New Additions to Faculty
The O’Neal School has started the 2018-2019 school year with 465 students in grades PK3 – 12, including 120 new students. With the new school year, there have been some changes and growth in the School’s faculty. “We are fortunate to attract and retain faculty members from around the country,” says Head of School John Elmore. “We are humbled that they have chosen O’Neal as their place of work and join the School with both excitement and academic expertise in their fields.” See below the new faculty members.
Susan Agazzi teaches music in the Lower School with 30 years of experience in general and instrumental music instruction. She earned her B.A. in music performance from Northern Illinois University and a M.A. in music education from Marshall University (WV).
Amanda Bumgarner teaches AP psychology and history in the Upper School where she also has a role in counseling. Amanda comes to O’Neal from Lake Mary Preparatory School (FL). She earned her B.A. and M.Ed. at the University of Central Florida as well as her Ed.S. in school counseling in 2017. For many years Amanda has also taught young adults at Walt Disney World as an instructor and choreographer.
Brian Burns who was previously a substitute teacher is now teaching history part-time in the Upper School. He has a B.A. in history from Purdue University and his M.S. in operations research and analysis from the University of Arkansas. After serving in the U.S. Army Special Operations, he has been a consultant for clients interested in servicing the military, security and logistics markets worldwide.
Sara Carran is the kindergarten assistant and teaches the Chinese-Mandarin after school club. Sara earned her A.A. in Chinese-Mandarin from the Defense Language Institute. She earned her B.S. in elementary education from Missouri State University and her M.A. in global and international education from Drexel University.
Lauren Cashman comes to O’Neal from West Nottingham Academy (MD). Ren earned a B.S. in physics and astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. in astronomy at Boston University where she was also a teaching fellow and instructor. She teaches physics and mathematics in the Upper School.
Matthew Cheney taught science and coached track during the second semester of 2017-18. He now teaches full-time in the Middle School and continues to coach cross-country and track. Matt earned his B.S. in geology from Cedarville University (OH) where he was also an NCAA athletic and academic All-American.
Suzanne Crawford attended The O’Neal School and teaches first grade. An experienced teacher in K through 4th Grade, she earned her B.A. at the University of North Carolina Charlotte and has been a long time faculty member at Charlotte Country Day School.
Lauren Davis teaches physical education. Lauren has served as the head coach for varsity girls’ tennis for the past two years. Lauren played Division 1 tennis at the United States Air Force Academy. Upon graduation, Lauren served in the United States Air Force for 5 years. Lauren also teaches group fitness classes at First Health Fitness Center in Pinehurst and is an AFAA/ACSM certified Group Exercise Fitness Instructor as well as Certified Personal Trainer.
Jerrod Flanagan teaches chemistry in the Upper School. He earned his B.S. in chemistry from Florida Southern College where he was also a member of the baseball team. Jerrod earned his M.S. in chemistry from The University of North Carolina Charlotte and comes to O’Neal from the technologies industry.
Abigail Gibson comes to O’Neal from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia where she was an English teacher, advisor and social media coordinator. Abby earned her B.A. and M.A.T. from Georgia College and State University, and she teaches English in the Upper School and coordinates social media for the communications department.
Gregory (Sean) Harrell teaches Upper School English and coaches in the athletic department. Sean has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on linguistics from The University of Georgia where he was a member of the athletics academic support staff.
Bree Hubbard is a PreK-3 assistant in the Lower School. She earned her degree in early childhood education and her M.A. in social science from Ashford University (IA).
Maureen Morales Bozovich has been a part-time member of the O’Neal faculty, and she is now full time teaching Spanish in the Upper School. Maureen taught previously at Columbia College (GA) and earned her B.A. and M.A. at the University of Delaware in Spanish and Latin American Studies.
Zachary Oden comes to O’Neal from the Brandon Hall School in Georgia where he taught in both the Middle and Upper schools. He is teaching English in the Middle School. Zach is also a musician and previously worked with AmeriCorps. He earned his B.A. in history from Faulkner University and his M.A. in English at Ohio University where he also taught and was submissions editor for The New Ohio Review.
Eric Parziale grew up in Pinehurst and has returned to teach math in the Upper School. He earned a B.S. in mathematics with a minor in computer science and music from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. While in college, Eric played on the soccer and tennis team. He worked in the financial software industry before coming to O’Neal.
Melissa Sprouse served as a long-term substitute for second semester of 2017-18, and she is now teaching kindergarten full-time this year. She earned her B.S. in chemistry from Gettysburg College Forensic Science at George Washington University. Melissa worked in technology and as a researcher before turning her career toward elementary school education. She has worked as a substitute teacher and completed coursework at St. Andrews University (NC).
Ryan Staude is the history department head and teaches in the Middle School. Ryan joins O’Neal with over a decade of teaching in independent schools including Windward School (CA) and most recently Pingry School (NJ). He has designed history curricula and earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Albany, SUNY.
Ian Watson comes to O’Neal with an M.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University where he has also been an instructor. Ian teaches theater classes, public speaking and film studies in the Middle and Upper Schools and will direct multiple productions. He earned a B.A. in drama from the University of Virginia.
In addition to new faculty members, Upper School Spanish and drama teacher and honor council advisor, Michael Norman, has taken the dean of students role in the Upper School. Former Upper School English teacher, Lulu Brase is now director of student life. Dr. Nicole Camastra moves from Middle School to Upper School and serves as the English department head. Middle School English teacher Matt McMurray and Middle School math teacher Miryah Walters now teach in both the Upper and Middle Schools. Middle School Spanish teacher Heather Weeks has taken on the role as world language department head.
O'Neal is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. For more information, please click here.
O'Neal is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. For more information, please click here.
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