Administration

For general inquiries or to connect with Head of School Chris Brazell, please reach out to Zoe Barber at barberz@chbss.org.

Mr. Chris Brazell was selected to serve as the fifth Head of School at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in May of 2021. Mr. Brazell has faithfully served in many roles during his twenty years of service to the Cottage Hill Christian Academy school community; most recently as Athletic Director, Varsity Football Coach, and Varsity Baseball Coach. Brazell began his career at Cottage Hill Christian Academy during the 2001-2002 academic year serving as an assistant coach, then spent 13 years in the classroom as a social science teacher, coached various sports for two decades, and has been a fixture on the schools Administration and Leadership Teams. 

Brazell completed his Bachelor of Science in Social Science from the University of Mobile in 2002 where he was the team captain of the 2001 World Series baseball team. In 2004, Chris was named Head Baseball coach and garnered 339 wins on the diamond over seventeen seasons, (3) thirty-win seasons, and (31) student-athletes went on to play at the next level. In 2013 he was named Athletic Director, after serving as the assistant A.D. for five years. In 2016, he moved out of the Social Studies classroom and into fulltime administration, as he served as the Upper Schools Dean of Students. In 2018, he was tabbed as the Head Football coach and led the Warriors to the first Region Championship, 10-win season, and playoff appearance. During the span as head football coach for three seasons; the Warriors posted 24 wins, set numerous records, recorded many firsts for our football program, and sent at least one player to the NCAA Division 1 level in each. He has also been selected as “Coach of the Year” by various organizations, both as a head football and baseball coach respectively. Mr. Brazell continued to serve as a member of the leadership team in various capacities during his tenure.

In the twenty years of education experience, Brazell has grown to understand the many aspects that are involved in running and leading a school committed to Christian values. As he has shared with many of the athletes he has mentored over the years, Chris works to instill his personal motto of aligning priorities. He often shares with the student body his goal of keeping his walk with Christ first, family second, calling third, and then personal hobbies. Brazell seeks to lead Cottage Hill Christian Academy in its continual goal of being the choice for a Christ-centered, academically challenging education in the Mobile area. Brazell describes his excitement for the opportunity to lead saying, “I am honored to be selected to serve as the next Head of School at CHCA. I would like to thank the members of the CHCA School Committee and the leadership of Cottage Hill Baptist Church for this opportunity. The journey over the past two decades as a Warrior, has been a tremendous blessing for me both personally and professionally. My family and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for us in the days ahead.”

Mr. Chris Brazell is married to Charlie Brooke Brazell and they have one daughter, Chrislie- Anne.

Mrs. Jennifer Newton is entering her 21st year as a part of the Warrior family. In her role as West Campus Director, Mrs. Newton leads our high school students, faculty, and families. During her tenure at Cottage Hill, Mrs. Newton has also served as a teacher, coach, and admissions director. She understands the culture of Cottage Hill and is excited to help propel our high school to even greater heights.

Mrs. Newton attended Pensacola Christian College, where she double-majored in English Education and Physical Education and was a member of the Lady Eagles volleyball team. She and her husband Brad have twin daughters, Emily and Ashlyn (12th grade), who attend Cottage Hill. The Newtons are active members of Cottage Hill Baptist Church.

Dr. Todd Johnson has spent his entire career in education with over a decade in K-12 Education before earning his doctoral degree and joining the faculty at the University of South Alabama.  Dr. Johnson leaves the University of South Alabama as a tenured Associate Professor.  Dr. Johnson graduated from James Madison University with a B.B.A. in Human Resources Management, before going on to obtain his Master's Degree in Special Education from George Mason University. Doctor Johnson’s doctoral work has focused on teaching STEM content to students with and without disabilities, helping teachers break down difficult concepts to facilitate better learning outcomes for students.

Dr. Johnson and his wife Laura have two children (Noelle and Trey) and reside in Daphne.  The Johnson family attends Eastern Shore Baptist Church where they are involved in several different ministries.  The Johnsons love to spend time in God’s beautiful creation - especially the beach - but truth be told, you can more often find them at the ballpark, gym, or football field. 

Mr. Adam Thomas has served the Cottage Hill Christian Academy community for over a decade. During his time in private school education, he has worked in athletic administration and coaching for several years with two additional stops in independent education. He served as Associate Director of Athletics and Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Randolph School, Huntsville, Alabama from 2014-2017. He then served as the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Mobile AL from 2017-2019. Mr. Thomas is now serving as the Director of Athletics at Cottage Hill Christian Academy; he has a unique and well-developed understanding of private school education and is poised to contribute to the development of our student-athletes.

Mr. Thomas is married to Stacey Thomas, Payroll Manager at the University of South Alabama. They have three sons: Tyler (2023 Graduate), Trent (2023 Graduate), and Trevor (current Freshman) at Cottage Hill Christian Academy. The Thomas family are members of Cottage Hill Baptist Church.

Mrs. Selena Dressler graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Accounting. Mrs. Dressler worked 27 years in trust and estate taxation and was a Vice President and Trust Tax Manager for Regions Bank. She attended Southern Trust School at Spring Hill College and Cannon Trust Tax School at the University of Notre Dame. Mrs. Dressler has been a member of the University of South Alabama Accounting Advisory Board and the Mobile Estate Planning Council.

Mrs. Dressler and her husband Tony are members of Downtown Church. Both of their children attended CHCA from K-3 through 12th grade and were very active in athletics. In her free time, Mrs. Dressler enjoys spending time on Fowl River and working in the yard.

