Get ready to meet the fresh faces shaping our school's year ahead – 28 new faculty and staff have joined our community! Each brings a unique background and approach to education, enriching our community with their passion. Let's give a warm welcome to these new educators and look forward to a year of learning!
Lower School
Jennie Roberts Creason – Jennie serves as our Lower School Reading Specialist. She is the owner of Open Mind Literacy, a tutoring company that provides 1:1 reading instruction for students. In addition, she is an Adjunct Professor at Queens University, where she teaches classes on literacy to education students. Prior to her time at Open Mind Literacy and Queens, Jennie served as a classroom teacher at Charlotte Jewish Day School and at two CMS schools. She is a graduate of Miami University and Queens University.
Rebecca Daniel – Rebecca is a Lead Third Grade Teacher. She comes to us from Union Preparatory Academy at Indian Trail, where she most recently served as an Instructional Coach. In that leadership role, she coached, mentored, and provided valuable feedback to help teachers strengthen their teaching. Prior to her time as an Instructional Coach, Rebecca served for many years as a lead teacher in K-5th grade classrooms. She knows the Country Day community well, as her husband Carl is a former student, and her mother-in-law, Delphia Daniel, was a wonderful, long-tenured Lower School teacher. Rebecca is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College.
Jamie Dorsey – Jamie is a Third Grade Assistant Teacher. She is a familiar face to our students, as she has been a go-to sub in Lower School and served as a long-term substitute teacher in fourth grade. Jamie previously served as a school psychologist in Stanley County and Citrus County, Florida Public Schools. She is the mother of two current Country Day students – a son in Middle School and a son in Upper School. Jamie holds a BA and MA from Marshall University.
Sumiti Green – Sarah is a Third Grade Assistant Teacher and comes to us from The Keystone School in San Antonio, Texas, where she served as a go-to substitute teacher. In addition to her role subbing, she also served as the Chair of the Parents’ Association at Keystone. She is a career changer, having spent many years in the business world. She earned her BA from Queens University and her MBA from Wake Forest University.
Antonia Keen '13 – Antonia has been hired as an Assistant Third Grade Teacher. She comes to us from McAdenville Elementary, where she served as a fourth and fifth-grade lead teacher. Antonia is a familiar face to many at Country Day, as she was a remote teacher during the 2020–21 school year and has served as a Varsity Cheerleading Coach for the past six years. Antonia is a graduate of Country Day and she received a BA and MA from William Penn University.
Patrick Mast – Patrick is a Kindergarten Assistant Teacher. He comes to us from Trinity Episcopal School, where he most recently served as Lower School Counselor. Prior to his time as a Lower School Counselor, he was an assistant kindergarten and second-grade teacher. Patrick is the proud parent of a recent Country Day graduate, as well as an incoming ninth grader. Patrick received a BA from Ohio University, and an MA from UNCC.
Aleya Willis – Aleya is our new Lower School Counselor, with a focus on junior kindergarten through first grade. She comes to us from Lebanon Road Elementary in CMS, where she served as an Elementary School Counselor. Prior to her time at Lebanon, she served as a school counselor in Stanly County Public Schools. She holds both a BA and an MA from Andrews University.
*Please note that this is an additional Lower School Counselor position. JG Bailey’s focus will be on 2nd-4th grade.
The following faculty members are serving in new roles this year:
Elizabeth King – Elizabeth, who has served both as an Assistant and Lead Second Grade Teacher during her five years at Country Day, is transitioning to the role of Lower School Spanish Teacher, replacing Annabelle Quesada, who retired in June. Elizabeth, who was raised in a multilingual household, served as a classroom teacher and Spanish Teacher at Charlotte Lab School and in Falls Church, Virginia prior to her time at Country Day.
Sherry Harris – Sherry, who has served the past 17 years as a lead kindergarten teacher at Country Day, has been appointed as our new Lower School Director of Educational Resource Programs (ERP). Prior to her role as lead kindergarten teacher, Sherry served as an Early Intervention Specialist, Professional Development Consultant, and Lower School ERP Director at Country Day, as well as a classroom teacher in CMS and Wake County Schools.
McKenzie Irwin – McKenzie, who served as an assistant third grade and junior kindergarten teacher at Country Day for the past three years, will serve as a Lead Kindergarten Teacher this school year. Prior to her time at Country Day, McKenzie served as a lead kindergarten, junior kindergarten, and Spanish teacher at Norfolk Collegiate School in Norfolk, Virginia, Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Norfolk, Virginia Public Schools.
Middle School
Haley Brown – is returning home to Charlotte from Texas where she was a Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Greenhill School. She will teach French at the Middle School part-time, having earned her undergraduate degree from Bucknell in French and having lived and studied abroad in Tours, France for one year. She will also coach Strength & Conditioning at the Upper School. Haley is a Providence Day alum and received her MAT from UNC Chapel Hill. When she’s not in the classroom or weight room, she enjoys going to the movies, traveling, running 5K and 10K races, hiking, climbing, biking, and being outdoors.
