Faculty and Staff

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.

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.

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.