Meet our Staff

AMS is a staff run school. Full time staff members share equal responsibility and compensation, no matter how long they have worked here. While we don’t have a head of school, we do have clerks. This role serves as a liaison to our parents and board. They also guide staff to think about the bigger picture when making decisions in our consensus based staff meetings.

We Are All Teachers

Most staff members have multiple positions: they can be houseparents, trip leaders, cooks, and fill one of the many coordinator positions all at once. One role we all fill is teaching.  Whether it’s math class, a garden internship, or an elective, all full time staff (and most of our part time ones) teach students in some capacity. This structure allows students to recognize that everyone’s work is equally important and that we all have something to give.

Staff Bios

Jacob Silver (he/him)
Farm Coordinator, Teacher
BA in Philosophy, St. Mary’s College
jake@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Jake’s twelfth year at AMS.  He has held many roles including clerk, house parent, teacher, academic advisor, maintenance coordinator, and outdoor coordinator. Before coming to AMS, he worked on a farm and as a rock-climbing guide for campers in Shenandoah Valley, VA. Being in the woods, especially when it’s with students, is where he’s happiest. He loves how eager middle schoolers can be to explore questions of themselves and others, getting to the root of what matters and what role they can play in shaping the world. In working with them, he enjoys striving to make that an adventure.

Middle school memory: At age 13, I tended to be pretty serious and uncomfortable with making mistakes. In 7th grade, had a teacher who encouraged us to write on the walls, examine found objects on the side of the road, and speak our poetry out loud. She taught me to keep finding ways to play, and that really opened the world up for me.

Rebecca Zeldin (she/her)
House Parent, Co-Clerk, Language Arts and Spanish Teacher
MA in Philosophy and Education, Columbia University
BA in Spanish Literature, Haverford College
rebeccaz@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Rebecca’s seventh year at AMS.  Since starting at AMS she’s taught a variety of subjects, served as a clerk, and halfheartedly outdoor coordinated.  She’s glad to be continuing as Academic Coordinator, teaching, and coaching the soccer team this year.  She’s also thrilled to finally be houseparenting.  Rebecca has spent her entire adult life in nontraditional schools: living and working in a Camphill Community and teaching at a cooperative school in Pennsylvania.   At AMS, Rebecca cherishes caring for the kids, teaching the humanities, living in community, and trying her hand at many things.

Middle school memory: I had this incredible eighth grade English teacher.  To my thirteen-year-old self, he appeared an ambassador of another world, a world in which words and ideas ranked more highly than TV shows, soccer practice, or most any of the other activities I was taken with in those days.  So enthusiastic was this teacher about discussing books with us that he would sometimes bounce up and down with exhilaration.  By the end of the day, his shirt would be streaked with chalk and sweat.  I fell in love with many things at once that year–books, ideas, discussion, and indeed teaching itself.  All this time later, who I am and what I’m doing can be traced back to the world my eighth grade English teacher first showed me.

Adam Alexander (he/him)
House Parent, Admissions Coordinator
MA in Philosophy and Education, Columbia University
BA Philosophy and BS Psychology, Viterbo University
adam@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Adam’s seventh year at AMS.  Adam is a curious young man from Wisconsin who moved out east for graduate school. His academic training is in philosophy, so he’s had a variety of jobs in IT, teaching, and manual trades. He enjoys frisbee, board games, photography, woodworking, gardening, and mechanical projects, as well as working with young people. As a child, Adam spent much of his time daydreaming about hypothetical societies and wishing he was an astronaut.

Middle school memory: Once I was given an assignment to write an autobiographical statement. I procrastinated and procrastinated until I thought no one remembered I was asked to do it.  Then I learned someone wrote my autobiography for me. I was given the option to replace it with my own story, but decided to leave it as was. They did a pretty good job of impersonating me.

Arden Boyd (she/he/they)
House Parent, Math Teacher, Co-Clerk
BA in Environmental Studies with a focus in Sustainable Food Systems, The College of Wooster
arden@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Arden’s fourth year on staff at AMS.  They grew up in the South and went to college in Wooster, Ohio. Her time in Wooster taught her to treasure opportunities for experiential learning. He enjoys listening to stories (and telling them!), knitting, making popcorn, meeting bugs, and learning fun facts.

Middle school memory: In eighth grade, I invented an animal called a “snorse,” a combination snake-horse. Drawing them on the back of every assignment I got became my “thing” from then on, so every paper I turned in or took home that year also contained a loving portrayal of my creation. I hoped my peers would also get excited about inventing new animals, but the idea never caught on.

Sullivan Costa (he/him)
Technology Coordinator, Math Teacher
BS in Environmental Geoscience with a minor in Graphic Design, Michigan State University
sullivan@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Sully’s 3rd year at Arthur Morgan School. Before AMS, Sully was studying Geosciences in Lansing, MI – Not too far from where he grew up. He really enjoys the silliness and creativity of young people, and feels very much like a student here himself. Sully also enjoys the cold, the dirt, swimming, singing, and the sun (when it isn’t too hot)!

