Area: Lower School

Mrs. Anderson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State and a Master of Arts in Education in Instructional Technology from ECU. She has her N.C. certifications in Elementary Education (K-6) and as an Instructional Technology Specialist – Computers.  Mrs. Anderson worked in the Cumberland County School System for 15 years. In 2020, she was named “Teacher of the Year” at Rockfish Elementary. 

Mrs. Anderson’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Bruns holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.  Mrs. Bruns teaches Kindergarten.  She has served the Academy since 2007 and has been an educator since 1983.

Mrs. Bruns’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Burt holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis in Child Development and Family Studies. She is a member of the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Fraternity.  She has been an educator since 2000 and joined the academy in 2011.  Prior to an administrative role, Mrs. Burt  taught kindergarten and pre-kindergarten.  She is thrilled to have both of her children attending the Academy.

Mrs. Burt’s Favorite Things

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Mrs. Curry received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2011. In May 2014, she completed her student teaching requirements and received her teaching license from Shenandoah University. Since then, she has completed a master’s degree in Education from Shenandoah University. She has taught since 2013.

Mrs. Curry has two children, Chanan and Avaleigh. When not working or running around with the kids, she enjoys reading, running, yoga, and being outdoors with her family.

Mrs. Curry’s Favorite Things

Ms. Fedo has a bachelor’s degree in Education from Campbell University. She is N.C. certified in Elementary Education (K-6) and Academically Gifted (K-12). Ms. Fedo worked 13 years in public schools in the Fayetteville area, the last seven of which were spent teaching Kindergarten at Gray’s Creek Elementary School.  She earned “Teacher of the Year” honors at Lake Rim Elementary (2004), E.E. Miller (2011), and at Gray’s Creek (2015).  

Ms. Fedo’s Favorite Things

Coach Ghaffar is our Lower School P.E. teacher and has spent many years working in various roles at Fayetteville Academy. Coach Ghaffar’s own education includes a bachelor’s degree in communications and mass media/journalism from UNC-Charlotte. Coach Ghaffar spent two years working with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia before a stint as a library manager at George Washington University. Since coming to F.A., his roles have included work as a cross country coach, basketball coach, track and field coach, and frequent substitute teacher.

Coach Ghaffar’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Grice holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. She teaches in the STEAM Lab for Kindergarten and Pre-K. Previously, she taught Kindergarten at the Academy, and she has served FA since 1990.

Mrs. Grice’s Favorite Things

Mr. Harbison earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Personnel Administration from the University of Utah. Mr. Harbison spent 10 years teaching Middle and Upper School science, math, and technology classes at Fayetteville Academy.  After a short break, John returned in 2013 as a substitute teacher throughout the entire academy in all disciplines. In 2017, John accepted part time duty as a first grade science teacher.

Mr. Harbison’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Hare graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. She has been in education since 1980 in grades K-5 and taught 31 years in the Fort Bragg School System.

Mrs. Hare’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from East Carolina University. She worked as a pediatric nurse for 10 years in both hospital and clinic settings. She was born and raised in Fayetteville and is a Fayetteville Academy Alumna, Class of ‘02. Working as the school nurse and assistant to Head of the Lower School allows her to have the best of both worlds… working and being a mom!

Mrs. Jenkins’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Long holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She taught for two years at ASSETS School in Honolulu, HI before moving to Robeson County, where she served for 31 years as a teacher at Pembroke Elementary School.  Mrs. Long’s daughter, Taylor, is a graduate of Fayetteville Academy.

Mrs. Long’s Favorite Things

Donna Jo Mangus, Director of Choral Music and Music Teacher, has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Campbell University. She is a national board-certified teacher in early and middle childhood music. A lifelong resident of Cumberland County, Mrs. Mangus is recently retired from Cumberland County Schools where she most recently taught at Max Abbott Middle School and Terry Sanford High School. She is a member of the Cumberland Choral Arts and the Cross Creek Chorale. She serves as the artistic director of the Campbellton Youth Chorus.

Mrs. Mangus’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Manley has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and has worked previously as an applied behavior analysis technician. She has been a very active and involved participant throughout her time at the Academy having served as a regular substitute teacher and in several positions of leadership with the Fayetteville Academy Parents Association, serving most recently as president. Mrs. Manley and her husband Jason have a daughter Alexa who is currently at student at FA.

Mrs. Mescall holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and a master’s degree from Fayetteville State University.  Mrs. Mescall taught 21 years in public education working with second, third, fifth, and middle school students before coming to Fayetteville Academy. In 2010, Mrs. Mescall was one of 250 teachers chosen from over 1,100 nationwide applicants to attend the Mickleson-Exxon Science Teacher Academy. She is currently teaching fifth grade.

Mrs. Mescall’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Ostendorf is a graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education. She has had the experience of teaching all grade levels from Pre-K through Fifth Grade. She also served as an Instructional Coach for Cumberland County Schools for six years. Mrs. Ostendorf feels blessed to have her two daughters at Fayetteville Academy and plans to soak up these formative years with them as they grow. 

Mrs. Ostendorf’s Favorite Things

Mr. Ownsworth’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Bachelor of Education Degree, and a Graduate Degree in Education. Mr. O. is a certified teacher and Project-Based Learning specialist.

Mrs. Prince holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  She has served the Academy since 2010 and has been an educator since 1989.

Mrs. Prince’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Reeder holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Campbell University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University. She has been teaching since 2008.

Mrs. Reeder’s Favorite Things