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Toni Talbert Shellady
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She received her teaching license via the Lateral Entry program and worked for two years as a Business Education teacher with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools where she was acknowledged for her students' high standardized testing scores, her innovative and engaging classroom practices, starting a recycling program in her school, and leading a schoolwide hair donation event to support Locks of Love. Toni received the districtwide CTE Rising Star award after less than two years in the district before moving with her husband to a farm in Rougemont, NC near her hometown of Roxboro.
Toni was hired at the start of Voyager Academy's second year (2008) to teach middle school technology classes and build a schoolwide technology program. Under Toni's leadership and with the support of then Principal Carl Forsyth, Toni led Voyager from a start-up tech program with no student network and donated computers to a leader in school technology infrastructure in NC. Voyager Academy was one of the first charter schools in the state to implement Google Apps for Education, implement a 1:1 laptop program for students, have an approved Technology Plan, connect to NCREN (free, high speed internet for schools), and file for E-rate reimbursement for technology infrastructure.
Toni also led numerous tech-related professional development opportunities for staff including training related to Google Apps for Education, digital portfolios for students, Smart Board / ActivBoard training, digital citizenship, and much more. In 2012, Toni was selected as one of 50 teachers worldwide from thousands of applications to attend the Google Teacher Academy at Google's New York City offices. She has also written education articles for The Herald-Sun and GettingSmart.com. Toni's digital portfolio work with students landed her an invite to lead professional development for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2013 during their 1:1 iPad rollout.
In addition to building a tech infrastructure for Voyager, Toni also had the exciting opportunity to build a technology curriculum for Voyager's students. Whereas the traditional district school had limited Toni to largely teaching an outdated technology curriculum, Carl Forsyth and the charter school environment allowed Toni endless possibilities which resulted in a robust and cutting-edge technology curriculum. Toni's students at Voyager learned app development, game design, web design, programming and coding, videography, photography, graphic design, animation, 3D printing, and so much more! Toni and her students had so much fun learning, in fact, that when Voyager became near impossible to get into following their growth into a K-12 school, Toni was inspired to began researching what it would take to open a middle school with a heavy focus on digital arts. Soon thereafter, Discovery Charter School was born!
When not dedicating herself to Discovery, Toni enjoys spending time on her farm with her husband, two young children, and many farm animals including adorable baby goats. She also enjoys spending time with her family in Roxboro and many friends in the area. When no one is looking, she also enjoys dancing - something she spent a great deal of time doing growing up.
Toni was hired at the start of Voyager Academy's second year (2008) to teach middle school technology classes and build a schoolwide technology program. Under Toni's leadership and with the support of then Principal Carl Forsyth, Toni led Voyager from a start-up tech program with no student network and donated computers to a leader in school technology infrastructure in NC. Voyager Academy was one of the first charter schools in the state to implement Google Apps for Education, implement a 1:1 laptop program for students, have an approved Technology Plan, connect to NCREN (free, high speed internet for schools), and file for E-rate reimbursement for technology infrastructure.
Toni also led numerous tech-related professional development opportunities for staff including training related to Google Apps for Education, digital portfolios for students, Smart Board / ActivBoard training, digital citizenship, and much more. In 2012, Toni was selected as one of 50 teachers worldwide from thousands of applications to attend the Google Teacher Academy at Google's New York City offices. She has also written education articles for The Herald-Sun and GettingSmart.com. Toni's digital portfolio work with students landed her an invite to lead professional development for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2013 during their 1:1 iPad rollout.
In addition to building a tech infrastructure for Voyager, Toni also had the exciting opportunity to build a technology curriculum for Voyager's students. Whereas the traditional district school had limited Toni to largely teaching an outdated technology curriculum, Carl Forsyth and the charter school environment allowed Toni endless possibilities which resulted in a robust and cutting-edge technology curriculum. Toni's students at Voyager learned app development, game design, web design, programming and coding, videography, photography, graphic design, animation, 3D printing, and so much more! Toni and her students had so much fun learning, in fact, that when Voyager became near impossible to get into following their growth into a K-12 school, Toni was inspired to began researching what it would take to open a middle school with a heavy focus on digital arts. Soon thereafter, Discovery Charter School was born!
When not dedicating herself to Discovery, Toni enjoys spending time on her farm with her husband, two young children, and many farm animals including adorable baby goats. She also enjoys spending time with her family in Roxboro and many friends in the area. When no one is looking, she also enjoys dancing - something she spent a great deal of time doing growing up.
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Dave Gehring
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Cindy Ayer
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In addition to serving as a school Administrative Assistant, Cindy has also spent many years as a Teacher Assistant in elementary school classrooms at several schools in Durham where she was beloved by students, parents, and teachers.
Cindy is a proud member of the Bahama community where she resides with her husband. Cindy has two grown children, including one who is a teacher.
Cindy is a proud member of the Bahama community where she resides with her husband. Cindy has two grown children, including one who is a teacher.
Mark Maya
7th Grade Social Studies and Digital Arts Teacher
Mark Maya is a nine year veteran teacher who has committed himself to educating students, colleagues, families, and the community through establishing strong relationships and instilling lifelong learning principles through technology, the arts, and experiential education.
Mark is licensed in K-12 Special Education, 6-9 and 9-12 Social Studies, and 6-9 Language Arts with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Master of Arts in Educational Media, both from Appalachian State University. He is also a licensed Instructional Technology Specialist.
