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New faculty for SY2022-23
Dr. Carolyn Harvey Named Little Harding Co-Director
We recently announced that Little Harding will be moving to a co-director model. We welcomed Wendy Joachim as one of our co-directors and continued a search for her counterpart. Today, we are thrilled to introduce Dr. Carolyn Harvey as our additional Little Harding co-director beginning this summer.
Dr. Harvey comes to us with over 30 years of experience in early childhood and non-profit administration. She obtained a B.A. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Administration and Supervision, and an Ed. D. in Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Mississippi. Her passion for early childhood has fueled her desire to be a life-long learner.
Dr. Harvey led and expanded the largest multi-funded public-school pre-kindergarten program in the state of Tennessee and successfully led school readiness initiatives for 4,000 children. Serving as Chief Executive Officer of EDI Consulting, Incorporated, Dr. Harvey ensured families received access to high-quality early childhood programs and wrap-around educational and social services. She is an impassioned advocate who has made a significant impact on early literacy for youth and their families in Shelby County.
Dr. Harvey is a member of Brown Missionary Baptist Church where she joyfully serves as a Sunday school teacher for a women’s class. In her own words, she is excited to join Little Harding to “make disciples for Christ, one child at a time.” Dr. Harvey and her husband Gregory have three children—Gregory, Emoni, and Jay.
Head of School Trent Williamson said, “We could not be more excited for Carolyn Harvey to join the Harding family. Her years of experience and expertise in early childhood education will be a tremendous asset to our Little Harding teachers, staff, students, and families. Combined with the knowledge and skills of Wendy Joachim, these two make the perfect pair to lead our Little Harding program into the future.”
Cedric Anderson Named Head Coach of Boys Basketball
We are thrilled to announce Cedric Anderson as our new head coach of boys basketball. He has been coaching basketball for over 20 years, most recently as the head boys and girls basketball coach at Tipton Rosemark Academy.
In the past five years, Coach Anderson led his teams to two region championships, three state final-fours, and one state runner-up. He has coached three Mr. Basketball finalists, and 60 of his athletes have gone on to play collegiate basketball.
He says, “I am truly blessed to be selected as Harding Academy’s Varsity Boys Coach. Harding is viewed by many as a staple of success in the total development of young people and has a tradition of excellence. I am looking forward to being a part of the continuation of dominance. Let’s go, Lions!”
Athletic Director Seth King says, “From our very first conversation with Coach Anderson, it was clear that he is a man of God who strives first and foremost to lead and disciple students. There is no doubt that he will lead a fiercely competitive basketball program. What excites me most is the impact that he’s going to make on the lives of our students.”
Ivan Johnson Named Upper School Assistant Principal
We are excited to announce Ivan Johnson as our upper school assistant principal beginning July 1, 2022. Ivan comes to us from Bullard, Texas, where he currently serves as middle school assistant principal, director of diversity, and head tennis coach for The Brook Hill School. He has been in Christ-centered education since 2001 and holds a B.S. in mathematics and an M.S. in counseling.
Ivan visited Harding Academy in January and had this to say about his time here. “I was completely blown away! Even though it rained and was cold every day, I felt a warmth in my spirit and a connection that I have not felt in quite a while. I felt that I belonged at Harding Academy. It was as though God was saying, ‘See, I told you this was an amazing place.’ He said, ‘Be strong and courageous, I am with YOU wherever YOU go!’ This verse in Joshua is the scripture that I have adopted as my own for about two years now. That, I believe, is when God was drawing me to Harding Academy. I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do through me at Harding. I am in awe of how God brings certain people into our lives that are all a part of His plan for His glory. Amen! Go, Lions!”
Ivan and his wife Marcia have been married for nearly 28 years and have six grown children and one grandson.
Rebecca Semler and Ashley Lipe Named Learning Specialists
In January, we announced the creation of two new positions for learning specialists beginning in the fall of 2022. We are excited to announce Rebecca Semler as our lower school learning specialist and Ashley Lipe as our upper school learning specialist.
Rebecca Goddard Semler (’04) comes to us from the Bodine School where she has served as a literary specialist, classroom teacher, LIPS facilitator, and summer program instructor. She holds a B.S. from Oklahoma Christian University and an M.Ed. in curriculum instruction from Freed-Hardeman University. She is an associate of the Orton Gillingham Academy, a certified dyslexia practitioner, and is trained in multiple multisensory learning techniques (Yoshimoto, LIPS, SMILA, Marilyn Zecher). Rebecca says she wants to “help students learn how to navigate and advocate for themselves in the halls of Harding Academy.” Rebecca and her husband Cody have been married for ten years. They have two daughters, Attie Grace and Mackenzie, who are both extremely excited to be Harding Lions!
Ashley Lipe comes to us from West Junior High School where she currently serves as dyslexia coordinator and interventionist and instructional facilitator. She holds a B.A. in sociology and English from the University of Memphis and is working toward an M.S. in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. Ashley says, “…whether I am researching new ways to deliver digital content for the teachers I coach or sitting one-on-one with a student for dyslexia therapy, my cup feels full when I am helping those around me.” Ashley and her husband Kevin (’05) have a daughter, Juliet, who will start third grade at Harding Academy in the fall, and a son, Vance, who is at Little Harding.
Lori Underwood Named Lower School Principal
We are excited to announce Lori Underwood (‘91) as our lower school principal beginning summer 2022. Lori is a familiar face in our lower school and is already beloved by our Harding community. Over the past 14 years, she has taught first, second, and fourth grades and has served as a counselor in our after-school programs. Before coming to Harding Academy, she worked as a special education teacher and TST intervention coach. Lori earned her B.A. in Special Education and her B.A. in Elementary Education from Harding University in 1995.
Lori says, “I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to serve the students and parents of Harding Academy as lower school principal. Because Harding has been such a blessing in my story, I am excited to share this blessing with both current and future families as we partner together in the pursuit of excellence within God’s Story.”
Lori and her husband Alan have three children—Kayley (’17), Jonathan (’20), and David (12th).
Rosie Hubbard Named Lower School Assistant Principal
We are excited to announce Rosie Hubbard as our lower school assistant principal beginning summer 2022. Rosie joined Harding Academy in 2020 as a fifth grade teacher and has already had a tremendous positive impact. She has 12 years of teaching experience in pre-K through fifth grade. Before coming to Harding Academy, she taught at Quitman County Elementary School and Germanshire Elementary School. Rosie earned her B.S.E. and M.Ed. from Delta State University.
“I am truly humbled and blessed to have the opportunity to serve as assistant principal of Harding Academy Lower School. As an educator for the last 12 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my gift of teaching with students as well as my fellow educators. It is an honor to be able to serve our Harding community in this amazing capacity. I am excited to start this new journey and looking forward to the great things that God will do in the future through our school. Go Lions!”
Rosie and her husband James have three children—James (SK), Leigha (LH), and Jacob (LH).