North Cross Upper School Faculty

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Administration
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Stephen Belderes
Director of Upper School
​James Madison University—M.Ed.
​Morris Award 2012
​Appointed 2006
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Julie Aavatsmark
Director of College Counseling
Transylvania University—B.A. 
Appointed 2006

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Anneliese Schlachter
Upper School Administrative Assistant
Radford University—B.A. 
Appointed 2022
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Sarah Cocowitch
Upper School Counselor
University of California at Berkeley—B.A.
​Virginia Tech—M.Ed.
​Appointed 2022
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Stephen Alexander
Upper School Dean of Students
Grove City College—B.A. 
Appointed 2010

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​Britton Andrews
Upper School English
​University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill—B.A.
Western Washington University—M.F.A.
University of Louisiana—Ph.D.
Appointed 2022

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Chris Brandon
Dean of Academics, Upper School French, Film Studies, GSA
Illinois State University—B.A.
Tulane University—M.A.
CUNY Graduate Center—Ph.D. (ABD), M.Phil
​Appointed 2016
Morris Award 2020
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Thomas Costello
Musical Director
​South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University—B.F.A.
Appointed 2022
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​Nicki Dabney
Director of International Operations, Upper School English, Chinese
​Lawrence University—B.A.
Indiana University—M.A.
Appointed 2016

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Ryan DeMarco
Social Studies Department Chair; Director of Global Studies; Upper School Social Studies; Donkeys, Elephants, and Eagles, Oh My!: An Exploration of Modern American Political Parties; Russian Club
Birmingham-Southern College—B.A.
University of Edinburgh—M.Sc. 
Appointed 2018
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Mistie Dickenson
Upper School Biology, Environmental Studies, Green Club
Longwood University—B.S.
Mississippi State University—M.S.
Appointed 2018


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​​Jimmie Donnini
Director of Bands
Bridgewater College—B.A.
​Morris Award 2013
Appointed 2000



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Hannah Ewing
Upper School History; Religion, Art, Science, and Technology
University College London--B.S.
​Virginia Tech--M.A.
Appointed 2021
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​Wanda Finney
World Languages Department Chair, Upper School Latin, Introduction to Greek Mythology
Randolph-Macon Woman’s College—B.A.
University of Cincinnati—Ph.D.
Appointed 2011

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Amy Holley
Library Director, Summer Reading UNC-Greensboro—B.S.
UNC-Greensboro--MLIS
​Appointed 2000
​Morris Award 2022


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Daniel Hood
Upper School History
Guilford College--B.A.
Boston College--M.A.
Boston College--Ph. D.
Appointed 2021
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​Amy Jackson
Fine Arts Department Chair, Upper School Art, Logan Gallery Coordinator
Wake Forest University—B.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University—M.A.E. 
Appointed 2004
Morris Award 2021
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Polly Jones
English Department Chair, Upper School English, DeHart Project Coordinator, Winter Play, Willis Hall Book Club
Armstrong State University—B.A.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—M.R.E.
Appointed 2012
Morris Award 2017
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​Josh Kier
​Upper School English, Localism/Political Leadership, Public Speaking, Shakespeare, Creative Writing Club, Calliope Staff Representative, Sunshine Committee, Executive Director of Wilson International
Roanoke College—B.A.
Appointed 2015
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​Michael Koss
​Math and Computer Science Department Chair, Upper School Math, STEM Program Coordinator, Robotics
University of Michigan—B.A.
Indiana University—Ph.D.
​Appointed 2016
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Jennifer Landry
Science Department Chair, Upper School Chemistry, STEM Program Co-Coordinator, Robotics, Honor Council Advisor
UCLA—B.S.
Penn State—M.A.
Appointed 2005
Morris Award 2016
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Zoe Mullins
Upper School Spanish
Wofford College—B.S.
Appointed 2022

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Timothy Naginey
Upper School Physics, Astronomy, Math, Coding Club, Robotics Club, Guitar Club
Tidewater Community College—A.S. 
Old Dominion University—B.S. 
Oxford University—M.Sc., D.Phil.
Appointed 2019
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Brett Odom
Upper School History and English
Mercer University—B.A.
University of Georgia—M.A.
Appointed 2022
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Chris Pollock
Upper School Sports, Business/Entrepreneurship, Assistant Athletic Director, Head Coach Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Roanoke College—B.S.
Appointed 2001
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Robert Robillard
Willis Hall Herald Advisor
University of California, Davis—A.B.
San Francisco State—M.A.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary—M.T.S.
Northwestern University—M.S.Ed.
Appointed 2010
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​Tiffany Sakaguchi
Upper School Math
James Madison University—B.S.
Virginia Tech—M.Ed.
Appointed  2022
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Makenzie Seiple
Upper School Spanish
Gettysburg College--B.A.
University of Virginia--M.A.
Middlebury College--M.A.
University of Virginia--Ph.D.
​Appointed 2021
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Sarah Sledd ’12
Upper School Graphic Design, Yearbook Advisor
Liberty University—B.S.
​Appointed 2018
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Dylan Schumacher
Upper School Computer Science
Virginia Wesleyan University—B.S.
​Appointed 2022
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Debbie Taylor
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Appointed 2021
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Tatum Vega
Upper School Math and Science
University of Florida—B.S
​Appointed 2022
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Susan Wenk
Upper School Leadership Development, Student Council Association Advisor
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Scott Wilde
Upper School Math, Economics and Personal Finance, Head Coach Girls Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Golf
Bowling Green State University—B.S.
Liberty University—M.S.
Appointed 2012
School Nurse
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Aileen Fleming
School Nurse
Appointed 2001