Our Mission
The singular ambition of Hickory Classical Christian School is to aim boys and girls at biblical manhood and womanhood, where they might live a just and holy life, whose affections are properly ordered to faithfully love and serve God, family, church, county and country. Armed with the divine guidance of Scripture and the Liberal Arts Tradition, students will exemplify Virtue, Courage, and Duty to their people and their place, even to the ends of the earth.
Hickory's Educational Philosophy
I. Parental Authority — We believe the Bible clearly instructs parents, not the Church or state, to "bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." The Church's commission is essentially to spread the Gospel and train believers (Matt 28:18-20). The state has been directed to enforce God's laws and protect the innocent (Romans 13). The Church trains parents, and the state protects families. The family raises and educates children (Eph. 6:1-4). The school does not wish to supplant the role of the family or local church, but believes it functions best when its place in the child's discipleship comes after robust family discipleship efforts and healthy church membership are established.
II. Knowledge — We believe God's character is revealed not only in His Word, but also in every facet of the creation. Therefore, we teach that all knowledge is interrelated and can instruct us about God and His works. All truth is God's truth and can be discovered in every legitimate and traditional academic discipline: math, philosophy, science, history, theology, language, music, art, logic, and rhetoric (Ecc. 12:9-12; Phil. 4:8; Col. 2:3).
III. Rigor — We believe God wants us to love Him with our minds, as well as with our hearts, souls, and strength (Matt. 22:37). Therefore, we seek to individually challenge children at all levels and teach them how to learn (critical and analytical thinking), as well as what to learn (Christian doctrine, primarily, but across all subject areas). We believe children learn and develop best through healthy rigor and struggle in academic endeavors, as well as social, athletic, and theological endeavors, and aim to offer a program that challenges them spiritually, academically, and physically.
IV. Discipline — We believe all work should be done "heartily, as unto the Lord," and therefore, maintain high standards of conduct through biblical discipline and conflict resolution principles for students, faculty and staff, parents, and board members (Matt. 18:15-20). A healthy school is one that does not merely seek to manage conflict but resolve it through biblical principles, integrity, and direct and timely communication among all parties (Matt. 5:23-24; Eph. 4:25-27; Phil. 2:1-11). Children are expected to be well-disciplined in their homes foremost, in order to support the high behavioral expectations of classrooms, which aim to foster joy and learning. Additionally, parents maintain the primary and most impactful role in disciplining children, under whose authority teachers serve (Eph. 6:1-4).
V. Liberal Arts — We believe the Liberal Arts model of education is the "new, old way," is time-tested, and demonstrated through the centuries to be effective in both its curriculum and pedagogy. All seven of the Liberal Arts possess high value for students, and classical teaching methods, as outlined in part in Gregory's The Seven Laws of Teaching, as well as the Socratic Method, are non-negotiable for a robust classical education. A full K-12 program will always be sought because we believe that as long as a child is under the parents' authority and undergoing formal education, he should be trained biblically (Deut. 6:6,7; Prov. 22:6).
VI. Technology — We believe that while modern technology serves as an aid to faculty, it is a tool to wield thoughtfully and minimally in the hands of students. The school adopts a "low-tech" practice in classrooms in support of home cultures, which, likewise, aim for minimal student influence from entertainment media, social media use, or internet-linked devices. By contrast, we believe home cultures that place a high value on learning, reading, and production (art, music, agriculture, craftsmanship, etc.) best support the learning, discipleship, and developmental goals of the school.
VII. Teachers and Peers — We believe "whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20). Christian parents should seek to provide godly and wise teachers and peers for their children, partnering with the school in such a way that parents feel truly in partnership with one another as they pursue together the same goal of classically, Christianly educated children, and ultimately, godly offspring.
VIII. Culture — We believe a child's environment shapes his soul and mind and fosters a healthy ordo amoris (ordered loves) within each child. A school's environment should promote affection for truth, beauty, and goodness and create a high Christian culture in aesthetics, music, art, literature, habits, manners, and work ethic in contrast to a steady diet of popular culture.
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Meet Our Dedicated Team
Our staff is composed of passionate educators and professionals who are committed to providing a high-quality classical Christian education. Meet the individuals who make a difference in the lives of our students:
Terry Gant
Mr. Terry Gant serves as headmaster of Hickory and has been involved with classical schools for 8 years as a teacher, administrator, and board member, as well as 3 years as the director of a homeschool umbrella in Tennessee. He is a certified master teacher with the ACCS. He has taught grades from 6th to 12th in classes such as logic, composition, moral philosophy, history, economics, and government. He has also been a professional writer for the ministry End Abortion Now and serves as the managing editor for American Reformer. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master's in Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University. Mr. Gant recognized classical pedagogy as the most effective way to truly educate the whole person and decided to do whatever it takes to educate his own four children and the children of other families classically. Mr. Gant is a former Metro Nashville Police Officer and enjoys weightlifting and shooting as hobbies. He resides on a farm near Rickman, TN, with his wife and children and several troublemaking farm animals.
Christie Wright
Christie Wright serves as academic dean of Hickory and has over eighteen years of experience in classical classrooms ranging from 1st to 12th grades, including key administrative roles. She regularly conducts teacher training in schools across the country, including at the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) annual conference. She has served numerous schools in the southwest region in a private consulting role and currently serves as an ACCS consultant. Christie has played an integral role in the founding of two classical, Christian schools. She holds a BA in English Literature, an MA in Curriculum and Instruction, and holds master level teacher certification from the ACCS. She enjoys her country home with her husband, Jeff, and their six children. Mrs. Wright looks forward to serving as Academic Dean and a teacher in the Rhetoric and Logic Schools.
