Meet Springs' New Faculty and Staff

Rolando Ambriz has joined the Mathematics Department. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Dalton State College and an M.Ed. in Mathematics Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has been teaching high school Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics for four years—two in Sale Creek, Tennessee, and two in Tampa, Florida.

Neil Barrett, who served for seven years as an English teacher and a dorm parent at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, has joined the English Department to teach 9th grade English and two electives. He lives on campus and serves as dorm faculty with his wife, Hallie. Neil holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Clemson University and an M.A. in Literature from Mississippi State University.

Christy Lowe has joined the World Languages Department as a part-time Latin teacher. She holds an M.A. in Latin and Greek Language and Literature through Durham University in England and a B.A. in Classics from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She has taught grades 6 to 12 at three schools in England and Denmark and has 16 years’ teaching experience at the university level in the United States, Denmark, Scotland, and England. In addition to her teaching experience, Christy has worked as staff on archeological projects in Cyprus, Italy, and Spain.

Chris Mullinax has joined the Mathematics Department. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from UAB and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama. In addition to his degrees, Chris has completed multiple post-graduate classes in Statistics at UAB and The College of Charleston. After spending the first ten years of his career working in healthcare, he decided to change careers and has spent the last 17 years in education, most recently at the Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hallie Barrett, the wife of incoming English teacher Neil Barrett, has joined the Residential Life team as dorm faculty.

Anne Cook Burruss has joined the Student Health team as our school counselor. She holds an M.A. in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction and a B.S. in Child Development from the University of Tennesee. She has worked in education for more than 20 years, most recently as the school counselor at Memphis University School and as the Director of Student Experiences and Outcomes at Bodine School.

Ronnie Mack has joined the Athletics Department as Head Coach for the Men’s Basketball Team and will also assist with Physical Education classes. He played basketball for the University of Alabama at Hunstville while earning his B.S. in Biology and has coached basketball at Oak Mountain High School and Bumpus Middle School.

Ramona Mullinax, the wife of incoming Mathematics teacher Chris Mullinax, has joined the Student Health team as our on-campus evening nurse. Ramona holds a Post-Master’s Certificate in Primary Care Pediatrics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as an M.S. and B.S. in Nursing. She is a Registered Nurse Practioner in eight states and has worked as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner for almost 20 years, most recently at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Dragana Obradovic, the wife of longtime Physics teacher Marjan Obradovic, has joined the Residential Life team as dorm faculty. 

James Simon is serving as our Assistant Head of School for Advancement and External Affairs. Click here to read his announcement email from May.

William Blackerby ’05, who has taught Latin and Greek at Springs since 2016, has taken on a new role as Dean of Students.

Amanda Griffin, who has served as dorm faculty last year with her husband, English Teacher James Griffin, has taken on a new role as our Director of Residential Life.

Leah Taylor, who served last year as the Interim Director of Advancement, is now serving as the Assistant Director of Advancement.