Instructors
Mr. Christian Beasley
Christian Beasley has been a professional basketball trainer for 7 years. He has worked with hundreds of athletes from elementary age to the NBA. Through thousands of sessions he has created a progressive curriculum that can help any athlete master the fundamentals of basketball. Coach Beasley’s wholistic approach to training encourages an active and healthy lifestyle for all participants.
Mrs. Angela Beatty
Angela Beatty taught in the Charlotte Mecklenburg public school system from 2007-2017 at Olympic
High School’s Math, Engineering, Technology, and Science School. Her last four years in the classroom
were as an Honors English II and Honors English III teacher. Prior to that role, she served as a long-term
classroom substitute teacher for the subjects of English 1, Algebra, Geometry, US History and World
History. Mrs. Beatty graduated from Wingate University with a Communications/Journalism degree.
Early in her career, she worked for Apple Computer as a Customer Service Specialist. When she became
a mother, Mrs. Beatty left Apple and devoted herself to her children’s growth and support. When the
youngest of her three children entered middle school, she began her teaching years. In 2017, she and
her husband, Charles moved to Lincolnton, NC to begin a farming adventure. On the farm, they care for
four horses, 24 chickens, two dogs, a cat and 30 raised beds full of flowers, vegetables and fruit bushes.
In addition to farm chores, she and her husband play competitive pickle ball, host events at their farm,
and romp around with their four young grandbabies. She is also a group leader in the Hickory Women’s
Bible Study Fellowship.
Mrs. Beatty is thrilled to join Highland Academy this fall. She has a passion for learning and is eager to
pursue with her students the joy of creative thinking, group collaboration and new perspectives on living
and leadership in community.
Mr. Ken Clough
I attended Western Carolina University and received a BS in science education. I taught middle science for 10 years and then taught at East Burke High School for 20 years teaching physical science, biology, and applied biology and chemistry. After retirement I taught part-time at Morganton Day School teaching middle grades science. I enjoy watching students taking challenging classes and making it understandable for them and encouraging them to continue their science education.
Mrs. Mandy Freeland
Mandy Freeland started out as a self-taught baker while attending Florida State University and acquiring
her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Music Therapy. She was always finding herself in the
kitchen crafting something, making her friends and co-workers the taste-testers to all her recipes. The
science of baking has led to never-ending experiments over the years. In 2018 Mandy was in her 12 th
year as a social worker and found more relief in baking than ever before. After co-workers and friends
encouraged her to sell her creations, she started exploring the idea of opening a small bakery in Conover.
The dream came to reality in Fall 2019 after acquiring her LLC, becoming ServSafe certified, and
attending training that would further her skills in the kitchen. While continuing her employment in social
work, HomeSliced Conover opened in a small space by the library in February 2020, just 6 weeks before
COVID hit. The building Mandy was in was immediately shut down to the public. Without any real
customer base Mandy took to online orders of custom desserts and treats of all kinds. Mandy’s ability to
work with nearly any allergy and craft something uniquely designed has kept the business steady and
booked ever since and counter-service was never reestablished. In 2021 Mandy left her employment in
social work to run the bakery full-time. Although Mandy utilizes the help of a few hired friends for classes,
everything produced by HomeSliced is Mandy’s own work. After a few friends’ suggestions, Mandy
started offering homeschool classes, adult classes, private lessons, birthday parties, evening child-
friendly classes, and summer camps which have all been wildly successful at helping students feel at
ease and equipped in the kitchen. To expand the business, HomeSliced moved to a larger facility with
better equipment and a larger classroom space in Fall 2023. The folks at New Life Authentic Christian
Community have been the perfect hosts to the business in their commercially equipped kitchen space
and large fellowship hall. Examples of Mandy’s work and classes can be found by following HomeSliced
Conover on Facebook or Instagram.
Mandy has been happily married to her best friend for 17 years and has 2 young sons. She loves her
local community and church family and can often be found volunteering, reading, running, gardening,
swimming, making music, and (of course) baking/cooking with her family.
Mrs. Stephanie Gill
Hi there! I’m Mrs. Stephanie Gill!
I am super excited to be part of the launch of Highland Academy! With 20 years of teaching experience under my belt, I've had the joy of working with students from pre-K and kindergarten, but in the past four years I have ventured in to teaching grades 6-12 at a local Christian school.
On a personal note, I've been happily married for 17.5 years to Bill and we have two amazing kids, Addie (16) and Eli (13). Our home is a lively place filled with the love and chaos of 4 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, and 2 goats!
This year, I’m excited to bring my passion for education to Highland Academy, where I’ll be teaching personal finance. I can't wait to dive into this subject with you, making it practical, engaging, and fun as we explore how to manage money wisely and prepare for the future.
In addition to teaching, I also manage Still Waters Farm. As the educator on staff, I have the pleasure of offering riding lessons and providing equine-assisted therapy through our non-profit organization, Walk with Me Healing Steps. It's incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact our horses have on people's lives.
When I’m not in the classroom or at the farm, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, exploring the outdoors, and finding new ways to make learning an exciting journey for my students. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead, filled with discovery and growth!
