Mathematics

Teaching is in Jamie Auch’s blood, evidenced by his 15 years of work at Christ School.  

Mr. Auch is a third-generation independent school teacher, a Math instructor, and assistant coach with Greenie athletic teams. 

Mr. Auch earned a B.A. in Art History and minor in Mathematics from Washington & Lee University (Va.), making him the product of a single-sex education from middle school through college.

In his free time, Mr. Auch likes to camp, bike, and kayak. He is also a big fan of vintage Volkswagen vehicles. Mr. Auch and his wife Christina have two daughters, Casey and Emma.

Sports have opened many doors for Chris Daller, who will help the boys balance academics and athletics in their own lives, too.

Mr. Daller is a new addition to the Christ School Math Department and Athletic Department – he taught and coached basketball and football the past seven years at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis.

Mr. Daller was a 4.0 student while pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He had the same grade-point average at Central Michigan University, where he earned his master’s in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on supervision. Mr. Daller graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and minor in English Literature from Aquinas College in 2015.

Mr. Daller is engaged to Jenna, an immigration lawyer, and the couple share a love for animals.

Matt Houston added to the strength of Christ School's Math Department in 2020 after spending a decade as an Associate Professor at Middle Georgia State University. 

Mr. Houston earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Tennessee Tech University. He received a Ph.D. in Math from the University of Georgia in 2018.

Mr. Houston's hobbies include reading, coding, tinkering with electronics, and traveling. His wife, Melissa, is a local artist. 

Michael Karp expects the best out of every Greenie, whether in the classroom or on the basketball court, 

Mr. Karp, who was Carolina Day School’s varsity boys coach for the 2019-20 season, joined Christ School’s staff as an assistant coach in 2020 and also teaches Algebra I. Mr. Karp has been involved in education for eight years total and previously taught and coached at Carolina Day and Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Fla. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in Mathematics and a minor in Education.

Mr. Karp originally came to western North Carolina seven years ago, accepting a position at Camp Mondamin, a summer camp for boys. He describes himself as an avid mountain biker. His wife, McKenzie, is a nurse in the Wellness Center. 

Carolyn Lowe-Thompson P’24 P’26 has a background and a drive that should make her a natural fit at Christ School.

She will be a Math instructor, Cuningham houseparent, and assistant coach with the Greenie cross country and swimming programs.

Mrs. Thompson was the valedictorian of her high school, won a NCAA Division III national championship in the 10,000-meter run, and has taught, coached, or been a houseparent at schools in the Bahamas, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Virginia.

She was one of the founders of the Community School for Arts and Academics in Roanoke, Va., where she worked from 2013 to 2020. Mrs. Thompson has head-coaching experience in cross country, cycling, swimming, and track.

Mrs. Thompson earned her B.S. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University and then a master’s degree in Education from the University of New Hampshire. She enjoys all outdoor activities, including training for triathlons.

Mrs. Thompson and her husband, History instructor Mark Thompson, have three children – Tyler ’24, Spence ’26, and Kaile.

Mike Mohney P'23 teaches Mathematics and is the Director of Christ School's Outdoor Program.

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, are parents to Chapin '23. 

Hamid Najafi prides himself on being a results-driven, innovative professional with an excellent track record and has brought these qualities to Christ School as a Math and Science instructor.

Mr. Najafi was named Teacher of the Year for 2021-22.  

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.

Professional disc golf player Ken Tyburski can often be seen taking advantage of Christ School's 500-acre campus to hone his craft. 

He teaches Math at Christ School, is a house parent in Harris House, and has worked in single-gender education since 2006. 

Mr. Tyburski graduated from Georgia Tech in 1999 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering – Cooperative Plan (a designation for undergraduates who worked three semesters in a professional organization while attending school). 

Mr. Tyburski turned pro in disc golf in August 2014, and has since won more than two dozen competitions in the professional Masters (age 40 and over) league. When he’s not busy directing tournaments, teaching clinics, and volunteering at local events, Mr. Tyburski likes to hike and camp in the Asheville area.