Dr. Judi Mills – Chair of the School of Education and Assistant Professor
Dr. Judi Mills currently serves as the Chair of the School of Education and as an assistant professor. She holds a BA in religion from Emmanuel University, a MAT from the University of South Carolina, and an Ed.D from Gardner-Webb University in Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Mills spent 26 years teaching Elementary Special Education in South Carolina and has served as an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University. Judi is married to Wayne Mills. They have 3 children, Andrew, Matthew, and Lindsey. Her research interests include teacher retention, special education assessment, and reading strategies.
Dr. Gina Thomason – SOE Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Gina Thomason currently serves Emmanuel as SOE graduate coordinator, assistant professor of Education, and adjunct professor for Diversified Agriculture. She holds a BS in early childhood education from Brenau University, a M.Ed from Clemson University, an Ed.S from Piedmont College, and an Ed.D from Liberty University. Dr. Thomason spent 25 years teaching in the Georgia public school system. She has also taught for Liberty University, Walden University, Ashford University and Indiana Wesleyan University. Gina is married to Owen Thomason, a professor at Emmanuel University. They have three children who are married and 6 grandchildren. Dr. Thomason loves to work in her flower garden, camp, hike, volunteer in her church and community, and spend time with her growing family.
Dr. Rick Wilson – Professor of Education
Dr. Rick Wilson, Professor of Health and Physical Education, holds an Ed.D. degree in Athletic Administration from Northcentral University in Arizona as well as a B.A. degree in Physical Education and Health and a M.Ed. in Physical Education from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. Dr. Wilson also serves as the Health and Physical Education Program Director at Emmanuel and leads the Homeschool PE program for area families. Dr. Wilson came to Emmanuel from Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina, where he served as Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance and Head Cross Country and Track Coach. Originally from Ohio, Rick taught Pre-K through 12th grade physical education and served as the Athletic Director for 9 years at Heartland Christian School in Columbiana, Ohio and has also coached cross country and track teams at Salem High School in Salem, Ohio and at Judson College in Elgin, Illinois.
Rick and his wife, Mary, have two wonderful children, Amani and Samara. Dr. Wilson feels incredibly blessed to be part of the family and ministry of Emmanuel University and thank God for the opportunity to serve in a community where faith and scholarship are blended in the pursuit of excellence. The “Wilson family runners” are a very close family and enjoy doing everything together, with running, camping, and spending time on the lake being some of their favorite recreational activities.
Dr. Mary Wilson – Assistant Professor of Education
Dr. Mary Wilson, Assistant Professor of Education, holds a Doctor of Education degree in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Education degree in Specific Learning Disabilities, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Primary Education, both from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. Dr. Wilson holds teaching licenses in general education K-8, Reading K-12, and Specific Learning Disabilities K-12. Her P-12 teaching experience ranges from elementary to high school, and she has also served as Curriculum Director and Intervention Coordinator for a K-12 school in Ohio. Most recently, Dr. Wilson has taught classes for the graduate program in the School of Education at Liberty University. She has also coached cross country and track teams at both the high school and collegiate levels. Mary and her husband, Rick, are greatly blessed with their two children, Amani and Samara. Dr. Wilson is happy to live in an area where she can easily enjoy some of her favorite outdoor activities with her family, including running, camping, boating, kayaking, and swimming. She is extremely thankful to God for the opportunity to influence future educators at Emmanuel University, where the integration of faith and learning is encouraged and supported.
Brad Roberts – Assistant Professor of Education
Mr. Brad Roberts, Assistant Professor of Education holds a B.S. degree in Social Science from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. as well as a M.Ed. from North Georgia College and an Ed.S. in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. Mr. Roberts came to Emmanuel after serving public education for 32 years with 21 of those being in administration.
Brad and his wife Renee, have a son (Phoenix) and daughter-in-law (Cassie) who are both educators. They also have two daughters (Journey and Lenox). He enjoys reading and sports.
Debbie Maxwell – School of Education Director of Field Experience
Debbie Maxwell graduated from EC in 1976 with an AA. Following, she graduated from the University of Georgia in 1978 with a BS in Exceptional Education. She began her career in teaching and worked on her Master’s degree at UGA which she received in 1981. For 31 years, she taught special education and general education in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. In 2013, she completed her Education Specialists degree at Valdosta State University. In 2015, her research on the effects of inquiry-based learning of science on achievement was published in the Asia Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching.
