New Faculty 2023-2024

We're excited to introduce our newest faculty members! What an impressive group of educators and specialists! Click on each name to read bios.

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  • Nathan Chambliss, Facilities Maintenance Technician


    Originally from Alabama, Nathan graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in journalism and public relations. He and his wife Catherine have two children, Henry and Virginia.

  • Nicole Chandler, Middle School Science Teacher


    Originally from Waynesville, N.C, Nicole earned a bachelor’s degree in middle grades math and science education from Western Carolina University. Prior to FCDS, Nicole taught at Clemmons Middle School for ten years. She won Teacher of the Year during the 2020-2021 school year. While working for WSFCS, she was selected to be a part of the Teacher Leader Academy where she was trained on coaching adults and mentored and presented professional development to teachers across the district. Nicole lives with her husband, Caleb, and daughter Sadie (FCDS 2039).

  • Lou Davis, Language Development Specialist


    Originally from Georgia, Lou earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in special education with a focus on literacy and high-incidence disabilities. She is certified in the Wilson Reading System and has completed Orton-Gillingham course work for Associate and Certified levels, as well as Multisensory Math through Key Learning Center at Carolina Day School. She taught reading, writing, and math in public and independent school settings in Georgia before joining the faculty at Triad Academy, Summit School in Winston-Salem. She lives with her husband Ephraim and has two grown children, James and Anna.

  • Mitchell Doub, Upper School Business Teacher


    Mitchell has over 30 years of medical sales experience. He is a published author, a public orator, and Eagle Scout, and a winner of numerous sales awards. Mitchell has a B.S. in uban planning and business from East Carolina University.

  • Bert Ellison, Associate Director of Enrichment, Middle School Exploratory


    Dr. Bert Ellison is originally from western North Carolina. He did his undergraduate work at UNC-Chapel Hill and then earned a master’s degree in divinity from Duke University and a Ph.D. in sociology from the City, Culture, and Community program at Tulane University, where he studied the formation of a sense of belonging among adolescents in educational settings.
     
    Dr. Ellison is passionate about co-creating systems of belonging. For more than15 years, he has had the opportunity to do this work in a variety of roles and settings such as summer camps, higher education, technology consulting, and being a stay-at-home dad. He and his wife live in Winston-Salem and have two sons.

  • Ella Fowler, Preschool Assistant Teacher


    An FCDS alumna, Ella earned her bachelor’s in sociology and English from Appalachian State University. Prior to becoming a preschool assistant teacher, she worked in the FCDS afterschool program and was a substitute teacher for approximately three years.

  • Renée Fuller, Director of the Preschool


    Originally from Virginia, Renée earned her bachelor’s degree from Radford University, her master’s degree in education from The College of New Jersey, and is completing her doctorate (D.Ed.Min) from Virginia Theological Seminary. She has spent the past two decades living, learning, teaching, and leading in Mexico, Indonesia, The Netherlands, Spain, and El Salvador in roles that included classroom teacher, literacy coach, Head of Early Years, and Assistant Director of Elementary at both International Baccalaureate and American schools.  

  • Kennedy Gentry, Kindergarten Teacher


    Kennedy received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in diversity studies from Appalachian State University and earned her master’s in reading education from NC State University. She taught for four years in the Yadkin County School system, serving on the School Improvement Team, organizing fundraisers for her school, and earning Teacher of the Year. She received an additional certification through STARR Commonwealth to become a Trauma Informed Educator. She lives with her husband, Stuart.

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  • Elizabeth Gunter, Preschool Assistant Teacher


    Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in social services and a minor in youth development studies from Clemson University.

  • Angelica Hernandez-Blakely, Financial Assistant


    Angela earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and worked as an accountant for more than ten years. Additionally, she is a North Carolina realtor and notary public. Angelica is married to her high school sweetheart and they have five children.

  • Leah Hoffman, Associate Director of College Counseling


    Leah earned her bachelor’s degree in public and urban affairs from Virginia Tech and her master’s degree in school counseling from UNC-Charlotte. Most recently, Leah served as Associate Director of College Counseling at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. There, she managed a caseload of 32 juniors and 32 seniors whom she advised, educated, and mentored throughout the college search and application process. This mentorship included self-reflection, values identification, application writing and strategies, organization, financial aid, and final college selection. Prior to Woodberry Forest, Leah worked at Davidson College for seven years, serving as Associate Dean of Admission and Director of the July Experience.

  • Carol Hsu, Upper School English Teacher


    Carol earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Appalachian State University and her master’s in teaching (MAT) from Salem College. She has held a National Board Certification since 2000 and served as a reader for AP Language and Composition. She is married to Michael and has a son James (FCDS 2025) and a daughter, Julia.

  • Kaitlin Huyler, Preschool Teacher


    Originally from upstate New York, Kaitlin received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Fredonia State University, where she was an All-American soccer player. She has four years of teaching experience.