Mrs. Selena Dressler joined CHCA in 2019.  As the Finance Director, she oversees all aspects of our Business Office and is responsible for the daily business and finance operations of CHCA. 

Zoe Barber is in her third year in Mobile, Alabama, having relocated from Tupelo, Mississippi. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing and Human Resources.

Zoe's professional career is marked by a diverse range of experiences, including roles as a personal assistant, in banking, and in early childhood education. This variety has provided her with a broad skill set and a unique perspective on business and customer relations.

She is happily married, and she and her husband recently celebrated the arrival of their first child.

For general inquiries or to connect with Head of School Chris Brazell, please reach out to Zoe at barberz@chbss.org.

Beth Quave is part of our school's leadership team as the Assistant Director of the Church Campus. Mrs. Quave has been an educator since 2000. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Education and an emphasis in Science and Social Studies. She worked in public education and as a technology trainer for teachers before coming to CHCA. She has served CHCA as a middle school Science Teacher for seven years. Also, during her time at the Hill, she developed a STEM curriculum for our Middle School and led our National Junior Honors Society. She has been married to her husband Jason for 23 years and he serves on our Warrior Club Leadership team. She is a mom of two children, Aidan a 2023 CHCA graduate, and Laurel who is a sophomore.  

She has a heart for Christian Education and brings her talent for organization to her role. She is excited about the opportunity to work collaboratively with administration and staff, to support the vision and mission of Christian education, using her strong positive management skills, and help teachers and students in providing excellence in instruction through coaching and support.   
 

Mrs. Martha Winter is the Director of Preschool at CHCA. She served as the Assistant Director of Preschool for six years before moving into the director position. Prior to CHCA, she served as a part-time K2 teacher for one year at Kidz Crossing. Martha graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.  She pursued her field at a computer software company located in Mobile for 13 years where she served as an Administrative Assistant, Software Engineer, and Engineering Manager. She is a native of the Mobile area and is married to Bo Winter and has three sons, Wilson, Houston, and Tucker. Their family attends Grace Community Church. Through having children of her own as well as teaching Sunday school at her church, the Lord grew a love for working with children and helping them grow academically, socially, and spiritually. 

Janis Hyke has been an Early Education Center Director since 2017. She also served as a Preschool Director's Assistant for Cottage Hill Baptist Church for many years under the leadership of Brother Jim Robinson where she gained her experience and love for children. She is a wife and a mom of three children Isaac, Myles, and Bella. It is her passion to invest in the lives of the children and families at Cottage Hill beginning as young as six weeks and to watch them grow and develop into warriors for Christ. In her free time, she enjoys watching her children compete in recreation and sports.

Mrs. Bonds is a native of Hot Springs, AR, which she loves to visit whenever possible. She has always had a love for traveling and has shared this love with her family. Before starting her family, Mrs. Bonds taught elementary and middle school in Arkansas, Arizona, and Bogota’ Colombia. She also has worked for several years in Public Relations and Community Relations in the US, Canada, China, Italy, England, and South America. She, her husband, and two children have lived in many states and Canada before coming to Mobile. For the past 10 years, she has volunteered and worked at CHCA. She feels God placed her at CHCA and feels they truly are part of her family. One of her greatest joys is to see her student's love for Jesus in all that they do.

Mrs. Marie Sorel has been a vital part of the Cottage Hill Christian Academy staff since 2004. Before becoming a full-time office staff member, Mrs. Marie volunteered in the school office helping with many projects when her son, Zak Sorel, started attending K5 in 2001. Mrs. Marie is full of school spirit and is always ready to help with any registrar need you may have.  

Jill has over 18 years of experience in the field of childhood education. She was born and raised in Beaver Falls, PA, and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Clarion University in 1994. Jill is certified with the American Association of Christian Schools and has been trained in multiple curriculums in both private and public school systems. She believes the key to a child’s learning potential begins with a strong Christ-centered environment, strengthened through clear communication between family, teachers, and support staff. Jill and her husband, Ben, have been blessed with three children- Samuel, Meg, and Max.

Mrs. Hall graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with dual certification in Mathematics and Science. She has over 37 years of experience in public and private secondary education. Mrs. Hall previously spent 28 years at Mary G. Montgomery High School, before starting her time here at CHCA. Mrs. Hall has served as an honors mathematics and science teacher, UCA National Champion cheerleader coach and choreographer, high school Athletic Director, collegiate athletic liaison, and pageant coordinator during her career. She has coached Junior Miss, Distinguished Young Women, Azalea Trail Maid, and various pageant participants and judged DYW local programs in Mississippi and Alabama in addition to serving as an Azalea Trail Maid interview judge for many Mobile County High Schools.

Mrs. Hall and her husband Perry attend Christ United Methodist Church and have been married for 34 years. She considers her high-achieving triplets to be her greatest accomplishment: Marley, Preston, and Savannah Hall. Preston and Savannah are graduates of The University of Alabama and Marley is a graduate of the University of Montevallo. Mrs. Hall’s passions include traveling, spending time at the beach, coordinating social events, serving as a wedding coordinator, and assisting with various service projects throughout the county.

Above all, Mrs. Hall feels very blessed that the Lord opened this door for her to serve the students at Cottage Hill Christian Academy!

Katie West is a native of Mobile and a proud graduate of the CHCA class of 2017. In May 2022, she graduated from the University of Mobile with a bachelor’s degree in Production Technology. Before being on staff at CHCA, she served on the marketing team at the University of Mobile as the photographer and videographer and the Video Communications Specialist at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also has a background in live event production, where she has served on audio and video crews for professional conferences, cruises, and sporting events.