Even for a school as fundamentally relational as Christ School, having a father, mother, and son be part of the faculty and staff concurrently is rare.
Colton Alexander will assist full-time in the Athletic Department and Student Life Office starting with the 2026-27 academic year. He is the defensive coordinator for the Greenies football team.
Colton played football and studied at Northwood University in Midland, Mich, graduating from there in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration. A year later, he was the Defensive Coordinator for the 2024 Blue Ridge School (Va.) state championship team, which significantly cut down on points allowed by prioritizing negative plays and turnover differential.
Colton now lives on campus here in Arden with his father, Football Program Director Clint Alexander, and his mother, Director of Parent Engagement Elaine Alexander.
Championship culture comes before trophies in Clint Alexander’s playbook, with his essentials to success being the core values of discipline, leadership, and unselfishness.
Coach Alexander has built winning programs and taught, mentored, and coached adolescent boys into men of character everywhere he has been in 30 years with this as a foundation, from large public schools to small independent schools.
Coach Alexander came to Christ School in 2025 from another all-boys school, Blue Ridge School in Saint George, Va. Blue Ridge went undefeated (11-0) and was the Virginia Division II state champion in his final season there. Coach Alexander’s background also includes a 12-year stint at Woodberry Forest (Va.) from 2005 to 2016 where he compiled an 83-32-1 record.
He has sent more than 100 players to Division I college programs, including five to the NFL. Clint is a 12-time Coach of the Year award winner, former head coach of the U-18 USA National Team, and former Teacher of the Year (for History) in the Saginaw Valley Conference.
Coach Alexander holds a B.A. degree from Olivet College (Mich.) and has a special passion for military history. He lives on campus with his wife, Director of Parent Engagement Elaine Alexander, and their son, Colton.
Christ School families get clearer access to information and involvement than ever before through Director of Parent Engagement Elaine Alexander.
Mrs. Alexander's primary goal is to be a champion for mothers and fathers, helping them feel confident that their son is growing and thriving at Christ School. She is visible at regular and special school events, and also easily reachable to help ensure there is consistent, productive communication between parents and teachers, dorm parents, coaches, and advisors. New parent education programs are focused on proactively addressing questions and concerns, and Mrs. Alexander partners with the Communications Department and Greenie Parents on messaging.
Elaine grew up in Michigan and earned a B.S. in Interior Design from Eastern Michigan University. She and her husband, Football Program Director and Varsity Coach Clint Alexander, live on campus with their son, Colton.
Increasingly, Christ School cross country and track & field set a championship standard for North Carolina and even the Southeast region.
The golden years can be attributed to Coach Randy Ashley, who has led the programs to seven team titles in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association (four in track, three in cross country) the past 11 years. His 2025 cross country team was undefeated through winning the Nike Cross Regional (NXR) Southeast Regional meet in Cary, N.C., and placing seventh nationally.
Individually, 12 Greenies have won 31 state championships. The group is headlined by Rocky Hansen '23, who was the first North Carolina runner to break four minutes in the mile run, a 10-time state champion, and still holds every N.C. all-classifications record from the 1,500 meters and up.
The 2026-27 academic year will be Randy's 26th year in high school coaching. He holds a B.S. in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy and a Level Three USA Track & Field Certification in Endurance Coaching. As an athlete, he was a Georgia state high school champion and went on to compete at the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.
Third-generation nurse Lillian Baird P’27 believes that a deep-rooted passion for health care and patient wellness, combined with her affinity for Christ School, make her the best person to run the Wellness Center.
Lillian was drawn to the position of Head Nurse by her son, Carl ’27, who will be a Proctor in Young House for the 2026-27 academic year and has run for state-championship cross country and track teams. She brings more than a decade of experience in nursing. Lillian's education includes a B.S. in Nursing from Troy University as well as a master’s from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Baird family is from Bryson City, N.C., which is a great hub for Lillian’s interests of hiking, biking, and boating. Her husband's name is Blake.
Mrs. Baird will reside on campus during the week. She said she likes the tranquility that the wooded grounds offer with all the advantages of Asheville waiting outside the school gates.
Multi-disciplined educator Jimmy Ballantyne P'30 came aboard as a faculty member in 2022 with a motto perfect for Christ School: “I do not teach Science. I teach young men.”
Mr. Ballantyne is responsible for Chemistry classes, coaches in the Outdoor Program, and is the Wrestling Program Director.
He has previously taught Biology, Physics, Algebra, and Engineering in his decade-plus career. No matter what the subject may be, Mr. Ballantyne keeps student inquiry, engagement, and humor at the heart of every lesson.
