The Fletcher Academy
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    • Home
    • Schools
      • Lower School
      • Upper School
    • Admission
    • About
      • Welcome From The Head
      • Our Team
      • Governance
      • Our History
      • Employment
      • Contact Us / Directions
    • Resources
      • Ways to Support
      • Alumni
      • Lower School Calendar
      • Upper School Calendar
      • Information Portal
  • Home
  • Schools
    • Lower School
    • Upper School
  • Admission
  • About
    • Welcome From The Head
    • Our Team
    • Governance
    • Our History
    • Employment
    • Contact Us / Directions
  • Resources
    • Ways to Support
    • Alumni
    • Lower School Calendar
    • Upper School Calendar
    • Information Portal

We bring out the best in students

TFA Educators are:

Experienced

Professional

Professional

TFA's team possesses nearly 1000 years of combined experience, and 90%  have served students with learning differences for 10 or more years.

Professional

Professional

Professional

The vast majority of teachers at TFA hold special education credentials, and over 75% have earned one or more graduate degrees in education.

Consistent

Professional

Consistent

We practice consistency & respect while working to meet each student's individual needs. We are dedicated to ongoing development and growth.

Executive Leadership

Paul Atkinson

Head of School

  • EdD, Doctor of Instructional Leadership, University of Alabama
  • MSW, Clinical Social Work, University of South Carolina
  • MAT, Reading & Language Arts Education, Agnes Scott College
  • BA, English, Presbyterian College
  • Goodmon Fellow, Leadership Triangle
  • Fellow, Institute for Independent School Leadership, Vanderbilt University

Yamil Harris

Assistant Head of School 

  • MS, Special Education, Nova Southeastern University
  • BA, Rehabilitation Services and Counseling, Florida State University
  • NC Educator License

Nancy Steinauer

Business Manager / IT Director

  • BS, Math, Florida Atlantic University

Facilities & Maintenance

Frazier Turner

Facilities Manager

  • BA, Psychology, Guilford College
  • Graduate, The Fletcher Academy

Lower school Leadership

Ali Anderson

Dean of Faculty, 6th Grade Teacher

  • BS, Elementary Education, Appalachian State University
  • NC Teaching License- Elementary Education K-6
  • NC Teaching License- Special Education K-12
  • Orton-Gillingham trained

Tiffany Gregory

Lower School Director

  • MEd, Learning Disabilities, NC State University
  • BA, Psychology, NC State University
  • LD Certificate, K-12
  • Standard Professional II, State of NC

Kristin Rouse

Dean of Students

  • MA, School Counseling, Liberty University
  • MA, English, UNCW
  • BA , English, UNCW
  • Trauma and Crisis Management Specialist, Anxiety and Stress Management Specialist, American School Counseling Association
  • NC School Counseling License 
  • Certificate in Learning Differences & Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Postsecondary Disability Services

LOWER SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF

Tiffany Bartholomew

Elementary Teacher

  • MSEd, Education, Pfeiffer University
  • BA, Elementary Education, Special Education and Music, Pfeiffer University
  • NC Professional Educator License: Elementary Education K-6, Special Education K-12, Academically or Intellectually Gifted, K-12 English as a Second Language, Reading K-12 & Middle School Math 6-9
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Stu Campbell

Elementary Teacher

  • BS, Nutrition, Kent State University
  • Early Childhood Education/Teaching, Kent State University, Stark


Janna Ethridge

Reading Interventionist

  • MEd, Elementary Education, Liberty University
  • MA, Counseling, Liberty University
  • BS, Psychology, Kennesaw State University
  • Orton-Gillingham certified practitioner 
  • Wilson Reading trained 
  • NC Professional Educator’s License, Elementary Education K-6


Lillie Floyd

Elementary Teacher

  • MEd, Intervention Specialist, Antioch Midwest University
  • BS, Education, Central State University
  • Certificate in Executive Curriculum and Instruction, Liberty University
  • Teacher License - Elementary Education K-6 
  • Teacher License - Exceptional Children: General Curriculum K-12


Holly Gould

Elementary Teacher

  • MEd, Reading, Edinboro University
  • BS, Elementary Education & Special Education, Wilkes University
  • Teacher license, K-6 General Education; K-12 Special Education 


Rob Hardy

Movement Teacher / After-School Sport Clubs Program Director 

  • MAEd coursework in Physical Education, East Carolina University
  • BA, Communications, University of North Carolina, Charlotte  


Erica Highfill

6th Grade Teacher

  • M.Ed., Special Education, North Carolina State University
  • BS, Inclusive Education, Western Carolina University
  • Professional Educator's License: K-6 General Education, K-12 Special Education, 6-9 Mathematics
  • Multi-sensory Math Trained


