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 19 years. With a background in both elementary education and counseling (B.A. from UNCC and Master’s from Winthrop University), she has experience as language arts teacher, school counselor, and assistant principal. She obtained an administrative license from Wingate University and most recently served as an assistant principal at a middle school that enrolls 1100 students. In that role, Mrs. McKinley gained considerable administrative experience that groomed her for her duties as Friendship Day Head of School. She believes that all students can learn at high levels and that it is the responsibility of educators to have high expectations while also 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 (5) and Cohen (1). Close Mrs. Valerie Dixon Curriculum Coordinator 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 Mrs. Daejah Edwards Kindergarten Send Email Biography About Mrs. Daejah Edwards Close Ms. Tyra Sweeney First Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Tyra Sweeney 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. Samecia Dance Second Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Samecia Dance Ms. Dance currently serves as third-grade teacher for FDS. She attended and graduated from the illustrious Elizabeth City State University. Before teaching, she worked with non-profit organizations that assisted opportunity youth, ages 16-24, to obtain their high school diplomas and job placement. She also served as NCDPS Juvenile Restitution Coordinator for Pasquotank County. Her passion is to help youth from all walks of life succeed. Close Ms. Mary Dula Third Grade Send Email Biography About Ms. Mary Dula Close Mrs. Sierra Davis Fourth Grade Send Email Biography About Mrs. Sierra Davis Close Mrs. Kisha Batsuli Fifth Grade Send Email Biography About Mrs. Kisha Batsuli Close Special Areas Mr. Brian Cooper Suzuki Violin Send Email Biography About Mr. Brian Cooper Close Mr. Phillip Clay Physical Education Send Email Biography About Mr. Phillip Clay Close Mrs. Andrea Metz-Nicholson Mindfulness/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. Brittany Sloan STEM Lab Send Email Biography About Ms. Brittany Sloan Close Ms. Sheryl Smiley Creative Arts Send Email Biography About Ms. Sheryl Smiley Close Instructional Assistants and Support Staff Ms. Nikki Bennett Instructional Assistant 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 Marie DeSouza Instructional Assistant Send Email Biography About Marie DeSouza 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 Catherine Walcott 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
