FACULTY AND STAFF
















Administration
Rev. Tom Winstead
Headmaster
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Studied Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Illustration with a minor Communications- Public Relations from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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Master of Christian Education from Pfeiffer University (2003)
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Masters of Divinity from Union Seminary (2011)
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Certified Christian Educator (PCUSA) (2005)
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Founded and Operated Early Beginnings since 2003
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Founded and Operated Mountain Island Day School since 2009
Tammy Winstead
Vice President and Director of Student Life​
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Studied Psychology with a minor in Communications from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Founded and Operated Early Beginnings since 2003
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Founded and Operated Mountain Island Day School since 2009
Kimberly Verdi
Director of Family Life
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Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality.
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Faculty
Lower School
DeFerrus Davis
Transitional Kindergarden
*BA in Liberal Arts
Elementary Education Concentration
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Farrah Gomez
Kindergarten
*BS in Birth through Kindergarten Education from Western Carolina University
*12 years of teaching experience
Leslie Norman
Kindergarden
*BA in Criminal Justice/Psychology from Western Carolina University
*K-6 Licensure from UNC Charlotte
*MA in Elementary Education from Pfeiffer University
*NC Licensed Teacher
*Ten years of teaching experience
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Meredith Herman
1st Grade
*BS in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University
*MA in Reading from Appalachian State University
*Literacy Specialist
*NC Licensed Teacher
*12 years teaching experience
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Jennifer Ray
1st Grade
*BA in Communications from UNC Charlotte
*MA in Education from UNC Charlotte
*NC Licensed Teacher
*Six years teaching experience
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Adrian Earl
2nd Grade
*BS in Education from Johnson C. Smith University
*Thirteen years teaching experience
*NC Licensed Teacher
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Whitney Antley
3rd Grade
*BS Interdisciplinary Study Elementary Education K-6th
*Minor in Religion
*Three years experience in education
*NC Licensed Teacher
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Kristine Poole
4th Grade
*BA Business Management from Alberto College
*8 years teaching experience
*NC Licensed Teacher
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Faculty
Upper School
Noah Aderman
5th-6th English and Science
*BS in Biblical and Educational Studies from Liberty University
*Minor in Church Ministries from Liberty University
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Cherie Hudson
5th-6th Math and History
​*BA in Elementary Education from UNC Charlotte
*MA in Elementary Education from UNC Charlotte
*Fourteen years Teaching Experience
*NC Licensed Teacher
Trent Hopkins
7th-11th Social Studies
*BS in Pre-Law (Political Science) from Appalachian State University
*MA Biblical and Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary
*Licensed and Ordained Minister
Porscha Penn
7th-11th Math
*BS in Kinesiology from James Madison University
*M. Ed. from Strayer University
*Educational Specialist Degree in Early Childhood Education
*Five years teaching experience
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Amie Tucker
7th-11th Science
*BA in Psychology from UNC Charlotte
*MA in Teaching Special Education from Western Carolina University
*NC Licensed Teacher
*National Board Educator
*Eleven years teaching experience
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Lizzie Williams
7th-11th English Language Arts
*BA in English Literature from Erskine College
*Minor in Secondary Education from Erskine College
*Nine years teaching experience
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Electives
Doug Cox
TK-11th Physical Education
PE/Healthdcox@midschool.org
Athletic Director/Physical Education/Health Specials Teachers
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Kasey West
TK-11th Art
*BS in Elementary Education from Appalachian University
*Concentration in Visual Arts
*NC Teaching License
*Four years teaching experience
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Tami Edwards Thomas
Tk-11th Drama
*BA Communication Studies
*BA Dramatic Art
*MFA Performing Arts Management
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LaFouji Alexander
Tk-11th Music/Band
*BA Communications and Music from Western Carolina University
*Five years post secondary teaching experience
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Señor Pablo Gabriel Mendieta
TK-11th Spanish
*Pursuing Master of Education degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign
Language from University of Barcelona, Spain
*Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia
Wesleyan College
*Pre-Electrical Engineering degree from National University of Rosario,
Argentina
*NC Teaching License
*Three years teaching experience
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Exceptional Children
Julie Hopkins
Academic Support Speech/ Communication Therapist
*BS in Speech Therapy/Communications from Appalachian State University.
*Pursuing Master of Science degree in Communication disorders/Special Education from Winthrop University.
* 26 Years experience in education
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Staff
Raquel Bright-Teacher Assistant/Afterschool
Becky Henry-Afterschool
Cindy Henry-Front desk/After school
Connie Johnston-Cafeteria coordinator/ Afterschool
Roger Tate-Bus Driver
Selina Watts-Afterschool Coordinator