Annie Pugh - Speech Therapist

  Ms. Pugh was raised in Clemmons, NC, where she attended West Forsyth High School. She then attended Appalachian State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences in 2009, and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2011. During her graduate program, she was a graduate clinician in the Alexander County school system, Manor Care Post-Acute Rehab and the ASU Communication Disorders Clinic. Ms. Pugh is currently the contract Speech Therapist at Millennium Charter Academy.

Cassie Robacker - Exceptional Children Instructor

A native of Iowa, Cassie Robacker graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education. After joining MCA as a fifth grade science teacher in 2008, she now is part of the MCA Challenge Center, where she teaches exceptional children. She is also endorsed to teach reading K-8. She lives with her husband, Robert, and their cats, in King, NC.

Jane Theis - Director of Exceptional Children

  Jane Theis has been in school her whole life!  Having first graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in English Literature, then having attending Lansing Community College for American Sign Language interpreter training, then going on to obtain a teaching degree from Salem College in Winston-Salem, shher finally settled into my true calling and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching in Exceptional Education with a focus on serving children with learning disabilities.  She believes that learning is a lifelong process and if her students open themselves to that truth, her calling will be fulfilled.

Jennifer Lovill - Librarian

Jennifer Lovill graduated from Appalachian State University in 2009 with her Elementary Education degree, and has more recently obtained certification in Middle School Math. She currently serves MCA part –time as school librarian and spends the other part of her day at another job involving mental health and social work. She lives in Mt. Airy with her husband and three children. Mrs. Lovill says she enjoys being anywhere, but especially loves riding bikes, taking walks, and watching her children learn and play.

Joellen Belton - Exceptional Children Instructor

Joellen Belton attended Peace College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Gardner Webb University. After teaching eight years in Robeson County, she moved to Mount Airy and taught eighteen years in the Mt. Airy City School System before coming to MCA in 2000. Mrs. Belton retired from MCA in the spring of 2005, but contracted back to the school as part-time Challenge Center teacher. Mrs. Belton says "it's just such a good place, I couldn't leave!"

Kristin Tilley - Testing Coordinator

  Kristin Tilley is a graduate of Mount Airy Senior High School and earned a B.A. in Economics from UNC - Chapel Hill.  She has managed a medical practice, done financial consulting for a sports marketing company, and has been a stay-at-home mom.  She currently lives in Mount Airy with her husband, Andrew, and sons, Drew and Dylan, who are MCA students.   

Mandy Dean - Educational Technology Instructor

Before coming to MCA in 2005, Amanda (Mandy) Dean taught at Caesar Cone Elementary in Greensboro. She graduated from Lees McRae College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. At MCA, she taught fourth grade for three years, fifth grade math for two years, and after completing her Master's degree in Technology Instruction, is now the MCA Educational Technologist, teaching technology to all students in grades K-6, as well as providing specialized training for the teachers. She enjoys reading, and playing tennis in her spare time,

Mary McCormick - Art Teacher

Mary McCormick has been MCA's art instructor since 2005. She graduated from UNC-Pembroke with a BS in Art Education, and she has a Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University. Before coming to MCA, she taught art in schools in NC and VA for thirteen years. She also taught art and photography at Appalachain State University and at Surry Community College. Mrs. McCormick lives in Mt. Airy with her husband Greg, who is also an artist, and her son, Joey, an MCA student, who says he's an artist too!

Rodney Money - Music Teacher

Rodney Money, born in King, NC,  graduated from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, with dual Bachelors of Music in Music Composition and Music Education. He studied music theory and composition with Dr. Scott Meister and trumpet with Dr. William L. Jones of the Hayes School of Music  at Appalachian. Mr. Money's compositions are inspired by many different factors in his life. One of the most influential events was the untimely death of his mother to cancer when he was only ten years-old. He is also influenced by his incredible passion for parrots and their conservation. Mr. Money's compositions are published under Alfred Reed and C. Alan Publications.

Steve Braune - Athletic Director

Coach B is a graduate of Appalachian State University wiith a BS in Healthful Living Education, and minors in history and PE. He serves MCA as Athletic Director and a physical education instructor. Before coming to MCA, Coach B previously taught healthful living education and athletics at the Outer Banks of NC. He has also worked as an Athletic Director in Wilkes County Schools. Coach B is a wrestling coach, golf enthusiast, and a proponent of all things athletic.

Susan Gunter - PE Teacher

Susan Gunter is MCA's physical education teacher with a Bachelor of Science from Radford University in K-12 and with six years of teaching experience before joining MCA in 2005. She enjoys swimming, skiing, and biking, and is learning white water canoeing and kayaking. She lives in Patrick County, VA, with her husband, Keith, and three children. She hopes to encourage a life style of physically-fit living for all MCA students.