Staff Directory
Irfan Azam (irfan@camelotacademy.org)
Upper School Math, Science and Technology
teaching since 2003, at Camelot since 2017Degrees: B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, Renewable Electric Energy Sources at North Carolina State University; M.Ed. Technology Education (in progress) at North Carolina State University
Other: Concentrated in Renewable Electric Energy Systems in college and has worked on several electronic circuits, product design and buildings projects. Most recently taught project-based math and technology courses at the Triangle Collaborative School. Also a published musician and audio engineer, photographer, graphic artist and video producer.
Michelle Banal (michelle@camelotacademy.org)
Middle Grades
teaching since 1993; at Camelot since 2004Degrees: M.A.T. Elementary Education, Meredith College, NC, Licensed K-6 (2012). B.S. Biology (Cell Biology with minor in High School Science Education), University of the Philippines (1993). 28 graduate credits, Marine Science, University of Guam (1995-97).
Professional Development: 2013 Justice Teaching Institute participant, Pine Knoll Shores, NC (August 1-3); 2013 Building Learning Communities Conference participant, Boston, MA (July 23-26); 2007 Best Practices Institute: Differentiation and Understanding by Design participant, University of Virginia (March 22-24); 2006 Continuing Summer Institute on Academic Diversity participant, University of Virginia (July); 2006 George Washington Teacher's Institute participant, Mt. Vernon, VA (June 27-28); 2005 Summer Institute on Academic Diversity participant, University of Virginia (July); 2003 Historic Landscape Institute, "Preserving Jefferson's Gardens"; 2002 Monticello-Stratford Hall Seminar for Teachers: "Leadership and Life in Revolutionary America".
Travel: Philippines, Guam, Palau, Saipan, several National Parks throughout the contiguous United States, and British Columbia
Michael Berro (berro@camelotacademy.org)
Middle/Upper School Instructor
teaching since 2014; at Camelot since 2016Degrees: B.A. in History and a minor in Arabic Studies, Davidson College; Qasid Arabic Institute (Summer 2008), Middlebury College Intensive Arabic Program in Amman(2009).
Travel: Volunteer teaching & Arabic Studies in Amman, Jordan, Teaching English in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Other travel includes trips Lebanon, Turkey, Oman, and various countries across Europe.
Other: Alumnus of Camelot Academy's Class of 2010. In general, my focuses and interests lie in international studies and relations. That includes both historical and religious studies in a more academic manner as well as simply meeting new people from different places.
Anna Buchanan (anna@camelotacademy.org)
Sr MAPP Instructor
teaching since 2011; at Camelot since 2019Degrees: B.A. in Elementary Education, UNCW
Professional Development: RTI/MTSS Effective Instruction Conference, Anchorage, Alaska, 2019; Scaffolding and Differentiating Instruction to Support ELLs, EARCOS, Virginia Rojas, South Korea, 2016.
Travel: Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Canada, Czech Republic, London, France, Scotland, Mexico, Kuwait, Jordan, Dubai, Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Norway, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Oman, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Austria, Holland, Myanmar, Iceland, Indonesia, Laos, South Korea, China, Australia.
Other: "I've found that people will often forget what you said, forget what you did; but people don't forget the way you make them feel." – Maya Angelou
“Sasha” (Aleksandra) Bursac (Sasha@camelotacademy.org)
Music Teacher
Teaching since 1993; at Camelot since 2020Education: MA in Music theory/musicology; BA in Music pedagogy/theory
Professional development: Completed and practiced Kindermusik program; completed courses at Durham TECH for Teaching Students with ADHD, Teaching Students with Autism: Strategies for Success and Empowering Students with Disabilities
Travel: All over Europe (lived in Serbia and The Netherlands), Tunisia, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Aruba and throughout United States, including Puerto Rico.
Other: Aside from music, I also have a big love for languages, so besides working in the music field from preschool to college level, as a teacher and performer, I have also worked in the United Nations (in the Netherlands) as an interpreter and as area consultant.
Betsey Cheshire (Betsey@camelotacademy.org)
Middle and Upper School Latin teacher
teaching since 2004, at Camelot since 2021Degree: B.A. Classical Civilization with a Latin Concentration and a second major in History, from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Professional Development: American Classical League Institute 2005,2007,and 2012. Evidence-based Practices to Teach Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder certificate from VCU, 2019.
