New McCallie faculty members
As the 2018-19 school year gets started, there are several new faculty and staff joining the McCallie community.
There are 18 new faculty and staff members for the 2018-19 school year, with seven new employees in teaching roles or who will interact with students.
David Conrady comes to the Ridge as Varsity basketball coach and Middle School Chaplain. Mr. Conrady arrives after two seasons coaching at Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Tx. Mr. Conrady is familiar with Chattanooga, having served as an assistant basketball coach at UTC. He is also active in Athletes in Action and organizing mission trips around the world.
David Eastman will serve as the chairman of the Bible department and will hold the Sherrill Chair of Bible. Prior to coming to McCallie, Dr. Eastman taught at Ohio Wesleyan University. He and his wife, Natalie, have three children: Nathan, who is a McCallie sixth-grader, Serena and Charissa.
Katie Elverd joins McCallie’s music program as director of orchestras and instructor of stringed instruments. She will also serve as an assistant coach for the varsity swim team. Ms. Elverd previously worked as a board certified music therapist in pediatrics at the University of Kentucky.
Alan Shikoh, a 2005 McCallie graduate, will teach guitar to students in both the upper and middle schools. Mr. Shikoh returns to McCallie after teaching for six years at Lee University.
Kristen Smith will lead the work of keeping McCallie students healthy as the new director of student health. Ms. Smith was a school nurse in the Catoosa County School System for more than 12 years.
Ricky Thomas will work to enhance the McCallie student experience as the dean of community and brotherhood. In this role, Mr. Thomas will create programming to build strong bonds between boys and develop character and leadership skills that students will use long after graduation. Mr. Thomas previously worked at McCallie in the 1990s, and spent the intervening years coaching football in college as well as in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
Valerie Van Buskirk has been in the Middle School since January as the administrative assistant, and she will continue in that role for the 2018-19 school year, serving as a point of contact for parents and assisting Middle School boys as they become acclimated to McCallie. She previously worked Brainerd Baptist Church.
McCallie athletics will also welcome new faces this fall. Steve Robison will be an assistant varsity basketball coach and Middle School basketball director, and Jeff Andrews will serve as assistant strength and conditioning coach.