The New Faces on DA’s Faculty & Staff: Middle School
The New Faces on DA’s Faculty & Staff: Middle School
Their colleagues, students and athletes have learned in two weeks what you will learn soon: Durham Academy’s newest faculty and staff members are right at home. They arrive with a slew of moral, happy and productive experiences — and they arrive with an appetite for more.
Meet the incoming cohort of new hires at DA Middle School.
New Faces at the Middle School
John Bush ’11
Middle School Science Olympiad Coach, Lower School Extended Day Teacher
Education:
• Duke University, B.A. in Public Policy and Cultural Anthropology
• UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business, M.S. in Real Estate
Previously: Trade Management, Credit Suisse
Why I chose Durham Academy: “I'm excited to be able to contribute to the community that was so formative for me. It’s also just incredible to see the resources and knowledge of the students and faculty. I'm proud to be a small part of that.”
The 2011 DA graduate has already reconnected with DA as a mentor with The DARC SIDE Upper School robotics team and as a teacher with the Lower School Extended Day program. Bush worked in finance for four years, including three years with Credit Suisse. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
The last book I read:Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer
My song of the summer: “Fio Maravilha” by Bon Entendeur
Best show streaming right now:Malcolm in the Middle
My favorite obsession “For the last few years, I've been getting into road cycling. I frequently ride solo, but I also enjoy Saturday morning group rides with the Carolina Tarwheels Cycling Club. A few more seasons and I'll be ready for the Tour de France!”
One piece of technology I wish I could leave behind: “Fossil fuels. This summer, I've been working on a renewable energy study, and it’s made me realize how transformative they are and will continue to be for our world. Hopefully the transition occurs quickly and thoughtfully enough for the environment not to be irreparably harmed.”
Peter Cheney
Middle School Extended Day Teacher
Education: Connecticut College, Bachelor’s in Government, Psychology, and History
Currently: Co-Director, The Farm Youth Camp at UNC
Why I chose Durham Academy: “I am looking forward to beginning my professional career with the Extended Day Program, and to make new connections that will propel me further in both my professional and personal endeavors.”
Cheney serves as a co-director of the summer Youth Camp hosted by the UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty-Staff Recreation Association — known colloquially as “The Farm.” In that role, he has managed programming for about 60 elementary school students every week. He is also a co-chapter leader of Eye to Eye National, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to improving educational experiences and outcomes for students with learning and attention differences. He previously served as a student mediator for the New York State attorney general’s office and as a student aide with the sports medicine department at Connecticut College.
The last book I read:Confessions of an Innocent Man by David Dow
My song of the summer: “Man Made a Bar” by Morgan Wallen, featuring Eric Church
Best show on streaming right now:House of the Dragon
My favorite obsession: “I’m really interested in government work, specifically criminal justice.”
My favorite memory in education: “Going to the ASSIST Center (Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies Center in Raleigh) for the first time in high school and learning about time management.”.
One piece of technology I wish I could leave behind: “My phone.”
Sam Harrison
Middle School Math Teacher
Education: Middlebury College, B.A. in Psychology
Previously: Director of Experiential Programs; Teacher; Coach; Team Leader; and Activities Coordinator, Fountain Valley School (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Why I chose Durham Academy: “This school is full of wonderful faculty and staff who have made me feel supported well before Day 1! One of the best parts of teaching is to see your students grow up into talented and passionate young people, and I can't wait to meet the DA students and be a part of their journey!”
Harrison was a multihyphenate at Fountain Valley School, where he taught several math courses — ranging from honors geometry to financial literacy — and directed the school’s flagship experiential education program, which sent all students and faculty members on a week or more of international programming. He also served as the head men’s rugby coach at Colorado College for eight years after a decorated career as a rugby player.
In 2015, Harrison was part of the gold medal-winning and silver medal-winning U.S. men’s rugby and rugby sevens teams at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Chile. He is a former Colorado state squash champion in singles and doubles who has spent more than 450 days and nights on wilderness adventures, including as a member of the Trans-Arctic Expedition — an 800-mile canoe trip to the Arctic Ocean.