Travel: Toronto, Rome, Florence, Brundisium, Naples, Athens, Delphi, Southwestern United States and most of the East Coast.
Amy Cummings (amy@camelotacademy.org)
Course Instructor, Alumni Relations, Community Outreach
teaching since 1997; at Camelot since 2013Degrees: MA in Education, UNC Chapel Hill; BA in Cultural Anthropology, Duke University; Certificate in Non-Profit Management, Duke University
Professional Development: Graduate of the Klingenstein Institute for Independent School Teachers at Columbia University; attended numerous conferences through the national and NC councils for Social Studies and the Coalition of Essential Schools
Travel: All over Europe (including bicycling from Oslo to Rome); Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Canada
Other: In addition to teaching and serving as an administrator in schools, I have worked in many non-profits. I started the programs at the Emily Krzyzewski Center in Durham, founded a non-profit program called "i4m—innovation for motivation" that provided educational programming during out-of-schoolhours, and served as Executive Director at Crayons2Calculators.
Charlotte Frysinger (charlotte@camelotacademy.org)
Upper School Spanish
teaching since 2004; at Camelot since 2013Education: B.A. Spanish Education, Minor in Linguistics, University of Delaware; PA and DE certified
Travel: Visited or studied in Mexico, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico; lived in Ecuador for five years
Raleigh Gardiner (raleigh@camelotacademy.org)
Upper School Art Teacher
at Camelot since 2021Bio Coming!
Nicole Heiner (nicole@camelotacademy.org)
Multi-Age Progressive Primary
teaching since 2006; at Camelot since 2015Degrees: BA in Liberal Studies, California State University of Fullerton, 2005; Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential with BCLAD, California State University of Fullerton, 2006; North Carolina Teaching License, 2006
Travel: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica
Lori Hilliard (lori@camelotacademy.org)
Upper-School Science, Instructional Coordinator
teaching since 1989; at Camelot since 1999Degrees: B.S., Biology/Education, East Central University, Ada, OK. M.S., Science Education/Curriculum Development, East Central University, Ada., OK.
Professional Development: 2000: SCIMAST Winter Meeting (Sustaining Long-Term Professional Development), Austin, TX; 1999: Recipient of SERVE grant ($50,000 for accountability in NC Charter schools); NC Charter Schools Fall Meeting (Presented workshop on Accountability, Testing and Evaluation); 1998: National Assoc. of Biology Teachers Meeting, Reno, NV. (Conducted training on using internet to teach Biology). 1997: Konawa Public Schools Summer Vision Retreat (Planning Coordinator); Access Excellence, San Francisco, Ca. (Facilitator/Trainer). 1995: Access Excellence National Fellowship, San Francisco, CA.
Travel: Has traveled to attend scientific workshops, conferences throughout the U.S.
Reed Kellner (Reed@camelotacademy.org)
Upper School Math and Science
teaching since 2006, at Camelot since 2022Degrees: B.Sc. Physics, with a concentration in the Philosophy of Science, Minor in Mathematics, UC Irvine
Other: Developed math curricula for private educational institutions, created SAT and academic tutoring programs for non-profit organizations, private academic and admissions test preparation tutor for 16 years
Interests: I love science fiction, the craft of writing in general, nature, primitive technology and ancestral skills
Greg Kellogg (Kellogg@camelotacademy.org)
MAPP Teacher
at Camelot since 2022Degrees: B.A. in English & Communication Studies, Loyola Marymount University
Other: I am outside whenever possible. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, climbing, biking, running, camping with my wife, backpacking or doing yard work. Big on podcasts and books on tape. I always welcome T.V. show and book recommendations. Proud dog dad of our Australian Shepherd, Kota.
Professional Development: Teach for America New Orleans ‘14 Alumni, Relay Graduate School Certification in School Leadership and Administration, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) Certification of teaching, LENS Training in Development and Instructional Coaching
Travel: Austria, Belize, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Spain, Taiwan
Jillian Lea (Jillianlea@camelotacademy.org)
Lower School Art Teacher
at Camelot since 2021Education: BA Dramatic Art & Art History, UNC Chapel Hill; MA Arts Adminstration, Indiana University's School of Public & Environmental Affairs; Certificate in Fundraising, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
20 years experience in developing courses and teaching art to children; former Youth & Camp Manager at Jewish for Good, Durham; former Youth & Family Programs Coordinator, The ArtsCenter, Carrboro; RYT 500 Yoga Certification
Travel: Ireland, UK, France, Netherlands, Iceland, Israel, Hungary, Spain, Bali, Czech Republic
Other: Primary art practices include printmaking, painting, mixed media, art journaling and sewing; hobbies include yoga, gardening, reading, swimming, and watching horror movies.
