Administration
Laura Blackburn is our Head of School. Laura received her B.A. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her Masters in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is certified by North Carolina in learning disabilities grades K-12 and as a principal. She is also certified in Wilson Language and is also certified by the Gurian Institute as a certified trainer in Boys and Girls Learn Differently.
Tim Montgomery is our Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions. He received his B.A. from Appalachian State University in Political Science and completed his teacher certification through Greensboro College. Tim is certified in social studies grades 6-12 and as a principal. He also holds a Master's Degree in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University.
Clare Abel is our Head of Upper Division. She received her B.A. in English from Greensboro College and her Learning Disability certification from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is certified by North Carolina in English 9-12, language arts 6-9 and in learning disabilities grade K-12. Clare is certified by the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to evaluate other independent and public schools during their reaccreditation process. Clare enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Hallie Harding is our Head of Lower Division. She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degree in special education from East Carolina University. She is NC certified in special education K-12 and certified in elementary education in grades 1-6. She is currently pursing a master’s of school administration at UNCG. In her free time she enjoys weekend getaways, reading, and outdoor sports.
Jennifer Aceves is our Assistant Head of Lower Division and Director of Communications. Jennifer was awarded her B.A. in Psychology from Davidson College and is certified by North Carolina in learning disabilities. She received her M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is also a Wilson Language certified instructor. Jennifer enjoys spending her free time reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with her family.
Matt Zigler is our Dean of Students. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Art from Elmira College in New York, and earned his MFA in Painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Along with Studio Art, Matt has experience teaching Photography, Digital Art, Art History, and Philosophy. He has shown his work in group and solo shows in New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh. Matt previously worked as a counselor and Dean of Students for Threesprings, Inc. at their therapeutic wilderness program and emotional growth boarding school.
Lisa Galvin is our Business Manager at Noble Academy, after nine years as the school's office manager. Lisa brought over 20 years of previous experience in school accounting and financial management with her when she joined Noble Academy in 1996. She enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with her family, and trips to the beach.
Brian Kusel is our Director of Technology. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Systems from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He holds certifications in Network+ and A+. His career includes over a decade of computer support and administration in the corporate world, primarily spent in Chicago, IL. Brian enjoys spending his spare time SCUBA diving and exploring the world.
Faculty
Adam Barrett received his B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Pure Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Before joining the faculty at Noble Academy, he taught Honors level Mathematics in the Guilford County School System. Adam also studied abroad for a year at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies concentrating in Japanese language and culture. He enjoys reading, playing video games, and studying martial arts.
Debbie Blackwood is our Media Specialist and received her M.Ed. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is certified by North Carolina as a Media Coordinator K-12. When she is not reading, Debbie enjoys playing piano and spending time with her family.
Kim Burkhalter graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University. She is currently completing her teaching license in special education while pursuing her master’s degree in special education at UNCG. She came to us from Guilford County Schools, where she was a Language Facilitator.
Erin Cawley is a graduate of Elon University with a B.A. in middle grades education with a concentration in social studies and science. Before coming to Noble Academy, Erin taught in the Guilford County School System and has coached volleyball, flag football, cross country, and track and field at the middle school level and swimming at the high school level. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Special Education from East Carolina University. In her free time, Erin enjoys reading, going to movies, and visiting her family in Florida.
Danielle Fitzgerald has her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Georgia and her foreign language teacher certification P-12. She has taught at St. Francis Day School (Alpharetta, GA), a school that shares a similar mission. Most recently Ms. Fitzgerald taught Spanish 1, 2, and 3 at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro.
Eric Gal graduated from Noble Academy (then Guilford Day School) in 2005.
Susan Hughes received her B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in Secondary Education with a double major in English. She is certified in North Carolina in English grades 9-12. Prior to coming to Noblel Academy 18 years ago, Susan taught in Georgia where she enjoyed the opportunity to take her high school students on a trip abroad. Susan stays very involved in community service, loves to read, attend theater productions and movies, and plan adventures with her grandchildren.
Sonja Kelley has a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from NCSU and received her teaching certification in Theatre Arts from Greensboro College. She graduated with honors from both schools. She is the on-site playwright for the majority of plays produced at Noble Academy, entering her students in the middle and high school state competitions for the last eight years.
Celeste Lackey graduated with honors with a B.S. degree in Sociology from James Madison University. She later graduated with highest honors with an M.A. degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to teaching, Celeste was a foster care case manager and a juvenile court counselor. Celeste has had Wilson Language training and is North Carolina certified in Special Education. Celeste enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going to the lake and the beach.
