Staff

My name is Caroline Bauguess. I am a graduate of SHHS and Carson Newman University. I have completed my Master's from Lincoln Memorial University and my Ed.S from Union College. In 2008, I started my career as a teacher. I taught 6th grade math for 9 years in Elizabethton, and I just finished my 4th year teaching 5th grade math at Indian Trail. I am married with two children. My daughter is in middle school and my son is in pre-school. In our free time, my family and I enjoy playing outside, riding four-wheelers, and swimming! Family is very important to me and I am so thankful for the time that we get to spend together.

I’m Lisa Messimer, and I am a Johnson City native. I am a graduate of Science Hill - Topper For Life, and I hold a master's degree in teaching from East Tennessee State. I have been teaching in Johnson City Schools for the past thirteen years. Prior to that, I taught in Kingsport City Schools. Over the course of my teaching career, I have taught all subjects as a self-contained third and fourth-grade teacher, and since moving to fifth and sixth grade, have mainly taught English Language Arts. My favorite part of teaching is helping students become excited about reading. I also enjoy helping students overcome fears and gain confidence with their writing. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and traveling. I am married, have one son, and two dogs. I especially love to be outdoors whether working in my yard, going for a walk or bike ride, or sitting on my back porch enjoying nature. I am very happy and honored to be part of the faculty at JCVA and look forward to helping students be successful and grow academically through this platform of learning.

My name is Susan Quave. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the University of Southern MS and my Master’s degree in teaching from William Carey College. I have been teaching for 22 years. Most of those years were in 8th-grade science. I am married and enjoy sightseeing, boating, and baking cookies with my grandchildren. I love all animals, especially my German Shepherd and my Husky. I cherish the times I spend with my family and my 15 precious grandchildren. I especially enjoy huge family celebrations with plenty of children and family pets.

My name is Lane Sentell and I grew up in Georgia. I attended the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration. After several years of working in various management positions, I moved to Boone, NC to attend Appalachian State University and received my certification in middle grades education. I have 20 years of experience in the classroom, teaching science, math, STEM education, and robotics. My wife Lisa and I currently reside in Mountain City and we have two children and three grandchildren. Our hobbies include camping, riding motorcycles, restoring vintage campers and automobiles, and spending time with family. I am excited to begin my new position as the 7th and 8th-grade math teacher at Johnson City Virtual Academy!

My name is Emily K. Stevens. I have lived in either Knoxville or the Tri-Cities all of my life. I have always loved learning, but I have things I am super interested in and things I feel obligated to learn like many of you. Regardless, I love to know more today than yesterday. I enjoy reading, criminal investigation shows and podcasts, and spending time outside (especially in the mountains and shade). I also enjoy spending time with my mom (my dad is deceased) and doing things she loves to do, such as antiquing, going to garden shops, browsing bookstores, and driving the countryside. I am a picky person regarding food consumption, but I LOVE the smells and sites of new foods. I enjoy watching other people eat them. I thrive on suggestions. I want you to suggest hikes, restaurants, your favorite music, events, travel destinations, etc. I need to learn from you as much as you need to learn from the class.  I have 20 years of experience in the Johnson City School System. I have taught 7th-grade science for 19 of those 20 years and 7th-grade social studies for 15 years. I am beginning my 2nd year as chair of the 7th-grade science CER, which aims to develop science lessons and informal assessments that can be used across East Tennessee.

My name is Devin Plaas, and I am the ELA teacher for 7th and 8th grade at the Johnson City Virtual Academy. This is my 9th year teaching English. I have taught grades 7-12, but have spent the bulk of my time teaching 7th and 8th grade. I have a Bachelor’s degree from ETSU with a double major in English and Women's Studies, a Master’s Degree from Milligan College in Education, as well as an Education Specialist Degree from Lincoln Memorial University. I am passionate about reading and writing and love working on curriculum development.  I have been married to my husband Chris for 12 years and we live in the Tree Streets with our 3 children: my daughter Abigail who is 8, my daughter Holden who is 3, and my son Woodford, who just turned 1. We also have 2 dogs. When I am not at school, I love cooking, reading, and taking adventures with my family! I am very excited to be a part of the creation of this innovative new school. It has been a great start to the year so far, and I look forward to working with and getting to know all of our students even better as the year goes on!

My name is Kelly Medlin. I am a graduate of Michigan State University, which is where I met my husband. I began my career as a high school English teacher. I went back to college and earned my counseling degree. Our family moved to Maryland, where I worked as a middle school counselor. Then we moved to Texas, and I worked as a high school counselor. I have three adult children who are all graduates of Texas A&M. My husband and I moved to Tennessee to be closer to his family in North Carolina. In my spare time, I love to read, bake, and scrapbook.