Faculty
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Eddy Hilger: Administrator
Eddy and his wife, Carlee, are the founders of Hilger Higher Learning, Inc. In 1995, Eddy graduated from Covenant College, with a B.A. in Inter-Disciplinary Studies, with emphasis in Biology and Physical Education. After helping start Clumpies Ice Cream Co., he coached the cross country team and worked in the admission’s office at Covenant College. In 2004, Eddy realized his life-long dream of becoming a professional athlete when he signed his first contract to race as a professional cyclist. After riding for 3 professional teams and racing in 10 countries around the world, he retired in 2007. His foresight and academic vision for the homeschool community aided Carlee in the development of Hilger Higher Learning since its inception. Over the years, Eddy’s desire to serve the homeschool community has grown more and more. Now he serves full time as the head administrator for the 200+ families and 14 teachers of Hilger Higher Learning.
Email: cjhilger@comcast.net |
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Carlee Hilger: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology
Carlee and her husband, Eddy, are the founders of Hilger Higher Learning, Inc. In 1995, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Covenant College, with a B.A. in Natural Science. For the next three years, she taught high school science and coached both basketball and tennis at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon her return to the Chattanooga area in 1998, she created what is known as Hilger Higher Learning. Her adoration for homeschooling, out-going personality and love for teaching Biology and Anatomy, was the impetus behind HHL. Her goal, some 11 years ago is still the same today… to create supplemental courses for the homeschool family and thus "offer quality education classes with a biblical worldview to home school students in the Chattanooga area." Carlee and Eddy have three children, Jackson (6) and Kenzie (4) whom they homeschool, and Brooks who turned one in March.
Email: carleehilger@gmail.com |
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Lois Anderson: Elementary Spanish, Elementary Intermediate Spanish and Middle Grades Spanish
Lois was born and raised in Mexico City for 10 years, a daughter of missionaries. She grew up speaking Spanish fluently and continues to have a passion for sharing the language and culture of Spanish-speaking people. Lois graduated magna cum laude from Biola University, California, in 1975. While in college she traveled and performed with a Spanish evangelistic drama team throughout Central and South America. She is married to Dr. Ken Anderson, music professor at Covenant College, and has home educated their six children for over 25 years. A few of her children have been involved in HHL at the high school level. Her care, love, experience, and gentle spirit is a delight to have at Hilger Higher Learning.
Email: andersonlois@ymail.com |
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Tamela Bacon: Spanish
I and II
Tammy is a 1995 graduate of Covenant College. She spent several months living and studying in Central America. While she was there, she had the opportunity to volunteer at an orphanage in Costa Rica. After returning from Costa Rica, she acted as a translator on a mission trip to Mexico. She taught Spanish I, II, and III at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada for 6 years. Previously, she was a long term substitute teacher at the kindergarten level and taught an after school Spanish program. The 2009-2010 year marks Tammy’s 8th year at Hilger Higher Learning and her 15th year as a Spanish teacher. Tammy and her husband, Mike, have 4 children.
Email: senorabacon@yahoo.com |
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Julie Bingham: Chemistry
and Physical Science
Julie graduated from Covenant College in 1995 with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. During college, she worked as a chemist at Taylor Laboratories. Upon graduation, she was offered a position as a research and development chemist at Alco Chemical Company. She worked there for four years. The 2009-2010 year marks Julie’s 9th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Her experience as a Chemist enables Julie to teach her students the practical side of Chemistry and Physical Science. Along with teaching at Hilger, Julie is an adjunct Chemistry professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she teaches Chemistry labs. Julie and her husband, Keith, have two children.
Email:julieandkeithbingham@charter.net
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Kim Crossman: Elementary Science
Kim graduated magna cum laude from Covenant College in 1987 with a Biology major and Chemistry minor. After college, she worked at Erlanger hospital and as a chemist for the City of Chattanooga. For the past eight years, she has been teaching and developing the science curriculum for the Mother's Day Out Program at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church. Kim’s favorite aspect of teaching science is watching children's eyes light up as they learn about God's world. Kim and her husband Brian, who is a professor at Covenant College and who also coaches the Chattanooga FC soccer team, have three children.
Email: kimcrossman7@gmail.com |
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Sarah Duble: Middle School Science
Sarah graduated from Covenant College in 1997 with a B.A. in Middle School Education. She also received her A.A. in Basic Health Sciences from Covenant in 1994. After college she taught 6th grade English, P.E. and Art at Chattanooga Christian School. When she first came to Hilger Higher Learning, she taught elementary science and elementary Spanish at Hilger Higher Learning. As she teaches Middle School science, she hopes students become more amazed by our Creator, who made all things, and leave her class with a desire to learn more about God's creation. Sarah is in her 7th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Sarah and her husband, Troy, live on Lookout Mountain with their four children.
Email: sarahduble@aol.com |
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Pam Fields: Government, Economics, Geography, US History, World History, and P.A.T. (Personal Academic Training)
Pam hold’s a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with certifications in both Special Education and Reading. She has 32 years experience as a teacher and educational diagnostician, including 10 years home school teaching her 2 daughters (2nd – 11th and K-8th grades). For 13 years during this time, Pam built a flourishing private practice as an Educational Intervention Specialist. She now continues her private practice as a Learning Specialist, providing academic and developmental therapy. She frequently substitutes in the English, History, and Foreign Language departments at GPS and assists in administering their Advanced Placement (AP) exams each May. Pam absolutely loves teaching any subject in the social studies realm! The 2009-2010 year marks her 5th year with Hilger Higher Learning. She and her husband Jim have 2 daughters, Emily at University of Colorado at Boulder and Catherine at St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. Their family shares a passion for missions and evangelism.
