North Hills Christian School Executive Director Maria Lowder recently announced the creation of several new leadership roles at the school.

“Looking forward to the 2015-2016 school year, we want to make sure we are prepared for one of the largest classes and the most exciting times in our school history,” Lowder said. “As we continue to grow the high school, grow athletics and integrate enhanced Classical curriculum, we felt it was important to make sure we had leadership that was able to focus on ‘the mind, body and soul.’ This very much supports our mission of ‘equipping the hearts and minds of students to impact the world for Christ.’”

Supporting the role of equipping the mind, Leslie Pullen has been appointed to the role of Upper School principal.

Pullen is a veteran educator with many years of experience at North Hills Christian School, and also teaches anatomy and physiology labs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

She has held a number of leadership positions at North Hills and has a passion for developing youth and encouraging them as they progress through the middle and high school years. Pullen has been instrumental in moving the school towards its current classical approach to education.

In her new role, Pullen will be able to dedicate her talents to the needs of the middle school and high school. She will mentor and develop teachers and implement curriculum enhancements including the development of the enrichment Friday program for the high school.

Teaming with Pullen in equipping the mind, Kristen Sabia will become North Hills Christian School’s first Lower School principal.

Sabia, a graduate of Catawba College and of North Hills Christian School, is a seasoned lower grade teacher with a passion for seeing children succeed in every possible way. She has a vision for how a classical style of education begun at a young age will build a foundation for future learning opportunities.

In her new role, Sabia will mentor and develop junior kindergarten through fifth-grade school teachers, implement curriculum enhancements and provide ongoing guidance, management and discipline to the lower school. She also has plans to expand the classical journey for the lower school.

Leading the role of equipping the soul will be Dana Rollins, who has been appointed to the newly created role of spiritual life director.

Rollins, a graduate of Liberty University, will be responsible for leading the spiritual development programs of North Hills Christian School.

Her responsibilities will include teaching Bible, as well as leading and directing the chapel program across all grades. She will also be responsible for the spiritual development of all students, faculty and staff.

Previously, Rollins was a middle school instructor at North Hills. While in that role, it was obvious she had a passion for teaching and instructing the hearts of the children and the school saw tremendous growth in its students.

“At North Hills we firmly believe a well-rounded education involves training the mind, body and soul,” Lowder said, adding that these new positions complement that goal along with the addition of Charissa Duncan, who was recently named the school’s athletic director.

“They round out a comprehensive leadership team ready to focus on all aspects of the educational experience,” she added.

“The past two years have seen a tremendous amount of positive change at North Hills. With our new facility, evolving classical curriculum, improving fine arts, improving athletics, we are able to offer students and their families a classical Christian education,” Lowder added. “I’m proud of what our staff has accomplished and look forward to how these new leadership announcements will continue to improve our drive towards excellence.”