Rose Dunaway – Administrative Assistant
Rose Dunaway serves as the Administrative Assistant for the School of Education. She and her husband live in Elberton, Georgia and pastor Flatwoods IPHC Church. Prior to her coming to Emmanuel, Rose worked for DFCS as an office manager and before that she was a Paraprofessional.
They have a daughter Jacqui Dunaway, who is a banker, who has 2 sons Drayton 14 and Robert almost 3. They have a son, Aaron who is married to Allie Estrada Dunaway. They both attended Emmanuel and teach at Franklin County Middle School.
Adjunct FACULTY
Dr. Paige Boomer- Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Paige Boomer holds a B.S. and M.Ed in Elementary Education from Kennesaw State University, Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College, and an Ed.D in Educational leadership from Liberty University. She taught for 25 years in Georgia public schools. She also holds an ELL (English Language Learners) certificate and taught ELL for 6 years. Her research interest includes preservice teacher education, differentiation, and reading strategies. She and her husband, Mike, recently moved to Waltham, Maine. They have two sons and daughter in laws. Dr. Boomer loves to read, hike, kayak, and swim.
Amy Hancock – Adjunct Faculty
Mrs. Amy Hancock has been an educator for 19 years and currently teaches English/Language Arts at Commerce Middle School. Prior to her return to public schools, she spent four years teaching World Literature, British Literature, and AP English at Athens Christian School. She holds a B.S. Ed. in Early Childhood Education, and a M.Ed. and Ed.S. in English Education from the University of Georgia. She taught full-time at Emmanuel University from 2010 until 2015, where she split her time between the English Department and the School of Education. Mrs. Hancock lives in Colbert with her husband, Jeff, and their children, Emily, Anna, and Eli. She attends Jones Chapel United Methodist Church in Danielsville, where she serves as Children’s Minister.
Dr. Lavon Grizzle – Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Lavon Grizzle is a life-long resident of Franklin County with her husband of 22 years. They have one son who is in his second year of college. Aside from being an adjunct instructor for Emmanuel University, she is a full-time special education teacher within the Franklin County School System. Dr. Grizzle teaches elementary students in a self-contained classroom who have autism spectrum disorder, emotional/behavior disorders, and/or mild intellectual disabilities. Before becoming a special education teacher, she taught fifth grade for nine years. Her educational background demonstrates her love for learning. As seen below, her areas of expertise are early childhood education, instructional technology, and special education. She enjoy sharing her knowledge and experience with those who also aspire to be educators.
2018- Northcentral University: Cert-Special Education
2016- Northcentral University: EdD- Concentration in E-Learning
2010- Nova Southeastern: EdS- Teacher Leadership
2008- Walden University: MA- Integrating Technology in the Classroom
2004- Emmanuel University: BA- Early Childhood Education
1999- Athens Technical College: Diploma- Early Childhood Education
Mrs. Latana Coile – Adjunct Faculty
Mrs. Latana Coile served 30 years as a secondary education teacher at Franklin and Madison County High Schools before retiring in 2016. During her career, Mrs. Coile taught Social Studies, served as a Secondary Education Instructional Coach and Gifted Coordinator, and coached basketball and softball.
Presently, in addition to her adjunct work at Emmanuel, Mrs. Coile serves as the Testing Coordinator and Instructional Coach for the Madison campus of Foothills Education Charter High School in Danielsville, Georgia. She currently holds a Georgia certification in P-5 Elementary Education and Georgia 6-12 certifications in Behavioral Science; Economics; Geography; Gifted In-Field; History; and Political Science. Mrs. Coile has also completed GA DOE training as a Teacher Support Specialist; Instructional Coach; and Co-Teacher and is approved by the College Board as an Advanced Placement U.S. History and Psychology instructor.
During her teaching career, Mrs. Coile was selected by her students as STAR Teacher seven times, by her colleagues as Teacher of the Year twice, and as the System (Madison County) Teacher of the Year. She is a graduate of Emmanuel University, the University of Georgia, and Piedmont College.
Mrs. Coile and her husband, Robin, reside in the Shiloh community of Madison County and have a daughter (Lori) and grandson (Ethan). In her spare time, Mrs. Coile enjoys reading and relaxing on the screened porch, outdoor activities, watching Carolina Tarheel basketball games, and being “Nana C” to the most handsome red-headed young man around.
