Southern Preparatory academy

Faculty and Staff

Blaine Thompson

Dean of Academics

Mr. Thompson brings a strong background in education, leadership, and faith-based instruction to the role. He joined Southern Prep in spring 2023 as a middle school English teacher and quickly made an impact by launching the Academy’s Introduction to the Bible course. Mr. Thompson holds a B.A. in History and M.A. in Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as a Master of Divinity from Christ Our Redeemer Seminary. His teaching career spans public and private schools, international work in China and Turkey, and adult education across the Southeast. He also leads a weekly Bible study on campus and is passionate about holistic, transformational education.

Mark Morgan

Director of Faculties

Mark Morgan serves as the Director of Facilities at Southern Preparatory Academy, where he has been a dedicated member of the team since 2018. With 30 years of experience in education, Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a Master of Arts degree from American Military University. A proud veteran, Mark served 10 years in the U.S. Army and Pennsylvania National Guard, taking on roles such as maintenance officer, platoon leader, company commander, and battalion staff officer. Throughout his career in education, Mark has held diverse roles, including TAC officer, dorm supervisor, and teacher of subjects ranging from middle school math and science to Algebra 1 and various U.S. and military history courses. He has also excelled in administrative leadership, serving as Middle School Director, Vice President of Administration and Finance, Business Officer, and interim head of school. Mark’s extensive experience and commitment to education continue to benefit the cadets and community at Southern Prep.

Tyler Droke

Institutional Advancement Coordinator

Lily Kowtko

Archivist

J.R. Rodriguez

Athletic Director

Julie Goree

College & Career Counselor, Registrar

Dr. Sharon Dean

Humanities Department Head

Pam Webber

Director of Technology & IT

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

Chuck Webber

Instructor

Andrew Morris

Technical Specialist

LTC Ed Aycock, Ph.D.

Commandant of Cadets & Dean of Student Affairs

2LT Gabe Pless

Executive Officer