Excellence in Character and Achievement

Faculty & Staff

Our Educators

Sandhills Classical Christian School’s educators are among the best in their field. They bring with them not only the tools of their craft but a belief in the school’s mission to cultivate students for the glory of God. We invite you to contact a member of our faculty or staff.

Meet Our Administrative Staff

Head of School

Dell Cook

Dell Cook comes to Sandhills Classical Christian School with over 20 years experience in classical and Christian education. Mr. Cook holds two masters degrees in Divinity (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Theology (Reformed Theological Seminary). In 20 years at Cary Christian School, Mr. Cook taught, served, and led in a variety of roles and capacities. He has taught in all three stages of the trivium from 4th to 12th grades, including Old and New Testament, Theology, History, Apologetics, Hermeneutics, Hebrew, and Greek. Additionally he has served in several administrative roles as Athletic Director, Rhetoric School Principal, and Headmaster. Mr. Cook has been blessed to serve on the national board of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS) and served on and lead several accreditation teams through ACCS. Dell and his wife of 25 years, Ginny, have three children: Katie, Lauren, and Andrew. A few details about Mr. Cook include:

  • Two masters degrees in Divinity (Southeastern Theological Seminary) and Theology (Reformed Theological Seminary)
  • Served on the national Board of Directors for the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS)
  • Served on and led several ACCS accreditation teams nationwide
  • President of the Board of Trustees for Worldview Academy
  • Teaching experience in all three levels of the trivium from 4th to 12th grades
  • Administrative experience as Athletics Director, Rhetoric School Principal, and Headmaster

Ryan Baker

Dean of Academics

Ryan Baker is a veteran of over 20 years in education in both teaching and administration. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Northern Arizona University. His teaching experience includes 5 years at Xavier College Prep in Phoenix, Arizona teaching Literature and Humanities and 12 years at Cary Christian School where he and his classes were consistently honored and acknowledged by students and parents alike as one of the most impactful and important in their education. At Cary Christian, Mr. Baker also served as Rhetoric School Principal and then Dean of the Upper School. Most recently, Ryan was the Headmaster at Grace Classical School in Jacksonville, NC. Ryan and his wife of 23 years, Heather, have six children.

Andrew Morton

Associate Dean of Upper School

Having earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Grove City College, Andrew is passionate about teaching Christians, in all seasons of life, how to integrate the life of their mind with that of their faith. For the past eight years he has taught logic, philosophy, apologetics, history, and mathematics at Covenant Classical School in Concord, North Carolina, where he also served as Dean of Students. His wife, Elizabeth, and his two children, William and Claire, faithfully sacrifice their summers to travel with Andrew as he teaches with Worldview Academy. 

Elizabeth Griffin

Associate Dean of Lower School
Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin comes to Sandhills Classical with over 20 years of experience in education. She attended Cary High School in Cary, NC and was awarded the North Carolina Prospective Teaching Fellowship to pursue a career in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish Language and Literature. Mrs. Griffin holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Master of School Administration from NC State University. She has been an educator since 2001, and a K-12 school administrator since 2010. Her classroom teaching experience is in grades kindergarten through second grade and she loves building positive relationships with students. For the past seven years, Mrs. Griffin has served as the Head of Lower School, and most recently the Assistant Head of School at Harrells Christian Academy in Harrells, NC.  
 
Mrs. Griffin has two boys. Her oldest son, Hudson, attends Pinecrest High School and is a member of the golf team. Her youngest son, Hayes, attends SCCS and loves baseball. Mrs. Griffin’s husband, Bryan, is a financial advisor.  They have two dogs and attend church at The Village Chapel of Pinehurst. 

Larry Richardson

Athletic Director

Larry Richardson serves as the Athletic Director at SCCS. Larry has been a longtime baseball umpire and basketball referee and has officiated SCCS basketball games every year since basketball has been a sport in the school’s existence. A co-founder of the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Program in Moore County, Larry continues as the Upward League Director and believes strongly in their motto that “it is a race to the heart of a child, and the first one there wins!” A longtime active member of the Aberdeen First Baptist Church, Larry continues to hold several leadership positions including Co-Director for Sunday School and serves as a Sunday school teacher. He and his wife Deborah have been married 48 years and have four children and nine grandchildren

Shanna Browning

Preschool Director

Shanna Browning has over 15 years of experience, both administratively and teaching in a preschool environment. She enjoys watching little minds connect with what they are being taught. Spending time with her husband, Henry, her three children, two step-children, and grandson is one of her greatest joys. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Christian Counseling and is currenty working towards her Masters: Early Childhood Education through Liberty University.

Gene Liechty

Development Director

Gene Liechty comes to Sandhills Classical Christian School with 18 years of experience in the area of marketing & development. Mr. Liechty received his BA in Marketing/Communications from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. More recently, he attended Greyfriars Ministerial Hall in Moscow, Idaho. Gene served as Director of Advancement at Cary Christian School in Cary, North Carolina (2002-2012) and Director of Development at Logos School in Moscow, Idaho (2013-2018). Mr. Liechty has also planted several churches over the last 20 years. Gene and his wife of 24 years, Kimberly, have four grown children: Grace, Carter, Silas, and Ian.

Angela Pihlgren

Admissions Director

Angela Pihlgren previously taught preschool at SCCS. She has also worked with children for many years in her church and loves helping children to learn and become independent. Mrs. Pihlgren holds an Associates in Baking and Culinary Arts. Her many talents include cooking, baking, gardening, and making crafts. She has two children that attend SCCS. Mrs. Pihlgren appreciates the loving environment, smaller classes, nurturing Christian teachers, and the family like atmosphere at SCCS.

  • 100% of our K-12 academic teachers hold a Bachelor’s Degree or above
  • 48% of our K-12 academic teachers hold a Master’s Degree or above
  • 100% of our K-12 academic teachers pursue ACCS certification
  • Teachers have two years to complete their certification
  • Multiple CPR and First Aid Certified staff are available on each campus
  • 100% of our K-12 teachers are Christian educators

Faculty & Staff

Preschool

  • 6 Carter Street
  • Pinehurst, NC 28374
  • (910) 420-6974

Preschool

  • 1425 Midland Rd.
  • Southern Pines, NC 28327
  • (910) 420-6974

Grammar & Upper School

  • 1487 Rays Bridge Rd.
  • Whispering Pines, NC 28327
  • (910) 695-1874
Sandhills Classical Christian School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid, or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the school.
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