Doug Long serves as Athletic Director as well as Head of the Health and Physical Education Department at Noble Academy. Doug earned his B.A. in Physical Education from the University of South Florida. Along with his work at Noble Academy, Doug is a professional personal trainer.
Connie Mask teaches our individualized multi-sensory structured reading classes at Noble Academy. She received her B.A. from Hollins University and has completed extensive graduate work in special education. Connie has also had training in Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell, and Wilson Language. She is certified by the state of North Carolina in learning disabilities grades K-12. She is also certified by the Gurian Institute as a certified trainer in Boys and Girls Learn Differently.
Kay McMurphy is our Master Teacher for the Lower Division. She received her M.Ed. in Special Education and Reading from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is certified in North Carolina in Reading K-12 and Cross-Categorical K-12. She has received training in Wilson Language and Lindamood-Bell. In 2007, Kay was honored with a Distinguished Alumni in Education Award from UNC-G. In her spare time, Kay enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and working with Burmese refugees.
Sterling Miller received his B.A. in History from Trinity College. He did graduate work at Hofstra University and the University of Pittsburgh and received his MS.Ed in School Administration from Pepperdine University. He is certified in math grades 6-9 and holds his Principal certification for North Carolina. Sterling has experience in both the public and private school settings. He loves spending his free time outdoors, playing a variety of different sports, reading, and spending time with his wonderful family and animals.
Debra Mitchell received her Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities from Virginia Commonwealth University. She taught for 6 years in Virginia and then worked for 2 years as an Educational Diagnostician. She spent the last 8 years teaching in Maryland. She is NC certified in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education. In her free time she enjoys cooking and reading.
Jen Nierle received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Roanoke College, with a minor in Education. She has had training in Wilson Language as well as many other research-based methodologies during her long tenure at Noble Academy. When not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and playing sports.
Vicki Payne graduated with Honors with a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Vicki has been awarded numerous grants and received many awards for her research in Biology. Before coming to Noble Academy, Vicki worked for Guilford County as a middle school science and social studies teacher. Vicki enjoys spending time with her family and many pets.
Aimee Picon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood both earned with honors from the University of Florida. She is North Carolina Certified in Early Childhood (birth - Kindergarten), Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education (K - 12) She brings 10 years of experience in establishing Kindergarten classes, and we look forward to enhancing our technology in the lower grade levels as she shares her expertise in this area. Aimee enjoys baking, reading and spending time with her family in her free time.
Kathryn Spooner graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in Psychology. She worked with publications, juvenile programs and volunteers for a Washington DC-based non-profit organization for eight years before joining the Noble Academy faculty. She is currently working toward her licensure in special education at Greensboro College. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four boys, reading, and being outdoors.
Linda Stell received a degree in both Wildlife Biology and Science Education from North Carolina State University.She has taught science and social studies in public and private schools for almost 20 years. In her free time, Linda enjoys being with her husband and two sons out on the trails or on a ball field.
Paul Vernon received his bachelor’s degree in history from Clemson University. Before moving to North Carolina, he worked with continuing education programs at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. He was most recently a middle grades social studies teacher in Guilford County public schools. In his spare time, Paul enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Jonathan Wallace graduated summa cum laude with his master’s degree in elementary education at UNCG where he also received his bachelor’s degree in art. His career in education started as a historical interpreter for Old Salem Museums in Winston-Salem and a supervisor for the Greensboro Historical Museum. Mr. Wallace is licensed in K-6 education, and he enjoys reading and spending time at the beach.
Counselors
Julie Bean graduated with Highest Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in psychology and sociology and received her M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a certified North Carolina School Counselor grades K-12, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Prior to coming to Noble Academy, Julie worked as a counselor in public schools and as a therapist in the community. She serves Noble Academy students in grades K-7. In her free time, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, playing music, and reading.
JoAnn Caligiuri received her B.S. degree from Mansfield University and her Masters in School Counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is certified by North Carolina as a School Counselor grades K-12, and as a Family Consumer Science Educator K-12. JoAnn serves as counselor for grades 8-12. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family, doing Hospice volunteer work, quilting and spending time at the lake.
Staff
Janet Mackenzie graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and worked as a professional actress for 16 years in regional theatre, off Broadway, and in television commercials. She then spent 7 years with the National Council of Churches in both their development office and publishing unit before moving to Greensboro. Janet feels blessed to be at Noble Academy, surrounded by a truly special extended family.
Theo Tisdale is our Head of Maintenance. In his spare time, Theo enjoys reading and spending time with his family.