Mark comes to Discovery by way of Durham School of the Arts after a 6 year role as the Digital Media Arts pathway teacher. There he redesigned the Digital Media pathway by connecting students with local entrepreneurs, artists, and organizations that eventually led to internships, jobs, and lifelong connections.
Mark has taught prospective teachers as an Adjunct Professor at Appalachian State University. He's also taught high school special education at Ashe County High School and middle school Language Arts and Social Studies at Two Rivers Community School.
Before teaching, Mark served four years in the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Instructor of Water Survival training over 1000 Marines as well as serving as a Squad Leader during the 2005-2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.
Mark also has a passion for teaching teachers. His work has been published in the middle school journal Voices from the Middle, and he has presented at multiple teacher conferences including for the North Carolina English Teachers Association and the North Carolina Technology Education Society. He has also led several professional development sessions for his colleagues on Media Production in the Classroom and Creative Classroom Management.
Mark is also an artist and entrepreneur. Since 2013, he has built a photography business shooting weddings and portraits. He also teaches other photographers through his own traveling workshop that provides for his deep desire to travel the world. Mark also holds a summer camp for teenagers each year in Durham, N.C.
When not teaching and creating, Mark enjoys spending time at his home in East Durham with his two young children. He loves gardening, yoga and mediation, MMA, running, cooking, and all things Durham!
Mark is licensed in K-12 Special Education, 6-9 and 9-12 Social Studies, and 6-9 Language Arts with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Master of Arts in Educational Media, both from Appalachian State University. He is also a licensed Instructional Technology Specialist.
Mark comes to Discovery by way of Durham School of the Arts after a 6 year role as the Digital Media Arts pathway teacher. There he redesigned the Digital Media pathway by connecting students with local entrepreneurs, artists, and organizations that eventually led to internships, jobs, and lifelong connections.
Mark has taught prospective teachers as an Adjunct Professor at Appalachian State University. He's also taught high school special education at Ashe County High School and middle school Language Arts and Social Studies at Two Rivers Community School.
Before teaching, Mark served four years in the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Instructor of Water Survival training over 1000 Marines as well as serving as a Squad Leader during the 2005-2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign.
Mark also has a passion for teaching teachers. His work has been published in the middle school journal Voices from the Middle, and he has presented at multiple teacher conferences including for the North Carolina English Teachers Association and the North Carolina Technology Education Society. He has also led several professional development sessions for his colleagues on Media Production in the Classroom and Creative Classroom Management.
Mark is also an artist and entrepreneur. Since 2013, he has built a photography business shooting weddings and portraits. He also teaches other photographers through his own traveling workshop that provides for his deep desire to travel the world. Mark also holds a summer camp for teenagers each year in Durham, N.C.
When not teaching and creating, Mark enjoys spending time at his home in East Durham with his two young children. He loves gardening, yoga and mediation, MMA, running, cooking, and all things Durham!
Thomas Bell
6th Grade Math Teacher
Thomas hails from Onslow County. Although not native to North Carolina, he has grown to call it home. He comes to Discovery by way of NC State University where he obtained his degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics.
After spending one year teaching first grade, Thomas discovered that he wanted to delve into more complex content and to take those foundational skills learned in the primary grades and utilize them in greater depth. In the middle school setting he has taught 6th grade math as well as 7th grade math, science, and social studies. Thomas most recently taught at Central Park School for Children.
Thomas has lived all over Wake County since coming to the Triangle to pursue his college education. He currently resides in Cary with his two dogs Timber and Bandit.
Thomas's hobbies include solving PennyDell puzzle books, reading (mostly fiction), collecting dolphin knickknacks, and traveling to theme parks… he is a huge roller coaster enthusiast.
Thomas is excited beyond measure to join the Trailblazer family, to take the curriculum beyond the four walls, and to meet all our wonderful students!
After spending one year teaching first grade, Thomas discovered that he wanted to delve into more complex content and to take those foundational skills learned in the primary grades and utilize them in greater depth. In the middle school setting he has taught 6th grade math as well as 7th grade math, science, and social studies. Thomas most recently taught at Central Park School for Children.
Thomas has lived all over Wake County since coming to the Triangle to pursue his college education. He currently resides in Cary with his two dogs Timber and Bandit.
Thomas's hobbies include solving PennyDell puzzle books, reading (mostly fiction), collecting dolphin knickknacks, and traveling to theme parks… he is a huge roller coaster enthusiast.
Thomas is excited beyond measure to join the Trailblazer family, to take the curriculum beyond the four walls, and to meet all our wonderful students!
John Bray
7th Grade Science Teacher
John is excited to share his love of teaching and learning science with students! John has undergraduate degrees in both Secondary Education and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Appalachian State University. Prior to coming to Discovery, John taught science at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability.
John instills the curiosity that drives science in his own students through observing our natural world and performing experiments. John is a current student at NC State University where he is earning his Master's degree in STEM Education. John cannot wait to bring what he is learning at NC State to Discovery in the fall!
Outside of work, you can find John listening to a favorite podcast or fishing the Eno River.
John instills the curiosity that drives science in his own students through observing our natural world and performing experiments. John is a current student at NC State University where he is earning his Master's degree in STEM Education. John cannot wait to bring what he is learning at NC State to Discovery in the fall!
Outside of work, you can find John listening to a favorite podcast or fishing the Eno River.