Faculty & Staff

Duncan grew up in Hope and met his wife, Krystal, in high school. They were married in 2015 and have two sons. Duncan obtained his B.A. in Political Science from Ouachita Baptist University and his M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. in Old Testament from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Classical Christian education is Duncan’s primary love, and he believes it is the missing piece in modern discipleship. His desire is for PCA to assist parents in the calling of Deuteronomy 6 to form children into intelligent, virtuous disciples of Christ.

Mrs. Peery graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in Music then received her Pharm.D. from the University of Florida. After she and her husband, Dave, welcomed their first child, Mary transitioned out of pharmacy. She classically homeschooled her children for eight years before helping begin PCA in 2010. As Academic Dean, Mary desires for PCA’s students to love learning and seek out God’s Truth in every subject. She most desires to see students leave PCA with a vibrant and growing relationship with Christ.

Amy grew up in a small town in northern Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.A. in Interior Design and a minor in Art History. She and her husband, Bill, were married in 2007 and have four children who attend PCA. Amy serves as PCA’s Director of Advancement, overseeing admissions, community events, and marketing, and her desire is to see PCA’s students flourish not only in their love for education, but more importantly in love for their Savior.

Brooke grew up in Southern Arkansas, and she and her husband, Michael, moved to Central Arkansas in 2012. When their first daughter was born, Brooke began teaching part-time in various church preschool programs. Now having two daughters who attend PCA, Brooke feels blessed to work alongside the PCA staff by teaching, nurturing, and disciplining the youngest PCA students in our Owls Nest.

Jennifer graduated from Ouachita Baptist University then moved to Texas to attend seminary where she met her husband, Mark. She completed her M.A. degrees in Christian Education and Ministry-Based Evangelism then taught at a classical school in Texas until her oldest child was born. Jennifer loves to foster students’ love of learning about their Creator and His world and prepare four- and five-year-olds to enter kindergarten at PCA.

Emily grew up in Georgia then moved to Little Rock in high school. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Spanish. While there, Emily married her husband, Paul, and they have three daughters, all who attend PCA. Emily has taught preschool in both traditional and Montessori classrooms, and her desire is for PCA's youngest to love learning and build a strong foundation in Christ.

Born and raised in Indiana, Renee met her husband, Tim, while earning her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Tennessee. They were married in 1982 and moved to Little Rock in 1989. Before helping create PCA, Renee taught second grade in Knoxville and also homeschooled her own three children. God has given Renee a special heart for children, and she enjoys the distinctly Christian and classical curriculum at PCA.

Kim was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Florida State College. Kim taught in Florida and Texas before she and her husband, Brandon, moved to Arkansas. She is excited to be back in the classroom and teaching at PCA, where her four children also attend. Kim has a heart for teaching Kindergarten students and watching them grow in their love of learning and for the Lord.

Janelle grew up in California, where she had the benefit of a Christian education. Janelle served as a missionary in Zambia and has worked in both public and Christian schools in five different states. She and her husband, Walter, have served in home missions together as well, and they have one son at PCA. Janelle most desires for her students to grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus as they grow in their academic knowledge at PCA.

Jarah grew up in Texas before moving to Arkansas when she was in high school. She earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and has worked for many years as a teacher and children’s minister. Jarah and her husband, Nick, married in 2011 and have twins who attend PCA. Jarah is delighted to be a part of the PCA family and grateful for the opportunity to teach in a Christ-centered environment.

A lifelong Arkansan, Teresa has been married to her husband, Mark, for more than 30 years. Teresa homeschooled her six children using classical methods before returning to school to earn her degree in education. Teresa received her B.S. in Education from Henderson State University. She then taught in public and private schools before coming to PCA. Teresa is passionate about training children to see the goodness and creativity of God in every subject they learn.

Carrie is originally from Memphis, where she met and married her husband, Ken. Together, they have three children. Carrie earned her B.S and M.S. degrees in Special Education from the University of Memphis. Since then, she has worked as a developmental therapist, special needs teacher, and classroom teacher. Mrs. Knecht feels blessed every day to be at PCA where she can be a part of such a wonderful community of teachers, parents, and students.

Michelle, a Conway native, is married to her loving husband, Zeb. She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education from University of Central Arkansas then taught at a private Christian school before homeschooling her three children. Homeschooling taught Michelle the advantages of classical education and influenced her educational philosophy. Michelle’s own love of learning drives her passion to teach, and her desire is to see students grow in their passion and pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.

