.png)
PAIGE — A short bus ride away from downtown Elgin lies TNT Academy, a private Pre-K through 12th grade state-accredited Christian school that recently lost its leader and founder to cancer.
Pamela Barnett, who passed April 24, 2023, was an avid gymnastics coach who transformed her program into a blossoming academy. What started as a small school in Austin moved to Paige in 2021, where its teachings and student base has continued to grow.
Before her cancer, Barnett was introduced to Charles Wilson, an Elginite and education professional of 25 years who took the reigns as administrator and athletics director, continuing her legacy.
“Looking back on it now, I knew that God had a plan for me being here, I knew he was orchestrating things and Pam probably did too,” said Wilson. “If anybody was strong about their faith, it was Pam. “Before she had passed, he and I talked about her vision [for TNT]. Her vision was to continue to grow this, and build a second school in Elgin, and I want to see that through. If people had heard her vision, they would have been sold, too.”
Wilson brings with him a prolific resume as an educational leader.
After graduating from Elgin High School in 1994, Wilson went on to study at Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he stayed to work as administrator and basketball coach for The Omaha Street School, a faith center and alternative high school in the heart of the city
The Omaha Street School is one of the most dominant academic alternative schools in the country, according to Wilson. He wanted to return to familiar Elgin with his experience and go somewhere that he felt he could make a difference in. “Manor reached out to me, but something told me to go to a Christian School. It was a leap of faith on my part, I’m going to be honest,” added Wilson. “I didn’t know TNT would be in the cards to make a difference, I just wanted to be involved in my Elgin community.”
Wilson is leading a program including six teachers and 59 students, who he calls “champions,” as they are victorious, have a voice and value, according to the administrator.
About 85% of his champions come from the Elgin area, combining several of the grades into one classroom.
With the high school portion of the program only being implemented last year, TNT is scheduled to see its first graduates next year.
Part of Barnett’s mission that he wants to see through is the creation of a second building strictly for high school students, which Wilson hopes to have completed within two years.
Mornings at TNT Academy begin with praise and worship, and a bible story that teachers follow up on and debrief once in the classroom.
“The champions love it, they actually lead the worship,” said Wilson.
The program is mostly book-led, according to Wilson, with almost all of the material incorporating the Bible and its teachings.
The academy’s 16 rooms include a library and history room, used as a story time location for the young ones, a robotics space, cafeteria, an art room and standard classrooms to teach Spanish and other traditional school lessons.
Wilson got TNT’s sprots program up and running just one month after his implementation.
A close friend of Barnett’s continues to develop her gymnastics team, taking her gymnasts to Oklahoma for regional competitions.
Barnett also took her team to nationals and a Jr. Olympics competition as her last trip.
The academy now has volleyball, flag football, cross country, track and field and basketball teams to continue their teachings outside of the classroom.
“We play for the audience of one, and that one person is Jesus Christ. When we’re out there performing, there might be one person in those stands that has never read the Bible before, but you might be that once person that shares it with them by competing. How you conduct yourself is a way of ministering,” said Wilson.
The teams play other small Christian and Lutheran schools in the area, competing once-per-month in the Round Rock Games.
“To see the school going on without [Barnett] being here has been a blessing,” said Wilson.
With its open registration and enrollment, Wilson expects the academy to keep growing underneath his tutelage.
More than 85% of the champions made honor roll in the first quarter of this year, according to Wilson.
TNT Academy does not receive any funding from the state, and relies on tuition and fundraisers to support its staff.
For 29 of the champions, the $475 monthly tuition is paid in part by benefactor and friend of the school, Brenda Swinney.
Swinney’s husband died just three days after Barnett, who he was close with. The two had prayed together just one week before they passed, according to Wilson.
Slowly implementing his professional expertise, Wilson hopes to create a second location in Elgin in the near future.
“People are glad to see a member of the community come back and do well, people want to follow that,” added the administrator.
