A Chance Encounter Turned Into a Career for Retiring Trinity Teacher Cary Dufresne
June 10, 2025
As Trinity staculty headed off for summer, the community took a moment to celebrate 2nd Grade teacher Cary Dufresne as she retired after 14 years in the classroom at Trinity.
Colleagues paid tribute to Mrs. Dufresne, some wearing her many styles, such as her usual Ruth Bader Ginsburg outfit for Spirit Week, and led a game of Dufresne trivia (Her last favorite vegetable? Peas)
Her family, including husband David, daughter Louise TES ‘05 and son Mason TES ‘09, joined the celebration.
“Your friendship, support, and shared laughter made my life so much brighter,” she said in a note to staculty.
Mrs. Dufresne joined Trinity in 2011 as a 3rd Grade instructional assistant, becoming a lead teacher in 2015.
In the latest issue of The Trinity Voice, Mrs. Dufresne reflected on how her family came to Trinity. “It almost didn't happen,” she said.
As her family prepared to move from New Jersey to Charlotte in the early 2000s, someone suggested she check out Trinity for Louise and Mason to attend. “I was skeptical because the school was brand new,” she said.
While her children were convinced Trinity was right for them, she was still on the fence. On her way to the airport on a Sunday afternoon, she made one more stop at Trinity’s trailers and ran into founding Academic Dean Liz Whisnant on the front porch. Their conversation cemented it.
“I had no idea this random chance on a Sunday afternoon would make such a profound impact on both of my children - and on me,” Dufresne said.
While Mrs. Dufresne is retiring from full-time teaching, she will continue to be a part of the Trinity community as an Orton-Gillingham tutor.
“I am overwhelmed by the great memories and the joy I have experienced at this remarkable school,” she said. “I will always be grateful that fate put us in Charlotte and at Trinity.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
June 05, 2025
One journey ended while another began at the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremony for the Trinity Episcopal School Class of 2025 on June 2.
Fifty-four 8th Grade students, including 28 “lifers” who have been at Trinity since Kindergarten, received certificates and a blessing from the school chaplains during the service.
“We celebrate a class that has truly left its mark on our community,” said Head of School Imana Sherrill.
The graduating class marked a milestone for Trinity in its 25th school year as it brought the number of alumni to over 1,000.
Ten students were nominated by their classmates for special awards that were presented during the ceremony:
- Community Builder Award: Stryker Kelligrew, Bodhi Natarajan, Violet Natarajan
- Honor and Integrity Award: Lydia Addison, William Rojas
- Scholarship Award: Anna Glenn McCready, Luke Smith, India Thompson
- Spirituality Award: Charlotte Bloom, Hampton Bundy
Award recipients from the Class of 2024 returned to bestow the honors on this year's class.
Lucy Lindvall TES '24 delivered the commencement address and encouraged students to “step out of your comfort zone” as they enter high school.
“Embrace the change,” she said. “Try something scary, and if you mess up, laugh, then get back up and try again.”
It is a Trinity tradition for graduating 8th Grade students to write reflections on their time at Trinity, some of which Mrs. Sherrill shared in her remarks.
“What’s consistent in every story is that you’ve taken care of each other,” she said. “You’ve made each other laugh. You’ve cheered each other on. You’ve helped carry each other’s burdens. That is what community looks like.”
The Class of 2025 will continue their education at the following schools:
• Cannon School
• Charlotte Catholic High School
• Charlotte Country Day School
• Charlotte Latin School
• Christ School
• Collegiate School (Va.)
• Cox Mill High School
• East Mecklenburg High School
• The Fletcher School
• MacArthur High School (D.C.)
• Mountain Island Charter School
• Myers Park High School
• Northwest School of the Arts
• Providence Day School
• Salem Academy
• St. Andrews School (Del.)
Wherever they go, Mrs. Sherrill said in concluding her speech, “keep being curious, keep creating, and keep caring.”
Celebrating TES Staculty Achievements
May 28, 2025
For all of its 25 years, Trinity has been fortunate to have outstanding faculty and staff members who make an impact on our students and the broader community.
As the 2024-25 school year concludes, Trinity applauds the following staculty members for their recognitions and achievements, as well as their service beyond our campus.
Middle School Spanish Teacher Erica Armas presented at a North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) conference in a workshop on ways to engage with students to speak and write using authentic resources. For her presentation, Mrs. Armas highlighted her 7th Grade students' Quinceñera projects.
Speech and Debate and Mock Trial Team Coach Jennifer Bader served as a board member for the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities and Forensics Committee Chair. The speech and debate and mock trial teams both won their respective state championships this year.
Middle School Language Arts Teacher and High School Counselor Lilla Clark was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Humanities, which aims to connect people to each other and to the stories, histories, and cultures of North Carolina. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Ashley Hall in Charleston, S.C. She presented at a NCAIS conference on reviving creative writing in Middle School.
2nd Grade Teacher Tatyana Corley received a Light the Fire grant that she will use to study the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. She will also attend the Teaching Fellows Institute in Charlotte this summer.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Ayeola Elias completed her fifth year of service on the executive board of Generation WE, which provides children with access to inclusive literature and interactive experiences. She also presented at an NCAIS conference on the topic of inclusive classrooms.