Jimmy received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Southeastern Louisiana University and his master’s in teaching from Nicholls State University. A gifted athlete, Mr. Ballantyne owned and operated a wrestling academy for five years before leaning into teaching full-time. He taught at three different high schools. However, Jimmy said that Christian Brothers High School in Memphis helped him zero in on the all-boys environment where he felt he could have the greatest impact.
Mr. Ballantyne and his wife, Jill, have four children, James '30, Elijah, Mahri, and Selah.
History Department Chair William Ballenger has donned many hats as a teacher, coach, house parent, administrator, and Advanced Placement exam reader which befit someone with more than two decades of boarding school experience.
He and his wife, Kristin, came to Christ School in 2022 following five idyllic, wanderlust years overseas at King’s Academy in Jordan, where he shepherded aspiring, young teachers as Director of Teaching Fellows, chaired a department, and was a member of the Hiring Team.
Mr. Ballenger’s favorite fictional character is Indiana Jones, and he has lived his own share of adventures – thru-hiking the entire lengths of The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and El Camino de Santiago; pedaling three coast-to-coast bicycle treks; and paddling 2,000-plus miles on America’s National Wild and Scenic Riverways. He firmly believes in the educational value of travel, bringing history alive for students by integrating his personal globetrotting experiences at historic sites in over 50 countries and 47 states across five continents into his curricula. Mr. Ballenger is an eight-time Teacher of the Year, including Christ School’s 2023-24 Teacher of the Year; five-time graduation speaker; and three-time Yearbook Dedication honoree, each by vote of the students.
Mr. Ballenger is a boarding school alumnus from The Lawrenceville School (N.J.) who graduated magna cum laude from Alma College (Mich.) before earning a master's in Social Studies Education through his graduate coursework at the University of Virginia and the University of Oxford (England).
Mr. Ballenger and Kristin, a veterinarian, are thrilled to live amongst the boys in Young House with their cats. Since returning stateside from Jordan, they have relicensed as foster care parents to resume a calling that they previously enjoyed for years: “whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mark 9:36).
Countless families would agree: Director of College Guidance Kirk Blackard has perfected a system that ensures every boy gets individual, personalized attention from the moment they step on campus until the very end of the college-application process.
The Class of 2026 earned a record $5.3 million in scholarships after the 63 seniors submitted 496 applications to 198 different colleges.
Mr. Blackard has been at Christ School for 23 years now and been involved in college admissions and college counseling since 1991. A graduate of St. Christopher’s School in Richmond, Va., Mr. Blackard received a B.A. from Wake Forest University in 1989 and his master's from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1995.
Mr. Blackard lives on campus and his interests include basketball, tennis, and cooking.
Learn more about College Guidance
Ginger Bouzigard brought a varied amount of experience to her position as Staff Accountant and has been a great asset to the school's financial management.
She assists Chief Financial Officer Tonya Richardson in overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, and strategic decision-making.
Mrs. Bouzigard previously worked in the veterinary field for eight years and was a bank teller for three years. Mrs. Bouzigard then made the decision to return to school and earn her Business Administration degree from Appalachian State University in 2023.
Ginger's husband is Paul and the couple live in Black Mountain, N.C. An interesting fact: the Bouzigards have previously traveled around North America in a camper for 10 months.
Christ School’s affect on young men can be seen in the fact that English instructor Patrick Brawley still harkens back to his brief time as a Greenie.
Mr. Brawley attended school here as an eighth and ninth grader. He says he has dearly missed it ever since, and that developing character in his students is one of his greatest passions as he enters his 12th year as a teacher and eighth as a cross country coach. He was awarded the Jack Peele Award for excellence in teaching in 2017 and 2019. Mr. Brawley won the Tom Donahue Coach of the Year award in 2021.
He grew up in the Foothills region of North Carolina, however Mr. Brawley has expanded his knowledge by living in three different North Carolina cities, Central Pennsylvania, two boroughs of New York City, and most recently, San Antonio.
While in Texas, Mr. Brawley taught English, served as Assistant Head of Upper School for Student Life, and was a dorm parent with his wife, Kristi, and son, Alban. He received a BFA in Writing from UNC Wilmington in 2008 and an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in 2010.
In his free time, Mr. Brawley enjoys running, reading, writing, and experiencing life overall.
Kristi Brawley feels immensely grateful to take on an increased role in the English Department for 2026-27.
She taught a class and proctored evening study hall in the spring of 2026. Her step up to a full-time member of the faculty will allow Mrs. Brawley to work in English alongside her husband, Patrick.
