Boys need to be thinking one or even two steps ahead in an ever-changing world of technology.
Matt Houston has given Christ School's students that advantage with his Engineering and Mathematics curriculum following a decade in higher education. Along with teaching, Mr. Houston is one of the faculty advisors for the school robotics team, which began attending competitions in the spring semester of 2023.
Mr. Houston has been at Christ School since 2020 and was previously an Associate Professor at Middle Georgia State University for 10 years.
He earned his B.S. and master's degrees from Tennessee Tech University before going on to receive a Ph.D. in Math from the University of Georgia in 2018.
Mr. Houston's hobbies include reading, coding, tinkering with electronics, and traveling. He lives on campus.
Dean of Students Drew Hyche '94 has been a beloved mainstay of the administration for 26 years.
He was a natural choice as the 2023 winner of the Water Carrier Award, which annually goes to a faculty or staff member who largely works behind the scenes and embodies the ideals of compassion, humor, a sense of history, humility, loyalty, the ability to teach, and an unshakeable commitment to the Christ School community.
"You won't find many people working here with more personal knowledge of Christ School," Head of School Dr. Sean Jenkins P'29 said at the time.
After graduating from Clemson University in 1998, Mr. Hyche came back to his alma mater to work as an intern in Residential Life and to coach basketball and tennis. Since then, he has worked in Student Activities, Admissions, and Student Life.
Mr. Hyche also serves as one of the Administrators on Duty and as one of the advisors to Form VI (12th grade). He lives on campus with his two children, Harper and Burns.
Recent growth and innovation at Christ School can be attributed to aspirational leadership, balanced with respect for the tradition of our first 125 years.
Dr. Sean Jenkins '29 became the 14th Head of School in July 2021. The Board of Trustees approved the first strategic plan of his term a year later, followed by a campus master plan, and Christ School has continued its upward trajectory ever since.
Enrollment reached a record high to start the 2024-25 academic year – 308 boys from 17 different states and 11 countries.
Academic Rigor is never more evident with the offering of 27 Advanced Placement classes, 33 Honors classes, and six Advanced Studies classes (college-level courses not offered by AP), including four Math classes beyond Calculus.
Two Programs of Distinction have been created – the Robert Morgan ’36 Aviation Program (one of only three high school aviation programs in the U.S.) and the Global Studies Program.
The Cooper Living Arts Series was introduced in 2022 with the support of alumnus Edwin Cooper ’81, P’19, P’23 and his wife, Andrea P’19, P’23, bringing nationally-acclaimed creators and performers to campus each year.
Athletics remains positioned as one of the premier programs in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association with seven team state championships.
Originally from Knoxville, TN, Dr. Jenkins earned his B.A. in English from Wake Forest University and his M.Ed. from North Carolina State University. He completed his Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Virginia, where he served on the honor council and was inducted into the Raven Society.
Dr. Jenkins is a graduate of the McCallie School and a former member of its Board of Trustees. His other civic associations have included serving as senior warden at Christ Episcopal Church, as well as on the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Episcopal School (VES), and the Charlottesville Free Clinic.
Dr. Jenkins joined the Christ School community from the University of Virginia, where he served under Presidents John T. Casteen, III, Teresa A. Sullivan, and James E. Ryan as a senior assistant where his responsibilities included admissions, accreditation, development, board-governance, education policy, global programming, strategic and academic planning, and operations.
At UVA, Dr. Jenkins taught and advised undergraduate and graduate students. He was recognized for outstanding leadership and teaching by The Society of the Purple Shadows in 2015. His broad range of experience – including stints at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill – and expertise greatly benefit our community in his role as Head of School.
Dr. Jenkins is married to Lawson P’29, a Spartanburg, S.C., native and fellow Wake Forest and UVA graduate. They live in Boxwood House along with their sons, Coleman ’29 and Jack.
Jeff Joyce enjoys teaming with Christ School’s many passionate supporters to create opportunities for enhancement and growth as Associate Director of Advancement.
Mr. Joyce fell in love with the rivers and mountains of western North Carolina while working at a summer camp in college and has lived and worked in the area since 2008.
He served as the Director of Public Policy for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce for eight years, then transitioning to the world of philanthropic development. Before coming to Christ School, Mr. Joyce was Director of Alumni Affairs and Development for nearby Brevard College.
