Administration, Faculty & Board

The people behind TKA.

Dedicated Christian educators and leaders called to invest in the children of South Dallas, spiritually, academically, and emotionally.

Board of Directors

Stewarding the mission.

Board Chairman

Ryan Pitterson

Managing Director, Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage

Ryan Pitterson serves as Managing Director at Turner Surety and Insurance Brokerage, the Risk Management firm for Turner Construction Company. He joined Turner Construction in 2018, leveraging over 15 years of experience from his tenure at AIG in New York, where he served as a Construction Claims Executive. He began his career as a corporate associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in New York City.

Ryan holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Rochester and earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia University Law School. He is also a dedicated Biblical researcher and author, known for his books Judgment of the Nephilim and The Final Nephilim.

Before relocating to Texas, Ryan was actively involved in his community in New York City, serving as a Deacon and Youth Leader at Heritage Baptist Church and People's Baptist Church. He and his wife Erika have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two children, Nya and Luke.

Board Members

Mike Beeson

Minister of Missions, Prestonwood Baptist Church

Eddie Caldwell

Managing Director, Northwestern Mutual

Steve Jarvie

Founder, Jarvie Properties

John Klingstedt

Chief Operating Officer, ACSI

Brian Pattillo

Vice President, Goosehead Insurance

Tom Sherman

Branch Manager, Benchmark Mortgage

Dr. Chris Simmons

Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church

Larry Taylor, Ed.D.

President, Association of Christian Schools International

Jay Verdoorn

Founder, Holland Properties

Katie Wells

Community Volunteer & TKA Bridge Partner

Daniel L. White, Esq.

Attorney, The Law Office of Daniel L. White, PLLC

Administration

Our leadership team.

Shailendra Thomas, Ed.D.

Head of School

Dr. Thomas's experience in education extends over 30 years, serving as elementary school teacher, instructional specialist, educational consultant and adjunct college professor, Sr. Administrator/Principal at Fellowship Christian Academy and Scofield Christian School, Dallas Co-Director of the Texas Private School Association, and Regional/National Accreditation Commissioner and Field Director for the Association of Christian Schools International.

Under Dr. Thomas's leadership, Fellowship Christian Academy received its initial accreditation status from ACSI and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, expanded to middle school, implemented a college preparatory curriculum, successfully incorporated computer technology into the adopted curriculum, and experienced exponential growth. At Scofield Christian School, she and the faculty strategically grew enrollment 61 percent.

Dr. Thomas is the inaugural Head of School of The King's Academy. She believes that education involves more than a child's intellectual abilities; it should ultimately inspire learners to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. She co-authored two Amazon best-selling children's books, Image Bearer and Genesis: The Beginning. Her primary ministry is to her husband of forty years, Richard, three grown daughters, and two grandchildren.

Sharyn Casey

Director of Development

Sharyn Casey serves as Director of Development at The King's Academy, responsible for managing the staff and overseeing all donor relations, fundraising events, and major donations.

Sharyn brings a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector, with over 25 years of local and national fundraising experience. She helps increase funding, expand the donor base, and enhance development and outreach strategies while following TKA's philosophy that God is the ultimate source for meeting the needs of our ministries (1 Chronicles 29:12-16; Philippians 4:19).

In her own words: "In my role as Director of Development, I am blessed to be surrounded by the most compassionate, dedicated team of staff focused on carrying out God's work with our students and their families. My hope is to be a living example of God's perfect love while promoting that The King's Academy is God's work."

Faculty & Staff

Christian educators called to South Dallas.

Our faculty are credentialed in their fields and committed to discipling students through small classes, individualized instruction, and a Biblically integrated curriculum. Faculty bios are available to current and prospective families on request.

Request Faculty Bios

Interested in joining our team?

TKA hires Christian educators committed to Kingdom education.

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