Molly Dwyer – earned her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill and her MEd degree at Wake Forest University and will teach 7th grade Social Studies. Before starting her Master's degree, Molly participated in Winston-Salem Fellowship program which focused on professional development and leadership training, and taught middle school social studies at Cathedral Oak Academy. In her free time, Molly enjoys cooking, reading, exercising, and game nights with her friends.
Peter Floyd – is no stranger to the Country Day community. He has taught Spanish at the Middle and Upper School levels for more than 20 years at Country Day. As a native speaker, he has spent more than 30 years living in South America. He will teach Middle School Spanish.
Madeline Katsarelis – joins us from her most recent position teaching 7th grade English at Movement School in Charlotte. Before coming to Charlotte, she taught in the KIPP Program in Washington, DC for two years. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest and her MAT from Relay Graduate School. She is a native of Tampa, Florida, where she attended an independent school. Madeline will teach 7th grade English. She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and visiting her grandparents in Sweden.
Beth Lawing – has been a part of the Country Day community since graduating from Bucknell University with her Bachelor's degree. Additionally, she earned her MEd from Winthrop University. Her husband and son are both Country Day alums! She returns to our Middle School classroom as a 7th grade Science teacher after having completed numerous long-term substitute positions for 13 years in almost all the disciplines for Country Day Middle School faculty. Prior to substituting, she taught in our Middle School for five years. Beth enjoys working out, needlepoint, and walking her dog.
Jo Malveaux – a New Orleans native, Jo joins us as a newly created Middle School Counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology at Hampton University, her MEd from Colombia University Teachers College, and an additional Master's degree in School Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She will counsel our Middle School students alongside long-time Middle School Counselor Janani Buford. Jo most recently worked in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for 15 years as a School Psychologist and Counselor. When she’s not working, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and running.
Ross Parker – will teach in our Physical Education department. A Baltimore native, Ross has taught for more than six years. His most recent experience was at Sun Valley High School where he was the Girls Head Varsity basketball coach. He has also taught PE and Health at Harding University High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Alabama A&M University and his Masters in Sports Business from Temple University. Additionally, Ross coaches AAU Basketball.
Malia Rodgers – is our new Librarian in our Dougherty Library. Malia has her bachelor's degree in Communication from Johnson C. Smith University and her Masters of Library and Information Science from UNC Greensboro. Her most recent position was at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library where she was a Library Associate. She loves all things technology and self-confesses to being a “girl geek.” She also enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and going to amusement parks.
Meredith Schulz '04 – is an alum of Country Day and is now a current parent. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University. She has been a registered nurse for 14 years, working part-time on an as-needed basis in our Middle School health room for the last two years. She joins us as a nurse in the Middle School health room.
Upper School
Caitlin Baber – Upper School Spanish – Caitlin is a North Carolina native, having graduated with a B.A. in Spanish from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s in teaching from UNC-Charlotte. She has four years of experience teaching Spanish in the Charlotte area where she has taught Spanish I, II, III, and IV Honors and earned her NC Teaching License. After teaching in NC, she moved to Madrid, Spain where she has been living and teaching for the past nine years. While in Spain, she has been able to participate in numerous student language exchange activities, the most memorable of which involved a Madrid meet-up between her NC and Madrid students. When not teaching, Caitlin enjoys reading, traveling, spending time in nature, and making memories with her friends and family.
Adam Brown – Upper School Spanish – Adam Brown comes to Country Day after a successful eight-year period of teaching Spanish at Weddington High School, where he taught Spanish I through AP. He brings with him a NC Teaching License, certified as Highly Qualified, as well as an AP Spanish Language Certification, earned at Wake Forest University. During his career at UCPS, he was able to serve on the District Level Curriculum Team for Spanish and worked on developing District-Level Assessments and Curriculum. He also led students on a summer abroad trip to France and Spain, where he utilized both his French and Spanish language abilities. Adam earned his degree in Spanish Language & Literature from Lee University, and during that time he was afforded the opportunity to travel to Ecuador to serve as a medical translator, as well as study abroad in Barranquilla, Colombia. When not teaching, he actively participates in his local church, enjoys singing, traveling, and spending time with family!
Brendan Cole – Upper School Assistant Dean of Students – Brendan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to three different places before settling in Hampton, Virginia. He grew up in a military family, so moving was common. He played college football at Hampton University for four years where he received his undergraduate and master's degrees. Following graduation, he went on to do an internship with the Carolina Panthers before kicking off his career in Education. Brendan has gained experience working/attending all different types of schools, from public and private day schools, all the way to boarding schools. Brendan’s life is defined by Education, and he plans to continue to learn and teach at Country Day.
Laura Guardipee – Upper School Educational Technologist – Laura Guardipee joins Country Day as the new Upper School Educational Technologist after eight years of teaching AP Human Geography and AP Psychology. Laura grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and attended the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies and Virginia Tech for her graduate work. She lives in NoDa with her husband, Stephen, and two children, Emilia and Everett. She is thrilled to join Country Day this fall as a new faculty member.
