Teaching runs in Jamie Auch’s blood, as has been evident throughout his 17 years at Christ School.
Mr. Auch is a third-generation independent school teacher and Math instructor. He was the head coach for Varsity Football in 2008 and 2009 and has assisted with multiple sports.
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.
Multi-disciplined educator James Ballantyne 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 and coaches in the Outdoor Program. He has also 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.
He 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, 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, Elijah, Mahri, and Selah.
William Ballenger has donned many hats as a teacher, coach, house parent, administrator, and Advanced Placement exam reader befitting a boarding school veteran spanning more than two decades.
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.
He became chair of Christ School’s History Department in 2024.
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; peddling 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 2024 Teacher of the Year; five-time graduation speaker; and three-time Yearbook Dedication honoree, each by vote of the students.
A boarding school alumnus (The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey), Mr. Ballenger graduated magna cum laude from Alma College before earning a Master’s degree in Social Studies Education through his graduate coursework at the University of Virginia and the University of Oxford (England).
Major animal lovers, Mr. Ballenger and Kristin, a veterinarian, and their four frisky felines are thrilled to live among the boys as Head of Young Dorm. 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).
Kathy Belk's devotion to Christ School and versatility have made her an asset to the Advancement Office since 2002. She is presently Director of Advancement Services, works with the Archives, and acts as liaison to the Parent Council.
She previously served as Office Manager, Annual Fund Director, Constituent Relations and Special Events Coordinator, and Advancement Services Coordinator. Kathy worked on all seven of Christ School highly successful Auction & Galas.
Ms. Belk received her B.S. in Accounting as well as a B.S. in Business Administration in Management from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
In the past, she has devoted her time outside of Christ School to being Co-Leader for the Girls Scouts Troop 30437 out of Hendersonville, N.C. She also enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, cooking, camping, and working in her yard. Ms. Belk has one daughter, Jennifer.
Now entering his 21st year, 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.
Christ School's Class of 2024 was the College Guidance Office's latest triumph - the seniors earned $4.2 million in scholarships over a four-year period. They will attend colleges and universities in 17 states, plus Washington D.C. and Canada.
Mr. Blackard has 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.
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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 wore many hats 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. His wife's name is Amy.
Antonio Britto spent much of his childhood frolicking in the sand and surf of North Carolina beaches. So he was pleased to return to the Tar Heel state and join Christ School's English Department in 2019.
Mr. Britto teaches World Literature, is an assistant coach for football, a dorm parent, and the faculty advisor for "The Alliance" student group.
Mr. Britto graduated from Virginia Tech in December 2018 with a B.A in Literature and Creative Writing. While in college, he completed an internship at Blacksburg (Va.) High School, where he assisted AP English and Creative Writing classes. After graduating, Mr. Britto worked as an assistant JV baseball coach and substitute teacher at Collegiate School in Richmond.
In his free time, Mr. Britto enjoys reading, writing, playing disc golf, hiking, and cooking Italian food.
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 18 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.
Mr. Campbell has won a school record 144 games and four Carolinas Athletic Association championships as a head coach at Christ School. Eight of his teams have reached the NCISAA state playoffs, 19 players have been named all-state, and seven 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 two years.
Mr. Campbell’s longtime support for Christ School in general was recognized last year 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 '28.
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 video content for the Communications Department and handles technical elements of school gatherings and athletic livestreams.
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 is currently pursuing a graduate degree from the University of Tennessee. After 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.
Benjie Colberg has endeared himself to the boys through a variety of roles in two stints at Christ School.
He became Special Assistant to the Head of School and Dean of Campus Life starting with the 2022-23 academic year.
Previously, Mr. Colberg had been Dean of Residential Life, varsity lacrosse head coach, Assistant Director of Admission, a dorm parent and Head of House, Form Advisor, and faculty advisor to the Honor Council.
Mr. Colberg received a B.A. in Economics from Denison University in 2015. There, he was part of three conference-championship lacrosse teams, two of which reached the NCAA quarterfinals. Mr. Colberg captained the team his senior year.
After three years of work here at Christ School, Mr. Colberg left in 2018 to take part in The Fellows Program, a nine-month leadership development and vocational discernment program through Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Va. He earned his master's in Education from the Vanderbilt Peabody School of Education in the summer of 2021.
Mr. Colberg likes to travel to visit friends and family, any competitive game, reading, watching University of Virginia basketball and Washington Commanders football, and photography. In his opinion, "The Lord of the Rings" movies are the greatest film trilogy of all-time.
Mr. Colberg lives on campus with his wife, Ali.
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.
His family background along with belief in the merits of a boarding school education has served Mr. Cole well as a Science instructor, Outdoor Program coach, and houseparent at Christ School. He has led multiple international trips.
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.
Christ School underwent a basketball renaissance in Josh Coley's first year and won a state championship in his second and third. Suffice it to say, all Greenie student-athletes are in capable hands with Coach Coley as Athletic Director and Basketball Program Director.
His two-year record is 73-20 with Varsity Basketball after inheriting a program in 2021 that had won just three games the year before. Christ School defeated Charlotte Providence Day for back-to-back NCISAA 4-A state championships in February 2024.
