Meet Our Remarkable TeamHow do we achieve the high goals we have for ourselves and our students? By hiring only the very best. Below you will find the most extraordinary teachers in the Triangle.
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| Cecilia Gabriel
Founder and President
Ms. Gabriel manages the administrative, financial, admissions, and regulatory affairs of the academy. Ms. Gabriel has lived and worked in the Triangle area for more than 30 years. In her previous career, she managed and directed departments of major dot-com companies with a focus on emerging technology in networking, hardware and software. She serves on the boards of directors of several area nonprofits. In 2010 she completed the role of interim Executive Director of Arts Together of Raleigh NC, guiding their board and arts organization through a period of transition concluding with the appointment of a new permanent executive director. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor of arts in psychology and lives in Cary with her husband Charles, their son Alex, and cat Zelda. Their nephew John is currently living and working in Charlottesville, VA following his 2009 graduation from Virginia Military Institute. She is passionate about providing the best possible educational environment for students and teachers to learn together. In her spare time she loves to cook and always enjoys a bite of dark chocolate!
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| Valerie Anderson, Ph.D
Dean of Academic Affairs
Dr. Anderson is the lead academic officer of Hopewell Academy. She completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at Duke University in 2005. Her research focused on family, community, cultural and individual factors related to academic achievement and overall socio-emotional adjustment, as well as effective parenting strategies. Dr. Anderson is also a graduate of Yale University, with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. At Yale, her studies focused on social justice and cultural factors related to parenting/childrearing. Dr. Anderson has worked with diverse student populations, including students with learning disabilities and at-risk youth populations, and has worked effectively with a variety of youth leadership organizations. She is originally from Connecticut, but fondly considers her home to be Durham, NC. In her "spare" time, Dr. Anderson enjoys cooking (and eating!) international foods, reading, jogging, and gathering with friends and family members. Dr. Anderson sincerely believes that it takes a village to raise a child, and is thrilled to be a part of Hopewell's village. She has been with Hopewell since October 2007.
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| Milton Brasher - Cunningham
High School English Instructor
Mr. Brasher-Cunningham, also known as Mr. BC, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a master's degree in English literature and Baylor University with a bachelor's degree in history and business administration. He joins Hopewell with over ten years of experience teaching high school English. Mr. Brasher-Cunningham also has a passion for cooking and spent many years as a chef. He is an avid author and blogger and loves to travel back home. He joined Hopewell in Spring 2010.
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| Lori Camp
Foreign Language Instructor
Mrs. Camp is a graduate of State University of New York at Binghamton with a master's degree in Spanish and State University of New York at Fredonia with a bachelor's degree in Spanish. She has over eight years of experience teaching Spanish at the high school level. In her spare time, Mrs. Camp enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and doing crafts. She joined Hopewell in 2009 and is currently on an extended leave of absence.
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| Renee Nicholson
Receptionist and After School Coordinator
Mrs. Nicholson started at Hopewell as an after school program coordinator and now is the friendly face and voice of Hopewell Academy. Since 2010 she has served as our Receptionist. She is our First Aid coordinator as well and if she is not too busy with Roller Derby she'll continue as the after school coordinator. Mrs. Nicholson time travels on her weekends alternating between a medieval lady of the castle and Star Wars characters. She and her husband live in Cary.
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| Ryan Kimball
Basketball Coach, PE Teacher and Athletic Director
Mr. Ryan teaches Physical Education for all grades. He serves as the Athletic Director and Head Coach for the Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball teams as well as all of the Hopewell Sports Programs. Together with Coach McGroarty, Mr. Kimball coaches soccer as well. Mr. Kimball joined Hopewell in Fall 2010. He is recently married and lives with his wife and their dog Petey in Cary. Go Tigers!
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| Andrew Markham
Social Studies/History Instructor
Mr. Markham is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in history and has completed his master's in education degree at Campbell University. He is North Carolina certified to teach both middle school and high school social studies. He also teaches a variety of electives at all grade levels and supervised the computer lab. Mr. Markham has over ten years of experience teaching various levels of history and social studies. He was nominated for the Marcellus Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award in both 2008 and 2009. Mr. Markham has been with Hopewell since January 2007.
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| Hernando Planells, Jr.
Coach Planells was on leave and coaching the Portland Maine Red Claws but has now returned to Hopewell part time.
Coach Planells brings a wide range of experience including coaching basketball at the high school, college and professional levels. He served as Head Basketball Coach and Director of Operations for the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan. Coach Planells has even taken his skills in basketball to Hollywood. He coordinated the WNBA's playoff commercial which aired nationally on ABC in August 2008. He choreographed films such as "Coach Carter," "The Longest Yard" and "Spider-Man 3." He is currently working with Adam Sandler.
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| Jeremy Thomas
Middle School Instructor
Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He is certified to teach in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Mr. Thomas's classrooms are alive with art, social studies and children learning, questioning, and sharing. In his spare time, Mr. Thomas enjoys visiting famous historical sites, playing golf, and the occasional game of baseball. Mr. Thomas joined Hopewell in the Spring of 2010.
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| David Traini
Physics Instructor
Middle School Math and Science Instructor
High School Math and Science Instructor
Mr. Traini is a graduate of Glassboro State College with a master's degree in educational administration and Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He received his teaching certificates in science and physical science from Rutgers University. Before joining Hopewell, Mr. Traini was the assistant principal at a high school in New Jersey for 15 years. Impressively, Mr. Traini is a 14-time competitor on the game show Jeopardy. Mr. Traini has been with Hopewell since 2009. He regularly teaches summer sessions for students getting ahead by taking Calculus or Pre-Calculus.
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| Jean Yilling
Elementary and Transitional Instructor
Mrs. Yilling is a graduate of Belhaven College with a bachelor of arts in elementary education. She is certified in elementary and specific learning disabilities from the University of West Florida. Mrs. Yilling has over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2005 at Wilkinson Elementary in Sarasota, Florida. Mrs. Yilling's teaching style incorporates hands-on and whole body activities to engage all of the senses. No one every wants to leave the 5th Grade after having Mrs. Yilling She has been with Hopewell since August 2008. Our faculty adores her cooking and looks forward to the magical treats she brings for birthday celebrations.
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