Middle school memory: I’d spend a lot of my free time at school exploring unlocked doors, sneaking around, and finding little places that not a lot of other students would ever know about. I think that translated into my love of discovering niche places in the world that stay more untouched by the crowds.

Dakota Herzig (he/him)
Maintenance Coordinator, Math Teacher
BS in Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Asheville
dakota@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Dakota’s third year at AMS. He has lived all over, but has called North Carolina home for the past 15 years. Before starting his journey at AMS he was living in the Celo area, just on the other side of the South Toe River. While living in the area he worked at the local Spruce Pine Montessori School as well as slinging pizza at the local hangout Homeplace. When he wasn’t working in town he was helping out at Green Toe Ground, a local farm run by past AMS staff. He feels most alive when sharing his love for the Southern Appalachians and everything it has to offer with others! His hobbies include hiking, woodworking, growing food, talking to his neighbors, and just living life to the fullest.

Middle school memory: I was pretty schooled out by the time I made it middle school. I always wanted to be anywhere but school. That was until middle school band! My teacher would show up to school an hour before he had to be there and he invited all his students to practice and get private lessons and I was all about that! I showed up early everyday for more than two years! To this day middle school was the only time I showed up early to school!

Mary Corser (she/her)
Kitchen Coordinator, Teacher
BA in English Language Arts Education, Auburn University
mary@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Mary’s third year at AMS. She grew up in Georgia but considers Alabama to be home. Before AMS, she worked as an outdoor teacher, where she took students on educational hikes, taught environmental classes, and helped students overcome their fears on the ropes course. In her free time, Mary enjoys reading, hiking, painting, baking, and finding hole-in-the-wall cafes.

Middle school memory: The height of my love for reading began in middle school. I would finish books in a few days or less. Almost every week I’d have a different book in hand. I’d read any time I could, especially at the end or beginning of a class. It got to the point where if I was on the edge of a cliffhanger, I would read while walking in the hallways between classes. Somehow, I never ran into anyone else. I’m not sure whether to equate that to my skill of walking while reading or to everyone else moving out of the way. Either way, I’m grateful I never bumped into anyone.

Joseph Friedman (he/him)
Outdoor Coordinator, Math Teacher
BA in Physics with minors in Astronomy and Philosophy, Allegheny College
joseph@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Joseph’s second year at AMS.  He’s starting as a houseparent and math teacher. He grew up in Nashville until moving to Pennsylvania for college. Joseph has spent many summers as a counselor next door to AMS at Camp Celo. He is excited to lead hikes in the area and share his love of math and the sciences with students.

Middle school memory: I had an incredible English teacher who encouraged me to read what I liked. That led to me reading every science fiction book in the library and everything ever written by Isaac Asimov. That started my love for science and I haven’t stopped since.

Julia Bienstock (she/her)
Academic Coordinator, Spanish Teacher
BA in Philosophy and Spanish, Kalamazoo College
julia@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Julia’s second year at AMS.  She is from southeast Michigan. Before coming to AMS, she held various roles in education for students of all ages, such as writing consultant at IE University, K-12 after-school tutor, and arts and crafts teacher. She is pumped to work at AMS since she loves outdoor education and middle schoolers! You can likely find her working on her cat whispering skills, crocheting, reading philosophy, skiing, learning new languages, consuming modern art, or playing a word game. .

Middle school memory: As a middle schooler trying to be different from everyone else, I needed a pet that my friends didn’t have. I chose a pet lizard, and I named him Carl. He loved eating live crickets and enjoying Michigan summers. The crickets lived in our fridge far enough away from our human food. This experience taught me valuable lessons about caring for another being at a young age.

Aleshia Harding (she/her)
Bookkeeper
BS in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting, Mars Hill University
bookkeeper@arthurmorganschool.org

Aleshia was raised in Burnsville, North Carolina. As a native of Burnsville, she took for granted the beauty of the mountains and all they offer, but as an adult found new appreciation for the Blue Ridge Mountains and could not imagine a more picturesque scenery to call home. She lives with her 10-year-old son, Malaki, 4 cats, and one dog (aptly named Stray) who wandered inside one day and became a permanent fixture. She has worked in a variety of jobs but always desired to work for an entity which exists for the greater good. She is excited to take on the role of bookkeeper at Arthur Morgan where students grow, learn, and participate in a supportive community.

Middle School Memory: Middle school consisted of trying to fit in where I thought I belonged and discovering my own unique personality did not fit the mold. There’s also a time I rode a horse upside down… first time I’d ever ridden one. I could feel the saddle slipping each time he would go off trail to graze but didn’t want to say anything to make everyone stop, finally the entire saddle slid over the side leaving me upside down, stuck in the stirrups. Terror does not begin to describe the feeling. Luckily, I was kindly saved by a ranch hand, and lived to tell this story.

