It is with my utmost respect and pleasure to announce that Mrs. Tawanna Rusk will join me in full-time leadership in her sole role as Associate Head of School for the 2023-2024 school year. She will be integral in shepherding all of our division heads in their academic leadership and nurturing of students and faculty.
Please also join me in congratulating Mr. Jason Beard, who will assume the role of Head of High School at Mount Paran Christian School.
In addition, our wonderful High School Dean of Students, Ms. Ashley Cochran, will move to the Assistant Head of High School position.
This tremendous and highly experienced team has been successfully leading our high school to new heights. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Rusk, Mr. Beard, and Ms. Cochran to their new roles. They, alongside Head of Preschool Ms. Penny Harrison, Head of Lower School Mrs. Tina Baker, and Head of Middle School Mr. Peter Hill, will continue their good work unto the Lord for the 2023-2024 school year.
Blessings,
Dr. David Tilley
Interim Head of School
Mrs. Tawanna Rusk, Associate Head of School
Mrs. Rusk enjoyed a twenty-year career in Cobb county schools before joining the MPCS family as Lower School Head 12 years ago. She became Assistant Head of School in 2015 and Head of High School in 2016. For the past two years, she has served as the Head of Upper School and Associate Head of School.
Mrs. Rusk earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education from Georgia College, a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University, and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University.
She is the parent of two MPCS alumnae and an MPCS alumnus son-in-law. She is also a proud grandmother. Mrs. Rusk attends Sanctuary In Him.
She remarks, “MPCS has been an integral part of my personal and professional life. I became a parent here in 1997 and have enjoyed an almost thirty-year relationship with this God-honoring community. Every day is filled with joy as I play a small role in developing our students. It has been a privilege to serve with the best educators and leaders in the country here at MPCS. I have complete faith and confidence that God has ordered my steps along with Mr. Beard and Ms. Cochran, and the timing is now ordained for this leadership transition. I have been richly blessed to serve in every level of our school, and I look forward to mentoring and guiding our new division heads as they prepare our students to honor God, Love others, and walk in Truth.”
Mr. Jason Beard, Head of High School
Mr. Beard has served at MPCS since 2010, beginning first as a coach and then hired full-time in 2011 to teach economics and psychology. In his time at MPCS, Mr. Beard has coached the varsity cross country, basketball, and tennis teams. In 2017, he created and facilitated goLEAD, a two-year curricular leadership program offered to high school students. He became the Assistant Head of High School in 2019.
Mr. Beard completed his undergraduate degree at Samford University, his Master of Arts in Teaching at Georgia State University, and his Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Gordon College.
In his free time, he enjoys fly fishing in the north Georgia mountains, cooking, playing sports, and spending time with friends. He is an active member at Four Points Church in Acworth, serving in their youth program and children’s ministry on Sunday mornings.
Mr. Beard says of his years at MPCS, “Over the last decade, it continues to be evident that the Lord has called me to serve at Mount Paran Christian School, and I trust completely in the Sovereignty of the Lord as He opens and closes doors. It has been a blessing to serve alongside so many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ as we aim to raise Godly men and women who love the Lord and others. This community (staff, students, and parents) is a blessing, and we will continue to steward well what God has given. I look forward to continuing to serve the Lord in the coming years.”
Ms. Ashley Cochran, Assistant Head of High School
As a teacher, Ms. Cochran spent seven years in Cobb county and 12 years in private education, the last eight of those at MPCS. Her specialty is math for grades 8-12. Subsequently, she served as Dean of Students in both the MPCS middle and high schools.
Ms. Cochran holds a Bachelors degree in Education from Auburn University. She earned her Masters degree in Educational Policy Study from Georgia State and her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
Ms. Cochran has served for many years as a cheerleading coach and will continue to coach the MPC Middle School Competition Cheer team. She attends Cedarcrest Church and has two daughters enrolled at MPCS.
Ms. Cochran shares, “I have absolutely loved the time I have spent as the Dean of Students in our high school. The students and faculty are truly amazing. I’m so excited to continue the work here in a slightly different role and look forward to the work we will do to uphold the mission of Mount Paran to provide academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment.
