Mr. Bobby Lockhart was named principal of the J. Frank White Academy in May of 2019, after serving as interim principal from September of the preceding year. During his tenure as principal, the Academy has expanded, adding Pre-K through 3rd grade, giving JFWA a full slate of Pre-K through 12th offerings. Consequently, JFWA’s classroom locations on LMU’s campus have grown from one to four, with the Academy fully occupying two buildings and having a notable presence in two others.

Mr. Lockhart joined the faculty of the JFWA in August of 1996 as an English and Economics instructor. Over the years, Mr. Lockhart was primarily the instructor for American (junior) and English (senior) Literature and Economics. Along the way he taught every middle and high school English class offered at JFWA except English 1 and a selection of special topics such as Drama, Yearbook, Journalism, and Fiction into Film. Before assuming the role of principal, he was the chairperson of the English department. He also served twice as assistant principal, and while assuming these administrative roles, he maintained a classroom presence, teaching three to four classes each year as needed.

His first year at JFWA Mr. Lockhart began his ongoing 27-year history as an athletic coach for the Knights and Lady Knights. He has most consistently served as the head coach for the Academy’s tennis and cross country teams, but he also spent several years as a co-head coach for boys basketball and served limited stints as an assistant coach for girls basketball and baseball. Under his guidance, JFWA’s boys and girls tennis teams won a combined seven district titles, four regional titles, and the girls team made two appearances in the state final four. On the individual side, several tennis players won district and regional titles in both singles and doubles, several players qualified for the state tournament, and two doubles teams – one each for girls and boys tennis – were state finalists. In cross country, Mr. Lockhart has coached numerous competitive teams, and individually, he guided one high school regional champion, a third-place finisher at the middle school state championships, and fifth place finisher in the 3200 meters at the state track championships.

Before becoming principal, Mr. Lockhart served as athletic director for 15 years. As athletic director, he added girls soccer to the Academy’s athletic programs and oversaw the logistical challenges of annually fielding teams in seven to eight sports for a small school with a student population of less than 140 students in all athletically eligible grades. Mr. Lockhart served several times as the tournament director for district basketball, baseball, and tennis tournaments and as the regional tournament director for the same three sports.

Mr. Lockhart holds a BBA in Accounting and a BA in English, both from LMU, an MA in English from Western Kentucky University, and an EdS in School Leadership from LMU. He has two sons, both JFWA graduates, and is married to Nikki Lockhart. He resides in New Tazewell, Tennessee. 

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.

Delaina Rhodes is originally from Union County, TN.  She attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and majored in History with a minor in Religious Studies, graduating in 2000.  After earning her BA, and while attending graduate classes at UT, she began working in the Tennessee Department of Human Services as a contract worker from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  Social work, primarily with young mothers, inspired her to pursue a teaching license with an intent to teach high school.  Soon after giving birth to her son, she completed the Post Baccalaureate teaching program at LMU and taught briefly at Halls High School in an interim post.  In the midst of this occupational change, Delaina became an oil artist and helped run a successful Quarter Horse breeding program with her then husband, raising mostly reining horses.

One of her instructors at LMU was JFWA Principal, Bonnie Buckland.  Delaina was asked by Dr. Buckland to apply at the Academy as soon as she became fully licensed.  Impressed by the school, Delaina followed through with the application process and was hired at J. Frank White Academy in August 2005 by then principal, Dr. Sheila Clyburn.  By 2015, Delaina had earned an MEd in Curriculum & Instruction and an EdS in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

When hired at JFWA, she was the only Social Studies instructor for grades 7-12.  Throughout her tenure as a teacher, she has taught social studies in grades 6-8, 5^th grade Language Arts, and the following high school courses: World Geography, World History, U.S History I, U.S. History II, American Government, AP Government and Politics, Yearbook, Modern American Culture, and Summer Government.

She has served as Curriculum Coordinator and the Extended Learning Facilitator since 2014, the Travel & Student Events Logistics Coordinator, Humanities PLC Chair, and Assistant Principal since 2018.  She currently coaches high school girls’ soccer, high school girls’ basketball, and co-ed spring soccer. 

It was always an intention for Delaina’s son to graduate from The Academy.   When she began working at JFWA, he was less than two years old.  He attended from 5^th grade through 12^th.  He graduated in 2022. She couldn’t be more proud of him and the multitude of JFWA alumni she’s seen walk across the stage in Duke Hall.

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).