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Southern Preparatory academy

Department: Leadership & Character Development

Full Faculty List

Rod Siggers

Barber, Chaplain

Nichol Morgan

Parent Coordinator

Nichol Morgan is the Parent Coordinator. She is in her eighth year at Southern Preparatory Academy and her twenty-seventh year in education. Nichol has an Associate of General Studies degree from the American Military University. She served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard for 8 years as a firefighter. Nichol taught Study Skills, oversaw the EdGenuity Program, and served as a librarian for twenty-three years before transitioning into her current role as the Parent Coordinator.

MAJ Taher Manasterli

Weekend Residential Director

Major (Ret) Taher Manasterli is a veteran of 28 years of military service. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1987 after he graduated from high school in Atlanta, GA. Following his enlistment, he attended and graduated college then decided to pursue a career in the U.S. Army. He received an Army commission through Army Officer Candidate School in 2000, and was assigned to the Military Intelligence Corps. In 2010, he joined the U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer branch working in military diplomacy and cooperation at U.S. Embassies overseas. In 2020, MAJ Manasterli retired to the great state of Alabama, and in 2022, he joined the team as a weekend TAC officer, and became the Interim Commandant in 2024. MAJ Manasterli holds a Bachelor degree in International Relations from The American University in Washington D.C., and a Master of Science degree in International Studies from Troy University. He is married to his highschool sweetheart the former Ms. Jennifer Mitchell of Atlanta, GA, and they have five grown children.

Shawn Williams

Residential Director

Shawn Williams served 21 years in the Alabama Army National Guard, beginning in 1998 as a culinary specialist. He advanced to First Cook with the 167th FSC and Mess Sergeant with the 1208th QM. His deployments included Operation Noble Eagle in 2001 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, where he served as Truck Commander and NCOIC of the Personal Security Detail for Echo Company 1/167th Infantry.

John Gatzman

Residential Director

Bill Monk

Residential Director

Bill Monk is a Residential Director at Southern Preparatory Academy. He works closely with students to create a positive, structured environment where they can learn, grow, and succeed. Bill earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University (Go Gamecocks!) and has spent much of his career working with youth. Before joining Southern Prep, Bill served as a Juvenile Probation Officer and later as Chief Probation Officer. His experience in youth services has given him a strong understanding of how guidance and consistency can help young people reach their potential. He has also been active in several government and civic organizations, including the United Way of East Central Alabama, the Young Leaders Society of Calhoun County, the Multiple Needs Facilitation Team (as Co-Chair), the Department of Human Resources Quality Assurance Committee, and the Coosa Valley Youth Services Board of Directors. Bill is married with 2 sons and 3 dogs. In his free time, Bill enjoys spending time with family, watching his oldest son in the marching band and coaching his youngest son’s sports teams.

MSG Kimberlyn Burns

Junior Army Instructor

MSG Kimberlyn Burns brings a monumental 25-year career in the United States Army right into the classroom. A native of Columbus, Georgia, she has served on active duty as the Executive Administrative Assistant to a Regimental Command Sergeant Major, a position following her role as a Battalion S-3 Sergeant Major. Her career is defined by mentorship and leadership development. She served nearly five years as a Senior Drill Sergeant across both Basic Training (Fort Jackson, SC) and AIT (Fort Gordon), directly shaping the next generation of soldiers. Additionally, she has held vital roles as a Brigade Equal Opportunity Advisor and a Master Resilience Program instructor. She has also earned her degree in Information Technology and is a part of the team responsible for starting a Cybersecurity program at Southern Prep!

2LT Gabe Pless

Executive Officer

LTC Ed Aycock, Ph.D.

Commandant of Cadets & Dean of Student Affairs

Dr. Edwin Aycock joined Southern Preparatory Academy as Commandant of Cadets in January 2025. A distinguished U.S. Army veteran with over 30 years of service, he began as a combat medic in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Commissioned in 2001 as a Distinguished Military Honor Graduate from South Carolina State University, he has held key roles including Executive Officer to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Brigade Executive Officer at Walter Reed, and White House Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Dr. Aycock holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Delaware. With extensive leadership, teaching, and counseling experience, he mentors and guides Southern Prep’s cadets to succeed academically and personally.

CSM Greg Caywood

Senior Army Instructor

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Gregory Caywood, a native of Greenup, Illinois, enlisted in the Army in 1995 and served for 27 years, retiring in 2022. A decorated veteran, he held leadership roles from platoon forward observer to Brigaide CSM and deployed three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CSM Caywood holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College and two Master’s degrees—in International Relations from Webster University and Secondary Education Social Sciences from the University of West Alabama. After retiring, he taught high school English and served as a substitute teacher before becoming the JROTC Senior Army Instructor at Southern Prep. His awards include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, six Meritorious Service Medals, and the Combat Action Badge.

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