2023-24 Faculty Fellows
JOhn Harris
Mentor Teacher: Shawn Allen
Upper School History; Football; Basketball; Baseball
Current Title: Upper School History Teacher at Franklin Road Academy
John Harris was ecstatic to be a 2023-2024 Faculty Fellow in the Upper School History Department. John grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent high school at Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia. John played football, basketball, and baseball at Woodberry, sang in the school’s acapella group, and served on the school’s Prefect Board. John went to Rhodes College, playing football and studying history for two years before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. John will graduate from UNC in the spring of 2023 with a degree in History and Classics and is excited to get in the classroom at FRA! John assisted the athletic department with coaching the football, basketball, and baseball programs. In his free time, John enjoys writing and playing music, tossing around the baseball, and watching the Tar Heels!
KRISTIN ADAIR
Mentor Teacher: Will McCauley
Middle School English and Bible
Current Title: Faculty Fellow at Franklin Road Academy Academy
Kristen Adair was excited to work as a Faculty Fellow teaching Middle School English and Bible. She also coached volleyball in the fall, working with the middle school musical and upper school drama production. Kristen grew up in Memphis, TN, and graduated from Harding University in 2021 with an Education and Bible and Family Ministry degree. For the past two years, she has been serving as a youth minister to teens in Chattanooga, TN, but is now excited to transition into teaching! In her free time, Kristen loves to travel, read, try new coffee shops, and spend time with her dog, Winston.
LANIE JONES
Mentor Teacher: Amy Crace
Middle School History; Girls Tennis; Middle Girls Soccer and Basketball
Current Title: 5th Grade History Teacher at Franklin Road Academy
Lanie Jones was thrilled to serve as a 2023-24 faculty fellow in the middle school history department. She earned her degree in International Studies from Pepperdine University and spent the first year after graduation working in admissions at her alma mater. Lanie grew up in Kansas City, where she graduated from Notre Dame de Sion.
In her free time, she enjoys staying active, reading, trying new recipes, and spending time with loved ones. Lanie supported middle and upper school tennis, soccer, basketball, and the Office of Admission outside of teaching.
JARED MENDIOLA
Mentor Teacher: Corri Calandra
Upper School Chemistry
Current Title: Upper School Chemistry & Biology Teacher
at Franklin Road Academy
Jared Mendiola was thrilled to join the FRA community as a Faculty Fellow. After pivoting away from his Ph.D. in chemistry at Vanderbilt University, he began teaching upper school chemistry alongside Corri Calandra. Jared grew up worldwide as a military child but claimed Highland Park, Illinois, home. He attended Highland Park High School before graduating from Colorado College with a degree in biochemistry and minors in education and Spanish. During his undergraduate studies, he was the baseball team captain and led multiple youth outreach initiatives focused on mentorship and STEM.
He enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and watching baseball in his free time. He is excited to improve his skills in the classroom and form enriching relationships with his students.