Meet Our Counselors
Grammar School
Amy Thomas
I am the Grammar School Counselor at the Academy, which means I get to work with our littlest Warriors in grades TK-6. I love interacting with the kids and watching them grow and develop throughout their years here! My passion and main role is to spark social, emotional, and spiritual growth in our students. We believe that educating students emotionally and socially is as important as academic development as we seek to develop servant leaders and passionate followers of Christ. With this end in mind, classroom counseling topics throughout the year include friendship and social skills, conflict resolution, emotional awareness, goal setting, character education (responsibility, honesty, sportsmanship, etc.), study skills/organization, and coping skills for specific issues such as anxiety or anger.
Some of my other roles include standardized test preparation and administration, meeting with individual students, counseling referrals, educational/psychological assessment referrals, and parent-teacher conferences as needed. In my nine years here, it has been amazing to watch how the Academy has grown and changed. I look forward to seeing how God will continue to use the school and our students in the future!
Please address concerns regarding grammar school students with homeroom teachers first, they will refer to the counselor as needed.
Michelle Dodd
After 5 years of working in the Upper School, I now get the pleasure of working with students from TK up to 6th grade here at Whitesburg Christian Academy as one of the Grammar School Counselors. I work closely with the grammar school students and teachers as they navigate their way through school. It is a pleasure walking with students as they grow and learn more with each school year. Part of my time spent with students is to support and strengthen their spiritual, social, emotional, as well as academic success. I love seeing when our talented students find new ways to stretch themselves and succeed!
My goal is to help students discover their God given gifts, talents, strengths and abilities. My passion is for students to feel valued and grow in their identity in Christ! It is exciting to see students mature into lifelong learners and servant leaders. In guidance classes we work on building relationships, personal and servant leadership, emotional awareness, coping skills, goal setting, growth mindsets, conflict resolution, as well as Godly character just to name a few. In the counseling department ,we meet with students individually generally thorough referral from teachers as needed. Through collaborating with teachers and families, we hope students will be successful and healthy spiritually, personally, emotionally and academically. As a team, we emphasize the hopes and plans that each student has for the future, and bring those into their daily work and walk. I am looking forward to continuing to build relationships with our wonderful students and families.
Please address concerns regarding grammar school students with homeroom teachers first, they will refer to the counselor as needed.
Upper School
Hannah Jernigan
I currently serve as the Upper School Counselor, focusing mainly on 7th and 8th graders. I have the privilege of loving on these students and hearing what’s on their hearts. When they are struggling with challenges, I pray that they feel welcome to talk to me. It is my passion to share the hope of Jesus Christ with every student. I want them to know how much they are loved by their Creator. When students (or anyone for that matter) truly know how much they are passionately loved by God, it changes everything. Outlook on life from a biblical worldview sets a trajectory toward excellency in every area of life. I want our students to know who they are in Christ and recognize how they are uniquely gifted for serving him (Eph. 2:10). The Academy is so special! We care for our students’ well-being, both academically and spiritually. If you want your student to come talk to me, please reach out. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve alongside the best teachers and staff and getting to love on our students!
Stephanie Howard
As the Upper School Counselor for Grades 9th-11th, I am deeply inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." I believe that education extends beyond the classroom—it is a journey of discovering one’s purpose and identity in Christ, gaining wisdom, and developing the skills, values, and heart needed to make a positive impact in the world.
My role is to guide students through academic planning, course selection, and personal development while preparing them for college and career readiness. I am equally dedicated to supporting their spiritual growth, providing a safe space for open conversation, and addressing any challenges they may face. My goal is to help students manage stress, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies, ensuring they feel supported and loved throughout their high school years.
As Proverbs 2:6 reminds us, "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." My prayer for each student is that they will grow in wisdom—not just academically but in their walk with Christ. I strive to equip each student with the tools, understanding, and support they need to succeed, both in school and in life.
College Counseling
Heather Porter
As the College Counselor at Whitesburg Christian Academy, my main focus is to work with the juniors and seniors as they begin to explore colleges and tackle the college search. It is so fun to watch them get excited about what is out there and all of the possibilities that their future can hold. When they become seniors, we get very serious about the application process and hone in on scholarship opportunities. My goal is to empower them to take advantage of everything at their fingertips. My passion has always been working with high school students because of their enthusiasm and my kids at the Academy are no different. We laugh, have a good time, and work very hard! One of my other roles is to place each of the seniors in a semester-long internship in a career of their choice. The senior internships allow them to get hands-on experience in the real world which is invaluable as they enter into post-secondary education. Our goal at the Academy is to graduate life-long learners that are prepared to enter the next phase of life and I am blessed to be a part of it every day!