Hudson has been serving as an assistant professor and clinical supervisor for student teaching at the Carter and Moyers School of Education at LMU since 2018. In this role, she has excelled as an instructor, providing valuable insights on classroom management, assessment, learning and teaching strategies, and the edTPA assessment. Hudson has also coordinated and evaluated field supervision of student teaching, ensuring aspiring educators receive the support they need to succeed.

"I am truly honored to join J. Frank White Academy as its principal,” Hudson said. “My primary goal is to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I look forward to collaborating with the talented faculty, staff, students, and parents to continue the tradition of excellence and prepare our students for success in the future."

Previously, Hudson made significant contributions to JFWA as a middle and secondary science teacher from 2013 to 2018. During her tenure, she taught biological sciences to middle and high school students and served as the leader of the school safety committee. Additionally, she coached the Academic Team and the Science Olympiad team while also assuming the role of the middle school cheer coach. Hudson's commitment to the overall development and success of her students was further demonstrated through her coordination of awards events and her collaboration with the AdvanceED (now Cognia) accreditation committee for re-accreditation.

Outside of the field of education, Hudson co-owns Graham Heating and Air Conditioning, where she oversees various aspects of the business, including bookkeeping, financial analysis, safety trainings, marketing, advertising and human resources activities. She has also played a pivotal role in creating and coordinating community events such as the "Graham Day of Giving," which focuses on serving the local community.

Hudson's dedication to education has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Teacher of the Year award at J. Frank White Academy in 2018 and the VA Watershed Teacher of the Year award at Lee High School in 2009.

“Dr. Hudson represents the essence of instructional leadership,” Goins said. “Her wealth of experience, strong leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to education will undoubtedly drive JFWA to new heights, ensuring that each student receives an outstanding and holistic educational experience. She will also equip faculty with best practices resulting in high-quality student learning, while also building substantive relationships with families and external stakeholders integral to J. Frank White Academy’s continued growth. We are excited about Dr. Hudson’s return to J. Frank White Academy.”

A Meet-n-Greet event will be held for families to meet and interact with Hudson on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the Sam and Sue Mars Performing Arts Center in Duke Hall of Citizenship.

The J. Frank White Academy is a private, college preparatory day school serving grades Pre-K through 12 on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. JFWA is fully accredited and STEM certified by Cognia, which is the first internationally recognized mark of quality for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) schools and programs, signaling the growing emphasis on STEM education by educators, politicians, and business leaders around the world. For more information visit JFWA.LMUnet.edu.

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Executive Vice President Jody Goins has appointed Dr. Marcinda Asburry as the J. Frank White Academy Lower School Principal and Pre-K Program Director.

Asburry first served J. Frank White Academy from 2012-2015 as language arts and social studies teacher. She rejoined JFWA in 2020 as the coordinator of instructional design and student innovation. In her new position, she will helm the Lower School which includes Kindergarten through third grades and the new Pre-Kindergarten program which will launch next week. Asburry’s teaching career began at Springdale Elementary school in 2010 where she served as a Kindergarten instructor.

“Dr. Marcinda Asburry is a wonderful leader at JFWA. She brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to her new role, and I look forward to seeing her vision for the primary school come to life,” Goins said. “As the JFWA continues to grow, especially the lower grades, a strong leader is needed to continue to enhance our learning environment for our students, challenge our faculty and drive innovation in our approach to teaching. Dr. Asburry will do all three.”

Asburry will serve as the JFWA Lower School’s second principal. She has been an integral part of the development team for the Pre-K program and has worked closely with faculty as an instructional designer.

“I am excited and honored to be a part of the JFWA team. I am looking forward to meeting the families that make up this wonderful school community,” Asburry said. “It is my goal that every child will grow socially, emotionally, and academically as they develop confidence in who they are as individuals and students. JFWA is a unique place. The honor, respect, and compassion instilled in each student, combined with an exceptional education, fully prepares them for success throughout their lives.”

Asburry holds four education degrees from LMU including a Bachelor of Science, Master of Education (MEd), and Educational Specialist (EdS) and an Educational Doctorate (EdD). Asburry completed concentrations in curriculum and instruction with her MEd, EdS and EdD. She resides in Powell, Tennessee with her husband, Adam, and their son, Levi.

J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Cave as assistant principal. With a strong focus on educational leadership and youth development, Cave brings a wealth of experience and a solutions-oriented approach to his new role.

“I am looking forward to becoming a member of the J. Frank White Academy’s outstanding academic team,” Cave said. “I will focus on continuing the educational, social, and diverse values that the academy has become noted for. I hope to be a lasting and influential part of the continuing success of J. Frank White Academy.”

Cave will be responsible for providing leadership and strategic planning for educational programs, activities, and projects at JFWA. His diverse background includes extensive experience in various educational roles, including assistant high school principal, middle school principal, and coordinator of 4-H Share the Fun and Dramatic Reading Programs.

"I am thrilled to work with Mr. Cave, and I see the positive influence he will have on our school,” said Principal Kristina Hudson. “His experience in leadership and support for students is well known, and he will be a tremendous asset to J. Frank White Academy.
 
Prior to joining JFWA, Cave served as a teacher at Lee County Public Schools. He also held positions as the administrator of operations and transportation and principal of Elydale Middle School, where he demonstrated proficiency in budgeting, scheduling, school safety, employee supervision, and parent and community communication.

Cave's extensive experience also includes serving as assistant principal at Thomas Walker High School and as a teacher at Flatwoods Elementary School. In these roles, he assumed administrative duties, coordinated after-school extracurricular activities, supervised staff, and maintained a professional working environment.

Cave holds a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with PreK-6 Certification from Virginia Intermont College. He also earned an administrator’s license in Administration and Supervision (PreK-12).

Cave’s professional development opportunities include training in curriculum development, teacher performance evaluations, and classroom management. He is a member of Virginia Professional Educators and has been involved in various workshops and programs aimed at enhancing his skills as an educator and administrator. Notably, Cave's dedication to achieving educational goals is evident in his commitment to attaining an accredited pass rate for Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) in history and reading.

“Mr. Cave's expertise, passion for education, and commitment to student success will greatly contribute to the school's mission of providing a nurturing and rigorous academic environment,” said LMU Executive Vice President for Administration Jody Goins. “His strong leadership skills coupled with his ability to foster productive relationships will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the entire school community.”

The J. Frank White Academy is a private, college preparatory day school serving grades Pre-K through 12 on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. JFWA is fully accredited and STEM certified by Cognia, which is the first internationally recognized mark of quality for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) schools and programs, signaling the growing emphasis on STEM education by educators, politicians, and business leaders around the world.

Katie Stotts has been an educator for 15 years, having spent nearly all of that time at the J. Frank White Academy where she currently serves as the assistant principal and Kindergarten teacher at the institution’s Lower School. Katie attended Lincoln Memorial University where she earned her Bachelors, Masters, and Education Specialists degrees and is nearing completion of her Doctorate degree. Katie has a passion for early literacy and recognizes its role in the successful academic journey of every learner. As a life-long resident of the tri-state area, Katie resides in Middlesboro, KY with her husband Chris, son Eli, and daughter Blair (soon to be).