Faculty & Staff

Our Educators

Sandhills Classical Christian School’s educators are among the best in their field. They bring with them not only the tools of their craft but a belief in the school’s mission to cultivate students for the glory of God. We invite you to contact a member of our faculty or staff.

Meet Our Administrative Staff

Interim Head of School

Senior Administration

Shanna Browning

Dean of Preschool

Mrs. Shanna Browning has over 20 years of experience, both administratively and teaching in a preschool environment. She has been with SCCS since 2010 where she began her time teaching in the preschool classroom. She transitioned to her admirative position with SCCS in 2013. Shanna first sought and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from a community college in Missouri before seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Christian Counseling from Liberty University. She has also completed several Master level classes in Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education through Liberty University. Together, Shanna and her husband Henry have five adult children, Virginia, Sean, Griffin, Ethan, and Christy and an adopted son Tiger who is currently in the 3rd grade at SCCS.

Tyler Calegan

Athletic Director

John Donohue

Dean of Upper School Faculty

John Donohue joined the SCCS community two years ago, bringing more than forty years of experience in classical Christian private independent education both as a teacher and administrator. Throughout his career, he has been committed in engaging students and faculty in the Christ (Logos) centered traditional liberal arts and sciences utilizing Socratic method and Great Books curriculum, thus contributing to the ‘Great Conversation’ of Western Civilization. He has taught using the Socratic method at every level from fifth grade through undergraduate education. He has also played a key role in organizing and launching more than half a dozen schools, helping to establish strong academic and institutional foundations. He holds an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies, along with graduate degrees in political philosophy, theology, and education. John and his wife, Mary Claire, reside in Pinehurst. They raised their five children in New Hampshire before moving to North Carolina in 2009. They are the grandparents of twenty grandchildren, several of whom currently attend SCCS. All are being raised in Christ-centered homes and are actively involved in their local faith communities.

Elizabeth Griffin

Dean of Lower School

Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin comes to Sandhills Classical with over 20 years of experience in education. She attended Cary High School in Cary, NC and was awarded the North Carolina Prospective Teaching Fellowship to pursue a career in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish Language and Literature. Mrs. Griffin holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of School Administration from NC State University. She has been an educator since 2001, and a K-12 school administrator since 2010. Her classroom teaching experience is in grades kindergarten through second grade, and she loves building positive relationships with students. For the past seven years, Mrs. Griffin has served as the Head of Lower School, and most recently the Assistant Head of School at Harrells Christian Academy in Harrells, NC. Mrs. Griffin has two boys with her husband Bryan, who is a financial advisor. They have two dogs and attend church at The Village Chapel of Pinehurst.

Gene Liechty

Development Director

Mr. Gene Liechty comes to Sandhills Classical Christian School with 18 years of experience in the area of marketing & development. Mr. Liechty received his BA in Marketing/Communications from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. More recently, he attended Greyfriars Ministerial Hall in Moscow, Idaho. Gene served as Director of Advancement at Cary Christian School in Cary, North Carolina (2002-2012) and Director of Development at Logos School in Moscow, Idaho (2013-2018). Mr. Liechty has also planted several churches over the last 20 years. Gene and his wife of 24 years, Kimberly, have four grown children: Grace, Carter, Silas, and Ian.

Ashley Matthews

Director of Finance and Operations

With over 24 years of experience in accounting and finance, Mrs. Ashley Matthews came to Sandhills Classical Christian School in 2010. She was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in North Carolina in 2004 and was excited to use her non-profit accounting background here at SCCS. After working for the Village of Pinehurst as the Director of Finance, she began her own accounting business until she began work at SCCS. Mrs. Matthews attended Union Pines High school and was salutatorian of her graduating class. She went on to attend Campbell University and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and minors in both Pre-Law and Business Administration. Mrs. Matthews and her husband CW have 2 children, Luke (class of 2023) and Amelia (class of 2025). She considers herself an inside girl and enjoys spending time with her family, building LEGO sets, traveling, and reading.

Angela Pihlgren

Admissions Director

Mrs. Angela Pihlgren previously taught preschool at SCCS. She has also worked with children for many years in her church and loves helping children to learn and become independent. Angela holds an Associates in Baking and Culinary Arts. Her many talents include cooking, baking, gardening, and making crafts. Angela and her husband Mike have two sons, Michael (class of 2023) and Timothy (class of 2027) who have attended Sandhills Classcial Christian School since kindergarten. With working at SCCS for the past 11 years, Angela appreciates the loving environment, nurturing Christian teachers, and the family like atmosphere that the school possesses.

Administration

Jenni Abbott

Events and Communications Coordinator/ Primary School Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Jenni Abbott has been a part of the SCCS family since 2011. She has been a parent, volunteer extraordinaire, and now, a part of the Administration team. You all know her as “The Monday Minute” lady, keeping us informed and up-to-date on all our school events. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Florida and taught Kindergarten in both the public and private sectors. Jenni is the wife of Sidney, and they are the proud parents of Elly and Mitchell.  