Meredith High – Associate Director of College Counseling – Meredith High comes to Country Day from Davidson College, where she has been since 2015, serving most recently as Associate Dean of Admission and Director of Scholarships. Prior to her time at Davidson, Meredith worked in college access and study abroad advising. She is an alumna of UNC-Chapel Hill (undergraduate) and the College of William & Mary (graduate). Outside of work, Meredith enjoys cooking, reading, Orange Theory workouts, and spending time with her husband, two-year-old son, and overzealous golden retriever.
Nora Hudson – Upper School Spanish – Born in Edina, Minnesota, to a Cuban mother and an American father, Nora grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. A heritage speaker of Spanish, Nora holds bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Journalism from The University of Georgia, where she studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. She also earned a master’s in Foreign Language Education from The University of North Carolina Charlotte. During her 12-year career in education, Nora has been a Spanish teacher, DEIB practitioner, and a learning support teacher for multilingual students. In her free time, Nora enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter (7), son (4), and Springer Spaniel.
Mallika Rajan – Upper School Counselor – Mallika comes to Country Day School after five years of serving as a school counselor at Weddington High School in Union County. At Weddington, Mallika provided students with social-emotional, academic, and career/college support and was heavily involved in initiatives around multicultural awareness and mental health advocacy. She earned a double bachelor’s degree in psychology and Comparative Literature from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She also holds licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA). When not working with students, Mallika loves running, baking sweet treats to share, and spending time with her husband and fur babies (two cats and two dogs).
Allyson Singh '14 – Upper School Math – Allyson Quillin Singh is a Charlotte native and Country Day alumna. She is eager to return to her alma mater as a high school math teacher. Before returning to Charlotte, she attended UNC-Chapel Hill where she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a Master of Art in teaching with a focus in Secondary Math Education. When she’s not teaching, you will find her enjoying the outdoors. She loves running and spending time in the kitchen trying new dessert recipes. This past summer, she married her high school sweetheart, Akhil, and they are so excited to start their new life together and continue to be a part of the Country Day community!
Staff
Dana Bang – Dana, a recent accounting graduate from Stetson University, joins the Business Office as an accountant who will also serve as the primary point of contact for the Parents' Association and Boosters Club for finance-related matters. With experience working with accounting firms, Dana joins us after most recently working in a corporate accounting position in the Winston-Salem, NC area. She hopes to pursue a master's degree to expand her knowledge of business and finance. Dana originally hails from Miami, FL and relocated with her two cats to Charlotte to be closer to family.
Oscar Del Pino – Coach Del Pino has been our Girls’ Soccer Program Head since 2019 and has taken over as our Boys’ Soccer Program Head this year. He is now a permanent member of our athletics staff, where he will handle special projects surrounding logistics and leadership. During his time at Charlotte Catholic, Del Pino led the boys’ soccer program to win eight conference championships. Del Pino also spent time as an assistant varsity and head JV coach at Catholic in both the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs. Previously, he worked extensively in the club soccer world, having served as a director of operations for the Mecklenburg United Futbol Club and as a coach for various boys’ and girls’ select and travel teams with Charlotte United Futbol Club.
He holds a United States Soccer Federation “C” license and a National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches). He is a longtime resident of Charlotte, having graduated from Charlotte Catholic and earned an undergraduate degree in political science from the UNC-Charlotte.
ChaChi Sullivan – ChaChi Sullivan has over 15 years of experience working with adolescents in the field of counseling. He focuses on applying real-world experiences and establishing strong relationships with others to understand the diverse spectrum of counseling needs and services, including mental and behavioral health, along with life coaching. As a former collegiate athlete and coach, he has a unique perspective in his area of counseling, being able to understand and connect with students and coaches alike. Sullivan has continued to work and coach high school athletics for the past 15 years. He has managed roles as a counselor, confidant, and mentor to many athletes. Sullivan graduated from South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters in Arts from the University of South Carolina. In this new role, he will aid student-athletes and coaches with athletic and academic performance, character and leadership development, and provide resources to enhance our student-athletes well-being. He will focus on helping students overcome obstacles, enhance social activities, and navigate real-world difficulties that may come their way.
Mackenzy Vancil - Mackenzy joined the Country Day team in August of 2022 as a lifeguard and swim instructor. As our new Assistant Aquatics Manager, she is responsible for lifeguarding, staff scheduling, overseeing all components of swim lessons, assisting with managing the pre-swim team, recruitment, and training of new guards and instructors, assisting with administering all aquatics safety audits for active lifeguards and swim instructors, and assisting with daily maintenance. Mackenzy’s background is rooted in all things aquatic and athletics. After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Sports Studies and a minor in Natural Sciences, she taught lessons at Little Otter Swim School, where she won Instructor of the Year.