%20(1).png)
Dr. Stephanie Oliver
Founder
Dr. Oliver is a homeschool mom and has been a tutorial instructor for over 10 years. She has worked with hundreds of homeschooled students over the last several years and successfully graduated two of her own. She is a Student Success Coach, Pastoral Counselor, and Mental Health Coach. She has a passion for helping students discover their unique paths. Dr. Oliver started Oliver Christian Academy to provide a relevant resource for homeschool families and students in the non-traditional education space.
Meet the Board
Carolyn Oliver
Board Member
Carolyn Oliver is a member of the Oliver Family and is committed to the mission of Oliver Christian Academy. Carolyn holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Biochemistry from Oral Roberts University. She is currently serving the community as a health external in prep for a career as a Physician's Assistant.
She is thankful for the opportunity to serve on the board and hopes her prior experience as a former homeschool student will bring additional benefit to the growth and success of Oliver Christian Academy.
Sherri Black
Board Member
Sherri Black serves on the board of Oliver Christian Academy, bringing years of financial experience in both corporate and nonprofit settings. Her background includes financial administration at Friendship Christian School and ongoing work with schools, small businesses, and nonprofits through her bookkeeping service. A long time resident of Wilson County, Sherri graduated from Mt. Juliet High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Cumberland University.
She is deeply committed to the Wilson County community and passionate about supporting its growing homeschooling network. As a homeschooling mother of four, Sherri works to encourage and equip parents—especially those new to homeschooling—so they know they are not alone in the journey. She lives in Lebanon, Tennessee, where she also helps manage her family’s cattle farm.
Lawrence (TJ) Black
Board Member
Lawrence Black holds a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership from MTSU and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from Tennessee Technological University. He has over 20 years in the telecommunication industry with a wide variety of experience in various leadership roles. He has extensive experience in Learning and Leadership Development for both classroom delivery as well as curriculum and instructional design. Lawrence is passionate about education and learning and has experience with a wide variety of learning tools and learning management systems. While most all of us have been thrown into the virtual world of learning in the last couple of years, Lawrence has been leading virtual teams and instruction for over a decade. Above all, Lawrence enjoys non-traditional learning options, witnessing the transfer of knowledge take place and those ‘light bulb’ moments that can be seen in the eyes of learners.
Lawrence is married to Sherri Black and supports her in the learning journey of their 4 wonderful children.
Meet the Operations Team
Rena Angell
Director of Operations
Rena Angell is retired from the Travel Industry with 30 years of business expertise as a Sales and Operations Manager. She is a certified mental health coach, author, Bible teacher, ministry leader, and conference speaker with a love for the word of God.
She is passionate about Christian education and is thrilled to be serving as an administrator at Oliver Christian Academy. Rena desires to establish a nurturing, safe, and healthy environment in which students and families can thrive.
Meet the Instructors
Jana Brasser
Instructor
Jana Brasser brings a wealth of diverse educational experience to her career. She earned her degree in Biology - Secondary Education from Calvin College (now Calvin University) and later obtained her Elementary Education Certification after the birth of her son. Her teaching roles have spanned various levels and settings, including nursery to 1st grade (in her home), Kindergarten, Middle School Science, and Math at a Christian School. She has also taught university classes in China and provided homeschooling for a missionary family there for two years.
Recently relocating from Michigan to Tennessee to be closer to her son and extended family, Jana spent several years tutoring all subjects at a Christian High School in Michigan. When asked about her favorite subject, Jana appreciates them all, finding fulfillment in nurturing young children as they embark on their educational journeys and building meaningful relationships with teenagers through both serious discussions and lighthearted moments.
Reid Wiles
Instructor
Reid Wiles is a homeschool dad who enjoys teaching Bible, Math, and Science classes. He has been teaching Bible classes and has led devotionals for years. He grew up in the church and loves learning and sharing detailed Bible studies as well as Apologetics.
Reid earned a B.S. degree from Austin Peay State University where he majored in Physics and minored in Math. He enjoys helping students to make a connection on how Math and Science work and to see how our Creator is involved in it all.
Reid is comfortable with in-person learning and tutoring but is also available to work with students online. One of his main objectives is for students to see how blessed they are to learn in a homeschool environment where they can not only learn academics but to see how intertwined God is in studying different subjects.
Kathy Dickens
Instructor
Kathy Dickens is an experienced homeschooling instructor with a strong passion for teaching. With a decade of homeschooling experience under her belt, Kathy began her journey when her eldest was in 2nd grade, who is now a college student at CU. Currently, she is homeschooling her daughter, Olivia, who is in high school.
Kathy's love for learning history, watching old movies, and reading is evident in her teaching style. As an educator, she is always seeking innovative ways to make learning enjoyable and engaging, such as allowing her students to wash her car with peanut butter to reinforce a lesson.
Breonna Parker
Instructor, Theater
Breonna Parker discovered her passion for theatre at a young age when her older sister enlisted her to assist with a local high school production in her hometown of Nashville, Arkansas. Captivated by the world of acting, Breonna became an active member of her high school theatre department, setting the stage for her future endeavors. In 2007, Breonna earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in theatre from Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. During her college years, she made her mark with an unforgettable performance as Snug the Joiner/The Lion in A Midsummer Night's Dream, solidifying her talent and dedication. Following graduation, Breonna's commitment to the arts led her to volunteer for various community productions. She also ventured into the realm of independent movies, contributing her expertise as a production manager.
Additionally, she has shared her knowledge and passion by conducting theatre workshops. Outside of her theatrical pursuits, Breonna cherishes quality time with her husband and daughter. They embark on exciting adventures together and are looking forward to what the future holds. The way to her heart is a yummy cup of coffee. Driven by her belief that theatre empowers young individuals to make a positive impact in their communities, Breonna is eagerly looking forward to imparting her love for the performing arts to a new generation of aspiring thespians.