This will be Kristi’s 26th year in secondary education. Her previous experience includes being a dorm parent, adviser, Wellness Team member, and instructor at TMI Episcopal in San Antonio.
Kristi earned teaching degrees from Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Brawley is committed to helping teenagers hone their reading, writing, and research skills. As a former school librarian, she also enjoys listening to books, locating resources, and providing academic support to students.
When she’s not in Noland House or her classroom, Mrs. Brawley is likely chasing her adventurous son around campus, volunteering at the public library, and exploring Western North Carolina with her family. She loves watching competitive fencing and international films/shows as well as cheering on her favorite athletic teams.
World Languages Chair Jameel Brenneman quickly distinguished himself as a faculty leader after first coming to Christ School in 2018 as an English and Arabic instructor. He is currently the head coach of varsity tennis and has assisted in the past with soccer and athletic livestreams.
Mr. Brenneman graduated in 2012 from Indiana’s Huntington University with a degree in Broadcasting before getting a master's in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan four years later. His interest in the Middle East stems from the fact that his mother’s side of the family is from Palestine.
Mr. Brenneman’s introduction to boarding school came with two years at The Stony Brook School in Long Island. He also performed many roles there, including teacher, coach, and dorm parent.
Mr. Brenneman was excited to move to North Carolina, in large part because he is a big fan of barbecue, so much so that he and his brother took a 10-day culinary road trip across North Carolina and South Carolina during the summer of 2018. His other interests include sports, music, and crossword puzzles.
Jameel's wife is Amy. They live in Arden.
Being active in nature feels cathartic to Eric Cain, whose coaching in the Outdoor Program has complemented his roles as a History instructor and dorm parent in South Carolina House.
Mr. Cain is a self-described lifelong learner who has taught at high schools in Georgia and North Carolina. Additionally, he has worked with educational/enrichment programs for students, such as the N.C. Governor’s School, and helped lead the Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection at his college alma mater of Furman University.
When he lived in Atlanta, Mr. Cain served as a youth minister and pastoral resident in a local congregation.
Mr. Cain holds master’s degrees from Wake Forest University (Arts in Education) and Mercer University (Divinity). He completed his undergraduate studies at Furman in 2004, majoring in History and Political Science with a concentration in Latin American Studies.
His hobbies include hiking (and many other outdoor activities), poetry, cooking, and traveling. He is happy to share stories with the boys about some of the truly unique and interesting places he has visited over the years. Mr. Cain loves spending time with family, friends, and his cats.
No one knows the history and intricacies of Greenie soccer better than Guy Campbell ’00.
The Christ School alumnus has been involved with his alma mater's program as a coach or player for 20 years now, striving to give every boy the same positive experience that he had, on and off the field.
Mr. Campbell is not only proud of the past, but excited about what the future holds as Soccer Program Director and Varsity Head Coach. The 2025 Greenies (20-1) won the first state championship in the 78-year history of the program.
Mr. Campbell has won a school record 174 games and six Carolinas Athletic Association championships as a head coach at Christ School. Ten of his teams have reached the NCISAA state playoffs, 24 players have been named all-state, and 11 have continued their careers in college. Outside the high school season, Mr. Campbell has coached with the Asheville City Soccer Club since 2019. He has been an assistant for the men’s USL League Two team the past three years.
Mr. Campbell’s longtime support for Christ School in general was recognized in 2021 at Alumni Weekend when he received the Bill Sewell ’57 Service and Loyalty Award.
He is Vice President, Owner, and Partner of Carolina Colortones, a local building supply company that specializes in pre-finished materials. Mr. Campbell received his B.S. in Political Science from Presbyterian College in 2004.
Mr. Campbell and his wife, Erica, are parents to Bradley ‘24, Wyatt ‘26, and Davis '29. The family resides in Black Mountain, N.C.
St. Joseph’s Chapel and other performance spaces on campus come alive each year with notes sang or played by Christ School boys. Music has always been vital to their education and development.
This tradition spoke to Director of Music James Cassarino, who has been chair of the Fine Arts Department, Organist, and Choirmaster since 2019.
He and his wife, Elise, co-wrote Christ School's alma mater, "Sing to Thee, Christ School Eternal," which was approved by Head of School Dr. Sean Jenkins and the Board of Trustees in 2022. Participation in the Choir and general interest in music have increased exponentially under Mr. Cassarino.
Prior to Christ School, Mr. Cassarino completed a 20-year tenure as Professor of Music and Music Department Chair at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont.
