Hello ALA Johnston Families,

As we meet as an administrative team, we are excited about the quality and experience of teachers who are applying for teaching positions at both the elementary and JH/HS. Our management company has jobs posted on Indeed and Nimble, but most of our applicants are coming by word of mouth or social media ads. There are many teachers looking for the same thing that parents and students are looking for, which is reflected in our mission, vision, and values. We do have a link on our webpage to direct individuals looking for job opportunities with ALA. If you know of a great, qualified, and enthusiastic teacher, send them our way.

Building Update!
We have heard that parents are concerned the school will not open on time. In each newsletter we will fill you in as the construction goes along so you can see the progress and set your mind at ease. Here is the update from Schoolhouse Development, “Most casting beds for the tilt wall panels are poured and the wall panels have been formed and steel installed. Expecting foundation for lower (Elementary) school to be formed this week. We are still looking good for on-time opening.”
Enrollment
The enrollment process is continuing as more families complete their acceptance at the school. We have had a few families decline their enrollment at ALA – Johnston which has allowed us to move a few students off the waiting list. We still have availability spots at the JH and HS grades. As more students enroll in the JH/HS, they will also be given the link to select elective courses. JH/HS core subject classes will be assigned based on incoming transcripts/report cards that are submitted to the registrar. 

Uploading Documents
Once you have been offered a seat, please follow the steps below to ensure your registration is complete with in 7 days.

1. Accept placement via the parent portal
2. Complete Registration via the parent portal
3. Upload Proof of Residency. (We can not register your student without this important document).
4. Don't forget to click SUBMIT when you are finished. (You can continue to upload additional documents at a later date).

New Interest Information Night
There is another information meeting scheduled for March 9th, at 5:30 at the Smithfield City Hall Building. This information session is for those who are not currently enrolled or who have not already attended an information session. We are focusing more on the JH and HS students at this information session since that is where we have availability. If you have questions about this upcoming school year, and have already attended an information session, rather than attending the information sessions, please follow the FaceBook page or email Mr. Turley directly at rturley@alajohnston.org.

Uniforms!
We know you are so excited to get your ALA Patriot uniforms! We are planning an uniform purchasing night where you will be able to try on the sizes and purchase shirts. This event will be held late April. We will have several Uniform Nights over the next 5 months. If you are too excited to wait for this event and want to order your uniforms now, you may visit ALA Apparel. Some families are going to the ALA Arizona website and purchasing magnets, please be advised ALA magnets will not be a part of the North Carolina dress code, polos must have the ALA logo embroidered. 

ALA – Garner… What?
We have had a few inquiries about some social media ads about an ALA – Garner school opening soon. American Leadership Academy was grateful for the overwhelming interest in our charter schools. Currently ALA is opening two schools in the Fall, ALA Johnston and Wake Preparatory Academy in Wake Forest. ALA is in the process of opening an additional school in 2024 in Garner. Part of that process is to survey the interest in the area and identify a location. The ads you are seeing for ALA Garner are part of the interest information being gathered. On the ad for ALA Garner, an incorrect “coming soon” date of 2022 was used, that incorrect information has been fixed and now reads 2024. We couldn’t be happier with the support from the community wanting to join the ALA family. 

ALA – Johnston Leadership
ALA Johnston has hired an amazing group of individuals to lead this school. Mr. Raymond Turley is the Executive Director of the K-12 campus. The campus is divided into two buildings. Ms. Samantha Nordan is the Director (Principal) of the K-6 grades, with Mr. Nathan Payan as her Assistant Director. Mr. Raymond Turley is also the Director (Principal) of the 7-12 grades, with Mrs. Sarah Barnette, Mr. Shawn Taylor, and Mr. John Kuntz as Assistant Directors. Here are the bios of some of the administrative team. 
Raymond Turley – Executive Director and Director of 7-12 JH/HS

Hello! I am excited to share that I will be the new ALA Johnston campus director! I am thrilled about this new role which will allow me to continue my passion for education with this remarkable new school coming to Johnston County in the fall of 2022!
I graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, including an emphasis in biology and a masters in secondary curriculum design. I have a wide range of minors ranging from vocal performance, graphic design, chemistry, and Portuguese.
It has been a joy to work in the education field for the past thirty-nine years. During that time, I have been a teacher with Mesa Public Schools in Arizona and an associate director for the online program Mesa Distant Learning. Most recently, I served as the director for ALA Ironwood High School in Arizona.
Originally from Prescott, Arizona, I have resided in Phoenix, Arizona's east valley for most of my adult life. As an active community member, I value my commitment to the church and its youth programs. Athletics, performing arts, and fine arts have been integral to my professional and personal life.
My wife Jennifer and I are excited to join the Johnston community soon and share our new experiences with our amazing children and grandchildren. I look forward to serving your family and providing your children with the best education possible in a moral and wholesome environment inclusive of a values-based curriculum. rturley@alajohnston.org
Samantha Nordan – Director of K-6 Elementary

I am honored and excited to lead as the first Elementary Directory of ALA-Johnston. I am in my 14th year of education and have most recently served as an instructional coach for the Wake County Public School System where I was an integral part of the school’s administrative team.

