KNOXVILLE, TN: May 19, 2023 – Cumberland Christian Academy announced today that it has named Jeffrey Townsend as the new CCA Administrator.

Mr. Townsend is a founding board member and has worked closely with former administrator Jeana Partin in establishing CCA.  In addition to his role on the board, he serves as an advisor, and participated in the task force that resulted in CCA Cognia accreditation.  Mr. Townsend and his family have been very invested in the homeschool community in Knoxville for well over a decade.  He has directed both Challenge A and Challenge III at the CC Bearden community and has taught worldview and film classes at various churches and coops.  He has served as an elder at Fellowship Church where he also taught classes on worldview and culture.  In addition to his homeschool activities, he also serves as Vice President of Member Services for HealthCareTN, a statewide business coalition on health.   Mr. Townsend brings both enthusiasm and experience to the role of administrator.

Jeana Partin recently stepped down from the role of administrator in order to focus on completing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Tennessee.  Mrs. Partin, the founder whose vision encouraged the formation of CCA, will still remain active in CCA as she will replace Mr. Townsend on the board as he assumes the administrator role.

“We are extraordinarily blessed with such an arrangement,” Mr Townsend stated.  “This organization would not exist without Jeana, and to have her continue on the board, and serve as my mentor during this transition is both an honor and a privilege.  It is extraordinarily rare that an organization enjoys a net leadership gain as the result of administrative change.  But that is the case with this transition.”

Jeana commented, “ I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization. It’s been a privilege to walk alongside so many dedicated homeschool families for the past six years as CCA’s administrator. I have complete confidence in Jeff and Kristie as they take on these new leadership roles. I look forward to continuing to vision cast and grow our organization in my new role as Board Chair.”

Ryan Peterson, an active board member, stated, “I am very thankful to have Jeff Townsend as our Administrator. When I first met him, he became an inspiration to me as a dad to get more involved with my own children’s education. Since then, I’ve seen his passion not only for his own children’s education, but also his selfless passion to help others along their own educational path.”

Also joining the new administration is Kristie Fox who will serve as Assistant Administrator.  Kristie currently serves as a lead advisor and the technology coordinator for CCA.  An experienced homeschool educator herself, currently the Challenge II director at CC Bearden, Kristie also serves as the Support Representative for Classical Conversations.  Kristie will replace Marcia Walker who is stepping down to enjoy time with her grandchildren, but has also agreed to remain available to advise and consult during the transition.

About Cumberland Christian Academy

Cumberland Christian Academy (CCA), a non-public School serving students and families pursuing home centered Classical Christian education. CCA is the recognized name under which Classical Christian Home Centered Educators, a non-profit organization in east Tennessee, does business.  Find out more about Cumberland Christian Academy and Cumberland Christian Home Centered Educators