Steve Rygh - Secondary Science, GA History, Consumer Health & GA Goal

Seth Peterson - High School Choir Teacher

Seth Peterson is a native of Wisconsin, but moved to Georgia to be a part of the Killian Hill Ministries team. He completed an undergraduate degree in music education from Northland International University and has also completed a masters degree in church music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a composer, teacher, and church musician his goal is to channel his God-given creativity in a way that leads people to Christ and engages them to worship Him as well as bringing them into a community of people that love God and His Word.

Leah Li - Secondary Science Teacher

Leah Li was born in China and came to the US in 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University. Ms. Li enjoys leading a small group Bible study and is passionate about showing people who God is through her teaching. Outside of work, she likes Lord of the Rings, hiking, going to the gym, and playing the violin. 

Holly Novak - High School Principal

Holly Novak grew up in Kenya, East Africa, before coming to the states and graduating in 2002 with a degree in secondary education in history and linguistics. After graduation, she spent twenty-two years at Harvest Christian Academy in Guam teaching history and physical education classes as well as coaching basketball and soccer. Most recently, Ms. Novak has filled the role of the Dean of Education for Harvest Baptist Bible College in Guam. She has earned a masters degree in education and is currently pursuing a doctorate of education degree in instructional leadership. Ms. Novak loves to spend time with friends and family and of course, her dog, Kip!

Katy Hansen - Elementary STEM & P.E. & Secondary Language Lab

Katy Hansen was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia for early childhood education and has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in human resource management from American Intercontinental University. She worked twenty-five years in the financial services industry. She is married to her husband, John, and has a son, Ben, who attends KHCS. She has two dogs and several chickens and enjoys being outside. Mrs. Hansen spends her free time doing youth group activities and events at church. She is excited to bring the many areas of STEM to life for her students and is very grateful to be a part of the KHCS team.

Willie Taylor - Secondary Computer & Bible Teacher

Willie Taylor is our secondary computer teacher. Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Olanta, South Carolina he has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Arts degree in Christian studies. For twenty- five years Willie has worked in corporate IT, and he is excited to transition to teaching and coaching at KHCS, where he can not only teach his students academically but also teach them about the Lord and a genuine Christian walk with Jesus, following His Word. He and his wife, Michelle, have two children who are both students at KHCS. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and doing yard work.

Andrew Padgett - Secondary Science Teacher

AJ Padgett is a secondary science teacher from North Carolina. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in natural sciences with a minor in biblical studies. Mr. Padgett has approximately 550 hours of experience in laboratories and is passionate about teaching young people science and specifically how to defend their faith using evidence from God’s creation. In his free time, he enjoys classical music, playing the piano and french horn, eating tacos, playing soccer, and making dad jokes. 

Melody Lu - Secondary Math & ESL Teacher

Melody Lu was born and raised in China. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle School Education from Bob Jones University. Ms. Lu is passionate about bringing students to explore God-created beauty in Math and Science. She has an artsy family and a younger sister who is especially talented in arts and design. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and talking with friends.

Pauletta Blakney - Admissions Associate & Secondary PE Teacher

Pauletta Blakney (PJ) has lived in GA for five years, after her family relocated from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been married to her husband, Warren Jr., for 15 years, and they have two beautiful children, Ryleigh, and Warren III who attend KHCS. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family including her dog named Toby, staying involved with her church family where her husband is the youth pastor at their church, and traveling.

Seon Yeong Hwang - Secondary Math Teacher

Seon Yeong Hwang, a mathematics teacher, has taught and tutored students at many levels from elementary to college for over 16 years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and General Science from Ewha Womans University in South Korea with an Academic Excellence Scholarship. She moved to the United States with her family in 2015 and achieved a Georgia Teacher Certificate in Math and Physics. She enjoys swimming with her lovely daughters, Zion and Reion, and playing the flute in her church.