Teaching Staff

Michael Dennis—Spanish 6th-9th grade
I am a language fanatic.  I currently speak three languages (Portuguese, Spanish, English ) and am working on numbers four and five (Italian, Russian), so I know what it takes to learn a language.

Although this is my first year of teaching another language, this is not my first experience with another language.  I spent two years working for a foreign language interpretation company and am excited to see what fun activities we can do to bring other cultures into our students’ lives.

Laura Fee—Math, Algebra, Geometry, 7th-9th grade
Mrs. Fee – laura.fee@arkansas.gov
Available 2:40-3:25

I am the upper level mathematics teacher at Covenant Keepers.  I am a recent graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education.  I am a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the National Education Honor Society, and Pi Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honor Society.

I recently got married, and am currently living in Benton with my loving husband, three cats, two dogs and a turtle!  Needless to say, we both love animals.  My two favorite places to vacation are – Colorado in the winter, to visit my mother-in-law and go skiing, and Orlando in the summer, to visit the beaches and Disney World, of course!

I am very excited about this school year.  I feel so blessed to be in an environment with a great support system and where the students’ best interests truly are at heart.  I hold high expectations for my students and I can’t wait to see them meet and exceed those expectations (because I know they all can)!

Gwendolyn Lovelace–Business Education Teacher 6th-9th grade
Ms. Lovelace – Gwendolyn.lovelace@arkansas.gov
Available 9:50-10:35

Ms. Lovelace was born and raised in Little Rock. She is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Little with a BBA in Business Management. She also holds an MBA from University of Phoenix. Currently Ms. Lovelace is working on her Masters of Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Ms. Lovelace is very excited to be the latest addition to Covenant Keepers Charter and looks forward to broadening the students’ knowledge and awareness of technology.

Paul Simms—Counselor
I am the guidance counselor at Covenant Keepers for grades six through nine. My certification is an MSE in counseling for grades K-12. I have been a counselor for the past eighteen years. The most fun part in guidance counseling is working with the students. I look forward to working with every student.

Lillian Hemphill—7th-9th Social Studies
Ms. Hemphill – Lillian.hemphill@arkansas.gov
Available 1:40-2:25

Lillian M. Hemphill is a graduate of Jackson State University, Jackson, MS.  Graduating with honors, she holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science/Pre-Law.  She is currently a Thurgood Marshall TQRP Teacher Scholar and is looking forward to completing her Masters of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas- Pine Bluff.  Certified to teach 7-12 grades in Social Studies at Covenant Keepers, Ms. Hemphill teaches 7th grade Geography, 8th grade History, and 9th grade Civics.  This is her first year at our school.

Monica England—6th grade Science and Social Studies
Ms. England – monica.england@arkansas.gov
available 8:50-9:35

Monica England graduated with a Bachelor’s of History Education and a Master’s of History from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. She is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, but currently lives in Benton, Arkansas. This is her first year teaching and wishes to put forth on the student body at Covenant Keeper’s a passion for learning and preparation so that all students will one day attend the college of their choice.

Laurette Whipps - 6th and 7th Grade Language Arts
I am a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with degrees in English and Secondary Education. My hometown is Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Most recently, I taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grade English at Huda Academy here in Little Rock. I am currently in my 4th year of teaching and couldn’t see myself in any other profession. My goal is to help students reach their highest potential. Middle School Language Arts is the forum for students to explore and understand the past, present, and future through literature and writing. I hope through encouragement, support, and fun, Language Arts will successfully educate and hopefully inspire our young writers and readers to become authors.

Champ Watson—6th-9th PE/Health
Coach Watson – champ.watson@arkansas.gov
Available 8:50-9:35

Watson is the Health/PE instructor, as well as, the head boys basketball coach for 6-9 grades at Covenant Keepers.  He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication and is currently pursuing his Masters Degree from Henderson State University.
Coach Watson has been blessed with a unique approach to helping and mentoring young people. A native of Crossett, Arkansas, Watson previously taught at Franklin Elementary and Brady Elementary in the LRSD. He’s currently an assistant basketball coach at LR Parkview High School as well.

Before coming to Covenant Keepers, Watson had served as an assistant coach for the University of Arkansas-Monticello Men’s basketball program and Head Coach of Men’s Basketball at Texas College, an NAIA Division I institution located in Tyler, Texas.  He conducts basketball camps across the country and implements life lessons through his personal camps.

Watson looks forward to teaching life skills and lessons to the students at Covenant Keepers. He uses basketball as a stage for strong lessons to kids of all ages. Watson believes that kids must have a dream. “If you don’t have a dream – you don’t have a vision…if you don’t have a vision – you can’t find your way.”

Tomika Williams—7th, 8th, 9th English
Ms. Williams – tomika.williams@arkansas.gov
Available 2:40-3:25

Ms. Tomika Denise Williams is a native of New Orleans, LA. On a past trip to Hot Springs, AR, she decided to remain in Arkansas.  She is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA and has over ten years experience teaching middle school through junior college.  Ms. Williams has a passion for teaching and wants all of her students to excel and be the best.