Secondary Faculty
Henry Sheeley
Upper Level Math and Science
hsheeley@northsideministries.com
Mr. Sheeley was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a chemistry major at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh before transferring back to Tennessee Temple University where he graduated with a B.A. in Bible and minors in general science and history. He has a master’s degree in Christian school administration from Tennessee Temple Baptist Seminary. Mr. Sheeley grew up in a Christian home and was saved in the eighth grade. He was called into full-time Christian service while at Carnegie-Mellon with the Lord directing him into Christian education while finishing college at Tennessee Temple. Mr. Sheeley is married to Pam, and they have two daughters. Allison graduated from Bob Jones University and lives with her husband in Greenville, South Carolina. Faith is a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Bob Jones University. Mr. Sheeley has over twenty-five years of experience in Christian education.
Gavin Lockaby
glockaby@northsideministries.com
Mr. Gavin Lockaby joined the NCS faculty in 2017, and has been serving as the school administrator since 2018. Mr. Lockaby earned a B.A in Political Science from Pensacola Christian College, an M.S. in Education Leadership from Pensacola Christian College, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership with a concentration in education from the University of the Cumberlands. Mr. Lockaby is married to Mrs. Abby Lockaby and, together, they have two children, Aiden and Camille
Rachel Thomas
Middle School
rthomas@northsideministries.com
Rachel Thomas was born into a missionary family in Argentina. She is one of 5 children. When she was 22 months old, her family returned to the United States and settled among family on James Island, SC. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1981. She is certified with SCACS and the SC Department of Education. She has taken graduate courses from the Citadel, Limestone College, and Adams State University.
She accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 7 years old and got reassurance of her salvation at 12. Later, she felt called to go into full time Christian service.
She is married to Tommy Thomas and have one son and one grandchild. She loves to read, do crochet, learn about history, and spend time with her granddaughter.
rthomas@northsideministries.com
Cora Applin
Middle School
capplin@northsideministries.com
Cora has been teaching for 14 years. For the last two years, she has taught in the elementary at NCS. She has her BS in Sociology from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.
Cora is married and has three grown children. When she is not teaching, she enjoys helping her husband, who is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Charleston Southern University. She also has assisted the Northside Varsity Volleyball team with her deep knowledge of athletics.
Cora’s life verse is Colossians 3:23 – And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Greg Rysta
History, Bible, Volleyball
grysta@northsideministries.com
Greg has been teaching at Northside Christian School for 6 years. He teaches Bible, Social Studies, and coaches the girls volleyball team. He has been married to his wife Laurie since 1989. They have three children: Abbie (19), Andrew (17), and Samuel (13). The other member of the family is their dog Aspen. Greg graduated in 1989 from Bob Jones University with a Bachelors of Arts. He majored in Bible Education and minored in history. In 1992 he graduated from Bob Jones University with a Masters of Education. Greg also is a licensed tour guide from the city of Charleston. He enjoys sports and spending time with his family.
Dan Smith
Athletic Director, Bible, PE, Soccer, Basketball
dsmith@northsideministries.com
Dan is from Bridgewater, Virginia. Dan trusted Christ at the age of twelve at People Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He received a Bachelors of Arts in Bible from Bob Jones University. While finishing his degree, Dan was called into the ministry while serving as the youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC.
Dan has been married to Angie since 1985. They have three children and three grandchildren.
He enjoys serving in the youth group at Northside Baptist Church and spending time with his family.
Neel Sawicky
Middle School & High School Math, Guidance Counselor
nsawicky@northsideministries.com
Mr. Neel Sawicky, originally from Myrtle Beach, moved to Charleston to attend The Citadel. He now lives here along with his wife, Anna, and they both attend Northwood Baptist Church.
Neel attended Christian School from a young age, and trusted The Lord as his Savior at 13. He has been involved in many youth and college focused ministries, as well as constantly continuing his own Christian Education.
Vayle Carruthers
Fine Arts Coordinator, Computer, IT
vcarruthers@northsideministries.com
Vayle Carruthers grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada. He attended BJU where he met his wife Donna and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music. Vayle and Donna were married, moved to Charleston, and started teaching at Northside in the summer of 1987.
Over the next few years Vayle attended Trident Tech where he took several computer networking and applications courses. He teaches computer, piano, Word Processing, Microsoft Office Applications, and is in charge of maintaining the computers and network at Northside.
Vayle has taught at Northside for 34 years and enjoys teaching students from grades 1 – 12. He enjoys reading, crafts and woodworking in his free time.
Dr. David Shaleen
Secondary Bands and Choirs, Fine Arts Director
dshaleen@northsideministries.com
Educational Level: Bachelors in Music and Bible – Pillsbury Baptist Bible College
Masters on Church Music – Bob Jones University; Doctorate in Ministry – Northland International University.
Salvation / Call to the Ministry: Dave Shaleen was saved at the age of 14 and was called to the ministry through the teen years and then the call was refined in the collegiate years with a focus on studying to be a church musician.
Unique: He grew up in Northern Minnesota where deer hunting and snowmobiling were constant activities in his life. Dave likes popcorn, cheese, and Mt. Dew for a Sunday after church snack.
Jodi Shaleen
Handbells, Private Lessons, Accompanist
jshaleen@northsideministries.com
Jodi Shaleen was born in Decatur, IL but spent most of her early years in Burlington,WI. After graduating from a Christian High School, she went to Maranatha Baptist University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with piano as her proficiency and organ as her minor.
Jodi was raised in a Christian home and became saved at the age of 11. She desired to serve the Lord wherever He called, but really wanted to be a piano teacher since her first year of lessons at the age of 9. She enjoys teaching private lessons, leading the elementary choir, and directing the handbells at NCS!
Jodi is married to Dr. Dave Shaleen, the music director at NBC, and she has three girls who are Kali (20), Emily (18) and Lindsay (16).
Cecil Beach
Bible, Spanish II, Administrative Assistant
cecilbeach@northsideministries.com
Dr. Beach was born and raised in Charleston. He graduated from Columbia International University in 1965, did summer missions work in the Dominican Republic, served with his wife Phyllis in San Jose as a translator for Editorial Caribe and completed the BA in Spanish Linguistics at the University of Costa Rica. He earned the MA in Spanish Literature working as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Virginia. He worked for the Belk Stores for seven years until God put him in Christian education in 1978 at Sumter Christian School . He finished the EdD degree from Bob Jones University and came to Northside in 1990. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the School of Education at BJU in Distance Learning. The Beaches have three children and ten grandchildren.