Alamance Academy Day TEAM

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  Afika Nxumalo is an award-winning songwriter, scriptwriter, and teaching artist who brings industry-level storytelling to his classes. As founder of the creative academy Pop College, he is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, voice, and creative discipline through music and narrative craft. At Alamance Academy Day, he teaches Music Literacy, Music Performance (Guitar), World Music, and International Cultures Studies, guiding students to see their creative work as both personal expression and meaningful contribution to the world.

  Darrick Clark is a special education teacher, IT student and creative thinker who enjoys building web projects, writing stories, and turning ideas into meaningful experiences. He blends technology with imagination, balancing problem-solving with a love for books, creativity, and lifelong learning.  At AAD, Darrick teaches Vocational Enrichment, Life Skills, Reading and Book Review.  Darrick also serves on the Board of Directors as the Faculty Liaison.

Desmond Moore has cultivated a fledgling career in mental health and mental performance through collegiate and professional experiences. During his undergraduate studies at Morehouse College, Desmond served as a peer advocate for the Atlanta University Center's mental health advocacy group, C.H.I.L.L. (Counseling Humans in Life Lessons). He also volunteered with the Athletic Department as a Skills Enhancement Facilitator by helping student athletes to balance their academic and athletic demands. In his final year, Desmond blended his roles of mental health and athlete advocacy to organize and moderate The Mind Game, a panel discussion for HBCU student athlete mental health featuring the director of the NBA’s Mind Health program, Dr. Kensa Gunter. After graduation, Desmond followed his passion for mental healthcare at Anchor Hospital in Atlanta, GA by providing direct in-patient care to adolescent and adult patients with various psychiatric disorders and mental illnesses. Desmond is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Applied Sport Psychology program, where he received training as a Graduate Mental Performance Consultant.  At AAD, Desmond serves as a Counseling Support Specialist and Teacher for our Music Production and Sports Science classes.

  With over 10 years of experience working with children and young people, I am passionate about fostering creativity, confidence, and curiosity in every student I teach. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working as an art teacher, youth coach, and now as a drama and performance art teacher. Each role has deepened my commitment to helping students discover their unique voices and talents.

In the classroom, I strive to create an engaging, supportive environment where students feel empowered to take creative risks and express themselves authentically. I believe the arts are a powerful tool for building confidence, collaboration skills, and critical thinking.

Outside of school, I enjoy staying active at the gym, playing soccer, attending trivia nights, and participating in science conferences. I’m also passionate about creating performance art in my free time, which continually inspires and enriches my teaching practice.

I look forward to another exciting year of creativity, growth, and performance with my students!

  Greetings! My name is Norma Thompson, and I am a school counselor with 20+ years of experience working with adolescents and their families. I am a long-term resident of Alamance County. I was born and raised in Mexico but moved to NC in 1995. Since then, I have served the community in various capacities, including working as a Spanish teacher, Spanish Interpreter at the Alamance County Health Department and working for the Alamance Burlington School System from 2003 until 2024. I firmly believe that every child can learn and thrive in the right environment and with proper support. I see myself as a team player who can support parents in the God-given task of raising well-rounded children, and I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve the students at Alamance Academy Day.

  Anthony “Pete” Pinnix has joined the AAD team as a Student & Family Counselor. He specializes in helping students and families navigate the unique challenges of growing up in today’s world. His approach centers on building a collaborative environment where students feel heard and parents feel supported. He is a family man who believes that together, we can work to strengthen communication, build emotional resilience, and create a path toward a more harmonious life.