Pinnacle Administration

Dr. Shope earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and MSA in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Working in education for 28 years has allowed Dr. Shope to experience many roles. She has worked as a teacher, as well as an adjunct professor for Queens University in their Master's program for School Administrators. Dr. Shope was also an adjunct professor teaching Educational Technology at the college level. She has served in an administrative capacity for over 20 years. Dr. Shope has served as an assistant principal, principal, Director of Title I, and Executive Director of K-8 Instruction. Dr. Shope has coached teachers and principals throughout her administrative career. Each of these former experiences has allowed her to continue the development of her passion for working with students, teachers and administrators. It is her goal to continue to build the tradition of excellence that is Pinnacle Classical Academy.

In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly appointed Dr. Shope to the state's Charter Schools Review Board at the recommendation of House Speaker Tim Moore. Dr. Shope is a voting member of the this board, which makes policy recommendations and provides performance evaluations to the North Carolina State Board of Education.  She is also vice-chair of the Executive Board for NC Coalition for Charter Schools. 

Dr. Shope lives in Crouse, NC. She and her husband Chris have 2 children Xan, and Hailey, and their English Bulldog Charli.

Angela Brooks began her teaching career in 2004 after graduating as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She started in education as a high school social studies teacher at North Gaston High School in Dallas, NC where she served as Teacher of the Year from 2012-2013. In the Fall of 2013, she joined the founding faculty of Pinnacle Classical Academy in Shelby, NC, where she played a key role in shaping the school’s academic foundation. During her time at Pinnacle, she taught a range of grade levels and subjects, including 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grades.

Kendra McGinnis graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Elementary Education, in 2002. She began her career as a first-grade teacher in Lincoln County. While there, Kendra earned a Master's Degree in Reading Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2012 she transferred to Gaston County as an Instructional Facilitator. In this position, Ms. McGinnis was responsible for supporting and coaching classroom teachers. Her focus was to work with teachers to improve instructional techniques. She stayed with Gaston County for seven years before accepting the position of Associate Dean at Pinnacle Classical Academy. Kendra has a passion for teaching, building relationships, and growing young learners.

Laura Beth Richardson began her teaching career in 2011 after graduating from University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Certified to teach kindergarten through 6th grade, she started her teaching career as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher at a Montessori school in High Point, NC. In 2016, she moved back to her hometown of Shelby, NC and continued her teaching journey at Pinnacle Classical Academy. At Pinnacle, she taught 3rd grade through 2020, during which time she was awarded Teacher of the Year. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Richardson served as the Student Success Coordinator and Associate Dean at the 4-12 campus through the spring of 2023. She is thrilled to continue her career at Pinnacle as the Dean of Intermediate Education and is committed to working with teachers and families to ensure all Pinnacle students dare to soar! 

Mrs. Richardson’s responsibilities include: 4-8 curriculum and instruction, 4-8 daily management, evaluation and supervision, human resources, teacher licensure, professional development, and beginning teacher support. Mrs. Richardson is also Pinnacle’s McKinney Vento liaison. 

Laura Beth is married to Ryan Richardson and together they have two sons, Baer and Thorin. Laura Beth loves camping with her family, cooking, reading, and vacationing on Ocracoke Island.

Jeff Ziegler came to Pinnacle Classical Academy in 2019 after teaching at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, a charter school in Rutherford County, from 2003 to 2019, serving concurrently as the school's academic dean from 2006 until 2018. Prior to becoming a high school teacher, he worked as a development officer at two colleges and as an editor. He received his bachelor's degree in classics from Princeton University and his master's degree in Austria.

Mr. Ziegler's responsibilities include teaching (Latin II, Logic/Rhetoric, and Great Books), assisting with the curriculum and with teacher recruitment, assisting with the advising of students as they prepare to apply to college, and organizing presentations by college admissions officers.

Cindi Welch joined the Pinnacle family in 2015 following a decade of teaching at First Wesleyan Christian School in Gastonia, NC. Before transitioning to education, Cindi built a successful career in Sales, Marketing, and Finance. She holds certifications in Middle and High School Math, Middle School Science, and High School Earth Science. Her academic background  includes a BSBA in Accounting from Appalachian State University, an MBA from Fayetteville State University, and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a focus on K-12 Leadership.

She is married to Charles Welch and has a son, Michael. She loves singing, and is a member of her church choir and the Cleveland County Choral Society.