Meet Our Staff While scholars are the most important people in our school, our teachers and parents are the most important adults. Our teachers and staff at FDS are certified, experienced, and well-trained yet sensitive to the needs of the whole child. Our teachers share their passion and love of education by successfully promoting academic rigor while preserving the excitement and sense of discovery inherent in young scholars. Administration Mrs. Ashley McKinley Head of School Send Email Biography About Mrs. Ashley McKinley Mrs. Ashley McKinley, Head of School, is a Greensboro, NC, native and has been a resident of Charlotte for the last 21 years. With a background in both elementary education and counseling (BA from UNCC and master’s from Winthrop University), she has experience as a language arts teacher, school counselor, assistant principal, and principal. She also obtained an administrative license from Wingate University. She believes that all students can learn at high levels and that educators must have high expectations while meeting students at their level of need. Mrs. McKinley has an outstanding immediate and extended family, including her husband, Clem, and two beautiful sons, Cannon and Cohen. Close Mrs. Valerie Dixon Academic Dean Send Email Biography About Mrs. Valerie Dixon Mrs. Valerie Dixon is the Curriculum Coach at Friendship Day. This is Mrs. Dixon’s fourth year at FDS. She has 34 years of teaching experience in public school. Mrs. Dixon retired from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in June 2019. During her educational career, she has taught K-2 multiage, first grade, second grade, and third grade, served as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Magnet Coordinator/Academic Facilitator, and a Reading Teacher. She believes that it is important to teach children how to think, not what to think! Mrs. Dixon gets excited when children use his/her strategies to solve problems! She is passionate about educating others, especially children and teachers! Mrs. Dixon believes in the power of service! Her favorite quote is, “Each one teach one!” Close Ms. Octavia Hollis Administrative Secretary Send Email Biography About Ms. Octavia Hollis Close Teaching Staff Ms. Tyra Sweeney Kindergarten Send Email Biography About Ms. Tyra Sweeney Close Ms. Ashley Riley First Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Ashley Riley Close Ms. Aliya Tull First Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Aliya Tull Close Mrs. Nicole Gordon Second Grade Send Email Biography About Mrs. Nicole Gordon This is Mrs. Nicole Gordon's second year as our third-grade instructional assistant. Prior to joining us at FDS, she worked in banking for 20 years. She graduated in 2016 with a master's in clinical mental health counseling. As a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist church, Mrs. Gordon worked as a youth advisor. This experience allowed her to travel to Jamaica on a mission trip in 2018 where she worked with children ages six to 10 years of age. Mrs. Gordon's passion is helping and serving. She believes that by offering a small gesture, such as a smile, she can make someone's day brighter. Close Ms. Darenese Harris Third Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Darenese Harris Close Mrs. Kisha Batsuli Fourth Grade Send Email Biography About Mrs. Kisha Batsuli Close Ms. Mary Dula Fifth Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Mary Dula Close Special Areas Mr. Phillip Clay Physical Education Send Email Biography About Mr. Phillip Clay Close Mr. Brian Cooper Suzuki Violin Send Email Biography About Mr. Brian Cooper Close Ms. Cassandra Cureton Grades 3–5 Yoga Send Email Biography About Ms. Cassandra Cureton Close Mrs. Andrea Metz-Nicholson Grades K–2 Yoga Biography About Mrs. Andrea Metz-Nicholson Mrs. Metz-Nicholson’s third year with FDS, teaching Mindfulness/Yoga. Mrs. Metz-Nicholson holds several yoga certifications along with a BA in Sociology. She also has over 25 years in education and family services. Close Senora Scoggins Spanish Biography About Senora Scoggins Close Ms. Sheryl Smiley Creative Arts Send Email Biography About Ms. Sheryl Smiley Close Instructional Assistants and Support Staff Ms. Nikki Bennett Instructional Assistant / After School Program Send Email Biography About Ms. Nikki Bennett Ms. Bennett serves as the third-grade instructional assistant. This is Ms. Bennett’s first year with FDS. She formerly worked as a Site Coordinator for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for 19 years. Working with children is a true passion of hers. Close Mr. Thomas Horton After School Program Send Email Biography About Mr. Thomas Horton Mr. Thomas B. Horton serves as first and second-grade instructional assistant and after-school coordinator at Friendship Day School (FDS). He is a native Charlottean. With the importance of education being instilled in him, Mr. Horton was able to excel academically in CMS. Upon graduating from Harding High School, he applied and was accepted to over 22 colleges and universities. However, he chose North Carolina A&T State University and received two degrees from the School of Business in Marketing and Finance. Mr. Horton enjoys reading, singing, cooking, and his Aggie pride. He thoroughly enjoys equipping young minds with the necessary tools in life to learn and grow. Close Mrs. Tiffani Jackson Instructional Assistant/STEM Lab Send Email Biography About Mrs. Tiffani Jackson Close Mr. Damon Thomas Instructional Assistant/Spanish Send Email Biography About Mr. Damon Thomas Close Catherine Walcott Instructional Assistant/Before School Program Send Email Biography About Catherine Walcott Close Ms. Tammy Wallace Instructional Assistant Send Email Biography About Ms. Tammy Wallace Ms. Tammy Wallace currently holds the position as a second-grade instructional assistant at Friendship Day School. She is a retired teacher from Charlotte Mecklenburg School with over 25 plus years of experience working with children. Ms. Wallace's love and passion for God led her to a calling of teaching. She enjoys the interaction with children, the small groups, and one on one teaching. From the very first day she started teaching, she has not looked back since. Ms. Wallace enjoys seeing children's eyes light up when they are sharing a story, or solving a problem. This is the reason why she loves what she does. Close