Ryan Jory

6th Grade Teacher

  • MAT, Special Education, North Carolina State University
  • BS, Education, University of Vermont
  • Reading Research to Classroom Practice Certification, North Carolina State University 
  • NC Educator License


Lindsay Kindem

Lower School Front Desk Manager 

  • Graduate, The Fletcher Academy


Lahjawan Knight

Movement Assistant & After-Care Support

  •  Graduate, The Fletcher Academy


Amy Massey

6th Grade Teacher

  • MSA, School Administration, NC State University
  • MEd, Special Education, University of Southern Mississippi
  • BS, Special Education, University of Southern Mississippi
  • NC Educator License


Patricia McHale

Elementary Teacher

  • MSEd Educational Administration, St. John's University
  • MSEd Reading, Hofstra University
  • BS Elementary Education, Bucknell University
  • Wilson Reading trained
  • Elementary Education License K-6, Reading K-12, Administration K-12


Chelsea Mormon

Elementary Teacher

  • MS, Special Education, Mercyhurst University
  • BS, Business, Pennsylvania State University
  • Registered ABA Behavior Technician


Bailey Nipper

Teaching Assistant

  • BA, Psychology, Creative Writing, East Carolina University


Mackenzie Lambert

Lower School Middle Grades Teacher

  • BA, Psychology w/ concentration in Education, Meredith College
  • Special ed teaching experience (2020-present)


Michael Seyller

Elementary Teacher

  • MEd, Special Education, DePaul University
  • BA, University of Illinois 
  • NC teaching license


Rosaine Thomas

Teaching Assistant

  • BA, Sociology, Education, Florida Atlantic University
  • AA, Elementary Education, Broward College


Pam Treinen

Lower School Elementary Teacher

  • MAEd, Reading & Literacy, East Carolina University (Spring of 2026)
  • BS, Elementary Education, Northern Illinois University
  • ESL endorsement, National Louis University
  • NC Educator License
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Jenny Tomforde

Elementary Teacher

  • MA, Elementary Education, Teachers College - Columbia University
  • BA, Multidisciplinary: Psychology and Theater, State University of New York at Stony Brook
  • Yearlong Study Abroad Program in Psychology, Oxford University
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Diana Velosa

Elementary Teacher

  • MEd, Special Education, Converse College
  • BA, Speech & Language Pathology, Universidad del Valle
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Sarah Whitney

Art Teacher

  • BFA, Art, Ohio State University
  • NC Educator License


Ciara Wheeler

6th Grade Teacher

  • MA, Special Education, NC State University
  • BA, Psychology, Fayetteville State University
  • NC Educator License

Upper school Leadership

Jerry Fichter

Dean of Faculty / High School Teacher, Social Studies

  • MEd, Social Studies, University of Pittsburgh
  • BA, History, LeMoyne College
  • Certificate Special Education - Social Studies 9-12
  • North Carolina Educator's License

Amber Joyner

Athletic Director / Health & Physical Education Teacher

  • ME, Physical Education, UNC Greensboro
  • BS, Physical Education, Appalachian State University
  • AS, Biology/Biology Education, Louisburg College
  • NC Professional Educator's License

Kelly Marshburn

Upper School Director

  • MEd, Middle School Science Education, NC State University
  • BS, Middle School Science Education, NC State University
  • NC Educator License
  • National Board Certification

Kim Peele

Dean of Students

  • BA, Appalachian State University
  • Certificate in Positive Behavior Support, Crisis Prevention/Intervention
  • Certified in Specific Learning Disability; ID,  mild, moderate, severe; Severely Emotionally Disabled and Traumatic Brain Injury

Upper SCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF

Linda Alspaugh

High School Teacher, ELA

  • MEd, Curriculum & Instruction (concentration Bilingual Literacy & Special Education), Boston College
  • BS, Elementary Education & Fine Arts, University of Massachusetts, Boston
  • MA Professional Educator License
  • NC Educator License
  • Co-Teacher for graduate education students, Boston College


Marisa Barbaza

Middle School Teacher, ELA

  • MEd, Literacy Studies, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • BA, English Education, North Carolina State University
  • National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certified
  • NC Educator License


Michael Barbaza

Middle School Teacher, Science

  • MEd, Science Education, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • BA, Botany, University of Montana
  • NC Educator License


Bridget Carner

Middle School Teacher, Social Studies

  • MS, Education, Southampton College
  • BA, History, Siena College
  • Orton-Gillingham training


Caleb Carter

High School Teaching Assistant / Varsity Head Basketball Coach

  • BS, Criminal Justice, East Carolina University


Stephen Catalano

High School Teacher, Math

  • MEd, Education Policy and Leadership, American University
  • BS, Sport Management, University of North Florida
  • NC Educator License
  • Praxis Core Mathematics 5165 & Praxis Special Education and Principles of Learning & Teaching, Grades 7-12


