Helping Build The Future of the Blue Ridge...

Thank you for visiting the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation! We are a tax-exempt 501(C)3 non-profit organization that provides funding through grants to support students from Pre-K through 12th grade (plus an optional 13th year for advanced college credits) at Blue Ridge School and Blue Ridge Early College in Cashiers, North Carolina. Since 2002, our all-volunteer board has worked to meet underfunded needs to supplement and strengthen academic achievement while enriching student experiences. These grants are made possible through generous donations and proceeds from our signature fundraising event, the Nashville Songwriters' Round.

We invite you to explore, learn more about our work, and join us in supporting a world-class education for every Blue Ridge student!

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors
Blue Ridge School Education Foundation

About The JCPS Superintendent

Dr. Dana Ayers began her educational career in 1999 at Battleground Elementary School in Lincolnton, NC where she taught 1st, 4th, and 5th grades. In 2005, she moved to Lincolnton Middle School where she taught 6th grade math and science.

Dr. Ayers transitioned to school administration at West Lincoln Middle School where she served as Assistant Principal of Instruction from 2010 to 2014. She then became Principal at Lincolnton Middle School and was named Principal of the Year in 2017.

After relocating to Jackson County in 2018, Dr. Ayers was hired by Asheville City Schools as Chief Academic Officer. She commuted to Asheville until June 2021 when she became Superintendent of Jackson County Public Schools.

Dr. Ayers received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Belmont Abbey College in 1999. She was awarded a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration in 2008 and AIG licensure in 2009 both from WCU. In 2016, she completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at UNC Charlotte.

In her personal life, Dr. Ayers prioritizes faith, family, and community. She has participated in many service projects with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and Samaritan’s Purse. She has volunteered at homeless shelters, served as a team captain for Relay for Life, and collected food for various ministries. Dr. Ayers and her family are also active supporters of WCU athletics.

Ms. Rayna Crisp, BRS Principal

Rayna Crisp earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Salem College. She is honored to serve as the new principal at Blue Ridge School.

 This year marks her 11th year in education, during which she has had the privilege of serving as both a middle school science teacher and assistant principal in Jackson County. 

 Before beginning her journey in education, Rayna worked in business administration with a strong foundation in marketing and advertising. This diverse background continues to enrich her approach to leadership and communication within the school setting. 

 A proud Jackson County native, Rayna is deeply committed to giving back to the community that helped shape her. She is the proud mother of two incredible young adults, Trevor and Alyssa—living reminders of a beautiful (though imperfect) love story. She also finds great joy in her role as "Mimzy" to her grandson. 

 Rayna values the importance of work/life balance and strives to lead by example. She finds peace and renewal in nature, especially while camping and hiking in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. 

 In 2025, Rayna experienced the sudden loss of her husband of over 30 years. His passing has reminded her of the irreplaceable value found in life’s smallest, often silliest moments— the ones that bring, as he used to say, “horse laughing.” Through it all, Rayna’s faith in God has been her steady anchor. That faith gives her strength, hope, and a deep sense of peace as she continues to move forward with purpose and gratitude.

Dr. Nathan Frizzell, BRSEC Principal
MA, M.Ed., Ed.S., Ed.D.

Nathan Frizzell of Cullowhee, NC, youngest of seven children. Growing up in Jackson County, some of his favorite activities included camping, playing baseball, basketball, and football, swimming, gardening, running and fishing. Success in school came easily to Nathan even through college and has always been a source of enjoyment. He considers himself a life-long learner. In search of challenges, he decided to join the U.S. Army, where he spent time at Fort Leonard Wood, MS, Fort Bragg, NC, and Fort McClellan, A.L. until he joined the NC National Guard in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Upon returning to Sylva, NC, Nathan unexpectedly found a teaching position in Transylvania County in a combination high school and middle grades education.  He spent ten years as a teacher at Rosman Middle and High School and the next ten years in Jackson County Public Schools at Fairview School and Cullowhee Valley school. Nathan served three years as lead teacher and assistant principal at Fairview School and six years as the principal of Cullowhee Valley School before leaving education to become the Project Manager for 35 Western North Carolina counties in the behavioral health field in August 2011. Nathan returned to education in 2015 in Swain County before returning to serve JCPS in 2017 where he taught at Smoky Mountain High School and fulfilled a childhood dream of coaching high school athletics at his alma mater, cross country and baseball. Nathan greatly enjoyed working with all of the individuals at Smoky Mountain High School and has for the last year been the principal of Blue Ridge Early College. Nathan believes that every day is a blessing to get the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and young adults.

Nathan and his wife Jill have been married for 23 years. They have four children and one grandchild. He enjoys traveling, running, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Nathan enjoys teaching and sharing history and stories, especially those involving family and local history. He also loves watching movies about historical events, visiting historical sites and hopes to write a historical novel.

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"Southwestern Community College is proud to offer all Blue Ridge Early College students an opportunity to complete up to two years of college credit - up to and possibly including associate degrees - at the same time as they earn their high school diplomas."

- Dr. Don Tomas, President, Southwestern Community College