2535 21st Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
phone: 828.256.9492
fax: 828.256.1475
Proud to be an
IB PYP School
Inspiring knowledgeable, principled
and compassionate students who
reflect global perspectives
 
Faculty/Staff 2010 - 2011
Mrs. Alison Tompkins  
Aktari. Mrs. Tompkins is a newcomer to HDS and we are excited to have her here.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro.
Mrs. Nisreen Petiwala  
Gurukul. Mrs. Petiwala is entering her third year teaching at HDS. She is a
graduate of B.A. University of Pane - India
Mrs. Heather Beach  
Gurukul Associate Teacher. Mrs. Beach is entering her seventh year at HDS.
Mrs. Beach earned her Associate in Arts degree from Catawba Valley Community
College and is currently pursuing her bachelors degree. 
Mrs. Connie Frenier  
Teaching Assistant. Mrs. Frenier is entering her tenth year at HDS in assisting our lower school students.
Mr. Gregory Smith

Chavura. Mr. Smith is also a newcomer to HDS. He holds a Bachelor of
Interdisciplinary Studies in Early and Elementary Education from Virginia
Commonwealth University and a Masters of Teaching in Early and Elementary
Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mrs. Tina Far  
Zebranie. Mrs. Farr is in her twelfth year at HDS. She has a Bachelor of Science
degree from the University of North Carolina – Asheville.
Mrs. Evelyn King  
Mathematics/Humanities Teacher - Vundervisa. Mrs. King is in her twelfth
year at HDS. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State
University. Mrs. King served as Chairman of the Math and Computer
Science department at Providence Day School as well as math teacher at Durham Academy..
Mrs. Sheran Thompson  
Science/Language Arts Teacher – Vundervisa. Mrs. Thompson returns to
education after many successful years as owner of McLeese Marketing. She
earned her Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Wake Forest University.
Mr. Jorge Rojas  

Foreign Language Teacher. Mr. Rojas is entering his twelfth year at HDS. He
earned is B.A. from the University of Veracruz, Mexico.
Mrs. Debbie Christian
  
Music Teacher/Librarian/Performing Arts Director. Mrs. Christian enters her
sixth year as the HDS librarian and music instructor. She earned her Master of
Educational Media from Appalachian State University and earned her Bachelor
of Music Education degree from Mars Hill College.
Mrs. Christine Schramm
 
Visual Arts Teacher/Performing Arts Director. Mrs. Schramm is entering her sixth year of teaching at HDS. Mrs. Schramm earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida