Head of School

Mr. Jim Shaw
Mr. Shaw grew up in Bessemer. He received his B.A. in Political Science from The University of Alabama and is currently studying for his Masters in Divinity at Birmingham Theological Seminary.  He is married to Brook, and they have three children, two of which attend TBCS. In his spare time, he enjoys political theory, fishing, baseball, and time spent with the family

Teachers

Mrs. Erika Hill, 3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Hill holds a Masters of Science in Education from Wright State University and has over 15 years of experience in home school and Christian school environments. She has been involved in this ministry from the beginning. Mrs. Hill is fluent in French and is quickly learning Latin, in order to teach it to her students.

Although Natives of Liberia, Mrs. Hill and her husband, Frederick, have raised their five girls in Bessemer. Their children have all been educated by Mrs. Hill-- their youngest is a student at TBCS. In addition to her role as teacher, Mrs. Hill has also aided in the development of the second, third and fourth grade curriculums including art, science and handwriting.

Mrs. Heather Patridge, 1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Patridge graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and minors in English and Marketing.  She joined the ministry in June of 2008.  Prior to teaching, Mrs. Patridge worked in a variety of fields, including fundraising, campus ministry, and research writing. She and her husband, Will, live in Helena.

Mrs. Brandie Wolfe, 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Wolfe graduated with a degree in Public Relations from Jacksonville State University, and she joined this ministry in August 2009. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Wolfe was the Volunteer Coordinator at Sav-A-Life, Vestavia for three years. She and her husband, Jason, were married in April of 2009 and reside in Leeds.

Administration 

Mrs. Emily Heide, Development Director
Mrs. Heide graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Human and Organizational Development and joined TBCS in December 2009. Prior to working for TBCS she worked for a public relations firm and several non-profits in Washington, D.C. and Birmingham, including the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. She resides in Birmingham with her husband, Sam, and daughter.

Employment Opportunities

The Bessemer Classical School is often looking for qualified teachers. If you are interested in employment, please complete the Employment Application, and mail it to:

The Bessemer Classical School
Attention: Jim Shaw
1723 3rd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020