The Classical AcademyExcellence with Honor

TCA Titan of the Year for 2020-21 - Linda Durck

On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2020-21 Titan of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Linda Durck at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 12, 2021.

Linda Durck has worked at TCA for 18y years as an East Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher. Mrs. Durck is know for creating a caring and welcoming atmosphere for students and parents alike. She finds ways to bring personality and life into her classroom, which is affectionately know as the "cabin", and pushed the students towards honor and integrity.

Sometimes you need someone to believe in you and Linda Durck is that special teacher who does just that. She has a gift where she recognizes strengths and weaknesses in different students and then pairs them together. Linda teaches students to persevere in the learning. She does not give up on students, and she does not let them up on themselves.

We have posted Linda Durck's Titan of the Year video below. We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all the amazing TCA staff. If you see Mrs. Durck, please congratulate her on this great honor!

TCA Titan of the Year for 2019-20 - Lisa Kuyper

On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2019-2020 Titan of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Lisa Kuyper at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Lisa Kuyper has worked at TCA for 13 years as Central Elementary's PE teacher.  Among staff members, she is known as a spirited and active individual who is incredibly thoughtful, adventurous, and caring member of the Central family.  She is always up to try something new, and she challenges her students to be their best.  Lisa and her husband have raised three children - all TCA graduates!  Two of their children are now following in Lisa's footsteps as fellow TCA teachers.

Creativity is a trait that has allowed Lisa to develop new ideas and games beyond PE for our students, to include annual service runs and the 6th grade EPIC program to name a few.  Lisa does her best to find joy in every moment throughout the day.  Her joy and ownership of her curriculum is contagious.  When you think of what it means to be a Titan, Lisa is a perfect example.  She is a constant model of respect, passion, humility, and imagination.

We have posted Lisa Kuyper's Titan of the Year video below or click here to learn more about her.  We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all of the amazing TCA staff.  If you see Mrs. Kuyper, please congratulate her on this great honor!

TCA “Titan of the Year” for 2018-19 - Jessica Adair

On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2018-2019 Titan of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Jessica Adair at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Jessica Adair has worked at TCA for 16 years in many roles at Central Elementary.  She has been a 1^st grade teacher since 2014, but has also been in 2^nd grade, 5^th grade, and Physical Education and now is an Elementary Mentor.  Among staff members she is seen as an amazing resource, a dependable fixture who “gets the job done” well, and someone who isn’t afraid to step up to a challenge. Outside the classroom, Jessica enjoys travel, cooking, and curling up with a good book.  She and her husband enjoy outdoor activities especially hiking and camping.

When it comes to her students, Jessica has high expectations, and she stretches each child to his or her full learning potential while meeting their unique needs.  She takes the time to know each student individually with special one-on-one time during snack time.  As a fellow teacher put it “she pursues truth as she grows as a teacher, beauty as she helps inspire each child, and goodness as she models to the next generation what it looks like to live with integrity and joy!”

We have posted Jessica Adair’s Titan of the Year video on the TCA website or click here, so you can learn more about her.  We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all of the amazing TCA staff.  If you see Mrs. Adair, please congratulate her on this great honor!

TCA “Titan of the Year” for 2017-18 - Nikki Upchurch

 On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2017-2018 Titan of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Nikki Upchurch at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 9, 2018.

Mrs. Upchurch has been a teacher at TCA for 11 years at College Pathways and High School.  She currently serves as College Pathways' Health and Wellness Teacher and Educational Philosophy Specialist.  She has also taught Biology, Aerobics, and Weights and Conditioning.  Mrs. Upchurch is known for having a gentle spirit, contagious enthusiasm, and relentless positivity among students and staff.

One of her students wrote, "Mrs. Upchurch is one of my top role models and if I could grow up to be just like someone, I would choose her without a doubt.  She always manages to make time for me, and I am constantly astounded by how well she knows EVERYONE, how she remembers EVERY name, EVERY student's personal needs, and EVERY student's favorite things.  She always knows exactly what to do to make us smile.  I hope that I can one day be at least half the compassionate, wonderful woman that she is.  I could never express to you how much she has influenced me."

We have posted Nikki's Titan of the Year video below, and we encourage you to take a few moments out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all of the amazing TCA staff!  If you see Nikki, please congratulate her on this great honor!

TCA “Titan of the Year” for 2016-17 - Christina Schwartz-Soper

 On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2016-2017 Titan of the Year award was presented to Ms. Christina Schwartz-Soper at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 10, 2017.

Christina has loyally and fervently served our community as band director at TCA for 14 years.  With staff, she is known for her passion for her craft.  With students, she is kind, accepting, and supportive serving as an important influence and role model for the young people at TCA.  Additionally, she was able to rally the band community, and the TCA community as a whole, to raise enough funds to purchase new band uniforms.  This was a tremendous undertaking, which she attacked head on.

Christina is a strong example of what it looks like to love, respect, and protect one another.  Her band program is like a family, offering a safe place where students feel loved.  She has created a culture of relationship that is tighter than most groups at TCA.  Students feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves, and dedicate themselves to the success of the group.

Christina Schwartz-Soper’s Titan of the Year video is below and we encourage you to take a few moments out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all of the amazing TCA staff!  If you see Christina, please congratulate her on this great honor!

TCA “Titan of the Year” for 2015-16 - Lora Hendricks

 On behalf of the TCA Titan of the Year Committee, the parents of TCA, and the TCA Board of Directors, the 2015-2016 Titan of the Year award was presented to Mrs. Lora Hendricks at our Teacher In-Service Thursday, August 11, 2016.

 Lora Hendricks has served 8 years at TCA as a tutor at the North campus elementary. She is described as someone with a servant’s heart, a true encourager and someone who will do anything for you.  “Ms. Lora” is also the queen of carpool.  No matter the weather, she is there to greet all who drive through with a wave and a sincere smile, making the start of every day lovely and positive.  One mom wrote: “Have you ever been encouraged by a bright smile, a warm hug or a kind word?  Have you ever had a friend bear your burden, ease your frustration, celebrate a success or share in your joy?  Then you may have met Lora Hendricks!”

Lora Hendrick’s Titan of the Year video is below and we encourage you to take a few moments out of your busy day to see what this special award is all about and celebrate all of the amazing TCA staff!  If you see Mrs. Hendricks, please congratulate her on this great honor!