Paulina Delgado

High School Teacher, Spanish

  • MA, Spanish Literature, UNC Wilmington
  • BS, Education, University of Mount Olive
  • NC Educator License


Rebecca Dunhem

High School Teacher, Social Studies

  • MEd, Secondary Social Studies, NC State University
  • MCJ, Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina
  • BS, Sociology and Psychology, Virginia Tech University
  • NC Educator License


Tyler Ellis

Upper School Teaching Assistant

  • BA, Arts Administration, University of North Carolina Greensboro


Dietrich EsDorn

High School Teacher, Vocational Arts, Yearbook, Computing

  • BA, Education, North Carolina Central University
  • NC teaching license for K-6  Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education


Liz Evert Smith

High School Teacher, Theatre & Improv

  • Broward College, Margate, FL
  • Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute
  • Additional studies include:
  • Susan Grace Cohen Studio
  • The Real Stage, NY
  • Herbert Bergdor Studios, NY


Cynthia Fetner

Middle School Teacher, Math

  • MS, Special Education, Hunter College CUNY
  • BS, Political Science/International Studies from Wake Forest University
  • NC licensure in Special Education/Elementary Education 


Karen Gower

Middle School Teacher, Math

  • MA, Special Education, NC State University
  • BA, Psychology, University of Binghamton University
  • NC Educator License, Special Education K-12 (specialization in learning disabilities)
  • Multisensory Math training, Levels I & II


Matthew Hockaday

High School Teacher, Math

  • BS, Mathematics, Elizabeth City State University
  • NC Educator License


Trish Hostetler

OCS Program Coordinator / High School Teacher, OCS

  • MSA, School Administration, East Carolina University
  • MEd, Special Education - LD, East Carolina University
  • BA, Psychology, UNC Wilmington
  • Certificate Special Education - LD
  • C&I Specialist Certification
  • Orton-Gillingham training
  • Multisensory Math training


Kori Holley

High School Teacher, Language Arts  

  • MA, Reading & Literacy K-12, Walden University
  • BS, Psychology (with Quad Certification in Education), Nazareth College
  • AS, Monroe Community College
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Marie Kaczynski

Upper School Teaching Assistant

  • MS, Organizational Psychology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • BS, Psychology,  Russell Sage College  


Sarah Koobs

Middle School Teacher, Language Lab

  • Masters Learning Disabilities, University of Gloucestershire, England
  • Masters Program in Children with Specific Learning Disabilities
  • Undergrad in Teaching, Lady Spencer Churchill, Oxford, England
  • NC Educator License


Rebecca Kriz

High School Teacher, Leadership, Psychology & ELA

  • MEd, Roger Williams University
  • BA, Education, Wheaton College
  • NC Educator License


Sandra Litzenberger

High School Teacher, Visual Arts  

  • MA, Art Therapy, Vermont College of Norwich University
  • BFA, Studio Art, University of Ottawa
  • NC Educator License


Erynn Mahoney

Upper School Front Desk Manager 

  • Graduate, Rush-Henrietta Senior High School, Henrietta, New York


Helen Morris

High School Teacher, Biology & Earth/Environmental

  • BSc Australian National University
  • Graduate Diploma of Education in Science & Special Education, University of Canberra


Valerie Morse

High School Teacher, Culinary Arts

  • BS, Food Service Management and Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University
  • AS, Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University
  • ServSafe Certified


Debbie Newton

Middle School Teacher, Science

  • BA, Social Sciences & Education
  • Special Education Certificate
  • NC Educator’s License


Ethan Roy

Middle School Teacher, Social Studies

  • MA, American History, NC Central University
  • BA, History and Political Science, UNC Charlotte
  • Transition to Teaching Certificate – Secondary Education, American College of Education
  • NC Educator License


Emma Small

High School Teacher, Language Arts

  • BA, Special Education, Clemson University
  • NC Educator License


Jessica Trimmer

Middle School Teacher, ELA

  • MEd, Special Education, North Carolina State University
  • BA, Psychology, North Carolina State University
  • NC Teaching License in Special Education, Highly Qualified
  • Reading Certification
  • ABA/Lovaas and Division TEACCH training
  • Orton-Gillingham trained


Chris Waluk

High School Teacher, Science

  • MA, Science Education, Physics 5-12, Western Governors University
  • BS, Physics, Minor in Mathematics,  Eastern Michigan University
  • NC Educator License


Robert Ward

High School Teacher, Math

  • MAEd., Administration & Supervision, University of Phoenix
  • MSEd, Mathematics, Walden University
  • BA, Psychology, UNC Greensboro
  • NC Educator License
  • Multisensory Math training

 

 

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