Teachers - banksacademy.org

Tanya McDonald

Math Teacher

Tanya McDonald has worked at Banks Academy since 2017. She is a native of Buffalo, New York. She has over 18 years of experience in education and holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. She is ACSI Certified at Banks Academy. She worked in the commercial industry for several years until she realized making a difference in a child’s life is her passion. She began her educational career as a home-based math teacher/tutor at Greece High School in Rochester, New York. Throughout her 18+ years of teaching, Mrs. McDonald has also taught at Jefferson State Community College, Jefferson County Schools, Birmingham City Schools, Sylvan Learning Center and tutored many students.

Besides teaching, Mrs. McDonald’s first love is the Lord. Jesus Christ is truly the head of her life. Family is her second love. Her husband Chris of 26 years and their five children (Cedric, Caleb, Cornelius, Danielle, and Danah), dog-Samson and bunny-Thor. Roll Tide!!! 🙂

Caleb Maxey

Science Teacher

Caleb Maxey was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Just short of his graduation from Huffman High school, someone began to show and share with a very hopeless and minatory Caleb the bottomless gospel of JESUS CHRIST. After graduating, Caleb began pursuing a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as being enthralled into a unpredictable journey in ministry. Caleb Maxey now serves as the Vice President of the college ministry R.A.N.S.O.M as well as studying to practice Out Patient and Acute care as a Therapist.

After praying for GOD to open a door for an opportunity to reach millennial high school students, through education, and an unfiltered introduction to the SPIRIT of JESUS, he was confronted with the opportunity to teach the discipline of science at Banks Academy High School. There is a story alluding to a MAN leaving the comfort of ninety-nine sheep to journey and fight for the fate and future of one missing lamb…here at Banks Academy we believe that all of those “one’s” are worth the journey.

Chase Cornelius

PE, Health, Boys Basketball Coach

Chase graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 2008 where he was standout Basketball player. He went on to play basketball at Jefferson Davis Community College (now Coastal Alabama) for one year before transferring to The University of Montevallo. Chase finished his education at UAB and graduated with a degree in kinesiology in 2017. During his time in college, Chase coached the Freshmen boys at Gardendale High school (2010-2011), head coached the JV and was an assistant on the Varsity team at Tarrant High School from (2013-2014).

Coach Cornelius is entering his 3rd year teaching and coaching and captured the school’s first state championship for the 2017-18 season in boys basketball with a record of 25-4. Chase is married to Kindall (Cornelius) who is also a teacher and a coach at Helena HighSchool. They have been married for two years and reside in Homewood.

Michaela Carter

English & Music

Mrs. Carter is originally from Kentucky and moved to Alabama in 2014. She graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and is currently working on a Master’s in English Secondary Education.

Mrs. Carter is a worship leader for her band Wonder Worship based in Birmingham, AL. She also sings, plays guitar, piano, and ukulele.

Her favorite music genres are Soul, Funk, and Jazz.

And her favorite passage of scripture is Hebrews 12:1-2.

Cameron-Davenport

History, Asst. Football Coach, Head JV Basketball Coach

Mr. Davenport is a graduate of Auburn University. He has taught and coach at another High School in Jefferson County and also has his CDL as a certified Bus driver. Cameron is a married and has a great passion to help the students at Banks Academy.

Elizabeth Limbaugh

Art & Photography

I have been a Christian most of my life with periods of doubt in the past and no doubts now. I have been an artist all my life with much longer and greater periods of doubt – it is just now that I feel confident in that label (sort of). I was raised in a Christian home that always reached out to people in need, especially people in places that most respectable people didn’t feel comfortable going into. I have always taught my own children at home and some of their peers in co-op situations. And now I am excited to teach high school.

I have so many ideas I want to share, especially an exposure to and appreciation, maybe even love, for beautiful and well-executed art. My own artistic outlet right now is photography and I also hope to impart some photographic skills, namely seeing what is beautiful and interesting all around. I attended high school at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and beyond that I am self taught in photography and everything else I have tried outside of painting. I show regularly at Art Crawl at the Pizitz building downtown and have work in a gallery as well.

Natham Graham

Bible Teacher

B.A. in Intellectual History from Samford University
M.Div. in Christian Ministry from SEBTS

Nathan joined the Banks Academy team in 2019, and his desire is for every student to know Jesus as all-powerful, all-sufficient, and all-satisfying. In addition to teaching at Banks, Nathan serves Birmingham Chinese Christian Church as Youth Director

Riley White

Student Adviser, Career Prep teacher, Head Football Coach, Head Track Coach

Riley White is the Grandson of the legendary Banks High School Football Coach George Shorty White. Riley has been teaching and coaching since 2013.He is a graduate of Liberty University where he received his BS in Business Administration. He then went on the receive his Masters in Education at the University of Montevallo. Riley is married to Marianne Wheeler White who is also an outstanding track High Jumper Coach.