Honors Academy Faculty
Dr. Ryan Bandy
Honors Academy Director
Assistant Principal
Experience: 21st year in education (21st 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: 10th year teaching (10th at Ridgeland)
Education:
Dalton State University - B.S. Chemistry
Classes: Honors Physics (9), Honors Chemistry (11), AP Chemistry (12)
Other: Homecoming Sponsor
Dr. Darren Crutcher
English/Language Arts
Experience: 22st year teaching (21st 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), Honors English 2 (10), AP Language & Composition (12)
Other: English/Language Arts Department Head, Literary Team Coordinator, Senior Graduation Coordinator
Ms. Mandi Dean
Mathematics
Experience: 8th year teaching (8th 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: 17th year in education (1st 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), AP Psychology (12)
Mrs. Kirsten Jagger
Social Studies
Experience: 11th year teaching (11th 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: AP United States History (11), Honors Economics (12), AP Government (12), AP Psychology (12)
Mrs. Savanna Hawk
English/Language Arts
Experience: 10th year teaching (10th at Ridgeland)
Education:
University of Georgia / University of Tennessee Chattanooga - B.S. Education
Classes: Honors English I (9), AP Language & Composition (11), Honors Senior Project (12)
Dr. Jongsuk Keum
Mathematics
Experience: 25th year teaching (13th 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)
Other: Math Club Sponsor
Mrs. Kelly Miller
Foreign Language
Experience: 14th year teaching (9th 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)
Mrs. Sandy Weathers
Science
Experience: 30th year teaching (30th 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, Science National Honor Society Sponsor, National Honors Society Sponsor, Supreme Ruler of the Snack Cart