Faculty

Group of eight people, six women and two men, standing in front of a festive balloon decoration with black, white, silver, and clear balloons, a silver star-shaped balloon, and a black backdrop with white lettering.

Welcome to the heart of the Ridgeland Honors Academy. Our faculty is more than just a group of educators; they are mentors, scholars, and lifelong learners dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders.

Candy Bunn

Science

Experience: 12th year teaching (12th at Ridgeland)

Education:

Dalton State University - B.S. Chemistry

Classes: Honors Physics (9), Honors Chemistry (11), AP Chemistry (12)

Other: SGA Sponsor

A woman with wavy blonde hair smiling, wearing a black and white plaid shirt with a necklace, in an indoor setting with shelves and boxes in the background.

Dr. Darren Crutcher

English/Language Arts

Honors Academy Lead Teacher

Experience: 24th year teaching (23rd at Ridgeland)

Education:

University of Tennessee - B.A. English

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - M.Ed. Secondary Education

Valdosta State University - Ed.S. Instructional Technology

Walden University - Ed.D Instructional Technology

Classes: AP Human Geography (9), AP Seminar (10), AP Language & Composition (11)

Other: English/Language Arts Department Head, Literary Team Coordinator

A smiling middle-aged man with glasses and gray hair, wearing a plaid shirt, in an indoor setting.

Mandi Dean

Mathematics

Experience: 10th year teaching (10th at Ridgeland)

Education:

Berry College - B.S. Secondary Mathematics Education

Valdosta State University - M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching

Classes: Acc. Algebra I/Algebra II (9), Acc. Algebra II/Geometry (10), AP Computer Science Principles (12)

Other: Robotics Team Coach

Smiling woman with long brown hair in a ponytail wearing a gray T-shirt with a marathon logo, standing in a room with motivational messages on a wall behind her.

Nicole Jackson

Social Studies

Experience: 6th year teaching (6th at Ridgeland)

Education:

Dalton State College - B.S. in History and Secondary Education

Classes: AP Human Geography (9), AP World History (10), Senior Project (12)

Other: Spirit Club Sponsor, Renaissance Program Sponsor

Portrait of a woman with long brown hair, wearing glasses, pearl earrings, and a light blue collared shirt, smiling.

Kirsten Jagger

Social Studies

Experience: 13th year teaching (13th at Ridgeland)

Education:

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - B.S. Secondary Education in History

Valdosta State University - M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching

Kennesaw State University - EdS. Secondary and Middle Grades Education with a Concentration in History

Classes: Honors Economics (11), AP Government (11), Dual-Enrollment US History I (12), Dual-Enrollment US History II (12), AP Psychology (12)

Other: National Honors Society Sponsor

Close-up of a smiling woman with brown hair pulled back, wearing a gray shirt and a lanyard around her neck, in an indoor setting.

Savanna Hawk

English/Language Arts

Experience: 12th year teaching (12th at Ridgeland)

Education:

University of Georgia / University of Tennessee Chattanooga - B.S. Education

University of Ohio - M.Ed Education

Classes: Pre-AP English I (9), Dual-Enrollment English 1101 (12), Dual-Enrollment English 1102 (12), Journalism

Other: Yearbook sponsor

A woman with curly brown hair, gold hoop earrings, and a light grey sweatshirt smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.

Dr. Jongsuk Keum

Mathematics

Experience: 27th year teaching (15th at Ridgeland)

Education:

Chonbuk National University - Ph.D. Number Theory

University of Georgia - A.B.D. Ph.D. Mathematics Education

Classes: Dual-Enrollment College Algebra (11), Dual-Enrollment College Precalculus (11), Dual-Enrollment College Intro. to Statistics (12), Dual-Enrollment College Calculus 1 (12), AP Calculus BC (12), AP Computer Science Principles (12)

A woman smiling and making a heart shape with her hands above her head, wearing a light green cardigan, a dark blouse, and a colorful scarf around her neck, indoors.

Kelly Miller

Foreign Language Experience: 16th year teaching (11th at Ridgeland)

Education:

Purdue University - B.S. Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences

Slippery Rock University - B.S. Education

Duquesne University - M.S. English as Second Lanugage

Valdosta State University - Ed.S. Teacher Leadership

Classes: Honors Spanish 1 (10), Honors Spanish 2 (10), Honors Spanish 3 (11), Honors Spanish 4 (11)

Other: Foreign Language Department Head

A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a bright smile wearing a light blue striped top and a lanyard, standing against a plain background.

Sandy Weathers

Science

Experience: 32rd year teaching (32rd at Ridgeland)

Education:

Chattanooga State Community College - A.S. Interpreter for the Deaf

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - B.S. Environmental Studies

Mississippi State University - M.S. Geosciences

Nova Southeastern University - Ed.S. Brain Based Teaching

Classes: Honors Biology (10), AP Biology (12), AP Environmental Science (12)

Other: Science Department Head, Supreme Ruler of the Snack Cart

A smiling older woman with short gray hair, wearing a patterned blue, black, and white blouse, standing against a white cinder block wall.

James Morrison

Principal at Ridgeland High School

Education:

Dalton State College - B.S. Education

Nova Southeastern University - M. Ed.

Augusta University - Ed. S

A smiling man with a beard and shaved head, wearing a black polo shirt with a lanyard around his neck, standing indoors with a blurred background of people and a mirror.