Invested Faculty

At FCDS, our educators know and care for each and every student. 

Meet Our Faculty

  • Photo of Allison Panzano
    Ms. Allison Panzano
    Preschool
  • Photo of Shelton Parks
    Mr. Shelton Parks
    Wellness and Belonging
    Assistant Director of Upper School | Middle School Lacrosse Coach
    Bio
     
    Originally from Harmony, N.C., Shelton received his bachelor's degree in education from Western Carolina University in 2013. He completed his internship for his master’s degree in school administration at UNC-Charlotte as FCDS’s Teaching and Learning fellow. Shelton has 10 years of experience as a teacher and coach and has previously served as an athletic director and dean of students. He has a daughter, Emory Parks.
  • Photo of Alejandra Paulino Malloy
    Ms. Alejandra Paulino Malloy
    World Languages
    Lower School Spanish Teacher
    Bio
     
    Born and raised in New York, Alejandra earned her bachelor’s degree in education at  Universidad Pedro Henriquez Ureña.
    She spent 17 years teaching at a private international school in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and six years teaching in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Dual Language Program. She is ESL certified and Spanish World Language certified. 
    Alejandra is married to Robert.
  • Photo of Susan Perry
    Dr. Susan Perry
    Administration, Wellness and Belonging
    Associate Head of School for Wellness and Belonging
    Bio
     
    Susan is a proven, experienced interdependent, and relational educational leader who thrives in the nexus of campus life having served in executive and leadership roles at independent schools (Governor’s Academy, Phillips Academy, Asheville School, and Ravenscroft School) and in higher education (Duke University and Smith College). 

    She has been nominated and served on two NAIS Committees charged with examining best practices and providing recommendations to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of students, including being appointed to the NAIS/TABS Independent School Task Force on Educator Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response.

    Susan has also completed extensive training in leadership development and team facilitation with the Center for Creative Leadership (www.ccl.org) and utilized this interdependent leadership approach while serving as Assistant Head of School for Student Life at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, N.C., serving as a co-architect for the innovative community leadership development model called "Lead from Here." 

    Additionally, Susan is a published author and holds an earned doctorate in educational administration. She has served as consultant/advisor/educator to boards of trustees, executive leaders, faculty, families, students and has traveled extensively as a conference speaker and trainer nationwide. 
  • Photo of Charlotte Phillips
    Mrs. Charlotte Phillips
    Mathematics
    Middle Math Teacher
    Bio
     
    Originally from Los Angeles, C.A., Charlotte Phillips earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from University of Southern California. Charlotte’s love for mathematics and working with students led her to tutoring SAT math and various math subjects all through college and while she worked as an architect. She gained experience as a private tutor, working one-on-one with over 200 students prior to joining FCDS. Charlotte learned how every child learns differently and the importance of teaching with the purpose of reaching each and every student. Eventually, she realized her heart was in teaching and joined FCDS in 2009. During her time at FCDS, Charlotte has taught Pre-Algebra and Algebra I in the Middle School and taught or tutored Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and SAT Math prep through the JAC. She has served on the Diversity Committee, is currently on the Academic Committee, and is a recipient of the Pond Award. Charlotte and her husband Brock have two children.
  • Photo of Kristin Philpott
    Mrs. Kristin Philpott
    Homeroom
    First Grade Teacher
    Bio
     
    Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Kristin’s family roots run deep in the Triad community. After graduating from RJ Reynolds High School, she attended Appalachian State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education.

    She began her teaching career in Yadkin County, where she taught kindergarten, first, and second grades at Forbush Elementary over a span of 18 years. During her time at Forbush, Kristin served as the chair of multiple committees, a new teacher mentor, and was twice nominated for Teacher of the Year.

    Kristin and her husband Cabell have two teenage daughters, Ella and Maggie.
  • Photo of Charis Pickett
    Ms. Charis Pickett
    After School Program
  • Photo of Ashleigh Pike
    Mrs. Ashleigh Pike
    Johnson Academic Center ( US ), Johnson Academic Center ( MS )
    Language Development Specialist | Academic Coach | Single Course Teacher
    Bio
     
    A native of Dallas, Texas, Ashleigh earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Texas A&M University and her M.Ed. in special education with an emphasis on children with autism and emotional/behavior disorders from the University of North Texas. Ashleigh taught in various special education settings in Dallas and Atlanta before moving to Winston-Salem in 2006. She taught in the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County school system before joining the faculty at FCDS in 2013 as a language development specialist, single course teacher, and academic coach. While at FCDS, Ashleigh has completed the AOGPE Orton Gillingham Associate and Certified Level training.

    She and her husband have two children: Tatum and Harrison (FCDS 2023).
  • Photo of Hartley Pohjola
    Mrs. Hartley Pohjola
    Bookstore
    Fury Ltd. Store Manager
  • Photo of Scott Pohjola
    Mr. Scott Pohjola
    Administration
    Director of the Engineering Center, US Engineering Teacher
    Bio
     
    Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree in teaching from Colorado College. 
    For five years, he taught physics and chemistry in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the past 11 years, he served as the innovative learning coordinator and a science teacher at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. As innovative learning coordinator, Scott worked in curriculum and assessment design, chaired the accreditation steering committee, served as site director of the Master Transcript Consortium, and worked on faculty professional development. In addition to teaching physics and chemistry, Scott led a residential dorm, is an advisor and coach, and serves as an administrative duty officer. He served on the executive council for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools Professional Development Advisory Commission and has served as a school accreditation visiting team member. 
    Scott and his wife Hartley, a Winston-Salem native, have three children: Elizabeth (FCDS ’27), Mary Blue (FCDS ’29), and Henry (FCDS ’33).
     
  • Photo of Amanda Poonnen
    Ms. Amanda Poonnen
    Language Development Teacher
    Bio
     
    Amanda grew up in Jackson, Mississippi She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from William Carey University and her master’s degree in dyslexia therapy from Mississippi College. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist with more than ten years of experience. She has worked with students who have dyslexia or other learning differences and as a reading interventionist.
  • Photo of JD Pouncey
    Mr. JD Pouncey
    Physical Education (MS)
    Middle School Wellness
    Bio
     
    A native of Winston-Salem, J.D. earned his bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Winston-Salem State University with concentrations in music and business management.

    J.D. has worked with FCDS students in preschool through fourth grade for several years. Also, he has been teaching children's music to students in first through eighth grades at St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
Our faculty knows our students’ names, supports them, encourages them, and is always pulling for them. In this way, our staff continually draws out the best in each and every child, showing them how to study, advocate for themselves, and develop a solid work ethic.

Teachers, coaches, and counselors are all invested in making sure each child is valued, understood, and challenged at the right time. This individual approach – along with small class sizes – allows your child to flourish and be prepared for what's ahead.
    • Meet our incredible faculty
    • Meet our incredible educators
    • Meet our incredible teachers
Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, college preparatory, independent school for preschool through high school located in Lewisville, NC, just outside of Winston-Salem. Students benefit from a challenging academic curriculum, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
5501 Shallowford Road
Lewisville, NC 27023
Phone: 336-945-3151