Hannah Alaniz
Hannah Alaniz holds a B.A. in Spanish and International Relations from Samford University. She has taught Latin, as well as other subjects, with previous experience as a substitute teacher for all grades in a classical Christian School for nearly 8 years. Before this, she enjoyed teaching Art and Spanish in a variety of environments. She enjoys traveling whenever possible, soaking in the art of centuries past, and reading, especially with an excellent cup of coffee. Mrs. Alaniz is very excited to teach art, Latin, and other subjects in the Logic and Grammar Schools of Hickory.
Callie Herman
Callie Herman is overjoyed to join the Frontiersmen Faculty at Hickory Classical Christian School this upcoming school year. She is an ACCS-certified teacher with three years of classical Christian teaching experience. Callie received her Bachelor’s of Music Performance and Pedagogy from Tennessee Technological University in 2008 and her Master’s of Music Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2010. She regularly performs a variety of instruments, including oboe and violin, throughout the Middle Tennessee area and teaches privately at Stevens Street School of Performing Arts in Cookeville. Callie will teach orchestra and choir for K-12, as well as other classes in the Logic and Upper Grammar Schools.
Joseph Davis
Joseph Davis graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a primary focus in English Literature. He has spent the last 8 years serving in different teaching roles throughout the Upper Cumberland, with the last 5 years teaching in a classical school, covering classes in literature, history, theology, Latin, and theater, as well as serving as lead director for the school’s theater production in 2024. Mr. Davis will be joining Hickory to teach Latin and humanities in the logic and rhetoric school. He also serves in the music ministry at his local church.
Tiffany Lesko
Tiffany Lesko is a Cookeville Native. She graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2012 in Multidisciplinary Studies in Education K-6. She has two adult children who both graduated from a Classical Christian School. She is an ACCS-certified teacher and has 12 years of experience teaching the classical model. Mrs. Lesko has also been a coach of cross country for eight years and served as athletic director for five years. She enjoys thrifting, fishing with her husband on the Caney Fork River, and traveling. Mrs. Lesko will be joining Hickory to teach in the Upper Grammar School.
Jamie Sullivan
Jamie Sullivan is a native of Sparta, TN, and brings over a decade of experience in education, including nine years teaching within the classical Christian tradition. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in grades 1–8 from Tennessee Technological University. Mrs. Sullivan is certified as a Master Teacher by the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) and has conducted workshops at their national conference, Repairing the Ruins. She will join the faculty at HCCS to teach Grammar School students.
Erin Gaw
Erin Gaw graduated from Union University with a degree in elementary education in 2004. She worked for several years in children’s ministry before embarking on her family journey with four children. She is no stranger to classical education, as her children have been taught classically for the past 8 years. She and her husband, Jason, are proud natives of Cookeville/Putnam County. In her spare time, you will find her spending time with her family, baking, or planning events on their bison farm. Erin teaches kindergarten and first grade.
Mike Flanagan
Mr. Michael Flanagan brings a unique blend of scientific curiosity and a Christian worldview to the classroom. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, with a primary focus in Physical Anthropology. His studies there which centered on human biology and the complexity of the human form, now deepen his appreciation for God’s intentional design in creation and strengthen his ability to teach science from a Christian worldview. Mr. Flanagan also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Flanagan recently retired after a successful thirty-year career building and managing IT departments from small startups to a Fortune 50 company. During that time, his family lived in multiple locations across the United States and overseas in Europe.
He and his wife now live on a small homestead near Cookeville, where he raises vegetables and fruits, and manages their growing menagerie, which currently includes a dog, exotic birds, a flock of chickens, and a cat named "Cat." He also serves as Treasurer at his local church.
Mr. Flanagan is excited to teach Junior High and High School science in the Logic and Rhetoric school. He looks forward to helping students discover the wonders of the natural world and to see science as a means of exploring God’s created order, rather than something separate from or opposed to the Christian faith.
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Ella Sullivan
A native of Cookeville and member of Midway Baptist Church, Ella graduated high school with the class of 2025. Grateful for her K-12 classical Christian education, she is looking forward to working alongside old friends and familiar faculty and helping to invest back into classical, Christian education for middle TN families. Some of her favorite books include The O’Malley Chronicles by Dee Henderson, all of Ruta Sepetys’s historical fiction books, and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, of course. In her free time she enjoys playing guitar and piano, and spending time with friends and family, whether that be out in nature or over a cup of coffee. She married her Classical School sweetheart Jace. Ella is the administrative assistant.
Mr. Michael Flanagan brings a unique blend of scientific curiosity and a Christian worldview to the classroom. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, with a primary focus in Physical Anthropology. His studies there which centered on human biology and the complexity of the human form, now deepen his appreciation for God’s intentional design in creation and strengthen his ability to teach science from a Christian worldview. Mr. Flanagan also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Flanagan recently retired after a successful thirty-year career building and managing IT departments from small startups to a Fortune 50 company. During that time, his family lived in multiple locations across the United States and overseas in Europe.
He and his wife now live on a small homestead near Cookeville, where he raises vegetables and fruits, and manages their growing menagerie, which currently includes a dog, exotic birds, a flock of chickens, and a cat named "Cat." He also serves as Treasurer at his local church.
Mr. Flanagan is excited to teach Junior High and High School science in the Logic and Rhetoric school. He looks forward to helping students discover the wonders of the natural world and to see science as a means of exploring God’s created order, rather than something separate from or opposed to the Christian faith.
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