Mr. Joyce is a 2008 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Staying active in his community has been a common theme as Mr. Joyce served as Board Chair for the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Young Professional of Asheville. When he’s not working, Mr. Joyce can be found whitewater kayaking or mountain biking on local rivers and trails. He shares his passion with the boys as a coach in the Outdoor Program.
His wife's name is Lucy.
Wes King P'27 was announced as varsity baseball coach in 2020 and assists boys in the Learning Resource Department as well.
Mr. King has been involved in education since 2003 and has taught in North Carolina and South Carolina schools. After receiving a degree in Sports Management from Western Carolina University, he earned teaching certificates in Business and Physical Education from Winthrop University and Mars Hill University.
Coaching-wise, Mr. King has worked at the varsity level in North Carolina since 2004.
Mr. King is married to Kelli and the couple live on campus with their two sons, Sawyer '27 and Cason.
Elyse King built a good rapport with the boys as an assistant track coach before becoming a full-time member of the faculty in Learning Resources starting with the 2023-24 school year. Her knowledge proved to be instrumental to the Greenies winning a state championship the following spring.
Ms. King graduated from Elon University in 2021 with a B.A. in Public Health and minor in Coaching. She qualified academically three straight years for the Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner’s List.
Ms. King attended high school in the Asheville area at T.C. Roberson. Her younger sibling is Chyance '28.
Former college football player Bradley Lidberg brings a competitive fire and high energy to his new role as Assistant Director of Admission.
His hiring comes at an opportune time for enrollment - the school will open 2024-25 with a record 308 boys from 17 different states and 11 countries.
Mr. Lidberg graduated from North Dakota State University with a B.S. in Sport Management and then received his master's in Sports and Recreation Management from the University of Iowa in 2022. A year later, he bolstered the Greenie football coaching staff as Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach.
Mr. Lidberg's playing career at Concordia College lasted from 2015 to 2017.
Wyatt Long continues his emergence as a young leader amongst the faculty by taking on the new role of Dean of Student Development for the 2025-26 academic year.
Mr. Long's responsibilities will be directing leadership development and a reenvisioned pillar of the Dignity of Manual Labor with school-wide larger job prospects by advisory. He will continue teaching English, along with serving as head of Gardner House and an assistant coach for our state-championship lacrosse team.
This will be Mr. Long's sixth year at Christ School. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English from Hartwick College in 2019. After that, he returned to his high school alma mater (Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J.) to work in communications and coach lacrosse.
Mr. Long enjoys fishing, kayaking, hiking, cooking, and cheering on Philadelphia sports teams.
Jack Lynch's love for the outdoors stems from growing up around the prairies and lakes of northern Illinois.
Mr. Lynch has been at Christ School since 2019, teaching Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Science in addition to his role as a coach in the Outdoor Program.
Mr. Lynch graduated from Maine's Colby College in 2016 with a B.A. in Biology, concentrating in Ecology and Evolution. Upon graduating, Mr. Lynch presented his original research on habitat fragmentation at the 2016 Ecological Society of American conference.
After graduating, Mr. Lynch worked as a field botanist with the Bureau of Land Management in Taos, N.M., and later started his career in education as a teaching apprentice at the High Mountain Institute, in Leadville, Colo. From there, he worked as a teaching fellow at the Alzar School in Cascade, I.D., where he paddled with Christ School alumnus Richard Lytle '20. Afterwards, Mr. Lynch completed his master's degree at the University of Virginia where he taught Anatomy and Biology at Monticello High School (Va.).
Outside of school, Mr. Lynch likes to climb, mountain bike, play board games, and read.
More than two decades of experience in teaching at independent schools prepared John Manganiello P'29 to strengthen Christ School's History Department.
Now in his fourth year here, Mr. Manganiello was born and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., and began his career in the Empire State at Windward School in White Plains, N.Y., where he spent 15 years as a teacher, mentor, coach, department chair, and team leader. Mr. Manganiello wanted to experience other educational philosophies and take on a variety of administrative roles and did so, becoming the Assistant Head of the Masters Middle School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Here, he discovered his love for boarding schools and embraced being part of the school community.
