meet our staff & volunteers
Volunteers
Scholarships granted
Lunches served
The Nest Academy Staff
HEAD OF SCHOOL AND FOUNDER
I feel honored and privileged to lead our staff, students, volunteers and board of directors.
Each day I have a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the impact that the gift of education from The Nest is making in the lives of our students. It is my passion to teach and inspiring our students, lead our staff and engage our volunteers of The Nest Academy.
I love living in Charlotte as it has become home to me. I have 3 amazing children… Jaden 17, Josiah 15, and Jace 13, who attend the Nest Academy and are my world. I feel so blessed to be mom and head of school to them.
Leadership, outreach & discipleship have always been my passion, as well as encouraging and inspiring mental, physical and spiritual importance in other’s lives! I became a personal trainer to further my expertise, knowledge & experience and LOVE challenging our students and staff to strengthen themselves emotionally, physically and spiritually!
I have over 20 years in full time ministry, leadership, outreach, building education, building donor bases and fundraising, as well as non-profit, ministry and fitness consulting.
In 20 years, I’ve founded and co-founded two 501(c)(3) non-profits, successfully developed a strategic and successful donor base, founded a fitness outreach ministry, created a Christian health/fitness curriculum used in our Academy & local churches called ‘Christfit”, was recognized as one of The Mecklenburg Times 50 Most influential Women of Charlotte, have spoken in churches, chapel services and professional groups & have had the fortunate opportunity to see God do amazing things in and through the lives of the students that have been in my life.
WHAT A JOURNEY OF LIVING AND LOVING LOUDY!
Ann Tabor
Volunteer Math Teacher
Ann obtained her BA (double majoring in Math & Sociology) in 1992 and JD 1997 from Vanderbilt University. She has a Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification for Middle and Secondary Math from Queens University.
She has taught math at East Mecklenburg (Fall 2014) and is a private tutor for Algebra and Geometry. Ann is also a board certified lawyer and accountant and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in counseling to add to her amazing portfolio and toolkit for serving others.
Jackie Cristobal
Middle & Upper School Lead Teacher
Jacki obtained her Bachelor’s in Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a Certified teacher specializing in language. Her teaching career began in 2009 as the FIRST Nest Academy teacher to the first 5 academy girls. Jacki’s love for teaching and experience has grown and she is lead teacher of The Nest Academy, now 13 years later.
Ellen Leitch
Volunteer Teacher, Specialist
Ellen Leitch is a 1984 graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce. After graduation she worked as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand ( now PWC)in Washington, DC. She married David Leitch in 1985 and they have three children. While raising their kids, Ellen taught ESL to the immigrants and diplomats from 33 different countries through McLean Presbyterian Church and coached gymnastics at the YMCA.
In 2005, the Leitches moved to Michigan for David’s job. Ellen tutored at-risk kids in an after-school enrichment/dinner program. She was also on the board of The Lighthouse,a community-based organization that housed and educated homeless mothers until they became self-suffircient.
Ellen and David have been in Charlotte since 2016, when David took a job with Bank of America. Ellen has recently left the board of Council for Children’s Rights and is excited about becoming more involved with The Nest. Her hobbies include cooking, golf, travel, and her dog, Cash.
Jessica Flaxman
Volunteer Teacher, Specialist/Consultant
Jessica has served as an English teacher, department chair, director of studies, and assistant head at a number of independent day schools. She is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and a founding partner of 120 Education Consultancy.
Frieda Ibarra
Middle/Upper School Teacher-Language Specialist
We are so excited to have Frieda join our team at The Nest fall of 2020. She is co-founder of a non-profit aimed to provide tutoring, mentoring, and advocacy services for the local latino youth that partnered with local schools, community organizations, and law enforcement to provide cultural training and consultation regarding services. Frieda has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Literacy and Second Language Studies. Frieda made it to Nationals in Mexico for Swimming and In February of 2017, Frieda became a US Citizen.
Laura Reed
Volunteer Teacher/Administrator
Laura Reed joined the Nest Academy’s staff in 2019 as volunteer middle school teacher and is now teaching all grade levels and serves and co-leads the Nest’s Administrative staff.
Prior to joining the Nest Academy, Laura was the Director of Professional Development for the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) for 6 years. Before working with the state association, Laura served as Head of School at Noble Academy in Greensboro for 8 years. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Hnin
Intern
Hnin is our intern from Queens University. She is in her senior year studying Psychology with a focus in youth counseling. Hnin herself knows some of the struggles students go through and is excited to be working with us this semester!
Connor Derrick
Intern
Connor has been an intern with us for several years. She has a passion to work with our students and support in whatever needs arise.
Eddie Bell
Physical Education Teacher
A former pro football athlete driven by his faith, family and fitness has a BA from Elon University and over 10 yrs teaching experience. Prior to coming to The Nest, Eddie was teaching and in administration at Martin Luther King middle school and specializes in special needs and physical education.
Jan Aaron
Educational Therapist , Educational Consultant Language, Reading and Speech Specialist
Jan joins our Nest with a B.S., Education; M.S., Educational Psychology
She is Professionally Certified NILD Educational Therapist, an Orton-Gillingham Educator and has a Private Practice in Matthews, NC, Educational Therapists of the Carolinas.
Staff & Volunteer Spotlight
A New School Year at The Nest!
Hey everyone! I’m back! If you’ve been involved with the Nest for a while, you might remember me, but, for those who don’t, let me introduce myself. My name is Connor Derrick and I am interning here at the Nest for the fall semester. I first got involved with the...
Staff Spotlight: Maiya Black-Keeling
So excited to introduce to you our newest staff member, PE, Health and nutrition teacher...Maiya Black-Keeling. Maiya started with us as a volunteer last year, teaching PE two days a week on her lunch break and has now joined our staff!!! Maiya’s heart for kids, her...
My Story: How I Got Involved at The Nest
Hey there! My name is Connor Derrick and I am interning here at The Nest Academy for the fall semester! Throughout these next few months, I will be sharing my experiences with the Academy, as well as creating Student Spotlights on each of our Academy students! (Check...
Volunteer Spotlight: Mr. Dave Clark
Clearly God knew our need even before we asked...We prayed for a science professor and He sent us Dr. Dave Clark!!! Believing for the unseen is becoming more and more second nature as we SEE how much God blesses!!! What a blessing and privilege to have...
The One, the Only, Heather Bishop
Friday Chapel continues to be our favorite part of the week, as we have had so many amazing speakers come to share their life experiences, devotions and encouragement, and real life biblical application. We are so blessed to have so many that have taken the time out...
Volunteering ‘NO MATTER WHAT’…DONNA CAPPELLI
It has been said that a volunteer isn't unpaid because they are worthless, but they aren't paid because they are PRICELESS!! WE know this to be true here at the Academy. Our budget could never afford the AMAZING, PRICELESS serving volunteers we have who SUPPLEMENT and...
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