Mrs. Laura Lara
Laura Lara (name so nice needed it twice!) is mother to a 3 year old boy and an 9 month old girl. Her husband, Angel, was born and raised in Mexico and they are a bilingual family. Laura is a Hickory, NC native and studied Elementary and Special Education at Lenoir-Rhyne University. She has taught 3rd grade, 5th grade, various grade levels in Mexico, where she spent 5+ years as a missionary, and has also done a short stent in 1st grade. Most recently, she tutored for Catawba County Schools, 3rd-6th grade.
She has always had an interest in history, particularly American history.
Laura goes by Mrs. L for her students and loves reading, hanging with her family, taking walks, watching movies, and making learning fun!
Mrs. Chalen McRee
My name is Challen McRee. I am happily married with 4 sons. I was a stay-at-home mom for 14 years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education from UNC-Charlotte. I completed my student teaching at East Lincoln High School & graduated with a 3.5 GPA as well as being a Dean’s List student. I have taught at Maiden High School for 2 years, East Burke Middle School for 1 year & Jenkins Elementary School for a semester. I have always had a passion for art and teaching!
I incorporate art history into each lesson by teaching my students about a featured artist. I will adapt lesson plans according to each individual child's need and/or talent level.
"Art should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination, and encourages people to go further." - Keith Haring
Mrs. Joy Miller
Joy Miller has a passion for teaching! She has classroom experience at both
the Middle and High School level via the substitute program in Catawba County,
NC. She has tutored children and adults over the years as well. Joy developed
and taught a curriculum for the Super Saturday program for gifted students in
Burke County, NC. In addition to formal education programs, she has used her
instructing gift to teach classes in painting, crafts, horseback riding, cosmetics
and fitness. Joy graduated from Catawba Valley Community College with High
Honors in Sociology and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
Joy stays busy supporting the local Marine Corps League and is active in her
church. She has lived with her husband in Catawba County for over 28 years
and enjoys spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and two young
grandchildren. Joy is thrilled to be a partner with Highland Academy to help
advance our local students in their studies.
Mrs. Hannah Oliphant
As a writer and educator, I am thrilled to share my love for reading great stories and personal storytelling through the written word. My teaching career has spanned thirty years and a variety of students and topics. Through this time, I have had the pleasure of guiding writers of all ages and skill levels on their creative journeys. I believe that every writer has a unique voice, and my approach is to provide the tools and supportive environment needed for each student to discover and express their own stories. My teaching approach focuses on nurturing creativity, providing constructive feedback, and celebrating each writer’s progress. I am so excited to read, talk about it, write about it and find our voice in our own writing - together!
Ms. Sydney Oliphant
Hi! I'm Sydney Oliphant! I am an Elementary Education Major at Lenoir-Rhyne University. I've know I have wanted to teach and work with children since I was 10 years old. I have been tutoring for 3+ years in math and reading from elementary all the way up to lower high school math.
At Lenoir Rhyne I am also a member of the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. I love making music as well as listening to it. I also enjoy reading, crafting and going on outdoor adventures. I am looking forward to partnering with Highland Academy and your student.
Mrs. Sarah Paschall
Mrs. Paschall holds a masters in English education and has worked in a variety of teaching roles for the past 16 years. Whether through public schools, Christian schools, online schools, College Board training, or homeschooling; her main focus is English language arts. Through literature, writing, and communication; her passion is to help each student find confidence and enjoyment in learning.
She especially looks forward to working at Highland Academy because she sees this unique environment as a very effective pipeline for personalizing student goals, creating a supportive culture, and really getting to know families.
Mrs. Paschall’s hobbies are limited but joy-filled in this stage of life with four energy-filled kids, two dogs, and the one love of her life-- her husband,Josh. When she finds time, she likes to read (of course!), run off the crazy, and pretend like she’s a decent gardener.
She greatly looks forward to working with your family this year.
Mrs. Emily Stewart
Emily Stewart is a long time Catawba county native. She homeschooled her children for 13 years. She acquired her Bachelor's degree from NC State University in Mathematics Education and her Master's degree from Appalachian State University in Mathematics Education as well. She lives with her family in Conover.
Mr. Ed Weidman
Ed Weidman has over two decades of business management, marketing, sales and business ownership experience. His emphasis has always been on mindset and personal development and has been blessed with the opportunity directly coach and train over 2,000 business owners. He maintains a digital marketing agency with clients around the country and currently mentors over 200 business owners operating in over 12 countries. He has always had a passion for helping business owners succeed and consistently works creatively, leveraging the newest tactics and strategies to help those he serves.
Dr. Susan White Baumert
Susan White Baumert completed her B.A. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she double majored in Religious Studies and in News-Editorial Journalism. She went on to earn her M.A. and Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America.
Susan and her husband homeschool their three sons, who have inspired her work in classical education, in the Montessori method, as well as her work in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, all of which she has used while homeschooling and volunteering in her community over the past eight years. She is a certified Montessori instructor and has a love for teaching at all levels.
Susan lives in Granite Falls, NC where she enjoys reading, teaching her boys, painting, going on bike rides as a family, and playing with their two toy poodles, Bella and Galaxy.