The faculty and staff of First Baptist Academy are selected from among those applicants who are born again Christians, active in an evangelical church fellowship, and are in agreement with the Academy’s doctrinal, educational, and theological beliefs. A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree for teachers in grades K-1 is required. Teachers and staff must display the ability to minister to young people through development of relationships, effective teaching, and the example of a Christlike walk. Faculty and staff are encouraged to be or become a member of FBCO and serve under the headship and teaching of our Senior Pastor and ultimately Jesus Christ.
Additional information about our Academy faculty and staff will be added as we continue to grow.
Headmaster's Office
Matthew Kendrick
Headmaster
Matthew Kendrick is an educator with 28 years of experience, teaching in private and public schools. He served as an administrator in Lee County and Opelika City Schools for 13 years and retired from Alabama public schools in 2022. He has a BS in Education from Auburn University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Troy University. Matthew serves as a deacon and choir member at FBCO. He has been married to Stephanie Kendrick for 27 years. Together they currently serve in the FBCO Student Ministry on Sunday mornings. They have two children, Ellie (18) and Carson (16).
Ashton Bridges
Administrative Assistant
Ashton is a doctoral candidate at Auburn University where she also received her Bachelors, Masters, and Educational Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education. She has served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the early childhood department at the university, where she taught undergraduate courses in Constructivist Theory and Math & Science Education while also supervising practicum students during pre-service experiences. Her research topics include toddler environments, schema play, mentoring pre-service educators, and play advocacy. Ashton and her husband, Austin, have been attending FBCO for the past two years. In their free time, they enjoy being with their two fur babies, Harper and Abbie!
Teachers
Wendy Overstreet
Kindergarten
Mrs. Overstreet is an Auburn Graduate with a BS in Early Childhood Education. She taught for Opelika City Schools for 27 years, teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade before retiring in 2018. She helped establish Opelika's First Class Pre-K Academy (AKA Pre-K on the Tracks) where she was the Assistant Director and Lead Teacher for 5 years. She has been married to Robert Overstreet for over 30 years, and they have two boys, Andrew and Will. Her family has attended FBCO for over 10 years.
Anna Varnon
Kindergarten
Anna Varnon is a Huntsville, AL native and an Auburn University graduate with her BS in Early Childhood Education. First Baptist Church of Opelika has been her church home during college, and she is excited to stay in Opelika to be the second kindergarten teacher at the First Baptist Academy. Anna says that the Lord has been faithful in calling her to work in a Christ-centered environment. She feels that the Lord has aligned her desire to work with young children and speak freely about the love of Christ. She has been continuously reminded of Romans 11:36, which says, “For from him and through him and to him are all things.” To him be glory forever. Amen.
Michele Jackson
First Grade
Mrs. Jackson is an Opelika native and an Auburn University graduate with a BS in Elementary Education. She has taught for 21 years, teaching Pre-K in Opelika City Schools and 2nd Grade in Vestavia Hills City Schools. She has spent the last 14 years teaching 2nd grade at Live Oak Classical School, a Christian classical school in Waco, Texas.
Mrs. Jackson is a former member of First Baptist Church Opelika and is looking forward to returning to FBCO this summer. She has been married to Chad Jackson for 19 years. They have enjoyed living in Texas but know the Lord is calling them back to Opelika. They are excited to live close to their families again and be part of the First Baptist community.
Vicki Gould
Enrichment & Physical Education
Mrs. Gould, a lifelong resident of Opelika, has been an active member of First Baptist Church since childhood. She graduated from Opelika High School in 1986 and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education for the Handicapped from Auburn University in 1990. Mrs. Gould furthered her education at the University of Alabama, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Deaf and Hearing Impaired Education. Additionally, she holds a master’s level certification in Learning Disabilities and certification in Physical Education.
Mrs. Gould has been an active member at First Baptist Church Opelika. She has lead the Recreation at VBS for the past 15 years, taught 7th grade Sunday School for 5 years, and currently hosts a college bible study (Mish Com) for the past 2 years.
Mrs. Gould is married to Walter Gould and they have two children. Mrs. Gould enjoys running, playing pickleball, swimming, bootcamp workouts, kayaking, biking and hiking—mostly anything adventurous and outdoors.