Honors Academy Faculty
Dr. Ryan Bandy
Honors Academy Director
Assistant Principal
Experience: 22nd year in education (22nd at Ridgeland)
Education:
Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A. History/Political Science
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - M.A. Secondary Education
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - Ed.D. Learning & Leadership
Mrs. Candy Bunn
Science
Experience: 11th year teaching (11th at Ridgeland)
Education:
Dalton State University - B.S. Chemistry
Classes: Honors Physics (9), Honors Chemistry (11), AP Chemistry (12)
Other: SGA Sponsor
Dr. Darren Crutcher
English/Language Arts
Experience: 23rd year teaching (22nd 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 (12)
Other: English/Language Arts Department Head, Assistant Athletic Director, Literary Team Coordinator, Senior Graduation Coordinator
Ms. Mandi Dean
Mathematics
Experience: 9th year teaching (9th 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
Mr. Matthew Facey
Social Studies
Experience: 18th year in education (2nd at Ridgeland)
Education:
Mercer University - B.A. in History
University of West Georgia - MAT in Secondary Education, History
Classes: AP Human Geography (9), AP World History (10), Senior Project (12)
Other: Beta Club Sponsor
Mrs. Kirsten Jagger
Social Studies
Experience: 12th year teaching (12th 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
Classes: Honors Economics (11/12), AP Government (11/12), AP Psychology (12)
Other: National Honors Society Sponsor
Mrs. Savanna Hawk
English/Language Arts
Experience: 11th year teaching (11th at Ridgeland)
Education:
University of Georgia / University of Tennessee Chattanooga - B.S. Education
Classes: Honors English I (9), AP Language & Composition (11), Journalism
Other: Yearbook sponsor
Dr. Jongsuk Keum
Mathematics
Experience: 26th year teaching (14th at Ridgeland)
Education:
Chonbuk National University - Ph.D. Number Theory
University of Georgia - A.B.D. Ph.D. Mathematics Education
Classes: College Algebra (11), College Precalculus (11), College Intro. to Statistics (12), College Calculus 1 (12), AP Calculus BC (12), AP Computer Science Principles (12)
Mrs. Kelly Miller
Foreign Language
Experience: 15th year teaching (10th at Ridgeland)
Education:
Purdue University - B.A.
Slippery Rock University - B.A.
Duquesne University - M.S.
Classes: Honors Spanish 1 (10), Honors Spanish 2 (10),
Honors Spanish 3 (11), Honors Spanish 4 (11)
Other: Foreign Language Department Head
Mrs. Sandy Weathers
Science
Experience: 31st year teaching (31st 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
Mr. James Morrison
Principal at Ridgeland High School
Education:
Dalton State College - B.S. Education
Nova Southeastern University - M. Ed.
Augusta University - Ed. S