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  > to call, dial (336) 217-7000 and enter extension (if extension begins with a "7", it can be
        dialed directly - (336) 217-7xxx)

Glenn A. Drew, Executive Director (ext.7015)
B.A., University of Maryland; J.D., University of Miami


Dr. Gary M. Grandon, Principal (ext. 7012)
B.S. in Physics, University of Michigan; M.Ed. in Educational Evaluation and Research, Wayne State University; Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Evaluation, and Measurement, University of Connecticut, Storrs
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Dr. Tammy K. Williams, Dean of Academics and Biology Teacher (ext. 7041)
B.S. in Secondary Science Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ; M.Ed. in Middle Grades Science Education and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching Science K-12, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate

Ruth Gavish, Chair - Dean of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Teacher
(ext. 8305)
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem; M.A. in Education, University of Judaism

Rabbi Howard A. Cohen, Interim Dean of Jewish Life and Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8304)
B.A. in Philosophy, University of Minnesota; Master of Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

Sara Ann Kramer, Dean of Student Life, Houseparent (ext. 7037)
B.A. in English Education, Ithaca College; M.S.W. in Children and Youth, Boston University

Dr. David R. Mandel, Dean of Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (ext. 5001)
B.S., Purdue University; Ph.D., University of Connecticut
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Phil Papier, Dean of Athletics (ext. 8500)
B.S. in Kinesiology, University of Maryland
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Michael Johnston, Assistant Athletic Director
(ext. 8501)
B.S. and M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Ariella Livnat, Associate Dean of Residential Life, Director of the Hebrew Language Learning Lab, Houseparent
(ext. 8303)
B.A. in English Linguistics and Education, Ben Gurion University

Ruth L. Hoffman, Health Center Director
(ext. 8888)
B.A. in Microbiology, University of Connecticut; B.S. and M.S. in Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Dr. Sandra Tarbox, Director of College Counseling Services
(ext. 7045)
B.A. in Economics; M.A. in Higher Education, Antioch University; Ph.D. in Higher Education (Public Policy), University of Michigan


Linda Anderson, ESOL Teacher (ext. 8404)
B.A. in History, Wellesley College; M.S. in Education, University of Southern California

Rick Bober, Aquatics Coach, Houseparent (ext. 7066)
B.A. in History, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Dr. Charles Bretan, English Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 7036)
B.A.E. in Secondary English Education, University of Florida,  M.A., Florida Atlantic University, Ed.D. in Higher Education, Nova Southeastern University

Donna Christy, Math Teacher (ext. 8209)

B.S. in Mathematics and Business Administration, Greensboro College

Dr. Scott Culclasure, History Teacher
(ext. 8409)
B.A. in Social Studies, Guilford College; M.Ed. and Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate


Karen Dresser, Chair - Fine Arts Department and Visual Arts, Theater and Eco-Judaism Teacher (ext. 8205)
B.A. in English and Biblical/Theological Studies, Gordon College; M.Div., Wake Forest University; Ph.D. Candidate, Cultural Foundations of Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Rabbi Michael I. Gisser, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent (ext. 8308)
B.C. in Management, Dalhousie University; M.A. in Religion (Judaic Studies), Concordia University; Rabbinic Ordination, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary; Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership (Higher Education), Touro University International
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Dalerie C. Hudson, Chemistry Teacher (ext. 8110)
B.A. in Chemistry and Comprehensive Secondary Science Education, Elon College; M.Ed. in  Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education), University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Dr. Steven Kee, History Teacher
(ext. 8203)
B.S. in Social Sciences, San Jose State University; M.A. in Biblical Studies, Denver Seminary; Ed.D. in Educational Administration, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Debra LeWinter, Drama Teacher
(ext. 8410)
B.A. in Psychology, Bryn Mawr College; M.Ed. candidate, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


Steven LeWinter, Chair - Mathematics Department and Math Teacher
(ext. 8217)
B.A. in Mathematics (Philosophy), Claremont McKenna College, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate
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Ziva London, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8307)
B.A. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Ronit Mesika, Hebrew Teacher 
(ext. 8301)
B.A. and B.S. from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Dr. Joshua Moss, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8306)
B.A. in Religious Studies; M. Phil. and Ph.D., Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati
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Charles Newell, Chair - Social Studies Department and History Teacher
(ext. 8407)
B.A. in History, Campbell University; M.A. in American History (Civil War and Southern History), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dara Nix-Stevenson, Chair - Science Department and Biology and Environmental Science Teacher
(ext. 8105)
B.S. in Biology, Bennett College; M.S. in Biology and Secondary Education, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Kathy Pinyan, School Counselor
(ext. 5012)
B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy and M.Ed. in Community Counseling, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor; Nationally Certified Counselor

Karen Ridenhour, Librarian (ext. 3051)
B.A. in Early Childhood Education; M.Ed. in Elementary Education; M.L.S. in Library Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dr. Edwar Shamshoum, Physics Teacher (ext. 8218)
B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, Averett University; M.S. in Organic Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Ph.D. in Chemistry, Texas A&M University

April Simmons, Health and Physical Education Teacher
(ext. 8502)
B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science - Physical Education (Sociology), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Michal Soker, Hebrew Teacher (ext. 8302)
B.S. and B.Ed. in Biology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; M.S. in Medical Sciences, Israel Institute of Technology

Dr. Richard Smith, Chair - English Department and English Teacher
(ext. 8400)
B.A. in English Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Matthew Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer (ext. 5002)
B.S. in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


  > to send e-mail, click on name
  > to call, dial (336) 217-7000 and enter extension (if extension begins with a "7", it can be
        dialed directly - (336) 217-7xxx)


The Academy Fellowship program provides entry level positions to recent college graduates who are mentored in our resident life and academic programs while serving our students.

Andrew L. Frankel, AHA Fellow (ext. 7115)
B.A. in Religious Studies, University of South Florida

Aliza Geller, AHA Fellow (ext. 7118)
B.A. in Jewish Studies, Rutgers University

Danya Maloon, AHA Fellow (ext. 77129)
B.A. in African Literature and Post-Colonial Studies, Hampshire College

Dariusz Szajnert, AHA Fellow (ext. 7143)
B.A. History (Secondary Education), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Alicia N. Wassell, AHA Fellow (ext. 7144)
B.A. in History, High Point University
 

 

Benita VanWinkle, Photography Teacher
Faculty Snapshot
 

Benita VanWinkle, Photography Teacher

When asked about her favorite part of working at the Academy, Benita VanWinkle says “the level of curiosity among my students. Their work level is admirable and their work ethic is incredible.”

Mrs. VanWinkle not only teaches photography classes at the Academy, but also at Surry County Community College and exhibits regularly at art exhibitions. Before coming to the Academy, she taught at one of the best portfolio schools in the country, The Creative Circus in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is very involved in the community, doing work for Habitat for Humanity, Associated Artists of Winston-Salem and the Women’s Artist League in High Point.

Expanding on her favorite part of the Academy, she states “It is a joy to teach students who really love to learn.”

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