Senior Priest, Faith, Theology, and Music Teacher/Spiritual Advisor

Fr. Michael hails from Boston, MA and is a proud alumnus ofSt. Herman of Alaska Christian School, a private Orthodox K-8 school that his father, Fr. Patrick Tishel, founded. Drawing on his father’s love for both the Faith and Orthodox education, Fr. Michael is also passionate about exploring the integration of the two - seeing all of Creation in and through the illuminating Light of Christ. Fr. Michael began his undergrad studies at Gordon College as a Literature major, but soon felt called to change his major to Comparative Historical Theology and his life focus to the ministry. At Gordon, he participated in a year-long intensive Great Books seminar called the Jerusalem and Athens forum, which deepened his love and appreciation for the classical approach to education. He also holds a Master of Theology degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he lived for 3 years and studied ancient and modern Greek. Upon returning from Greece, he directed an academic summer institute for high schoolers at Hellenic College Holy Cross for 7 years, while also serving as a college ministry coordinator and lecturer at Hellenic College for 3 years. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2018 and moved to Georgia in 2019 to serve as the second priest at Holy Transfiguration GOC. He obtained his doctoral degree in dogmatics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in May 2022. When he is not at the parish or school, Fr Michael loves spending time outdoors “doing nothing” with his wife Pres. Catherine and 4 children, woodworking, and playing and writing songs.

Click here to contact Fr. Michael.

Head of School, Nature Studies Teacher

Angie Nasrallah is a writer, teacher, urban farmer, wife, and mother to five children. A veteran homeschool mom, Angie, and her husband home-educated all five kids for a total of 22 years. Angie is a graduate of Florida State University, and also earned her M.Ed in Secondary English Education from The University of Georgia. She began her teaching career at UGA as a graduate assistant in the Challenge Program for gifted and talented students. Since that time, she has taught writing and literature in a variety of contexts including public and private school, technical school, hybrid school,and homeschool. With everyone “almost” out of the house, now she finds herself in the role of cook, coach, wedding planner, and encourager. When she’s not with her family or out tending the chicken coop, you will find her with a camera, writing, or walking on Kennesaw Mountain. She and her husband, subdeacon Matthew, live in Marietta, Georgia, and are actively involved in St. Basil the Great Orthodox Mission.

History Teacher, Spiritual Advisor

Fr. Christopher Zaferes is excited to serve as the Acting Head of School at Transfiguration Orthodox Academy. He grew up in a family deeply rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith, and that upbringing shaped both his love for Christ and his desire to help young people grow in their faith. He studied at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies and History along with a Master of Divinity. Part of his studies also took him to Greece, where he was able to connect more deeply with the roots of his faith, and see history come to life.

In 2017, Fr. Christopher married, and the following year he was ordained to the holy priesthood. He brings a love of teaching and a passion for history to the classroom, always encouraging students to explore the “why” of history and integrate this knowledge into their own life.  Outside of school and parish life, Fr. Christopher enjoys hiking and camping, where he finds refreshment and inspiration. He loves exploring the integration of church, home, and school in nurturing the whole child. He takes joy in fostering our community-crafted Trinitarian education, where church, home, and school come together to nurture the whole child.

Assistant Head of School, Math Teacher

Jessica Heddings has served since the school's founding in 2023. She holds a degree in Accounting and a Master's in Business Administration, but she considers her greatest accomplishment to be home educating her son through twelve years of education and graduation. Those years of adapting curricula to meet one child's needs and unique learning style shaped her conviction that education should be personal, unhurried, and full of wonder. TOA is exactly the kind of school she once searched for and could not find, and she is grateful to now help build it. Jessica is an active member of Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church, where she serves on the Parish Council, leads a book club, and has served in Education Formation.

Enrichment Director, Pre-K thru Kindergarten Teacher

Pres. Sophia is a lifelong writer and reader, as well as a published journal and book editor. She seeks to nurture in her students a natural love of reading and writing, trusting that this lets flow the living waters of creativity, which in turn soak the roots of intellect and awaken the desire for knowledge. Believing that the imagination flourishes best in enriched freedom, she curates spaces where unforced creation and exploration can thrive. Beyond the classroom, Pres. Sophia is an herbalist and medicinal mushroom enthusiast who delights in writing on her many typewriters.

Enrichment Ast. Director, 1st-2nd Grade Teacher

Grace Johnston has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University, specializing in Developmental Psychology and Counseling. Grace is a Sunday school teacher, a member of the choir, and also a YAL coordinator. She hopes to bring creativity, faithfulness, and dedication to the TOA community.

School Office Manager

Joanna's professional background over the last decade has been in Operations, Facilities Management, and in Talent Acquisition/HR where she has worked within different industries mainly the technology/IT industries, as well as manufacturing where she has picked up many varied skills.

Joanna has been a member of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church for 11 years and enjoys being involved in the parish community. She currently assists with Hellenic Studies, Hope and Joy, and is a snack team member for Catechism classes.

During her free time, Joanna likes to spend time with her husband Spiro and her two children Panagiota and Sotirios, doing outdoor activities when weather permits, traveling anywhere for changes of scenery, and trying new things.

Art Teacher K-8th

Angela F. Brown, our current Art Teacher and Second Grade History & Literature Teacher, holds an M.A. in Art History and a B.F.A. in Art Education and Painting. She has eight years of teaching experience in K-8 classrooms in both classical and public settings. While her classes in the past have been a fusion of art appreciation, art history, and art creation, she looks forward to incorporating her faith, in seeking our Lord's presence in the art before us, the world around us, and our own inspiration. Outside of the classroom, Angela is married and expecting her first child, a daughter, this April. She enjoys finding peace in nature, traveling, and reading.

Nature Studies, Math

Melissa Mackelprang graduated from the University of Georgia in 2023 and since then has spent time in laboratories and nontraditional classroom settings. She hopes to encourage a love of nature in every class.