Kelli Hainley

Human Resources and Accounting Manager

Mrs. Kelli Hainley has been a part of the SCCS family since 2014. Born and raised in the Hoosier state, she graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Administration. Since moving to the Pinehurst area in 2005, Kelli has worked for the Moore County Chamber of Commerce and Pinehurst Surgical Clinic before working in Finance and Operations at SCCS. Mrs. Hainley and her husband of over 20 years, Brad, have 2 children, Parker (class of 2027) and Lyla (class of 2029). She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and playing various sports. Kelli is a proud Carolina Hurricanes hockey fan and is obsessed with her golden retrievers, Molly and Maple. 

Eric Inkenbrandt

Facilities Manager

Eric Inkenbrandt is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and served as an aircraft maintenance and acquisitions officer. A native of Troy, North Carolina, Eric now resides in Mount Gilead with his wife, Brittany, and their two children, Wyatt (Class of 2031) and Willow (Class of 2033). The Inkenbrandt family enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors, and they are active members of Love Joy Church in Troy.

Brandon Shell

Associate Dean of Upper School

Brandon and his wife Rachel grew up in NC and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte, where they met. They just celebrated 10 years of marriage this summer. They have planted their roots in the Sandhills for the long haul. They have two littles, Elijah and Kezia. Though he has played a variety of roles for SCCS in the past, he will be the Associate Dean of the Upper School and Lion’s Den Director and Trainer. Outside of education, Brandon is passionate about the outdoors, fitness, travel, and reading.

Rebecca Swain

Associate Dean of Lower School

Mrs. Rebecca Swain has been a veteran of classical and Christian education since 2002.  During her years in education, she has taught not only preschool, but all levels of the Trivium including Kindergarten, 2nd-3rd, 5th grade, 6th and 8th grade ELA, 10th-11th Testing Strategies, and 3rd-5th Grade Latin.  Rebecca has served as an administrator in classical schools for 8 years.  She has served as Upper School Principal, Lower School Principal, Teacher, and most recently Associate Dean of Lower School for Sandhills Classical Christian School. Rebecca has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Evangel University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University. Rebecca’s love of classical and Christian education and her love for students encourage those around her.  She desires to inspire and foster those whom she interacts with, not just the students, but those whom she leads. Rebecca and John, her husband of 5 years, enjoy spending time with each other and family.

Administration Support

Terry Duffell

Logic/Rhetoric School Administrative Assistant and College and Career Guidance Advisor

Mrs. Terry Duffell has served SCCS as a parent, teacher assistant, and in various other roles since 2000. She now serves as the Upper School Administrative Assistant for grades 7-12. Six of her nine children have attended SCCS with two of them being graduates in the classes of 2017 and 2023. Terry and her pastor husband, Marty, also serve in the local church in various ways. Terry has served in churches as Children’s Ministry Director for four decades. Terry’s passion is to serve the Lord by ministering to children and their families in whatever opportunities He provides. She views her SCCS position as one of His opportunities to serve the kingdom.

Allison Monroe

Preschool Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Allison Monroe came to SCCS as a preschool parent in 2006. After falling in love with the school she began working with the preschool in 2012. She has been a teacher’s assistant, a teacher, and has been in the administrative office since 2016. Originally from Augusta, GA, there Allison received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. She moved to NC in 1999 as a proud military spouse where she and her husband raised two children that both have attended SCCS. Mrs. Monroe loves watching children grow and working with parents to train their children to love the Lord and each other.

Kimberly Roberto

Logic/Rhetoric School Administrative Assistant

Kimberly Roberto has been a valued part of the SCCS family since 2019, first joining our community as a parent and volunteer. During the 2025–2026 school year, she worked alongside Mrs. Duffell as her part-time assistant and officially joined the SCCS administrative team during the 2026–2027 school year. Kim is the proud mother of two children: Ayla, who graduated from SCCS in 2026, and AJ, who is a member of the Class of 2029. Before moving to North Carolina in 2017, Kim and her family lived in New York, where she worked part-time as a physical therapist assistant caring for children with developmental disabilities. After relocating to North Carolina, Kim and her husband chose to focus on building their own business, a decision that also allowed her to be a stay-at-home mother, an experience she found incredibly rewarding. Kim finds great joy in engaging with and supporting students and fellow staff members, always hoping to make their days a little brighter. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the SCCS community and looks forward to continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her. Outside of school, Kim enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks with her dog, Merlin, traveling, exploring creative outlets through photography and art, and gardening.

Kristi Tanner

Grammar School Administration Assistant and Registrar

Mrs. Kristi Tanner has been a part of SCCS since 2019.  She and her husband Kevin are the parents of five children, two of whom currently attend SCCS.  Kristi has lived in the Seven Lakes area for 30 years and homeschooled her children for 10 years before prayerfully making the decision to become part of the Sandhills Classical Christian School community.  Kristi has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and has always enjoyed working with children, whether it be through teaching Sunday School in her church, her years as a homeschool mom, or job opportunities throughout her career.  Kristi loves that her position as Lower School Administrative Assistant allows her to get to know each of the students and their families so well.  

Logic and Rhetoric School

Baxter Clement

Faculty

11th-12th Grade Classical Guitar Teacher

Art Geffen

Faculty

Drama Tech Elective Teacher

Seth Henderson 

Faculty

3rd-12th Grade PE Teacher

Bonnie Orban 

Faculty

Logic and Rhetoric School Math Teacher

Oliver Spivey

Faculty

Rhetoric School ELA and Humanities Teacher