Faculty & Staff

Born in Miami, Florida, Lamar Johnson was raised in Selma, North Carolina, for much of his childhood. Before joining DNS, Lamar worked at another all-boys middle school in Berkeley, CA, for two years and as a college admissions director for five years. An avid outdoorsman, Lamar’s hobbies include hiking, camping, skiing, and swimming. When confined to the city, he is usually exploring neighborhoods and trying new restaurants.

B.S. Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University
D.D.S., The Ohio State University

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Dr. Vannelle returned to his hometown, Shadyside, Ohio to practice dentistry. Twenty years later, Dr. Vannelle made a career change and began teaching science and math at Eagles Nest Ranch and Academy, an alternative school for at-risk youth in Canal Winchester, Ohio. He later moved to North Carolina where he continued his career as a science and math teacher at Durham Nativity School. Prior to his promotion as Durham Nativity School’ Head of School, Dr. Vannelle taught three grade levels of science and served as the school Dean of Admissions. He lives in Efland, North Carolina with his wife, Beth.

B.A. Psychology,  University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Kim grew up in Eastern NC and left to attend the North Carolina School of Science in Math in Durham when she was 15.  Mrs. Glenn comes from a long career in fundraising and pharmaceutical sales having worked for Pfizer, Inc., Cardinal Healthcare, Teach For America, and the American Heart Association in her 20-year career. Mrs. Glenn is the mother of two children and an active member of the PTA and other organizations that advocate for children. Mrs. Glenn is driven by a deep dedication to serve children with a similar upbringing to her own, in order to ensure that they receive all of the opportunities that they so greatly deserve.

B.A. Psychology and African American Studies, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
MSW, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Brittany grew up in Erwin, NC and relocated to Chapel Hill in 2007. Throughout her experiences in the public and private school sector, residential treatment, and outpatient therapy, Mrs. Albright honed her skills and worked diligently to serve children and families across the Triangle. Her passion for helping students is rooted in her personal experiences and social work background. She looks forward to continuing her work and building relationships with the Durham Nativity School community! Ms. Allen- Albright is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA).

B.A. Modern Foreign Languages, North Carolina Central University
B.S. Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Central University
M.S. Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Central University

A native of Durham, NC, Tiffany K. Chavis has been teaching Spanish in Orange County for the last five years.  She has a strong passion for the strength and health of families, and has endeavored many years, in a plethora of veins to strengthen and heal families, in many capacities.  Ms. Chavis joins the Durham Nativity School faculty this year to continue her mission by educating and encouraging Durham’s male youth as one facet of strengthening families.

B.A. English, Wake Forest University
M.A. English, Duke University

Originally from Smithfield, NC, Mr. Cox has taught in Orange County Schools for thirty years. A National Board Certified Instructor, he serves during the summers as the academic director of Duke University’s Young Writers’ Camp, a program offering academic and creative writing courses for middle through high school students. For the last four years, he has taught at Gloucester High School in VA. In addition to being an avid reader and poet, he loves to cook and has three grandchildren.

B.A. in Sociology, Double Minor in Business Administration and Social Welfare, Mercyhurst University

Cassy grew up and completed her undergraduate degree in Erie, Pennsylvania. She spent her time after college completing a year of service with the Mercy Volunteer Corps teaching Social Studies at Detroit Cristo Rey High School in Detroit, Michigan. With education being a passion for Cassy, she relocated to North Carolina to serve as the Development Head and Feasibility Study Coordinator to open a Cristo Rey school in the Triangle. Cassy brings fundraising and grant writing experience to her new role on Durham Nativity School’s Development Team. Cassy is passionate about our students having equitable access to teachers and resources, nonprofit development, and community engagement. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping and exploring new places.

Mrs. DuPree was born in Dennison, Ohio, grew up in New Jersey and lived in Reading, Pennsylvania, before eventually settling in North Carolina.  She attended Taylor Business Institute in New York City, as well as Reading (PA) Area Community College.  While in Reading, Mrs. DuPree founded the Girls Club for the Police Athletic League and served as its Director of Leadership Development, working with more than 65 girls, ages 6-18 years old.  Mrs. DuPree has been married to Willie L. DuPree for 41 years and has one daughter.

B.A. Middle School Education, Catawba College                                                                          Double Concentration Social Studies and Language Arts, Catawba College                     M.A. Curriculum and Design, Ashford University

Mike Glenn originally hails from Newark, NJ and graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, NC in 2006. Prior to joining our faculty, Mr. Glenn served in a management capacity for various retail businesses. An experienced youth soccer, basketball, t-ball and football coach, Mr. Glenn adds his talent to our sports teams. Mr. Glenn is the proud father of three and enjoys leisure time with his family as well as playing and coaching sports.

B.A. Business Administration, Elizabeth City State University
M.S. Strayer University

QuRita Hunter grew up in Durham and has recently returned back to the area after being away for nearly 15 years. Her years of experience in working with youth in nonprofit agencies, public schools and community colleges developed her passion for education and motivating youth to excel. She enjoys traveling, quilting, reading and watching basketball and football. She is married and has one son. She enjoys working closely with our youth and the community to make a positive difference.

B.A. Economics, Norfolk State University
M.A. Urban Education, Norfolk State University

Arthur Jimerson is originally from Norfolk, Virginia, where he attended and played football at Norfolk State University. Following his career as defensive end for the Los Angeles Raiders, Mr. Jimerson returned to Norfolk State to complete his studies. Mr. Jimerson brings an extensive background in teaching and counseling to his multiple roles at Durham Nativity School and is passionate about his work with our students.

B.A. Spanish, Metropolitan State College of Denver
M.A. Instruction, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

After a high school trip to Bogota, Colombia, Kevin Mahoney became inspired to travel, teach and learn languages. After completing his undergraduate degree, he studied at the Conservatory of Recording Arts is Arizona and enjoyed five years working as a sound engineer in Los Angeles, California. He then spent four years in Korea teaching English in Korea before returning to the States to complete his Master’s degree. Mr. Mahoney teaches the 5th Grade Class.

Caroline Owen was born and raised in Western North Carolina near the city of Asheville. She moved to the triangle to attend NC State University in the fall of 2018. Prior to Durham Nativity, Caroline tutored math, physics, and Latin for a variety of ages. Her most recent position was as an undergraduate math tutor for the NC State student-athletes. Caroline has a passion for dispelling the fears and frustrations associated with–and revealing the beauty of–grade-school mathematics. Apart from academia, Caroline also enjoys teaching Lindy hop swing dance.

B.S. Environmental Science, North Carolina A&T University

M.S. Natural Resources, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Starlyn was born and raised in Detroit, MI and transitioned to North Carolina in 2013. Starlyn has experience in formal and in informal education settings, previously serving as a museum animator for Marbles Kids Museum and a 7th-grade science teacher. During the summer, Ms. Robinson teaches Biomedical Engineering for the Duke TIP summer program. She is excited to begin her new journey at Durham Nativity School!