Andy Cross
Andy Cross is the Executive Director and Principal of TNCA and a 7th-8th grade Team Teacher. He has been with The New Classical Academy since our first year. Andy was born and raised in South Florida. He attended the University of Vermont, where he studied Forestry and Environmental Education. During college, Andy went to Kenya to further his education and attended the National Outdoor Leadership School. He graduated with a B.S. in Forestry in 2002. After college he worked as a Program Director at Camp Highlander. He has also worked with Outward Bound, adjudicated youth, and one-on-one with at-risk students. He lives with his wife, Jane, and their children, Adi, Belay, and Georgia. Andy enjoys hiking, traveling, playing softball, and spending time with his family.
Jane Cross
Jane Cross is the Director of Admissions, Outreach Coordinator, and School Nurse for TNCA. She grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and received her B.A. in History from the University of Dallas in 2003. Jane spent three years working in adolescent and youth mental health, both through the Florida Outward Bound Outreach Programs and as a one-on-one mental health worker within Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. In 2006, Jane got her degree in Nursing and spent a decade working as a Registered Nurse in pediatric health care. Jane joined her husband Andy Cross in a full-time role at TNCA in both non-healthcare roles in 2017 and as a school nurse. She uses her training in pediatrics and mental health services as well as her experience with healthcare case management to serve as a liaison between families, teachers, and services. Jane lives in Candler, NC, with her husband Andy and their three children, Georgia, Belay, and Adi. Jane enjoys building, designing, and creating beauty for her family and the world around her.
Elise Earhart
Elise Earhart is the Assistant Director of TNCA, a 7th-8th grade Team Teacher, and the Latin teacher for the entire school. She has been with us since our first year. Elise grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, where she began studying Latin in the 7th grade. She earned a B.A. in Latin from Swarthmore College. After receiving teacher certification from the University of Colorado at Boulder, she taught Latin in both public and private high schools in Colorado Springs for two years. She left teaching to further her own education and in 2004, received an M.A. in Classical Studies from Duke University. Both of Elise’s children are graduates of TNCA. Elise enjoys watching college football, cooking, reading, and practicing yoga.
elise@thenewclassicalacademy.org
Jon Goethals
Jon Goethals is a 5th-6th grade Team Teacher who joined TNCA in 2023. Jon was born and raised in Northern Indiana and received his B.A. in Telecommunications from Indiana University. Before joining the TNCA team, Jon worked in a variety of positions from which he acquired a plethora of experience for use in the classroom. He has worked with at-risk youth on wilderness expeditions, overseen behavior management in middle school classrooms, and worked in the field of finish/fine carpentry. Jon loves to spend his free time outside mountain biking, backpacking, running, and climbing.
jon@thenewclassicalacademy.org
Katie O'Brien
Katie O’Brien is a 5th-6th grade Team Teacher and the Middle School Language Arts teacher. Katie joined the TNCA staff in 2020. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, and recently moved to Asheville with her husband, Jacob, and daughters, Evelyn and Mary Maeve. Katie has a B.A. in Secondary English Education from Georgia Southern University, and prior to joining TNCA, she taught middle-school language arts for 9 years in Jacksonville, FL. From 2019-2020, Katie volunteered as a tutor at TNCA as well as tutored several students in World Studies and AP Language at Asheville School. Katie and Jacob live at Asheville School and enjoy spending time attending sporting events and cheering on students. In her down time, Katie enjoys baking, knitting, crafting, exploring new places with her family, and reading historical fiction.
Rebecca Reinstein
Becca Reinstein is a 3rd-4th grade Team Teacher who joined TNCA in 2021. She was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, has dual citizenship with France, and just recently moved to Asheville. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages along with a minor in Urban Education from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining TNCA, Becca spent her summers working closely with children of all ages as a lifeguard for a summer camp and also conducting private swim lessons. In her free time, Becca enjoys hiking, reading, and is looking forward to exploring Asheville.
rebecca@thenewclassicalacademy.org
Ryan D'Angelo
Ryan D’Angelo is a 3rd-4th grade Team Teacher who joined TNCA in 2022. Ryan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He received his B.A. in Special Education from Loyola University. Prior to moving to Asheville and joining the TNCA team, Ryan worked in adventure/wilderness therapy guiding at-risk teens on canoeing, backpacking, sailing, and rock climbing expeditions. Ryan loves Asheville for the rivers, climbing and biking and is excited to serve the Asheville community through teaching.
Kara McNerney
Kara McNerney is a 1st-2nd grade Team Teacher and Head of Lower School. Kara joined TNCA in 2018, but she has been teaching students from preschool to 6th grade for 20+ years. She has a B.S. in Wildlife Management from The Ohio State University. Kara has Montessori elementary certification for ages six through twelve and is a certified Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator. She lives in Black Mountain and loves going on all kinds of adventures and spending time with her family.
karamcnerney@thenewclassicalacademy.org
Alexis Lowe
Alexis Lowe is a 1st-2nd grade Team Teacher who joined TNCA in 2022. She was born and raised in Frederick, MD, and recently moved to Asheville in hope of exploring new surroundings and embracing new opportunities. Alexis received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Salisbury University. Prior to joining TNCA, Alexis spent two years teaching second grade at a private school in Salisbury, MD. In her free time, Alexis enjoys hiking, exercise, creative arts, and is looking forward to exploring the nature and culture of Asheville.
Lori Lapallo
Lori Lapallo is a K4-Kindergarten Team Teacher who joined the TNCA staff in 2019, bringing with her over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher. Lori grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She received her B.S. at Bloomsburg University and her teaching certification at East Stroudsburg University. Lori has Montessori certification for ages three through six and is a certified Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator. Over the years, she has taught kindergarten through sixth grade on the Central Coast of California and Buncombe County Schools. Most recently, Lori taught at Montessori Learning Community in West Asheville for five years. She has resided in Asheville for 16 years. She lives with her husband, Dave, and their children Marlee and Mya. Lori enjoys the WNC mountains, hiking, biking, sewing, reading, crafting, volunteering at her community park, and hanging out with her family.
lori@thenewclassicalacademy.org
Hannah Hoskins
Hannah is a K4-Kindergarten Team Teacher. She joined our staff in 2021. Hannah grew up in Knoxville, TN, and studied at the University of Tennessee before moving to Asheville. She is a huge Vols fan, and also loves hiking, kayaking, and seeing live music.
hannah@thenewclassicalacademy.org