The last book I read:Seven Games: A Human History by Oliver Roeder
My song of the summer: “Still Can’t Believe” by Dr. Dog
Best show on streaming right now:Nathan for You
My favorite obsession(s): “Games! Sports (rugby, squash, pickleball, tennis, disc golf, etc.), yard games (spikeball, bocce, cornhole, etc.) and board games (so many). I love socializing, friendly competition and solving problems.”
My favorite memory in education: “Taking students on retreats from backpacking through ancestral Puebloan ruins in Utah, climbing up 5 Pitches in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, to scuba diving colorful and lively reefs in Mexico, to putting together meaningful and fun experiences like murder mystery parties and Top Chef competitions!”
My greatest day of teaching: “Teaching statistics, we sent Barbie dolls on a bungee-jumping extravaganza. We used math to keep Barbie safe!”
One piece of technology I would leave behind: “My phone. As much help as it can be, I find my time unplugged is infinitely more valuable.”
Candice McCray
Middle School Dean of Student Life, Language Arts Teacher, Middle School Diversity Coordinator
Education:
• Pomona College, B.A. in Africana Studies
• Tufts University, M.A. in Teaching (Secondary English)
Previously: Middle School Principal, St. David’s School (Raleigh)
My favorite memory in education: “In my first year as a principal, one of my students was a particularly mischievous eighth grade boy. Besides being a mischief-maker, he was kind, witty, observant and insightful. For three months leading up to graduation, and much to the surprise of the community, including him and his parents, I encouraged him to give a speech at the ceremony. Many people didn't see him as capable or deserving, but I believed he would nail it and represent our school community well. He agreed to do it with just a couple of weeks until graduation.
“I didn't hear his speech before the big day, and I got a lot of raised eyebrows. However, to this day, his speech is one of the funniest and most touching speeches I have heard, and it has gone down among our community as the best of all time. Tears, laughter, smiles and all the feels filled the room. The reason it was so great would take too much to write, but I would love to share it if you remember to ask me about it in person. I was so proud of him for agreeing to do it and happy that everyone in that auditorium got to see him shine and be encouraged by his words.
“For me as a leader, it was a good reminder to stand firm in my willingness to see the positive and the excellence in every student and to be an advocate and believer in students — sometimes when they do not even see it in themselves. And he just finished his first year at the University of California, Berkeley!”
A 17-year career in education has taken McCray from Cambridge to Los Angeles to the Triangle, where she most recently served as middle school principal at St. David’s School in Raleigh. McCray’s experience in administration includes the co-principal’s role at The City School in Los Angeles and the dean of faculty position at Breakthrough Greater Boston.
The last book I read:The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson. “Tiffany is brilliant. She's an excellent YA author and her work seems to be the perfect mixture of Toni Morrison, Jordan Peele and Jesmyn Ward.”
My song of the summer: “ENERGY” by Beyonce and “ALREADY” by Beyonce, Major Lazer and Shatta Wale
Same Faces, New Spaces
Some familiar names have taken on new roles at the Middle School.
Nancy Allen, Interim Middle School Science Teacher
Allen previously taught biology and psychology courses at the Upper School. At the Middle School, she is serving as a science teacher on an interim basis for Middle School science teacher Will Cranch, who is taking parental leave.
Melissa Mack, Middle School Digital Learning Coordinator
Mack will continue in her roles as Middle School STEAM Teacher and as a teacher in the Middle School Extended Day program. In this new role, Mack will support teaching, learning and innovation in the Middle School through the intentional and responsible integration of technology.
Karl Schaefer, Computer Science Academic Leader
Schaefer adds academic leader responsibilities to his role as STEAM Teacher.
Some familiar names have taken on new schoolwide roles.
Nigel Cabral, Interim Director of DA Summer
Cabral previously served as Assistant Director of DA Summer. He will continue in his role as head coach of the varsity girls basketball team.
Christian Hairston-Randleman, Director of Student Support and Wellness
Previously: Preschool Director
Jeana Holdstock, After-School Private Music Coordinator
Previously: After-School Private Music Instructor
Kelly Jernigan, School Store Manager
Previously: School Store Assistant
Verle Regnerus, Data Systems Manager, Upper School Registrar
Regnerus previously served as Assistant Upper School Director. He will continue his work as Upper School Registrar, while adding the Data Systems Manager role with the Office of Information Technology.
elliott turnbull, Director of After-School Enrichments
Previously: After-School Enrichments Coordinator
