about us | our team

Originally from Asheville, NC, Vaniece graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Spanish. While at UNC-Charlotte, she had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in beautiful Costa Rica where she lived with a family for two months. Soon after graduating, Vaniece began teaching at Dore Academy in 2002. In her spare time, she enjoy spending time with her family, taking Zumba© classes, and reading.

David brings with him a host of experiences as both a music teacher and a musician. David earned his Bachelor’s in Music from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he specialized in bassoon, tuba and voice. He has extensive music education experience, having taught in both classroom and studio environments. Mr. Wallace is an active performer, serving as the Principal Bassoonist in the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, Solo Euphonium in the Queen City Brass Band, and the Artistic Director of the Charlotte Pride Band.

Mary Katherine graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and will be teaching Middle and Upper Sciences. Before joining the John Crosland School, Mary Katherine taught at a school for children with emotional and behavioral disorders in Tampa for two years. While in Florida, Mary Katherine also volunteered as the Basketball coach and student activities coordinator. She brings with her a passion for teaching and is excited to meet her new students! In her free time, Mary Katherine enjoys traveling to see family, hiking, and learning to play the guitar.

In 2009, Victoria earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with teaching licensure from Western Governor’s University. She returned to school in 2017 to earn a Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from Liberty University.  With over a decade of teaching experience, Victoria has a broad range of teaching experience ranging from preschool to high school education. Victoria began her experience with learning differences in 2009 as an EC tutor and, then in subsequent years, as a Title I classroom educator. In 2013, she became part of the John Crosland School where she teaches Upper School mathematics. Victoria is married and has three children. In her time outside of school, Victoria spends much of her time enjoying her family and traveling. In addition, Victoria writes to advocate for the international adoption community—the needs of families and children that come from difficult beginnings.

David attended Appalachian State University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, David began his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Davidson and Cabarrus counties. In 2005 he accepted a job at Dore Academy, now the John Crosland School.  He’s had the pleasure to teach fifth grade in lower school and sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade science and social studies in middle school. In his free time, he enjoys playing and building guitars, building, and painting motorcycles, and spending time with his wife and daughter, Bethany, on their family farm.

Teri is thrilled to be among the many wonderful talented teachers at The John Crosland School. Teri graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and she is a National Board Certified Teacher.  She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and numerous other research-based programs. Teri taught in the Charlotte Public Schools for 11 years. This is Teri’s 18th year of teaching and her seventh year at The John Crosland School.

Lisa graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with an M. Ed degree in Special Education: Learning Disabilities. She has been an educator for over 18 years. She obtained the Advanced Level of Orton-Gillingham training in 2005. Upon graduating from UNCC, she briefly taught as a Special Education teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. She wrote a letter to Dore Academy that she was looking to teach at a school that showed integrity for children and their needs. She was called for an interview to the school and hired as a 5th-grade classroom teacher in 2002.

Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Old Westbury. Laura comes to us from Charlotte United Christian Academy where she taught grades 3-6 for the past eight years. At Charlotte United Christian Academy Laura taught a full inclusion classroom which gave her the experience of working with students across many different ability levels.  She believes teaching is a calling and works with each of her students to help them develop to their highest academic level. Laura has over 30 plus years of diverse teaching, curriculum development, and tutoring experience at both private and public elementary and middle school throughout-out the USA and Africa.

Ashley teaches Middle and Upper School English for 8-11th grade students, and Senior Creative Writing. Ashley has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, from the University of South Carolina, with a double major in English and History, as well as a concentration in Education. For the past ten years, Ashley has tutored a variety of subject areas, in both elementary and secondary grade levels. Her passion for school and learning began as a child and she was destined to be a teacher. She loves children of all ages and enjoys motivating them to be their very best selves. In her free time, you may find Ashley volunteering in her community or church, swimming away the summer, or enjoying board and card games with her family.

Vivian is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in K-12 Special Education and Middle School Mathematics. Through the years she has worked with every grade level. She came to us from Greenville County where she was working with students in self-contained classrooms with a variety of learning differences, ADHD, and autism. She comes from a large Greek family. In her free time, she enjoys going hiking with her German Shepard, Oto, and having play dates with her nine nieces and nephews. She finds many ways to stay busy including coaching basketball, Greek dancing, and her own professional development as a teacher.

Dan received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992. He returned to school in 2008 to earn his teaching license in secondary social studies from UNC-Charlotte and was certified to teach both middle school and high school students. He has taught 8th grade social studies at Charlotte Secondary School and joined The Epiphany School of Charlotte in 2013 to focus on students with learning differences. He has also been a member of the Charlotte Philharmonic and the Charlotte Civic Orchestra. Recently, he has been learning to play the mandolin. Dan enjoys vacationing with his family along the North Carolina’s Outer Banks at Cape Lookout National Seashore and backpacking with them in the Appalachian Mountains.

Lynn graduated cum laude from Mercer University in 1977. She taught elementary school in Pinellas County, Florida until she moved to Charlotte. She began teaching at Dore in 1994. She has completed basic and advanced Orton training, all 5 Project Read courses, a Differentiated Leaner’s Certificate from the Hill Center, and numerous workshops and graduate level courses in Special Education. She is an alumna of the Teaching Fellow Institute at Charlotte. Lynn is married and the mother of three grown children. In her free time, she loves to read, write, and exercise when forced, with her daughter.

Kathleen has served as School Counselor at the John Crosland School since February 2015. Before coming to Crosland Ms. Gavin graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Millersville University and a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Villanova University. She has experience working with children and adults with physical, psychological, and developmental disabilities as well as adolescents struggling with truancy and delinquency. In previous years Kathleen worked as a college and career counselor for high school students in low-income schools, an experience she later used to present at the TEDx Villanova Conference. She serves as a co-facilitator of the MS/US Girls Group, as well as creator and co-facilitator of the Big Buddy Project. She enjoys hosting both the College Fair and Career Day.

