DCA Board
Scott Hassell
President/Co-Founder
After years of service in the U.S. Navy and with the state of North Carolina, Scott joined the family business in 2012 and is the co-owner of a local insurance agency. He received the calling from God to open a Christian school in Davie County and recruited others in the push for this amazing school. He received his bachelor’s degree from Gardner-Webb University in 2003 and his master’s degree in public administration from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2006. Scott and his wife Amanda attend River Oaks Community Church and have two precious kids, Georgia and Coen.
Heather Gladd
Secretary/Co-Founder
Heather received her bachelor’s degree and secondary teaching licensure from The Master’s College in Santa Clarita. She taught English at the high school level in Maryland and North Carolina for 8 years before taking some time off to pursue a degree in Communication and Science Disorders from East Carolina University. She is now a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and has previously met therapy needs for students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and Davie County schools. Currently Heather owns and operates Happy Speech PLLC, a private pediatric therapy company, and she provides services for local families in and around Forsyth and Davie County. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, attending church at Calvary West, loving others through various services, staying active outside as much as possible, and improving her sour dough baking skills.
Mary Beth Brandon
Vice President/Co-Founder
With over 18 years of experience in both the public and private educational sectors, Mary Beth has dedicated her career to fostering educational excellence and supporting the love of learning. She earned a degree in Family Resource from the University of Hawaii, which led her to engage in teaching and administrative roles, and actively participate in the establishment of nonprofit educational organizations, schools, and child development centers within her community. Mary Beth is a mother to three wonderful children, all of whom have special needs. Navigating their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and the complexities of their medical journeys has not only shaped her perspective but has also fueled her determination to advocate for the rights of children with disabilities. In this endeavor of helping to guide and shape Davie Christian Academy, Mary Beth embraces the principles of love, compassion, and service, guided by her faith and a profound commitment to uplift others. She believes a brighter future for children of all abilities can be built, ensuring they have the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
Amanda Hassell
Member-at-Large/Co-Founder
Amanda is a proud mother of two wonderful children and enjoys spending spare time with them and her husband, Scott. She attends River Oaks Community Church and relies heavily on her unwavering faith in God to navigate life. Amanda has always wanted to be a mom so when she and her husband struggled with fertility, adoption was the natural and God-inspired decision that blessed them with two beautiful children. They later found out their daughter has special needs which helped them rely more so on their faith in God and see the world in a different light.
Samanth Tilley
Member-at-Large
Samantha Tilley graduated from East Carolina University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in School Counseling from Liberty University, where she plans to graduate in the fall of 2026. While attending ECU, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, where she discovered her passion for philanthropy through raising funds and awareness for breast cancer education and research. Samantha attends The Summit Church in Kernersville and feels called to help students grow in their relationship with Christ while supporting them academically and emotionally. She has a heart for encouraging young people to see their God-given potential and walk confidently in their faith. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her Golden Retriever/Lab mix, Luna, riding her horse, Cookie, playing tennis, and spending time with her friends and family.