Tutors & Staff
Kindergarten - Fifth Grade
+
Latin, Science, Choir, Opening Exercises, Homework Club, & Administrator
Kristen Gardner
Kindergarten
I feel so blessed to be a part of the CBT family! I am originally from Asheville, North Carolina but have lived in Chattanooga since 2004. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, from a very
young age. I attended a small church, so I was able to be extremely involved with the children’s ministry. The Lord placed the desire of teaching in my heart very early on, and it has remained my passion. I met my husband, Paul, at King College in Bristol, TN, while I was studying to earn my Elementary Education degree. We married in 2004 and ended up staying here in his hometown. We moved to a house on the back of Lookout Mountain, and I got a job teaching 1st grade at Chattanooga Christian School, Paul’s alma mater. It was a great fit for me, and I loved teaching kids to read! In 2011, I had my first daughter, Eden, and became a stay-at-home mom. Then came Ava, in 2014 and Bo in 2016. Staying home with my kids was the best decision but definitely hard on the finances, so, after 10 years at home, I eased back into the working world, helping in the MDO Pre-K at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church and then in the 2 year old room at CCS. I am passionate about teaching, and I love supporting and partnering with the CBT families as they are faithful to the Lord’s call in raising their children.
Hannah Thomas
First Grade
I am a recent graduate from Covenant College! I majored in Elementary Education, following a family lineage of teachers. My husband Bo and I live in a tiny house on Lookout Mountain and enjoy all things outdoors, cooking, and fellowship. We love time with family and friends and long conversations about theology, life, and goals. I am so honored and excited to join the amazing community of Classical Beginnings. Its mission and vision of education matches mine beautifully, as I believe that holistic education begins with an understanding of the Trinity and of the Gospel, and that out of Christ comes all wisdom and knowledge. I love the Classical model of education, and look forward to learning and growing alongside the skilled teachers at Classical Beginnings. My goal is to be like my mother- the best teacher I know. This will be my third year teaching and I could not be more thankful or excited that it is at a rare and beautiful place like Classical Beginnings.
Katie Beth Murray
Intern
I am thrilled to be joining the CBT team!
I went to college at Samford University, which is where I met my lovely husband, Matthew! We love spending time with family and friends and love a good movie. I also enjoy reading and hiking with our sweet husky, Jack!
After pursuing a degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish at Samford, God led me to teaching. I was blessed to teach 9th grade Biology at another private institution under an incredible mentor and friend.
After a year of teaching, my husband and I tied the knot, and I moved out to Chattanooga with him! I substituted at CCS for the Lower School and found that I adored working with elementary-age students just as much as my 9th graders, if not more.
By God alone, I was led to CBT and given the opportunity to learn under Hannah and the other tutors. I am so excited to join a tutorial that has Christ as the foundation and lives out their love for Him.
I can’t wait to work with you and your kids!
Stacey Forbes
Second Grade + Choir + Co-President
I have spent the last twelve years in elementary education. I have spent the majority of my time in music education, choral directing and directing children’s musicals. I have a Bachelors of Music from The Master’s University. I have cultivated my philosophy of teaching and education the last four years at a classical Christian school in WA, where I watched the great effect classical education has on students and families.
I believe that giving students truth, goodness and beauty throughout all of their subjects is the best way to create and build a life-long learner, which is the goal of classical education and the heart of Classical Beginnings. It is my prayer and desire to encourage virtue, curiosity, mastery and play as I walk with families and students throughout the school year.
Originally from Tacoma, WA and a born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, my family and I moved to Chattanooga, TN three years ago. I am an active musician in my community, serve on worship team at my church, enjoy reading, the beach, cooking and museums. I am married to my best friend for thirteen years and love being a mother to my two beautiful children.
Classical Beginnings is a unique and needed program for the community and I support whole-heartedly the mission and methods. It is an honor and privilege to be apart of the tutor team.
Rebecca Phelps
Third Grade + Choir + Opening Exercises
I grew up mostly in Chattanooga attending public and private schools as well as being homeschooled. I received a bachelor and master of music education from UTC. I taught elementary music in Hamilton County and Bradley County schools for eight years. I also have an ESL certification and taught ESL classes at my church. In addition, I've taught private piano lessons for over 11 years. It's been a joy to teach in theses different contexts.
CBT has been such a blessing to our family. My oldest son began Kindergarten at CBT in 2016. I began teaching Opening Exercises at CBT in 2017. In the past few years, I have learned a great deal
about the classical model of education. The tutors have been encouraging partners in our homeschool experience. We have benefited from their experience and Christ-centered approach to teaching and learning. It is a privilege to work with tutors and parents at CBT. I am looking forward to discovering the wonder of God's truth, beauty, and goodness with third grade students in our lessons each day.
I am married to Matthew and we have two boys. I enjoy reading, music, knitting, and a good long walk.
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade alongside my four younger siblings. My early school experiences sparked a lifelong love of learning that only grew as I found myself drawn to Chattanooga to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Through each of my student teaching experiences, my own personal convictions about the role of Scripture and the family in children’s education were deepened, and I felt myself being called away from the sphere of public education and into a setting in which I could clearly let my faith be the driver of each of my interactions. After graduating from Covenant College in May of 2023, I began to seek out job opportunities that would allow me to live out these convictions in an educationally and spiritually rich environment. Connecting with CBT was truly an answer to prayer and a gift from the Lord!