I have a bachelor's degree in Communications from NC State University, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Campbell University, and I am certified in reading as well. I began my career teaching first grade where I quickly realized my true heart for education. After five years in the classroom, I became an intervention coach supporting third, fourth, and fifth grade students in reading, and later I moved to a district level coaching position where I supported multiple elementary schools with district initiatives and school improvement. I believe in living out the RAISE values of ALA and am passionate about building relationships with all stakeholders in order to create the best educational experience for students and their families.

I was born and raised in Clayton, NC and now live just outside of there in Benson, NC. My kids and I enjoy time with our family, time at the beach, and time on the baseball field, and we are looking forward to the great things to come at ALA-Johnston.  snordan@alajohnston.org
Shawn Taylor – Assistant Director of Student Services (JH/HS)

I am so pleased to be joining the ALA-Johnston family as Assistant Director of Student Services. I am excited about this opportunity to build a strong Student Services Team to support and meet the needs of our students.

I graduated from Campbell University with a B.S. in Psychology and served as Director of Community Living and Standards at CU while obtaining my M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies. I later returned to Campbell and completed my M.Ed. in Counseling Education while teaching middle school in Harnett County.

Since completing my degree, I have served as a counselor in Wake County Public Schools, a mental health therapist, and dean of students at a local charter school. In each position, I have been committed to assisting students and families in achieving their personal and academic goals.

I am originally from a little town called Beulaville in southeast North Carolina and currently live in Raleigh, NC with my spouse and our two, very spoiled, Boston Terriers - Sasha and Winston. Again, I look forward to working with our students and families at ALA-Johnston! ctaylor@alajohnston.org
Sarah Barnette – Assistant Director of Academics (JH/HS)

I am excited to be joining American Leadership Academy in serving you and your family! I am the ALA Assistant Director of Academics. 

I graduated from Arizona State University in Elementary Education in 2004 and am currently working on my M.Ed. in Leadership. I have served in many facets of education including private, home school, public and public charter (public charter is my favorite) I have taught preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade, 4th grade and 5th grade. I am excited to be working with the older students at the middle/high school this upcoming year. 

I am passionate about education, service and building a strong community. I strive to live the RAISE values and incorporate them into my daily life with my husband and four children. My family and I enjoy hiking in the beautiful North Carolina pines, relaxing on the beach and playing weekly board games. Being originally from Gilbert, Arizona I have been able to see how ALA has supported and served the community over the years. When we relocated to NC it was difficult for me to say goodbye to my ALA family, however after seven years home has finally come to me. 

ALA is an amazing school that supports the family, has a strong focus on education and service for the community. I know you will love it as much as I do. sbarnette@alajohnston.org
Nathan Payan Assistant Director of K-6 Elementary

Greetings to you all! I am the Assistant Director of the Elementary School at ALA Johnston. I am both extremely pleased and excited about what’s to come for our ALA Johnston family this August! All of the pieces are in place for us to have a fantastic inaugural year that we can all be proud of as we each play our part in achieving the excellence we all strive for as a school community while practicing the RAISE values in a moral and wholesome environment.

I have been involved in education for twenty years now and have enjoyed it as I am continually learning so much along the way! I first earned my BA from Michigan State University and later attended George Mason University where I then earned an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. After having taught in the upper elementary classroom for several years, I decided yet again to return to school to pursue and ultimately earn my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey. I am an enthusiastic lifelong learner!

Prior to joining the ALA Johnston family, I spent several years teaching abroad in South Korea as well as in Brazil where I was an upper elementary classroom teacher in both 4th and 5th grade. I enjoyed working with my students and helping them reach their academic, social, physical, and emotional goals each and every day. In addition to working in the classroom, I also spent my time coaching girls’ and boys’ basketball and cross country each year. Then and now, I make it a point to enjoy sharing my passion for academics and sports and fitness with those around me.

I cannot overstate how thrilled I am about what’s to come for us as a school community this August, it’s truly going to be an exciting time for us all! I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and serving our community to the best of my abilities. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if there’s anything I can assist you with, I will be more than happy to help you! npayan@alajohnston.org
Upcoming Events
We will keep you informed on events as they are scheduled, please consult the official Facebook page. Things to be looking for here in the near future will be more Information Nights, Question and Answer Nights, Uniform Purchasing Nights, and Grade-level get togethers.


American Leadership Academy, Johnston | 3770 US-70 Bus Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: (984) 302-3630