
My family and I recently moved to Raleigh from Rock Hill, South Carolina, to pastor the North Haven church. I am happily married to David, and we have three wonderful children attending NRCA: Olivia (8th grade), Luke (7th grade), and Levi (6th grade). They are excited about being in a Christian school and love sports.
Before joining NRCA, we served as missionaries in the Caribbean, where my husband directed a Bible Institute for the Church of God, providing theological education to local pastors. We also had the privilege of serving on staff at Rose Heights church in Tyler, Texas.
Fun facts about me: I was born and raised in the beautiful Bahamas and come from a family of Olympian swimmers. However, I only swam on scholarship at GWU. We love animals and currently care for two big dogs, a cat, and a turtle. This summer, we embarked on a memorable family adventure to Alaska with 18 members, and it was truly awe-inspiring.
Praying for a successful and fulfilling academic year ahead. Romans 12:12.
Cherie Settle | Business Office & Admissions Team
My name is Cherie Settle, and I am so excited about having this opportunity to be a part of the NRCA family beginning this year! I started my time with North Raleigh in May and have been enjoying every minute of it so far. The staff have been both so kind and encouraging, and I have felt welcome since day one.
I work in the Business Office, handling payroll and benefits, and I also provide administrative support to the Admissions Team. My degree is in Business Administration with a Human Resource concentration, so I am glad to be able to serve in this capacity at NRCA and to use my experience in a way that glorifies God while also allowing me to work alongside other Christians on mission for his Kingdom. My initial HR career was in the corporate world, and God allowed me to transition out of that role eight years ago into a small Christian school, where I taught fifth grade for three years and then became the HR Director. God has been preparing me for this new journey, and I am so glad to be walking through this season of my life at NRCA.
My husband and I have been blessed to raise four grown children and now enjoy time with our dogs, being present and involved in our church, and visiting both the mountains of Asheville as well as the sunny beaches of Ocean Isle when we have the chance. Originally from Ohio, our family has called North Carolina home since 2000, and we have lived in Wilmington, Raleigh, and now Clayton for the past 18 years. To be back working in Raleigh feels like things have come full circle since I first drove down Perry Creek Road in the early months of 2000. God always has a plan!
I am looking forward to learning all the new faces and families here at NRCA this year and being involved in all that there is to do as an NRCA Knight, especially seeing what God has planned for the 2023-24 school year. The theme this year, Fully Known, is just perfect for allowing God to move in mighty ways.
Lauren Simmons | Choir
Hello! My name is Lauren Simmons, and I will be the new Choral Director this year. My family and I just moved here from Round Rock, Texas (Austin). My husband and I have been married for 10 wonderful years, and we have two beautiful daughters: one six-year-old who will be in first grade and one four-year-old in preschool. My husband and I have led worship together since before we were married and have served on many worship teams over the years. We love spending time together as a family and finding fun things to do with our girls! We are excited to make Raleigh our new home and are so happy to be a part of the NRCA family!
Allie Stewart | Second Grade
Hello NRCA families! My name is Allie Stewart, and I am so excited to be joining forces with the second-grade team here at NRCA! My husband, Josh, and I are from the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. I hold a BS in Secondary Education and an MA in Biblical Counseling. Before relocating to the Raleigh area three years ago, I taught in the math and technology department at The King’s Academy in Tennessee. For the last three years, I have had the privilege of teaching in the elementary department at Thales Academy, Wake Forest. I enjoy coffee, holidays, planning youth and ladies’ activities at Neuse Baptist, where my husband is the assistant pastor, and spending time with my sweet husband and our pup, Smokey. I love being an educator and truly enjoy helping my students thrive in their learning environment. I cannot wait to partner with you in your student’s educational journey at NRCA! Go Knights!
Olivia Stowe | Third Grade
I am a proud “Lifer” alumna of NRCA and a 2023 graduate of Liberty University. My church home is The Summit Church, where I serve in children’s ministry. For the past nine summers, I have worked at New Life Camp as a camp counselor, in charge of camper care, and in the administrative offices. When I am not working, I enjoy dancing, exercising, watching movies, and taking long walks with my mom and two lab puppies. I also love softball, reading, and all sorts of baking! Some fun facts about me: my dad and I collect baseball cards, and I learned how to speak in an Irish accent for the NRCA theatre production of The Music Man. I am thrilled to be a part of the third-grade team!
Melanie Waite | High School Math
Hi! My name is Melanie Waite, and I am so thrilled to be teaching Precalculus and Honors Precalculus at NRCA this upcoming year! I attended a Christian school in Rocky Mount from kindergarten through 12th grade. I received my bachelor’s degree in secondary math education from ECU and my master’s in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University. I taught for 10 years in Franklin and Wake County Public Schools and then seven years in a local private school. I am happy to be back to my roots and serving in a Christian school. I always wanted to be a teacher growing up, and I enjoy explaining topics in different ways to make sure all my students understand. My family— Jimmy (husband), Samantha (14), and Rebecca Lynn (11)—and I love to travel and compete in family game nights. I enjoy trying new recipes and playing with our five fur babies. Go Knights!
Heather Weitzel | High School Science
I am excited to be teaching Honors and AP Biology this year. The subject of biology is truly a passion of mine. I have been fascinated with the intricate details of God’s amazing creation since I first looked at a cell under a microscope in seventh grade. I have a BS in Biological Sciences from Cornell University and a PhD in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University. I have taught various biology courses both at the college and high school levels and especially love explaining science concepts to students using labs. My family’s journey to NRCA began seven years ago when my husband’s job relocated us from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Raleigh area. All three of our children have attended or currently attend NRCA. Our oldest son graduated in 2021, and this year our younger son and daughter will be in 12th grade and 8th grade, respectively. I began teaching at NRCA last year as a long-term substitute, and I am thrilled to be here full-time. Outside of school, my family is most likely to be found on the tennis courts, walking our golden retriever on the greenway, or relaxing with s’mores around our fire pit.
Shabaka Williams | High School Math
I am Shabaka Williams. I have worked with young people and in Christian education for over two decades, serving as a middle/high school teacher and lead K-12 administrator. My instructional forte is in high school algebra and personal finance, so I am blessed to teach Algebra 2 at NRCA this year! As a lifelong learner, I graduated from Nations Harvest Bible College (Bethel, Missouri) with a focus in Christian education and church leadership, completed my bachelor’s in education from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia), and earned my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University (Portland, Oregon). I have served in ministry as a worship leader, preacher, and Bible teacher. I am a Chicago native but raised my family in northeast Missouri; we migrated to North Raleigh to be part of Christian Life Fellowship, where I currently serve as the church administrator.