Teachers

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Degrees and Certifications:

Mr. Thomas Morgan

Phoenix Academy Drafting Instructor

Mr. Morgan teaches students the mathematics and skills needed to draft plans for new structures, designs, and ideas.

*Mr. Morgan's Drafting class is only offered during 1st Period, as he is also an instructor at East Chapel Hill High School.

 

Degrees and Certifications:

Drafting

 

Phone: 919-918-2300 ext 32292

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ms. Margaret Fonge

Career Technical and Education Teacher

I am originally from Cameroon in West Africa. I had my BBA and MBA from the University of the District of Columbia in 1986 and 1989 respectively. I moved to North Carolina after that, where I raised five children. I went back to school in 2008 and completed my MAT program at NC A&T State University in 2010 and I have been working here at PAHS ever since. I am the Business Education teacher here and I teach: Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Entrepreneurship1, and Principles of Business and Finance. I was CTE Teacher of the Year in 2013, and PAHS Teacher of the Year in 2019.

Degrees and Certifications:
BBA, MBA, MAT

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Mr. William Hales

Math Teacher

Math 1,2,3 and 4
 
Degrees and Certifications:
MA secondary Education 

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Mr. Jeff Lang

English Language Arts Instructor

Mr. Lang is the new English Language Arts teacher at Phoenix Academy High School.  He comes to us from Durham, and after having served Riverside High School for 25 years.
 
Degrees and Certifications:
English Language Arts

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Mr. Momo Koroma

Mathematics Teacher

My name is Momo Koroma. I have been teaching on and off for over 20 years. I have also worked in Engineering and technology. I am certified to teach various STEM courses, including Mathematics and some CTE courses. I currently teach Mathematics at PAHS.

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Ms. DIane Wright

History Instructor

Ms. Wright is one of our two history teachers at Phoenix Academy High School.  Diane comes to us from Durham, after many years serving DPS students, most recently at Lucas Middle School.

 

Degrees & Certifications:

NC Certified History Teacher

 

Phone: 9199292106 x 44212

Email:

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Mr. Matthew Taylor

History Instructor

Mr. Taylor is one of our new History teachers at Phoenix Academy.  He is a new teacher that comes to us from UNC-Chapel Hill--Go Heels!

 

Degrees and Certifications:

NC Certified History Teacher

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Degrees and Certifications:

BS from Fayetteville State University MEd from University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ms. Donnis Perry

SPIRE Teacher

I am a graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. I have a Masters' degree in education from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I started teaching in 1973 and taught 30 years in the CHCCS district. After one year of retirement, I continued my teaching career and I have worn many educational hats in this system. I enjoy working in the SPIRE program at Phoenix Academy because it gives me the opportunity to help make students successful that probably would not be. They look at me as their grandma and are very respectful to me. 
I love working with students because I have two daughters and two grandsons. I enjoy having fun with my family and friends. I love music and I still attempt to dance sometimes. 

Phone: 32211

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ms. Zosha Silverstein-Belden

Science Teacher

I am a native of New Hampshire, but moved to North Carolina in 2016. I studied Biochemistry at Warren Wilson College in Western North Carolina. I teach Biology, Physical Science, and Earth and Environmental Science. I love spending time outdoors, especially when my dog is involved!
 
Degrees and Certifications:
Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry

Support Staff

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Patricia Farrington

Phone: 919-918-2300 ext 32300

Email:

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Mrs. Anne E. Levin, LCSW

Mental Health Specialist

Anne Levin, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with A Masters Degree in Social Work from The University of Maryland with a clinical concentration on children and families. Ms Levin joined the Phoenix team in fall of 2021 as our Mental Health Specialist. Ms Levin brings a wealth of clinical experience to Phoenix Academy, with over twenty years of experience in a variety of settings, including juvenile justice, residential treatment, community mental health, and education. Prior to joining Phoenix Academy, Ms. Levin worked with Cardinal Innovations, as a Behavioral Health Care Manager, coordinating care for families whose children were admitted to psychiatric residential treatment facilities. In addition, Ms. Levin worked for Orange, Person and Chatham Mental Health as a Department of Juvenile Justice Mental Health Liaison where she provided administration and oversight of Juvenile Justice Substance Abuse and Mental Health Grant (JJSAMPH). Ms Levin uses a strength-based approach to working with children and families and is skilled in cognitive behavioral therapy, care management, assessment, advocacy and individual and family therapy. 
 