Middle School Academic Dean and ELA Teacher Leigh Fresina presented at an NCAIS conference on the topic of designing effective math practices.
Assistant Head of School for Academics Stephanie Griffin presented at the National Association of Episcopal Schools conference on student activism as a capstone experience, based on the 8th Grade Seminar class at Trinity.
Director of Advancement Katie Keels completed her term as chair of the Board of Directors of Time Out Youth, where she has served on the board for 5 years.
Digital Learning Catalyst Mer Leeson presented at an NCAIS conference on creating a student-led IT help-desk.
Middle School Science Teacher Aprillé Morris-Butler was chosen as one of 10 National STEM Scholars for 2025. The National STEM Scholars Program is a prestigious program at Western Kentucky University and is designed to inspire middle school science teachers’ creativity and passion for teaching. As part of the program, Ms. Morris-Butler will develop a develop a classroom “Weatherwise Project” that includes a network of student-built weather stations positioned strategically around campus.
Middle School Latin Teacher Lindsey Morse presented at an NCAIS conference on world languages on the topic of a student-created film festival as part of language studies.
Learning Catalyst Suzanne Newsom will travel to Rwanda this summer to teach girls from Afghanistan through the School of Leadership Afghanistan.
Learning Catalyst Anna Okrah presented at the Association for Middle Level Education conference on the topic of supporting Middle School students' executive functioning.
Interim Head Chaplain and Dean of Community Life Rev. Lindsey Peery presented at the National Association of Episcopal Schools conference on the topic of service learning.
Director of Admission and Financial Support Fé Patriciu served on her first Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) accreditation team for a school in Richmond, Va. She also was one of only three financial aid directors chosen out of a pool of 1,000 to participate in a webinar for the Clarity financial aid platform.
Visual Arts Director Jen Rankey-Zona, a founding Trinity faculty member, was named by the Arts & Science Council as a recipient of the 2025 CATO Excellence in Teaching Awards. Ms. Rankey-Zona was one of six educators in the Charlotte area to receive the award, which recognizes educators who have distinguished themselves in the arts, science, and history. These teachers are noted for their dedication to their students' learning and creativity in the classroom.
4th Grade Instructional Assistant Sydney Robinson completed her master's degree in child life with a concentration in play therapy from East Carolina University. For her thesis, she studied health disparities in pediatrics.
Director of Facilities Dallas Schwerin was appointed to the audit committee of the International Facility Management Association's Board of Directors. The IFMA is the world's largest and most widely recognized association for facility management professionals.
Head of School Imana Sherrill joined the advisory board of Wake Forest University's School of Professional Studies. She also serves on the SAIS Board of Trustees and the Black Alumni Council for the University of North Carolina - Charlotte.
Head of Lower School Sarah Barton Thomas serves on the faculty of the SAIS New Teacher Institute and will present next fall at the SAIS annual conference. She was elected as the Singer's Representative on the board of the Charlotte Master Chorale, and was named an ambassador for the 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon.
5th Grade Teacher Joann York represented Trinity at the NCAIS Lower School Conference and presented on the topic of students' internet usage for research and gathering information.
Congratulations to these staculty members on their achievements and their service!
Jen Rankey-Zona Receives Excellence in Teaching Award
May 21, 2025
On the heels of the national recognition for Middle School science teacher Aprillé Morris-Butler, Trinity is thrilled to share another honor for a staculty member.
Visual Arts Director and founding teacher Jen Rankey-Zona was named by the Arts & Science Council as a recipient of the 2025 CATO Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Ms. Rankey-Zona was one of six educators in the Charlotte area to receive the award, which recognizes educators who have distinguished themselves in the arts, science, and history. These teachers are noted for their dedication to their students' learning and creativity in the classroom.
“I'm humbled and honored,” Ms. Rankey-Zona said.
Head of School Imana Sherrill applauded Ms. Rankey-Zona. “Her impact is felt deeply at Trinity and far beyond,” she said.
Middle School Teacher Named National STEM Scholar
May 15, 2025
Middle School Science teacher Aprillé Morris-Butler has been chosen as one of 10 National STEM Scholars for 2025.
The National STEM Scholars Program is a prestigious program at Western Kentucky University, where Ms. Morris-Butler will attend a week-long intensive workshop this month. The program is designed to inspire middle school science teachers’ creativity and passion for teaching.
Ms. Morris-Butler will spend the week engaged in hands-on activities with STEM education leaders, and will develop a classroom “Weatherwise Project” supported by a $2,500 grant.
The project will complement our existing Perry Weather system and create a network of student-built weather stations positioned strategically around campus. Students will compare readings from their stations with Perry Weather, which will encourage scientific inquiry as they investigate microclimate variations across our campus.
"This is an amazing opportunity that will also benefit our young scientists," said Head of Middle School Tracy Onze.
In addition to her week at Western Kentucky, Ms. Morris-Butler will also present at the National Science Teachers Association conference in April 2026, and receive year-long mentoring from Western Kentucky faculty.
