Area: Upper School

Mrs. Ballew has more than 10 years of teaching experience in middle and high school Social Studies. She has taught both CP and AP level classes in public school systems in Tennessee and in the Cumberland County School System. She has a B.A. in Social Studies obtaining a major in Geography with minors in History and Business, and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee. Currently, Mrs. Ballew teaches AP Modern History and Geography.

Mrs. Ballew’s Favorite Things

A North Carolina native, Grace Boyette graduated from North Carolina State University with Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Education.  She taught in Raleigh for 15 years while chairing the Mathematics Department and advising National Honor Society.  Grace and her husband have moved into the home built by her great grandparents in 1913 across Cliffdale Road from the Academy.  Working at Fayetteville Academy is a dream come true for Grace, as she’s known it her whole life!

After teaching six years in China, Ms. Brockington returned home to Fayetteville and is joining our science department. She has her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pembroke and teaches Physical Science, Astronomy, and Environmental Science.

Amanda DeForge is Fayetteville Academy’s Pre-Algebra and Algebra teacher. She graduated from Notre Dame of Maryland University with a B.A. in Mathematics and then went on to earn a M.S. in Education from Walden University. She has had experience teaching in brick-and-mortar schools, an online school, tutoring, coaching, and homeschooling her own three children for several years. Outside of school, Amanda likes to read and spend time outdoors with her family. 

An experienced science and STEAM teacher, Schyler Garrett joined Fayetteville Academy faculty as the new Upper School STEAM Facilitator.  She attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education where she specialized in math and science.  During her career, Schyler has also obtained her Masters in Teaching and earned a certification in Project Based Learning. 

Mrs. Gillis holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a master’s degree from The University of Florida.  Amanda teaches Latin in grades 9-12. She has served the Academy since 2009 and has been an educator since 2000.

Mrs. Gillis’s Favorite Things

Dr. Guidi earned his degrees from the University of North Florida (BM), Florida State University (MM), and the University of Texas at Austin (DMA). Prior to coming to Fayetteville Academy, he was the Fine Arts Department Chair, a College Counselor, and a Music Teacher at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Austin, TX. He also served as the Assistant Dean of Students at St. Andrew’s for seven years. Prior to and during his thirteen years at St. Andrew’s, he also taught a variety of college level courses at Southwestern University, The University of Texas, and Florida State University.

Dr. Guidi’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Harmon is originally from Germany where she met her husband while he was stationed there. She earned her bachelor’s degree in European History and master’s degree in History from the University of Mannheim. She then spent four more semesters studying Latin at the University of Heidelberg. Mrs. Harmon also has her certification to teach German as a foreign language. She has three children and a spoiled dog named Toby. Mrs. Harmon enjoys spending time with her family, has a passion for traveling, and loves to work out and dance.

Mrs. Harmon’s Favorite Things

A North Carolina native, Zachary holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Methodist University.  While there, he taught music at all levels and performed extensively on his primary instrument, the bassoon.  Zachary also continues to perform as a member of the Fayetteville Symphonic Band.  Zachary teaches all levels of band at Fayetteville Academy.

Dr. Michael Limberg received a bachelor’s degree from Gordon College and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado-Boulder.  He recently completed a Ph.D. in History from University of Connecticut, where he also taught. 

Dr. Limberg’s Favorite Things

Originally from Fayetteville, Ms. Melara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish/Electronic Mass Media Studies from East Carolina University.  Rosario returned home to North Carolina after eleven years teaching Spanish in Florida.  She teaches Upper School Spanish classes for Fayetteville Academy.

Mr. Jonathan Quiery received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations from the College of Wooster.  After several years in Zambia working as a Peace Corps Volunteer, Jonathan earned a Master of Arts in ancient Greek and Roman studies from Brandeis University (2016) and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Archaeology from Durham University.  Jonathan has worked on numerous archaeological excavations during his graduate career, including sites in Romania, Israel, and England.  Jonathan teaches the 8th Grade Geography and 9th Grade Ancient Civilizations courses at Fayetteville Academy.

Mrs. Sappington holds a bachelor’s degree from Greensboro College and is EMT-B Certified. She has served the Academy for since 2005 and has been an educator since 2001.

Mrs. Sappington’s Favorite Things

Donna Jo Severt, 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. Severt 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

Mr. Southerland received his bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University. He spent thirteen years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force where he served as a pilot, a crew chief, and a squadron commander, among many other duties. After his time in the Air Force, he served briefly as a commercial pilot for ACJet Airlines. In 2000, Mr. Southerland decided to enter the field of education, and he has spent the last 21 years as a highly regarded math teacher, most recently in the Cumberland County School System.

Mr. Southerland’s Favorite Things

Ms. Terry has bachelor’s degrees in both Marine Science and Meteorology as well as a master’s degree in Meteorology from N.C. State University. She taught various courses including chemistry, biology, geoscience, and AP Environmental Science in her three years at St. Mary’s School in Raleigh. She also has spent time as a Middle School math teacher as well an ESL teacher. Ms. Terry has several hobbies and areas of interest, including scuba diving, and she holds several advanced certifications in that area. 

Ms. Terry’s Favorite Things

Mrs. Tyminski earned her bachelor’s degree in History and American Studies from Wellesley College.  While a student there, she spent time studying abroad at the University of St. Andrews and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. She also earned a master’s degree in American History from Pace University. She is currently a certified teacher in North Carolina, Virginia, and Kansas.  Mrs. Tyminski taught for three years at Jack Britt High School where she helped create the current A.P. U.S. History syllabus for the Cumberland County School System. She has served as a reader (grader) and table leader for the A.P. U.S. History Exam. She was also selected for and attended a Gilder Lehrman Summer Teacher Seminar 2017 on Daily Life in Colonial America at Yale University.

Mrs. Tyminski’s Favorite Things

Mr. Washburn holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in Linguistics from Cornell University. Prior to the Academy, he taught at Cornell University and SUNY Cortland in New York.  His interests include theoretical syntax, fantasy and horror literature and philosophy. He currently teaches 11th and 12th grade English, and has occasionally taught linguistics and philosophy. Mr. Washburn has served the Academy since 2010 and as the English Department chair since 2016. He has been an educator since 2002.

Mr. Washburn’s Favorite Things

After graduating from Fayetteville Academy, Mrs. Wermel went on to study at Wake Forest University and N.C. State University.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from N.C. State University.  She has previously completed AP summer institute training for both biology and chemistry, and she has taught all levels of those two subjects over her time at Jack Britt High School, Hill Country Christian (Austin, TX), and Cape Fear High School.

Mrs. Wermel’s Favorite Things