Alicia Brookins earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Union University in Jackson, TN. In addition to her Music Education certification, she also earned certification for Integrated Middle Grades 5-9 and Social Science 6-12. She started her teaching career at Covenant Christian School and has taught in the 2nd grade and as a part of a 4th – 6th grade team. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, she’s a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. She met her husband in Panama City while working as children’s ministry summer intern at Hiland Park Baptist Church in 2006. They got married in 2009 when she made Panama City her home. In her spare time she enjoys baking, scrapbooking, and reading.
Michael Hagans is from Panama City and graduated from The University of West Florida with a BA in History Education and an MA in History. He teaches Omnibus (History, Literature, Theology), Government, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology at CCS. He has also taught AP Government, AP Western Civ, and AP European History at CCS. This is Mike’s twelfth year teaching at CCS. His interests include history, literature, and writing. When he was younger, Mike served as a summer missionary in both Washington State and Colorado, and has worked with teenagers through Sunday School and other ministries since he started college.
Suzanne Hermes is a graduate of Texas Woman’s University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation Suzanne returned to her hometown of San Antonio, TX, to teach 4th grade, at-risk children for two years. She then married and relocated to Corpus Christi, TX. For the next five years she would teach 4th grade Math and Science and earn her Master of Education degree in Adult Education at Texas A&M-Kingsville. She would then stay home to raise her three children, lead the MOPS program at her church and teach various Bible studies. Due to her husband’s job transfer, the family relocated to Panama City in 2008. Suzanne resumed teaching in the fall of 2009 at CCS and has taught Math, Science and Bible for the 4th-6th grade. She and her husband, Patrick, coordinate the CCS Robotics program. In her spare time Suzanne loves to read, scrapbook and travel.
Jennifer Kughn was born and raised in South Florida. She received her BA in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fl. Shortly after graduation, she took a Kindergarten teaching job at Coral Springs Christian Academy. During her two years there, she started a discipleship group for middle school girls, and she coached the varsity girls tennis team. After marrying her prince, Jeremy Kughn, they moved to North Carolina to serve as youth ministers for a local church. Jennifer took a job at Statesville Christian School where she taught 1st grade for the first year and 3rd grade for the next three years. Before leaving NC, Jennifer had two children, Connor and Abbey Grace. After moving to Orlando, FL, Jennifer took a job as a children’s director at Metro Church. There she and her husband created a new theme for the children’s ministry and implemented it into the curriculum. God also opened the door for her to homeschool her children for Kindergarten. After God called them to Panama City for a preaching job, God once again opened a door for her to get back into the classroom. Third grade was her favorite grade growing up, and now it is her favorite grade to teach. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys scrapbooking, outdoor activities, spending time with her family and Auburn football…..WAR EAGLE!
Christie Mitchell is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas where she believes God called her to be a teacher while working in a Kindergarten as part of a Child Development class in high school. She later received her BSE degree in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education and also a MSE degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Arkansas. She has taught Kindergarten, Preschool, and worked as a Preschool Director. She obtained her certification in Special Education and taught in that field for six years before returning to Kindergarten again. Christie enjoys short term mission trips with her family and delights in sharing God’s Word with children and encouraging young families.
Todd Mitchell is originally from Montgomery, Al. He and his family moved to Panama City in 2009 to join CCS. Todd is a graduate of Troy University and Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary. Todd holds a BS in Business and Resource Management and a Masters of Divinity. Before joining the Covenant family Todd pastored a church in North Georgia as well as serving on staff at churches in Georgia and Tennessee. Todd transitioned to the education profession out of a passion for his own children. Since joining Covenant Todd has taught in the Upper School Omnibus program as well as served in the Guidance & Business Offices. Todd and his wife have six children four of which are students at Covenant. He enjoys reading, golfing, Alabama Football and spending time with his family.
Lacey Obos was born and raised in Panama City, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematics Education, with a special focus on secondary education. Upon graduation, Lacey taught in the public school system until marrying her husband, Kevin. The two moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where Lacey taught in the Hoover School System teaching middle school math. After her husband completed school, Lacey returned to Panama City to raise her family. She is the mother of two children, Harrison and Linley. Lacey was introduced to Covenant as a preschool mother and felt the Lord was pulling her back into teaching math. Now, both of her children attend CCS. Outside of CCS, Lacey is very active in the community through the Junior Service League, where she will serve as President in 2011-2012.
Becki Swartz is the CCS Office Manager. She is a graduate of Southeastern University with a BA in Christian Education. Becki has been married for 32 years and is the mother of two, ages 27 and 22 (one a CCS graduate). She came to CCS from Bay County Schools in 1995. She taught K5 for nine years, and then became the face of CCS. She is a faithful member of First Assembly of God, Panama City. She loves children and lives to be a grandma one day!
Jennifer Weber is from Panama City, Florida and graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She is certified to teach Elementary Education in the State of Florida. She taught in the public school system for four years before she and her husband, Chas had their first daughter, Lauren. Jennifer was a stay at home mom for five years after having Lauren and her second daughter, Megan. When it came time for Lauren to begin school, God was calling Jennifer to return to teaching. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, Jennifer began teaching at Covenant Christian School. She has taught First, Second, and Third grade reading and English. She currently teaches First Grade at Covenant Christian School. Jennifer enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and taking road trips.
Candace Whitmore grew up in Englewood, Ohio, but moved to Florida to pursue her career in 1999. She is a 2004 graduate from the University of West Florida where she received her Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. In 2005, she was named as one of the University Sea Stars where her research from the previous year was published. After the birth of her first child in 2005, she became a stay at home mom. During this time she began working part-time with children at her church. This transition caused her to realize that she had a passion for education. In 2006, she returned to college to obtain her teaching certificate at Gulf Coast Community College. Candace is currently teaching Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology and Pre-Algebra at CCS. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, who is a fireman, her children, Andrew (5), Allison (4) and Alec (2). She still has a passion and love for the water and loves boating, fishing and the beach.