Degrees and Certifications:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Master of Social Work- University of Maryland,  Bachelor of Social Work- University of Georgia, Bachelors of Arts- Kent State University

Phone: 919-918-2153 x32301

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mr. Joshua Martin

Teacher Assistant

I grew up in Asheboro, NC (the zoo!). I served in the US Navy for 8 1/2 years working in electronics repair and translating, and got to travel all over the world. I studied Linguistics at UNC Chapel Hill and graduated in 2017. I have been at Phoenix Academy High School since 2019 and I love helping out with anything that the teachers need to make all their lessons and anything extra a great success!
 
Degrees and Certifications:
BA in Linguistics from UNC Chapel Hill
AA in Russian from Defense Language Institute 

Phone: 919-918-2300 X32216

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Ya Day Moo Wai

Greetings everyone,

My name is Ya Day Moo Wai and I’m so blessed to be a part of the Phoenix Academy High School’s family. My roles here are receptionist, bookkeeper, and data manager. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Phone: 919 918-2300

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mr. Keith Raitano

EC Resource Assistant, Nutrition Assistant, Activity Bus Driver

Former football, wrestling, and baseball coach. Assists all teachers with students needing extra accommodations. 
 
Degrees and Certifications:
A.S. Liberal Arts/ Physical Education
B.S. Health Education/ Physical Education/ Recreation/ Psychology
American Red Cross
Adult and Child First Aid/CPR/AED
First Responder

Phone: 919-918-2300 ext. 32296

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ms. Gloria Sanchez

School Social Worker

Gloria Sanchez is a Licensed School Social Worker who received her undergraduate degree from Florida International University and earned her Masters of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Ms. Sanchez has worked extensively in schools most of her career. As a School Social Worker, she has worked at both the elementary and high school levels. During her tenure with CHCCS, she has worked to design and implement programming specific to the needs of at-risk populations, such as: adolescent parents, English as a Second Language Learners, refugee students, and families experiencing homelessness. Over the past 10 years, Ms. Sanchez has provided individual and group-level interventions and crisis response services. As a Registered Yoga Teacher, she has also led emotionally-focused yoga classes for school staff and students. She has worked to create a Trauma Informed Schools (TIS) at her alternative high school and has co-created and implemented a TIS district-level training program in order to empower support staff to develop and grow Trauma Informed Care practices in their own schools. Mrs. Sanchez served her school community as a Darkness to Light Trainer, Restorative Practices Trainer, and as a member of the District Activated Response Team. During her free time, she enjoys spending time exploring National Parks with her daughter.

Degrees and Certifications:
MSW, RYT

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Mr. Steve Turner

School Counselor

Phone: 919-918-2300 ext. 32293

Email:

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Dr. Jon Dixon

Principal

Dr. Dixon is a 25-year veteran educator in North Carolina, having served as an Exceptional Children's instructor in Granville, Franklin and Durham Counties before beginning his service as a school leader.

 

Degrees & Certifications:

UNC-Chapel Hill - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

NC State University - Master's Degree in School Administration

NC State University - Doctoral Degree in Education

NC Certified Superintendent

NC Certified Principal

NC Certified Curriculum Specialist

NC Certified Exceptional Children's Teacher

 

Phone: 919-949-9502

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Arts Theatre (Acting/Directing) Bachelor of Arts English, Single Subject English Teaching Credential, M.Ed Learning Design and Technology.

Ms. Donna Youngblood

ESL Teacher

Donna Rossi Youngblood is a 22-year veteran of Education with multiple degrees, including Bachelors Degrees in Theatre (Acting/Directing) from Shenandoah University, English and Secondary Education from California Polytechnic University, and a Masters of Education in Learning Design and Technology from North Carolina State University. With NC Teaching Licenses in 6-7 Lang. Arts, 9-12 English, K-12 Theatre Ed, ESL Instruction, and as a Technology Specialist, she has taught each of these subjects both here in North Carolina and abroad. After starting her teaching career in the Wake County School system, Ms. Youngblood left in 2011 to spend 7 years teaching abroad, in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Amman, Jordan, Songjiang-Shanghai, China and Seoul, South Korea.
When not at work, Ms. Youngblood is also a licensed Realtor with Fathom Realty and a photography enthusiast. The two things she loves above all else are hanging out with her 5 grandchildren and driving around NC with her Sony AR 7iii photographing landscapes, architecture and people. (see staff photos!) Ms. Youngblood is thrilled to now call Phoenix Academy and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools her new career home.