While at Green Mountain College, Mr. Cassarino helped create and oversee a vibrant program that included course work in music and performing opportunities in both instrumental and choral ensembles. He also served as Music Director and Organist for Trinity Episcopal Church in Rutland, Vt. Mr. Cassarino previously filled those same roles for St. Mary’s Church in Newport, R.I., as well. His educational background includes degrees in music and in theology from Castleton (Vt.) University, Ball State University, St. John’s University, and the University of Wales.
Reaching others through a visual medium has always appealed to Chris Childers.
In his role as Director of Video Operations, Mr. Childers produces engaging video content for the Communications Department and handles technical elements (audio and video) of school gatherings.
Mr. Childers is an award-winning filmmaker of digital shorts and graduated magna cum laude from Western Carolina University in 2019 with a degree in Film and Television Production. He earned his master's in Strategic and Digital Communications from the University of Tennessee in 2025.
Following his graduation from WCU, Mr. Childers worked as an administrative assistant at Link Horne Middle School in Lynchburg, Va., and then as a news photographer and editor at ABC 13 WSET-TV in Virginia.
Mr. Childers enjoys hiking and camping for hobbies as well as being a massive fan of the Carolina Hurricanes and Carolina Panthers. His wife's name is Elora and they live in Arden.
Matt Cole grew up in the greater Boston area and gravitated to teaching as he comes from a long line of educators.
One of his grandfathers taught Mathematics at The Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, the other was a college professor at two schools in Massachusetts – Northeastern University and Bentley University. Many of his extended family have followed similar paths.
Mr. Cole's family background along with belief in the merits of a boarding school education have served him well as our Director of Service Learning, a Science instructor, and a varsity basketball coach. He has led multiple international trips, most recently to Italy.
Mr. Cole graduated from Union College (N.Y.) in 2019 with a degree in Geology.
He spent much of his free time volunteering for multiple organizations throughout the city, which led to him being awarded a Minerva Fellowship by Union. This fellowship is given to a select group of graduating seniors to partner with non-profit organizations in the global south. He worked with The Samburu Project to help drill water wells for local populations in Samburu County, Kenya, where he lived for nearly a year.
Mr. Cole is an avid outdoorsman, having grown up backpacking and camping in the White Mountains. He also enjoys baseball and basketball, as well as playing the drums.
Mark Crawford came back home to western North Carolina upon completing active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division in the 1990s, starting a long career in education. He has shared his unique perspective as an AP U.S. Government and Politics instructor at Christ School since 2019.
Mr. Crawford taught various Political Science courses for the 11 years at Western Carolina University, and prior to that was a full-time substitute teacher in the Buncombe County Schools system for 13 academic years. He is a West Point graduate who served for a little over a decade as an officer in the U.S. Army. Mr. Crawford was a Ranger, paratrooper, and Jumpmaster who was deployed for the Gulf War in 1990. Upon returning home, he initially worked in construction, and then real estate while substitute teaching. He has served a brief stint in the N.C. House of Representatives and been Administrator of the Swannanoa Valley Medical Center.
Mr. Crawford keeps it simple when it comes to his hobbies: reading and chess.
Patrick Dansdill got the “Most Respected” award from his Wheaton College (Ill.) football coaches and teammates in 2013.
They were onto something.
Mr. Dansdill has well over a decade of wide-ranging experience in K-12 education and joined Christ School's faculty in 2022 as a Spanish instructor and assistant football coach.
Mr. Dansdill graduated from Wheaton with a B.A. in Elementary Education.
He has previously worked with students in Art, Business, English, Math, Music, Physical Education, Science, and Social Studies. Mr. Dansdill's last teaching job before Christ School was at Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville.
He and his wife, Anna, live on campus with their children.
Assistant Head of School Lisa Darling's wealth and breadth of knowledge in education have been incredible assets to Christ School since she first joined the community during the 2023-24 academic year.
She initially took on the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to coming here, Ms. Darling demonstrated stellar leadership as the head of school at three different institutions (Wilmington Friends School in Delaware, United World College, and the Awty International School in Houston.
Ms. Darling returned to Houston in October 2024 to receive a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms award for her work in promoting the French language and French-speaking culture from France’s ambassador to the U.S., Laurent Bili.
Ms. Darling's professional career began in 1979 and has taken her to schools in six different states. She was formerly on the board for the National Association of Independent Schools from 1996 to 2000 and is part of the board of trustees for two schools in Texas - Shlenker School and Dallas International School.
Ms. Darling earned her B.A. in Religion from George Fox College in 1976 and then went on to receive master's degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and the State University of New York.
She considers herself an inveterate traveler and animal lover. Her son, Nedim, lives and works in San Francisco.
Ms. Darling will live on campus in Seitz House.
