Faculty
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Eddy Hilger: Administrator
Eddy Hilger 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 9 countries, he retired in 2007. Eddy coaches a host of top endurance athletes in the Southeast region. Eddy’s foresight and academic vision for the homeschool community aided Carlee in the development of Hilger Higher Learning in 1998. Now Eddy 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 & Physiology (offered every other year)
Carlee Hilger 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 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 goal as an educator is to "offer quality education classes to home school students in the Chattanooga area." Carlee and Eddy have three children, Jackson, Kenzie and Brooks.
Email: carleehilger@gmail.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 2008-2009 year marks Julie’s 6th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Her experience as a Chemist enables Julie to teach her students the practical side of Chemistry and Physical Science. Julie and her husband, Keith, have two children.
Email:julieandkeithbingham@charter.net |
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Tamela Bacon: Spanish
I, 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’s 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 2008-2009 year marks Tammy’s 7th year at Hilger Higher Learning. Tammy and her husband, Mike, have 3 children.
Email: tammybacon@windstream.net |
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Ellie Ingle: 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 4th year with Hilger Higher Learning and 8th 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. I hope that students in my class will 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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Pam Fields: World History, Government, Economics and Geography, US History
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 31 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. Pam’s favorite teaching subjects include literature and any subject in the social studies realm. The 2008-2009 year marks her 4th 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: Creative Writing, Middle School Literature, Logic & Rhetoric (offered every other year), High School Literature, College Composition, SAT Workshop and PAT (Personalized Academic Training), Journalism.
Shelley George 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 received her B.A. degree in English with a minor in Physical Education. She has been teaching English and coaching for 11 years. She was voted Middle School Teacher-of-the-Year in 1999 at Landmark Christian School in Atlanta, GA. Shelley has spent the last 7 years at Providence Christian School in Dothan, AL. She served as the Girls Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and has taught several English classes. She was voted Coach-of-the-Year (1-3A) after her Varsity girls basketball team completed a 29-0 season during 2004. The 2008-2009 year marks her 3rd year with Hilger Higher Learning. She enjoys swimming, tennis, coaching, reading USA Today and Real Simple. Her passion is encouraging students in the development of their gifts, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.”
Email: shelleygeorge22@aol.com |
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Joy Gibbons: Elementary Music & Choir, Choir & Music Appreciation (middle and high school)
Joy Gibbons 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. 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. In addition to CHIME, 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. CHIME merged with Hilger Higher Learning 4 years ago. 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: tjgibbons@comcast.net |
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Jennifer Tachenko: Algebra
I, Algebra II, and Geometry
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 4th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Jennifer absolutely loves math and loves teaching it. 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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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 1999, 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. Hilger Higher Learning was delighted to have Katie’s excellence in her 1st year (2007). Katie, her husband Joel, and their two children have recently moved from the Atlanta area back to Chattanooga, through Allied Arts of Chattanooga’s ArtsMove program. Katie and her family will live in the newly renovated Main Street area and they attend North River Vineyard Church.
Email: katiewardknutson@yahoo.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. She taught elementary science and Spanish at Hilger Higher Learning and is in her 6th year with Hilger Higher Learning. Sarah and her husband, Troy live on Lookout Mountain with their three children.
Email: troyhusker1@aol.com |
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Heather Kleiner: Drama
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. After phenomenal feedback from students and parents, HHL is proud to have Heather back for her 2nd year. She and her husband Mark reside in Chattanooga.
Email: heathernichols75@hotmail.com |
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Lisa Tolson: Elementary
Science
Lisa graduated from Covenant College in 2000 with a B.A. in Middle School Education. Upon graduation, she taught seventh grade science and pre-algebra at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis, MO for two years. After moving to Lookout Mountain, she was a long-term and short-term substitute and taught fifth grade at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Hilger Higher Learning is honored to have her back for another year, after such an incredible 1st year! She is excited to have the privilege to teach students about their world, God’s creation, through science. Lisa and her husband, Aaron, have two daughters.
Email: lisatolson@hotmail.com |
Class Location: 1st 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! |
