director@thenewclassicalacademy.org

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.

janecross@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Jon Goethals is a 5th-6th grade Team Teacher teaching math and science 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

Kara McNerney is a 1st-2nd grade Team Teacher and Assistant Director. 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

Iris McNerney is a 1st-2nd grade Team Teacher who joined the TNCA staff in 2024. She graduated from Warren Wilson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics and printmaking. She is a Black Mountain native who enjoys mountain biking, swimming, and spending time at the pottery wheel. Iris is passionate about inspiring creativity and bringing artistic practices into the classroom. 

iris@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Hannah grew up in Knoxville, TN, and studied at the University of Tennessee before moving to Asheville. She joined us as a K4/K teacher in 2021. This year, she will spend her mornings in the 3rd/4th class and afternoons in the office as the administrative coordinator. She is a huge Vols fan, and also loves hiking, kayaking, and seeing live music.

hannah@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Amber Kodell is a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher. It is her first year at TNCA. Amber received her B.A. in psychology from College of Charleston. She is passionate about children’s mental health and giving children a safe space to express themselves. She previously worked as an applied behavioral analyst specializing in children on the autism spectrum. She teaches horseback riding in her spare time and has worked as a horseback riding summer camp director. Amber enjoys writing as well as trying out new recipes and hiking.

amber@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Ms. Lori brings over twenty years of teaching experience to the classroom. She has taught on the central coast of California, Buncombe County Schools, and a Montessori school before coming to TNCA. Ms. Lori has taught grades kindergarten through sixth grade, with kindergarten being her favorite age group. She loves their curious minds and the wonder they bring to the classroom. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and her Master’s degree along with her teaching certificate from East Stroudsburg University. When Ms. Lori is not at TNCA, you can find her running on the trails of Bent Creek, crafting, reading, or traveling to new and interesting places. 

lori@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Madeline is a 3rd/4th teacher who joined TNCA in 2026. She has always loved working with kids and has taught in Montessori, private, and public schools in Chicago and Asheville. Madeline holds a master’s degree in elementary education from DePaul University. She is passionate about lifelong learning and enjoys helping students build curiosity and a love for discovery both inside and outside the classroom. She moved here in 2024 to step away from city life and embrace a different pace. Outside the classroom, Madeline appreciates the arts, enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, and is learning how to garden.

madeline@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Kris Seiber joins TNCA Middle School Team to teach humanities. He is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, I recently made the move to Asheville, North Carolina, and I am excited to begin this new chapter serving the students and families of our school.

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Maryville College and later completed my Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Reading, earning a Reading Specialist endorsement from Austin Peay State University. Over the past three years, I have taught 3rd Grade Reading and Social Studies as well as 5th Grade Science and Social Studies, helping students grow as readers, thinkers, and engaged citizens. I have a particular passion for teaching history and helping students see how the past shapes the world we live in today. Among my favorite periods to study are Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, whose ideas about government, citizenship, virtue, philosophy, and leadership continue to influence our society

Outside of school, Kris enjoys reading, exploring Western North Carolina, and continuing to study history—especially the ancient world.

Eliza joins TNCA as part of the 3rd/4th grade team. She brings a wonderful combination of elementary teaching experience and a passion for working with children. She has previously taught & substituted in Salt Lake City, Boston, Seattle and Asheville at several independent schools in grades PreK–8, as well as homeschooled her own children. Most recently, she has been working locally as an assistant teacher in 7th/8th grade math and science. 

Eliza earned her B.S. in Secondary Education and Sociology from Appalachian State University and holds a North Carolina Professional Educator’s License. She has organized and directed summer camps and also has experience teaching yoga to children and coaching students in volleyball, basketball, and cross country. Outside of the classroom you can find her with her chickens, gardening, reading, exploring the outdoors with her kids or seeing live music.  Eliza is looking forward to beginning this new chapter at TNCA.

eliza@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Sarah Taber is the ELA teacher for grades 5-8. She grew up on a cattle ranch in both Mississippi and Missouri, received a B.A. in English and Education from William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo, and an M.A. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  She’s taught middle and high school English for 29 years in a variety of private and public schools, mostly in Kansas City. You can find her on the tennis court, the mountain, or the river and she loves to take along her dog or one of her four daughters, and of course her husband!

sarah@thenewclassicalacademy.org

Senior Alex is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, where he developed his love for Spanish and communication thanks to his mother, a teacher who introduced him to poetry, school journalism, and public speaking. He graduated in Advertising and Graphic Design and began a career as a freelance designer in New York before returning to Colombia, where he opened his own graphic design and gift shop and became the proud dad of a beautiful daughter, Skylar.

He moved to Asheville in 2023 and began working as a Latino Outreach Coordinator with Asheville Humane Society, building connections between the organization and the Hispanic community in Buncombe County. He brings his love for language, creativity, culture, and community to The New Classical Academy as a Spanish teacher for K4 through 8th grade.