North Cross School
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Vision & Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Building Character
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our Head of School: Armistead Lemon '95
    • Leadership Team
    • Key Contacts
    • Campus Map
    • In the News
    • Employment Opportunities
  • ACADEMICS
    • Lower School >
      • Early Childhood Program
      • First through Third Grades
      • Fourth and Fifth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Middle School >
      • Sixth through Eighth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Upper School >
      • Ninth through Twelfth Grades >
        • Global Studies Distinction
        • STEM Distinction
        • Fine Arts Distinction
        • Internship Program
      • Course Catalog
      • College Counseling
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • The Talfourd H. Kemper Library
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences >
      • Meet Our Faculty
  • ARTS
    • Band
    • Chorus
    • Studio Art & Graphic Design
    • Theater
    • Friends of the Arts
  • ATHLETICS
    • Athletics Calendar
    • Teams & Schedules
    • Championships & Awards
    • Forms
    • Facilities
    • Meet Our Athletics Staff
    • Athletic Boosters
    • In the News
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Dress Code
    • Extracurriculars
    • International Students
    • Boarding at North Cross
    • After-School Opportunities
    • Summer Programs
  • PARENT/Alumni RESOURCES
    • Log in to FACTS
    • School Calendar
    • Back-to-School
    • Student & Parent Handbook
    • Parent Opportunities
    • Key Contacts
    • Covid Protocols
    • Alumni >
      • Alumni Reunion Weekend
      • Awards
      • Athletic Hall of Fame
      • In the News
      • Class Notes
      • In Memoriam
    • Spirit Store >
      • Athletics
  • ADMISSIONS
    • What is an independent school?
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
    • International Student FAQs
    • Meet Our Team
  • GIVING
    • Make a Gift to North Cross
    • Annual Fund
    • Foundation Tax Credits Program
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Gifts
    • The Legacy Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Meet Our Team

North Cross Upper School Faculty

Click on a person's name to email them.
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 2018


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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.
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 Department Chair, Upper School Math, Introduction to Formal Logic, Investment Club 
University of Michigan—B.A.
Indiana University—Ph.D.
​Appointed 2018

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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 2011

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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

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4254 Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
540-989-6641 • (540) 989-7299 (FAX)

HOURS: M-F; 8AM-4PM

North Cross School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school founded in 1944 and governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.

All contact information listed on this website is for official North Cross School business only. North Cross School does not accept unsolicited advertisements sent to school email addresses, phone numbers, or fax numbers listed on this site.

North Cross School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the School. For more information, read our Inclusivity Statement.

​Accreditation
North Cross is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. North Cross School's Junior Kindergarten is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools who is recognized by the Board of Education pursuant to §22.1-19 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Virginia Council for Private Education to accredit private nursery, preschool, elementary and secondary schools in Virginia
.

Memberships
North Cross is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling, The Cum Laude Society and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

​
Privacy Policy
Faculty and Staff Links
North Cross Shanghai
Employment Opportunities
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Vision & Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Building Character
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our Head of School: Armistead Lemon '95
    • Leadership Team
    • Key Contacts
    • Campus Map
    • In the News
    • Employment Opportunities
  • ACADEMICS
    • Lower School >
      • Early Childhood Program
      • First through Third Grades
      • Fourth and Fifth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Middle School >
      • Sixth through Eighth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Upper School >
      • Ninth through Twelfth Grades >
        • Global Studies Distinction
        • STEM Distinction
        • Fine Arts Distinction
        • Internship Program
      • Course Catalog
      • College Counseling
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • The Talfourd H. Kemper Library
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences >
      • Meet Our Faculty
  • ARTS
    • Band
    • Chorus
    • Studio Art & Graphic Design
    • Theater
    • Friends of the Arts
  • ATHLETICS
    • Athletics Calendar
    • Teams & Schedules
    • Championships & Awards
    • Forms
    • Facilities
    • Meet Our Athletics Staff
    • Athletic Boosters
    • In the News
  • STUDENT LIFE
    • Dress Code
    • Extracurriculars
    • International Students
    • Boarding at North Cross
    • After-School Opportunities
    • Summer Programs
  • PARENT/Alumni RESOURCES
    • Log in to FACTS
    • School Calendar
    • Back-to-School
    • Student & Parent Handbook
    • Parent Opportunities
    • Key Contacts
    • Covid Protocols
    • Alumni >
      • Alumni Reunion Weekend
      • Awards
      • Athletic Hall of Fame
      • In the News
      • Class Notes
      • In Memoriam
    • Spirit Store >
      • Athletics
  • ADMISSIONS
    • What is an independent school?
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
    • International Student FAQs
    • Meet Our Team
  • GIVING
    • Make a Gift to North Cross
    • Annual Fund
    • Foundation Tax Credits Program
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Gifts
    • The Legacy Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Meet Our Team