Before arriving in Arden, Mr. Coley had nine years of coaching experience from Charlotte area high schools Garinger, Carmel Christian, and United Faith Christian Academy, where he directed the NCISAA program to a 94-28 overall record with four conference championships as well as a state finals appearance and two trips to the NCISAA semifinal round. During his time at United Faith, Mr. Coley served as Athletic Director, where he was responsible for managing budgets and staff, as well as enforcing state association rules. More than 20 student athletes at United Faith signed basketball scholarships with Division I or Division II colleges.
Mr. Coley has coached or played professional basketball in three leagues - the NBDL, American Basketball Association, and United States Continental Basketball League. He was a point guard for two pro teams in the Raleigh/Durham area (the Carolina Jaguars and Cary Invasion) from 2010 to 2012.
Mr. Coley graduated from N.C. Central University’s Turner School of Law in 2012 with his M.B.A./J.D. after receiving a B.A. in Communication Studies from UNC Greensboro in 2008.
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 earned the “Most Respected” award from his Wheaton College (Ill.) football coaches and teammates in 2013.
They were onto something.
Mr. Dansdill has more than a decade of varied 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.
Christ School's prosperity now and moving forward can be largely attributed to the work of Assistant Head for External Affairs Betsy Ellis P'24, who has taken fundraising to unprecedented levels since her hiring in 2018.
Each fiscal year reaches new heights, an upward trend that continued with 2023-24. Donors generously pledged more than $1.6 million on "Give Now & Go Green," the school's annual day of giving.
Last year's extensive renovation to Patrick Beaver Student Center was largely made possible by the 2022 "Work Hard, Play Hard" auction.
Mrs. Ellis assists Head of School Dr. Sean Jenkins with strategic initiatives, ever mindful of affording every boy the same opportunities she would want for her son, Ben '24, who was a 2023-24 Job Prefect.
Mrs. Ellis previously worked in Christ School's Advancement Office from 2002 to 2004, assisting with fundraising for the renovation to St. Joseph’s Chapel. In 2004, Mrs. Ellis became Director of Advancement at Asheville's Evergreen Charter School. After the birth of her son, Mrs. Ellis joined Asheville's Pisgah Legal Services, where she worked for 11 years. Her job grew to Director of Philanthropy, managing a talented team, 1,600 donors, and increasing the non-profit's annual campaign from $200,000 to more than $1.4 million a year.
Mrs. Ellis was ready for a new challenge and the opportunity to return to Christ School came at the right time.
Mrs. Ellis, her husband James (an attorney in Black Mountain, N.C.), and their three sons live in Van Every House. When she is not working, Ellis loves to travel, cook, and entertain. She also enjoys spending time at the family's place on Lake Champlain in Vermont.
Cissy Elmer and her family have been ingrained in the Christ School community for some time.
The 2023-24 academic year will be her 18th and notable as the first for the bookstore in the newly-renovated Patrick Beaver Student Center.
Mrs. Elmer handles all purchasing for the store as Bookstore Manager. Mrs. Elmer’s husband, Danny, is Director of Human Resources and Facilities. Their two sons, Ben ’09 and Sam ’13, attended Christ School from the eighth through 12th grade.
Mrs. Elmer received her A.A. degree in Arts from St. Mary’s College in 1980.
In her spare time, Mrs. Elmer enjoys beekeeping, hiking, spending time with her family, and checking out Asheville’s ever-growing culinary scene.
As the Director of Human Resources and Facilities, Danny Elmer manages the employee personnel files, the company health and benefits packages, as well as the progress of all new construction.
Look around campus and you can tell he has been busy lately with the renovation of Beaver Student Center (completed, 2023), Stolz Dining Hall (completed, 2016), the renovation of ’30 House (completed, 2017), the Close-Krieger Athletic Center (completed, 2018), Father Kirk Brown Outdoor Chapel (completed, 2018), and new on-campus housing for faculty and staff. With the help of his maintenance and grounds crews, Mr. Elmer keeps every Christ School building – academic, residential, athletics – in working order and ensures the grounds are well-manicured.
Being in the wilderness is Mr. Elmer’s great passion, and when he finds the time, he shares that passion with Christ School students, either taking a group fishing or to the skeet-shooting range. These trips keep Mr. Elmer connected to the community, and the love the boys have for him was acknowledged in 2016, when they dedicated the Angelus, Christ School’s yearbook, to him. You can see his effect on his sons, too. Sam ’13, a fanatical fly-fisherman himself, works for Vanguard Financial. Ben ’09 is a professional fly-fishing guide in Cashiers, N.C.
Mr. Elmer graduated from N.C. State in 1985 with a double major in Business Management and Economics. After managing the financial operations for businesses in Asheville and Raleigh, Mr. Elmer worked as the Director of Finance for an all-boys summer camp in Flat Rock, N.C. He joined Christ School in 2007, and what’s kept him here is “Hands down, the people – great faculty and staff, great kids!”
Cissy Elmer, his wife of more than 30 years, manages the Student Center and Bookstore.
Allegiances can change over time, even in the Christ School-Asheville School rivalry.
Assistant Athletic Director for Logistics Doug Embler P'19 grew up in west Asheville as the son of legendary Blues coach and teacher William "Doc" Embler. But he is about to begin his 17th year as a Greenie.
Mr. Embler is instrumental to the daily operation of the Athletic Department, coordinating all aspects of the gameday experience, especially when the Greenies are home.
Mr. Embler and his wife, Tina, live in Asheville. Their son is Hunter '19.
