a little more about us

Our Stories

At Christ Our Savior Academy, we are beyond proud to have a team of qualified and dedicated teachers who bring years of experience and knowledge to the classroom. Our teachers have diverse backgrounds with certifications and elementary/early childhood degrees, making them a great fit for our students and their unique learning needs.

Juliana Kock

Ms. Juliana is the director of Christ Our Savior Academy as well as the lead teacher in the Sunflower room. This is her third year with us! Juliana graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Juliana and her husband Adam love to explore Tennessee together, listening to live music and cheering on the Vols. Juliana loves snuggling with her kitten, channeling her artistic sides, and traveling to new places. Her favorite place that she has traveled to is Greece- Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Her favorite Bible passage is Ephesians 3:17-18- “so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”

Emma Turriff

Ms. Emma is our curriculum builder and the lead teacher in the Honey Bee room at Christ Our Savior Academy. This is her third year with us! Emma graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Before teaching at Christ Our Savior, Emma served as a center director and teacher in Seattle Washington.

Emma loves that her parents and brother live close-by in Memphis. She loves to hike and visit National Parks. Her favorites to visit are Mount Rainier, the Grand Tetons, and Zion. Emma loves traveling with her friends, cooking unique dishes, Dolly Parton, and collecting vinyl records.

Her favorite Bible passage is 2 Corinthians 12:19- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Kristin Lenart

Ms. Kristin is the co-lead teacher in the Sunflower Room. This is her sixth year with us! Kristin graduated from Tennessee Technical College with a bachelors degree in chemical engineering and got her MBA from Auburn University. Before joining our family, Kristin served as an assistant preschool teacher primarily working with children with developmental delays.

Before teaching young ones at preschool, Kristin taught her two daughters. Kristin loves snuggling her cats and her dog, going to the beach, attending concerts, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Her favorite Bible passage is Lamentations 3:22-24- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.

Terry Brown

Ms. Terry is our assistant teacher in the Honey Bee room at Christ Our Savior Academy. This is her TWENTIETH year of service with us. She has filled numerous positions throughout her time at COSA including lead teacher. We thank Jesus for twenty years of Terry’s passionate, wonderful, and dedicated service.

Terry and her husband have three adult children. To know Terry is to know fun! You will frequently see her teaching the kids games like checkers as well as some of her favorite phrases. “See you around like a doughnut!”

Her favorite Bible passage is Psalm 23:4- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.”

Dory Holcomb

Ms. Dory is our assistant teacher in both the Honey Bee and the Sunflower room. This is her second school year with us!

When asked, Dory will tell you that her favorite part of teaching is feeling like a little kid again. She can be frequently seen running around with the kids outside or playing dodgeball during summer camp.

Dory has lived in Santa Fe and Columbia her whole life. She loves her home town and spending time with her family. Dory loves to hike, explore nature and relaxing at home.

Her favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 55:12- “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

Sarah Crass

Ms. Sarah is our opener in the Sunflower room at Christ Our Savior Academy. Sarah graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. This is Ms. Sarah’s third year as our opener, but she previously served as lead teacher, as well as being a foundational part of our curriculum development.

Sarah loves that she can teach and support our students while also staying home to raise her daughter. We are so thankful for her faithful dedication to our students, our school, and our Savior!

Sarah’s favorite Bible passage is 2 Corinthians 12:19- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”