Faculty & Staff

Mr. Vince B. Vincent is grateful to be a part of Durham Nativity School‘s community. Prior to arriving at DNS, Mr. Vincent served as the Associate Head of School at The Woodhall School. Mr. Vincent also previously spent time serving as a Dorm Head and Vocal Music Director at Millbrook School. He began his career in independent schools as Chair of the Arts Department at Oakwood Friends School. Outside of education, Mr. Vincent has a career as an opera singer and actor having been featured in over three thousand performances across the globe. He earned his B.A. in Music from Vassar College. A graduate of Yale Opera, he is most known for his portrayal of the title role in Der Kaiser von Atlantis. Mr. Vincent lives in downtown Durham with his family and they are excited to become “Bull City” proud. Mr. Vincent enjoys spending time with his family, getting out in nature to do bible study and prayer, and all things fitness, especially MovNat training, which he should be a certified instructor of within the coming months.

John Zambenini is Director of Institutional Advancement at Durham Nativity School. After earning a B.A. at Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, John worked in politics and journalism before earning his Master of Divinity at Duke University. After completing his Master’s, John trained as a chaplain at the V.A. in Durham, NC, served as a chaplain at the Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, NC, and was an institutional review board member of NIAID at National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Meanwhile, he worked at Duke, helping graduate students write, as well as editing book manuscripts for publication. 

John was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. John enjoys spending time with his wife, Minda, and their two children, reading, boxing and weight training, and listening to music as loud as possible.  

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).

As Pedagogical Mentor, Mr. Cox also serves as the Reading & Language Arts Teacher. 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.

QuRita 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.

Alexis Anderson was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. She moved to Durham in 2014 and attended North Carolina Central University. Alexis has always had a passion for history and hopes to one day teach U.S. History at an HBCU. While earning her Master’s, Alexis served as a teaching assistant for World Societies, in which she was able to gain firsthand instructional experience. New to DNS’ social studies classroom this year, Alexis’ energy and drive match the DNS family. She is excited to join the community.

Cameron Cole holds degrees from UNC-Charlotte in Sociology and African-American studies. He brings joy and the Durham Nativity spirit to our fifth grade classroom. He also brings with him early-childhood education experience and a deep appreciation for the Durham Nativity investment in the young men of our city. Mr. Cole has also been a lifeguard.

Jeremy appreciates being part of the Durham Nativity community and having a chance to contribute to the DNS mission. Along with degrees in history (BA & MLitt) and experience in the nonprofit and teaching worlds, he brings a passion for history and literature to the ELA position. Outside of school, he enjoys getting outdoors and walking.

Michael Lappin was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. Michael attended NC State University where received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Michael has always had a passion for education. He joined the staff at DNS as the Math Teacherwith the intention of inspiring and educating the next generation. In his free time, Michael enjoys skiing, playing pickle-ball, and spending time with his family and friends.

New to Durham, Sebastián Toro is excited to live and experience everything “Bull City.” He is especially excited to recruit the next class of young men to join the brotherhood. During Sebastián’s upbringing in Queens, NY, he developed a passion for diversity, his community, and his city. He went on to Gordon College in Boston, MA as a Clarendon Scholar. In his free time, you can find him training for marathons throughout the week and DJ-ing on weekends. He has a love of travel, specifically back to Medellín, Colombia where his family resides, and a love for salsa dancing as well.

Ms. Brittany Harris was born and raised in Burlington, NC, and comes from a family of educators. Before joining DNS she worked in healthcare administration for over six years. Having her own daughter attending an independent school, she is passionate about providing our youth with the education they deserve. She is currently enrolled at UNC-Greensboro to complete her Bachelors in Business Administration. Ms. Harris enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, participating in local events, and reading a good book. She is excited about her new adventure here at DNS.

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.

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.

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!

Angel is excited to join the Durham Nativity School this year. She was born and raised in Durham. After completing college in 2020, she returned to Bull City to work as a fellow at Reality Ministries, creating space for belonging and community amongst adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has a passion for youth and education and wants students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally, teaching them to become great students with great character. Her experience in education includes working as a learning counselor in the YMCA Learning Program, serving in AmeriCorps as a Teaching Fellow with Generation Teach INC, and tutoring students in first through sixth grade. She enjoys being in nature, seeing Broadway shows and listening to musicals, being an aunt, and spending time with family and friends.

As a 2010 DNS graduate, Chris is very excited to contribute towards the school’s continued growth. Originally born in Caracas, Venezuela, he came to the U.S. at 9 months old and grew up in the great Bull City where he attended Durham Academy after graduating from DNS. Chris is the current owner & president of Klean Crew Corp which serves the North Carolina area and the Nashville metropolitan area. He brings his experience in all things cleaning/maintenance and as a general contractor. As an alum, Chris is passionate about Durham Nativity School and ensuring a wonderful experience to all who visit the school grounds. He also actively works with the Latino community and recently received the Dogwood Award from the North Carolina Department of Justice. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and baby, hiking, swimming, and playing disc golf with his buddies.

Sam was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Connecticut. Going up, he always had a passion for sports. Sam played Ice Hockey in college and continued to coach upon graduating. Sam hopes to bring his love of sports into the community at DNS and grow the athletic program. In his free time, he likes to play Fling Golf and hang out with his cat, Finn.

Jordan recently graduated from Boston College in May 2021 where she was a student and member of the Women’s Lacrosse Team. After graduation, Jordan moved back to the Raleigh/Durham area where she was born and raised. Jordan joined the staff at DNS as she has a passion for education and hopes to one day become a Social Studies teacher. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exercise, and reading.