Bethany Rountree (she/her)
Finance Coordinator
BA in Sociology, Women’s Studies, Creative Writing, University of Vermont
bethany@arthurmorganschool.org

Bethany is originally from Middlebury, Vermont, but has lived in western North Carolina for over 25 years. She is a member of Celo Community and she and her husband have a house down the road with a big garden. Bethany began working at the Extension Office with the 4-H after-school program, and then stayed home to raise and homeschool their three kids. When they were old enough, they each attended AMS for 7^th, 8^th and 9^th grades, learning not only math and social studies, but sheep shearing, hiking, canoeing, caving, how to build a pizza oven, wash dishes and chop wood. Friday nights brought nights-out students and boisterous conversation around the dinner table. Bethany began bookkeeping for Celo Community and then for Carolina Morning, a small nearby business that makes meditation cushions. She loves to be part of this school community that gives so much to adolescents.

Middle school memory: I tend to call my junior high years the dark years. Life was full of insecurities, unspoken rules and social hierarchy. Fitting in was a constant struggle, and the knock off rugby with plastic buttons my Mom bought at an outlet store, rather than the name brand one with cool rubber buttons, didn’t cut it. Not to mention needing an alligator on my shirt, the right kind of Docksiders, and my backpack slug over only one shoulder. One silver lining was learning to juggle. I also joined band and learned how to play the trumpet and loved it. Not only that, but I started listening to music, tuning my radio to the top 40 and falling asleep to Duran Duran, Cindy Lauper, the Eurythmics, George Michael and singing Purple Rain in my dreams.

Ariel Leon-Coeur (she/her)
Development Coordinator
ariel@arthurmorganschool.org

Middle school memory: I was lucky enough to be a middle schooler at AMS! Before attending, I was a bit of a loner and a bookworm – this is really where I learned how to connect with others. I also came to appreciate a good adventure, thanks to hikes and field trips. To this day, I’ll still threaten to “hold you in the light,” which tends to alarm people more than comfort them.

Owen Edgington (he/him)
House Parent, Language Arts Teacher
BA in Philosophy of Education, Hendrix College
owen@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Owen’s first year at AMS. He grew up in Austin, Texas and moved to Arkansas for college. He’s a self-proclaimed boardgame nerd, an avid writer and birder, and rereads his favorite sci-fi and fantasy novels every year. He’s also really into fungal mycelium, octopuses, and bees.

Middle school memory: Lunch was always the hardest part of my day. I never knew where to sit, and the cafeteria felt like a fluorescent nightmare. But one day, in a spurt of uncharacteristic bravery, I sat down with a group of kids playing cards. They welcomed me in and showed me how to play. Before I knew it, the people at that table had become some of my best friends.

Mikayla LaFleur (she/her)
House Parent, Math Teacher
BA in Psychology, DePaul University, MA Art Education, Pratt Institute
mikayla@arthurmorganschool.org

This is Mikayla’s first year at AMS. She grew up in Massachusetts before moving to New York for five years to attend college. Before coming to AMS, Mikayla taught art at a local elementary school, started a small pottery business, and spent time living and volunteering in several intentional communities to learn about farming and natural building techniques.

Middle school memory: When I was in 6th grade, my middle school music teacher held me back after class to suggest that I join a local children’s choir outside of school. I was terrified of singing in front of other people because I didn’t think I had a very good voice—but secretly, I loved to sing. My music teacher must have picked up on my enthusiasm and kept encouraging me until I finally agreed to audition. Walking into the audition, my palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms were heavy. I completely forgot how to sing for a moment, but the choir teacher was very patient with me. I ended up having a great audition and was accepted into the choir. Being part of that group was one of my favorite middle school experiences. I learned so much about singing and got to perform all over the state, all thanks to the supportive adults in my life.

Emily Smith (she/her)
Houseparent, Teacher
BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Berea College
emily@arthurmorganschool.org

I grew up in Georgia in an intentional Christian community, Jubilee Partners, that works with refugees. My family also spent time in Egypt during my elementary school years. Due to these experiences, I developed a love of other languages, lands, cultures, and foods that shape who I am today. I have worked previously as a ranch and education volunteer with Heifer International as well as a professional baker in bakeries in Berea, KY and Oaxaca, Mexico. I enjoy reading, playing games and sports, baking, yoga, and riding my bicycle.

Middle school memory: Learning to take care of our farm! We just bought a milk cow and I loved to bottle feed the calf in the morning before school. I learned how to process the milk for yogurt and butter, as well collect the chicken eggs. I worked in the garden and picked blueberries to sell at the farmer’s market. I appreciated both the learning aspect of these skills as well as the responsibility that
came from stewarding the land. These chores developed my love for plants and animals that I have today.

Arthur Morgan School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, marital status, economic status, or disability.

Interested in Applying to Work at AMS?  Learn More!