I believe that the goals of early education should be to equip students with both the mental, emotional, and spiritual tools to tackle a life of learning, as well as a disposition that sees the hard work of this task as a privilege and a joy. I delight in seeing a lightbulb of understanding go off in a student’s eyes when new connections are made, and I desire to be able to work towards these goals alongside students with the true framework of the gospel before us.
It is a gift to partner with families in the education and formation of their children and I am so excited to jump into this year of reading and writing with fourth and fifth grade! When I am not teaching or spending time caring for other children, I enjoy hanging out with family & friends, hiking, playing games, quilting, and trying new recipes.
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Rebekah Chu
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Math & Grammar
As a third generation educator, teaching is in my blood. I have spent the past sixteen years working in various areas of education: from traditional public school, parent partnered public school, private Christian and homeschooling. I was homeschooled kindergarten through high school. I attended community college in Portland, OR and then transferred to Concordia University, where I received my bachelors in elementary education.
I am a recent transplant from the Pacific Northwest to the Chattanooga area. My husband, I, and our two girls moved here in the summer of 2022. As a family, we have quite the affinity for board games, playing pickleball, and cooking! I love to read, listen to podcasts and music, play with my dog, Pickles, and discuss apologetics with anyone who is willing.
My childhood truly set me up as a learner. The joy of reading, the beauty of hard work and discipline were instilled into me at a young age. This upbringing, my own professional teaching experience and the opportunity to educate my own daughters, has helped shape my educational philosophy. I believe that education should be centered on helping students develop a lifelong desire to learn through hard work, perseverance and curiosity. Through these means students can experience all of God's truth, goodness and beauty. I love helping parents see the beauty and privilege of being the primary educators of their children. Learning is a great gift from God, I want to help those around me to see the gift they have been given.
I am beyond thrilled to join Classical Beginnings as a 5th grade tutor. It is an answer to prayer. I look forward to partnering with parents and students as we seek out God's truth, goodness and beauty together.
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Our connection to CBT started in 2014, when our oldest child began his education journey. CBT was such an answer to prayer for our family and the blessings of being part of this Tutorial are countless. We have since graduated two kids from CBT, who are now thriving in the 9th and 7th grade at Silverdale, and have two more in 4th and 1st grade who are enjoying their experience at CBT as well.
With this partnership, I invested a lot of my teaching time with my children thru Science. Even as wee little ones, I would teach them to get as close to the ground as they could, be very still, and watch. They would notice all the micro life and movement that was happening before their little toes and be mesmerized. The wonder of Creation is captivating! His beauty, order in complexity, and grandeur in detail all help us to see and understand our creative and loving God. What a privilege it has been to be able to teach my own children these wonders and now the honor to teach the kids here at CBT too!
God’s path has led me to a psychology degree from the University of Florida, a Masters in Social Work from University of Georgia, and then further got my degree as Registered Nurse. I have worked in emergency departments and hospitals, but my passions were with Hospice. Over the years, God has continually placed me in teaching roles, with my own children, as a GED teacher, building a curriculum and teaching 2nd -5th graders at our church, and professionally.
I am originally from Florida and have lived in Chattanooga for 15 years now. I am married to my best friend and husband of 20 years. With our 4 children and a mischievous pup named Jubilee, we spend as much times as we can camping, hiking, biking, gardening, running, and exploring together.
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Grace Durgin
Latin
Bio Coming Soon
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Jesslyn Gutierrez
Administrative Assistant + Homework Club Director
I am a first generation American, I am originally from Miami, Florida. I attended Florida International University, and have a degree in psychology.
In my early twenties, I worked with K5 in my alma mater high school, which is a K-12. My husband, Gabe, and I moved, what was then our small family, to Chattanooga in 2009, and this is very much my home.
We have four children, whom we have always set out to homeschool. All of them have been, or are part of CBT since 2015. In 2020 I began to substitute, and now I am blessed to fulfill my favorite role, where I am able to interact with all the wonderful children daily, and also get to work alongside the incredible tutors as a helping hand. For me, it truly is the best of both worlds.
My personal interests range from historical architecture, design, history, hockey, animals, and hiking. I also enjoy good food with good company. Most of all, I love my Savior, Jesus, and raising the family He has entrusted me with.
Grace Kwasny
Fourth + Fifth Grade: Writing & Literature
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Petrina McGarvey
Science
Bio Coming Soon
Hannah Schreiner
Co-President
I grew up on the mission field – living everywhere from sunny California to even sunnier Mozambique. My mom home schooled me and my five siblings for all but two of my school years. For those two years I was in a half-day, extremely small missionary school. Those two years instilled in me a desire to teach. I loved being in a school setting with other children.
I attended Covenant College and majored in Elementary Education with the hope of teaching in a tiny missionary school one day. The clearest answer to my prayers about where God wanted me seemed to be Chattanooga, which I did not understand. I became a substitute teacher in Hamilton County taking two long- term substitute positions in Kindergarten and Third Grade. How much I learned in that year!
After a year of subbing, and still desiring to serve Christian families in some sort of mission school, I prayed for God's leading. Through many circumstances, that are only because of God, I ended up at Classical Beginnings Tutorial for the 2014-2015 academic year being mentored by Sheila Cook in Kindergarten. It was an amazing year where I learned so much! God then opened the door for me to become the Third Grade tutor. After getting to tutor Third Graders for seven years, and learning more about the business side of a non-profit organization, I was selected as President/Administrator of Classical Beginnings. It is an honor to get to serve in this role, and I'm grateful to be doing it alongside Stacey Forbes this year.
I am married to an incredible man, Micah Schreiner, who is the most wonderful husband, and we have two darling daughters (who are 11.5 months apart!). Life is joyously busy.
