Shane Artrip
Upper School Mathematics
Mrs. Shane Artrip teaches secondary math, science, and grammar Latin. Mrs. Artrip holds a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas State University and a Master’s degree in mathematics from Marshall University. She has taught for 30 years at varying levels from grammar school through university. She and her husband, Jim, attend Rock Branch Independent Church where she serves as the choir director and as an assistant in children’s music ministry. They have three grown children and two grandchildren. Mrs. Artrip served as Covenant’s Headmaster for 5 years and currently serves as the Upper School Academic Advisor. Email Mrs. Artrip Go to Mrs. Artrip’s Classroom Page
Travis Huffman
Upper School Science
Born and raised in Parkersburg, Travis
graduated from Parkersburg High School in 2010 and has lived in the Huntington area since then. He graduated from Marshall University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a minor in chemistry, math and physics. Continuing his education, he earned a Master of Arts in teaching (ages five to adult) in 2016. He is married to his high school sweetheart, McKenzie, and is a member of 26th Street Church of Christ in Huntington. Email Mr. Huffman. Go to Mr. Huffman’s Classroom Page
Larry Bryant
Upper School Humanities
Larry Bryant attended Morehead State University and has bachelor’s degrees in health/physical education and history, and a master’s degree in secondary education. He has 42 years of teaching experience, the last seven at Covenant. Mr. Bryant says that children who understand history are better equipped to become citizens. “Since we live in a representative government, citizens should know what has been successful or failed in the past to make wise choices on promises of candidates today,” he says. Larry and MaDonna have been married for 43 years; they have four children and two grandchildren and attend Expression Church of Huntington. Email Mr. Bryant. Go to Mr. Bryant’s Classroom Page
Jonathon Wylie, Ph.D.
Upper School Humanities
Dr. Wylie has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to his doctoral program, he studied Ancient Languages and Biblical Archaeology at Wheaton College. He has served as a lecturer in the Department of Hebrew at the University of the Free State in South Africa since 2016, teaching ancient Hebrew, Syriac, and Ugaritic. He has spent many of his summers excavating in Israel, and is an ordained deacon in the Anglican Church in North America. When he’s not teaching or excavating, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Meghan, hiking, and running.
Jeremy Shaffer, D. Min.
Upper School Bible & Theology
Dr. Jeremy Shaffer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Pensacola Christian College, a Master of Divinity from Pensacola Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty (University) Baptist Theological Seminary. The executive pastor at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, he has taught Bible classes at Covenant for six years. “My desire is to motivate and encourage students to be active listeners rather than passive ones because education is only one part of the learning process,” he says. “In whatever class I teach, the Scriptures are the sole authority.” He and his wife, Rebekah (kindergarten teacher), have been married for 16 years. Email Dr. Shaffer. Go to Dr. Shaffer’s Classroom Page
Sarah Lafferty
Upper School Band & Choir
Sarah Lafferty is the band, music, and art instructor at Covenant. A 2009 graduate of Morehead State University, she has a Bachelor of Arts in music education and is licensed to teach pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and vocal music. “Along with our curriculum, I encourage my students to be compassionate, empathetic, and giving through outreach,” she says. Email Mrs. Lafferty. Go to Mrs. Lafferty’s Classroom Page
Franklin Norton
Upper School Latin
Franklin Norton has a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from Marshall University. He’s spent five years studying the Latin language. In the words of St. Augustine, “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You (quia fecisti nos ad te et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te).” In his classroom, he aims to point his students to this truth that our longings lead us to a Savior; they lead us to the King. From Antiquity to the American Dream, humans have shared this same longing. Mr. Norton is a member of Redemption Church, and serves as a leader with Greater Huntington Young Life.
Abi Black
Upper School Rhetoric
Ms. Black received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with an emphasis in Public Relations, from Marshall University. She has previously worked as an anchor/producer at the award-winning university radio station, WMUL, where she also served as the Promotions Director. Ms. Black is a member of Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, where she serves as the church’s Creative Assistant.