• Ashley Daugherty
• Katherine Daven
• Andy Cross
• Kelly Hanson
• Kelly Homolka
• Kate Hyde
• Dan Lino
• Nikki Montgomery
• Leah Hyde
• Vanessa RisingMoon
• Mica Waters-Carter

Ashley Daugherty is the primary classroom teacher for 6th - 9th grades, the history, writing, and spelling instructor for grades 4 - 9, and the author of the logic curriculum.  Before joining The New Classical Academy in 2006, Ashley was an attorney in government and private practice.  Ashley holds a J.D. and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University, with an undergraduate major in History. Back to top.

Katherine Daven has worked with children of all ages as an elementary school teacher, social worker, service learning coordinator, and camp counselor. From 2001 to 2008 she worked as the Outdoor Experiential Learning Specialist at Isaac Dickson Elementary School. The job involved teaching organic gardening, science, drama, writing, nature, insects, and literacy, just to name a few. Katherine loves to work in a non-traditional teaching setting and believes many of the skills that are needed for adult life can be learned while trying to capture a live chicken: the knowledge of when to go slow and steady, when to reach in quickly for the grab, and how not to squeeze too tightly when the goal is achieved. One of her greatest passions is teaching children (really anyone) to knit. With her husband, Morgan, and her children, Sam and Maddie, Katherine spends many fun hours camping, hiking, hunting for geocaches, and playing in rivers and streams. She is thrilled to be the new K-2 teacher at The New Classical Academy. Back to top.

Andy Cross teaches 4th-6th grade and science for all of the upper grades. He was born and raised in South Florida. He attended the University of Vermont where he studied Forestry and Environmental Education. During his time in college, Andy went to Kenya to further his education and attended the National Outdoor Leadership School. In 2002, Andy graduated with a BS in Forestry. After college he worked as a Program Director at Camp Highlander. He has also worked with Outward Bound, adjudicated youth, and one-on-one with at-risk students. He lives with his wife Jane and their dogs Pepper and Oakland. When Andy is not teaching he can be found continuing with his love of nature and hiking, and on occasion does hiking gear reviews for the Blue Ridge Outdoor magazine. Back to top.

Kelly grew up in Syracuse, New York but has lived in Asheville with her husband Chris for 19 years. She has two teenagers - Samantha and Colin. Kelly home schooled her children through middle school and during that time she taught numerous classes for homeschoolers including theater/drama, art, economics and life skills. She also volunteered for 8 years at Issac Dickson Elementary school in a mixed age classroom heading up an annual puppet play project for FoxFire and as a LEAF in Schools and Streets artist/mentor. Kelly is excited to teach at The New Classical Academy and looks forward to helping her students learn and grow in this exceptional educational environment. Back to top.

Kelly Homolka is the Founder and Director of The New Classical Academy. She was raised in northern Virginia and then went to California for college. She majored in Religious Studies and then went on to earn an elementary teaching credential from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In college she met her husband Gregg, who is a general contractor. They have three wonderful children, Emily, Daisy and Frank. Kelly has worked for the YMCA, as the Director of Children's Services for a homeless shelter, and as an educator for many community and home school classes. Her hobbies are traveling, hiking, skiing, eating and reading the classics. Back to top.

Kate Hyde is the Founder and Director of The New Classical Academy. She grew up in Washington, D. C. and Kingsport, Tennessee. She attended Montessori schools and assisted in her mother's Montessori school when she was in middle school. She has always been passionate about education and knew from an early age that it was her life's work. After high school, Kate attended Harvard where she studied math and teacher education. After several years of study Kate created and wrote the philosophy and curriculum plan for The New Classical Academy. She lives on a farm with her three beautiful children and their father. Back to top.

Dan Lino teaches Algebra and Geometry for 9th grade. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, he traveled north to earn his degree in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University. He also holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Florida International University. Dan recently retired from a senior engineering position after 20 years of service to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Working for NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center gave Dan the opportunity to design and analyze modifications to a unique cadre of environmental research aircraft, as well as travel the globe as a crew member of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft. Prior to his engineering career, Dan spent time preparing high school students for SAT exams. Now returning to his teaching roots, Dan joins The New Classical Academy family with his wife and two sons (both TNCA students). Having just moved from Florida, Dan enjoys spending his free time exploring and discovering the many wonders of Western North Carolina with his family. Back to top.

Nikki Montgomery was born in Asheville and raised in the Swannanoa/ Black Mountain area.  She attended Asheville Buncombe Technical College and is currently obtaining her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children for 10 years in both formal and informal settings. When she is not preparing for the next days' lesson, Nikki enjoys spending time with her wonderful daughter Whitney and their family. Back to top.

Leah is an Asheville native and grew up in a busy house with a big family. Having 5 brothers and a sister she was constantly surrounded by kids of all ages. She graduated from Asheville High School and spent time at UNC Charlotte and is now enrolled at UNC Asheville. She enjoys her space and spending time at her new home in Leicester. When she gets a few moments of spare time she enjoys dancing, sewing, and reading. She is extremely excited about her first year working at New Classical end even more excited to work with all the students attending. Back to top.

Vanessa was born and raised in Decatur, GA, just outside of Atlanta. After falling in love with the mountains, she chose to pursue her interests in ancient history at UNCA. While there she studied both Greek and Latin language, culture, history, and literature. Back in Atlanta, after graduation, Vanessa began her teaching career with non-native speakers of English. Teaching ESL was a lot of fun, but Vanessa is absolutely delighted to return to WNC and her classical roots as The New Classical Academy's new Latin and history teacher. Back to top.

Mica was raised in the lovely valley of Cullowhee, NC, and attended Western Carolina University for 2 years before taking a sabbatical to wander around the states for what was intended to be a short break. During that time, fate intervened and she met and married her husband Chappell. Mica went back to school when her oldest daughter was 3, and in 1999 graduated with a B. A. in Literature. Since that time Mica has alternated between being home full time with three amazing kids and working in early childhood education programs. Mica's daughter Chloe is a charter student of The New Classical Academy, and both knew from the start that the school would have a special place in their lives. Mica is a certified Reading Reflex instructor and a classroom assistant at The New Classical Academy. Mica and all three of her kids are delighted to become full-fledged members of The New Classical Academy family. Back to top.