Beverly Medina (beverly@camelotacademy.org)
Middle Grades Science & Upper School Instructor
at Camelot since 2023Bio Coming!
Tom Mitchell (tom@camelotacademy.org)
Upper School English, Mandarin and Fiction Writing
teacher since 2011; at Camelot since 2013Degrees: B.A. Sociology and Anthropology, Denison University; Certificate in Comparative Philosophy, Nishan Comparative Confucian Institute; Middlebury College Advanced Chinese Certificate.
Professional Development: College Board certified, AP Government and Politics
Travel: France, Canada, and China
Krista Moll (krista@camelotacademy.org)
Physical Education Teacher
teacher since 2007; at Camelot since 2008Education: B.S. in Physical Education (minor in Health Education and concentration in Psychology), Appalachian State University, 2003; M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science (concentration in Exercise and Sports Psychology), University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2006; North Carolina Physical Education license
Professional Development: Member of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sports Psychology; the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance; and the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Regularly attends conferences for said organizations.
Travel: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland
Other: Wedding and adventure photographer
Robin Brown Pipkins (robin@camelotacademy.org)
Aftercare and Yearbook
at Camelot since 2021Bio Coming!
Bruce Robbins (bruce@camelotacademy.org)
US History/Social Studies Teacher
teaching since 1985, at Camelot since 2021Degrees: MS in Education from Walden University (2011) specializing in curriculum and instruction. Gifted and Talented Endorsement from Ball State University (1995) BS in Social Studies Education from Ball State University (1985) primary area of study United States History, secondary area of study World History, secondary area of study Political Science Coaching Endorsement from Ball State University (1985)
Professional Development & Certfication:
California Teaching Credential in Social Studies 6 – 12
Indiana Teaching Credential in Social Studies 6 – 12
Teacher’s Curriculum Institute History Alive training
NAIS Diversity Institute
College Board Certified AP United States History
College Board Certified AP United States Government and Politics
Gilder Lehrman Institute Seminar History of the Confederacy
Gilder Lehrman Institute Seminar The Age of Jim Crow in History and Literature
Gilder Lehrman Institute Civil Rights and Memphis
Gilder Lehrman Institute Seminar The American Revolution
Other: For most of my career I have been a high school coach. As a head boys varsity coach my teams have won 352 games and 12 conference championships. As a head cross country coach my teams have won 13 conference championships and more than 20 invitational championships. I have been named coach of the year in four conferences in three different sports (basketball, cross country, and track).
Magdalena Sledzik Sims (magdalene@camelotacademy.org)
English as a Second Language
teaching since 2002; at Camelot since 2016Education: BA Art History & Criticism, Honors, the University of Western Ontario; MA English Philology (Linguistics, Literature, TESOL), Jagiellonian University
Professional development: TESOL International Philadelphia 2015; Wilson Language Training Washington, DC; TESOL NC Raleigh 2017
Travel: Extensive travel though 12 European countries and across Canada and the United States. Lived and worked in three countries.
Other: Interest in world languages and language acquisition, history & architecture, painting, design, hiking, cooking and gardening.
Tyler Turner
Lamplighter and Facility Management
at Camelot since 2021Bio Coming!
Thomas VanDuyne (thomas@camelotacademy.org)
Upper/Middle School English and Science
teaching since 2013; at Camelot since 2019Education: B.A. English w/ Writing Concentration, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg PA. Certificate in Corporate Sustainability, New York University, NYC NY. Master of Natural Resources, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg VA (Expected Completion, Spring 2020)
Certifications: Leed Green Associate, USGBC. TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, USGBC
Travel: U.K., Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, China, Canada, and 2/3rds of our National Parks!
Interests: Music (Drums, Guitar, Dulcimer), Avid Reader, Backpacking and Camping, Birding