Grinetta is a native of New Orleans and attended Booker T. Washington High School. She completed coursework at Dillard University as an Elementary EDU Major. Ms. Parker worked for Orleans Parish Schools for sixteen years as an Assistant School Secretary, Folder Clerk, Health Care Assistant and Substitute Teacher. Hurricane Katrina deeply impacted Netta and she and her mother were relocated to emergency housing in Charlotte. Although not currently enrolled due to family obligations, Ms. Parker continued her education at UNCC and is just 12 credits shy of graduating. Ms. Parker began working as our School Secretary in 2012. In her free time, her hobbies include bowling, sewing, and working on jigsaw puzzles.

Torian Parker earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Vocal Music and Theater Arts from Livingstone College in 2014 in Salisbury, NC. Torian is currently in pursuit of a Master Degree in Curriculum; Instruction from Southern New Hampshire University. Torian comes to the John Crosland family from Noah’s Art of Southpark here in Charlotte where he served as a Lead Art Teacher and Art Outbound Program coordinator. Torian is a visual and performance artist and loves spending time working with children and the arts, painting, and playing with his dog Kam!

Debbie is a passionate educator with 20 years of classroom experience working with various grade levels. She joined The Crosland School from Brookstone Schools where she assisted in the K-2 classrooms for four years. Debbie also worked for CMS for four years assisting in the self-contained classroom with students with learning differences.  She has been a part of the Crosland faculty and staff since 2006 in various capacities including Teacher  Assistant, Lead Substitute Teacher, and Extended Day Coordinator. She is currently working on her BA in Business Administration at Johnson C. Smith University. Debbie enjoys traveling, sudoku and spending time with her family and friends.

Shawn began working at The John Crosland School in 2007. Prior to his current role of Director of Operations, Shawn was the Athletic Director, PE teacher, and JCS Social Media Administrator. Shawn came from Atlanta where he taught high school students with severe emotional behavioral disorders in the public school. He has been honored to receive the Student’s Choice Teacher of the Year award three times.  Shawn completed his Master’s degree in Education from Wingate University. In 2015 Shawn was elected as Mecklenburg County’s Soil and Water Supervisor. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Metrolina Native American Association and as a volunteer paramedic.  His number one hobby is spending time with his family and playing with his daughter.

Ted attended Emmanual College and graduated with honors in 1985. He has worked in various Information System positions including Lead Designer, Systems Manager, Production Manager and Operations Manager for Color Response, Hi Q Photolith and Banta Digital Group. Ted is a Certified Microsoft Professional in Servers, Networking, and Security.  He is also A+ Certified in computer and network hardware. Ted served in the US Army, working with Signal Intelligence for NSA. He rose to the rank of Sergeant in two and half years and after completing his service was honorably discharged. Ted and his wife Sherree have two sons, Phillip and Spencer.

Karen graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Marketing and Management. She has worked for over twenty years in the business administration and accounting fields. Karen is originally from Long Island, New York. She enjoys spending her free time with her family – Norm her husband of 24 years, daughter Nicole currently in college, and son Kyle currently in high school.

Portia earned a BA in Sociology from Clark University, an MBA from Cambridge College, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. She brings many years of knowledge and experience in marketing, education, and non-profit management. Portia manages Development, Admissions, and Financial Aid. She has implemented many new programs a Crosland such as the Girls Group, Speaker Series, Young Men of Color Affinity Group, Crochet Club, and the New Family Ambassador Program. She obtained a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques certification and incorporates her love of art into her world by teaching classes, exhibiting art, and speaking to groups about fiber art and arts integration.

Charlie earned his Master of Science in Leadership from Pfeiffer University and has an undergraduate background in philosophy/religion and history. He has been part of the Crosland faculty and staff since 2005 in various capacities including English and Written Expression teacher, SAT preparation instructor, yearbook coordinator, and golf coach. Crosland is also honored that he serves as our SAIS accreditation coordinator. Charlie is an avid musician and plays drums for a local Charlotte band, as well as the Crosland faculty band, The Lunch Buckets.

Anne joined The John Crosland School from The Epiphany School of Charlotte where she taught math and social communications skills to middle-grade students with Asperger’s syndrome, autism spectrum, and social communication needs.   Anne holds both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees in Special Education, and her teaching career began in 1994. Anne has taught nearly all subjects to students in kindergarten through high school in Lexington County, SC; Forsyth and Stokes County, NC and in Cabarrus County, NC.  Anne lives in Concord and has two sons and she is passionate about working with parents and families. Anne also loves teaching sensory processing, social thinking, and executive functioning skills, and loves working at John Crosland!

Elaine Triantis graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Elementary / Intermediate Education and Middle Grades Language Arts. She has been an educator for over 20 years. Early in her career, Elaine developed a passion for working with students who had learning differences, reading, and literacy challenges. Elaine joined Dore Academy in 2005 and worked to develop the first Kindergarten Program. Focusing on a multisensory approach to reading, Elaine obtained a Certified Level Training in Orton Gillingham. Elaine is an enthusiastic cook and enjoys gardening as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Hallie earned a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in Low Incidence Disorders – both earned with honors from East Carolina University. She also holds a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is North Carolina certified in Elementary Education (K-6), and Special Education (K-12), and a Wilson Practitioner. She brings 16 years of teaching and leadership experience to Crosland. Hallie enjoys traveling overseas, trying out new recipes, and playing with Bumble, her Australian Labradoodle.