  • Nuwo Johnson, JAC Academic Coach


    An FCDS alumnus, Nuwo earned his undergraduate degree in political science with a concentration in healthcare administration from Roanoke College, and a graduate degree in fashion merchandising from Miami International University of the Arts Institute. He worked at New Era Cap Company as an assistant merchandiser. Nuwo coached youth soccer at the recreational, junior academy, and traveling levels with the Miami Lakes United Soccer Club and served as the Junior Academy Director for Miami Lakes United Soccer Club followed by two years coaching at NC Fusion.

  • Jessica Kennedy, Language Development Specialist


    Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education (K-6) from High Point University, where she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society for education. Prior to coming to FCDS, she spent nine years teaching first grade at Forsyth Academy Charter School. For seven years, Jessica worked as a special education teacher and won Teacher of the Year for her work with students with mild, moderate, severe and profound special needs, and was a mentor and leader within the special education department. She was recognized by the state of North Carolina as a Teacher of Excellence in Special Education. Jessica and her husband, Justin, have three children. 

  • Trey Lambert, Director of Facilities


    Trey earned his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and, after a career as a professional baseball player pitching for the Texas Rangers, the Washington Nationals, and the Miami Marlins, he worked for three years at Research and Development Baseball Academy. He began working in residential and commercial renovations in 2016, then joined the team at Frank L. Blum in 2018. As superintendent, Trey gave presentations and proposals to potential clients, executed operational planning, recruited subcontractors, managed and reviewed budgets, worked physical construction, handled scheduling, and built and maintained relationships with clients, architects, subcontractors, employees, and inspectors. Trey is married to Karen and they have three young children: Joanna, JC, and Jack.

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  • Jasmine Linder, Preschool Administrative Assistant


    For nine years, Jasmine held almost every position at an early childhood education center from janitor to assistant director. After a pivot to project management, Jasmine began looking for a way to rejoin a preschool community, and we’re so happy she found us! She is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in human resources online from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

  • Sheryl Lowdermilk, Math Tutor


    Originally from Eden, North Carolina, Sheryl earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and a master’s degree in special education from NC State University. Sheryl was a part of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program at NC State and started her teaching career with Wake County Public Schools. Later, she earned her National Board Certification. Before coming to FCDS, Sheryl taught middle and high school students in a variety of settings and subject areas, including Regular Education (Math, Science, and Social Studies) and Special Education (Math, Language Arts, and Curriculum Assistance) for 13 years.

  • Linda Moody, Upper School English Teacher and Drama Teacher


    Born and raised in South Africa, Linda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and theater from Rhodes University. She also earned a teaching certificate and a M.Ed in teacher leadership. She taught in South Africa for ten years and has taught in WSFCS for 24 years. She and her husband Duncan have three grown children and three grandchildren.

  • Julia-Grace Polich, Math Tutor


    Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Julia earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and minored in mathematical sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is completing her doctorate in biomedical engineering at Wake Forest University. Julia has more than eight years of experience as a biomedical engineer and has presented her work at national conferences and published her work in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, she facilitates one-on-one mentoring sessions with middle school girls interested in STEM.

  • Jeremy Reid, Assistant Director of Facilities


    Jeremy is a 20-year veteran of the construction industry, working in residential and commercial construction. He has certificates in electrical code compliance and residential plumbing code compliance as well as certificate programs in heavy equipment operation. He’s been a carpenter, electrician, plumber, mason, painter, welder, heavy equipment operator, mechanic, sport and commercial fisherman, surfing instructor, sous chef, and part-time fly fishing guide. He lives with his partner Sharon and daughter Bonnie.

  • Jessica Robb, Academic Coach and Math Tutor


    A native of Winston-Salem, Jessica attended Forsyth Country Day School as a child. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in teaching (MAT) from Salem College. She has more than 15 years of experience in education and taught second and third grades in both private and public schools. She and her husband, Julian, have two children, Ellie and Liam. 

  • Marisol Ruano-Vargas, Preschool and Lower School Spanish Teacher


    Marisol has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winston-Salem State University. Prior to coming to FCDS, she was an instructional assistant in Davie County Schools for five years where she was named instructional assistant of the year. She lives with her partner, Alex.

  • Jacob Todd, Assistant Director of the Middle School


    Originally from Virginia, Jacob has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Virginia Tech. He taught English and history for five years at independent schools in North Carolina and Virginia and returned to FCDS after a year in Suffolk, Virginia with family. He is a graduate of Columbia's Teachers College Klingenstein Summer Institute in 2023. Additionally, Jacob coached the FCDS girls’ lacrosse team to a second-place finish in the 2022 state tournament and was awarded the FCDS Middle School Edith Spinks Award in 2022.
Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, college preparatory, independent school for preschool through high school located in Lewisville, NC, just outside of Winston-Salem. Students benefit from a challenging academic curriculum, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
5501 Shallowford Road
Lewisville, NC 27023
Phone: 336-945-3151