Pinnacle Administration

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. 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. She was promoted to Dean in 2025. 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. Mrs. Richardson 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, 4-8 teacher and student scheduling, 4-8 student data review, evaluation and supervision, teacher recruitment, human resources, family partnership, and professional development. 

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 (Rhetoric, and Ethics, Economy, and Entrepreneurship), assisting with the curriculum and with teacher recruitment, 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.

Mrs. Katie Barnes graduated from Gardner-Webb University in 2012 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and has been in the Pinnacle family since the school was founded in 2013. She taught fourth grade here from 2013-2016, then left for a brief time while her husband finished Law School at the University of Georgia, continuing in a fourth grade classroom at Rocky Branch Elementary School. In 2018, she and her husband, Delton, returned to Shelby and she jumped back into teaching fourth grade at Pinnacle Classical Academy for three more years. In 2021 she moved into an administrative role as our Student Success Coordinator at the 4-12 Campus, handling discipline for grades 4-12. She was promoted to Associate Dean of Intermediate Grades in 2026, and among supporting students, families and teachers in all areas, will continue handling discipline for grades 4-8. She remains deeply passionate about building connections with students and helping them thrive in our school environment, and beyond. 

Mrs. Jennifer Hartsfield earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a focus in English and later earned her Master of Arts in English while teaching. Her years working with students of all ages shaped her belief that effective education goes beyond delivering content. Instead, it is about understanding learners, building meaningful relationships, recognizing individual strengths and needs, and creating an environment where students feel supported and challenged to succeed. Throughout her career, she has expanded that foundation through curriculum development, instructional design, professional learning, and data-informed practices designed to improve learning and performance.

Her experience also includes more than 10 years in corporate learning and development, along with roles in Human Resources and Employee Relations involving training, performance support, workplace investigations, problem-solving, and collaboration with a broad range of individuals and teams. These experiences have strengthened her ability to listen, analyze, communicate, and approach challenges with empathy and objectivity - skills she brings into her work with students, teachers, and school communities in her current role as Student Success Coordinator. 

Whether supporting a student, collaborating with an educator, or using data to identify opportunities for growth, she is committed to creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: every student can learn, grow, and succeed, and every educator has the opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Candice Frazier earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Gardner-Webb University, along with an add-on licensure in School Administration. Ms. Frazier joined Pinnacle Classical Academy in 2015 as an EC teacher. During her time at Pinnacle, she has served students in a variety of instructional roles, including Classical Studies and, most recently, Internship. Her diverse classroom experience has allowed her to work with students across multiple grade levels and subject areas while developing a strong understanding of the academic and developmental needs of students. In 2021, Ms. Frazier joined Pinnacle’s administrative team. In her current role as Student Support Coordinator, she works closely with students, families, teachers, and school leadership to promote student success and support the overall mission of Pinnacle Classical Academy. Ms. Frazier values strong relationships, high expectations, and helping students grow into confident, responsible, and successful young people. She is committed to serving the Pinnacle community and helping students dare to soar.

Mrs. Carolyn Jackson earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She joined Pinnacle Classical Academy in 2015 as a fifth-grade teacher and has also taught first and second grades. She later transitioned into the role of K–3 Student Success Coordinator, where she managed student discipline and helped create events that strengthened connections among students, families, and the K–3 campus community.

Mrs. Jackson now serves as the Assistant Coordinator of Academics. In this role, she supports teachers with curriculum and helps deepen their understanding of the principles and practices of classical education. She also serves as Pinnacle’s Beginning Teacher Coordinator, providing guidance and support to educators as they begin their teaching careers. 

Mrs. Jackson and her husband, Jonathan, have three children who attend Pinnacle.  As both an educator and a parent, Mrs. Jackson is deeply invested in the Pinnacle community and is committed to supporting its teachers, students, and families.