Kelli Griffeth – Adjunct Faculty
Mrs. Kelli Griffeth has been an educator for 30 years. She recently retired from Madison County Middle School where she was the Resource teacher, In School Coordinator for Special Education. She holds a A.A. from Emmanuel College, a B.S. in Educational Psychology and MA in Interrelated Special Education from the from the University of Georgia, and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership form Lincoln Memorial University. Mrs. Griffith lives in Danielsville, GA with her husband, Charlie, who is also a retired educator and coach. They have two children, Logan and Tyler. She is a member of The Springs Church in Franklin Springs where she is involved in many different ministries.
Heather Crump – Adjunct Faculty
Ms. Heather Crump has been an educator for 23 years. She taught middle and high school math for 19 years and is currently the Data Analyst for the Hart County Board of Education. She holds a BS in Math Education North Georgia College and State University and a MA from Piedmont College. Ms. Crump lives in Hartwell, GA and is a member the Hartwell First Methodist Church where she is involved in many different ministries.
Delina Wester – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
Delina Wester (EC ’98) currently serves as the Principal at Carnesville Elementary School and adjunct professor of Education for the Masters of Education online program at Emmanuel University.
She holds a BS degree from Emmanuel University in Middle Grades Education, a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education form Piedmont College, a Ed. S from Piedmont College in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Leadership Certification from Piedmont College. She has spent 25 years teaching in the Franklin County School System, 18 years as a teacher and 7 years as an administrator. She has been married to Eddie Wester (EC 97) for 25 years and has two children, Jade and Will. Jade attends Augusta University PT school, and Will attends Emmanuel University and is on the Bass Fishing Team.
She loves to camp and spend time on
the lake with her family. She also enjoys traveling and watching the Dawgs play on Saturdays in the Fall.
Karen Correia – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
Karen Correia is beginning her 28th year in public education. Her entire career has been spent serving the students of Franklin County. She was recently named Deputy Superintendent of Franklin County Schools. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Emmanuel College, a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Piedmont College, and a Specialists Degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Ms. Correia spent 27 years at Carnesville Elementary School where she taught 4th grade, then served as an academic coach, an assistant principal, and principal. Karen is the proud mother of two awesome sons, and the “Ma” of two precious grandchildren. She loves making memories with her family! She enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, and traveling,
Holly Tucker – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
Holly Tucker retired in July 2020 with 32 years in the field of education. During her tenure, she served students in Pre-K through 12th grade in various roles. The majority of her career was spent serving students in K-5th grade as a classroom teacher. For two years she was Graduation Coach for 6th-12th grade. Once she moved into administration in 2010, she served as Assistant Principal at Irwin County Elementary School. In 2014 she moved into the role as Principal at Irwin County Elementary School where she served for 6 years until she retired in 2020. Holly holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University as well as her M.Ed and Specialist both from Valdosta State University. Holly is married to Ira Tucker who retired last year from a 32 year career as an Agricultural Teacher. They have two children and 5 grandchildren. Holly enjoys camping, trips to the beach, road trips with her husband Ira, serving in her church and community, and of course spending time with her little “Grand Joys”.
Dr. Beth Hearn – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Beth Hearn is an adjunct faculty member of Emmanuel College’s SOE. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from Emmanuel College, a M.Ed. from Piedmont College, an Ed.S. from Piedmont College, and an Ed.D. from Liberty University. She retired from the Georgia public school system and taught at North Georgia Technical College. She spends her time farming, managing apartments, and playing with her grandson. She is married to Greg Hearn, CEO of Community Services Group and Executive Vice President and CFO of Emmanuel College.
Mrs. Kandy Hardman – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
Mrs. Kandy Hardman currently serves Emmanuel as an adjunct professor for SOE Online Program. She holds a BS in early childhood education from Piedmont College, a M.Ed from Walden University, and Ed.S from Piedmont College. Mrs. Hardman has spent 19 years teaching in the Georgia public school system. Kandy is married to Brandon Hardman and they have six children. Mrs. Hardman loves to work exercise, camp, travel, volunteer in her church, and spend time with her family.
Tammy Sellers – SOE Online Adjunct Faculty