Katelyn grew up in Arkansas, where she was homeschooled with a strong classical influence. Katelyn attended Faulkner University in Alabama where she worked as an English tutor and treasured her time in Great Books, a classical honors program. After earning her B.A. in English, Katelyn returned to Arkansas and began teaching at PCA. Katelyn attributes a classical education for her love of learning and is thrilled and honored to teach the fifth and sixth grade students at PCA.

Jake grew up in Harrison and attended Ouachita Baptist University where he met and married his wife, Kara. Jake then received his M.Div. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves the heart and culture of PCA, where three of his children attend. He aims to teach PCA students to think, speak, and live out of the wisdom that God in Christ gives through his Word and through the lessons and principles learned through the great books of Western civilization.

Laurel is a native of Little Rock and originally attended PCA as a student. Laurel earned her B.A. in English with a focus in Literature and a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a focus in the Humanities from Bryan College. She then returned to PCA to teach while simultaneously working on an M.A. in Management and Leadership. Having been blessed by the classical model, PCA’s mission and vision, and the dedication and care of her teachers, it has been an honor and a joy for her to join the school as a faculty member.

Justin grew up in southern Oklahoma and attended the University of Oklahoma where he met his wife, Valerie, and earned a B.A. in Ethics and Religion. He then received his M.A. in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary and served as a pastor in North Texas while homeschooling his three children. During this time, he came to deeply appreciate the classical method of education. That combination of Christian ministry and classical teaching sparked a passion for education that brought Justin and his family to PCA.

A native of Cabot, Alec earned his B.S. in Applied Mathematics with a minor in STEM Education from University of Central Arkansas where he also met his wife, Jillian. During his time at UCA, God saved Alec, and he began to grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord and have a desire to influence students for Jesus. After teaching math in the public school system, Alec discovered classical Christian education. He is excited for this new venture and prays God will enable him to train lifelong learners for Christ at PCA.

Derek grew up in southeast Pennsylvania and received his B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Messiah College. He then worked as a 4th grade teacher until the Lord called him into full-time ministry. Derek received his M.Div. degree from Westminster Theological Seminary then he and his wife, Bethany, moved their family to Arkansas. Derek loves teaching the Bible and is passionate about seeing others grow in their love for God and His Word.

Carl was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, grew up in the South, and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked in the electric utility industry for 50 years before coming to PCA. Carl and his wife, Ellen, actively pray for Pinnacle and are thrilled to have two of their grandchildren attend PCA. He desires to help students love learning, grow in their knowledge, and work to build God’s kingdom.

Brandon is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. His wife, Kim, is a kindergarten teacher at PCA, and they have four children at the school. Brandon earned his B.A. in Church Music from Trinity Baptist College and his M.A. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His desire is to point others to Jesus and enjoys doing that through his work as a worship pastor and as a music teacher at PCA.

Rachel grew up in Little Rock and holds a B.A. in Technical Communication from Cedarville University and an M.S. in Educational Psychology from Florida State University. She held positions as a technical writer, training manager, and clinic coordinator before joining the PCA staff. Rachel and her husband, Ben, are proponents of classical Christian education for their sons because it mirrors our brain's natural, divinely-created paths for learning and using information while making God the center of every classroom.

Kaitlin grew up in White Hall and moved to Little Rock as a teen. She holds a Studio Art degree from UALR with an emphasis in Photography and Graphic Design. Kaitlin loves PCA and is especially thankful for the Christ-centered education her niece and nephew are receiving and for the true friends they have made.

Karis graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Karis discovered her love for classical education when she and her husband, Brandon, enrolled their children in a classical school in Texas. Karis has been involved in children's and student ministry for nearly 20 years and is passionate about lifelong learning, children's literature, and creating a positive connection between children and their reading experience. The Briscoes recently moved back to Arkansas, and Karis is excited to begin supporting the teachers at PCA.

Lolo is originally from Belgium but grew up across various countries in Africa. After earning her teaching degree in Belgium, Lolo came to Louisiana to teach French. While in Louisiana, she met and married her husband, Richard, and together, they have two daughters. Lolo has taught in public, private, and classical schools in addition to homeschooling her daughters but says her time at PCA has been the most rewarding as the school offers a beautiful balance of academic rigor, love, and grace.

Katherine was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is in her senior year at the University of Central Arkansas, pursuing a B.A. in Art Education. She is passionate about teaching, creativity, and sharing the gospel, and believes art is a powerful way to inspire and connect with students. Katherine is excited to join PCA and grow as an educator while encouraging young artists in a joyful, Christ-centered classroom.