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Southern Preparatory academy

Faculty and Staff

Lily Kowtko

Archivist

J.R. Rodriguez

Athletic Director

Julie Goree

College & Career Counselor, Registrar

Ms. Julie Goree is a graduate of Auburn University with a BS degree in Education. She began her career at Russell Corporation, where she worked for over 25 years serving in roles from Quality Control Laboratory Manager to Cutting and Sewing Department Managers.. She spent 15 years with the Alexander City Board of Education as the Site Coordinator for the school system’s after-school program before coming to Southern Prep Academy as the Registrar and College & Career Counselor, helping guide students in their academic planning and future pathways. Ms. Goree also represents District 3 on the Alexander City Council. Her professional interests include youth development, career readiness, and community engagement.

Dr. Sharon Dean

Humanities Department Head

Dr. Sharon Dean has dedicated much of her life to public service and education, with four years of military service and over 25 years in law enforcement. She received degrees from Alabama State University, Troy University, and Northcentral University in Phoenix, Arizona. After teaching elementary school for 16 years, she served as Education Director at a residential facility for four years, and is now leads the Humanities Department at Southern Preparatory Academy. She is the proud parent of three daughters and the grandparent to nine wonderful grandchildren. Dr. Dean loves teaching, reading mystery novels, enjoying the outdoors—especially in the fall—and exploring a variety of foods.

Pamela Webber

Math Instructor

Pam Webber teaches math and supports academic operations at Southern Preparatory Academy. Originally from New Rochelle, NY, Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis (1993) and became a Certified Financial Planner™ in 2012. With over 20 years of experience in IT, her expertise includes computer programming, network analysis, project management, and implementing office infrastructure. Pam joined Southern Prep in 2017, where she served as the Director of IT until 2026. She is married with three children, including two sons who are proud Southern Prep alumni.

Fiona Ruble

ELA & ESL Instructor

Christine Curtis

Instructor

Christine Curtis is a new math instructor in the STEM department. She joins Southern Prep after 25 years in the private sector, working as a Technology Project Manager. As a PM, she has worked in various sectors: photo, web development, health care, banking, internet search, and aerospace. She has worked for many companies, including ArcSoft, Deltanet (part of Delta Dental of CA), Wells Fargo, and Boeing. Prior to the private sector, Christine graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1994. She was commissioned as an Ensign in the Coast Guard and served her first two years as a naval engineer on the Coast Guard Cutter CHASE. The CHASE conducted Search-And-Rescue cases mostly in the Bering Sea, carried out Fisheries Law Enforcement in the Bering Sea, and spearheaded Migrant Interdiction off the coast near San Diego. She then worked at CG Headquarters in the Equal Opportunity department, and later at CG Pacific Area in the Contingency Planning department. Christine hails from San Jose, CA and moved to Alex City, AL in the summer of 2025 from Seattle, WA. She is married to a former Marine (USMC) and has three wonderful children, one of whom attends Southern Prep.

Webb Newman

Instructor

Webb Newman holds a History degree with a Religion minor from Huntingdon College. He also studied history and played football at Troy University. Before joining Southern Preparatory Academy, Webb coached baseball, basketball, and football at Montgomery Academy for four years while completing his studies. At Southern Prep, Webb has taught courses including World History, U.S. History I & II, Health, World Religion, Intro to the Bible, and Personal Finance during his tenure. He serves as the offensive coordinator for the varsity football team and head coach for varsity baseball, combining his passion for athletics and education to mentor cadets both in the classroom and on the field.

Chuck Webber

Instructor

Charles (Chuck) Webber, a former U.S. Air Force Sergeant, serves on the academic faculty at Southern Preparatory Academy. An alumnus of the Academy (1975–1977), he holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. During his military service, he was a Computer Programmer with the 1500th Computer Services Squadron and received the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work on the SARSAT/COSPAS system. With over 40 years in Information Technology, Chuck has led enterprise systems and business transformation projects across defense, logistics, finance, and retail, including serving as Director of Enterprise Architecture and Business Intelligence for LBrands. He has been part of Southern Prep’s faculty since 2017 and is married with five children, including two alumni of the Academy.

Andrew Morris

Directory of Technology

Andrew Morris, a 2024 graduate of Southern Union State Community College, discovered his passion for electronics at a young age. He began working with computers at just 12 years old, sparking a lifelong interest in building and repairing them. This passion led him to pursue an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems, making him the first in his family to earn a college degree after two challenging years of study. Dedicated to his craft, Andrew enjoys sharing his knowledge with others who share his interests and continually seeks opportunities to expand his expertise. Andrew joined Southern Prep in 2024 as a Technical Specialist and quickly moved into the role of Director in spring 2026.

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!

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.

John Gatzman

Residential Director

In addition to being a Residential Director at Southern Preparatory Academy, Mr. Gatzman is an ordained pastor of Living Stones Community LLC with four years experience and has been the youth pastor at Lake Community Church for three years. Mr. Gatzman has been working with teens and young adults since 2008, primarily through youth ministry. Mr. Gatzman also served four years as a house parent in the Alabama Sheriff’s Youth Ranches organization from 2021-2025. Mr. Gatzman served four years on active duty for the United States Air Force as a Security Forces airman. Mr. Gatzman was stationed at Minot AFB, North Dakota as part of the Air Force’s Global Strike Command nuclear security mission, ensuring uncompromising security for America’s strategic deterrence.

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.

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.

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