Email: pdfields56@comcast.net |
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Shelley George: Elementary Creative Writing, Middle School Literature, High School Literature, College Composition, ACT Workshop, CS Lewis/JR Tolkien and Journalism.
Shelley is a 1995 Cum Laude graduate from Christian Heritage College (now known as San Diego Christian College). She was voted Female Student-of-the-Year in 1995, and she received a B.A. degree in English with a minor in Physical Education. She has been teaching English and coaching since 1995. She was voted Middle School Teacher-of-the-Year in 1999 at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, GA. Landmark is where she and Carlee Hilger first began teaching together. Shelley also worked for 7 years at Providence Christian School in Dothan, AL. She served as the Girls Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and taught several English and Physical Education classes. She was voted Coach-of-the-Year (1-3A) after her Varsity girls basketball team completed a 29-0 season during 2004. The 2009-2010 year marks her 4th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Her passion is encouraging students in the identification and development of their gifts. Shelley enjoys any activity that is outdoors!
Email: shelleygeorge22@aol.com |
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Joy Gibbons: Choir & Music Appreciation (Middle and High school
Joy holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Shorter College. She brings to Hilger Higher Learning over 20 years of experience working with students in music education. Mrs. Gibbons holds membership in the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, American Choral Directors Association and Choristers Guild. She is the founder and director of CHIME (Chattanooga Homeschoolers in Music Education), a program established in 1993 to encourage home educated students to enjoy choral music, develop friendships and learn proper singing habits to benefit them throughout their lives. CHIME merged with Hilger Higher Learning in 2005. In addition, Mrs. Gibbons has served in various roles as organist, pianist, choir director and children’s choir coordinator at churches in Atlanta, Fort Oglethorpe and Chattanooga. She is married to Tim Gibbons and they have four children, all of whom have been enrolled in classes at Hilger Higher Learning during their homeschooling years.
Email: jlsgibbons@gmail.com |
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Ellie Ingle: Elementary Math, Basic Math and Pre-Algebra
Ellie graduated from Covenant College in 2001 with a B.A. in Middle School Education. She received her degree with honors. After college, she taught seventh grade math at Chattanooga Valley Middle School, located in Walker County, Georgia, for four years. This marks Ellie’s 5th year with Hilger Higher Learning and 9th year as a teacher. “I love to be hands-on with Middle School students; they have such great curiosity when it comes to how math might be used in their future. My goal is for students to walk away with and learn practical ways that math is used in their life.” Ellie and her husband, Josh, have a son named Garrison.
Email:elliep78@aol.com |
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Heather Kleiner: Drama – Elementary, Middle and High School
While pursuing a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Heather became an active member of Chattanooga’s theater community. Her many stage credits include 1940’s Radio Hour, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Miracle on 34th Street, and Steel Magnolias. In addition to performing in and co-directing Steel Magnolias, Heather earned the “Best Stage Manager of the Year” award for her behind-the-scenes efforts. From 2002 to 2003, Heather served in the U.S. government under Congressman Nathan Deal and Senator Saxby Chambliss, both of Georgia. She has worked locally in community and public relations and enjoys creating works of art as a floral designer, a trade she learned during college. With phenomenal feedback from students and parents over the last 2 years, HHL is proud to have Heather back for her 3rd year. She and her husband Mark reside in Chattanooga and have a little boy who was born in May of 2009.
Email: heatherkleiner@ymail.com |
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Katie Ward Knutson: Art - Elementary, Middle and High School
Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Katie started her art education at Covenant College. Here, after discovering her talent, she decided to continue her education at Chattanooga State and several years later at Kennesaw State University to work toward her B.F.A. While traveling around Scandinavia in 2001, Katie was inspired by her surroundings and by the people she met. She began working with mixed media and text of a spiritual nature. Her technique became more refined and her style her own. Katie’s artwork can be found on her website www.katiewardknutson.com. In 2006, Katie received a grant through Allied Arts of Chattanooga’s ArtsMove program which moved her and her family back to Chattanooga. The 2009-2010 year marks her 3rd year with Hilger Higher Learning. Katie, her husband Joel, and their three children live in the newly renovated Main Street area. Katie and her family attend Downtown Vineyard Fellowship.
Email: katiewardknutson@yahoo.com |
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Elizabeth Strickenburg: French I and II
Beth graduated magna cum laude from Covenant College in 2007 with a B.A. in music. She is currently in the process of completing a second degree in French. She was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school, and has studied French since 2nd grade. With several years of experience teaching music and dance, her passion for sharing her gifts with others is evident. Hilger Higher Learning and Beth are thrilled she’s coming back for her 2nd year, as she helps students delve into the beauty and intricacy of the French language. Beth and her husband, Andrew, live on Lookout Mountain and spend their free time outdoors.
Email:strickenburgpiano@gmail.com |
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Jennifer Tachenko: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and ACT Workshop (Math Focus)
Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee Technological University with a B. S. in mathematics secondary education. She has over 10 years of experience as a private math tutor for both traditional and home-schooled students and taught in the Hamilton County School System for two years teaching Algebra I, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus. In 2005, after a lot of prayer, she felt the Lord calling her to leave the public school system in order to teach to the home-school community full time. This marks Jennifer’s 5th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Jennifer absolutely loves math, teaching it and helping students grasp a working knowledge of its intricacies. In her spare time she enjoys working challenging math problems (not kidding), crocheting, and playing piano. She and her husband, Michael Paul, love being outside where they rock climb, camp, hike, canoe, and enjoy nature.
Email: Tachenko_math@yahoo.com |
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Contact Information
Class Location: First Alliance Church, 1906 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Mailing address: Hilger Higher Learning, 1121 Mtn Terrace, Lookout Mtn, GA 30750
Contact us by calling 706-820-1983 or Email us! |
