As we kick off the 2023-2024 school year, we are thrilled to announce a stellar slate of new faculty and staff at Asheville School. It is always a pleasure to welcome new faces to our campus and enjoy the fresh perspectives and ideas that come with them. Please join us in welcoming our newest members of our school community.
New Hires
Michael Heyward is our new Director of Enrollment Management. Michael brings a wealth of experience in admissions, having worked at Holderness School, Avenues The World School, Head Royce School, and, most recently, at The Athenian School in California. Michael also attended Holderness School as a boarding student. With a proven track record in boarding school admissions, Michael is primed to bring innovative and insightful leadership to Asheville School’s enrollment management team. Michael graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Business and has a Master’s degree from Concordia University-Irvine in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
Trent McCallister joins the Blues Athletic Department as the Associate Director of Athletics. Trent is also the Program Leader for boys’ basketball. Trent comes to Asheville School from Gaston Day, where he was the boys’ varsity basketball coach and Assistant Athletic Director. Prior to Gaston Day, Trent worked at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC. A seasoned and successful coach, Trent is excited to build off the recent success of the boys’ basketball program and take them to new heights. Trent has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration: Finance, Risk Management, and Insurance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Ethan Dodson is the newest addition to the Philanthropy Department in the role of Senior Director of Major Gifts. Ethan brings almost twenty years of higher education fundraising experience to Asheville School after serving at the University of Virginia, North Carolina State University, and most recently at Appalachian State University as Executive Director of Development.
We are also pleased to introduce a host of new faculty members across our academic departments. We are thrilled with the wealth of skills and knowledge this group brings to our community:
- Wes Kayser comes to Asheville School after several years teaching in the Birmingham, AL school system, including working with Teach for America. Most recently, Wes taught British Literature and AP language and Composition at John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham. He has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Cincinnati, a Master’s degree in History from Ohio University, and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Montavallo. Wes will be teaching in the Humanities department and supporting outdoor experiences in the Mountaineering Program.
- Luis Alberto Gomez Espana is teaching both Spanish and French in the World Languages Department. A native of Colombia, Luis is an avid mountain biker and outdoor enthusiast. He received his undergraduate degree in English and French from the Universidad de Narino in Pasto, Colombia, and his Master’s degree in Linguistics and TESOL from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Luis will also serve as the assistant JV boys’ soccer coach this fall.
- Dan Osgood comes to the Asheville School community after a decade of teaching in New Orleans, LA. Dan began his career with TeachNOLA and then working at Samuel J. Green Charter School. Most recently, Dan served at Belle Chasse Academy as a social studies teacher and coach.Dan will teach in the Humanities department. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Communications from Florida State University and is three credits away from receiving his Master’s degree in History from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
- Nelson Boachie-Yiadom is joining the Learning Center as an Academic Support teacher. A native of England, Nelson attended Loomis-Chaffee School as a boarding student. He then attended Davidson College, where he was a member of the basketball team. Upon graduating from Davidson with a Bachelor’s degree in History, Nelson spent the past year at Hofstra University pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainability and playing basketball at Hofstra. Nelson has represented Great Britain in FIBA tournaments. He will bring his basketball expertise to our boys’ basketball program.
- Anna Lawrence rejoins the Asheville School community this year after a five-year hiatus teaching at Ravenscroft School where she most recently worked coordinating the Innovation Lab. Anna previously worked at Asheville School from 2014-2018. Anna will be teaching computer science and math courses, as well as helping with Blues Shift, Asheville School’s robotics team. Anna has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from North Carolina State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin.
- Julia Losey is joining the Learning Center as an Academic Support teacher and will also coach our JV girls’ tennis and varsity girls’ lacrosse teams. Julia recently graduated from Kenyon College, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. Julia was a member of Kenyon’s varsity women’s lacrosse team with an athletic career highlight as a key player supporting the team to the third round of the NCAA tournament. Julia recently worked as a teaching intern at Northfield Mount Hermon School’s summer session. In addition to her teaching, Julia also served as an orientation leader at Kenyon College and has admissions experience from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.
- Marion Givhan joins Asheville School from three years living abroad, most recently in Paris, France. She will be teaching French in the World Languages Department and coaching girls’ volleyball. Marion attended Sewanee: The University of the South, earning an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts. Marion recently received her Master’s degree in French with a specialization in Pedagogy and Linguistics from Middlebury College.
- Ingrid Bergill recently graduated from Scripps College with degrees in English and Classical Studies. She has experience as a student at boarding school, having graduated from Phillips Exeter Academic in New Hampshire. While there, Ingrid was heavily involved in student life. She has worked at a YMCA camp for multiple summers and has experience as a substitute teacher. Ingrid will be teaching in the Humanities department and supporting our tutoring partnership with Hillcrest Community Center.
- Sean Lakey joins us from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, where he served as Department Chair for the Visual and Performing Arts. Sean will be teaching classes in the Arts Department and will be heavily involved with our drama and theater programs. Sean holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Western Carolina University.
- Emily Cowan joins us from a previous career as an Assistant District Attorney and District Court Judge. She holds bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary and a juris doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law School. Emily also taught throughout her law career and is excited to pursue her passion of teaching history. You will recognize Emily from her role as our head track and field coach and current parent. Emily will teach in the Humanities department.
- Calie Berry is not new to Asheville School but is assuming a full-time role teaching Spanish in the World Languages Department. Calie taught part-time at Asheville School this past school year and has also worked as a tutor through Biltmore Tutoring with Asheville School students. She possesses Bachelors’ degrees in both English and Spanish from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Georgia.
- Robby Bennett joins the Mountaineering Program to lead the mountain bike program. Robby comes to Asheville School after a 25 year career at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where he served as Assistant Director of Athletics for Event Management and Operations. He has competed in mountain bike, road, and gravel racing for over 30 years and brings a passion for cycling to the program. Robby is looking forward to sharpening the skills of new and seasoned riders on the world-class trails found in Western North Carolina.
Internal Movements
Please join us in congratulating these returning members of staff on their new appointments:
Sarah Bednar -Director of Athletics
Carl Boland – Co-Chair of the Humanities Department
Alfred Brewer – Assistant Dean of Students
Kate Janson Foltz – Associate Dean of Students
McNair Johnson – Director of Academic Affairs
Dr. Kellett Letson – Director of Health and Wellness Services
Amy McCuin – Associate Director of the College Office
Helen Plaehn – Director of Experiential Learning
Chris O’Steen – Co-Chair of the Humanities Department