He next became Headmaster of the Beacon School in Stamford, Conn., where Mr. Manganiello was proud of the school’s ability to provide a truly individualized learning experience to gifted and twice-exceptional students. After his stint at Beacon, Mr. Manganiello became Director of both the Prospect and Bridge programs at the Wooster School in Danbury, Conn., helping students with language-based learning disabilities by offering an appropriate learning environment and instruction while keeping the students in a mainstream setting.
Mr. Manganiello completed his undergraduate degree at Lemoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., where he double majored in History and Religious Studies. He completed his graduate work and earned his master's degree in Special Education, with a concentration on learning disabilities from the College of New Rochelle. He later earned a second master's degree in History from Iona College.
Mr. Manganiello and his family always envisioned moving to North Carolina one day. They became more confident it was the correct decision when they visited the Christ School campus and met so many wonderful people, he said.
Mr. Manganiello also coaches in the Athletic Department and lives on campus with his wife, Joanne P'29, and their son, Chase '29. During his free time, he enjoys cooking for his family and friends, playing sports, biking, writing, and playing with his son.
Like many people, Jeffrey McAven found Asheville to be a place where he wanted to put down some roots.
The new Math instructor moved to the mountains four years ago, even though this will be his 19th year teaching in North Carolina.
Mr. McAven was born and raised in Michigan. He holds a B.S. in Education from Eastern Michigan University with a certification in Math and Science.
He and his wife, Paula, have one son, Wesley '27. Mr. McAven's hobbies include cars, woodworking, sports, and enjoying the awe-inspiring nature of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Caleb McSurdy can draw from an NFL playing career and success at the college level – he was the 2011 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year – as a new Strength and Conditioning Coach in the Athletic Department.
Mr. McSurdy grew up in Boise, Idaho, where he developed a love for hunting, fishing, and athletic competition. He was led to the University of Montana, where he competed in football and track. He was selected in the seventh round of the NFL draft (222nd overall pick) by the Dallas Cowboys as a linebacker. He also briefly spent time with the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams.
Mr. McSurdy returned to Montana to complete his BA in Communications in 2015 and began training athletes three years later. His wife’s name is Kourtney.
Talk about fortuitous timing.
Diedra Mohney P'23 joined the staff as a nurse in 2018, just one year after the present Wellness Center rose out of an extensive renovation to the old '30 House dorm. Since then, Diedra has become a friendly, compassionate presence for boys requiring care.
Mrs. Mohney and her husband, Mathematics Chair Mike Mohney P'23, live on campus and are parents to Chapin '23. The family is so beloved in the Christ School community that the Mohney Classroom in Hamner Alumni Center was dedicated in honor of Deidra and Mike's service to the school in May of 2023.
"Mike and Diedre Mohney are two of the most genuine and humble people I have ever known," said Lynn Williams GP'23, whose gift made the Mohney Classroom possible.
"Their love of life, of a good laugh, their God, their country, and the boys of Christ School barely begins to describe them. They have devoted much of their adult lives to raising hundreds of our young boys into fine men, who embody the ideals of Christ School. It is only fitting that this classroom should be named in their honor to remind past and future generations what it means to live an authentic life of purpose, hard work, kindness, and good deeds."
Mike Mohney P'23 is renowned amongst the boys for arriving early to his classroom and staying as late as needed.
The passion and personal care put into his positions as Mathematics Department Chair and former Director of the Outdoor Program were the catalysts to Mr. Mohney being named 2022-23 Christ School's Teacher of the Year.
The 2023-24 academic year was the 20th for Mr. Mohney at Christ School.
Before his career in teaching, Mr. Mohney was a U.S. Navy officer specializing in nuclear power plants. Following the Navy, he worked as Engineering Manager for the Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Salem County (N.J.).
Mr. Mohney and his wife, Deidra, live on campus and are parents to Chapin '23.
Kim Murphy P’24 and P’27 greets first-time visitors to campus, alumni, and students she knows on a first-name basis with the same level of courtesy and helpfulness. No one could be a better face of the school as Front Office Manager in Wetmore Hall.
Mrs. Murphy took on his integral job in 2019. She works in close coordination with the Student Life and Residential Life offices.
