2025 NCSA Award Winners
Katie Williams- Administrator of the Year
Katie Williams serves as the Administrator at Searcy Christian Academy, where she brings intentional leadership and a deep love for students into every part of school life. Katie earned degrees in Early Childhood Education and Professional Counseling from Harding University and Building-Level Leadership from Southern Arkansas University.
Before stepping into administration, Katie spent 10 years teaching kindergarten, and she is now in her fifth year as an administrator, known for cultivating a school culture that balances strong academics with meaningful faith development. She believes schools should be places where students are not only challenged, but also deeply known and loved—and where humor and playfulness are welcomed as part of learning.
Katie is married to Michael Williams, a school counselor, and together they are raising their two children.
"Being named NCSA Administrator of the Year is such an honor. NCSA has already been such a blessing to me and our entire school community. This award is encouraging me to continue to lead with courage and to dream big for our little school!"
Trenton Hassell- Coach of the Year
Olivia Brown- Staff Member of the Year
Shirley Solzman- Teacher of the Year
With 49 years of unwavering dedication to education, Mrs. Shirley Solzman exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong educator and mentor. She received her bachelor’s and master's degrees from Western Kentucky University. She served Bowling Green Independent Schools for 27 years. In 2003, she joined Foundation Christian Academy, where she joyfully has taught for another 22 years.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Solzman has poured her heart into teaching children the three R’s, but more importantly, she has consistently modeled and lived out Christ-like character by loving each student with compassion and grace.
Upon receiving the 2025 NCSA Teacher of the Year award, Mrs. Shirley shared, “I like to make my classroom a place where students can come to learn and learn about God, especially at FCA. I love teaching the Bible. My faith grows because of these boys and girls. It is just great to know that I have had a part of so many lives.”
David Pahman, Ed
President
Daniel Knox- Principal of the Year
Dr. Daniel Knox has been working at Goodpasture since 2007. He has spent time as a high school mathematics teacher, upper school assistant principal, and currently is in his 5th year serving as the Middle School Principal. Daniel earned his BS in mathematics from Freed-Hardeman, his M.Ed. from Lipscomb University, and he completed his Ed.D. in the spring of 2021 through Carson-Newman University. Daniel lives in Greenbrier, TN with his wife Jessica and children Luke (14) and Laine (11).
Dr. Bixenman shared, "I have witnessed Dr. Knox’s continued professional and spiritual growth in his leadership role, and I am deeply grateful for his dedication to our students and the school's mission. A verse that reminds me of Dr. Knox’s character and leadership is:
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Jeff Bixenman, Ed.D.
President
Columbia Academy- School of the Year
Columbia Academy (CA) is a private, Christian school serving students in grades Pre-K through 12 in Columbia, Tennessee, with a Pre-K through sixth-grade satellite campus in Spring Hill. It was established in 1979 when a local Church of Christ Christian group reorganized and reopened the school on the historic campus of the former Columbia Military Academy.
Since its founding, the school has grown as a college-preparatory institution grounded in Christian values, expanding academic programs and facilities on the 67-acre campus in downtown Columbia. The school strongly believes in its mission to serve students so the master skills, knowledge, and character appropriate for them and their future while becoming Christlike in attitude and behavior.