Education that moves with you

Dr. Donald Ball, Head of School, brings 20+ years of leadership in K-12 independent schools. He has designed innovative programs such as Advanced Scientific Research, New Venture Development, and Global Scholars, and taught a wide range of history courses. A dedicated educator and accomplished athlete, he is a triathlete, a Boston Marathon finisher, and a former state championship-level coach. Dr. Ball holds degrees from Princeton, Dartmouth, and Claremont Graduate University, with a doctorate from Vanderbilt

Manny Iloba is a strategic, results‑driven business development leader with eight years of experience in partnerships, organizational growth, and international collaboration. He leads strategy, partnerships, and market expansion for Inspired Education Online Schools USA, working across admissions and marketing to support seamless enrollment and drive retention. Known for his collaborative, data‑driven approach, Manny builds efficient processes and growth‑focused partner ecosystems. He is passionate about supporting student‑athletes holistically and holds a BBA in Finance, an MBA, and an

Adam is passionate about helping children and adults achieve the best versions of themselves. His work history includes the public-school sector and private tutoring. Having worked with many students of all abilities has made him a better educator and advocate for students. When he is not working with children, he can be found running, kayaking, or cooking. Running and kayaking lend themselves to the cooking

Carrie McGillicuddy is Head of Student Support and Founder of the GOAL Program at US Performance Academy. She champions inclusive, student-centered environments for non-traditional learners. With 15+ years in education, Carrie specializes in neurodiversity-affirming practices and individualized support plans. She holds an M.S. in Counseling and graduate training in Social Work from NYU, reflecting her commitment to innovative frameworks that foster confidence, belonging, and academic

Joe O’Leary has over 14 years of experience in online education counseling. He holds degrees in Political Science and School Counseling. A former competitive swimmer and coach, Joe has deep expertise in NCAA eligibility and college admissions, having worked closely with universities and served on the NCAA National Advisory

Emma, Scottish born, is one of USPA’s friendliest LC’s. With her PGDE in teaching, BA (Hons) in Arts and Social Sciences and 20 years’ teaching experience, she now lives in Valencia, Spain, with her husband and three small children. She speaks fluent Spanish and loves travel, skiing, tennis and dancing Sevillanas! Passionate about education, travel and community projects, she feels happiest by the Mediterranean sea with family and

Will is passionate about empowering students and families to achieve their academic and personal goals. With a strong foundation in psychology and philosophy, he earned a double major from the University of Arizona, where he also spent three years as a member of the Rugby Team. This combination of rigorous academic training and team-driven athletic experience has shaped his collaborative and strategic approach to

Jeanna began her career as a probation officer working with youth before transitioning into career services, driven by a passion for helping young people and adults access educational and workforce opportunities. She created North Carolina’s first Pre-Apprenticeship to Apprenticeship Program and has spent eight years supporting individuals in overcoming challenges and achieving long-term educational and career success. As a learning coach, she guides and advocates for students through course planning, roadblocks, and regular check-ins—and enjoys learning about each student’s sport and

Franco works as a site-specific Learning Coach at the Rome City Prep Academy, where he’s also the school’s Academic Director, taking care of his students’ education and development. Franco is an experienced professor and soccer journalist hailing from Rome, Italy. His articles have appeared on a vast array of print and online publications, including The Guardian, Scotland on Sunday, Glory, These Football Times, and many

Carla works as a Learning Coach at Ferrer Tennis Academy. Her core responsibility is to support student athletes in their academic journey while they train at the academy. She guides students through their courses, helps them stay organized, and acts as the main point of contact between families, teachers, the academy, and the school to ensure academic

Since 2005, Chris has taught at middle school, high school, and college levels at both public and private schools. He enjoys working with students of all ages, helping them to learn new information and grow as individuals. Chris has traveled throughout the world, visiting thirty-two different countries. His love for different cultures and landscapes has led to many amazing adventures. He also enjoys cooking, reading, swimming, and a good

Kelley, an English Language Arts teacher with fourteen years of experience, has taught at USPA for four years. She values USPA’s one-on-one student-teacher connections and teaches high school English, including Honors and AP

With 18 years of experience in education, including teaching, leadership, and curriculum development, Sheila is dedicated to fostering student growth. Holding a BA in English, a BA in Education, and an MA in Literacy Education, she is passionate about social-emotional learning, literacy, media literacy, and project-based learning. Sheila strives to create engaging, supportive environments where students develop essential skills for lifelong

Michelle has over 20 years of experience teaching high school science at various levels, from intervention to AP. She excels at building strong relationships with students and tailoring instruction to support individualized learning and the attainment of academic goals. She holds a B.S. from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from WOU. A former collegiate rugby player, she now enjoys trail running and outdoor adventures with her family in her hometown of Nevada City,

Kimmy Tolbert is a Visual Art Teacher who equips and empowers students’ creativity and confidence in the arts. A School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduate, she has taught Art for over ten years. Her personal art practice is primarily in textiles, printmaking, and community

Joyce Estes is a master-level Mathematics and Physics educator with nearly two decades of success supporting diverse learners in virtual and hybrid environments. She is known for her clear communication, responsive support, and ability to create structured, accessible learning experiences that help students build confidence in challenging coursework. Joyce brings deep expertise in online learning practices, data-informed instruction, and student-centered guidance. Her work reflects a steady, encouraging presence and a commitment to helping every learner thrive in flexible, technology-driven academic

Killeen Partridge holds a Master’s in Teaching History from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been a classroom educator for a decade now. She has taught all over the United States in college-preparatory private schools and public high schools. Killeen teaches both middle and high school history at USPA, as well as the AP Gov, AP World, and AP US History classes. Killeen has been featured in the news through her students’ World War I Artifacts of Hope Project and is passionate about working with youth and helping them reach their full potential. When not teaching, she spends time with her husband and rescue Collie Friday, enjoying a great cup of coffee and soaking in as much fresh air and sunshine as possible. She is stoked to be on the faculty team here at USPA,

Ashley is a science educator with 16 years of teaching experience for students in grades 6–12. She has taught middle school science in a public school in Massachusetts and at an international private school in São Paulo, Brazil. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from Lesley University, both for science education. She is passionate about helping students understand the science behind everyday life. Outside of teaching, Ashley trains for road marathons and ultra trail

Fueled by a passion for world languages, cultures, and travel, Jessica Jacob brings 15 years of teaching experience to USPA. A Mexican-American educator with an M.A. in Hispanic linguistics and a French minor, she has lived across North America and nomadically throughout Europe and Southeast Asia. Her classes blend adventure, expertise, and a love for global connection, making language learning an exciting

Pascale Fitts, M.Ed., Senior Learning Specialist for GOAL, empowers young adults as lifelong learners. A graduate of Auburn University (Bachelor of Arts) and Liberty University (Masters in Education), she possesses nearly 30 years of experience serving in various teaching and administrative leadership roles. She champions neurodiversity. Living in North Carolina with her husband, this mother of 3 is a foodie who enjoys pickleball, traveling, live music, the arts, and photography.