Mrs. Murphy moved to Asheville in 2015 with her husband, Tony, and their two sons, Tony Jr. ’24, and Myles ’27. After moving to Asheville, she became very involved volunteering in her children’s school as the VP, President or Committee Chair of their school’s PTA/PTO.
In her free time, Mrs. Murphy enjoys taking cooking classes, working in her garden, trying new restaurants, spending time with her family, and attending sporting and comedy events.
Results matter to Hamid Najafi, an innovative professional with an excellent track record who has brought these qualities to Christ School as a Robotics and Engineering instructor.
Mr. Najafi was named Teacher of the Year for 2021-22. He is a faculty advisor for the new robotics team.
Mr. Najafi has taught locally as an adjunct professor at A-B Tech Community College and Blue Ridge Community College, where he won the 2019 Extra Mile Award. His professional experience in engineering and as a manager dates back to 1983. From 2002 to 2010, he worked as a real estate developer, overseeing the construction of one of the first all-inclusive executive office suites in the county.
Mr. Najafi studied at Clemson University (MSEE), Piedmont Management Institute, and Midwestern State University. He and his wife, Cindy, have been married for more than 40 years. They have two adult children, Dani and Christian.
Entering her 20th year, Coco Parham P'13 continues to be a fixture and welcoming presence as an Office Manager.
Mrs. Parham has been in Admissions for seven years now and previously worked for 13 years in the College Guidance Office as an administrative assistant and testing coordinator.
Mrs. Parham graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a B.A. in 1987. Her hobbies include hiking, reading, and watching a great movie. She prides herself on being an animal advocate and has volunteered in the past with the Asheville Humane Society.
Mrs. Parham is married to Christ School Associate Athletic Director Duncan Parham. They have two children, Ellsworth ’13 and Emma.
Every athletic team at Christ School has a leg up on the opposition thanks to Duncan Parham P'13, who just completed his 20th year here.
Mr. Parham is Associate Athletic Director and his deep background in strength training and conditioning helps prepare Greenies athletes for their seasons.
Prior to Christ School, Mr. Parham had served as Asheville School's Annual Fund Director. He is a Blues graduate and attended college at Loyola University of New Orleans.
Mr. Parham and his wife, Admissions Department Office Manager Coco Parham, have two children, Ellsworth '13 and Emma.
Andrew Pearson believes the greatest reward from his day-to-day work here is that it requires no hyperbole or other means of exaggeration.
Mr. Pearson looks forward to championing the Christ School community, our core values, and all Greenies in new and meaningful ways. As Director of Communications, he will oversee a four-person team of talented creatives who expect to broaden the school’s reach through engaging video and photography.
Mr. Pearson has been responsible for much of Christ School’s external media (website content and social media) the past eight years, in addition to providing sports information for every athletic team since 2019. Christ School entered this new year with the largest social media following for any Asheville area school (24,751 followers), combining general and athletic accounts.
Mr. Pearson has lived in the Asheville area since 1995 and graduated from UNC Asheville in 1999 with a B.A. in Mass Communication. He wrote for two local newspapers (the Asheville Citizen-Times and Hendersonville Times-News) for a combined 18 years, covering his share of Greenie triumphs, including the complete run by the Plumlee brothers.
Mr. Pearson lives just outside of campus in Fletcher, with his wife, Ursula, close enough to hear the Angelus bell from their front porch.
Dr. Jack Peterson quickly acclimated to Christ School as a mid-year hire during the 2022-23 academic year and is now ready to begin his second year as chair of the Learning Resource Department.
He describes himself as a creative, collaborative English teaching professional with strong administrative skills and a passion for student success in higher education.
He is the founder of Ao English, an online service that offers tutoring and editing. Dr. Peterson has previously been an instructor at five different colleges, most recently on a part-time basis at Durham Technical College in Durham, N.C. He was the Parish Administrator for Durham’s St. Titus’ Episcopal Church from 2021 to 2022.
After receiving his B.A. in English from Georgia’s Covenant College in 2002, Dr. Peterson studied at the University of Washington where he earned his master’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and then Indiana University Pennsylvania, where he received a PhD in Composition and Applied Linguistics.
Dr. Peterson was born in Ohio, but has also lived in Vietnam, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Washington, and now North Carolina.
Dr. Peterson enjoys writing poetry in his free time and his work has been published. His wife’s name is Amy and they have two children.
