MONDAY TEACHER BIOGRAPHIES | gracewoodacademy2

2020-2021 Monday Teacher Biographies

Mr. Rhett Clark

I am a musician of all trades. I am a local songwriter and artist, and a member of BMI and the Nashville Songwriter's Association. I have been playing guitar for 20 years and have over 12 years experience with wind instruments and strings. I am classically trained on multiple instruments and voice, and a private lesson teacher. I am very passionate about playing and creating real, authentic music that can be appreciated by everyone. While being an advocate for the arts, I also write popular music that anyone can enjoy, which incorporates elements from classical music to enrich an audience’s experience. My goal is to share high-quality art music in an accessible way. I currently hold a Bachelor's Degree in Business and an Associate of Arts in Music. Currently, I am attending The University of Texas at Arlington, working towards a second Bachelor's degree in Music Education. In addition to my studies and songwriting, I am the Director of Music at Saint Michael's Anglican Church in Richland Hills, Texas.

Rev. Randall Foster

Currently, I teach Social Studies, Latin, French, and English Language Arts at Gracewood Academy. I am also a pastor in the Anglican Church in North America, and an attorney licensed to practice law in Texas.

I was born in northeast Tarrant County and grew up in Bedford, Texas. I graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas in 1983.

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree Magna cum laude from Rice University with a double major in History and Anthropology. I hold the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. I also hold a Master of Liberal Studies degree in intellectual history from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.I have also undertaken extensive course work at the graduate level in European History (UT-Austin) and New Testament and Early Christian Literature (The University of Chicago). I have reading knowledge of French, German, Biblical Hebrew, Classical and Koine Greek, and Latin. I am a member of Phi Beta Kappa (Beta chapter of Texas at Rice).

In 2007, I was ordained by Bishop Jack Leo Iker of Fort Worth. I served for nine years as a chaplain at St Vincent's School in Bedford, where I also taught secondary-level Social Studies, as well as several other subjects, for 12 years. I am currently the priest-in-charge at St. Michael's Anglican Church in Richland Hills in 2014.

Mrs. Jill Jirek

ASL, American Sign Language, has arrived at Gracewood Academy! How exciting to bring sign language to the campus! Did you know ASL is considered a foreign language at universities? I'm Deaf. My name is Mrs. Jill Jirek. I've been married to a hearing man, Dan, for 28 years. We have 3 children, Jessica (32), Jacob (20), and Christian (12 ½). Jacob is Deaf. ASL is a norm in our home. I attended Gallaudet University (Exclusive for the Deaf. ASL is the primary language.), and graduated with a BA from Western Oregon University. I recently got certification to teach ASL to parents with Deaf children from ages 0-5. Our family has been so blessed with the wonderful homeschool community here and I want to give back the blessings by teaching ASL to your student!

Coach Jeff Scott

I have been the PE Teacher at Gracewood Academy since Fall 2014. At Gracewood, I have introduced a variety of activities through interactive sports and games in an environment that recognizes each student's unique talent/skill level in a positive manner to maximize self-esteem. I also run the after-school program, open to all homeschool families in the area, through Big Smiles and Giggles Sports. Prior to Gracewood Academy I was the head coach and PE teacher at another school for 5 years and held several roles with Hurst United Soccer Association for over 20 years. In my spare time, I provide technical soccer training for individuals and groups from 6-17 years old. I am a member of the National Youth Sports Coach's Association and hold my National License through US Soccer Association.