Faculty & Staff

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. in Psychology and Costume Production, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Diana Cathcart was born and raised in Florida, and moved to North Carolina to attend college. After graduating in 2008, she continued her education in design and textiles at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Upon returning to Durham, Mrs. Cathcart started her own textile business and became focused on building community through art. She teaches various forms of art and hand-craft throughout the Triangle, and she is very excited to share her knowledge and passion with the DNS community! When she is not at school, you can find her playing outside with her husband and two spirited young sons, tending to her urban homestead, or grooming her angora rabbit, Otto.

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.

BS in Mathematics and Philosophy, Stony Brook University

Robert D’Angelo was born in Santa Clara, California and raised on Long Island, New York. He taught high school algebra, geometry, and engineering in the Bronx for 2 years before moving to Durham. When Robert is not teaching, he likes to organize, delegate, and compete in nationwide Rubik’s Cube competitions. Mr. D’Angelo is looking forward to an incredible school year!

B.S. Criminal Justice, North Carolina Central University.

Originally from Lauringburg, NC, Johnria and her family moved to Durham when she was just 6 years old. She is an author, public speaker, mentor, and grant writer. She has over 10 years of experience with grant writing and working in the non-profit sector. She has worn many hats, including serving as an educator and special needs program specialist. Ms. Deberry is the mother of two boys, Xavier and Joshua Nehemiah.

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.

B.A. Sociology & Anthropology, minor in African American Studies, Guilford College

Lateef Mitchell grew up in Durham, NC and became one of Durham Nativity School’ first graduates.  His passion for helping the community and the children in it comes from his personal experiences growing up in Durham, as well as his educational experiences at Carolina Friends School and Guilford College and later, working as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the East Durham Children’s Initiative.   Mr. Mitchell currently lives in Durham, enjoys sports and spending time with his family.

B.A. Psychology, Hamilton University

Cliff Robbins joined the Durham Nativity School for the 2018-19 school year. A scientist by training, Mr. Robbins spent his early career working in research labs at Harvard and Boston University, working on studies of human memory and sport related concussion, respectively. During this time, Mr. Robbins authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications, primarily on the long term consequences of brain trauma and the degenerative brain disease found in boxers and football players known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Before joining the team at Durham Nativity School, Mr. Robbins taught high school and Advanced Placement Biology at Cristo Rey Boston High School in Dorchester, MA. While not exploring the fundamental laws of our universe in the classroom, Mr. Robbins can usually be found re-checking these laws against his observations on running, hiking, and biking trails.

Randy Shepard grew up in Raleigh and Carthage, NC. Mr. Shepard began playing piano at age 7 and began training church choirs at age 14. He has a passion for vocal music and helping young people find their voice through choral music. He founded the Martin Luther King, Jr. All Children’s Choir of Raleigh in 1986. He recently celebrated 30 years with that organization. He has been at Durham Nativity School since 2011.

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.  Ms. Suarez 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. Ms. Suarez is the mother of two children and an active member of the PTA and other organizations that advocate for children. Ms. Suarez 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.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.