Faculty and Staff

Kim McDonald is from Elgin, Oklahoma and joined the TCA faculty in August 2022. She graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Education and has completed numerous preschool education classes and seminars.

She has spent more than 45 years teaching preschool-aged children in schools, churches, and ministry settings, including serving as a Preschool Director and teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and mission programs.

She chose to teach at TCA because it provides the freedom to teach the Bible and share God’s love every day. She loves helping children grow academically and spiritually and hopes her students always remember that Jesus loves them.

Outside of school, she enjoys singing and doing crafts. She has one daughter, Sandra, and three grandchildren: Ashlyn, Serenity, and Levi.

Originally from Panama City, Panama, Jackie Evans has been an educator for 38 years and joined the TCA faculty in 2022.

She earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ashworth University in Norcross, Georgia. Throughout her career, she has served as an English teacher and English Coordinator in Panama, a teacher aide in Hinesville, Georgia, a Homework Lab teacher at Fort Bragg, an Assistant Director for Youth Center, School Age, and Arts programs at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, and a preschool teacher at Lawton Christian School before joining TCA as a preschool teacher.

Her passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring a love of learning led her to become a teacher. She chose to teach at TCA because it provides the opportunity to combine classroom instruction with the teaching of God’s Word. She hopes her students always remember that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Outside of school, she enjoys singing and traveling.

Mrs. Paris is from Cyril and has been teaching for four years. She began teaching full time in 2023 after previously serving as a teacher’s assistant at TCA while attending college. She graduated from Cameron University.

Her mother inspired her to become a teacher by showing her how wonderful it is to be a part of children’s education. Mrs. Paris first attended TCA as a first-grade student, and she chose to return as a teacher because she wanted to know that she was fulfilling God’s will. She is passionate about student development and desires for each student to grow in their individuality while developing a deeper understanding of Christ. She hopes her students always remember that they are loved and respected and that they should show the same love and respect to others.

Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, reading, and learning new things. She has a three-year-old son who loves to learn and has endless energy.

Thela Short has been teaching at TCA since 2005 and has more than 30 years of teaching experience. She previously taught in Cyril and Cement and has experience in elementary and special education through Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

She was inspired to become a teacher by her love for children. She enjoys teaching Bible and leading chapel, and she loves teaching children about God’s love while encouraging them to learn through music. She values the opportunity at TCA to help students learn about Jesus and hopes they always remember that they can do all things through Jesus Christ.

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors, exercising, and riding her bicycle. She has been married to her husband, Richard, for 42 years. Together, they have five children and 10 grandchildren.

Originally from Panama City, Panama, she joined the TCA faculty in 2022 and has been an educator for 38 years.

Throughout her career, she has taught in a variety of educational settings, including Elementary School Altos de Cerro Viento in Panama, sixth-grade Spanish in Sackets Harbor, New York, and kindergarten in Watertown, New York. She also served as a Lead Teacher at the Youth Center and School-Age and Arts programs at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, and taught at Lawton Christian School for 12 years before joining TCA as an elementary teacher.

She earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Computer Sciences. Her passion for teaching was inspired by her mother, who instilled in her a love of learning and a desire to share knowledge with others.

She chose to teach at TCA because it provides the opportunity to combine classroom curriculum with the teaching of the Lord. She hopes her students always remember the importance of serving the Lord.

Outside of school, she enjoys gardening and traveling.

Jeannette grew up in Kentucky, lived in Louisiana for seven years, and eventually settled in Oklahoma. She has been teaching for 10 years and joined the TCA faculty in 2016.

She earned an Associate’s Degree in the Art of Business, a Bachelor’s Degree in the Science of Business Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. She is certified to teach high school U.S. History and Biology. Her calling to teach began while substituting for a fifth and sixth grade Sunday School class, where she realized God was leading her into education.

She chose to teach at TCA because she values teaching in an environment where the Bible is the foundation of the curriculum. She hopes her students remember that she always believed in them, challenged them to do their best, and knew they were capable of success.

Outside of school, she enjoys reading and playing video games. She has four biological children and many others who call her Mom, as well as several grandchildren who call her Nani, including three who now attend TCA.

Alexia Reynolds joined the TCA faculty in 2025 and has five years of teaching experience. Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, she previously taught as a Toddler Teacher at Brooklake Christian School in Federalway, Washington, and as a Preschool Teacher at Trinity Lutheran Learning Center in Parkland, Washington.

She graduated from St. Louis Community College with an AAS in Nursing and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education. After beginning her career in healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic helped her realize that her true calling was to inspire and support children as they learn and grow.

She chose to teach at TCA because she felt called to be part of a school that invests in both the spiritual and academic development of its students. She hopes her students remember her classroom as a place where they felt encouraged, had fun, built confidence, and discovered their God-given talents.

Outside of school, she enjoys baking and crafting. She has four amazing boys: Zane, Grayson, John, and Jackson.